MILF: Region 12 Salaam Police Advocacy Groups hold oath-taking and induction of officers

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (Mar 9, 2022): Region 12 Salaam Police Advocacy Groups hold oath-taking and induction of officers (By Gandhi Kinjiyo)



The Region 12 Salaam Police Advocacy Groups in regional, provincial, municipal and city levels held an oath-taking and induction ceremonies on Monday (March 7, 2022) administered by a key official of the Philippine National Police in Camp Crame.

Through virtual mode, Police Brigadier General Arnel Amor Libed, Deputy Director of the Directorate for Police Community Relations of the Philippine National Police, administered the oath-taking and induction of the officers of SPAGs of Region 12 who were gathered in their respective towns.

Libed underscored in his message the important role of civilians in supporting the police in maintaining the peace and security of the communities

SPAGs are organized groups of Muslim leaders, peace advocates, and force multipliers that undertake peace advocacy initiatives and promotion of human rights to sustain peace and order in the communities.

“We hope for your support by conducting peace and security programs that address the challenges faced by our society like the Covid-19 pandemic, the proliferation of illegal drugs, terrorism, violent extremism as well as criminalities,” Libed said in Filipino language.

Libed further hoped that SPAGs will also help in the conduct of safe and orderly local and national elections.

He said the SPAGs officers took their oath as a manifestation of their resolve to have peaceful communities and lauded their willingness in helping the PNP in its efforts to protect the citizens.

Sheikh Ibrahim Andang, Jr., SPAGs Region 12 President, cited the importance of consolidating the efforts of the community leaders and peace advocates with the security sector in undertaking activities that help sustain and strengthen community peace.

He shared how the Muslim religious sector of SocSarGen area have been engaged in grassroots-based peace advocacy activities as one way promoting tolerance and understanding and in support to the program of the security sector in preventing violent extremism.

SPAGs Region 12 Adviser Jocelyn Lambac-Kanda, head of the City Mayor’s Office – Integrated Communities Affairs Division, expressed her support to SPAGs and said that her office undertakes various peace-related projects where the group can collaborate with.(Gandhi Kinjiyo)

[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/2443/region-12-salaam-police-advocacy-groups-hold-oath-taking-and-induction-of-officers

MILF: Duterte to maintain status quo for Bangsamoro Transition Authority’s membership

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (Mar 8, 2022): Duterte to maintain status quo for Bangsamoro Transition Authority’s membership (Alexander Iskandar, Luwaran)

Members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), the body that will govern the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao until June 30, 2022 take their oath before President Rodrigo Duterte at the Rizal Hall of Malacanang on 22 February 2019.MindaNews photo by MANMAN DEJETO

Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao (March 5, 2022)—Good news for incumbent members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA).

 
President Rodrigo Duterte has approved on February 21 the recommendation of the Security, Justice and Peace Cabinet Cluster (SJPCC) to maintain the status quo on the membership of the 80-member Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA).

A report by Mindanews on Saturday, says that, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr. of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity and National Security, and Secretary Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. of the National Security Council announced that Duterte approved their recommendation last February 21.

Moreover, maintaining the status quo in the BTA will enable the incumbent President to focus on ensuring that the key aspects of the transition process in the Bangsamoro, such as building the capacity of the BTA parliament and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Cabinet for good and accountable moral governance, are effectively carried out, it added, the report said.

.“Undoubtedly, the BTA has over the past two years played an instrumental role in uplifting the lives of the Bangsamoro people and unleashing the economic potential of the region. Given these major accomplishments, its current membership must not only be given due recognition but must also be given the chance to complete what it has started,” the SJPCC members said.

“By keeping the status quo in the BTA, we are not only building on and sustaining the gains of the Bangsamoro peace process; we are laying the foundations where genuine development and long-lasting peace can take root and flourish, and where our Moro brothers and sisters can look ahead to a better and brighter future,” they added.

[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/2442/-duterte-to-maintain-status-quo-for-bangsamoro-transition-authority---s-membership

MILF: Implement agreement related on security, disband private armed groups’- UNYPAD Pres. on Rido

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (Mar 6, 2022): Implement agreement related on security, disband private armed groups’- UNYPAD Pres. on Rido (By Gandhi Kinjiyo)

The President of United Youth for Peace and Development (UNYPAD) said the best way to address Rido (clan feud) is the implementation of agreement related to security and disbanding of private armed groups.

“I think the best way to address rido is the implementation of agreement related to security,” said Dr. Rahib Kudto, head of UNYPAD, the largest organization of Moro youth in the country, and member of the Third Party Monitoring Team (TPMT), during its 7th Public Report on Thursday (March 3) at Discovery Suites, this city.

He added, “There is also a need to disband private armed groups and address the socio-economic problem of the people.”

“There’s a ministry responsible for addressing the conflicts in the Bangsamoro, it has to look into this,” Kudto further suggested.

The UNYPAD chief said, “There are also civil society organizations that are doing conflict mitigations and interventions. They can be very useful and can be partnered with the ministry of the BARMM concerned to this (rido).”

Kudto referred to the agency as the Ministry on Public Order and Safety (MPOS), one of the ministries of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

He also underscored the important role of a development partner to help in addressing the problem of Bangsamoro communities on Rido.

The TPMT released its 7th public report noting that there is steady progress in advancing the peace process in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) during the reporting period November 2020 to January 2022.

In its report, the monitoring body encourages the following steps to consolidate the implementation of the peace process:

• Adopt priority legislation ideally within the originally defined timeframe prior to June 2022;
• Use the IGRB to methodically address pending issues and proceed with the operationalization of remaining IGR mechanisms;
• Address normalization on the basis of synchronized actions combining all its different elements. Most importantly, resolve questions related to the provision of socio-economic packages for decommissioned combatants and agree on guidelines for the entry of MILF and MNLF into the PNP;
• Ensure that the National Amnesty Commission can begin operations as soon as possible;
• Strive for greater security and prevention of violent incidents, whether involving rido, resource conflicts or extremism, through holistic and strategic measures.

Formally established in 2013, the body is mandated to monitor and review the implementation of the peace agreements between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

TPMT is chaired by German former European Union diplomat Heino Marius. Other foreigner members of TMPT are Huseyin Oruc, a Turkish and founding Trustee of The Humanitarian Forum (UK), and founding member of UNIW (the Union of NGOs of the Islamic World), and Sam Chittick, an Australian and currently the country representative of The Asia Foundation.

[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/2441/___implement_agreement_related_on_security__disband_private_armed_groups_____unypad_pres__on_rido

MILF: Third Party Monitoring Team for the Bangsamoro peace process releases 7th public report

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (Mar 2, 2022): Third Party Monitoring Team for the Bangsamoro peace process releases 7th public report (By Gandhi Kinjiyo)



The Third Party Monitoring Team (TPMT) for the Bangsamoro Peace Process released its 7th public report in a press conference on Thursday (March 3, 2021) noting that there is steady progress in advancing the peace process in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) during the reporting period November 2020 to January 2022.

The independent monitoring body noted several development that include the foundations for effective institutional and legislative structure have been laid by the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, the adoption of two more priority codes, the Civil Service Code and Education Code, the transfer of Cotabato City into BARMM administrative structures, regular interaction between the National Government and Bangsamoro Government through the Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) and ceasefire mechanism remains intact.

TPMT Chair Heimo Marius, a German national, cited in their report, “Key achievements include the adoption of the 3rd round of decommissioning of MILF combatants last November, preparing the ground for granting amnesty towards the members of the MILF and operationalization of the Bangsamoro Normalization Trust Fund.”

He said the implementation of the peace process was slowed down by two factors which are Covid-19 pandemic that delayed the consultative processes and program delivery and the debate over the extension of the transition period that absorbed much the attention of the Parties.

Marius said, “It had become apparent that the allotted 3-year timeframe in the Organic Law for establishing a new autonomous political entity was very ambitious from the start given the complexity of the task.”

The TPMT chair added, “As we move towards the extension we as TPMT believe that this is the right time to look at the peace agreements from a broader perspective, to assess what has been achieved and what remains to be done.”

