Tuesday, October 19, 2021

Philippines Catches Abu Sayyaf Suspect Involved In Abductions, Beheadings Of Two Canadians

Posted to the Eurasian Review (Oct 19, 2021): Philippines Catches Abu Sayyaf Suspect Involved In Abductions, Beheadings Of Two Canadians (By BenarNews)

 

Philippine soldiers secure an area where they encountered members of Abu Sayyaf terrorist organization. Joint Task Force Sulu Handout

Authorities in the southern Philippines have arrested a suspected Abu Sayyaf militant, who acted as a ransom negotiator and was involved in the abductions of two Canadians who were executed by the Islamic extremist group in 2016, police said Monday.

The national police’s Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) backed by police commandos, marines, and intelligence agents,
arrested Adzrimar Sali Ammat on Friday after raiding his safehouse in Zamboanga City, officials said. The house was located within two kilometers of a military base.

Ammat, 30, who is also known as Abu Omar or Guru Adin, was involved in the 2015 kidnappings of Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall, as well as Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad and Filipina Marites Flor, police said. The latter two were freed after a year in captivity.

“Ammat alias Abu Omar was tagged as the negotiator of the Abu Sayyaf group that seized the four captives, including three foreigners and a Filipina in 2015,” AKG chief Brig. Gen. Rudolph Dimas said in a statement.


He did not say why it took police three days to publicize the suspect’s arrest.

On Monday, officials at the Canadian Embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a BenarNews request for comment.

The Abu Sayyaf, or “Bearers of the Sword,” a militant group based in the southern Philippines, is blamed for the country’s worst terrorist attacks, including bombings of military camps. Founded by an Afghan-trained militant in the 1990s, the group later branched out to raising funds through kidnapping when its leader was killed.

Police said that two other kidnap victims, who were not named by them, positively identified Ammat as a negotiator. It was not clear whether they were held together with the two Canadians.

The regional police office in Zamboanga said Ammat had two standing warrants of arrests, one issued by a Davao Court for two counts of kidnapping with homicide on Sept. 29, 2016, and kidnapping with ransom issued by another court on Sept. 2, 2019.

The two Canadians, the Norwegian and the Filipina were abducted in September 2015 from the Holiday Oceanview Resort on the island of Samal in Davao del Norte, and were later taken to the jungles of Jolo Island – the stronghold of Abu Sayyaf in the far south – police said.

Ridsdel was beheaded in April 2016 and Hall was beheaded two months later. In June 2016, Flor, Hall’s girlfriend, was also freed and recounted the cruelty of Abu Sayyaf militants.

“We were treated like dogs. If we made mistakes, we were beaten,” Flor told reporters then, shortly after the militants freed her. President Rodrigo Duterte had ordered negotiators to get her and the remaining hostage alive.

Flor was freed three months earlier than Sekkingstad, the Norwegian. The national police then said that a ransom of 30 million pesos (about $600,000) was paid for his release, although they never revealed who was the source of that money.

In hostage situations, the Philippines government officially has a policy of not negotiating for ransom.

https://www.eurasiareview.com/19102021-philippines-catches-abu-sayyaf-suspect-involved-in-abductions-beheadings-of-two-canadians/

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: Iniluluklok na tuta ni Duterte, tinututulan ng kooperatiba sa Benguet

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis (Tagalog edition) posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Oct 19, 2021): Iniluluklok na tuta ni Duterte, tinututulan ng kooperatiba sa Benguet






Tinutulan ng mga upisyal ng Benguet Electric Cooperative (Beneco) ang sapilitang pagluluklok ng National Electrification Authority (NEA) sa tuta ng Malacañang bilang pangkalahatang manedyer para makontrol ang kooperatiba.

Binabatikos ng mga empleyado ng Beneco ang pagtatalaga ng NEA kay Ana Marie Rafael, isang upisyal sa Presidential Communications Operations Office. Kahapon nang madaling araw ay sinugod at pinasok ng mga ahente ng Philippine National Police-Cordillera at National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) ang Beneco upang maagaw ni Rafael ang operasyon ng kooperatiba. Isinagawa ito habang abala ang mga tauhan ng kooperatiba sa pag-aayos ng mga naging problema sa kuryente dulot ng bagyong Maring.

Noong Oktubre 18, nagprotesta ang mga empleyado ng Beneco at mga kasapi ng Beneco Labor Union sa Malcolm Square sa Baguio City para ipanawagan ang kagyat na pag-aalis kay Rafael. Dumalo at nakiisa rin ang mga kabataan.

Ayon sa mga empleyado ng kooperatiba, iligal ang ginawang pagluklok kay Rafael dahil hindi siya kwalipikado. Wala rin umanong problema ang Beneco kaya’t hindi ito dapat sinaklaw ng NEA. Nais ng mga kasapi ng Beneco na maluklok ang lehitimo at upisyal na pangkalahatang manedyer na kanilang hinirang na si Engineer Melchor Licoben.

Mula pa Mayo nagbanta ng pang-aagaw ang NEA. Nakakuha noon ang mga kinatawan ng Beneco ng temporary restraining order mula sa Baguio City Regional Trial Court para pigilan ang NEA. Noong Agosto, nagtangka ang kampo ni Rafael na pasukin ang Beneco. Hinarang siya ng barikada ng mga manggagawa ng kooperatiba.

Nangangamba ang mga empleyado ng kooperatiba na bababa ang kalidad ng serbisyo ngayong nakapailalim ito kay Rafael. Anila, posibleng magiging negosyo lamang ng mga pulitiko ang kooperatiba.

Nagpahayag ng suporta ang grupong Tongtongan ti Umili-Cordillera People’s Alliance sa paglaban ng mga manggagawa ng Beneco. Naglabas na rin ng pahayag ang alkalde ng Baguio City na kumwestyon sa iligal na panghihimasok ng NEA sa kooperatiba.

[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/iniluluklok-na-tuta-ni-duterte-tinututulan-ng-kooperatiba-sa-benguet/

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: Lider-kabataan sa Bicol, nakalaya na

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis (Tagalog edition) posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Oct 19, 2021): Lider-kabataan sa Bicol, nakalaya na






Matapos ang limang buwan, dalawang linggo at dalawang araw na detensyon sa gawa-gawang kasong illegal possession of firearms and explosives, nakalaya na kahapon ang kabataang aktibistang si Sasah Sta. Rosa, tagapagsalita ng Jovenes Anakbayan. Ibinasura ng korte ang gawa-gawang kasong isinampa sa kanya.

