7 more ‘dog-tired’ BIFF rebels yield in Maguindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 15, 2022): 7 more ‘dog-tired’ BIFF rebels yield in Maguindanao (By Edwin Fernandez)

RIGHT DECISION. Seven members of the extremist Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), all seated in front, pose with local and military officials following their surrender in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao Monday (June 13, 2022). At least 132 BIFF rebels have yielded in Central Mindanao since January this year. (Photo courtesy of 1BCT)

Their desire to live normal lives anew prompted seven Moro extremists to surrender to authorities in Maguindanao, the military here said Wednesday.

Col. Leodivic Guinid, the Army’s 1st Brigade Combat Team (1BCT) commander, said the latest batch of BIFF surrenderers operated in the towns of Datu Salibo, Sultan Mastura, and Sultan Kudarat, all in Maguindanao.

He said the batch was convinced by former BIFF comrades who earlier surrendered and are now living happy lives with their families.

The group yielded Monday afternoon to the 1BCT stationed in Sultan Kudarat town of Maguindanao.

“They will soon be reunited with their families after the debriefing procedure,” Guinid said.

A certain Dhatz, one of the surrenderers, said he was excited to see his family after several years of being on the run from pursuing government forces.

“We are exhausted from fighting a futile cause -- we just want to go home,” he said in a phone interview with reporters here.

Guinid, meanwhile, urged other BIFF combatants to take advantage of the government’s reconciliation program aimed at improving former rebels' lives through livelihood programs.

“Your returning to the fold of the law contributes to the economic advancement of Maguindanao. Let us help each other attain peace and prosperity for the province,” Guinid said.

Records from the Army’s 6th Infantry Division showed 132 BIFF fighters have so far surrendered to authorities in Central Mindanao since January this year.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1176697

Tinang incident affirms NPA as country's ‘single worst plague’

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 15, 2022): Tinang incident affirms NPA as country's ‘single worst plague’ (By Perla Lena)

SINGLE WORST PLAGUE. Western Visayas Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict spokesperson, Prosecutor Flosemer Chris Gonzales, on Wednesday (June 15, 2022) said the June 9 land cultivation incident in Hacienda Tinang in Tarlac province affirmed the status of the CPP-NPA-NDF as the country’s “single worst plague”. In a statement released by the task force, it said the land “maliciously destroyed” by the group labeled Tinang 93 was owned by members of the Tinang Samahang Nayon Multi-purpose Cooperative, who are beneficiaries of the government's Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. (PNA file photo)

The Western Visayas Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) on Wednesday called the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) the “single worst plague” affecting the country for over 50 years.

A statement released through its spokesperson, Prosecutor Flosemer Chris Gonzales, said the communist group's status was affirmed by the “bungkalan” or land cultivation incident in Hacienda Tinang in the municipality of Concepcion in Tarlac province where individuals were arrested after a violent assembly on June 9, 2022.

According to the statement, the land “maliciously destroyed” by the group labeled Tinang 93 was owned by members of the Tinang Samahang Nayon Multi-purpose Cooperative (TSNMPC), who are beneficiaries of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

The subject land cultivation area was planted with sugarcane.

“The organizers of what can be properly called as the Bungkalan-obela exploited students and other gullible individuals to participate in an act of destroying the very means of subsistence of struggling farmer-beneficiaries of the TSNMPC,” Gonzales said.

The majority of those arrested were not from Tinang and they only used some farmers from the hacienda as an excuse to create a scenario that they can capitalize (on), the spokesperson said.

Of the 93 who were arrested, 82 were charged by the local police with malicious mischief and illegal assembly while four minors and seven foreigners, who claimed to have no idea of what happened, were released.

“Bungkalan is nothing but a sham! We condemn any and all forms of bungkalan activities being undertaken by the CPP-NPA-NDF and by their front organizations,” he added.

