House adopts reso allowing Lorenzana, Sobejana to accept Peace Medal from Indonesia

From GMA News Online (Jan 24, 2022): House adopts reso allowing Lorenzana, Sobejana to accept Peace Medal from Indonesia (By Anna Felicia Bajo)

The House of Representatives on Monday adopted a resolution allowing Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and other military officials to receive a prestigious award from Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

Lorenzana is being awarded by Widodo the Peace Medal in recognition for his zealous efforts in fostering Philippine-Indonesia relations and for the rescue of Indonesian fishermen from Abu Sayyaf abductors in December 2019.

Zamboanga Sibugay Representative Ann Hofer, chairperson of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, earlier said Lorenzana would be the first Filipino to receive the said award from Indonesia, with consent through House Concurrent Resolution 23.

Aside from Lorenzana, retired Armed Forces chief General Cirilito Sobejana was also allowed to receive the said award from Indonesia.

The resolution stated that the Indonesian government also intends to confer the Dharma Defense Medal on AFP personnel involved in the rescue mission.

Article IX, Sub-Article B, the Civil Service Commission, Section 8 of the 1987 Constitution states that “No elective or appointive public officer or employee shall receive additional, double, or indirect compensation, unless specifically authorized by law, nor accept without the consent of the Congress, any present, emolument, office, or title of any kind from any foreign government.”

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/819308/house-adopts-reso-allowing-lorenzana-sobejana-to-accept-peace-medal-from-indonesia/story/

MILF: BARMM opens week-long celebration for 3rd founding anniversary

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (Jan 21, 2022): BARMM opens week-long celebration for 3rd founding anniversary


Photo courtesy of Office of the Chief Minister – BARMM

COTABATO CITY (January 17, 2022)– The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) kicked off Monday the week-long celebration of its 3rd foundation anniversary at the Bangsamoro government center in this city.

The region had for its theme "Changing People's Lives, Transforming the Bangsamoro: Celebrating and Sustaining the Gains of Peace and Moral Governance" this year that highlights the breakthroughs of the regional government in achieving peace and development and reforming the Bangsamoro for the past three years.

With the observance of strict health standards, a short program was held outside the BARMM main building where Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim, Senior Minister Abdulraof Macacua, and Bangsamoro Parliament Speaker Pangalian Balindong delivered their speeches.

The “Wali” (Muslim religious leader) of the Bangsamoro Sheik Khalifa Nando also sounded the gong to officially commence the week-long celebration.

“Only a limited number of guests and employees were in attendance in observance of the coronavirus disease 2019 protocols,” Andrew Alonto, director of the Bangsamoro Information Office – BARMM, told reporters in a brief interview at the sidelines of the event.

During the ceremony, the region’s Ministry of Interior and Local Government (MILG) turned over its Special Development Fund to some beneficiaries, while the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MOLE) also awarded its overseas workers for their sacrifices and achievements.

For the whole week, each of the ministries of the BARMM has prepared activities to join the celebration.

To name a few, Alonto said the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform will open its MAFARlengke (MAFAR Local Exchange and Network of Goods in any Kind of Emergency); while the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE) will distribute land titles and conduct clean-up drives.

For their part, the Ministry of Trade, Investments, and Tourism (MTIT) will hold free business registration; the Ministry of Public Order and Safety (MPOS) will conduct community-based training on mediation and values transformation, and the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs (MIPA) will distribute educational financial assistance to elementary students.

As stated in the Bangsamoro Administrative Code, January 21 is proclaimed as the Bangsamoro foundation day and declared a non-working holiday in the region.

It is in celebration of the establishment of the BARMM in recognition of the dreams and aspiration of the people to chart their social, political, cultural, and economic destiny in the exercise of their right to self-determination, Alonto said. (PNA)

[Luwaran is the official online publication of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Committee on Information, MILF Central Committee]

https://www.luwaran.com/news/article/2428/barmm-opens-week-long-celebration-for-3rd-founding-anniversary

CPP/Ang Bayan: Fascist and stupid restrictions against the unvaccinated

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Newsroom blog of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) (Jan 21, 2022): Fascist and stupid restrictions against the unvaccinated



Restrictions implemented by the reactionary government against the unvaccinated are discriminatory, fascist, oppressive, and ultimately pointless and stupid. The “no vax, no labas,” “no vax, no ride,” “no vax, no entry,” and other related policies openly restrict the movement of the majority of the population, and denies them their right to social services.

As of January 11, only 48.45% of the target population (70%) have been fully vaccinated, while 75% have received their first dose.

Duterte imposed policies against unvaccinated people to cover-up its neglect to the health sector, and inefficiencies in its overall pandemic response. This covers-up the regimes refusal to shoulder payments for mass testing, contact tracing, improvement of health facilities, treatment of infected patients, and economic aid for millions of impoverished Filipinos.

On January 15, members of Bayan-Panay protested in front of the Iloilo City Hall to criticize the local ordinance which implemented Duterte’s illegal and anti-people “no vax, no labas” policy. Local officials prohibit unvaccinated people from leaving their homes unless they are able to show a negative RT-PCR test taken in the past three days.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cppangbayan.wordpress.com/2022/01/21/fascist-and-stupid-restrictions-against-the-unvaccinated/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Mad­mavo­lut woy ovu­ba­ton Peace 911, the face of fascism in Davao City

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Newsroom blog of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) (Jan 21, 2022): Mad­mavo­lut woy ovu­ba­ton Peace 911, the face of fascism in Davao City



The local government of Davao City recently hyped its Task Force (TF) Peace 911 as model local version of the NTF-Elcac of the national reactionary government. The local form of civil-military junta directs the anti-people war of the Duterte regime and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the city.

The TF Peace 911 is purportedly founded on eight pillars of “peace” which include lowering levels of corruption, recognition of people’s rights, equitable distribution of resources, and a sound business environment. Clearly, however, these pillars do not aim to resolve the primary demands of the masses, including land and living wages to achieve peace based on justice.

One Lumad farmer in Paquibato said that the Peace 911 is evidently a “madmavulot woy ovubaton,” an oppressive and deceptive scheme.
Militarization in Paquibato

On the pretext of “achieving” peace, the AFP deployed three battalions in 13 barangays of Paqui­bato, and other adjacent barangays in the Calinan District. There are at least 29 military detachments in the said area. The 27th IB, 89th IB and 3rd IB are mounting full-scale operations in these barangays. These units summon the village folk in “mass assemblies” to deceive and force them to surrender.

Simultaneously, it operates “Dos-dos,” a mercenary death squad employed to conduct surveillance, harass and intimidate residents.

Several village councils were made to sign “persona non grata” declarations against the Party, people’s army and the NDFP. “We were not even given a copy of this document,” said some local officials.

The AFP also constructed the anomalous “Kalinaw Village” in Mahayag, Barangay Bunawan, where those declared as “surrenderees” are detained. The facility is located just a few meters away from the headquarters of the 1003rd IBde. In this project, military generals directly control the ₱2.53-million budget for the construction of the facility, ₱2.6-million funds for “surrenderees” and ₱724,000 for “other expenses.”