He also underscored the importance to understand that the peace accords combine and counterbalance two fundamental ideas which are meaningful self-governance for the Bangsamoro and gradual normalization of the conflict-affected areas and their transformation to peaceful and progressive communities.

The monitoring body encourages steps to consolidate the implementation of the peace process such as adopting priority legislation ideally within the originally defined timeframe prior to June 2022, using the IGRB to methodically address pending issues and proceed with the operationalization of remaining IGR mechanisms, and addressing normalization on the basis of synchronized actions combining all its different elements.

The TPMT said with the extension now in place the Bangsamoro Transitional Authority (BTA) has more time to accomplish its priority tasks and the Parties to the peace agreements have the opportunity to focus on completing what they agreed with renewed vigor.

The monitoring body further suggests to the concerned parties to ensure that the National Amnesty Commission can begin operations as soon as possible and strive for greater security and prevention of violent incidents, whether involving rido (clan war), resource conflicts or extremism, through holistic and strategic measures.

The TPMT was set up by the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to monitor the implementation of the GPH-MILF peace agreement, as provided for in the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) signed on 15 October 2012 and its Annexes.

Huseyin Oruc, a Turkish and one of the founding members of the Union of NGOs in the Islamic World, and Sam Chittick, an Australian and the Philippines Country Representative of The Asia Foundation are the two other foreigner TPMT members.

Rebecca Tañada Executive Director of Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute and Dr. Rahib Kudto, Chairman of the United Youth for Peace and Development are the local TPMT members.

[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/2440/third_party_monitoring_team_for_the_bangsamoro_peace_process_releases_7th_public_report

30 Dawlah Islamiyah supporters surrender in Lanao

 From the Sun Star-Zamboanga (Mar 8, 2022): 30 Dawlah Islamiyah supporters surrender in Lanao

ZAMBOANGA. Thirty supporters and couriers of the Dawlah Islamiya-Maute Group (DI-MG) surrender to military on Friday, March 4, three days after troops captured the DI-MG lair in Ilalag village, Maguing, Lanao del Sur. A photo handout shows the surrenderers in a group photo after they received food packs from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. (SunStar Zamboanga)

THIRTY supporters and couriers of the Dawlah Islamiya-Maute Group (DI-MG) have surrendered to military in the province of Lanao del Sur, a top military official said.

Lieutenant Colonel Fernando Payapaya, 51st Infantry Battalion (IB) commander, said the DI-MG supporters surrendered Friday, March 4, three days after troops captured the rebels’ lair in Ilalag village, Maguing, Lanao del Sur.

The lair of DI-MG leader Faharudin Hadji Satar alias Abu Zacariah fell into the hands of government troops following hours of firefight preceded by an early morning airstrike Tuesday, March 2.

Brigadier General Jose Maria Cuerpo, II, 103rd Infantry Brigade commander, said that Abu Zacariha is the new emir of the Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Southeast Asia.

Payapaya said the 30 DI-MG supporters and couriers surrendered to the 51IB headquarters in Dilausan village, Madalum, Lanao del Sur. They are from Talao and Palacat villages in Piagapo town of the same province.

He said the surrender can be attributed to the successful offensive in Maguing on March 1 that brought fear to all other members and supporters of the DI-MG and the sustained combat operations in the hinter of Piagapo village where the DI-MG members were frequently monitored in the previous months.

Payapaya warmly welcomed the surrenderers who withdrew their support to the DI-MG.

The surrenderers sworn to the Holy Qur'an that they will never support again the DI-MG and before they returned to their respective villages, they received food packs from the local government and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1923021/zamboanga/local-news/30-dawlah-islamiyah-supporters-surrender-in-lanao

All-female Aviators hold training flights at Fort Magsaysay

From the Manila Bulletin (Mar 9, 2022): All-female Aviators hold training flights at Fort Magsaysay (By Liezle Basa Iñigo)

FORT MAGSAYSAY, Palayan City, Nueva Ecija — Female Aviators of the Aviation “Hiraya” Regiment, Philippine Army, marked International Women’s Day on Tuesday, March 8, with an all-female training flight at Fort Magsaysay Army Aerodrome.

Hiraya Female Aviators in Flight used the Robinson R44 trainer helicopter.

Cpt. Pearl Esther I Taladro, pilot-in-command, and Maj. Sharon Jill F Carangrang, co-pilot, with Cpt. Rhona K Salvacion onboard, performed a series of take-off and landing exercises, co-pilot landing, air taxi, and quick stop maneuvers.

Photo courtesy of the Philippine Army / MANILA BULLETIN

The all-female flight crew is the Aviation Regiment’s way of showcasing the capabilities of its female Army Aviators in celebration of International Women’s Month Celebration and carried the theme: “Agenda ng Kababaihan Tungo sa Kaunlaran.”

The Aviators were wearing purple shirts which is historically associated with efforts to achieve gender equality and linked to contemporary feminism.

It inspires hope and vision and symbolizes the gains so far achieved and those that are yet to come, the Aviators said.

The Aviation (Hiraya) Regiment, Philippine Army, under Col. Andre B. Santos participated in the Subject Matter Expert Exchange conducted with 3-25 Combat Aviation Battalion, US Army as part of Exercise SALAKNIB on Monday, March 7.

Tackled during the exchange were aviation safety with CW4 Jamie C. Toner, Safety Officer of Task Force Hammerhead, 3-25 Combat Aviation Battalion, US Army, as the speaker.

Toner elaborated on the safety administrative practices, emergency management planning, safety related programs, and aviation mission risk mitigation.

The Aviation Regiment has prioritized safety, especially with the increase in the number of flight missions and aircraft.

This will help the unit improve its safety programs and mitigate accidents during the conduct of flightline operations and aerodrome operations.

https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/09/all-female-aviators-hold-training-flights-at-fort-magsaysay/

US, Philippines gather for 10th Airman-to-Airman Talks, continue building upon strong alliance

 Posted to Pacific Air Forces (Mar8, 2022): US, Philippines gather for 10th Airman-to-Airman Talks, continue building upon strong alliance

Published March 8, 2022
By Tech. Sgt. Hailey Haux
Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii --

Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), Guam and Hawaii Air National Guard Airmen, as well as Hawaii Army National Guard members met with Airmen from the Philippine Air Force for the 10th iteration of Airman-to-Airman (A2A) Talks between the two countries, Feb. 15-18.

The talks provide an avenue to develop interoperability, foster military-to-military relations and improve bilateral cooperation. The U.S. and partner nation air forces conduct these engagements to plan for upcoming bilateral activities and establish partner goals.

“We appreciate the Philippine Air Force’s ability to support this event as it is critical to advancing our ability to work together and achieve common objectives,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. David Burgy, Air National Guard Assistant to the Commander, Pacific Air Forces, during his opening remarks.

Burgy outlined three main objectives of these annual talks: review the effectiveness of all engagements, refine engagement priorities over the next several years, and strengthen the interoperability between the two air forces.

“In this current volatile security environment, interoperability is becoming more and more important,” said Philippine Air Force Maj. Gen. Stephen P. Parreño, Chief of Air Staff, Philippine Air Force. “Despite our cultural differences and other various challenges for our nations’ militaries, it is relevant that our alliance shall continue to grow and be more effective. May this engagement serve as a venue to nourish long-standing friendship and cooperation with the Philippine Air Force and Pacific Air Forces.”

Over the course of the week, the two air forces held several discussions about an array of topics in order to develop a better understanding of the needs of the two countries. Working group sessions consisted of logistics, plans and policy, training and operations, and cybersecurity.

“Ultimately, what we hope to achieve is improving the interoperability between our two air forces,” said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Christopher Faurot, Assistant Adjutant General-Air/Commander, Guam Air National Guard, Air National Guard Assistant to Commander, 11th Air Force. “It’s important because these engagements clearly demonstrate the air component support to the mutual defense treaty so that we can leave no doubt as to the steadfast nature of our alliance between our two great nations. So we want to make sure that people understand that a threat to you is a threat to us and we will be side-by-side with you.”