Inaresto si Sta. Rosa noong Mayo 2 sa kanyang bahay sa Naga City, Camarines Sur sa isang koordinadong crackdown sa mga aktibista sa rehiyong Bicol. Alas-3 ng madaling araw nang nireyd ang kanyang bahay at ayon sa pamilya, 40 minutong naghalughog ang mga elemento ng Philippine National Police-Naga City at pagkatapos ay pinalitaw ang isang bag na may lamang mga baril, granada, at pulang bandera.

Kasabay ng pag-aresto kay Sta. Rosa, inaresto rin noon si Pastor Dan Balucio, tagapagsalita ng Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) Bicol sa Barangay San Isidro, Sto Domingo, Albay. Nakalaya na si Balucio noong Agosto.

Sa panahong nakakulong si Sta. Rosa, iba’t ibang organisasyon ng mga kabataan at tagapagtanggol ng karapatang tao ang nanawagan ng kanyang kagyat na pagpapalaya. Kabilang na dito ang mga kamag-aral niya sa Ateneo de Naga sa pamumuno ng One Big Fight for Human Rights and Democracy.

Kasabay ng paglaya ni Sta. Rosa, mahigpit din ang panawagan ng Anakabyan Naga City na tigilan na ng rehimeng Duterte ang iligal na pag-aresto sa mga aktibista at pagreyd sa mga upisina ng mga progresibong grupo.

[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/lider-kabataan-sa-bicol-nakalaya-na/

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: DILG using red-tagging as election tool—CPP

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis (Tagalog edition) posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Oct 19, 2021): DILG using red-tagging as election tool—CPP






The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today slammed the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for threatening politicians it is accusing of “supporting the NPA” with prosecution under the terror law saying this shows how red-tagging is being used as a political tool against candidates in the 2022 elections who are critical or unsupportive of the Duterte regime.

In a statement last week, the DILG emphasized that it will “actively seek disqualification” of those whom it claims are associated with the CPP or support the New People’s Army (NPA) “through financing.” It warned politicians against abiding by the policies of the revolutionary movement with regard the conduct of their electoral campaign in NPA areas.

CPP Chief Information Officer Marco Valbuena said that “these thinly veiled threats are directed against politicians critical of the repressive policies of the Duterte tyrannical regime.”

“The DILG’s threats of linking candidates to the CPP or NPA are akin to hanging the Sword of Damocles over their heads, similar to the sham ‘narco list’ used by Duterte against opposition politicians to threaten them with murder unless they bow to Duterte’s tyranny,” added Valbuena.

Valbuena said the revolutionary movement will continue to implement policies governing the conduct of the reactionary elections in the areas of operation of the NPA to protect the interests of the people against violence by armed goons or police and military escorts of campaigning politicians.

The CPP information officer urged all candidates to consult with representatives of local units of the NPA or organs of political power so that they can be briefed over these policies. He reiterated that these policies are equally applied to all political parties and candidates.

Valbuena said the DILG and PNP directives are in conjunction with the National Task Force-Elcac’s rolling campaign against progressive partylist groups running for congressional seats. Kabataan Partylist and Gabriela Women’s Party, both part of the Makabayan bloc in Congress, are facing disqualification cases in Comelec lodged by the NTF-Elcac.

“These directives are evidence that the Duterte regime is doing everything in order to remain in power amid rising people’s disenchantment over its failed pandemic response, widespread corruption, treason, and crimes of mass murder,” said Valbuena. (CPP Information Bureau)

[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/dilg-using-red-tagging-as-election-tool-cpp/

Kalinaw News: DSWD XI and 89IB Conducted Food packs Distribution in Sto Tomas, Davao del Norte

Posted to Kalinaw News (Oct 19, 2021): DSWD XI and 89IB Conducted Food packs Distribution in Sto Tomas, Davao del Norte



SANTO TOMAS, DAVAO DEL NORTE – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) XI in collaboration with the 89th Infantry (MAKATAO) Battalion led by Major Jershome O. Butt with Master Sergeant Julito D. Postre conducted food packs distribution to more or less 70 households held at Brgy Salvacion, Sto Tomas, DDN on October 18, 2021.

The beneficiaries were Indigenous People (IP) from Sitio Misulong, Brgy Sto Niño, Talaingod, DDN who were temporarily residing in shanties alongside the provincial road in Sto Tomas. Said IPs found shelter for the meantime while gleaning the leftover rice harvest in the area to support their basic needs.

This endeavor is in relation to Executive Order No.70 which is the institutionalization of the Whole-of-Nation Approach wherein basic services should be delivered to this vulnerable sector in order to address their issues and concerns so that it will no longer be used by the communist terrorist group and left-leaning organizations in the area as propaganda against 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/dswd-xi-and-89ib-conducted-food-packs-distribution-in-sto-tomas-davao-del-norte/

Kalinaw News: Military, MILF join hands to end terrorism

Posted to Kalinaw News (Oct 19, 2021): Military, MILF join hands to end terrorism



Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City – October 19, 2021

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is actively supporting the military’s campaign against terrorism by convincing the remaining members of the terror groups to surrender.

In Basilan, two members of the Abu Sayyaf Group yielded to the troops of the 68th Infantry Battalion at the unit’s headquarters in Barangay Campo Uno, Lamitan City, Basilan on Monday morning, October 18. The duo handed over one M16 rifle and one COLT cal. 45 pistol.

According to Brigadier General Domingo Gobway, Commander of Joint Task Force Basilan, the good relationship between the military and the MILF in the area led to the capitulation of a.k.a. Jaid Balatong, 40 years old, a resident of Albarka, and an ASG member under Abdullah, Indanan; and a.k.a. Abdul Munib, 35 years old, a resident of Tipo-Tipo, and an ASG member under Furuji Indama.

“Commander Dan Asnawi, Commander of the MILF’s 114th Base Command together with Commander Rajan Abdurahman, the deputy commander; Commander Maaruf, Commander of MILF Bakisong; and Hadji Samad of the CCCH-Basilan, in coordination with the 68IB, facilitated the surrender of the duo,” Brigadier General Gobway said.


Meanwhile, Major General Alfredo Rosario, Jr. expressed his appreciation to the peace-inclined Moro Islamic Liberation Front for their unwavering support to the peace campaign of the command. “I am personally elated with the commitment of the MILF to support us in our quest for lasting-peace and sustainable development here in Mindanao,” Major General Rosario, Jr. stated.

The WestMinCom Commander further urged the remaining members of the Abu Sayyaf Group in Basilan to come out and return to mainstream society. “It’s time to end your armed struggle and transform Basilan into a peaceful and progressive province,” Major General Rosario, Jr. added.