The military is also aggressively recruiting residents into CAFGU or paramilitary groups such as the Bagani and Alamara which serve its counterinsurgency campaign.
Bogus Peace Economy

The TF Peace 911 launched the so-called Peace Economy, a program directly administered by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. They claim that under the “Peace Economy” resources will be distributed equitably and delivery of social services will be improved.

In fact, this program is actually no different from the government’s program for the production of commercial trees for export such as falcata, rubber, cacao, gemilina, coffee, mahogany and narra under the National Greening Program. This paved the way for the entry of a oil palm plantation in Barangay Colasas.

It has no comprehensive program for the production of food crops such as rice and corn, lacks support for production services such as irrigation, sustainable agriculture, nor prohibits oppressive usury. The claimed “development” is only limited to artificially increasing the farmgate prices of tomatoes in Barangay Malabog.

Currently, road and cell tower construction projects under the Peace Economy are used to obscure the root causes of poverty of the peasant and Lumad masses in Paquibato. Its “wealth sharing” slogan is bogus, given that land and economic opportunities in the area are still controlled by landlords and multinational corporations.

The Davao City local government brags of the peace foundation of Peace 911 which is essentially based on relentless fascism and the bogus and one-sided projects which do not address the basic problems of Paquibato residents.

In fact, this so-called foundation has been shaken by series of military actions mounted by the New People’s Army against operating troops of the AFP in Barangay Colasas towards the end of 2019 wherein the enemy sustained 15 casualties.

This and facts exposing the Peace 911 as fascist and bogus only prove that the people of Paquibato continue to embrace the people’s war as the only solution to address their hardships.

(This article is based on the October 2021 issue of Pasabilis!, revolutionary mass newspaper in Southern Mindanao.)

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cppangbayan.wordpress.com/2022/01/21/madmavolut-woy-ovubaton-peace-911-the-face-of-fascism-in-davao-city/

CPP/Ang Bayan: State forces kill activist couple in Sorsogon

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Newsroom blog of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) (Jan 21, 2022): State forces kill activist couple in Sorsogon



Three farmers were killed, and entire families became victims of violence by armed agents of the US-Duterte in the past two weeks.

In Sorsogon, suspected military agents gunned down couple Silvestre Fortades, Jr., 70, and Rose Marie Galias, 68, in Barangay San Vicente, Barcelona, on January 15. Both were members of Anakpawis Partylist and the Samahan ng mga Magsasaka sa Sorsogon.

Earlier, the military arrested carpenter Vicente Laguidao in Barangay Sta. Lourdes in the same town last December 9, 2021. He is accused of being a member of the New People’s Army (NPA).

In Negros Oriental, the 62nd IB gunned down Arnold Suerte in Sitio Manlibod, Barangay Sandayao, Guihulngan City on January 15. Civilians James and France, and a minor were wounded and detained. The military also arrested and tortured resident Ritchie Sabeleo. After the crime, the military claimed that Suerte was killed in an encounter.

Before the incident, the same military unit illegaly entered and searched six houses in adjacent Sitio Natoling in Barangay Budlasan, Canlaon City. From midnight until daybreak, soldiers threatened the Corson and Montefalcon families, including children, a person with disability, and an 8-month pregnant woman.

The NPA-Negros reported on January 16 a similar incident of illegal entry in residences at Sitio Tuko Gamay, Barangay Trinidad in Guihulngan City, and the indiscriminate firing at Sitio Mamballo, Barangay Quintin Remo, Moises Padilla in Negros Occidental.

On January 6, suspected state elements abducted Joyna Lacio Sabanal at Fortune Town, Barangay Estefania, Bacolod City. The victim is the wife of political prisoner Roger Sabanal.

Meanwhile, in Tabuk City, Kalinga, two policemen arrested farmer Domingo Sebastian on January 10, 8 p.m., in Barangay Bulo. Sebastian is a farm worker and member of the Danggayan dagiti Mannalon ti Isabela.

In a related development, a court in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya last January 3 dismissed criminal charges against activists and farmers Francis Esponilla, Romar Busania and Michael Gatchalian. They were arbitrarily arrested at a checkpoint in May 2015 in Diadi in the same province. They are members of Timpuyog Dagiti Mannalon iti Quirino and Bayan Muna Partylist. AB (2022-01-21): State forces kill activist couple in Sorsogon

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cppangbayan.wordpress.com/2022/01/21/state-forces-kill-activist-couple-in-sorsogon/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Revolutionary people’s struggle against pests

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Newsroom blog of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) (Jan 21, 2022): Revolutionary people’s struggle against pests



Tay Amag holds dear the principle of collective action because this was key in improving lives in their community. He is a leader of a Lumad-Mamanwa organization at a guerrilla front in Northeastern Mindanao, and has been supporting the revolutionary movement for five decades now.

People in Tay Amag’s community have been instilled with the mutual principles of cooperation and collective production. “Comrades guided us in forming our organization to unite the Mamanwa tribe and the Visayan settlers. Through hunglos (bayanihan or communal unity), farmlands expanded and became more productive. We were able to earn more. We are able to supply food for our families, and also we have surplus which we sell in town,” recalled the elder.

Thus, despite relentless military harassment, he never surrendered. Instead, he continues to monitor the movements of the soldiers who pester their community, and continues to assist the people’s army.

Even when Tay Amag was exposed to the enemy, he stood firm and faced the soldiers’ accusations. One time, he knew soldiers were set to order him do something against his will. He evaded the soldiers who surrounded his house, and since then moved to the forest with his family. To survive, he continued to open secret farmlands.

“I and my family never abandoned the revolution,” said Tay Amag.

He and his village mates have been steeled in waging revolution. They have devised ways to secure comrades and neighbors who are active in the movement. “We are always cautious especially now that some of our villagefolk are in the enemy’s hands. We try to avoid becoming like them.”

That the military is anti-peasant is clear to him. “All our hard work are destroyed and gone since the soldiers arrived.” Their farm work has been impeded on the military’s absurd claims that “farmlands are large to provide for the people’s army.” This is why people are back to being poor, explained Tay Amag.

Tay Amag called on his fellow farmers to remain firm and persevere in the face of the enemy’s attacks. To comrades in the people’s army, “remain strong, master balancing your tasks,” he said. “Trust that I will always be with you,” pledged Tay Amag. “What ever you need, I will never hesitate to offer my service as your amag sa kahabjun (light in the darkness).”
Pests in the village

Gudo and his father Tay Domeng were seeking a solution to pests also plaguing their village in a Southern Mindanao guerrilla front. In early 2020, rats infested their cornfields resulting in gnawing poverty and hunger in the community. Their expected harvest of 25 sacks of corn became two sacks.

Villagefolk used to act on these economic problems with dispatch. In fact, a kalmas (kalihukang masa or mass movement) was already planned to hold the ruling government accountable. They demanded crop insurance and calamity funds, and also sought to take back their lands which the Duterte regime gave to mining and plantation companies, and for the expansion of military camps.

But with the current infestation, residents are constrained from acting due to military presence in their village. Residents from adjacent barrios are also apprehensive about participating. “Fear spread further in the community after soldiers killed two of our leaders,” said Tay Domeng.