Guam and Hawaii are the State Partners to the Philippines, through the State Partnership Program—or SPP—which began in 2000, giving them 22 years of working together. One key aspect of the SPP links a unique component of the Department of Defense–a state's National Guard—with the armed forces or equivalent of a partner country in a cooperative, mutually beneficial relationship.

Through the SPP, the National Guard conducts military-to-military engagements in support of defense security goals. The program also leverages whole-of-society relationships and capabilities to facilitate broader interagency engagements spanning military, government, economic and social spheres.

“For over 20 years, our state partners have participated in [many] events and we look forward to the next 20 years [and beyond] as we improve our relationship and interoperability to meet future challenges as brothers, together,” Faurot said.

During the week-long Airman-to-Airman engagement, members of the Philippine Air Force received a historical tour of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam as well as tours of Wheeler Army Airfield, Mount Ka’ala Radar Facility, Arizona Memorial and the Pacific Aviation Museum, giving them more insight as to how the base, and its surrounding facilities, plays a role in the security and stability of the Indo-Pacific.

“This annual event is also about strengthening our service-to-service relationships while working toward common goals with a long-term focus on regional peace, security and stability,” Burgy said. “More importantly, the engagements discussed in this venue will provide the air component support to the Mutual Defense Treaty of 1951, further bolstering the steadfast alliance of our great nations. I look forward to building upon the previous successes and ultimately developing a solid roadmap for future exercises, engagements and activities.”

The two air forces participate in exercises, such as Balikatan, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges, and Bilateral Air Contingency Exchange-Philippines—which will be called Cope Thunder-Philippines in the future.

“As we pursue our strategic initiatives….we look forward to the activities of this year as it will help us in our goal to become a more agile, independent air force,” Parreño said.

PACAF provides a number of opportunities for A2A talks throughout the Indo-Pacific region with other ally and partner nations to continue to build strong relationships.

https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2960001/us-philippines-gather-for-10th-airman-to-airman-talks-continue-building-upon-st/

US-PH Balikatan exercises begin in Cagayan

From the Manila Bulletin (Mar 9, 2022): US-PH Balikatan exercises begin in Cagayan (By Liezle Basa Iñigo)

The 37th iteration of the Philippines-US Armed Forces Balikatan exercises formally began in Cagayan through the simultaneous groundbreaking ceremony for school buildings under the Engineering Civic Action Program or ENCAP.

Photo courtesy of PGS via Liezle Inigo

Four schools — Taggat Sur and Pinas Elementary School in Claveria town; Masi Elementary School in Rizal town, Cagayan; and San Francisco Elementary School in Alicia, Isabela were given a funding of $ 100,000 each by the US government.

Each building measures 18×17 square meters and is expected to be completed in April this year.

17th Infantry Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Oliver Logan said such Balikatan exercise will be an opportunity for the US Air Force to share their skills with Philippine Army troops.

It also aims to strengthen the army’s friendship with the forces and to exchange knowledge, tactics, and other means in other aspects.

Photo courtesy of PGS via Liezle Inigo

The official also reiterated that no live firing exercise will take place in accordance with the resolution of the Cagayan Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) led by Governor Manuel Mamba, which was approved by the Presidential Commission on Visiting Forces.

Austin Koch, USAF, US officer-in-charge said that ENCAP will serve as a stepping stone for US and Philippine Armed Forces’ cooperation in the construction of new buildings.

The US government will also provide the equipment until the project is completed.

“We will be providing materials and other heavy equipment for the construction of the classrooms. We are very willing to teach Filipino forces on using these advanced technologies as they will be teaching us how to build buildings in their own way. We will work side by side. Now I am pretty much excited to learn the innovative process from Filipinos,” Koch said.

https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/09/us-ph-balikatan-exercises-begins-in-cagayan/

NDF/CPDF: This Women’s Month, remember Mother Petra

Posted to the National Democratic Front Philippines (NDFP or NDF) Website (Mar 9, 2022):This Women’s Month, remember Mother Petra

Cordillera People’s Democratic Front

National Democratic Front of the Philippines

March 07, 2022

This year, the Cordillera People’s Democratic Front celebrates International Women’s Month by recalling the life and contributions of Mother Petra Macli-ing, staunch opposition to the Marcos propensity towards plunder and exemplary woman-leader-defender of ancestral territory.

She is best known for leading other women in driving away mining engineers of the Benguet Corporation to exploit the natural resources of Mainit, Bontoc, Mountain Province. True to her Cordillera blood, she used the tradition of respect for women’s bodies to get them to leave. Together, the women of Mainit showed the engineers that their disrespect for the ancestral land equates to disrespect for the bodies that nurtured and gave them their lives.

Decades and centuries ago, women have already risen to the challenge of leadership and sacrifice. Despite the unequal treatment and persistent questions as to their strength and capabilities, women have prevailed against modern capitalism worldwide. Feudal relations in the Philippines, with more than 300 years under its belt, could not stop women from participating in the fight for national liberation. Extreme and widespread poverty, due to a semifeudal and semicolonial system, could not deter women from advancing the national democratic struggle. Similarly, Inna Petra and other women of Cordillera did not let a dictator have his way with the gold that rightfully belongs to the national minorities.

A rotten social system necessitated the emergence of proletarian and revolutionary leaders who then inspire collective mass action, most eagerly answered by women who prove that they are equal to their male counterparts. Inna Petra is one of those brave spirits. Even before the threat of mining in Mainit, she was active in the struggle against the Chico Dam a decade ago. She and other women launched hunger strikes to make a political statement against the devastation of the Cordillera. Today, the plague of destructive capitalist projects which targets ancestral resources is still imminent and devastating, if not worse. A protracted people’s war and the complete seizure of political power from the ruling elite is the only way to go. And the women are aware of their role in the revolution. Each one is a Mother Petra that does her best to answer the clarion call of defending their homes, even to the point of joining the armed struggle and sounding the gangsa to the beat of the national democratic revolution. ###

Kaigorotan, lumaban! Defend the ancestral lands of the people!

Advance the national democratic revolution!

https://ndfp.org/this-womens-month-remember-mother-petra/

WESCOM: LOOK: CSAFP Lauds Team WESCOM for Scores Against Communist-Terrorists in Palawan

 Posted to the Western Command (WESCOM) Facebook Page (Mar 4, 2022): LOOK: CSAFP Lauds Team WESCOM for Scores Against Communist-Terrorists in Palawan

Camp Artemio Ricarte, Puerto Princesa City -- General Andres Centino, the AFP Chief of Staff lauded Team Western Command for its accomplishments on Internal Security Operations following the recovery of numerous high-powered fire arms, ammunitions, anti-personnel mines, and other possessions from the Communist Terrorist Group in Palawan, as well as the surrender and neutralization of its remnants, leaving only one member at large.

In today's commemmoration of WESCOM's 46th Founding Anniversary, Joint Task Force Peacock displayed the arms cache and items of the communist terrorists that were unearthed and recovered from 2020-2021 in various locations in the Province. This included those tipped off by former rebels who surrendered to the government forces and the residents of communities in Puerto Princesa City, Brooke's Point, Rizal, Roxas, Quezon, Sofronio Española, and San Vicente.

 
"The recovery of these firearms, ammunitions and explosives is a serious blow to the enemy. Most importantly, it is an assurance of security to the people of Palawan from the atrocities and crimes of the communist terrorists," the Commander of WESCOM, Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos said.

 
"The accomplishment of WESCOM on internal security bespeaks highly of the honor, service and patriotism that its officers, men and women continue to exemplify," General Centino said.

Through the inter-agency efforts of WESCOM with its peace partners in the Palawan Task Force - ELCAC, many former rebels have been successfully reintegrated into the mainstream of society and supported by the government's integration program.

Likewise, General Centino, in his speech, expressed pride and confidence in Team WESCOM's ability to capture @Ka Miggy, the lone CTG remnant in Palawan.

 
"I hope @Ka Miggy will come to his senses and decides to return to the fold of the law, while it is not yet too late," said General Centino.

