Rebels hooked on shabu - Army

From Panay News (Mar 31, 2022): Rebels hooked on shabu - Army

Photo courtesy of Philippine Army Spearhead Troopers

New People’s Army (NPA) rebels are not only terrorists; they are drug addicts, too.

This is the conclusion of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) after government troops recovered suspected shabu and a tooter from a rebel encampment in Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental.

“This is an unusual development in our campaign against the Communist Party of the Philippines and the NPA,” said Major General Benedict Arevalo, 3ID commander.

Troops of the Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion clashed with rebels twice in Sitio Cunalom, Barangay Carabalan on March 25. They subsequently overran the NPA hideout where they recovered firearms, explosives, mobile phones, rice supply and the suspected shabu and tooter, among others.

“This is alarming. This terrorist group is now resorting to introducing illegal drugs to their members. And we know that majority of their members are young people lured to join a senseless cause,” said Arevalo.

On March 26, another encounter took place and claimed the lives of siblings Arnulfo Sabanal, 41, and Jayson Sabanal, 30, both residents of Purok Lunoy, Sitio Cunalom, still in Himamaylan and members of the NPA’s Sentro de Grabidad Platoon of Central Negros Front (CNF) 2.

Government troops recovered grenades, medical kit,; nine shotguns, ammunition, and documents which could have high intelligence value.

“Pinapagamit nila ang kanilang members ng illegal drugs to psychologically control them,” said Arevalo. “This only proves that the CPP-NPA are bandits, syndicates and lawless terrorists, and must be eradicated.”

He added: “(This) command, through the engaged units, will coordinate with the Philippine National Police and other concerned agencies in filing appropriate charges related to this discovery.”

The series of encounters in Negros Island should also serve as an eye-opener to the remaining NPA rebels who are still on the run, said Arevalo.

“As we always say, there are only two things that could happen. They could either be captured or get killed. So again, we urge them to surrender before it’s too late,” said Arevalo.

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.

Meanwhile, the 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde) dismissed claims the two Sabanal brothers killed in a clash with troops of the 94th Infantry Battalion in Himamaylan City were not NPA fighters.

In a statement, Brigadier General Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of 303IBde, said the two were not taken away by the soldiers but were among those who engaged the soldiers and were killed in a firefight.

“They were also identified by former CNF 2 members as those being utilized by the NPA to act as couriers and to the track movements of army personnel in operating in the area,” he added.

The younger Sabanal’s common-law wife said her partner and his brother were farmers raising hogs and were taken away and killed by soldiers.

But Pasaporte said government troops do not engage in such acts because they respect human rights.

https://www.panaynews.net/rebels-hooked-on-shabu-army/

NPA leader, two guerillas killed in Maragusan clash

 From the Mindanao Times (Mar 30, 2022): NPA leader, two guerillas killed in Maragusan clash (By RHODA GRACE SARON)

A HIGH-RANKING leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) and two guerilla fighters were killed in an encounter with troops of the 1001st Infantry Brigade in Barangay Tupaz, Maragusan, Davao de Oro, on Sunday, March 27.

Brig. Gen. Jesus Durante III, the 1001st brigade commander, identified the slain rebels as Ezequil Cortez Daguman, a member of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Central Committee and deputy secretary of Regional Operations Command, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee, Ruel Baylon, and Quirino Remegio.

In a press briefing on Monday at its headquarters in Maco, Davao de Oro, Durante said the soldiers also recovered seven high-powered firearms, an improvised explosive device, various types of ammunition, medical paraphernalia, and personal belongings owned by the communist rebels.

He said that the death of Daguman is a big blow not only to SMRC but to the CPP as a whole.

“He is one of the special operators of SMRC and is responsible for the extortion activities among businessmen and politicians,” he added.

According to the military, Daguman has existing arrest warrants for kidnapping, serious illegal detention, double murder, robbery with violence, and murder.

He added that this is another significant accomplishment in the implementation and operationalization of President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order (EO) 70. Moreover, he called on the remaining members of the communist rebels to surrender to the government and avail the benefits of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.

https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2022/03/30/npa-leader-two-guerillas-killed-in-maragusan-clash/

CPP-NPA terrorism condemned

From the Visayan Daily Star (Mar 31, 2022): CPP-NPA terrorism condemned (By GILBERT P. BAYORAN)

Residents of Brgy. Patag and neighboring areas in Silay City, Negros Occidental displaying placards denouncing CPP-NPA atrocities.* PA photo

The founding anniversary of the New People’s Army on March 29 was also marked by thousands of civilian peace advocates, local government units, government agencies, soldiers and other stakeholders in Regions 6 and 7 condemning the atrocities they had perpetrated for 53 years.

The simultaneous “region-wide condemnation against terrorism and candle lighting, as well as prayer for peace” in various parts of Western and Central Visayas had the theme “CPP NPA NDF: 53 Taong Panloloko, 53 Taong Perwisyo”.

Major Gen. Benedict Arevalo, 3rd Infantry Division commander, in a statement issued by the Public Affairs Office, strongly condemned the atrocities and the senseless ideology of the Communist Party of the Philippines- New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) for more than 53 years, of destroying the lives and dreams of every Filipino.

Arevalo said that the participation of various sectors in the activity strongly shows their courage to stand against the communist terrorist groups’ deceptive recruitment and atrocities against the government troops and defenseless civilians.

“Let us join hand in hand, as we continue to condemn the terroristic acts of the CPP-NPA and for us to achieve just and lasting peace not only in Western and Central Visayas, but in the whole country, as well,” he stressed.

Peace advocates participated in the condemnation walk, bringing with them placards and streamers with messages condemning the 53 years bloody struggle of the CPP-NPA.

A simultaneous candle lighting and inter-faith prayers were also held for the innocent victims of CPP-NPA atrocities in the past decades.

https://visayandailystar.com/cpp-npa-terrorism-condemned/

Church leader welcomes Doc Naty’s freedom

From MindaNews (Mar 31, 2022): Church leader welcomes Doc Naty’s freedom (By CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN)

A Protestant church leader in Surigao del Sur has welcomed the release of human rights and community health advocate Dr. Maria Natividad Castro as he hoped the court ruling would strengthen the judicial system in the country.

Dr. Maria Natividad Marian Silva Castro. community doctor, servant-leader. Photo courtesy of UP College of Medicine Class 1995

Bishop Modesto Villasanta Jr., Bishop Emeritus of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, said the ruling of Judge Fernando Fudalan Jr., of Regional Trial Court Branch 7 in Bayugan City, should be respected.

“The church people are happy in the victory of Doc Naty in the court,” Villasanta said.

Human rights group Karapatan also welcomed the release of Dr. Castro, of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine Class of 1995, saying she has been denied due process when she was arbitrarily arrested and jailed.

Karapatan, in a post by secretary general Cristina Palabay, took a shot at the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, saying “the court decision proves that the NTF-ELCAC’s malicious and baseless statements against our red-tagged colleague and community doctor are all lies.”

Provincial Jail Warden Christopher Bardilas refused to be interviewed by MindaNews Thursday afternoon. He said there was an order from his superiors to refrain from making any statement to the media.

A jail guard earlier asked by MindaNews over the phone said that Castro was formally released around 11 a.m. Wednesday with three of her siblings fetching her.

He said the community doctor has been treated well while being detained at the Provincial Jail at the Provincial Capitol complex.

Castro, the guard who refused to be identified said, tested negative of COVID-19 when she was brought in, and tested negative again a day before her freedom.

The rural doctor, who spent at least two decades in community health work in Agusan and was former secretary-general of the human rights group Karapatan Caraga, was arrested in her home in San Juan City in Metro Manila on February 28 for her alleged involvement in the kidnapping and serious illegal detention of a paramilitary man in Sibagat town, Agusan del Sur in 2018.

The military and police claimed Castro is a member of the central committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines and head of the New People’s Army’s National Health Bureau.

But Fudalan, in his resolution dated March 25, said the court found no probable cause against the community doctor and ordered her release.

Meanwhile, the Task Force Free Sally Ujano lauded the RTC judge in Bayugan for releasing Castro.

Ujano, a child and women’s rights advocate, was captured by authorities in Bulacan three months before the arrest of Castro.

The task force is hoping that like Castro, the case against Ujano, who was charged with rebellion, will also be dismissed.

“We fervently hope that our colleague and friend, long-time child and women’s rights advocate, Ms. Ma. Salome ‘Sally’ Ujano, will also be set free,” the task force said in a statement.

“We urge the Duterte administration, in its last days of service to the Filipino people, to free Sally and other political prisoners like her,” the group added.

The task force said the arbitrary arrest and detention of advocates merely working for the welfare of the most vulnerable must stop.

https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/03/church-leader-welcomes-doc-natys-freedom/

Opinion: CRUCIBLE: Ten Points on Extremism and Terrorism

Opinion piece posted to MindaNews (Mar 31, 2022): CRUCIBLE: Ten Points on Extremism and Terrorism (By JULKIPLI WADI)

QUEZON CITY (MindaNews) – A lecture during AFP Webinar on Extremism and Terrorism on 30 March 2022.

1) The rise of extremist ideologies in Southern Philippines was originally envisioned as an alternative to Moro nationalist liberation project with the latter’s failure to achieve the purported aim in establishing the so-called Bangsamoro Republik and in freeing from the bondage of Philippine State what is known as “hulah” (country), “bangsa” (nation) and “agama” (religion).