Tay Domeng and Gudo understand that the villagefolk are terrorized by the killings and the continuing and long-term military occupation of their community. But according to Tay Domeng, they should worry more about gradually dying of of hunger, or being buried in debt because of poor harvest due to pests.

“The organization must grasp the error of separating kalmas for corn production and kalmas against militarization,” they noted. Among the solutions to the rat problem they have devised is to be able to get past through checkpoints in order to facilitate meetings once again.

https://cppangbayan.wordpress.com/2022/01/21/revolutionary-peoples-struggle-against-pests/

CPP/Ang Bayan: NPA offensives in South Cotabato in defense of Lumad T’bolis

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Newsroom blog of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) (Jan 21, 2022): NPA offensives in South Cotabato in defense of Lumad T’bolis



The New People’s Army (NPA)-Far South Mindanao mounted successive offensives in South Cotabato to defend the T’boli people subjected to military violence by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Red fighters ambushed an operating unit of the 38th IB in Barangay Tudok, T’boli on December 31, 2021. Initial reports indicate that at least seven soldiers were killed, and three others were wounded.

The following day, the NPA fired at a column of the 11th Special Forces Battalion (SFB) at a mountainous area of the same barangay. Five soldiers were killed and two were wounded.

The NPA deployed a unit in the area after the military dropped 12 bombs at Sitio Busong-Apang in the early morning of December 30, 2021. The bombs hit the farmlands of Lumad T’bolis which were located only few meters away from the village. The attack shattered the peace in the community and traumatized civilians. Afterwards, the AFP deployed 38th IB and 11th SFB soldiers to comb through the said area.

Focused military operations continue unabated in the barangays along the boundary of Kiamba, Sarangani and T’boli, South Cotabato. These areas are covered by the concessions of the 88 Kiamba Mining Development Corporation, Inc. and Kiamba Mining Corporation.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cppangbayan.wordpress.com/2022/01/21/npa-offensives-in-south-cotabato-in-defense-of-lumad-tbolis/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Justice for Ka Kaye and Ka Bok!

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Newsroom blog of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) (Jan 21, 2022): Justice for Ka Kaye and Ka Bok!

Comrades Sandra Reyes (Ka Kaye) and Menandro Villanueva (Ka Bok) were captured alive during an encounter in Mabini, Davao de Oro between Red fighters and the butcher 10th ID on December 24, 2021, according to the Mindanao Commission of the Communist Party of the Philippines. The following day, the 10th ID reported that Ka Kaye was “killed in an encounter” while there was no news regarding the whereabouts of Ka Bok.

On the next few days, the 10th ID released a cartographic sketch of Ka Bok and repeatedly bragged that that he is about to be captured, along with other leaders and cadres in the Southern Mindanao Region supposedly as a result of their full-scale “pursuit operations.” It repeatedly fired 105mm howitzers to make it appear that there had been an encounter between the AFP and NPA.

On January 6, the 10th ID declared that Ka Bok was killed purportedly during an encounter on January 5. In truth, they already had custody of Ka Bok for 12 days. He was most likely tortured before being killed. According to the 10th ID’s own report, his cadaver sustained many gunshot wounds.

The revolutionary party strong­ly condemned the AFP’s cold-blooded killing of Ka Bok and Ka Kaye, and the lies it peddled subsequently. The CPP assured that it will hold to account those responsible for the killing of the two.

Ka Bok served the people for more than five decades. He played a key role in advancing the revolutionary movement in Southern Mindanao as one of strongest regions of the Party and the NPA. Meanwhile, Ka Kaye served the workers, peasants and Lumads full-time since she was organized at the Ateneo de Davao University. As an organizer, she played a key role in strikes and mass actions mounted across Southern Mindanao. AB (2022-01-21): Justice for Ka Kaye and Ka Bok!

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cppangbayan.wordpress.com/2022/01/21/justice-for-ka-kaye-and-ka-bok/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Salute the masses and the valiant forces of the armed revolution in Mindanao and across the country

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Newsroom blog of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) (Jan 21, 2022): Salute the masses and the valiant forces of the armed revolution in Mindanao and across the country

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) salutes the revolutionary masses and the valiant forces of the New People’s Army (NPA) and cadres of the Party in the Mindanao regions and across the entire country for their perseverance and iron-determination to defend the interests of the oppressed and exploited masses, in the face of relentless and brutal attacks of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). They are making great sacrifices in the struggle to fight imperialism, feudalism and bureaucrat capitalism and for the cause of national democracy and socialism. The Party pays tribute to Jorge Madlos (Ka Oris), Menandro Villanueva (Ka Bok) and all revolutionary heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in fighting the monsters that prey on the people.

The enemy continues to squander billions upon billions of pesos to terrorize the people and their revolutionary forces. The fascist attacks are most vicious in Mindanao, but are also relentless and ruthless in Bicol, Eastern Visayas and Negros, as well as in other regions across the country. The fascists are obsessed with ending the people’s resistance and armed revolution before the end of Rodrigo Duterte’s term through sheer military superiority, firepower and state terrorism.

Even now, it is certain that Duterte’s war against the people will not succeed. It only aggravates the people’s socioeconomic conditions that give rise to armed resistance. It is exhausting limited public funds that should instead be going to public health and education, especially as the country faces the continuing pandemic. It exposes the rotten core of the semicolonial and semifeudal system and heightens the people’s aspiration for national and social liberation.

The fascists brag of having won over a few renegades who have given up their principles and the people’s cause. Although a mere handful, some make so much noise on the behest of the AFP and now serve as paid hacks of the NTF-Elcac using the people’s money. They have betrayed the trust once given them by the peasant masses and minorities. Some of them chose convenience and comfort, overawed by the enemy and bedazzled by its promises for their selfish personal benefit. Some were captured by the enemy but subjected to intense pressure to turn against themselves. A few of them have turned outright traitors and are actively helping the enemy in its brutal campaign of suppression against civilian communities and people’s organizations. They are opportunists and negative examples who are rejected and denounced by the people.

The Party firmly salutes its cadres and leaders and NPA commanders and fighters in Mindanao and across the country who continue to shun personal interests, selflessly make great sacrifices and persevere along the path of serving the Filipino people and waging revolutionary struggle for national and social liberation. They exude revolutionary optimism and militancy even in the face of great adversity and obstacles.

Together with the revolutionary masses, the Party and NPA grieve the deaths of Ka Menandro Villanueva (Ka Bok) and Ka Jorge Madlos (Ka Oris), both important leaders of the Party and NPA in Mindanao and the entire country. They are both victims of the enemy’s fascist crimes and outright contravention of the rules of war and international humanitarian law.

The revolutionary forces draw inspiration from their martyrdom. The movement mourn their deaths, but also know that these losses are not insurmountable and will be overcome. They are ever conscious that when giant trees fall, it provides space and nourishes the ground for new trees to sprout and grow. Thousands of Party cadres and NPA commanders are now picking up their cudgels.