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

https://www.kalinawnews.com/military-milf-join-hands-to-end-terrorism/

Kalinaw News: Military General visits WestMinCom

Posted to Kalinaw News (Oct 19, 2021): Military General visits WestMinCom



Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City – October 19, 2021

Major General Eugenio Hernandez, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Reservist and Retiree Affairs, J9 visited the Western Mindanao Command on Monday morning, October 18, 2021, purposely to pay a courtesy call on the unified command chief.

In his arrival, Major General Hernandez was welcomed with Foyer Honors rendered by the officers and personnel of the command led by Brigadier General Antonio Nafarrete, WestMinCom’s Deputy Commander for Administration. He was then received by WestMinCom Commander, Major General Alfredo Rosario, Jr., and the Command Staff at the Laong Laan Hall of the command.

During their conversation, Major General Rosario, Jr. expressed his gratitude to Major General Hernandez for taking the time to visit the command and for extending his assistance to the newly established Office of the Assistant Chief of Unified Command Staff for Reservists and Retiree Affairs, U9 of the command. Major General Hernandez on the other hand thanked the WestMinCom Commander for the warm welcome. He also vowed for continued support to the command in addressing the concerns of the reserve and retired troops.

Major General Hernandez is a proud member of the Philippine Military Academy “Makatao” Class of 1989. He assumed as the Chief of the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Reservist and Retiree Affairs, J9, AFP in November 2020.

The visit was conducted following existing health protocols to avoid the spread of the COVID-19 virus.



[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/military-general-visits-westmincom/

Kalinaw News: Trust in Government Leads to Series of Communist Terrorist and Dawlah Islamiya Surrender in SOCCSKSARGEN Region

Posted to Kalinaw News (Oct 19, 2021): Trust in Government Leads to Series of Communist Terrorist and Dawlah Islamiya Surrender in SOCCSKSARGEN Region



CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – Influx of surrenders poured in Region 12 as nine (9) Communist Terrorists and a Daulah Islamiya Extremist returned to the folds of the law and surrender to the Local Government Units and security forces of Sultan Kudarat Province and General Santos City for the past weeks.

The Local Government Unit of General Santos City along with Task Force Gensan openly received two (2) former Communist Terrorists and a Dawlah Islamiya Extremist who decided to return to the folds of law and live a peaceful life on October 06, 2021 at General Santos City. The surrenderers were presented to the media by General Santos City Mayor Ronnel Rivera; Task Force Gensan Commander, Colonel Galileo Goyena Jr.; Regional Director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Office 12, Mr Restituto Macuto; and representatives coming from different Local Government Agencies.

Also presented were the surrendered firearms which includes one (1) Remington 5.56mm R4 rifle, one (1) caliber 30 Springfield Garand rifle, and one (1) caliber .45 pistol.

Colonel Goyena Jr. disclosed that the former Dawlah Islamiya Extremist belongs to the DI-Hassan Group operating in Polomolok, South Cotabato while the two former communist-terrorists were from SRC Daguma, FSMR operating in the municipalities of Kalamansig, Palimbang and Lebak.

While the Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict of Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat (MTF-ELCAC Kalamansig) received another set of surrender which includes two (2) former members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) who voluntarily yielded to 37th Infantry Battalion at Barangay Sabanal, Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat last October 15, 2021.

Lieutenant Colonel Allan Van Estrera, Commanding Officer of 37IB identified the former rebels as alias Bante and alias Biboy, who belonged to Squad Primera, Dragon Fruit Platoon, East DAGUMA Front of Far South Mindanao Region (FSMR) and yielded one (1) shotgun, two (2) homemade 20 gauge pistol, one (1) caliber .38 revolver, and various ammunition of different calibers.

“Their renewed trust in the government led them to turn their backs from the armed struggle of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG),” Lieutenant Colonel Estrera said highlighting that the CTG is already weakening in Sultan Kudarat Province.

Further, another group of Communist Terrorist surrendered to 7th Infantry (TAPAT) Battalion on October 17, 2021 at the Old Provincial Capitol, Brgy Kalawag II, Isulan, Sultan Kudarat Province.

Lieutenant Colonel Rommel S Valencia, Commanding Officer of 7IB discussed that the group is composed of seven (7) former communist-terrorists coming from Platoon My Phone, East Daguma Front, SRC-DAGUMA, FSMR and yielded with them two (1) caliber .30 M1 Garand rifles, one (1) caliber .30 M2 Carbine rifle, one (1) 12 Gauge Shotgun, and one (1) M79 Grenade Launcher.

The surrenderers received financial assistance and livelihood packages from the Local Government Units and are now undergoing custodial debriefing prior to being processed under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the national government.

Major General Juvymax Uy, Commander of the 6th Infantry Division and the Joint Task Force Central lauded the efforts of both the military and Local Government Units of Sultan Kudarat and General Santos City. “More members from the CTGs and from the Dawlah Islamiya are compelled to surrender to the government fold as the campaign against terrorism of LGUs and of JTF Central is gaining momentum. They have now seen the truth behind the lies and manipulative tactics of their leaders who recruited them and used them to further their personal agenda,” Major General Uy said.

“I’m calling the remaining members who were brainwashed by the CTG and the DIs to cut ties and withdraw support from these groups. Real peace can only be achieved when you cooperate with the government and live peacefully with your families,” Major General Uy added.




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

https://www.kalinawnews.com/trust-in-government-leads-to-series-of-communist-terrorist-and-dawlah-islamiya-surrender-in-soccsksargen-region/

Prelude to 2022? Thousands of grassroots organizers arrested, hundreds killed

From Rappler (Oct 19, 2021): Prelude to 2022? Thousands of grassroots organizers arrested, hundreds killed (By JODESZ GAVILAN)



Many community organizers affiliated with the Makabayan bloc in Congress resolve to lie low for safety. They fear the attacks will intensify as the election period approaches.

(Part 1 of 3)

At a glance
  • Progressive groups affiliated with the Makabayan bloc in Congress continue to face increasing harassment and intimidation under President Rodrigo Duterte
  • Rights group Karapatan documented 1,126 activists and grassroot organizers arrested and detained, while 414 were killed between July 2016 and June 2021.
  • Many community organizers and their colleagues resolve to lie low for safety not just for themselves but also their families.
  • They fear the attacks will intensify as the election period approaches.
In hiding

Lai Consad should have been a principal now if circumstances were normal and if the Philippines isn’t ruled by a leader hell-bent on squashing dissent.

The 54-year-old secretary-general of Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) in CARAGA has all the qualifications. She passed all the prerequisite examinations, aside from having decades of teaching experience under her belt.