Meanwhile, Team WESCOM, under Vice Admiral Carlos' command, is determined and focused to comply with the CSAFP's orders to get @Ka Miggy and ensure that Palawan shall be insurgency-free the soonest time possible, and shall continue to enjoy sustained peace and progress.###
-------
#TeamWESCOM
#WESCOMYouCanTrust
#MissionFirstMenAlways
#NPASalotSaLipunan
#BayanihanSaPalawan
#TransformationFriday

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=322178279944473&set=pcb.322178606611107

https://www.facebook.com/wescom

WESCOM: Team WESCOM accords arrival honor to the newly promoted Commander, Western Command, VADM ALBERTO B CARLOS PN

Posted to the Western Command (WESCOM) Facebook Page (Mar 6, 2022): Team WESCOM accords arrival honor to the newly promoted Commander, Western Command, VADM ALBERTO B CARLOS PN

IN PHOTOS | Earlier today, Team WESCOM accorded arrival honor to the newly promoted Commander, Western Command, VADM ALBERTO B CARLOS PN at WESCOM Parade Ground.

#TeamWESCOM
#WESCOMyoucanTrust
#GrayEagle
#MissionFirstMenAlways

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=323827223112912&set=pcb.323829359779365

https://www.facebook.com/wescom

WESTMINCOM: "Provincial Government of Cotabato Accepts 27 Balik-loob and their firearms"

Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Facebook Page (Mar 8, 2022): "Provincial Government of Cotabato Accepts 27 Balik-loob and their firearms"

4th Civil Relations Group

Provincial Government of Cotabato Accepts 27 Balik-Loob and Their Firearms

The 602nd Infantry (LIBERATOR) Brigade, together with the Provincial Local Government of Cotabato, formally accepted the laying down of arms of twenty-four (24) former violent extremist (FVEs) and three (3) former rebels (FRs) coming from the municipalities of Matalam, Pikit, Aleosan and Midsayap all of Cotabato on 02 March 2022 at 602nd Brigade Covered Court, Camp Robert Edward M Lucero, Carmen, Cotabato.

The presentation of BALIK-LOOB and their firearms was hosted by the 602nd Infantry (LIBERATOR) Brigade under the supervision of COL JOVENCIO F GONZALES INF (GSC) PA, Commander, with the efforts of 90th Infantry (Bigkis-Lahi) Battalion under LTC ROMMEL T MUNDALA INF (GSC) PA and 34th Infantry (Reliable) Battalion under LTC EDGARDO L VILCHEZ JR INF (GSC) PA.

COL GONZALES presented the twenty-four (24) members of DI/BIFFs and three (3) members of CTGs with their assorted firearms to Hon. Nancy A. Catamco, Governor, Province of Cotabato; and Ms. Jocelyn G. Maceda, RSW, PSWD Officer. Also present during the activity were Hadja Mariam Criste of Kabacan, Cotabato and Mr. Luis R. Caytor, E-CLIP Focal Person of the Provincial Social Welfare Development Office of Cotabato.

As a gesture of their commitment to peace and support to the government, the BALIK-LOOB voluntarily surrendered their twenty-two (22) High-powered firearms, three (3) Low-powered firearms, and other war materiel.

COL GONZALES lauded the bravery of the BALIK-LOOB who have changed their hearts towards peace for the benefit of their love ones and their community.

 
“Your change of hearts will definitely change your lives with the support of the security sectors and the government” He added.

The BALIK-LOOB personalities was overcome with great emotion as they expressed their desire to live in peace and harmony with their families.

Governor Catamco lauded the initiatives of the Brigade and its operational controlled units as she warmly welcomed and accepted the BALIK-LOOB to the Province of Cotabato. She provided initial assistance to every personality in a form of a sack of rice and assorted groceries. She also challenged them to be faithful with the government and ask for unity for the common goal of peace and development. “The Local Government of Cotabato will provide appropriate assistance to ensure your successful transition as productive members of the society in the Province of Cotabato” She added.
MGEN JUVYMAX R UY PA, Commander of the 6th Infantry (KAMPILAN) Division, Philippine Army and the Joint Task Force Central (JTFC) commended the units involved, and the Province of Cotabato for their continued efforts to attain peace in Central Mindanao. | @602nd Infantry Liberator Brigade 6ID, PA

#SundaloSalamatsaSerbisyo
#AFPyoucanTRUST
#SupportOurTroops
#TeamWestMinCom

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=326164716204959&set=a.226169572871141

https://www.facebook.com/westmincomafp2021/?ref=page_internal

WESTMINCOM: "Dawlah Islamiya-Maute Group (DI-MG) Lost Support in Piagapo, Lanao del Sur"

Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Facebook Page (Mar 8, 2022): "Dawlah Islamiya-Maute Group (DI-MG) Lost Support in Piagapo, Lanao del Sur"

4th Civil Relations Group

Dawlah Islamiya-Maute Group (DI-MG) Lost Support in Piagapo, Lanao del Sur

Madalum, LDS – A total of thirty (30) DI-MG supporters and couriers from Brgy Talao and Brgy Palacat both of Piagapo, Lanao del Sur withdrew their support to the DI-MG and surrendered to the combined troops of 12CMO Battalion and 51st Infantry Battalion led by LTC FERNANDO L PAYAPAYA INF (GSC) PA at Headquarters 51IB, Brgy Dilausan, Madalum, LDS on March 4, 2022 at around 3:25 in the afternoon.

The activity can be attributed to the recent successful encounter at Brgy Ilalag, Maguing Lanao del Sur on March 01, 2022 that brought fear to all other members and supporters of the DI-MG and the sustained Combat Operations, Intelligence Operations, Civil-Military Operations and the Joint Deployment of Offensive PsyOps of 51st IB and 12CMO Battalion in the hinter barangays of Piagapo where the DI-MGs were frequently monitored in the previous months.

 
“Naipaliwanag ng mga sundalo sa amin Anti-Terror Law, ayaw naming madamay at ayaw na po naming bumalik ang mga ISIS na yan sa barangay namin sir kasi natatakot kaming magkaroon na naman ng encounter sa aming barangay katulad ng nangyari sa Maguing, nakakatakot yung malalaking mga pagsabog sir.” A statement of one of the surrenders.

Lt. Col. Payapaya expressed his warm welcome to the surrenders who withdrew their support to the DI-MG. " Ako ay lubos nagpapasalamat sa inyong pagtakwil sa mga terroristang grupo at pagpapakita ng supporta sa mga kasundalohan. Hangad namin ang kaayosan at kapayapaan sa inyong lugar para hindi mahirapan an gating gobyerno na dalhin ang kanyang mga programa at serbisyo para sa inyo", LTC Payapaya said. The surrenders sworn to the Holy Qur’an that they will never support again the DI-MGs and before they returned to their respective barangays, they received food packs from the LGU and BARMM.

#SundaloSalamatsaSerbisyo
#AFPyoucanTRUST
#SupportOurTroops
#TeamWestMinCom
#TeamCRSAFP

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=325996956221735&set=a.226169562871142

https://www.facebook.com/westmincomafp2021/?ref=page_internal

0

WESTMINCOM: WestMinCom Recognizes IMT-16’s Valuable Contribution to AFP

Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Facebook Page (Mar 9, 2022): WestMinCom Recognizes IMT-16’s Valuable Contribution to AFP

Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City – March 9, 2022

Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario, Jr., Commander of the Western Mindanao Command, conferred medals and plaque to the International Monitoring Team-16 (IMT-16) on March 8, 2022. The awarding ceremony was held during the exit call of the team on the WestMinCom Commander at the Laong Laan Hall at Camp Navarro, Calarian, this city Tuesday morning.

 
A Command Plaque was awarded to Maj. Gen. Datuk Hamdan Bin Hj Ismail, the Head of Mission, IMT-16 in grateful recognition for his invaluable contributions to the Western Mindanao Command from April 10, 2021 to April 10, 2022. A photo slate and a memento were also awarded to the Maj. Gen. Hamdan.