The Party firmly salutes the toiling masses in the Mindanao regions and across the country. In the face of the enemy’s attacks, the people’s determination to support and join the armed resistance has become stronger than ever before. Even in areas under the AFP’s most brutal attacks, the masses continue to build and expand their revolutionary organizations, cherish their people’s army, take part in the armed resistance, and join the Party. The workers, peasants, minority people, the semiproletariat and petty-bourgeois intellectuals in Mindanao and across the country remain unwavering in their determination to unite and fight for their national and democratic aspirations.

In the coming months and years, Party cadres, NPA fighters and the revolutionary masses must steel themselves as they will have to make more difficult sacrifices, shoulder more critical tasks and take on heavier responsibilities.

The NPA must continue to master guerrilla tactics of concentration, dispersal and shifting to maintain initiative at all times and frustrate the enemy’s offensives. It must continue to wage extensive and intensive guerrilla warfare on the basis of an ever expanding and deepening mass base. The NPA must further expand its guerrilla fronts and build new ones to cause the enemy to stretch its forces, overcome its strategy of gradual constriction and take away its ability to mount focused military operations to encircle units of the NPA. The NPA must continue efforts to link together the rough mountainous areas with the highly populated plains, build more guerrilla base areas, and mount tactical offensives on a wide area on a nationwide scale. The NPA must target, especially, the fascist and criminal AFP units whose hands are bloodied by the deaths of the Filipino people’s heroes and martyrs.

The Party and the New People’s Army across the country will continue to strengthen the bonds between the people’s army and the masses. The broad united front must continuously be expanded and strengthened against Duterte’s fascist tyranny.

In the face of the deep socio­economic crisis, hardships and oppression of the people, the revo­lutionary forces are ever deter­mined to arouse, organize and mo­bilize the people in their numbers to wage widespread mass struggles to demand genuine land reform, oppose the expansion of plantations, resist the entry of mining companies, demand fair prices for farm produce, demand higher wages, and just subsidies. They must intensify resistance to fascist attacks against communities, demand a stop to the bombing and shelling of their farms and villages, demand an end to military occupation of communities, demand respect for people’s rights and principles of international humanitarian law. They must hold the Duterte accountable for all his crimes even beyond his term.

The Party fully trusts the revolutionary forces across the entire country will persevere and grow in strength together with all the democratic and patriotic classes. Through untiring efforts to arouse, organize and mobilize the masses, it is certain that we shall frustrate the enemy’s all-out war, relentless attacks and declared aims of crushing the armed revolution. Carry forward the people’s resistance and bring it to ever greater heights.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cppangbayan.wordpress.com/2022/01/21/salute-the-masses-and-the-valiant-forces-of-the-armed-revolution-in-mindanao-and-across-the-country/

Kalinaw News: Gov’t troops discover another bulk of CTG’s War Materiel in Sorsogon, an indication of Terrorist Group’s inevitable defeat

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jan 24, 2022): Gov’t troops discover another bulk of CTG’s War Materiel in Sorsogon, an indication of Terrorist Group’s inevitable defeat



CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur-Suffering from a continuous exodus of its members, the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) no longer has the manpower to carry its remaining firearms and war materials.

This is evident in the series of discoveries and capture of the terrorist group’s war materials, which, the most recent, was on January 22 around 4:30 in the afternoon.

According to the report, joint elements of 22nd Infantry Battalion (22IB), Sorsogon Police Provincial Office, and intelligence units of Army’s 903rd Infantry Brigade and PNP’s Police Regional Office 5 (PRO-5) were conducting security operations in Barangay Maalo, Juban, Sorsogon, when they spotted a suspicious-looking man who fled when they are about to approach him.

Upon scouring the area, the troops discovered a bulk of war materials comprised of two M16 rifles, two calibers .38, two anti-personnel mines, and a plastic containing of at least 15kg of shrapnel.

Lt. Col. Nelson Mico, Battalion Commander of 22IB, warned the CTG of the intensified operations of the Army and PNP which leave no room for the atrocities they plan to hurl.

For BGen. Aldwine Almase, Brigade Commander of 903rd Brigade, this only means that the terrorist group continues to lose its manpower while at the same time losing its firepower along with the sympathy of the masses.

“Sa mga natitira pang miyembro ng CTG, sana mabuksan na ang inyong mga isipan na kahit gaano pa kayo katagal na manatili sa kabundukan, walang mararating ang inyong ipinaglalaban. Bumaba na lamang kayo at makipagtulungan sa amin dahil tiyak, may patutunguhang mabuti ang inyong buhay. Nagsasayang lamang kayo ng panahon sa walang saysay na kilusan,” BGen. Almase said.

PBGen. Jonnel Estomo, Regional Director of Police Regional Office 5 (PRO-5), told the remaining CTG members that their police stations are open should they decide to return to the folds of the law.

“Gayahin po ninyo ‘yong napakaraming dati ninyong kasama na nagbalik-loob na sa pamahalaan dahil sa loob ng kilusan, kung hindi kayo maaresto ng ating mga tropa baka po mapatay kayo sa mga engkwentro. ‘Yan lamang po ang dalawang kapalarang naghihintay sa inyo,” PBGen. Estomo said.

MGen. Alex DC Luna, Commander of Joint Task Force (JTF) Bicolandia, attributed this recent accomplishment to the increased military operations in Bicol.

“The extensive operations of the security sector coupled with the effective implementation of the Whole-of-Nation Approach led by our partner agencies and the growing support of the Bicolanos have brought us to these successes. Kaya sa mga natitirang miyembro ng teroristang grupong ito, may paraan pa upang hindi ninyo sapitin ang masalimuot ninyong kapalaran oras na makaharap ninyo ang mga sundalo at pulis sa mga engkwentro at ‘yan ay ang pagbabalik-loob sa pamahalaan. Bukas-palad namin kayong tatanggapin at tutulungang makapagbagong buhay,” MGen. Luna added.

It can be recalled that just last January 20, a total of 21 CTG members voluntarily withdrew their membership and support from the CPP-NPA-NDF in Albay while on January 21, government troops scored anew against the terrorist group after a successful military engagement in Barcelona, Sorsogon which resulted in the killing of one communist NPA terrorist and the capture of four high-powered firearms.

[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/govt-troops-discover-another-bulk-of-ctgs-war-materiel-in-sorsogon-an-indication-of-terrorist-groups-inevitable-defeat/

Kalinaw News: Torres, elite combatant takes the helm as new NoLCom Commander

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jan 24, 2022): Torres, elite combatant takes the helm as new NoLCom Commander



Camp Aquino, Tarlac City – Jan 24, 2022

Lt. Gen. Ernesto Torres Jr. formally takes over as the Commander of Northern Luzon following his donning to the third-star rank during the Change of Command ceremony presided by the AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Andres Centino at Camp Aquino, Tarlac City on January 24, 2022

Lt. Gen. Torres was the former Commander of the 10th Infantry Agila Division which successfully dismantled 3 guerilla fronts in the command’s area of operations in Mindanao and neutralized a total of 280 members of the Communist Terrorist Group including multiple terrorist high-value targets in just a span of 8 months.