But in June 2021 Consad didn’t think twice about rejecting the offer to be a public school principal. She said she wouldn't be able to meet the demands of the position since she was in hiding – “dahil sa imminent danger sa buhay ko (because of the imminent danger to my life).”

Consad was arrested and detained for two days in March 2021 on charges of attempted homicide in relation to an alleged New People’s Army (NPA) encounter in Agusan del Norte.

At the time of her arrest, she had been assistant principal at San Vicente National High School in Butuan City for two years and a special education (SPED) teacher for more than a decade.

Consad has been with ACT since 2015, becoming a regular figure in regional protests calling for better wages and benefits for teachers. With her public involvement came a series of harassment and consistent surveillance from what she assumed were state agents. She recalled being invited numerous times to a nearby military camp to “clear her name.”

“I thought to myself this is the result of my activism, of my being an ACT official. This is their way to silence me and to stop me from joining rallies,” she told Rappler in Filipino.

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Worsening situation

Consad’s experience reflects the general situation of mass organizations affiliated with the Makabayan bloc at the House of Representatives, whose members Rappler interviewed.

The Makabayan Bloc in Congress includes Bayan Muna, Gabriela Women's Party, ACT Teachers, and Kabataan Partylist.

They fear the attacks on their organizers will intensify as the May 2022 polls near. Gabriela and Kabataan face petitions seeking to cancel their registration. 

(READ: Which party-list groups is NTF-ELCAC trying to get disqualified?)

Many lives are put on hold and constantly in danger as the Duterte government continues its massive anti-communist insurgency campaign. The state blurs the line between activists and communist rebels, evident in its red-tagging spree led by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) and its supporters.

The United Nations (UN) rights office defines red-tagging as “labelling individuals or groups (including human rights defenders and non-government organizations) as communists or terrorists.”


The implementation of the anti-terror law further heightened the fear of arrests and persecution among progressive groups. 

(READ: Are activists at risk of arrest, being designated terrorists? They'll rely on good faith.)

Rights group Karapatan has monitored at least 1,126 individuals affiliated with progressive groups arrested and detained under the Duterte administration, as of June 2021.

At least 2,725 were also arrested but not detained in the same period.

The total number of arrests made in line with the government’s anti-insurgency campaign continues on a steady rise since the failure of the peace talks in 2017. 

(READ: The end of the affair? Duterte's romance with the Reds)

There was a noticeable spike in the number of arrests with detention between July 2019 and August 2020, with at least 1,623 recorded incidents by Karapatan.

This huge increase were recorded in the latter half of the time period when the coronavirus pandemic began and peaked in 2020. This reflects the observation of many human rights groups that the government took advantage of the health crisis to further commit violations.

Consad was released on bail two days after her arrest in March 2021. The case against her was then dismissed in July 2021, cementing the fact that she was not doing anything wrong. Still, she has not returned to her home and embrace normalcy again with her two children.

“I frequently change houses because I carry the weight of their threat that they will kill me and my family if they find out I am still in Butuan or in CARAGA. I fear more for my family, not really for myself, that’s why I haven’t been home,” Consad said.



JUSTICE. Human rights activists condemn the 'Bloody Sunday' police operations in Calabarzon. JIRE CARREON/RAPPLER

Deaths all over

Consad’s fear is not unfounded. The Duterte government has left such a bloody trail that many fear the extent state agents will go just to satisfy the orders of the leadership. In many cases, the intimidation does not stop with just arrests.

In a 2020 report, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said that the Duterte administration "created a dangerous fiction that it is legitimate to hunt down and commit atrocities against [human rights defenders] because they are enemies of the State."

Activists and human rights defenders, the commission said, live a “grim reality” with the constant delegitimization of their work that results in systematic attacks that place their “the life, liberty, and security… at great risk.”

This report is reflected in the number of activists killed since 2016. Rights group Karapatan recorded 414 activists and grassroot organizers killed between July 2016 and June 2021. At least 497 people, meanwhile, faced attempted killing in the same period.

The number is consistently rising over the years, with a noticeable spike between July 2017 and June 2019, where 198 deaths were recorded in a two-year period.

In 2018, the United Nations listed the Philippines as one of 38 countries where governments subject activists to "an alarming and shameful level of harsh reprisals and intimidation."

More than 50 deaths were recorded each in Bicol, Davao Region, Central Visayas, and Western Visayas between July 2016 and June 2021.

Activist Zara Alvarez was one of the 53 killed in Western Visayas. She was shot dead in Bacolod City in August 2020. 

(READ: Zara Alvarez asked for protection, but she died before the court could give it)

MIMAROPA and Calabarzon, meanwhile, saw 34 deaths, as of June 2021.

At least 10 activists were killed in the region in March 2021 alone. Nine were killed during the "Bloody Sunday" raids by police and military in Calabarzon on March 7. Three weeks later, labor union leader Dandy Miguel was gunned down on March 28.

Tonet Amorado, spokesperson of Bayan Muna Southern Tagalog, said the grave situation in their region was so palpable, especially with many people they worked and marched on streets with ended up dead in the past years.

“We acknowledge that there has been a decline [in organizing efforts] since our leaders and organizers fear not just for themselves but also their families. How can we address the issues faced by the masses if our leaders, organizers, coordinators all flee their homes?” Amorado said in Filipino.

There were cases when they weren’t able to respond to incidents of harassment in communities, to avoid possible further violence. Amorado herself received threats so harsh that her family often urged her to stop doing activist work.

“I got scared because there’s info that my photo is in the [police] camps. There’s so much fear so I left home because I didn’t know what would happen to me,” Amorado said.

The violence and impunity faced by progressive groups prompted leaders and families of those slain to ask the Supreme Court (SC) to intervene. 

(READ: CHR: DOJ-led panel 'slow' in solving extrajudicial killings)

In a letter submitted to the SC in May 2021, the groups "earnestly ask that these incidents of attacks and concerns be seriously taken into account in the process of formulating and issuing any preventive and remedial steps to address the worsening state of human rights in the country."



KILLED. Two activists from Albay were reportedly killed by cops while writing a protest slogan in July 2021. SOURCED PHOTO OF BICOL.PH

Spilling over into communities

According to Nica Ombao, regional coordinator for Bicolana Gabriela, many of her colleagues were forced to lie low or leave organizing work due to the constant threats to their lives.

She said she couldn't blame the members who had gone out of sight, fearing for their lives.

“Kasi napakalakas ng paniniktik dito sa Bicol – sinusundan sila, binabantayan sa labas ng bahay, at nakakatanggap ng actual threats sa tawag at text messages,” she told Rappler. (Surveillance has intensified here in Bicol – they are being tailed, watched from outside their homes, and they receive actual threats through phone calls and text messages.)