2) In more general sense, it was ushered with the convergence with what Harry Eckstein (1965) refers to as “precondition” and “precipitants” of internal wars while aggravated with what Bassam Tibi (1998) acknowledges as the impact of intensified “global structure of power” that has created generally anti-status reverberations known as political Islam or siyasa al-Islamiy in many countries, including the Philippines.

3) In the case of Philippine Muslim radicals, successive failure of peace talks has been consistently taken advantage of by radical groups prodding them to organize as they launched what they considered as jihad qital (struggle for war) while viewed as extremism and terrorism by the State.

4) The nuance between extremism and terrorism is that the former as a possibility of thought and act may exist in both ends of spectrum or “extreme end” and does not necessarily lead a person to become “terrorist” as s/he can simply become theoretical extremist or ideologically radical, although one can just be a step away from the door of terrorism; whereas the latter (terrorism) could manifest when one is actually engaged in political violence with the end to wreak havoc in society and inflict damages on both combatants and non-combatants using generally unconventional means of struggle.

5) The launching of jihad rightly or wrongly is often resorted to given the historically conditioned Moro war tradition reinforced by generally callous groups and movements that are easily prodded to act violently. It is easily resorted to with the use of ideology that is rich in theory but problematic in terms of praxis magnified with tension between history and visioning the future in Muslim society.

6) What makes the discourse on the theory and the praxis of jihad intellectually challenging is that it is traditionally framed with the prism of religion and politics with attendant power dynamics and immense implications on various levels of local, national and international affairs. As such, jihad can easily be resorted to even clothed with its morally salvific and paradisiacal pursuit by their proponents while unscrupulously used as tools of hegemony in international politics despite being dismissed as extremism and terrorism. Relatively similar scenario could reveal the same pattern of unscrupulousness in macro-politics.

7) A crucial part in the danger of extremism is not simply the presence of ideology. It is access to weapons. Both ideology and weapons are powder kegs of terrorism. To comprehend fully modern day phenomenon of terrorism, a wider prism is necessary in understanding power structures and their interaction in local, national and global environments.

8) Islamist ideology is often hatched in the Middle East and some Muslim countries that suffered from “global structure of power” polarizing Arab regimes and political Islam that often trigger the formation of transnational Islamic movements as they spread in Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago and blend with local milieu while taking new and unique forms.

9) The character of Islamic movements can be defined by dynamics of society, power, elite politics, and underground economy, including the recently popularized notion of narcopolitics, the latter being crucial precipitant in the war in Marawi in 2017. Islamic movements can also be sustained by various form of linkages like intelligence, funds, and arms. The strategies of radical groups determine, to a certain degree, their resilience and life cycles. Tenacity alone is not enough.

10) Access to weapons is often traceable to “structural leaks” of war profiteering industries with their national and local cohorts in various shades. In the Philippines, critical question has been perennially raised: where do weapons and bullets of Muslim extremists come from?

[MindaViews is opinion section of MindaNews. Julkipli Wadi is Professor of Islamic Studies at the University of the Philippines.]

https://www.mindanews.com/mindaviews/2022/03/crucible-ten-points-on-extremism-and-terrorism/

12 BIFF militants yield in Maguindanao

From the Mindanao Examiner (Mar 30. 2022): 12 BIFF militants yield in Maguindanao

COTABATO CITY – Twelve members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters surrendered Wednesday to the police and military authorities in the restive Muslim province of Maguindanao in southern Philippines, officials said.





Photos released by the military's Western Mindanao Command show the surrendered BIFF members with their weapons and posing with military officials on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town in Maguindanao province.

Officials said the militants, whose group split with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, also handed over their firearms – automatic and sniper rifles, sub-machine guns, rifle grenade launchers, including an anti-tank rocket launcher with ammunition.

Army Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario, Jr., chief of the Western Mindanao Command, said BIFF sub-leader Anwar Pegas, and his deputy Zukarno Sailila and 10 of their fighters surrendered to Lt. Col. Edwin Alburo, commander of the 40th Infantry Battalion at their headquarters in the village of Kabengi in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town.

Rosario, quoting the report of Col. Oriel Pangcog, commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade, said the surrender of the militants was the result of the collaboration between the military, the municipal police and the government.

“During the initial debriefing, the ex-BIFF members revealed that they were experiencing hardships and starvation while evading the operations conducted by the armed forces. They also realized that they were lured with false ideologies that affected themselves and their fellow Filipinos hence their withdrawal of support to the group,” said Rosario.

“We continue to gain ground and this is attributable to the concerted efforts of the military troops, our partners, and stakeholders. I, personally, would like to urge those who are still hiding to cross the line. We are more than willing to welcome and assist you in your reintegration into mainstream society,” he added.

Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, commander of the 6th Infantry Division and the Joint Task Force Central (Mindanao), said the influx of surrenders manifests the continuous dwindling of the terrorist groups in Central Mindanao. “We are optimistic that these groups, including the BIFF-Karialan Faction, are nearing its end,” he said, adding at least 97 BIFF members have surrendered in central Mindanao the past three months.

The BIFF, which opposed the MILF peace talks with Manila, continues to fight for the establishment of a separate Islamic state in the South. The MILF under Murad Ebrahim eventually signed a peace treaty with the Philippine government in March 2014, ending decades of bloody war in Mindanao. Ebrahim was then appointed as regional governor and other senior MILF officials holding key positions in the autonomous government.

http://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2022/03/12-biff-militants-yield-in-maguindanao.html

Groups hold Butuan rally to ‘dishonor’ 53rd CPP-NPA anniversary

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 30, 2022): Groups hold Butuan rally to ‘dishonor’ 53rd CPP-NPA anniversary (By Alexander Lopez)

DENOUNCING THE NPA. Various anti-communist groups convene in Butuan City on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, to denounce the 53rd founding anniversary of the communist New People’s Army. The participants also lambasted the rebels for their atrocities against civilians, especially those in far-flung communities. (Photo courtesy of KKDAT)

BUTUAN CITY – Nearly a hundred leaders from the youth, Indigenous People (IP), sectoral groups, and other civic groups opposed to the communist rebel movement gathered here Tuesday to denounce the 53rd founding anniversary of the New People’s Army (NPA).

Joined by personnel of the Butuan City Police Office (BCPO) at the Guingona Park, the protesters also lambasted the NPA for its atrocities against the youth, the IP communities, and the general populace in Butuan and Caraga Region.

In a statement Tuesday afternoon, BCPO said they organized the activity with the Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terorismo (KKDAT) in an effort to help end the “communist terrorism” in the region.

“The NPA insurgents have staged hostilities to include the recent killings of the civilians, burning of private vehicles owned by businessmen, the sabotage on public establishments and vital installations that severely affected innocent civilians,” BCPO said.

It added that most of the civilians greatly affected by the armed activities of the NPA rebels are in vulnerable communities in far-flung areas.

Among the recent brutalities committed by the NPA rebels here this year include the killing of a 66-year-old construction foreman on January 24 in Barangay Anticala.

The insurgents were also responsible for the burning of hauler trucks in two separate incidents -- on January 31 in Purok 5A, Upper Tagulahi, Barangay Antongalon, and on February 4 in Purok 7, Barangay Taligaman.

On March 14, the rebels also gunned down an active Civilian Armed Force Geographical Unit member in Purok 4B, Barangay Taligaman.

Col. Excelso Lazaga Jr., the BCPO chief, said they will continue to fight terrorism to ensure the security and safety of Butuanons.

“Your local police will always be on a proactive stance against all threats of violence brought by the communist terrorist,” Lazaga said.

He also called on the residents to support the BCPO in the preservation of peace and order, by reporting any suspicious activities in communities and refrain from joining any activity that is associated with the leftist groups.

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

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1170960

Ex-rebels join call for end to armed conflict in Pampanga rally

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 30, 2022): Ex-rebels join call for end to armed conflict in Pampanga rally (By Jason De Asis)

NO TO TERRORISM. Members of various groups convene for a peace rally at the Capitol Compound, Barangay Santo Niño, City of San Fernando in Pampanga on Tuesday (March 29, 2022) to denounce the terrorism of the New People’s Army. The participants included former rebels and youth who opposed in the strongest terms the atrocities of the rebel movement and its front organizations. (Photo courtesy of NICA-3)

Hundreds of residents of five provinces in Central Luzon, including former rebels and youth, participated in a peace rally in the City of San Fernando to denounce the terroristic activities of the New People's Army (NPA), which marked its 53rd anniversary on Tuesday.

“This activity was not the brainchild of us in the government. It was organized by those who themselves were deceived to join the CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA-National Democratic Front) and have been enlightened because they have seen the sincerity of the government in reaching out to them. It is time to unite against the evils of the CPP-NPA-NDF,” Maria Luisa F. de Guzman, regional director of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) in Central Luzon, said in an interview Wednesday.

The peace rally, with the theme “Pambansang Pagkilos ng Sambayanang Pilipino Laban sa Terorismo ng NPA! At Panawagan para sa Pagbasura sa Mapangwasak na CPP-NPA-NDF!", was also attended by supporters, members, and youth leaders of the group Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terorismo (KKDAT).

De Guzman said the participants who came from Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, and Aurora carried placards condemning the CPP-NPA-NDF and tarpaulins printed with anti-extortion messages.

In a statement, de Guzman said, "There is a need to end the local communist armed conflict ultimately to facilitate and accelerate the flow of government basic services which should have been delivered to them."