Under his leadership as the Commander of the 1003rd Infantry Brigade which oversees Davao City, and parts of Davao del Norte and Bukidnon, the unit successfully arrested infamous Communist personalities such as Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo and ACT Teachers Party list Representative France Castro, in addition to the successful dismantling of Guerilla Front Committee 54, and three NPA formations in the unit’s area of operations from the year 2017 to 2019.

With his success and accomplishments on his previous assignments, the new commander vowed to vigorously sustain the momentum set by his predecessors, Lt. Gen. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr and Maj. Gen. Costelo, to totally defeat the remnants of the Communist terrorist group and other threats to the security of Northern and Central Luzon.

“Through the whole-of-nation approach spearheaded by the NTF-ELCAC, we shall endeavor to aggressively support the programs to end internal dissension through a progressive and sustainable campaign that would address its root causes,” said Lt. Gen. Torres.

NoLCom being the AFP’s unit responsible for protecting the biggest maritime area in the country calls for extra attention to its regional situation, protection, and development in its territorial waters as the new commander subtly noted.

“We shall likewise contribute in maintaining the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, particularly in the country’s northern borders,” he added.

Lt. Gen. Torres cited that under his tenure, Team NoLCom will march in cadence with the Filipino people to attain the national vision: Para sa isang matatag, maginhawa at panatag na pamumuhay para sa bawat Pilipino.

Meanwhile, Gen. Centino lauded the committed service and accomplishments of the Command under the leadership of Maj. Gen Andrew Costelo, the outgoing commander who took the added responsibility on top of his duties as the Commander of the Joint Task Force Kaugnay.

Gen. Centino also emphasized that the Armed Forces of the Philippines now entrusts the Commandership of the “Vanguards of the North” to Lt. Gen. Torres who has all the credentials, skills, and knowledge to usher lasting peace and sustainable development for people of Northern Luzon, as well as enforce the country’s sovereignty on our northern borders.

“I am confident that NOLCOM will deliver more victories and successes to the AFP as it continues to fulfill its mission of combating terrorism, facilitating development, and securing our borders in the North,” said Gen. Centino as he reminded the troopers of their mission to end the local communist armed conflict before the end of President Duterte’s term.

[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/torres-elite-combatant-takes-the-helm-as-new-nolcom-commander/

Kalinaw News: 2022 is a Year of Breakthrough for Another 21 CTG Members who Yielded in Albay

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jan 24, 2022): 2022 is a Year of Breakthrough for Another 21 CTG Members who Yielded in Albay



CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur–A total of twenty-one members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) started the year 2022 with a life-changing decision.

This after they came out and voluntarily withdrew their membership and support from the CPP-NPA-NDF in Albay, Thursday, January 20.

Welcoming the now considered Former Rebels (FRs) were the 49th Infantry Battalion (49IB) and the 902nd Infantry Brigade with the PNP.

The former members of the CTG are comprised of ten regular Communist NPA Terrorist (CNT) members, six members of Sangay ng Partido sa Lokalidad (SPL), and five members of Militiang Bayan (MB) who turned in one M16 rifle, one shotgun, two caliber .45, one caliber .38 revolver, two rifle grenades, assorted ammunitions and one anti-personnel mine with 20-meter wire.

Lt. Col. Benjamin Tapnio, Commander of 49IB, said that this mass surrender is another major setback in the already powerless terrorist group.

Thus, Col. Edmundo Peralta, Brigade Commander of 902nd Infantry Brigade, commended his troops, the police and the families of FRs for their combined efforts that led to this positive development.

“Maliban sa ating panawagan, isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit nagbalik-loob ang mga ito sa pamahalaan ay dahil katuwang natin ang kanilang mga mahal sa buhay na kumbinsihin silang abandonahin na ang walang saysay na armadong tunggalian at mamuhay ng mas mapayapa at makabuluhan,” Col. Peralta said.

Meanwhile, MGen. Alex DC Luna, Commander of Joint Task Force (JTF) Bicolandia, thanked the FRs for heeding the call of the government and commended them for making the wise decision of finally going home to their loved ones.

“Hinahangaan ko kayo sa inyong tapang na magbalik-loob sa pamahalaan at manindigan laban sa insurhensya. Kompyansa akong mula sa araw ng inyong pagsuko ay mararanasan ninyo ang magandang bunga ng inyong desisyong talikuran ang maling ideolohiya ng CTG. Welcome home,” MGen. Luna said.

It can be recalled that before 2021 ended, nine CTG members welcomed 2022 with a new life after yielding to the government troops in Sorsogon.

[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/2022-is-a-year-of-breakthrough-for-another-21-ctg-members-who-yielded-in-albay/

Military | NPA, losing support, fleeing bases

From the Mindanao Times (Jan 24, 2022): Military | NPA, losing support, fleeing bases (By RHODA GRACE SARON)

Photo courtesy of Eastern Mindanao Command

THE military seized war materiel, including firearms, during a series of encounters with the New People’s Army in the shared boundary of Amai Manabilang, Lumba-Bayabao, and Maguing, all in Lanao del Sur on Jan. 20.

The report said among the clashes was when concerned citizens informed soldiers of the First Special Forces Battalion of the 403rd Brigade of the presence of about 30 armed men. They soldiers have been running after the rebels in the area.

The two-hour firefight resulted in the recovery of five firearms, ammunitions, communication equipment, medical supplies and personal belongings.

The military report said no one among the soldiers was hurt, but the team found blood stains as it suspected that some of the rebels were wounded.

The brigade has sent teams to conduct operations against the rebels as the battalion previously encountered members of the same group that resulted in the death of its top official and the seizure of more guns.

Lt Gen. Greg Almerol, Eastern Mindanao Commander chief, the NPA has been fleeing Bukidnon to other areas like Lanao del Sur after communities in their previous bases refused to support them anymore.

“After years of intimidation, the people have finally turned against the terrorist movement and are reaping for its benefits. Although their remnants are still on the run, lack of familiarity in the new terrain and support from communities made them easier to be pursued and engaged by our troops,” Almerol said.

https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2022/01/24/military-npa-losing-support-fleeing-bases/

Security forces destroy Cannabis farm

From the Mindanao Examiner (Jan 24, 2022): Security forces destroy Cannabis farm

Police photos show the marijuana plantation in Kalingalan Caluang in Sulu province.

Policemen, backed by soldiers, raided a marijuan plantation and destroyed some 10,000 fully-grown Cannabis in the town of Kalingalan Caluang in Sulu province in southern Philippines, officials said Monday.

Officials said two farmers managed to escape the weekend raid in the village called Masjid Bayle and are being hunted by the police.

Brig. Gen. Eden Ugale, the regional police director, said some P8.6 million worth of marijuana plants were destroyed. He also commended the successful operation and lauded troops who took part in the raid. "PRO BAR will remain relentless in its campaign against illegal drugs and criminality to maintain peace and order in the Bangsamoro region," he said, referring to the police forces in the Muslim autonomous region.

The operation was participated by the Sulu Police Provincial Office, Regional Mobile Force Battalion, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Philippine Marines, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Regional Intelligence Unit, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency and the Special Action Force.