At least 58 activists have been killed in Bicol since 2016.

Two activists were killed by policemen in Guinobatan, Albay, after they were caught spray-painting an anti-Duterte slogan on July 26, hours before Duterte's last State of the Nation Address.

In May, two activists – Anakbayan Naga chairperson Sasah Sta. Rosa and Bayan Bicol spokesperson Pastor Dan Balucio – were arrested in separate raids in Bicol for alleged illegal possession of firearms and explosives. Their groups alleged the evidence was planted.

But beyond threats to their lives, Ombao said, they also fear for the communities they work with, especially with rampant militarization in many far-flung areas under the government’s anti-insurgency campaign.

She told Rappler that they always saw either the police or military lingering in areas where they held feeding programs or other relief operations, especially in Albay.

“You really can’t shake off the fear that the threats might spill over into communities we work with,” Ombao said. “Their willingness to continue working with us comes from the fact that we constantly hold discussions with them about what we do.”

With the coming May 2022 elections compounded by efforts to discredit Makabayan bloc and its affiliated mass organizations at the national level, Ombao said they were “preparing for the worst case scenario” of continued cases and deaths in the Bicol region and elsewhere.

“Duterte is desperate to remove Makabayan from Congress,” she said in Filipino. “He’s very desperate to stay in power.”

https://www.rappler.com/nation/elections/prelude-2022-makabayan-bloc-organizers-arrested-killed

Air Force eyes acquisition of heavy-lift choppers

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 19, 2021): Air Force eyes acquisition of heavy-lift choppers (By Priam Nepomuceno)



The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is looking at the possibility of acquiring heavy-lift helicopters as part of efforts to beef up its helicopter fleet.

"There is a project for heavy (lift) helis (helicopters) but this is still being worked out by the TWGs (technical working groups),"
PAF spokesperson Lt. Col. Maynard Mariano said.

Mariano, however, declined to provide further details.


"I cannot identify the helicopters that are being looked into, again, it is still with the TWG for their assessment," Mariano said.

A heavy-lift helicopter is a type of rotary aircraft capable of lifting large numbers of personnel or cargo.

Earlier reports said one of the heavy-lift helicopters being looked into is the twin-engine Boeing CH-47 "Chinook".

The CH-47 is among Western-made helicopters that have a high lifting capacity. It can carry up to 24,000 lbs. of cargo and personnel.

Last October 13, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana formally accepted five S-70i "Black Hawk" combat utility helicopters during a short ceremony at the Clark Air Base, Pampanga.

Lorenzana said these additional assets are seen as “crucial in keeping our communities and people safe from traditional security threats and disasters".

The PAF has an order of 16 S-70i helicopters from Polish company Polskie Zaklady Lotnicze Sp.z.o.o. worth USD241 million (about PHP11.5 billion).

The first six were delivered in November 2020 while the second batch of five was delivered this June. One unit from the initial six units delivered in the country crashed last June 24 while on a night-flying exercise.

The S-70i helicopters that were blessed last Wednesday belong to the second batch of five helicopters delivered last June. The third and last batch is expected by year-end.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1157061

AFP submits new list of Reds' atrocities to CHR

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 19, 2021): AFP submits new list of Reds' atrocities to CHR (By Priam Nepomuceno)



The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has submitted another list to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) containing an updated report of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) violations committed by the communist terrorist group (CTG).

In a statement Tuesday, the AFP said Brig. Gen. Joel Alejandro Nacnac, chief of its Center for Law of Armed Conflict (CLOAC), submitted this updated list to CHR officer-in-charge, Commissioner Karen Gomez-Dumpit last October 14.

The updated list consisted of 166 IHL violations committed by the New People's Army (NPA).

"The list is composed of 16 incidents of recruitment and use of child combatants, 10 incidents of destruction of civilian-owned properties, 113 incidents of employment of anti-personnel mines (APM), 20 incidents of willful killings, and seven other IHL violations. This list adds to the 1,506 IHL violations previously monitored and reported from 2010 to 2020, increasing the total to 1,672 incidents," it added
.

Nacnac submitted on October 6 the report to the Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) and the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict’s Legal Cooperation Cluster (NTF ELCAC LCC) on October 5.

“These numbers are expected to rise as AFP units continue to monitor and submit reports on the IHL violations of the CTGs. These CTG atrocities should not be left with impunity,” Nacnac said.

The AFP said the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA), in pursuing their armed struggle to overthrow the government, continues to commit terroristic acts, disregard human rights and violate IHL.

The AFP has recorded from 2010 to 2020 a total of 1,506 IHL violations of the CTGs which includes 544 children used as child combatants, 532 incidents of destruction of civilian-owned properties, 141 incidents involving the usage of anti-personnel mines (APMs), and 289 incidents of intentional killings of innocent civilians, assassinations of former CTG members, premeditated killing of military personnel who were performing their duty and other incidents of killings perpetrated by the CPP-NPA.

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1157096

UN report boosts PH actions vs. NPA abuses

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 19, 2021): UN report boosts PH actions vs. NPA abuses



Undersecretary Severo Catura, National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict spokesperson on human rights, peace process and international engagement (File photo)

The United Nations’ latest report on human rights which mentioned abuses by the New People’s Army (NPA) boosts the Philippine government’s ongoing efforts through the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) to aggressively address this threat group.

In a virtual forum with members of Filipino communities in Europe, Undersecretary Severo Catura, NTF-ELCAC spokesperson on human rights, peace process, and international engagement, said these abuses informed the Oral Report of UN Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet which was delivered on October 7 at the plenary of the 48th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.

Failure of the government to act on these abuses would be a blatant disregard of its human rights obligations; in fact, a clear human rights violation, Catura said.

Bachelet said her office
“received reports of abuses by the NPA of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), including the killing of civilians, recruitment of children, and extortion.”


Catura’s revelation came following the 166 new cases of NPA violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) that were submitted on Oct. 19, 2021, by the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Center for Law of Armed Conflict (AFP-CLOAC) to the Commission on Human Rights for validation.

The 166 new cases include incidents of recruitment and use of child combatants, destruction of privately-owned properties, use of anti-personnel mines (APM), and willful killings.

A total of 1,672 incidents of NPA abuses from 2010 to this year have been unearthed and reported by the AFP-CLOAC. This number includes 544 cases of abduction of children who were forced into becoming child warriors.

However, Bachelet’s report on NPA abuses is not new, Catura said.