 
Also, a Military Civic Action Medal was awarded to Maj. Gen. Hamdan and the members of the team. This was in recognition of their meritorious achievements while serving as personnel of the IMT-16 and ADHOC Joint Action Group Team-3 who rendered indirect support to the implementation of the peace agreement between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Aside from Maj. Gen. Hamdan, other awardees include Col. Sukiman Bin Mohamed Ghani of the Malaysian Army; Lt. Col. Mohd Fakaruddin Zuraidi Bin Ramli of the Royal Brunei Army; Commander Rosnan Bin Isenin of the Royal Malaysian Navy; Deputy Superintendent Saiful Adli Bin Hashim of Royal Malaysian Police; Captain Mohd Asyraf Bin Noor Azan of the Malaysian Army, and Mr. Johan Arief Bin Mohmad Jaafar of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia.

 
During their deployment to the Philippines, the IMT-16 monitored the security aspect, socio-economic assistance, and civilian protection component of the GPH and MILF Peace Agreement. They conducted field verification and validation of the reported ceasefire-related violations. They also monitored the implementation of the development projects initiated by the Philippine Government and donor countries in the Bangsamoro region.

 
The team conducted numerous advocacies and focused discussions in different AFP brigades and divisions on the ceasefire mechanisms. They also conducted medical missions, in partnership with the Bureau of Quarantine and Department of Health, in the MILF areas in Datu Tumangong, Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay Province, and Dinas, Zamboanga del Sur.

 
In his message, Lt. Gen. Rosario, Jr. expressed his appreciation to the members of the IMT-16 for the help and cooperation that contributed to the attainment of the security and development goals of the GPH and the MILF. “As foreign military observers, you, our friends from Malaysia and Brunei, worked behind the scene to monitor the implementation of the peace process that effected numerous gains in the Philippine Government’s pursuit of peace and growth, particularly in the Bangsamoro region,” the WestMinCom Commander stated.

 
Brig. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, Deputy Commander for Administration; Col. Elmer Suderio, Chief of Unified Command Staff; and other officers of the command joined Lt. Gen. Rosario in welcoming the distinguished visitors during the exit call of the Head of Mission and members of the IMT-16.

#SupportOurTroops
#SundaloSalamatsaSerbisyo
#AFPyoucanTRUST
#TeamAFP
#TeamWestMinCom
#WholeofNationApproach

https://www.facebook.com/westmincomafp2021/photos/pcb.255028236832064/255027660165455/

https://www.facebook.com/westmincomafp2021/?ref=page_internal

CPP/NDF-MAKIBAKA: Pahayag ng Makabayang Kilusan ng Bagong Kababaihan (MAKIBAKA) sa Pandaigdigang Araw ng Kababaihan

Posted to PRWC Newsroom, the blog site of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Information Bureau (Mar 8, 2022): Pahayag ng Makabayang Kilusan ng Bagong Kababaihan (MAKIBAKA) sa Pandaigdigang Araw ng Kababaihan (Statement of the New Women's Patriotic Movement (MAKIBAKA) on International Women's Day)

MAKABAYANG KILUSAN NG BAGONG KABABAIHAN (MAKIBAKA)

NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT

March 8, 2022

Magpakatatag, magpalakas, magkaisa! Wala nang iba pang mas mabisang paraan upang mawakasan ang pang-aapi, pagsasamantala, at pambubusabos ng imperyalismo sa kababaihan ng daigdig kundi ang walang pagod na pagsisikhay tungo sa rebolusyonaryong tagumpay!

Nasasaklot sa imperyalistang gyera ang daigdig. Bago pa man ang sigalot sa Ukraine, matagal nang nagpapahirap sa kababaihan sa maraming bayan ang mga mga gyerang agresyon at interbensyon ng imperyalismo, sa pangunguna ng Estados Unidos. Sa gitna ng ganitong kahirapan, patuloy na lumalaban at nag-aarmas ang kababaihan at mamamayan upang igiit ang kanilang karapatan at kalayaan. Tiyak na kabahagi ang mga kababaihan sa rehiyon ng Donbass sa Ukraine at sa iba pang bahagi ng mundo sa ganitong paglaban.

Sa Pilipinas, ang pagdiriwang ng Pandaigdigang Araw ng Kababaihan ngayong taon ay pagtatala ng lakas ng kababaihan sa nayon at mga lungsod, armado at di armado – laban sa pagpapatuloy ng pasismo at kalupitan ng rehimeng Duterte at sa panunumbalik ng mandarambong at pasistang mga Marcos. Sa araw na ito, alalahanin at pagpugayan natin ang mga kababaihang nag-alay at patuloy na nag-aalay ng buhay at nakikibaka upang biguin ang marahas at pahirap na mga papet na rehimen.

Sa gitna ng mga pangakong pagbabago at pag-unlad ng mga kandidato sa reaksyunaryong eleksyon, pinagtatakpan ng mga politiko ang katotohanang sa loob ng isang bulok na sistemang panlipunan, ang kahirapan at pagkabusabos ng mamamayan ay pinalalala ng mga patakarang sila din ang lumikha at nagpapatupad.

Ang mga neo-liberal na polisiyang tulak ng imperyalismo at ipinatupad mula pa sa panahon ng Martial Law ang bumarat at nagpako sa sahod ng mga manggagawa at mga kawani at nagtulak sa pagbenta ng lakas paggawa ng ating mga kababayan sa ibang bansa sa napakamurang halaga. Ito rin ang nagpalala ng pag-agaw ng lupa at nagpalayas sa mga magsasaka at mga katutubo at ang nagtiyak ng paglamon ng mga dambuhalang negosyo sa maliliit at nagsasariling lokal na negosyo. Tiniyak nito ang pagsasapribado ng mga serbisyong pampubliko lalo na ng kalusugan na sya sanang magsasalba sa atin sa hagupit ng pandemya. Itinulak din ang oil deregulation law na syang naglagay ng kontrol ng presyo ng langis sa kamay ng oil cartel. Ang umano’y epekto ng gyera sa Ukraine sa walang ampat na pagtaas ng presyo ng langis ay naglalantad ng kawalan natin ng ekonomiyang nagsasarili at hindi umaasa sa importasyon. Pinalala at pinagtibay ng imperyalismo ang kultura at kaisipang mapang-api at mapagsamantala sa kababaihan.

Sadlak ang mayorya ng kababaihan sa matinding kahirapan dahil sa papet at pasistang rehimeng Duterte. Noong 2020, 19.4 milyong kababaihang Pilipino ang walang katiyakan sa kabuhayan o economically insecure.i Pinalala pa ng krisis ang pyudal-patriyarkal na kultura na nagresulta sa pagdami at paglala ng mga kaso ng karahasan sa kababaihan at bata. Higit na naging bulnerable sila sa abuso at nasasadlak sa online prostitution. Tuluy-tuloy at dumadami din ang naitalang pang-aabuso ng mga pulis at sundalo, ginagamit ang karahasan sa kababaihan kasabay ng pasistang panunupil.

Para maigiit at mapanatili ang neo-liberal na patakaran, awtomatik din sa mga nagdaang rehimen ang paglalagay ng mas malaking budget sa ahensyang nagpapatupad ng pasismo. Ang National Task Force To End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) ay tumanggap ng P10.8 Bilyong budget para sa 2022 para mangampanya at magsagawa ng mga malupit at iligal na operasyon laban sa mga rebolusyonaryo at mga indibidwal na ni-re-redtag nito. Habang ang 4.2 milyong Pilipinoii ang nagugutom, patuloy ang pagwawaldas ng rehimeng Duterte ng bilyun-bilyon sa pagbili ng mga fighter jets at iba pang gamit panggyera.

Madilim ang hinaharap ng kababaihang Pilipino kung hahayaang mamayagpag ang tambalang Marcos at Duterte (MaD). Gamit ang kinurakot ng mga rehimen ng kanilang mga ama, bukambibig ng MaD ang ‘pagkakaisa’ at pagpapatuloy ng ‘simulain ng kanilang mga ama.’ Para sa maraming kababaihan, ang pagkakaisang ito ay pagkakaisa ng mga naghaharing-uri para sa patuloy na pagsasamantala at pang-aapi, at ang “programa ng kanilang mga ama” ay programa ng pandarambong, pagpatay, panggagahasa, at pagpapakatuta sa imperyalista.