Ugale, quoting a report from the Sulu Police Provincial Office, has identified the two farmers who escaped the raid only as Jabs and Aksan. “They were able to elude arrest and they are among the cultivators of the 10,000 square meter marijuana plantation. Uprooted evidence was burned in the area of operation and sample evidence was submitted to Sulu Provincial Crime Laboratory Office. In addition, a case is being prepared for filing against the at-large suspects for violating the R.A. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002,” he said.

Police did not say how it located the farm or whether civilians tipped of authorities about the illegal activities.

http://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2022/01/security-forces-destroy-cannabis-farm.html

Troops destroy P8.6-M marijuana plants in Sulu

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 24, 2022): Troops destroy P8.6-M marijuana plants in Sulu (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)

MARIJUANA PLANTATION. An agent of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) together with other law enforcers uproot fully grown marijuana plants worth PHP8.6 million in a one-hectare plantation Sunday (Jan. 23, 2022) in Barangay Masjid Bayle, Kalingalan Caluang, Sulu. The marijuana plantation was discovered after the 4th Marine Brigade received information from concerned residents from a nearby village. (Photo courtesy of PDEA-BARMM)

Government authorities have destroyed some PHP8.6 million worth of fully grown marijuana plants in the hinterlands of Sulu, the 4th Marine Brigade (MBde) reported Monday.

In a statement, the 4MBde said the marijuana plants were destroyed Sunday in Barangay Masjid Bayle, Kalingalan Caluang, Sulu.

The 4MBde immediately coordinated with concerned agencies to plan out the launch of an anti-drug operation after receiving information from residents in a nearby village about the existence of a marijuana plantation in Barangay Masjid Bayle.

A joint operation was launched after a team was organized consisting of Marine troops, policemen, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency operatives.

“Upon arrival at the location, they (operatives) have found out a more or less one-hectare plantation with fully grown marijuana,” the 4MBde said.

However, the alleged maintainers of the marijuana plantation identified only as Alias Banban and Alias Aksan, were not around when the team swooped down on the plantation.

A case for violation of Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 is being prepared against the maintainers.

A total of 10,000 fully grown marijuana plants were destroyed and burned in the area, the 4MBde said.

“The support of the residents in the area signals that they shun illegal drugs in their community as it destroys their peaceful lives,” the 4Bde said.

“The illegal activities will not prevail as long as the community works hand in hand with the local government unit and with the security sector,” the 4MBde added.

The 4MBde assured that they will continue working with other agencies to ensure that the communities they serve are safe and secured.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1166172

Cops build water tank for Ifugao far-flung community

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 24, 2022): Cops build water tank for Ifugao far-flung community (By Liza Agoot)

WATER RESERVOIR. The 1st Ifugao Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) has turned over a 6’x6’x8’ water reservoir that was constructed with the help of the community from December 2021 until Jan. 19, 2022. A total of 20 families in the far-flung community in Sitio Halimutok, Barangay Holowon, Lamut in Ifugao will benefit from the project. (PNA photo courtesy of PROCor PIO)

A total of 20 families in a far-flung community in the province of Ifugao will benefit from the concrete community water tank that will make potable water accessible to the residents.

Capt. Marnie Abellanida, information officer of the Police Regional Office Cordillera (PROCor), in a media release on Monday said the reservoir is a project of the 1st Ifugao Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) which was a result of a dialogue with the community during the police officers' visit in Sitio Halimutok, Barangay Holowon in the town of Lamut.

Abellanida, quoting the PMFC, said some residents cited the need for a concrete water tank in the community that will solve their water supply problem.

Abellanida said the 1st Ifugao PMFC initiated a shoot fest for a cause where they raised PHP39,000 for the purchase of the needed materials for the construction of the concrete water tank.

He said the construction of the 6’x6’x8’ water reservoir started in December 2021 was completed with the help of the community through providing manpower to complete the project.

The water tank was formally turned over to the residents of Sitio Halimutok on January 19.

Abellanida said Sitio Halimutok is one of the isolated communities in the municipality of Lamut which can be reached only through an almost one hour walk through steep mountains.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1166199

21 rebels surrender, turn over firearms in Albay

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 24, 2022): 21 rebels surrender, turn over firearms in Albay (By Connie Calipay)

SURRENDERED. The firearms turned over to the authorities by 21 former rebels in Barangay Tas-tas, Ligao City, Albay when they surrendered in the second week of January. The surrenderers include 10 regular New People's Army (NPA) rebels, six Sangay ng Partido sa Lokalidad, and five Militia ng Bayan (MB). (Photo courtesy of 9ID)

A total of 21 rebels have voluntarily surrendered last week and were received by the Philippine Army's 49th Infantry Battalion (49IB) and 902nd Infantry Brigade, along with the Police Regional Office 5 (PRO5) in Barangay Tas-tas, Ligao City, Albay.

In a statement on Monday, Maj. John Paul Belleza, 9th Infantry Division (9ID) spokesperson, said the former rebels (FRs) comprised of 10 regular New People's Army (NPA), six Sangay ng Partido sa Lokalidad (SPL) and five Militia ng Bayan (MB) members.

"They also turned in one M16 rifle, one shotgun, two calibers .45, one caliber .38 revolver, two rifle grenades, assorted ammunition, and one anti-personnel mine with 20-meter wire," Belleza said.

Lt. Col. Benjamin Tapnio, commander of 49IB, said the mass surrender is another major setback for the already powerless terrorist group.

Col. Edmundo Peralta, commander of 902nd Infantry Brigade, commanded his troops, the police, and the families of the FRs for their combined efforts that led to this positive development.

"Maliban sa ating panawagan, isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit nagbalik-loob ang mga ito sa pamahalaan ay dahil katuwang natin ang kanilang mga mahal sa buhay na kumbinsihin silang abandonahin na ang walang saysay na armadong tunggalian at mamuhay ng mas mapayapa at makabuluhan. (Aside from our calling, one factor that made them return to the government is that we are being helped by their loved ones in convincing them to abandon the non-sense war and live a peaceful and meaningful life)," Peralta said.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Alex DC Luna, commander of Joint Task Force (JTF) Bicolandia, thanked the FRs for heeding the call of the government and commended them for making the wise decision of finally going home to their loved ones.

"Hinahangaan ko kayo sa inyong tapang na magbalik-loob sa pamahalaan at manindigan laban sa insurhensya. Kompyansa akong mula sa araw ng inyong pagsuko ay mararanasan ninyo ang magandang bunga ng inyong desisyong talikuran ang maling ideolohiya ng CTG. (I admire you all for the bravery in returning to the fold of the government and stand against insurgency. I am confident that after your surrender, you will reap the benefits of your decision to turn your back on the wrong ideology of the communist terrorist group) Welcome home.," Luna said.

It can be recalled that before 2021 ended, nine NPA members also yielded to authorities in Sorsogon.

The Communist Party of the Philippines (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.