The rally was highlighted with the messages and sharing of experiences by former NPA cadres and former sectoral leaders of front organizations in Central Luzon, who denounced the CPP-NPA.

They also expressed their frustrations over their wasted lives as members of the underground movement and attested to the recruitment of the CPP-NPA using aboveground organizations.

Helen Tolentino, chairperson of Samahan ng Malayang Kababaihan ng Bagac Inc., shared their group's experience in receiving various forms of assistance from the government after leaving the militant organization Gabriela.

Other group leaders also expressed hope for continued assistance following their disaffiliation.

The event was also highlighted with messages from police and military officials.

Lt. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia, Philippine National Police deputy chief for administration, urged the participants to assist the government in thwarting the CPP-NPA’s atrocities before or after the elections.

He assured that government security forces will protect the public and ensured a direct line of communication to address their issues and concerns.

The activity culminated in the declaration of a statement of unity to end the terrorism of the NPA, simultaneous burning of the CPP-NPA-NDF flags, candle lighting and singing of "Pilipinas Kong Mahal".

The event was held through the collaboration of the Police Regional Office-3 (PRO-3), various brigades and battalions under the Philippine Army, and the Sentrong Alyansa ng Mamamayan para sa Bayan (Sambayanan)-Central Luzon.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1170991

Army maintains brothers killed in Negros clash both NPA fighters

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 30, 2022): Army maintains brothers killed in Negros clash both NPA fighters (By Nanette Guadalquiver)

The Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde) has dismissed claims the two brothers killed in a clash with troops of the 94th Infantry Battalion in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on March 26 were not fighters of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

The fatalities were identified as Sabanal brothers Arnulfo, 41, and Jayson, 30, both residents of Purok Lunoy in Sitio Cunalom, Barangay Carabalan, and members of the NPA’s Sentro de Grabidad Platoon of Central Negros Front 2 (CNF 2), whose cadavers were already claimed by their relatives, the 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) confirmed on Tuesday.

In a statement, Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of 303IBde, said the two were not taken away by the soldiers but were among those who engaged the soldiers and were killed in a firefight.

“They were also identified by former CNF 2 members as those being utilized by the NPA to act as couriers and to the track movements of army personnel in operating in the area,” he added.

Pasaporte said it is also possible the monocular scope recovered by troops at the encounter site was being used by the rebels to observe the troops.

In a local news report, the younger Sabanal's common-law wife said her partner and his brother were farmers raising hogs and were taken away and killed by soldiers.

Pasaporte said government troops do not engage in such acts because they respect human rights.

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1170978

Most wanted NPA rebel in Butuan falls

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 30, 2022): Most wanted NPA rebel in Butuan falls (By Alexander Lopez) 

NABBED REBEL. Butuan City police officers arrest Noel M. Dawog, alias Rex, 30, an insurgent under the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee of the New People's Army in Barangay Anticala, Butuan City Tuesday (March 29, 2022). Dawog is facing criminal charges for multiple attempted murder. (Photo courtesy of Butuan City Police Office)

BUTUAN CITY – The most wanted New People’s Army (NPA) rebel here has been arrested, police said Wednesday.

In a statement, the Butuan City Police Office (BCPO) identified the NPA rebel as Noel M. Dawog, alias Rex, a member of Guerrilla Front 21C of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee. He is a resident of Barangay Basilisa, Remedios T. Romualdez, Agusan del Norte.

Dawog, 30, was nabbed by BCPO personnel Tuesday when he was served an arrest warrant for multiple attempted murder in Barangay Anticala.

The warrant was issued by Regional Trial Court, Branch 3, Hall of Justice, Libertad, Butuan City on January 11, 2021.

Dawog was among the identified NPA guerrillas responsible for the harassment and armed encounters with government troops under the Army’s 29th on Sept. 13, 2019, in Sitio Mandalayag, Barangay Pianing.

Col. Excelso Lazaga Jr., the BCPO chief, said Dawog's arrest "only shows that the NPA’s commemoration of their 53rd anniversary is nothing but all worthless promises."

The NPA commemorated its 53rd founding anniversary on Tuesday.

The BCPO chief also called on the remaining NPA rebels here to accept the government's offer of reconciliation and amnesty.

“We call on those who are still in the armed struggle to lay down their arms and return to the fold of the government. A better future awaits you and your family. Surrender now before it’s too late,” Lazaga said.

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

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1170961

Cops seize 12K AK-47 ammo in Butuan

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 30, 2022): Cops seize 12K AK-47 ammo in Butuan (By Alexander Lopez) 

SEIZED AMMOS. Police personnel seize around 12,013 pieces of ammunition on March 29, 2022, in the hinterland area of Tukbuon, Sitio Lamusig, Barangay Tungao, Butuan City. The recovered bullets are for an AK-47 rifle used by the communist New People’s Army rebels. (Photo courtesy of PRO-13)

A total of 12,013 pieces of ammunition for an AK-47 rifle were recovered Wednesday by personnel of the police’s Regional Mobile Force Battalion in the Caraga Region (RMFB-13) in Barangay Tungao here, a top police official said.

In a statement, Brig. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr., the Police Regional Office – Caraga (PRO-13 director, (Caraga) said the huge number of ammunition was recovered in the hinterland area of Tukbuon, Sitio Lamusig, Barangay Tungao.

“The seized cache of ammunition for AK-47 rifle is owned by the communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in the area,” Caramat said.

He added that the war materiel were concealed in four plastic containers and buried at a location in Tukbuon.

The recovery of the ammunition cache stemmed from the report of civilians in the area.

"I am grateful to the peace-loving Caraganons who have been assisting the PRO-13 in maintaining peace and order, particularly in reporting where the rebels are hiding and conceal their armaments,” Caramat said.

He said confiscation of the ammunition has saved more lives of the people in Caraga.

“We call on the remaining NPA members to surrender now, end the chaos you caused for years and live in peace with your family," Caramat said.

He commended the personnel of RMFB13, led by Col. Laudemer Laude, for the success of the operation.

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

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1171018

1ID welcomes new legal officer, fetes 6 personnel

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 30, 2022): 1ID welcomes new legal officer, fetes 6 personnel (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)

The Army’s 1st Infantry Division (ID) has welcomed its new legal officer and awarded medals to six other officers and personnel for exemplary performance of duty.

In a statement Wednesday, the 1ID identified its new legal officer as Capt. Rainer Rhett Concha and the medal awardees as 1st Lt. Eva Yvonnie Wares; 2nd Lt. Patrizia Elean Mallari; Private First Class (PFC) Jessa Enguio; 1st Lt. Lady Lee Gilvero; Cpl. Joricel Santos; and, Lt. Col. Janet Laurena.

Concha, before his assignment to the command, was the legal officer of the Office of the Judge Advocate General of Joint Task Force-Sulu, Office of the Army Judge Advocate, Office of the Army Inspector General, and the 4th Infantry Division.

Wares, meanwhile, was awarded the Silver Cross Medal for her contribution to the recent neutralization of an NPA leader Marino Daano Anlas alias Ka Victor and the recovery of his high-powered firearm.

The 1ID said Anlas was the 1st squad leader of HQ KALAW of the NPA’s Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee.

Mallari and Enguio each received the Military Merit Medal (MMM) as they provided effective and efficient healthcare services to soldiers, dependents, and civilians at Kuta Cesar Sang-an Station Hospital.

The same MMMs were pinned to Gilvero and Santos as part of the arrival honors rendered on March 14 to Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner, the Philippine Army commander.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Generoso Ponio, 1ID commander, awarded the MMM and the command plaque to Lt. Col. Janet Laurena, the former commander of the 1ID’s headquarters and headquarters service battalion, for the excellent services rendered from 2020 to 2022.

Laurena has been reassigned to the 12th Installation Management Battalion (IMB) effective March 25 after the Philippine Army deactivated the 1ID’s headquarters and headquarters service battalion, as it also activated the 12IMB on the same day at Camp Major Cesar Sang-an.

The activation transferred the base support functions to the 12IMB and enabled the 1ID to focus on its core mission.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1171017

BARMM’s 2 cities, 16 towns listed as election hotspots

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 31, 2022): BARMM’s 2 cities, 16 towns listed as election hotspots (By Edwin Fernandez)

Police Regional Police – Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Director Brig. Gen. Arthur Cabalona. (Image courtesy of PRO-BARMM)

COTABATO CITY – Police authorities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have listed 16 towns and two cities as election “hotspots” in the region.

In a report Thursday, Brig. Gen. Arthur Cabalona, BARMM police regional director, said the 18 areas are categorized under “red code” or “areas of immediate concern” in connection with the May 9 national and local elections.

Cabalona said 102 communities across BARMM have been initially identified by the police as “areas of concern” or “yellow code” in the upcoming polls.

Yellow code refers to areas that have a history of election-related incidents in the last elections, possible employment of partisan armed groups, and the occurrence of politically-motivated election-related instances.

Cabalona said Basilan province has four “red code” areas– Al Barka, Sumisip, Ungkaya Pukan and Lamitan City while Lanao del Sur has Malabang, Butig, Tubaran and Marawi City.

In a report to Alerto Bangsamoro radio program over Church-run DXMS radio station here, PRO-BARMM said Maguindanao has 10 “red code areas”-- towns of Rajah Buayan, Sultan sa Barongis, Datu Hofer, Datu Piang, Datu Salibo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Unsay, Mamasapano, Shariff Aguak, and Shariff Saydona Mustapha.