In June 2020, in her report on the Situation of Human Rights in the Philippines, Bachelet not only reported the same abuses as brought to her attention by individuals, communities, and human rights defenders, she also recalled that the “United Nations lists NPA among parties that commit grave violations affecting children in situations of armed conflict” based on findings by the UN Secretary-General on children and armed conflict that “verified the recruitment and use of children by NPA in combat or support roles.”

Bachelet’s 2020 report also mentioned that “80 incidents allegedly perpetrated by NPA are being examined under Administrative Order No. 35.” The said presidential issuance signed in 2012 creates an inter-agency committee to look into cases of alleged extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture, and other grave violations to the right to life, liberty, and security of persons.

The UN’s 2021 reiteration of these NPA abuses cannot be set aside because of its massive impact on the lives and security of the Filipino people, Catura said. More importantly, it affirms the work of the NTF-ELCAC in putting an end to these abuses.

“I am sure that the UN High Commissioner must have been completely appalled on learning of these atrocities reported to her by human rights defenders and private individuals,” Catura said. “And the sad part,” he added, “these atrocities continue.”

On June 3 this year, a passenger bus was torched by the NPA in North Cotabato. Three passengers were trapped and burned to death, while six sustained major burns.

Three days later, in Masbate province, a control-detonated APM planted by the NPA took the lives of 21-year-old soccer star of the national team Kieth Absalon and his cousin Nolven Absalon who were on a leisurely bike ride. Nolven's son who was with them, 16-year-old Chrisbin Daniel, suffered injuries.

Early this month, ironically coinciding with the global observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Month, a member of the Manobo tribe in Surigao del Sur, Datu Boy Maca Astudillo, was killed by the NPA in front of his 11-year-old son. As reported by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Astudillo’s murder increases to 22 the number of Indigenous Peoples and elders who were killed by the NPA since last year for not supporting their cause.

The NPA, including the CPP, has been designated by the US State Department, in its Executive Order No. 13224, as a terrorist organization since August 12, 2002. The US’ designation specifically names CPP founder Jose Maria Sison as a terrorist under the Specially Designated National and Blocked Persons List (SDN List) of the US Office of Foreign Assets Control. This same designation was updated on Oct. 8, 2021.

In the meantime, the European Union, under EU Council Implementing Regulation No. 138, dated Feb. 5, 2021, has renewed its yearly designation of the NPA and CPP as terrorist organizations.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1157160

Groups insist on disqualification of Makabayan bloc

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 19, 2021): Groups insist on disqualification of Makabayan bloc (By Lade Jean Kabagani)



CALL FOR DISQUALIFICATION. Members of Liga Independencia Pilipinas, League of Parents of the Philippines, Sulong Maralita, and Yakap ng Magulang, and mothers of students who were recruited by communist terrorist groups stage a rally outside the Commission on Elections office in Intramuros, Manila on Tuesday (Oct. 19, 2021). They said party-list groups of the Makabayan bloc should not be allowed to seek seats in Congress because they will only propagate communism. (Contributed photo)

Multi-sectoral organizations on Tuesday urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to bar from next year's elections some party-list groups that have links to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

Members of Liga Independencia Pilipinas (LIPI), League of Parents of the Philippines (LPP), Sulong Maralita, and Yakap ng Magulang, along with mothers of students who were recruited by militant organizations, picketed in front of the Comelec main office in Intramuros, Manila to call for the disqualification of party-lists belonging to the Makabayan bloc.

The groups said Bayan Muna, Kabataan, Anakpawis, ACT Teachers, and Gabriela Women's Party have been active in the CPP-NPA's underground revolutionary tactics to push for a communist system.

In an interview, LPP chair Remy Rosadio said the Makabayan members are being used to lure more Filipinos into joining the CPP’s armed struggle.


Rosadio cited evidence presented by former CPP-NPA rebels and high-ranking cadres, pointing out the involvement of the Makabayan bloc in the disappearances of students and indigenous peoples.

Relentless appeal

Despite the Makabayan bloc’s continued denial, she said they will not stop banging on the Comelec’s doors until they are disqualified from seeking Congressional seats.

She noted that the Makabayan lawmakers "are not really pushing for the legitimate concerns and interests of the Filipino people".

"Nakiki-usap kami na pakinggan niyo po sana kaming mga magulang at tuluyan nang i-disqualify ang Kabataan party-list, ang Gabriela, Bayan Muna, Act Teachers party-list at lahat nang may ka-ugnayan sa Makabayan bloc na ginagamit ni (CPP founder) Joma Sison as front organizations para moloko ang ating mga kabataan (We are appealing to the Comelec to listen to us, parents and finally disqualify the Kabataan party-list, Gabriela, Bayan Muna, Act Teachers party-list and all other groups linked to the Makabayan Bloc that have been used by Joma Sison as front organizations to deceive our youths)," Rosadio said.

Rosadio also slammed outgoing Kabataan party-list Rep. Sarah Elago for continuously luring the youth to join the leftist organizations.

"Kung ang mga kabataan natin ay ma-uubos nang marecruit ng CPP-NPA-NDF, ano’ng kinabukasan makikita nila? Ano’ng mangyayari sa ating bansa kung pinapatakbo na tayo ng mga komunista (What future we are looking at if most of our youth will be recruited to the CPP-NPA-NDF? What will happen to our country if we are run by the communists)?" she said.

The groups said Sison has been manipulating the legal democratic mass movement through the party-list groups to make sure that revolutionary underground mass movement will stay on board.

Comelec’s move

Yakap ng Magulang president Relissa Lucena, whose daughter Alicia Jasper was recruited by Anakbayan and Kabataan, lamented how the Makabayan bloc invade campuses.

She said it is time for Filipinos to realize the deception perpetrated by communist terrorist groups and the Comelec can help by rejecting the party-lists groups' application.

"Hindi na po sila pwedeng ma-upo muli sa pwesto at hindi na sila maaring manungkulan sa gobyerno dahil bibigyan niyo sila ng kakayahan at kapangyarihan para manira ng pamilya Pilipino (They must not be given a chance to take positions and serve in the government because you are just giving them a chance to destroy Filipino families)," Lucena told the Comelec.

Lucena said the "Comelec must stop tolerating" the organizations that are supporting the "senseless revolutionary cause" of Sison.

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

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1157138

OPAPP rejects further delays to key Samar infra project

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 19, 2021): OPAPP rejects further delays to key Samar infra project (By Sarwell Meniano)



ROAD OPENING. A newly-opened road in Las Navas, Northern Samar in this June 16, 2019 photo. The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) is pushing for the completion of a road project that links rebel-infested areas of Samar and Northern Samar provinces amid construction delays in the past five years. (Photo courtesy of Emy Calagos)

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) is pushing for the completion of a road project that links rebel-infested areas of Samar and Northern Samar provinces amid construction delays in the past five years.