The Anti-Terrorism Council also formally designated the National Democratic Front as a terrorist organization on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and separate part” of the CPP-NPA that was created in April 1973.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1166192

New Nolcom commander assumes post

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 24, 2022): New Nolcom commander assumes post (By Jason De Asis)

CHANGE OF COMMAND. Lt. Gen. Ernesto Torres Jr. delivers his message during the change of command ceremony at Camp Servillano Aquino in Tarlac on Monday (Jan. 24, 2022). Torres assumed his new post as the 32nd commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom), replacing Maj. Gen. Andrew Costelo, who is now the commander of the 7th Infantry “Kaugnay” Division, Philippine Army. (Photo courtesy of Nolcom PIO)

Lt. Gen. Ernesto Torres Jr. assumed his post as the 32nd commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) based in Camp General Servillano Aquino in Tarlac on Monday.

He replaced acting Nolcom chief, Maj. Gen. Andrew Costelo, who is now the commander of the 7th Infantry “Kaugnay” Division, Philippine Army.

Torres is the former commander of the Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry “Agila” Division based in Davao de Oro and former chief of the Civil Relations Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (CRSAFP).

Torres said it is a daunting task to lead Nolcom as one of the key units of the AFP that address both the internal security and territorial defense challenges of the country.

He called on local chief executives, non-government organizations (NGOs), media, civil society groups, other organizations, and stakeholders to have continuous collaboration and cooperation to end local communist armed conflict.

“I humbly ask for your untiring and unwavering support, cooperation, dedication, and commitment. Through these efforts, we can collectively put pressure on what remains of the communist terrorist groups (CTGs), and other armed groups, to shun the use of arms and violence, and replace such a culture of violence with a culture of security, peace, and development,” Torres said during the virtual change of command ceremony.

Aside from addressing the country’s internal security, Torres likewise stressed the importance of securing the sovereignty of the state and the integrity of the national territory.

As defenders of the nation, he asked all the joint task force commanders and task group commanders components under Nolcom to always be abreast of the regional situation and development.

“As we remain steadfast in our internal security operations and ever vigilant in securing the territorial integrity of our national territory, we should be also prepared to confront an unseen adversary such as climate change and the current pandemic we are facing,” he said.

Torres encouraged all his men to be good and professional at all times. “As your commander, I call on every soldier, airman, and sailor to always maintain a balance by developing a character that is, “loved by the people but feared by the enemy,” he told them.

He also thanked the chief of staff of the AFP for the opportunity to serve under his tutelage.

“In return, I commit to doing my level best to live up to the expectations that this position entails, all in God’s graces. This is what is expected of me, and rest assured that I shall give nothing less,” he added.

Torres is a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Makatao” Class of 1989.

Fresh from the Philippine Military Academy, he served as a platoon leader and a personnel officer in the 44th Infantry Battalion of the 1st Infantry Division in 1989.

His tactical proficiency and brilliance were recognized by his alma mater when he served as an instructor and a tactical officer in Philippine Military Academy in 1995.

In 2002, he became the deputy to the assistant chief of staff for Intelligence G2 in the 2nd Infantry Division.

In 2013, he became the assistant chief of staff for Operations G3 in the 7th Infantry Division.

Torres also assumed various civil-military operations positions.

He became the operations officer in East Timor in 2001 as a part of the Philippine United Nations Contingent, and chief of Intelligence of the Republic of the Philippines – US Military Exercise in 2003.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1166197

Ex-rebel receives cash, food aid from LGU in Aurora

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 24, 2022): Ex-rebel receives cash, food aid from LGU in Aurora (By Jason De Asis)

ASSISTANCE. The local government unit of Dingalan in Aurora led by Mayor Shierwin Taay (third from left) provides assistance to a surrendered rebel (third from right) on Monday (Jan. 24, 2022). The mayor assured that the local government will help the former rebel in going back to mainstream society. (Photo courtesy of Army's 91IB)

BALER, Aurora – A former rebel who voluntarily surrendered to authorities last week received assistance from the local government unit of Dingalan, this province on Monday.

Dingalan town Mayor Shierwin H. Taay personally handed over some PHP10,000 cash assistance and food packs to Berboy Calara Aviendo, who was a member of the dismantled communist guerrilla front Kilusang Larangang Gerilya-Sierra Madre (KLG-SM) of the New People's Army (NPA).

Aviendo surrendered to Joint Task Force Kaugnay’s 91st Infantry Battalion on January 17 and yielded his firearm the following day.

The former rebel, who has been an inactive member of the organization since April last year, surrendered an M14 rifle, along with a magazine for M14, and nine rounds of ammunition.

Taay said the surrender of Aviendo manifested that the government is serious in its efforts to end local communist armed conflict and has made a big leap in its quest for sustainable peace and development.

The mayor assured that the local government unit of Dingalan will help the former rebel in going back to mainstream society.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Reandrew P. Rubio, commander of 91st IB, appealed to the remaining members of the dismantled terrorist group to lay down their arms and live peacefully with their families.

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

In July last year, the National Democratic Front has also been formally designated as a terrorist organization by the Philippines’ Anti-Terrorism Council.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1166219

BRP Ang Pangulo provides medical aid to 926 more patients

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 24, 2022): BRP Ang Pangulo provides medical aid to 926 more patients (By Priam Nepomuceno)

Photo courtesy of BRP Ang Pangulo Facebook page

The BRP Ang Pangulo (ACS-25), the presidential yacht converted into a floating hospital following the onslaught of Typhoon Odette in large parts of the Visayas and Mindanao last December, has extended medical aid to another 926 residents of Dinagat Islands in its latest mission last week.

"BRP Ang Pangulo with her onboard medical team continues to provide medical services to the people of Dinagat Islands. The hospital ship treated 926 patients from the Municipality of Dinagat on 21 January 2022," the BRP Ang Pangulo said in a post on its Facebook page Sunday night.

To date, the medical and humanitarian missions being conducted by BRP Ang Pangulo have served 2,450 patients from the Dinagat Islands and Siargao.

The BRP Ang Pangulo is part of the 27-ship flotilla deployed by the Philippine Navy (PN) to help communities battered by “Odette”.

The ship left Manila on December 19, carrying thousands of relief goods and other essential items intended for the affected population in Mindanao.

Commander Benjo Negranza, PN spokesperson, earlier said they are using their resources to assist disaster-stricken areas to ensure the timely delivery of relief goods to typhoon victims.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1166154

PH, US troops to join 'Salaknib' exercises March 5-24

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 24, 2022): PH, US troops to join 'Salaknib' exercises March 5-24 (By Priam Nepomuceno)

Photo courtesy of Philippine Army

This year's "Salaknib" exercises between Filipino and American military units is slated March 5-24.

The participants are troops from the Philippine Army's (PA) 1st Brigade Combat Team, Training and Doctrine Command, Army Support Command, 51st Engineer Brigade, Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Army Artillery Regiment, Aviation Regiment, Armor Division, Light Reaction Regiment, Special Forces Regiment, and First Scout Ranger Regiment and their counterparts from United States Army Pacific Command (USARPAC).

"Salaknib, which means shield in Ilocano, is a testament to our enduring ties with the US Army. It is anchored on the Philippine-US Mutual Defense Treaty and has been ongoing since 2015," PA commander, Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said in a statement Sunday.