Sulu and Tawi-Tawi have no “red code” areas, but there are communities listed as possible areas of concern.

Provincial candidates for governor, vice governor, and House of Representatives are running unopposed in the two areas.

Earlier, some 200 BARMM police officers were sent to the Commission on Elections “Board of Election Inspectors” training to serve as poll officials in the event teachers refused to serve due to security, relationship with some candidates, and other valid reasons.

Cabalona reiterated his directive to all members of the BARMM police to remain apolitical and help ensure peaceful and orderly 2022 polls.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1171081

Cops collar NPA money courier in Surigao Sur

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 31, 2022): Cops collar NPA money courier in Surigao Sur (By Alexander Lopez) 

Google map of Tago municipality, Surigao del Sur.

Police operatives arrested a suspected money courier of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) in Tago, Surigao del Sur, during the serving of a search warrant for loose firearms on Thursday.

In a statement, Brig. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr., the Police Regional Office – Caraga (PRO-13) director, identified the suspect as Charice Tawede Jacinto, 32, an alleged member of the NPA Guerrilla Front 19, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee.

Seized from the suspect was a .45-caliber pistol bearing the serial number S23079 with a magazine containing four live rounds of ammunition.

The search warrant was issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 41 in Cantilan, Surigao del Sur.

“According to Tago municipal police station, Jacinto serves as a courier-money collector for the armed group and assigned primarily in extorting money from farmers, laborers, and stores in the area,” Caramat said.

The suspect is currently detained at the Tago police station while charges for violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act are being prepared against him.

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

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1171068

Hunt on for killers of 4 family members in S. Kudarat

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 31, 2022): Hunt on for killers of 4 family members in S. Kudarat (By Edwin Fernandez)

CRIME SCENE. Police inspect the shanty where the family of four was attacked by gunmen on Wednesday dawn (March 30, 2022) in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat. A massive manhunt is underway for the four suspects who are believed to be members of the 104th Moro Islamic Liberation Front base command in the area. (Photo courtesy of Lebak MPS)

A massive manhunt is underway against three suspects believed to be behind the killing of a family of four in the coastal Lebak municipality, police said Thursday.

Joint military-police tracking teams are also coordinating with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) after reports indicated that those involved in Wednesday's attack were MILF members, Maj. Joel Martinez, Lebak police chief, said.

Martinez identified the victims as Jimmy Lapat Capiceño Sr., 59, his wife Aida, 58, and two of the couple’s young grandchildren, all of Barangay Datu Karon.

Martinez said another grandchild was injured and is undergoing medication at a district hospital in Lebak.

“The surviving grandchild went into hiding after the shooting and showed up to authorities hours later. Relatives are now taking care of him,” he said.

Quoting witnesses, Martinez said the attackers were identified as Den Den Rakman Saludin, Dex Datumanong, and another suspect who all belonged to the 104th MILF base command.

The suspects, police said, arrived at the victim’s shanty and requested several glasses of coffee. For still unknown reasons, the gunmen fired on the unsuspecting victims.

Brig. Gen. Alexander Tagum, the Soccsksargen police director, has directed the Lebak police to immediately file charges against the suspects.

He said they are also coordinating with Ustadz Wahad Husain, an official of the MILF ceasefire panel, for the possible arrest of the suspects.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1171083

100 ex-MILF members complete skills, livelihood training

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 31, 2022): 100 ex-MILF members complete skills, livelihood training (By Edwin Fernandez)

SKILLED AND EQUIPPED. Former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants, their wives, and children finished a month-long skills training provided by the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao on Wednesday (March 30, 2022). The participants were trained on electrical installation and maintenance, and organic fertilizer production organized by the BARMM’s Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education – Technical Education and Skills Development division. (Photo courtesy of Bangsamoro Information Office - BARMM)

Former Moro armed rebels who returned to civilian life were the beneficiaries of a month-long skills training provided by the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Engr. Ruby Andong, director-general of BARMM’s Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education – Technical Education and Skills Development (MBHTE-TESD), said Thursday that some 100 decommissioned Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants and their family members completed short courses on electrical installation and maintenance and organic fertilizer production.

The trainees received their certificates in Talayan, Maguindanao, Wednesday.

“After years of being in the MILF struggle, they are now into livelihood and socio-economic activities to normalize their lives,” Andong said.

Andong said that since some of the decommissioned MILF combatants are senior citizens who are not capable to participate in skills training, MBHTE-TESD allowed their families to join the program.

The Al-Mani Farmers’ Cooperative (AFC) and Mamasapano Technical Vocational Education and Training Center (MTVETC) provided the training.

“We are glad to be part of this program, so our former combatants can have skills needed for them to earn a decent income,” Engr. Mansor Akmad, the MTVETC administrator, said.

Faisal Kaingko, 37, from Cotabato City, who worked hard in completing his training on electrical installation was elated with his newfound skill.

“Bakit ngayon lang ito nangyari, libre at siguradong makakatulong sa amin (Why it only happened now, it's free and will help us for sure),” he said.

Since January 2022, MBHTE-TESD has trained 1,394 MILF combatants and their families who have completed courses in welding, electrical installation and maintenance, agricultural farming, dressmaking, cookery, shielded metal arcs welding, and other skills training that will yield to employment.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1171082

12 more BIFF fighters yield in Maguindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 31, 2022): 12 more BIFF fighters yield in Maguindanao (By Edwin Fernandez)

WEARY COMBATANTS. Moro extremists who yield to the Army pose with government security forces in Maguindanao after turning over high-powered firearms during surrender rites in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town on Wednesday (March 30, 2022). The surrenderers, all members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters– Karialan faction, say they are all tired of the relentless military operations against them. (Photo courtesy of 40IB)

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – A dozen Moro extremists have decided to surrender and hand over their high-powered firearms to authorities following the series of military campaigns in Maguindanao.

In a statement Thursday, Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander, said the 12 members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, including two sub-leaders, surrendered to the Army’s 40th Infantry Battalion (40IB) in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao.

The rebels, who surrendered Wednesday afternoon, were led by Anwar Pegas, a sub-leader of the BIFF-Karialan faction, and his deputy, Zukarno Sailila.

Lt. Colonel Edwin Alburo, the 40IB commander, said the rebels brought with them two M14 rifles, two M16 rifles, a Carbine rifle, two .50-caliber Barret sniper rifles, two 9mm submachine guns, a 40mm rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launcher, two M79 grenade launchers, and a 40mm RPG ammunition.

Alburo said the former combatants experienced hardships and starvation while evading the military operations in the forests and the marshland of Maguindanao.

Alburo, in his report to the 6ID, said the rebels admitted they were lured to join a "false ideology that made them abandon their families."

Uy said the number of BIFF surrenderers rose in recent weeks, indicating that the BIFF has weakened in Central Mindanao.

"We remain optimistic that these groups, including the BIFF-Karialan faction, are nearing its end," Uy said.

Since January, almost 100 BIFFs have surrendered to the Army-led Joint Task Force Central (JTFC) under the stewardship of the 6ID commander.

Uy said more than 90 firearms have also been turned in by the surrenderers.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1171086

RTF-ELCAC cites crucial role of villages in peace, dev’t efforts

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 31, 2022): RTF-ELCAC cites crucial role of villages in peace, dev’t efforts (By John Rey Saavedra)

AID FOR FARMERS. National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) officials headed by its vice chairman Secretary Hermogenes Esperon distribute assistance to farmer cooperatives in Cebu province at the JPark Island Resort in Lapu-Lapu City on Thursday (March 31, 2022). National, regional, and local officials are in Cebu to present the gains on the ground of the whole-of-nation approach to ending local communist armed conflict in Central Visayas. (PNA photo by John Rey Saavedra)

The Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) on Friday cited the key role of the barangay officials in sustaining the gains of the government’s peace and development initiatives down to the grassroots through the whole-of-nation approach ushered by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Lawyer Leocadio Trovela, Department of the Interior and Local Government-Central Visayas regional director and RTF-ELCAC-7 chair, presented the accomplishments of the local government units (LGU) in the effort to bring “government services closer to the people”.

Trovela is among the local, regional, and national government agency officials who attended the National Task Force-RTF-ELCAC joint meeting at the JPark Island Resort here where different clusters made presentations on sustained gains in the fight against local communist armed conflict.

“This presentation of the DILG is a testament of the local government units’ unwavering support to the call of President Duterte to bring services closer to the people,” Trovela said, citing the dedication of the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and different government offices in working with the barangay officials in accomplishing initiatives down to the grassroots level and continued community empowerment.

In his report, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)-Central Visayas regional director Efren Carreon said the peace-building efforts of the NTF-ELCAC through the continuous dialogues with LGUs have translated to economic gains in Region 7.

Carreon said that peace and development are now being felt in the focused areas because of continuous dialogues with the LGUs in the region through activities like Dagyawan sa Barangay and “serbisyo caravans”.

The Dagyawan sa Barangay was cited in the recent National Peace and Order Council meeting and the initiatives under it will be replicated in other regions as a listening tool to engaging barrio folks and indigenous communities.

“Basic services have reached conflict-stricken barangays and indigenous communities and contributed to the establishments of conflict-resilient and developed communities. Services are smoothly delivered because of the engagements and convergence among concerned agencies and communities,” Carreon said.

He said the RTF ELCAC-7 will continue the convergence efforts among the agencies, LGUs, and the communities and work further in the harmonization of the delivery of basic services and social development packages.