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 NDF has been formally designated as a terrorist organization by the ATC 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/1176702

Army educates IPs vs. Reds' recruitment efforts

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 15, 2022): Army educates IPs vs. Reds' recruitment efforts (By Jason De Asis)

INFO DRIVE. The Army's 84th Infantry Battalion conducts an information and education campaign to counter the deceptive recruitment strategies of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), particularly among the indigenous peoples. Some 45 Dumagat and Aeta tribe members attended the information drive conducted in General Tinio, Nueva Ecija on Monday (June 13, 2022). (Photo courtesy of 7ID, PA)

BALER, Aurora – The Philippine Army is stepping up its information and education drive to counter the deceptive recruitment strategies of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), particularly among the indigenous peoples (IP).

Col. Enrico Gil C. Ileto, commander of the 84th Infantry Battalion (84IB) under the 7ID, said on Wednesday that aside from students, the IPs are among the most vulnerable sectors for deception and exploitation by the communist terrorist groups (CTGs).

To save the IPs from CTGs' recruitment and exploitation, Ileto said an awareness campaign was conducted on Monday in General Tinio town in Nueva Ecija province, attended by some 45 Dumagat and Aeta tribe members.

2nd Lt. Knarl Vincent Tiongson, platoon leader of Bravo Company, 84IB, cited the need to prevent the IPs from being recruited by CTGs through the conduct of an information and education campaign.

“Kailangan natin mamulat ang mga tao at mga kapatid nating IPs na andito sa mga laylayan with regards sa deception ng CPP-NPA sapagkat napaka delikado kung sila ay ma-involve sa ganitong klasing mga organisasyon na makakapagpahamak ng buhay nila (We need to make the people and our brother and sister IPs, who are on the fringe, to become aware with regard to the deception of the CPP-NPA because it is dangerous for them to get involved in this kind of organization that could ruin their lives),” he said in an interview.

Daly Carpio, an IP student and one of the participants, thanked the 84IB for sharing information about the deceptive recruitment of the CTGs.

“Gusto po naming makapagtapos ng aming pag-aaral at ayaw namin na makuha kami ng kabilang panig (CPP-NPA) at matutulad sa mga kabataang nasira ang buhay dahil sa NPA (We want to finish our studies and we do not want to be recruited by the other side (CPP-NPA) and be like the youth whose lives were destroyed due to the NPA),” she said.

Meanwhile, Ileto appealed to the IPs to continuously support the government in its quest to end insurgency in the country.

On the other hand, Maj. Gen. Andrew D. Costelo, 7ID commander, lauded the initiative of the 84IB as he assured that the troops will continue to conduct peace and development programs in partnership with other government agencies to prevent the recruitment of communist terrorists in vulnerable areas.

“As we said, prevention is better than cure. Let us raise the awareness of the people on how dangerous it is to be deceived by the CTGs. Let us help the people to avoid the circumstances where they could be recruited by the CPP-NPA. The 7ID and its line units are always here to protect our people no matter what the cost,” Costelo said.

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

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1176723

Extreme hunger, exhaustion force 2 brothers to abandon NPA

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 15, 2022): Extreme hunger, exhaustion force 2 brothers to abandon NPA (By Mary Judaline Partlow)

SURRENDER. Two brothers who confessed to being members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army surrendered to joint military and police authorities on Wednesday (June 15, 2022) in Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental. The brothers said extreme hunger, exhaustion, and other difficulties in the underground movement pushed them to give up their armed struggle. (Photo courtesy of 11IB, Philippine Army)

Two brothers who claimed to be regular members of a local guerrilla unit of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) on Wednesday surrendered to military and police authorities in Barangay Nagbinlod, Sta. Catalina town in Negros Oriental.

They were identified only as Ka Daniel and Ka Aguilos, who joined the rebel organization in 2015 and in 2021, respectively, according to 1Lt. Pearl Lanuza, Civil-Military Operations Officer of the 11th Infantry Battalion (11IB) of the Philippine Army based in Siaton, Negros Oriental.

Lanuza said the brothers submitted themselves to the Bravo Company of the 11IB, through the joint intelligence components of the battalion the 705th Maneuver Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 7 of the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Sta. Catalina local police.

In a telephone interview, 1Lt. Al-Rahji Junelle B. Sahipa, company commander of the Bravo Company, 11IB, said the siblings voluntarily surrendered to them at their detachment in Barangay Nagbinlod.