OPAPP Eastern Visayas program manager Imelda Bonifacio said on Tuesday they have rejected proposals to terminate some scope of the road work meant to connect the towns of Matuguinao in Samar and Las Navas in Northern Samar since funds are already allotted and the road network is crucial in curbing insurgency in these communities.

“Considerations delays are justifiable based on assessment since Las Navas is conflict-affected area and identified as mobility corridors (of rebels). We already have raised the expectation to the communities,” Bonifacio told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) in a phone interview.

From 2016 to 2017, the central government has allocated funds for three phases -- PHP45 million, PHP120 million, and PHP200 million under OPAPP's Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Pamana).


Only the phase with PHP45 million allotment has been completed so far, while the scope of work with PHP120 million outlay was terminated in 2018.

The PHP200 million for the road opening of 16 kilometers stretch is now ongoing.

In 2018, the government released another PHP200 million for road opening activities.

“The problem is that the area for road opening is a rice field and very prone to flooding during rainy days. In fact, the box culverts built by a contractor were washed out due to strong current,” Bonifacio added.

Local officials are seeking endorsements for project extension from the Regional Task Force on Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict and the Regional Development Council.

The endorsement will be forwarded to OPAPP and the Department of Budget and Management within the month.

Under the new timetable, the target is to complete the project before the end of March 2022.

Las Navas, a fourth-class town in Northern Samar with a population of 36,621, has been the center of propaganda by several organizations linked to the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

Matuguinao, on the other hand, is a fifth-class town with a population of nearly 8,000.

At least 12 villages have been identified as formerly influenced by NPA.


https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1157052

Hybrid Leyte Gulf Landing commemoration to push through

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 19, 2021): Hybrid Leyte Gulf Landing commemoration to push through (By Roel Amazona)



LIBERATION. The MacArthur Landing Shrine in Palo, Leyte. Several activities related to the commemoration of the Leyte Gulf Landings on Oct. 20 will be hybrid in form due to the ongoing pandemic, said Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla on Monday (Oct. 18, 2021). (PNA file photo)

Several activities related to the commemoration of the Leyte Gulf Landing on October 20 will be hybrid due to the ongoing pandemic, said Leyte Govenor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla on Monday.

Officials of the Leyte provincial government, Palo town, representative of President Rodrigo Duterte, and selected guests will be physically present during the event at the MacArthur Landing Shrine in Palo town.

Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Andres Centino will represent the President.

Recorded messages from foreign dignitaries and Duterte will be played during the event. Some participants will witness the event virtually.

“We need to commemorate, especially now that we are in the pandemic. We have to learn the lessons taught to us by our veterans in order for us to fight and survive every like this pandemic. That is why should continue with the commemoration despite the pandemic,” Petilla told reporters.

Activities during the hybrid commemorative program are the flag-raising ceremony, wreath-laying, tribute to the veterans, and lighting of the peace torch.

This week, the provincial government has been distributing PHP10,000 cash assistance to all living World War II veterans in the Eastern Visayas region.

Presently, there are only 48 remaining World War II veterans in the region with a 105-year-old man from Paranas, Samar as the oldest.

At least 29 veterans are from Leyte, seven from Samar, five from Northern Samar, four from Eastern Samar, and three from Southern Leyte.

“This is our way of expressing our appreciation to our living veterans for what they have done for us (during the war),” Petilla said.

Aside from the activities at the MacArthur Shrine, the towns of Tolosa, Dulag, and Palo have also lined up activities concerning the annual event.

The Leyte Gulf Landing commemoration is an annual historical event in Leyte to commemorate the arrival of Allied Forces led by Gen. Douglas MacArthur to liberate the country from the hands of the Japanese Imperial Forces that occupied the country from 1942 to 1945.

The arrival of the Allied Forces has led to the Battle of Leyte Gulf, dubbed the biggest Naval battle in history with more than 200,000 personnel involved, paved the way to the defeat of Japanese Forces in the country.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1157055

Surrender of more rebels signals collapse of NPA in Leyte

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 19, 2021): Surrender of more rebels signals collapse of NPA in Leyte (By Sarwell Meniano)  October 19, 2021, 1:14 pm



OATH OF ALLEGIANCE. Some of the 32 former rebels who took their oath of allegiance to the government in a ceremony on Oct. 16, 2021 at the Ormoc City Hall. Their pledge of allegiance to the government will lead to the collapse of the communist terrorist group in Leyte Island, a military official said on Tuesday (Oct. 19, 2021). (Photo courtesy of the Philippine Army)

The pledge of allegiance to the government of 32 members of the New People’s Army (NPA) will lead to the collapse of the communist terrorist group in Leyte Island, a military official said on Tuesday.

Col. Noel Vestuir, deputy commander of the Philippine Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade, said in a statement the move will encourage more rebels and their staunch allies to abandon the communist ideology.

“The series of surrender would snowball into the eventual total collapse of the communist terrorism movement in the island of Leyte,”
Vestuir said.


On October 16, at least 32 former rebels took their oath of allegiance to the Philippine government before Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez at the city hall lobby.

These former rebels surrendered to the military in the past two months.

Witnessing the event are 300 former rebels and supporters from Ormoc and towns of Kananga, Albuera, and Jaro, who also availed basic services from government agencies.


They are all members of the Integrated Peace and Development Workers Associations (IPDWAs).

“The yielding of the 32 lie-low NPA personalities was a product of the sole and painstaking efforts of the Ormoc IPDWA that is composed of local rebel returnees under the leadership of Conrado Labartine,” Vestuir added.

Of the 32 surrenderers, 19 of them are from Quezon Jr. village, eight from Lake Danao village, three from Hugpa village, and one each from San Antonio and Can-untog villages.

They were identified as former NPA district committee members, chairman of the Batakang Organisasyon sa Partido, regular fighters, special operation group element, Yunit Militia members, propaganda organizing team operator, runner, para-legal, and underground mass organization followers.

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1157053

NegOcc village chiefs cite role of BDP in uplifting communities

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 19, 2021): NegOcc village chiefs cite role of BDP in uplifting communities (By Nanette Guadalquiver)



BDP PROJECT. The PHP20.695 million worth of farm tractors received by seven of the 14 insurgency-cleared villages in Escalante City, Negros Occidental from the Barangay Development Program in rites held on October 11. “The program gives us the encouragement to live peaceful, productive and progressive lives. We take this opportunity to express our recognition for what the BDP has accomplished in uplifting communities nationwide,” the barangay captains of the four recipient-villages said in a statement on Tuesday (Oct. 19, 2021).  (Photo courtesy of 79IB, Philippine Army)

Village chiefs of insurgency-cleared barangays in Escalante City, Negros Occidental have cited the role of the Barangay Development Program (BDP) in uplifting the lives of people benefitting from its implementation.