As an agency whose mandate anchors on economic development, Carreon said NEDA-7 will continue to monitor the implementation of ELCAC’s programs and projects and in holding information drive on peace, security, and development in the region.

The whole-of-nation approach underscored by Duterte in his Executive Order No. 70 organizing the NTF-ELCAC in 2018 has resulted in the clearing of Central Visayas villages that used to be influenced by communist terrorist groups, dismantling of the Southeastern Front and the Komiteng Rehiyon Negros-Cebu-Bohol-Siquijor, as well as the weakening of guerrilla fronts.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1171120

India opens 50 defense training slots for PH

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 30, 2022): India opens 50 defense training slots for PH (By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora)

ITEC RECEPTION DAY. The ITEC Philippines alumni pose during the ITEC Day reception in Taguig City on Tuesday (March 29, 2022) night. Gracing the event were TESDA chief Secretary Isidro Lapeña and Commodore Donn Anthony Miraflor (7th and 6th from left, respectively, front row). (PNA photo)

The Indian government is opening 50 defense training slots for the Philippines in 2023 under its flagship development initiative, the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program.

Indian Ambassador to the Philippines Shambhu Kumaran said Tuesday night the allocated slots for the Philippines would be the highest in Southeast Asia, reflecting the two nations' growing partnership on capacity building.

Over the past five years alone, a total of 87 Filipino defense personnel were trained in India in various fields, including security and strategic studies, defense management, logistics and management, and engineering.

At present, Manila and New Delhi's cooperation on defense training is "bidirectional," with defense personnel from both nations attending each other's flagship training courses.

Recently, two Indian military officers participated in the Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP) General Staff Command Course.

"India’s approach to development partnership is based on the principles of equity and mutual respect. It is shaped by our belief that strengthening and augmenting national capacities are essential for bringing progress and prosperity to our people," Kumaran said during the ITEC Day reception in Taguig City. "Our capacity-building initiatives with partner countries stem from the spirit of solidarity to enhance mutual learning for shared and sustainable growth."

Commodore Donn Anthony Miraflor, AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Education, Training, and Doctrine, said the India-funded courses significantly complement the AFP's competency-building programs and would positively help produce more well-rounded leaders in the organization.

"In light of the volatility of our domestic and internal security environments, our mutual training and capacity-building cooperation are truly vital in ensuring that both our defense forces are capable to respond to any security threat, and other exigencies under all circumstances. After all, peace and progress is the concern of every nation, across all regions," he said, reading the message of AFP Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Andres Centino.

Defense, albeit one of its most important segments, is only one part of the ITEC program.

More than 1,000 Filipino public servants have also concluded their ITEC training programs in a range of disciplines, such as IT, rural development, parliamentary and electoral practices, renewable energy, health care, engineering, and entrepreneurship, according to the Indian Embassy.

Making leaders

Guia Roa Dionido, a division head at the Philippine Trade Training Center and an ITEC program alumna, said the Indian initiative is one of the main reasons she is the kind of leader she is today.

"The ITEC training helped me to be the woman who made a change from a staff merely implementing training programs assisting resource persons. Now, I am tasked to be the officer in charge of our division who leads the whole team. The learning and experience I got from ITEC training contributed to the kind of leader I am today," she said.

Dionido attended two ITEC programs in 2016 and in 2021, one of which was focused on trade and sustainable development.

Danielle Javier of the Asian Development Bank, on the other hand, said her experience at the National Institute for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (NI-MSMEs) in 2018 through ITEC allowed her to see how government support in women empowerment could go a long way.

During a visit to a rural part of Bangalore, Javier saw how the land was subsidized as green industrial estates so that women-led MSMEs can build their respective offices and factories.

"Imagine that the land was subsidized to these women-owned enterprises, 200 acres of land for hundreds of businesses were allotted, creating thousands of employment for Indian people," she said.
"From that initiative, we were able to see that women are not just limited to be housewives or to just stay at home, they can use their skills to create businesses and to further their area, because as long as the business is thriving, the area would thrive as well."

The ITEC was launched in 1964 and has since reached more than 200,000 participants from 160 partner countries.

On top of the short- and long-term training courses, the initiative also covers exchanges of best practices and sharing of experience through projects, consultancy, feasibility studies, visits to partner countries, and disaster relief.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1170958

'Balikatan' troops build classrooms in Cagayan

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 30, 2022): 'Balikatan' troops build classrooms in Cagayan (By Priam Nepomuceno) 

Photo courtesy of AFP

Military personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States Indo-Pacific Command are currently building classrooms in Masi Elementary School in Rizal, Cagayan as part of the engineering civic action project (ENCAP) of this year's "Balikatan" exercises.

"The construction team is composed of soldiers from the 18th Civil Engineer Group, 15th Medical Group IDMT and Philippine Air Force," AFP public affairs office chief Col. Jorry Baclor said in a statement Wednesday.

The 7-meter x 16-meter classrooms aim to provide a more conducive learning facility to students of the school.

Participating military personnel are expected to complete the project on or before April 8, which incidentally is the last day of the annual joint military exercises which started on March 28.

Meanwhile, three other sites have been identified by the Balikatan for its ENCAP, namely; Taggat Sur Elementary School and Pinas Elementary School in Claveria Cagayan, and San Francisco Elementary School in Alicia, Isabela.

Around 3,800 AFP members and 5,100 US military personnel -- the largest number of combined personnel of the two militaries in the annual exercise since the start of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic in 2020.

During the "Balikatan" 2021, only 226 American and 415 Filipino military personnel participated while "Balikatan" 2020 was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1170973

PH, US troops join 'Balikatan' free-fall drills

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 30, 2022): PH, US troops join 'Balikatan' free-fall drills (By Priam Nepomuceno)

Photo courtesy of AFP

Around 251 military personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States Indo-Pacific Command conducted free-falling exercises over Barangay Mapalad in Santa Rosa, Nueva Ecija last March 28 and 29.

In a statement Wednesday, AFP public affairs office chief, Col. Jorry Baclor, said the participants are from major units of the Special Operation Forces (SOF) of the two nations and are "Military Free Faller and Airborne" qualified.

"The 51 Philippine and US Military Free Fallers and 200 Static-Line Airborne parachuted towards the Drop Zone Royce located at Barangay Mapalad, Santa Rosa, Nueva Ecija," he said.

Baclor said this event, which is called the "Balikatan Friendship Jump'' aims to enhance individual, unit, joint, and combined SOF airborne capabilities.

The jumpers jumped from two US MC130 aircraft while civilian and military observers watched. "Aside from the jump, the activity was also highlighted by wing exchange and meaningful sharing of experiences by the participants," he added.

Around 3,800 AFP members and 5,100 US military personnel -- the largest number of combined personnel of the two militaries in the annual exercise since the start of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic in 2020.

During the "Balikatan" 2021, only 226 American and 415 Filipino military personnel participated while "Balikatan" 2020 was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

This year's "Balikatan" exercises started on March 28 and will end on April 8.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1171002

PH Air Force gets first female jet fighter pilot

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 31, 2022): PH Air Force gets first female jet fighter pilot (By Priam Nepomuceno)

1st Lt. Jul Laiza Mae Camposano-Beran (Photo courtesy of PAF)

A Filipina has qualified to join the ranks of the country's elite jet fighter pilots, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) announced on Thursday.

PAF spokesperson Col. Maynard Mariano said 1st Lt. Jul Laiza Mae B. Camposano-Beran qualified to fly into combat using the SIAI-Marchetti AS-211 light jet combat aircraft, which the PAF also uses in attack and surveillance missions.

"The PAF made history (by) having its own, first-ever female fighter pilot on March 30, 2022 from the 5th Fighter Wing at Basa Air Base, Floridablanca, Pampanga. 1st Lt. Jul Laiza Mae B. Camposano-Beran was checked out as the first female AS-211 combat mission ready pilot and wingman," he added.

Mariano said Camposano-Beran first flew alone or went "solo" in the AS-211 on December 5, 2020.

"May (she had) 150 plus hours na siya sa (in flying the) AS-211," he added in a message to the Philippine News Agency.

Mariano said Camposano-Berran underwent the "Jet Qualification Training" and the so-called "Intro To Fighter Fundamentals and Combat Crew Training" both in the AS-211, before flying "solo".

These trainings, which take around two years, are done to ensure that fighter pilot trainees like Camposano-Beran will not only know how to fly the aircraft but will also allow them to learn about fighting air-to-air, air-to-ground, and air-to-surface in the AS-211, he added.

"And while doing this, she was also flying with the FA-50 as a backseat pilot and (becoming) combat experience having flown in the FA-50 on an actual strike mission," he added.

Once Camposano-Beran will get more experience and flying time in the AS-211, she will transition or transfer to the FA-50PHs.

This will take place once she acquires 300 hours in the AS-211, Mariano added.

The FA-50PH is the PAF's primary jet fighter capable of speeds of Mach 1.5 and was acquired from South Korea in 2015 up to 2017.

Camposano-Beran during her training at the PAF Flying School flew the propeller-driven T-41D or the Cessna R-172 during the primary phase of her training and then the SIAI-Marchetti SF-260MP in the Basic Phase of her military pilot training.

In total, she gained around 180 hours of flying time in the two propeller-driven aircraft before graduating in 2017.

Camposano-Beran is a native of Tulunan, Cotabato and a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 2015.