“Both of them are members of the local guerrilla unit of the South East Front (SEF) of the CPP-NPA and their surrender is part of our sustainment operations against the underground movement and perhaps they also feared for their lives due to our relentless military operations,” Sahipa said in mixed English and Filipino.

The two did not have any firearms with them although Sahipa said that they were “red fighters” while in the movement and they have warrants of arrest for various crimes such as murder.

Their identities were confirmed by a couple who were also former NPA members and surrendered last week in Sta. Catalina.

Sahipa thanked the local government unit of Sta. Catalina, headed by Mayor Peve Ligan, for the continued support provided to the law enforcement authorities and to former rebels.

The brothers said they decided to surrender after experiencing hardships like extreme hunger, exhaustion, and the dwindling support of the mass base, and after having realized that “it was all propaganda that they heard of the NPA contrary to what they were made to believe”.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Roderick Salayo, 11IB commander, told the Philippine News Agency in a separate phone interview, that the father of the brothers is also an active member of the NPA operating in the same area in southern Negros Oriental.

“The father is a hard-core member of the NPA and the brothers were recruited to the movement through him,” Salayo said. “The brothers have realized the importance of their families and having a decent income, and in fact, one of them has plans of getting married to her girlfriend.”

Salayo called on the remnants of the SEF, which the military said is already a dismantled guerilla front, to lay down their arms and surrender so they and their families can have a better and peaceful life outside of the underground movement, adding that they will not stop until the insurgency is totally crushed.

Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Leonardo Peña, commander of the 3rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army based in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental, was quoted by a media release from the 11IB as saying “the successive surrenders are solid proof that our collective efforts in the implementation of the Task Force-ELCAC (End Local Communist Armed Conflict) with the local government units, law enforcement counterparts and government line agencies are very effective and efficient.”

Lanuza said the latest NPA surrenderers will be turned over to the police for profiling and processing so they can be enrolled in the government’s Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-CLIP.

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

The 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/1176726

Army seizes 2 NPA IEDs, firearm in Surigao Norte

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 15, 2022): Army seizes 2 NPA IEDs, firearm in Surigao Norte (By Alexander Lopez)

SEIZED WAR MATERIEL. Two improvised explosive devices, a high-powered firearm, and ammunition seized by troopers of the 30th Infantry Battalion after a 30-minute skirmish with communist New People’s Army rebels Tuesday (June 14, 2022) in San Francisco municipality, Surigao del Norte province. The encounter broke out after villagers reported the presence of the NPA rebels in the area. (Photo courtesy of 30IB)

Government forces have recovered war matériel following a clash with New People’s Army guerrillas in the Surigao del Norte town of San Francisco, the military said Wednesday.

The Army’s 30th Infantry Battalion (IB) said government troops responded to a civilian report on the presence of an undetermined number of NPA rebels harassing the residents of remote Sitio Tigbao, Barangay Balite, Tuesday.

“As our troops were approaching Sitio Tigbao, the rebels opened fire that resulted in a 30-minute gunfight,” the 30IB said in a statement Wednesday.

Intelligence reports said the insurgents belong to the NPA's Guerrilla Front 16, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee, led by a certain Pablo Logatiman.

The Philippine Air Force also sent two 520MG attack helicopters in the area that provided airpower support to the 30IB ground troops, 30IB said, adding the rebels immediately fled in different directions after the firefight.

“No government trooper was hurt during the encounter,” it added.

Government forces recovered from the encounter site an M16 rifle, two improvised explosive devices, nine pieces of batteries, one electrical tester, two rolls of electric wire, two poncho tents, and other belongings.

According to the 30IB, the Army unit has been conducting its Community Support Program (CSP) in Barangay Balite since January 24 this year.

Through the CSP, the 30IB said the residents in Barangay Balite withdrew their support from the NPA and pledged allegiance to the government.

Lt. Col. Ryen Charles Callanta, 30IB commander, urged the remaining NPA rebels in the area to surrender and reunite with their families.

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/1176695