Ang pagkakaisa ng iba’t ibang mga sektor at uri sa mga pagkilos kasabay ng mga panawagan ng bayan ay mahalaga para sa paggapi ng tambalang MaD sa eleksyon. Subalit habang kinikilala ng MAKIBAKA ang kagustuhan ng mamamayan na baguhin ang kasalukuyang kalagayan sa pamamagitan ng paglahok sa eleksyon, mulat tayo na ito ay hungkag at dominado ng naghaharing-uri. Kailangang dalhin ang paglaban ng mga kababaihan at mamamayan, lagpas sa mga presinto at balota, tungong rebolusyunaryong pakikibaka.

Ang pinakamatibay at pinakamabisang bibigo sa pasista at pahirap na mga rehimen ay ang malakas na armadong pakikibaka sa kanayunan at demokratikong kilusan sa kalunsuran. Sa pamamagitan lamang ng pagtatagumpay ng rebolusyon makakawala sa kawing at dikta ng imperyalismo, sa pahirap ng pyudalismo at burukrata kapitalismo. Aalisin nito ang batayan sa patung-patung na pang-aapi at pagsasamantala sa kababaihan tungo sa kanilang mithiing tunay na paglaya at pagkakapantay-pantay.

Makibaka, huwag matakot hanggang sa tagumpay!
Mabuhay ang kababaihang anakpawis!
Mabuhay ang kababaihan ng daigdig!

https://prwcinfo.wordpress.com/2022/03/08/pahayag-ng-makabayang-kilusan-ng-bagong-kababaihan-makibaka-sa-pandaigdigang-araw-ng-kababaihan/

CPP/CIO: Intensify protests by 10 times against 10th increase in fuel prices

Posted to PRWC Newsroom, the blog site of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Information Bureau (Mar 8,2022): Intensify protests by 10 times against 10th increase in fuel prices

MARCO VALBUENA

CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER

COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES

March 8, 2022

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) joins the Filipino people in condemning the profit-hungry oil companies, in collusion with the Duterte regime, for imposing today an atrocious increase in petroleum prices that will for certain bring about worse suffering upon the Filipino people. The Filipino people must intensify their protests by 10 times to condemn the 10th increase in oil prices since the start of the year, and demand an immediate rollback in petroleum prices to at least the end of 2021 levels as a form of relief from the worsening socioeconomic conditions.

Fuel prices have increased by up to ₱15 to ₱17 per liter since the start of the year, in addition to increases of around ₱16 per liter in 2021. Prices of diesel and gasoline have shot up by around ₱30 since the end of 2020 when a liter of diesel was around ₱36, and a liter of gasoline was around ₱48.
Oil companies are driven by their lust for profit when they reason that they have to increase oil prices because the prices of crude oil have shot up as a result of the war in Ukraine, and that without increasing their prices, they will suffer with lower profits.

The Filipino people must reject this obscene justification which only means it is the toiling people who will always have to carry the burden of the oil companies’ profits. In the first place, oil companies are selling old stocks. They buy mostly finished products from giant oil refiners in China, Japan, Korea and Singapore which have giant reserves of crude oil and are not affected by fluctuations in the prices of crude oil.

Petroleum products in the Philippines have long been overpriced by the oil cartel and their foreign owners and partners. It has been revealed that prices of some oil companies are overpriced by at least ₱10 per liter because of rampant smuggling and non-payment of import duties. There is completely no transparency in the computation of oil prices, including the costs of imported diesel, gasoline and other petroleum products. What is clear is that oil companies are in collusion with each other in pushing up prices to earn maximum profits.
The Duterte regime is in collusion with oil companies in raising fuel prices because it collects more taxes, both in the form of the value-added tax and excise tax. The government’s energy officials are the first to justify the increases. It is estimated that the Duterte government has raised revenue collection by more than ₱75 billion from oil taxes. Duterte has refused to suspend collection of excise taxes in complete disregard of the clamor of the people.

To justify its complete lack of action, the Duterte regime is hiding behind the Oil Deregulation Law of 1998 which gives oil companies free rein to set the prices of oil products, purportedly to encourage competition, which in fact are non-existent in the time of monopolies and cartels.
Giant oil companies, oil producing countries and financial speculators (investment banks and hedge funds) are taking advantage of the war in Ukraine to push up oil prices and pocket gargantuan profits. They are conniving with each other to disrupt oil supplies, cause artificial shortages, and speculate on oil futures to increase oil prices.

Together with capitalists producing weapons, oil companies and big banks are among the biggest winners in the war in Ukraine, which involved provoking Russia to resort to military aggression, in order to justify the long-standing demand of the US for Europe to stop purchasing natural gas from Russia and cancel contracts for the operation of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
The skyrocketing prices of fuel products are causing gross hardships on the Filipino people, especially the toiling masses. Prices of food, and other commodities have risen beyond reach of millions of families. The income of transport workers, especially jeepney drivers, are practically being taken away by oil companies. People’s standards of living are declining sharply.

It is urgent that the broad masses of the Filipino people take to the streets in order to amplify their outrage, condemn oil companies for the atrocious oil price increases, and push them to immediately roll back the prices of all petroleum products. Their demand for the repeal of the oil deregulation law, the nationalization of the oil industry, the repeal of excise taxes and reduction of other taxes, must be pushed vigorously.

At the same time, they must raise their demands for jeepney and tricycle fare increases, immediate wage and salary increases, price controls on basic necessities, substantial economic aid, and other urgent demands in order for them to weather the storm of the economic crisis.

They must denounce the Duterte regime for its corruption, military overspending, anomalous infrastructure projects and onerous taxes which have aggravated their social conditions, and take action to prevent its scheme to perpetuate itself in power.

https://prwcinfo.wordpress.com/2022/03/08/intensify-protests-by-10-times-against-10th-increase-in-fuel-pricesmarco-l-valbuena-chief-information-officercommunist-party-of-the-philippinesmarch-08-2022/

CPP/CIO: Is red-tagging of Robredo supporters part of scenario building for crackdown?

Posted to PRWC Newsroom, the blog site of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Information Bureau (Mar 7,2022): Is red-tagging of Robredo supporters part of scenario building for crackdown?

MARCO VALBUENA 

CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER

COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES

March 7, 2022

Some political personalities, including a presidential candidate, publicly claimed yesterday that participants in the recent large election rally in Cavite supporting the Robredo-Pangilinan electoral ticket included those “trained” by the CPP and New People’s Army.

This red-tagging directed against the “pink crowd” is clearly a desperate attempt to derail the broad democratic united front against Duterte that is now steadily expanding and breaking grounds across the country. A wide array of political forces are coming together to frustrate the ruling Duterte clique’s scheme to perpetuate itself in power and restore the Marcoses to Malacañang.

The anti-democratic forces, especially those behind the Marcos-Duterte camp, are starting to panic in the face of the successive large Robredo-led anti-Duterte rallies over the past few weeks.

The anti-Duterte political movement is bound to further rise and expand as the broad masses continue to fight back and make urgent demands in the face of skyrocketing prices, low wages, widespread unemployment and overall drop in their standards of living.

Red-tagging of the broad democratic forces behind the Robredo-Pangilinan campaign serves the Duterte regime’s scenario-building of generating political chaos and blaming “communists,” in order to justify the use of the Anti-Terror Law and military and police forces to carry out widespread crackdown and mass arrests.