"She became the fifth female in the Academy to receive the Athletic Saber Award over 170 members of her class," he added.

Also, Mariano said that two more female pilots are presently undergoing fighter pilot training.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1171097

PH, US troops hold amphibious exercise off Cagayan

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 31, 2022): PH, US troops hold amphibious exercise off Cagayan (By Priam Nepomuceno)

Photo courtesy of AFP

Military personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States on Thursday conducted a bilateral amphibious exercise (AMPHIBEX) in the vicinity of Claveria, Cagayan as part of this year's "Balikatan" exercises.

AMPHIBEX involves the movement of assault amphibious vehicles (AAVs) from landing-class ships to shore.

It also requires the vertical insertion of troops using different air assets of both armed forces.

The activity demonstrated the bilateral force’s ability to seize a littoral objective as part of a complex, combined arms operations between Philippine and US ground, naval, and aviation assets.

"This exercise continues to build the relationship with our Filipino counterpart in Northern Luzon and across the Philippines. We chose Northern Luzon as it gives us to look at different beach sites to train on different terrains, which keeps our skills sharp and provides our counterparts the opportunity to continue to train in areas that challenge us. We just don't repeat things over and over again," said US Marine Corps' 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment strategic communications officer, Capt. Kevin Smith, in a statement.

The execution of the AMPHIBEX began with the launch of the AAVs of the Marines from USS Ashland and BRP Tarlac.

The AAVs then conducted the mechanized assault and seized a beach in Claveria, which was the main effort to attack the objective.

"Cagayan was chosen as the location of this year's Amphibex because it's a changing scenario and situation and the Philippines has a wide shoreline. This place also fits the standards of the training as it can accommodate a large number of forces to land," said Philippine Army 5th Infantry Division commander, Maj. Gen. Laurence Mina.

The amphibious assault was followed by heliborne operations through the vertical insertion of the troops from the Marine Batallion Landing Team-10 onboard aboard S-70i "Black Hawk" combat utility helicopters and the US Marines from their rotary-winged aircraft CH-53 "Sea Stallion" heavy helicopter transports. The air assets provided air tactical and logistical support throughout the amphibious and ground maneuvers.

The amphibious landing was concluded with the arrival of the landing craft utility vessel of the Philippine Navy carrying support equipment and personnel.

This year's "Balikatan" showcased several modern AFP assets such as the "Black Hawk" helicopters, AAVs, and the BRP Tarlac.

These assets were acquired through the ongoing AFP Modernization Program.

"For the Filipinos, training your armed forces will give security assurance to our countrymen, if you are stagnant and the enemy is improving, we need to adjust, training is one to address those, and this is one of the benefits of the Filipinos in 'Balikatan', it's all about security, it's all about securing our country," Mina said.

As an archipelagic country, the AMPHIBEX has been one of the most important activities and highlights of the Balikatan. It also strengthened the service members’ ability to conduct and develop interoperability in amphibious operations.

"The biggest benefit of the Filipinos from Balikatan is the shared partnership, shared interoperability, we worked together, we understand each other, we continue to grow together. We can expect better security and partnership within Northern Luzon, we can expect that to continue throughout the Philippines, providing security and regional stability, and strengthening the relationship with the Filipinos." Smith added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1171131

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: 80th IB, tinambangan ng BHB-Rizal

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis online propaganda posted to the PRWC Newsroom, the blog site of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Information Bureau (Mar 31, 2022): 80th IB, tinambangan ng BHB-Rizal (80th IB, ambushed by the NPA-Rizal)

March 31, 2022

Tinambangan ng BHB-Rizal (Narciso Antazo Aramil Command) ang tropa ng 80th IB malapit sa kampo ng mga ito sa Maugraw, Sityo Quinao, Barangay Puray, Rodriguez, Rizal noong Marso 26. Dalawang sundalo ang napatay habang dalawa ang sugatan.

Ayon kay Armando Cienfuego, tagapagsalita ng BHB-Southern Tagalog, ang ambus ay tugon sa kahingian ng masa na parusahan ang mga elemento ng estado na naghahasik ng terorismo sa prubinsya.

Ani Cienfuego, may mahabang rekord na ng paglabag sa karapatang-tao ang 80th IB at iba pang pwersa ng AFP at PNP laban sa mamamayan ng Rizal.

Kamakailan lamang, dinukot ng mga ahente nito si Rene Villarama, isang Duamagat at residente ng Barangay Puray. Sangkot din ng mga elemento nito sa pagpaslang sa siyam na aktibistang pinaslang sa tinaguriang Bloody Sunday, partikular sa pagpaslang kina Abner at Edward Mendoza, mga residente Barangay Puray.

Sangkot din ang mga ito sa pagpaslang kina Mark Lee Bacasno at Michael Dasigao, mga kasapi ng San Isidro Kasiglahan, Kapatiran at Damayan para sa Kabuhayan, Katarungan at Kapayapaan at dalawa pang Dumagat na sina Puroy at Randy dela Cruz.

https://cpp.ph/angbayan/80th-ib-tinambangan-ng-bhb-rizal/

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: BHB sa Central Negros, nag-ulat ng mga tagumpay

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis online propaganda posted to the PRWC Newsroom, the blog site of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Information Bureau (Mar 30, 2022): BHB sa Central Negros, nag-ulat ng mga tagumpay (NPA in Central Negros, reported victories)

March 30, 2022

Laking seksyon ang kayang armasan ng mga nakumpiskang armas ng BHB-Central Negros, ito ang inihayag ni JB Regalado, tagapagsalita ng Leonardo Panaligan Command (BHB-LPC) noong Marso 29 kasabay ng paggunita sa ika-53 taong anibersaryo ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan.

Mula Marso 2021 hanggang Marso 2022, nakapaglunsad nang hindi bababa sa 35 aksyong militar o tatlo kada buwan ang mga Pulang mandirigma sa larangan. Hindi bababa sa 60 ang kaswalti ng mga pasistang tropa.

Patuloy din ang paglaki ng kasapian ng hukbong bayan, at karamihan ng mga bagong Pulang mandirigma ay mga kabataan na determinadong maglunsad ng armadong pakikibaka para sa paglaya ng sambayanan. Napanatili rin ang laking batalyong milisyang bayan at yunit pandepensa sa mga komunidad na kaagapay ng BHB sa pagpapatupad ng mga batas demokratikong gubyernong bayan sa kanayunan at gumagampan ng iba pang mga tungkulin sa loob ng larangang gerilya.

Sa kabila ng nakapokus na operasyon ng kaaway, naisulong ng BHB-LPC ang malawak at masinsing pakikidigmang gerilya sa kanilang erya. Sa tungki mismo ng ilong kaaway, nakapagtatayo ng mga organo ng kapangyarihang pampulitika, mga pulong ng iba’t ibang lihim na organisasyon masa, mga talakayan at gawaing propaganda, at umaalalay sa mga mag-aaral sa pagsagot ng kanilang mga modyul sa lihim na kaparaanan.

Patuloy ang gawaing konsolidasyon, rekoberi at pagpapalawak sa Negros Oriental at Occidental, aabot sa mahigit 155,000 ang baseng masa.

Nakapagbigay din ng serbisyong medikal ang BHB sa mamamayan. Sa tulong ng mga kasapi ng Pambansang Katipunan ng Magsasaka, Kabataang Makabayan at Malayang Kilusang Kababaihan nakapagpatupad ng mga proyektong kabuhayan para makatuwang sa kanilang pangangailangan.

Sa tulong ng kanilang hukbo, nakapaglunsad sila ng mga pakikibakang antipyudal para sa ikabubuti ng kanilang kabuhayan. Nagresulta ito sa kumpiskasyon at pagbubungkal ng aabot sa 70 ektaryang lupa mula sa lokal na panginoong maylupa. Naitaas din ang sahod ng mga manggagawang bukid ng hindi bababa sa ₱50 sa dalawang asyenda.

Tulong-tulong rin ang mga residente at hukbo sa pag-aayos ng kanilang kabahayan at taniman matapos masalanta ng Bagyong Odette. Nagsilbi ding tagapamagitan ang mga kasama sa mga problema at tunggalian ng mga masa.

Sa harap ng mga tagumpay na ito, hamon sa mga Pulang mandirigma ng Central Negros na patuloy na maglunsad ng matatagumpay na taktikal na opensiba laban sa mga pasistang elemento, pwersa ng estado at mga yunit na may utang na dugo at may mga notoryus na krimen laban sa mamamayan. Determinado rin ang BHB-LPC na magmulat, mag-organisa at magpakilos ng masa sa Central Negros upang tugunan ang kanilang panawagan para sa tunay repormang agraryo, pambansang industriyalisasyon, serbisyong sosyal at pangmatagalang kapayapaan.

Panawagan rin ng BHB sa mamamayan na patuloy na ilantad ang mga krimen ng reaksyunaryong tropa ng estado sa midya, patuloy na magpahayag ng kanilang paggigiit ng kanilang karapatan sa eleksyon laluna sa banta ng pandaraya ng rehimeng Duterte upang mangunyapit sa kapangyarihan.