"Salaknib" is an annual exercise sponsored by USARPAC and hosted by the PA. It aims to enhance the defense readiness of both Filipino and American troops by developing tactical interoperability and at the same time, showcase the US government’s resolve to fulfill its alliance obligations in the region.

Last January 21, the PA and USARPAC teams completed the three-day inspection of the proposed training sites in Central Luzon to ensure availability, suitability, and training-worthiness.

Brawner commended the "Salaknib" planning team for carrying out a thorough planning process aimed at ensuring the success of the bilateral exercise even amidst the pandemic.

"The conduct of combined training exercises between the Philippine and US armies will capacitate us in effectively dealing with the fast-changing security landscape of the Indo-Pacific region," Brawner said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1166152

No need for HR defenders bill, rights enshrined in Charter

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 24, 2022): No need for HR defenders bill, rights enshrined in Charter (By Priam Nepomuceno)

Undersecretary Severo Catura, NTF ELCAC spokesperson for International Affairs, Peace Process and Human Rights Concerns (Screengrab from NTF ELCAC virtual press conference)

There is no need for the enactment of House Bill 10576, also known as the Human Rights Defenders Protection Bill, as all the rights and freedoms cited in it are already included in the country's Constitution.

"All the rights and freedoms cited by the bill as needing protection are appropriately covered by our Constitution already and under specific laws. So are we saying here that these rights do not exist and therefore must be stressed in another law. Because from how we looked at it, and from how millions of Filipinos looked at it, all these rights are in place and being enjoyed," Undersecretary Severo Catura, National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC) spokesperson for International Affairs, Peace Process and Human Rights Concerns, said in a virtual press conference on Monday.

Catura said the bill does not defend real human rights defenders but only allows "pretenders" to advance a "context that perpetuates falsehood and deceit".

"It is totally against the grain of what human rights principles are being set in place," he added.

If approved by Congress, Catura said this law will "adversely impact" the country's overall campaign against local terrorism and the advancement of the peace process.

"It is also a slap to the United Nations (UN) (whose) policies on human rights are either being twisted or completely unheeded. And the bill can be called anything but a human rights bill," he added.

Catura also expressed concerns over the bill's inclusion of a right to solicit, receive, and utilize resources.

He added that this provision is contrary to a crucial existing law that controls the solicitation of resources.

Catura raised alarm over the provision of the bill which seeks to establish sanctuaries for human rights victims as this gives leeway to criminals or those held accountable by courts to seek refuge by claiming to be human rights violation victims or human rights defenders.

The proposed bill, Catura said, also violates the human rights principle of inclusivity, by stating that four groups will constitute its proposed Human Rights Defenders Protection Committee.

These organizations are the Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates, Karapatan, Free Legal Assistance Group, and the National Union of Peoples' Lawyers.

Earlier, Catura said the proposed bill has many “many legal infirmities”, adding that even the UN does not have any pronouncement on who should be classified as “human rights defenders.”

“Human rights defender is not a job title,” Catura explained, adding that defending human rights should be pursued by everyone in accordance with UN’s declarations, but should be done in a “peaceful manner.”

Catura said what the UN has directly stated is that the government, police, and military are the defenders of human rights.

He also questioned the motivations of the Makabayan Bloc lawmakers in pushing for the proposed legislation since the bill did not even have the courage to denounce the proven atrocities committed by communist terrorist groups.

“This is a travesty and mockery of human rights,” Catura added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1166171

Presidential bets urged to rethink stand on ‘bogus’ peace talks

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 24, 2022): Presidential bets urged to rethink stand on ‘bogus’ peace talks (By Marita Moaje)

The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on Monday warned presidential aspirants that so-called peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) are bogus.

Undersecretary Lorraine Marie Badoy, NTF-ELCAC spokesperson for sectoral concerns, reiterated that communist groups have been classified internationally as terrorist organizations, the reason why candidates should not enter into negotiations with them.

In a television interview over the weekend, Vice President Leni Robredo, Senators Panfilo Lacson and Manny Pacquiao, and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, answered “yes” to the question on whether they would continue the peace talks with the CPP-NPA-NDF.

“It is either Vice President Leni Robredo, Mayor Isko Moreno, Senator Ping Lacson, and Senator Manny Pacquiao have no idea about the true nature of these bogus peace talks and are thus ignorant about who it is they are dealing with or that they are indifferent to the grievous consequences of their actions on our people and future generations of Filipinos,” Badoy’s statement read.

“The bogus peace talk is a tool the CPP-NPA-NDF uses in its extensive armory to prolong the protracted war in the countryside with the express goal of overthrowing the government through violent means -- but not without first bringing great harm and suffering on our people,” the statement further read.

Badoy said every time the Philippine government engages in peace talks with communist terrorist groups, men in uniform die while recruitment among the poor and the youth remained highly active as they take advantage of the government’s efforts for lasting peace and use the negotiations to protect them.

“During these bogus peace talks, too, were when high ranking members of the CPP-NPA-NDF who committed grave crimes against our people were released and when NPA terrorists roamed freely without any fear of arrest because those bogus peace talks provided protection to these terrorists,” Badoy stated.

Semblance of legitimacy

Negotiating with communists will give them a semblance of legitimacy and respectability that may enable them to acquire foreign funding.

“In other words, the Philippine government going down to the level of these terrorists gives them the camouflage of respectability they need in the international arena to make it seem that they are what they claim to be -- legitimate revolutionaries -- rather than what they truly are: terrorists,” the statement read.

From the peace talks initiated by the Philippine government in the past, Badoy said the costly lesson learned was that “there is no peace to be had when dealing with terrorists and therefore we must never again negotiate with terrorists. Hence the firm and unequivocal termination of these bogus peace talks by our President”.

Alarming

Badoy said the NTF-ELCAC found it alarming that the four presidential aspirants have shown a grievous error in judgment, considering that they are among most powerful people in the country.

She said that the communists’ reign for over five decades only means that they “have friends in high places who lent them cover and legitimacy the way these four are doing now”.

The NTF-ELCAC said that if the presidential candidates are sincere in their love for the country, they must educate themselves about the nature of the enemy and the methods used to bring destruction to the country.

No to peace talks

By agreeing to resume peace talks with the CPP-NPA-NDF, Badoy said Robredo, Lacson, Pacquiao, and Domagoso “have once again given these bogus peace talks an appearance of constitutionality and justice even. And in doing so, have harmed the country they claim to love”.

Instead of supporting bogus peace talks, Badoy said they should instead vow to support and pour in funds on the highly successful localized peace process, calling them the genuine peace talks.

Over 24,000 violent extremists have peacefully surrendered to the government and rejoined civil society.

“The entire guerrilla fronts all over the country have been dismantled as a direct result of ordinary citizens joining hands with the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines), finally experiencing government’s care and roundly rejecting this inhumane and violent ideology,” the statement read.

Badoy said a candidate asking for the people’s trust must be worthy of it.

“Unless these four presidential aspirants educate themselves first about those bogus peace talks and the nature of the beast and change their minds about the egregious pronouncements they made to resume peace talks, it is but right to say that they showed the Filipino people that they are not worthy of the trust they ask from us and are unfit to hold the highest office of the land,” the statement read.

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.

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1166240