There are pervasive information that Duterte’s inner circle continues to plan imposition of military rule before or right after the elections, in order to steal the elections and perpetuate its power in collusion with the Marcoses. The ultimate aim is to secure their plundered wealth and protect Duterte against international and local prosecution for his rampant crimes against humanity.

https://prwcinfo.wordpress.com/2022/03/07/is-red-tagging-of-robredo-supporters-part-of-scenario-building-for-crackdown/

CPP: Women and toiling people, rise up amid grave crisis

Posted to PRWC Newsroom, the blog site of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Information Bureau (Mar 8,2022): Women and toiling people, rise up amid grave crisis



This article is available in: Bisaya

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) extends its revolutionary greetings to women in the country and across the world on the occasion of the International Working Women’s Day. Let us recall the heroism of women from the ranks of workers, peasants and other progressive classes and sectors who broke through imposed gender, cultural and economic barriers and took their place as cadres and fighters of the Philippine revolution.

It is significant that in ten days, we are set to mark the 50th anniversary of the Makabayang Kilusang ng Bagong Kababaihan (Makibaka), the forerunner of the women’s liberation movement in the Philippines, which has been at the vanguard of women’s struggle over the past five decades. The militance and courage of the Makibaka continues to inspire women to shoulder ever important tasks in rousing the people and in waging revolutionary armed struggle. From among the ranks of Makibaka have emerged Red fighters and commanders of the New People’s Army.

Amid the rapidly worsening economic crisis marked by a sharp fall in standards of living of millions, it is urgent that women, together with the rest of the toiling people, come together and take action to defend their welfare and interests and resist the policies that worsen their oppression. Overall worsening social conditions hit women particularly hard as it intensifies their oppression and suffering from unemployment, unequal wages and unequal conditions in the household.

Knowing first hand the burden of the socioeconomic crisis, Filipino women are determined to march among the head of the toiling masses as they condemn the misogynist US-Duterte regime, its corrupt bureaucrat capitalists, cronies, big bourgeois compradors and military generals that impose burdensome policies and measures. They must militantly demand an immediate rollback in the prices of fuel products, food and other necessaries, jobs, higher wages, land, the elimination of land rent, higher farm gate prices, reduction of taxes, an end to all-out import liberalization, and other urgent measures. At the same time, they must fight without letup for their rights as the Duterte regime resorts to more brazen acts of state terrorism in its desperation to silence the people and secure its power.

As the chronic crisis of the ruling semicolonial and semifeudal system worsen amid the international capitalist crisis, Filipino women are bound to rise up in greater numbers, building and strengthening their unions and women’s committees in factories, community and campus organizations, marching on the streets and waging all forms of mass struggle, and joining the revolutionary armed struggle to fight for national and social liberation.

https://prwcinfo.wordpress.com/2022/03/08/women-and-toiling-people-rise-up-amid-grave-crisis/

4 NPA supporters arrested, war materials seized in Bukidnon

From the Manila Bulletin (Mar 9, 2022): 4 NPA supporters arrested, war materials seized in Bukidnon (By Mike Crismundo)

Government security forces arrested four supporters of communist terrorist groups and seized from them war materials following a gunbattle in the hinterlands of Sitio Kilap-agan, Barangay Can-ayan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, the military reported on Wednesday, March 9.

The identities of the captured supporters of the Communist New People’s Army Terrorists (CNTs) are temporarily withheld pending a thorough investigation.

The suspects are currently detained at the Malaybalay City Police Station.

Ttroops from the Army’s 8th Infantry Battalion (8th IB) also recovered anti-personnel mines which are prohibited under the Mine Ban Convention, Chief of the Public Affairs Office of the Army’s 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division Maj. Francisco P. Garello, Jr. also told the Manila Bulletin on Wednesday.

The operating troops seized one M16 Armalite rifle, one magazine, one ASUS laptop, live ammunitions and other assorted live bullets, personal belongings and subversive documents among other war paraphernalia.

Based on the report, concerned citizens informed the soldiers of sightings of the CNTs roaming around the village asking for food and extorting money, prompting them to respond resulting in an encounter that lasted for about 30 minutes on Thursday.

“Both sides reported no casualties. However, bloodstains were found at the enemy withdrawal route as our operating troops are still conducting hot pursuit operations against the fleeing CNTs,” Maj. Garello added.

In a statement, Lt. Col. Anthony A. Bacus, commanding officer of the 8th IB, thanked the residents and the local officials for trusting the government soldiers by reporting sightings of the terrorists who have sown fear in the hearts of the citizens. “We are thankful to the concerned citizens and local officials because, through their reports, we were able to prevent the atrocities and potential harm the CNTs might inflict on our people,” he said.

“We will continue conducting our operations in our bid to attain lasting peace and sustainable development here in our area of responsibility, which is why we urge the remaining CNTs to surrender and avail of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) for a peaceful life,” he added.

He appealed to those who are still helping CNTs by serving as their couriers, advance post, and search elements among other activities, to stop supporting the CNTs. “Do not allow yourselves to be used and fooled by this terrorist group which has brought nothing but a senseless war and killings that are continuously disrupting the efforts of the people and government to bring genuine peace and development in the province of Bukidnon,” he added.

Brig. Gen. Ferdinand T. Barandaon, commanding general the Army’s 403rd Infantry (Peacemaker) Brigade, called on the remaining members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front to surrender to the government and start a new life. “My brothers and sisters who are still in the armed struggle against the government, you will continue to suffer hardship and hunger while you remain in the wrong ideology of armed struggle, that is why the government agencies are doing their best to stop the insurgency,” he said.

“Do not miss the opportunity while you have the chance to change and surrender. Do not hesitate to approach our government so that you will get aid as soon as possible,” the 403rd Brigade commander added.

https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/09/4-npa-supporters-arrested-war-materials-seized-in-bukidnon/

NPA hitman, companion killed, 2 soldiers wounded in Negros town encounter

From the Manila Bulletin (Mar 9, 2022): NPA hitman, companion killed, 2 soldiers wounded in Negros town encounter (By Glazyl Masculino)

An alleged commander of the New People’s Army (NPA)-Special Partisan Unit (Sparu) and his companion died, while two soldiers were wounded in an encounter in Barangay Amin, Isabela, Negros Occidental on Tuesday, March 8.

One of the fatalities was identified as Virgilio Marco Tamban alias “Bedam,” of Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, an alleged commander of Sparu, Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda (SYP) Platoon, Central Negros (CN)1- Komiteng Region- Negros, Cebu, Bohol at Siquijor (KR-NCBS), while his companion remains to be unidentified.

An alleged commander of the New People’s Army (NPA)-Special Partisan Unit (Sparu) and his companion were killed in an encounter with the Army and police in Barangay Amin, Isabela, Negros Occidental on Tuesday, March 8. (Photo courtesy of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office)

Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of the Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde), said they received information about the presence of armed men in the village who were allegedly targeting a civilian mistaken to be an informant of the Army.

The 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) conducted intelligence monitoring and preempted the plan of at least 10 suspected NPA rebels that led to a brief encounter.

The Isabela town police was supposed to serve an arrest warrant for violation of Republic Act 10591 or Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Law against Tamban when the encounter happened.

Pasaporte said two .45 caliber pistol and a hand grenade were recovered from Tamban.

Pasaporte also said that one of the suspected rebels who was wounded in the firefight was brought to a hospital due to severe injuries.

https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/09/npa-hitman-companion-killed-2-soldiers-wounded-in-negros-town-encounter/

Kalinaw News: NICA-NoLCom synergize efforts to end local communist armed conflict in North Luzon

Posted to Kalinaw News (Mar 9, 2022): NICA-NoLCom synergize efforts to end local communist armed conflict in North Luzon



Camp Aquino, Tarlac City – The National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) and the Northern Luzon Command (NolCom) converged on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, via video teleconference to intensify strategies in ending local communist armed conflict in the north and central Luzon.

The NoLCom Commander Lt. Gen. Ernesto Torres Jr together with the NoLCom triad staff, Joint Task Forces, Joint Task Groups, battalions, as well as NICA officials from regions 1, 2, 3, and CAR joined the discussion, which was facilitated by the NICA 3 Regional Director Ma. Luisa De Guzman.

A brief presentation of each region’s security operations were discussed followed by an open forum regarding the NICA and AFP’s plans and strategies in ending communist armed conflict in their respective areas.