Pagwawakas ni Regalado, malinaw na hindi nauunawaan ng mamamatay-tao na rehimen na ang tunay na lakas ng hukbong bayan ay ang kanyang masa. Walang anumang halaga ang pagwawaldas ng militar sa modernong kagamitan o pagbaling sa pasismo para gapiin ang BHB dahil nananatiling determinado ang masa na ipagtagumpay ang pambansang demokratikong rebolusyon.

https://cpp.ph/angbayan/bhb-sa-central-negros-nag-ulat-ng-mga-tagumpay/

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: Mga sibilyan, binweltahan ng mga naghuramentadong sundalo sa Himamaylan

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis online propaganda posted to the PRWC Newsroom, the blog site of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Information Bureau (Mar 30, 2022): Mga sibilyan, binweltahan ng mga naghuramentadong sundalo sa Himamaylan

March 30, 2022

Binweltahan ng naghumarentadong mga sundalo ang mga sibilyan sa isang barangay sa Himamaylan City sa Negros Occidental noong Marso 25 matapos makasagupa ng mga ito ang isang yunit ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan (BHB).

Sumiklab ang sagupaan sa pagitan ng 94th IB at mga Pulang mandirigma ng Mount Cansermon Command (MCC-NPA) noong Marso 23, ayon kay Juanito Magbanua, tagapagsalita ng BHB-Negros. Umabot ang sagupaan ng tatlong oras. Nasundan ito ng engkwentro sa Barangay Mahalang, Himamaylan City.

Matapos ang engkwentro, nilusob ng mga sundalo ang kalapit na bahay ng mga sibilyan. Dinukot ng mga sundalo ang magkapatid na sina Arnold Sabanal at Jason Sabanal, sinunog ang bahay ni Jose Gonzales at tinortyur ang residenteng si Danny Gabellon.

Pilit nilang pinatuturo sa mga naturang sibilyan kung nasaan ang BHB. Hindi pa nakoutento, winasak ng kanilang mortar ang bahay ni Kiko Paculangan noong Marso 25. Sa sumunod na araw, nakita na lamang ng mga residente ang patay na katawan ng magkapatid na Sabanal at pinalalabas ng mga berdugo na namatay sila sa engkwentro.

Mariing kinundena ni Magbanua ang mga sundalo ng AFP sa pagpatay sa mga sibilyan. Ang magkapatid na Sabanal ay hindi BHB, pagdidiin ni Magbanua, kundi mga magsasaka sa lugar. Mapapatunayan ito ng mga residente ng lugar.

Kinundena ni Magbanua ang pagsisinungaling ng AFP na pinalalabas na mga kasapi ng BHB ang naturang sibilyan.

Samantala, sa Albay, Bicol, mga sibilyan rin ang binalingan ng galit ng AFP. Ayon sa ulat ng BHB-Albay, pinatay ng 49th IB si Armancio M. Malto, sibilyan at residente ng Purok 5, Barangay Badbad, Oas. Dinakip rin ng mga ito sa Maricris Reblando. Isang sugatang mandirigma din ang hinuli.

https://cpp.ph/angbayan/mga-sibilyan-binweltahan-ng-mga-naghuramentadong-sundalo-sa-himamaylan/

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: CPP slams Duterte’s drug-crazed hysterical red-tagging

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis online propaganda posted to the PRWC Newsroom, the blog site of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Information Bureau (Mar 30, 2022): CPP slams Duterte’s drug-crazed hysterical red-tagging

March 30, 2022

This article is available in Bisaya

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today slammed Rodrigo Duterte’s “hysterical red-tagging” in an address recorded yesterday and aired earlier today.

Duterte echoed the recent statements of NTF-Elcac Lorraine Badoy, when he named party-list groups under the Makabayan bloc as “communist fronts” in what the CPP said was “heightened red-tagging against the patriotic and democratic forces and the leading political opposition parties.”

CPP Chief Information Officer Marco L. Valbuena denounced Duterte for “practically putting a red target on the backs of thousands of ordinary people who are affiliated with these progressive groups, for the military and police to aim at.”

Valbuena said Duterte’s statements last night are a brazen threat. “We all know how thousands of people have fallen victim to this tyrannical regime’s red-tagging in its desperate drive to pacify the masses and prevent them from asserting their democratic and patriotic demands,” said Valbuena. “He has practically ordered the police to clamp down on these organizations under the Anti-Terrorist Law.”

“Duterte is making a fool of Filipinos by insisting on his baseless claims that these party-list groups are ‘communist fronts,'” added Valbuena. “Duterte and Badoy are barefaced liars. Binobo nila ang mga tao.”

“Duterte and his ilk in the NTF-Elcac pretend not being able to distinguish between the legal political exercises, including the elections, which these democratic parties and organizations take part in within the framework of the reactionary government’s constitution and laws, and the revolutionary armed struggle being waged by the New People’s Army led by the CPP in the countryside,” explained Valbuena.

“Is it not ironic that while the NTF-Elcac wants the NPA to surrender its arms and instead ‘work within the system’, they are pushing the legal democratic forces out of the election arena and the increasingly narrow democratic space?” said Valbuena.

Valbuena added that Duterte’s tirades against the progressive party-list groups are part of his scenario-building for possibly resorting to martial law or some form of emergency rule, in the face of mounting “people’s rallies” in support of the leading political opposition.

“As the anger of the people mounts against Duterte and his ‘chosen one’ in the May 2022 elections, the opposition represented by these groups meanwhile continue to break ground,” he observed. “This is causing Duterte and his generals to panic.”

“Badoy, who clearly has pleased her boss Duterte, is on a full-scale red-tagging offensive,” said Valbuena. This has prompted organizations to file a slew of criminal charges and complaints of electioneering over her use of government resources to engage in negative campaigning.”

“The Filipino people knows all too well these tactics. They will surely push back against the regime’s attacks against them,” he ended. (CPP Information Bureau)

https://cpp.ph/angbayan/cpp-slams-dutertes-drug-crazed-hysterical-red-tagging/

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: CPP slams Duterte’s drug-crazed hysterical red-tagging

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis online propaganda posted to the PRWC Newsroom, the blog site of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Information Bureau (Mar 30, 2022): CPP slams Duterte’s drug-crazed hysterical red-tagging

March 30, 2022

This article is available in Bisaya

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today slammed Rodrigo Duterte’s “hysterical red-tagging” in an address recorded yesterday and aired earlier today.

Duterte echoed the recent statements of NTF-Elcac Lorraine Badoy, when he named party-list groups under the Makabayan bloc as “communist fronts” in what the CPP said was “heightened red-tagging against the patriotic and democratic forces and the leading political opposition parties.”

CPP Chief Information Officer Marco L. Valbuena denounced Duterte for “practically putting a red target on the backs of thousands of ordinary people who are affiliated with these progressive groups, for the military and police to aim at.”

Valbuena said Duterte’s statements last night are a brazen threat. “We all know how thousands of people have fallen victim to this tyrannical regime’s red-tagging in its desperate drive to pacify the masses and prevent them from asserting their democratic and patriotic demands,” said Valbuena. “He has practically ordered the police to clamp down on these organizations under the Anti-Terrorist Law.”

“Duterte is making a fool of Filipinos by insisting on his baseless claims that these party-list groups are ‘communist fronts,'” added Valbuena. “Duterte and Badoy are barefaced liars. Binobo nila ang mga tao.”

“Duterte and his ilk in the NTF-Elcac pretend not being able to distinguish between the legal political exercises, including the elections, which these democratic parties and organizations take part in within the framework of the reactionary government’s constitution and laws, and the revolutionary armed struggle being waged by the New People’s Army led by the CPP in the countryside,” explained Valbuena.

“Is it not ironic that while the NTF-Elcac wants the NPA to surrender its arms and instead ‘work within the system’, they are pushing the legal democratic forces out of the election arena and the increasingly narrow democratic space?” said Valbuena.

Valbuena added that Duterte’s tirades against the progressive party-list groups are part of his scenario-building for possibly resorting to martial law or some form of emergency rule, in the face of mounting “people’s rallies” in support of the leading political opposition.

“As the anger of the people mounts against Duterte and his ‘chosen one’ in the May 2022 elections, the opposition represented by these groups meanwhile continue to break ground,” he observed. “This is causing Duterte and his generals to panic.”

“Badoy, who clearly has pleased her boss Duterte, is on a full-scale red-tagging offensive,” said Valbuena. This has prompted organizations to file a slew of criminal charges and complaints of electioneering over her use of government resources to engage in negative campaigning.”

“The Filipino people knows all too well these tactics. They will surely push back against the regime’s attacks against them,” he ended. (CPP Information Bureau)

https://cpp.ph/angbayan/cpp-slams-dutertes-drug-crazed-hysterical-red-tagging/

CPP/NDF-CPDF-KM-DATAKO: Mabuhay ang mga rebolusyonaryong kababaihan!

Propaganda statement posted to PRWC Newsroom, the blog site of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Information Bureau (Mar 31, 2022): Mabuhay ang mga rebolusyonaryong kababaihan! (Long live the revolutionary women!)

Balangay Ka Elvira

Kabataang Makabayan – Demokratiko a Tignayan kadagiti Agtutubo iti Kordilyera (KM-DATAKO)

Cordillera People's Democratic Front

National Democratic Front of the Philippines

March 31, 2022

Ngayong pagtatapos ng Buwan ng mga Kababaihan, pinagpupugayan ng Kabataang Makabayan — Demokratiko a Tignayan Dagiti Agtutubo iti Kordilyera (DATAKO) balangay ng Ka Elvira ang lahat ng mga kababaihang patuloy na isinusulong ang mga rebolusyonaryong mithiin.