In a statement issued through the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (79IB), Association of Barangay Captains president Richardy Pios Sr. of Paitan, along with village chiefs John Paul Escala of Mabini, Neptalie Narvasa of Libertad, and Edgar Rapana of Pinapugasan, jointly expressed their strong appreciation for the delivery of infrastructure and other development projects to their respective communities through the program.

According to 1st Lt. Dansan Camua, civil-military operations officer of the 79IB, their unit is closely working with the insurgency-cleared villages in northern Negros in the implementation of the BDP of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

The four villages were among the seven barangays which received PHP20.695 million worth of farm tractors from the BDP on October 11.


“We manifest our gratitude and appreciation for [these] projects. The program gives us the encouragement to live peaceful, productive and progressive lives. We take this opportunity to express our recognition for what the BDP has accomplished in uplifting communities nationwide,” the barangay captains said.

They noted that before, their barangays have “suffered from lack of basic services such as good roads, health and education, infrastructure, potable water, and health facilities as well as livelihood opportunities, which caused despair and hopelessness”.

Social issues such as these led many of their constituents to “believe the false assurance and propaganda” of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), they added.

“With the implementation of President Rodrigo Duterte’s flagship project, the BDP, through the NTF-ELCAC, we now realize that the government is concerned with our welfare and means of livelihood. Through the BDP, the government is investing not only on roads, schools and other projects, but in essence, it is investing for the improvement of the lives of its citizens and a promise of a better future,” the village chiefs said in a joint statement.

Escalante City has the most number of insurgency-cleared villages in Negros Occidental with 14, which are listed as recipients of the Local Government Support Fund-Support to Barangay Development Program.

The BDP allocates a PHP20-million fund for each barangay for the implementation of various development and rehabilitation projects in these former conflict-prone communities.

With the end goal of bringing development to former conflict-prone communities, the BDP has a total of PHP16.44 billion allocated funding to rehabilitate and develop 822 barangays formerly established as guerrilla fronts of the CPP-NPA.

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1157087

Military, MILF joint efforts lead to surrender of 2 ASG members

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 19, 2021): Military, MILF joint efforts lead to surrender of 2 ASG members (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)



Google map of Lamitan City, Basilan

Two members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) have surrendered with the support of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Basilan province, military officials announced Tuesday.

Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway, Joint Task Force (JTF)-Basilan commander, said the good rapport between the military and the MILF in Basilan
led to the surrender of ASG members Jaid Balatong, 40; and Abdul Munib, 25.

"The MILF is actively supporting the military’s campaign against terrorism by convincing the remaining members of the (ASG) terror groups to surrender,” Gobway said.

Balatong, of Al-Barka II municipality, is a follower of Abdullah Indanan, while Munib of Tipo-Tipo town is under the group of ASG leader Furuji Indama.

Gobway said Balatong and Munib surrendered and turned over an M16 rifle and a .45-caliber pistol Monday afternoon to troopers of the Army’s 68th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Campo Uno, Lamitan City, Basilan.


He said field commanders Dan Asnawi of the MILF’s 114th Base Command, together with his deputy, Rajan Abdurahman; Maaruf of MILF-Bakisong; and Hadji Samad of the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH)-Basilan, in coordination with the 68IB, facilitated the surrender of the two ASG members.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Alfredo Rosario Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), expressed his appreciation to the peace-inclined MILF for their unwavering support to the peace campaign of the command.

“I am personally elated with the commitment of the MILF to support us in our quest for lasting peace and sustainable development here in Mindanao,” Rosario said.

He urged the remaining ASG members in Basilan to come out and return to mainstream society.

“It’s time to end your armed struggle and transform Basilan into a peaceful and progressive province,” he added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1157106

TESDA to train ex-NPA rebels in NorMin on coffee production

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 19, 2021): TESDA to train ex-NPA rebels in NorMin on coffee production (By Nef Luczon)



CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Region 10 (Northern Mindanao) will train former rebels (FRs on coffee production as part of the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) program under the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

In a statement Tuesday, TESDA-10 Director Ashary Banto said the FRs who lived in hinterland villages of the Northern Mindanao region will be prioritized in partnership with the private sector that ventured well in the coffee industry.

“TESDA, together with NTF-ELCAC’s PRLEC, has partnered with Nestle as this is one of the products of the discussion made in one of the cluster’s peace and development conferences,” Banto said.

“Training will soon be conducted involving our FRs and the indigenous peoples (IPs) because they have the most suitable areas for coffee plantation or production,” he added.

Banto said the agency recognizes the importance of equipping the FRs and IPs with skills to widen their job options and show them how sustainable livelihood copes with the fast-changing techniques and methods.

Other than coffee production training, the PRLEC also gives agriculture-related skills training to these communities because they are the ones that “most need” assistance from the government.


In August 2021, the agency already had a partnership with Northwestern Mindanao School of Technology in Ozamiz City, where 20 former New People’s Army rebels were trained in Shielded Metal Arc Welding National Certification-1 (NC-1).

TESDA’s Misamis Occidental Provincial Director Arlyn Bandong earlier said the goal was for FRs to have their livelihood or get employed once the training is completed.

"We wish we could continue to experience peace and order, and stay close to our families here on the plains because prosperity and hope of everything we asked for in our lives are just here," she said.

In July this year, some 25 households at Matigsalog IP community in Sitio Natampud, Barangay Nam-Nam, San Fernando, Bukidnon, also benefited from the solar installation skills training of the FRs and received 25 units of solar lights under Project “Lamdag."

The project was the output made by FRs who underwent solar installation skills training under TESDA-10 and the NTF-ELCAC's PRLEC.

Bae Rosela Bolilao, one of those who participated in the training, said they will continue supporting the government's programs after seeing the benefits they brought to far-flung communities.

"We hope it's not only TESDA (services) that will arrive in our community but also other agencies in the government. Hopefully, there will be more help coming for our community," she said in the vernacular.

The NTF-ELCAC is an outcome-focused group organized by the national government to respond and raise awareness about the evils of communist insurgency in the countryside.

The task force, with its whole-of-nation approach, is by far the most comprehensive and potent strategy conceptualized by the Duterte administration in fighting the insurgency being waged by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front terror organization.

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1157120