Meanwhile, Lt Gen Torres emphasized that the purpose of the meeting was to “harmonize the efforts and optimize information operations” to encourage the remnants of the communist terrorist groups (CTG) in northern Luzon to give up armed struggle.

“We must bring to their (CTGs) consciousness that the government has initiated good programs for those who are willing to return to the fold of the law,” said Lt. Gen. Torres as he highlighted the need for intensified information operations.

Moreso, the NoLCom Commander also congratulated the NICA Region 1 and the AFP units under Joint Task Force Kaugnay for their accomplishment of making the Ilocos Region the first region in the country to be in a State of Stable Internal Peace and Security last February 24, 2022.

Lt. Gen. Torres vowed his support to NICA in ensuring the security and safety of the people of Northern Luzon.

“We at NoLCom commit our whole-hearted support in coming up with strategies, tactics, and procedures to accomplish our collective mission especially in ending armed conflict. Let us continue strengthening and synthesizing our efforts towards the achievement of our common objective of creating an environment of lasting peace and security in our area of operations,” furthered Lt. Gen. Torres.

The National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, or NICA, is the Philippine government’s central intelligence gathering and analytical arm, in charge of overt, covert, and clandestine intelligence operations.

[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/nica-nolcom-synergize-efforts-to-end-local-communist-armed-conflict-in-north-luzon/

Kalinaw News: Army Seizes Firearms in Clash with CTGs in Bukidnon

Posted to Kalinaw News (Mar 8, 2022): Army Seizes Firearms in Clash with CTGs in Bukidnon

IMPASUGONG, BUKIDNON – Government troops have seized firearms and personal belongings of the CTGs following an encounter on Thursday 03 March 2022 in the hinterlands of Sitio Kilap-agan, Barangay Can-ayan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

The troops from 8th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army captured one (1) M16 rifle, one (1) magazine, one (1) ASUS laptop, live ammunitions of M16 rifles, three (3) anti-personnel landmines which are prohibited under the Mine Ban Convention, and subversive documents among other war paraphernalia. Moreover, the troops apprehended a number of personalities at the encounter site found to be aiding the terrorist group and who are currently detained at Malaybalay City Police Station.

The captured personalities to include Ellorin Goaynon, a well-known local CTG supporter who surrendered in 2020 but was reported recently to have been aiding again the NPAs and even allowing his farm land to be used by the CTGs as staging area prior conducting extortion activities in the community, four (4) other personalities were also captured, namely; Reyboy Goaynon, Andrew Mohol, Jovani Likayan, and Michael Siraga.

Based on the official report, concerned citizens informed the soldiers of sightings of the CTGs roaming around the village asking for food and extorting money, prompting them to respond and resulting to an encounter that lasted for about 30 minutes. Both sides reported no casualties; however, bloodstains were found at the enemy withdrawal route as the government troops conducted pursuit operations.

8IB Commander Lt. Col. Anthony A Bacus thanked the residents and the local officials for trusting the government soldiers by reporting sightings of the terrorists who have sown nothing but fear in the hearts of the citizens. “Kami ay nagpasalamat sa nagpakabanang katawhan ug local na opisyales tungod ang ilang gihatag na taho miresulta sa malampuson natong pagpakgang sa daotang gimbuhaton sa mga terroristang NPA”, he said. (We are thankful to the concerned citizens and local officials because, through their reports, we were able to prevent the atrocities and potential harm the CNTs might inflict on our people).

On the other hand, he appealed to some citizens who are still helping the movement of these terrorist group by serving as couriers, advance post, and search elements among other activities in their aid. “Ayaw ninyo tugoti nga magamit ug mailad pa kamo niining grupoha nga terorista nga walay laing gidala gawas sa walay pulos nga gubat ug pagpamatay nga padayong nakabalda sa mga paningkamot sa katawhan ug gobyerno aron madala ang tinuod nga kalinaw ug kalamboan sa probinsya sa Bukidnon”, he further said. (Do not allow yourselves to be used and fooled by this terrorist group who has brought nothing but a senseless war and killings that is continuously disrupting the efforts of the people and government to bring genuine peace and development in the province of Bukidnon).

Brigadier General Ferdinand T. Barandaon, Commander of 403rd Infantry Brigade called on the remaining members of the CPP-NPA-NDF to surrender to the government and start a new life. “Mga kaigsoonan nga naglihok ug nagpabilin sa armadong pakigbisog kontra sa gobyerno, musamot ang inyo kalisod ug kagutom kong magpabilin ang inyong mali nga pakigbisog, mao nga ang nagkahiusang ahensya sa gobyerno ginabuhat ang tanan aron maundang na ang insurhensiya. Busa nanawagan ko isip inyong higala nga kanaog namo samtang naa pay igong panahon aron magbag-o ug mubalik nganhi sa sabakan sa gobyerno. Duol na kamo aron matabangan mo sa labing daling panahon,” Brig. Gen. Barandon added.”

(My brothers and sisters who are still in the armed struggle against the government, you will continue to suffer hardship and hunger while you remain in the wrong ideology of armed struggle, that is why the government agencies are doing their best to stop the insurgency. Do not miss the opportunity while you have the chance to change and surrender. Do not hesitate to approach our government so that you will get aid as soon as possible).

On the other point of view, Lt. Col. Bacus urged the remaining NPA members to take advantage of the government programs, particularly the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP). “Kami magpadayun nga magpahigayon sa among operasyon alang sa kalinaw ug kalambuan sa nasud maong ang panawagan namo sa nahibilin pang mga CNT nga mu-surrender na ug pahimuslan ang Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) alang sa ilang kinabuhing malinawon,” Bacus ended. (We will continue conducting our operations in our bid to attain lasting peace and sustainable development here in our area of responsibility, which is why we urge the remaining CNTs to surrender and avail of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) for a peaceful life.

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

https://www.kalinawnews.com/army-seizes-firearms-in-clash-with-ctgs-in-bukidnon/

French Navy eyes stronger cooperation with PH counterparts

Posted to Panay News (Mar 9, 2022): French Navy eyes stronger cooperation with PH counterparts

The French Navy has expressed willingness to work with its Philippine counterparts at sea.

“We are ready to work with your forces at sea. We need to protect, we need to defend the freedom of navigation including (on) the West Philippine Sea,” said Rear Adm. Jean-Mathieu Rey, Joint Commander of the French Armed Forces in the Asia-Pacific (ALPACI), during his courtesy call on Philippine Navy (PN) chief, Vice Admiral Adeluis Bordado, on Monday.

PN spokesperson Commander Benjo Negranza, in a statement, said Rey’s visit is in line with the scheduled March 8 to 11 port call of French surveillance frigate Vendémiaire (F-734) to the country.

The port call is part of the French Navy’s deployment in Asia to contribute to regional stability, promote international rule of law, and develop cooperation among Asian countries.

Among the highlights of the visit were talks on maritime security, protection of natural resources at sea, and possible future exercise engagements, which Rey believes to be “good opportunities to improve the Philippine and French navies’ knowledge and interoperability.”

Rey also expressed the French Navy’s intention to increase the level of cooperation with the PN, particularly with the scheduled deployment of their amphibious and training task force in 2023.

He even cited possible conduct of command patrols with partner navies in the region.

Meanwhile, Bordado thanked the French Navy for their continuing support to the PN.

The French delegation also paid a courtesy call on the Commander Philippine Fleet, Rear Admiral Nichols Driz Monday afternoon, at Naval Base Heracleo Alano, Sangley Point, Cavite City.

As this developed, Rear Admiral Antonio Palces, the Armed Forces of the Philippines Deputy Chief-of-Staff for Education, Training, and Doctrine (J-8) assumed his post as PN second-in-command during short ceremonies that took place last March 7 at PN headquarters in Roxas Boulevard, Manila last March 7.

Bordado also presided over the turnover ceremony that ushered in Palces who succeeded Major Gen. Nestor Herico who earlier assumed as the Commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps.

https://www.panaynews.net/french-navy-eyes-stronger-cooperation-with-ph-counterparts/