Hindi maikakaila na ang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas ay lumilikha ng mga magigiting na rebolusyonaryong mga kababaihan, na tulak ng matinding krisis panlipunan, susog pa ng lumalalang diskriminasyon at pang-aabuso ay pinipiling tumahak sa landas ng armadong pakikibaka at makiisa sa isinusulong na demokratikong rebolusyong bayan na may sosyalistang perspektiba.

Sa ilalim ng krisis na kinahaharap ng mamamayan at sa kabila ng mga kaliwa’t kanang mga pangako ng pagbabago ng mga kandidatong lumalahok sa reaksyunaryong eleksyon, nananatiling sadlak ang mga kababaihan sa ilalim ng pyudal-patriyarkal na lipunan na lalo pang pinalala ng macho-pasistang Rehimeng Duterte na tiyak pang pananatilihin ng susunod na naghaharing uri. Malinaw na ang unibersidad ay lalo pang mag-aanak ng mas marami pang mga Elvira, Jennifer, Finela, at Pamela na tatangan ng armas upang ipagtanggol hindi lamang ang interes ng mga kabataang kababaihan, kundi ang malawak na interes ng sambayanan.

Hamon sa mga kabataang kababaihan ang pangunahing pagsulong ng digma na susupil sa mga batayang problemang sumasagka sa ating lipunan at kumawala sa kawing ng imperyalismo, pyudalismo, at burukrata-kapitalismo, hanggang sa ganap na paglaya ng mga kasarian mula sa pang-aapi’t pananamantala tungo sa isang lipunang tunay na nagkakapantay-pantay.

Mabuhay ang kabataang kababaihan!

Mabuhay ang Kabataang Makabayan — DATAKO!

https://cpp.ph/statements/mabuhay-ang-mga-rebolusyonaryong-kababaihan/

CPP/NDF-KM-Cavite: Limampu't-tatlong taon ng pagkakaisa ng mga uring inaapi laban sa hungkag na pagkakaisa ng mga naghahari: Kabataan, isulong ang digmang bayan! Sampa na sa New People’s Army!

Propaganda statement posted to PRWC Newsroom, the blog site of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Information Bureau (Mar 31, 2022): Limampu't-tatlong taon ng pagkakaisa ng mga uring inaapi laban sa hungkag na pagkakaisa ng mga naghahari: Kabataan, isulong ang digmang bayan! Sampa na sa New People’s Army! (Fifty-three years of unity of the oppressed classes against the empty unity of the rulers: Youth, advance the people's war! It's time for the New People's Army!)

Marjorie Topacio

Spokesperson

Kabataang Makabayan-Cavite

NDF-Southern Tagalog

National Democratic Front of the Philippines

March 31, 2022

Ipinapaabot ng probinsyal na balangay sa Cavite ng Kabataang Makabayan, Balangay Cristina Catalla ang pinakamataas nitong pagpupugay sa lahat ng mga Pulang mandirigma, milisyang bayan, yunit pandepensa sa sarili at iba pang mga komponente ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan sa ‘Timog Katagalugan at sa buong bansa. Pinatunayan lamang ng anibersaryo ng BHB na patuloy na sinusuportahan ng masa ang kanilang Hukbo na puspusang nagpapakahusay sa mga rebolusyonaryong adhikain at kamulatan nito tungo sa tunay na panlipunang pagbabago.

Maraming bigwas ang tinamo ng NPA Southem Tagalog — Melito Glor Command sa ilalim rehimeng Duterte; ang labag sa CARHRIHL na inaresto ang tagapagsalita nito na si Ka Diego Padilla, ang pagkakamartir ng mga Pulang mandirigma sa proseso ng labanan, at ang pagtataksil sa rebolusyon at pagpapagamit sa reaksyunaryong estado ng iilang mga dating kasama, na patuloy na inaabot ng mga kamay ng rebolusyonaryong kaparusahan. Ngunit sa pamumuno ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas, patuloy na nagliliyab ang armadong pakikibaka sa Timog Katagalugan.

Dumadagundong pa rin ang mga ulat ng taktikal na opensiba sa iba’t-ibang bahagi ng rehiyon, malalaki at maliliit na tagumpay sa agraryong rebolusyon, at ang paglawak at konsolidasyon ng mga baseng masa, at pagtatagumpay ng kilusang-masa sa rehiyon, maging sa Cavite. Dapat din nating kilalanin ang mga tagumpay ng mga organisasyong masa sa ating probinsya.

Bagaman hindi na ipinagpatuloy ang pagkakaroon ng regular na yunit ng Hukbo sa ating probinsya dahil na rin sa papaliit na paborableng tereyn sa pakikidigmang gerilya, nakaugat na sa puso ng mga masa sa probinsya ang pagmamahal at masidhing pananabik sa kanilang Hukbo na minsan nang kumilos dito. Abot-tenga ang kanilang mga ngiti sa tuwing nagkukuwento kung paano sila tinulungan noon ng mga Pulang mandirigma sa likurang Cavite-Batangas-Laguna. Ipinagmamalaki rin natin na ang ating probinsya ay nagluwal ng mga magigiting na Pulang mandirigma, gaya na lamang nina Queenie Loricel “Ka Kira” Daraman, Cristina “Ka Blue” Estocado, Ka Dodong, at maraming iba pa.

Hanggang ngayon, patuloy ang pagluluwal nito ng mga panibagong salinlahi ng mga Pulang mandirigma, at puspusan sa mga gawaing nakatutulong sa pag-abante ng digmang bayan sa kanayunan. Ang Kabataang Makabayan sa probinsya ay taas-diwang hinihikayat at hinahamon ang mamamayan ng Cavite na sumampa sa BHB, ipaglaban ang karapatan ng mamamayan at pabagsakin ang naghaharing-uri.

Naka-ilang pangako na ang pasistang rehimeng Duterte na dudurugin nito ang New People’s Army, ngunit ang lahat ng kaniyang pangako ay napako rin, sapagkat alam ng mga masa sa mga Jarangang gerilya na hindi ang Hukbo ang salot ng lipunan, kundi ang reaksyunaryong estado at mga pasistang galamay nitong AFP-PNP at ang NTF-ELCAC, at ang mga ito ay kailangang pabagsakin.

Kaugnay nito, mariing kinukundena ng rebolusyonaryong kilusang kabataan sa Cavite ang panghihimasok ng berdugong NTF-ELCAC sa mga komunidad ng mga magbubukid at maralita sa probinsya at tahasang pag-aakusa sa mga organisasyong masa at mga miyembro nito bilang mga miyembro ng NPA. Patuloy na ginagamit ng rehimen ang taktikang ito upang maluwag na makapangamkam ang mga panginoong maylupa na kanilang pinagsisilbihan, at mga gahamang kapitalista na kanilang pinoproteksyunan. Gayunpaman, puspusan ang pakikiisa ng mga kabataan sa laban ng mga magbubukid at maralitang lungsod para sa kanilang mga karapatan at mga batayang serbisyong panlipunan.

Patuloy na lumalawak ang kasapian ng Kabataang Makabayan sa probinsya sa isang napakalaking dahilan: sawa na ang kabataan sa bulok at pahirap na rehimeng US-Duterte at ng reaksyunaryong gobyerno, at uhaw kami sa tunay na panlipunang pag-unlad na makakamtan lamang sa pamamagitan ng demokratikong rebolusyong bayan sa pamamagitan ng matagalang digmang bayan mula sa kanayunan patungo sa kalunsuran. Hindi perpekto ang Hukbo, ngunit isa sa pinakamagiting na katangian nito ay pinamumunuan ito ng Partido, at handang magpaunlad sa panahon ng kahinaan at magpuna at magwasto sa mga pagkakamali nito, kaya naman mulat na nagtitiwala ang rebolusyonaryong kilusang kabataan ng Cavite sa Bagong Hukbong Bayan at sa armadong pakikibakang inilulunsad nito.

Totoo, ang probinsya ng Cavite ay nasa tarangkahan ng Maynila: ang sentro ng reaksyunaryong kapangyarihang pampulitika. Ngunit ang probinsya rin ay tarangkahan tungong Batangas, kung saan naroroon ang Eduardo Dagli Command. Tarangkahan ng Laguna kung saan kumi los ang Cesar Batralo Command, na siyang kalapit ng probinsya ng Quezon, na kinikilusan ng Apolonio Mendoza Command, at napakaraming iba pang mga probinsyang may mga yunit ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan.

Malawak ang kanayunan sa pagtugon sa panawagan, at lubos na magagalak ang masang magbubukid sa tuwing sasalubong ito ng mga bagong Pulang mandirigma na buong-tapang na nagpasyang tanganan ang pinakamataas na antas ng pakikibaka.

Pagpupugay sa New People’s Army sa kanilang ika-53 anibersaryo at sa matagumpay na pagbigo sa tangkang pagdurog ng rehimeng US-Duterte sa rebolusyonaryong kilusan! Ipagpatuloy ang pagpupunyagi, pataasin ang kamulatang pampulitika, ubos-lakas na mag-organisa, at magpakahusay sa gawaing militar!

KABATAAN, MAGPUNYAGI SA IKA-53 ANIBERSARYO NG BAGONG HUKBONG

BAYAN! ISULONG ANG DIGMA TUNGO SA ESTRATEHIKONG PAGKAPATAS

HANGGANG SA GANAP NA TAGUMPAY! SUMAMPA SA NEW PEOPLE’S ARMY!

https://cpp.ph/statements/kabataan-isulong-ang-digmang-bayan-sampa-na-sa-new-peoples-army/