PH, Vietnam pledge progress on South China Sea code of conduct

From CNN Philippines (May 18, 2023): PH, Vietnam pledge progress on South China Sea code of conduct (By CNN Philippines Staff)

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 18) — The Philippines and Vietnam have vowed to push for the completion of the South China Sea code of conduct and strengthen their maritime ties, as both nations expressed “serious concern” over aggressive actions that threaten peace in the region.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the Philippines and Vietnam committed to working closely to come up with “an effective and substantive” code of conduct on the disputed waters.

The code is envisioned to prevent any armed confrontation in the contested waterway, in which China, Taiwan, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei have overlapping territorial claims.

“The Philippines and Vietnam had the opportunity to exchange views on the situation in the South China Sea," the DFA said. "The two countries expressed serious concern over unilateral activities that undermine peace and stability in the region."

Previous reports showed China’s bullying and aggression against some Asian countries like the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia. China also has a conflict with Taiwan as Beijing claims the island as part of its territory.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier said the Philippine government would initiate talks with Vietnam regarding recent maritime disputes.

READ: Marcos eyes PH-Vietnam agreement amid maritime disputes

In March, the Philippine Coast Guard reported that there were Vietnamese vessels and 20 other Chinese ships spotted in waters off Sabina and Ayungin shoals.

According to the DFA, both countries also agreed to work closely in protecting their rights and interests under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Assistant Secretary for Maritime and Ocean Affairs Maria Angela Ponce, the head of the Philippine delegation, said discussions with their counterparts were “critical in strengthening the friendship and strategic partnership between the Philippines and Vietnam.”

She added that the two nations “work towards promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.”

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/5/18/ph-vietnam-south-china-sea-code-of-conduct.html

Marcos OKs law amending fixed terms in AFP

From CNN Philippines (May 18, 2023): Marcos OKs law amending fixed terms in AFP (By CNN Philippines Staff)

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 18) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed the law amending the measure that provides fixed terms for ranking officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Approved on May 17 but released to the media on Wednesday, Republic Act No 11939 amends Republic Act No 11709, which former President Rodrigo Duterte approved in April 2022. RA 11709 sets a fixed term for key military positions.

But under RA 11939, the chief of staff of the AFP would only have a maximum tour of duty of three consecutive years unless sooner terminated by the president.

The following officers, meanwhile, would get a maximum tour of duty of two consecutive years, unless earlier terminated:

— Commanding General, Philippine Army

— Commanding General, Philippine Air Force

— Flag Officer In Command, Philippine Navy

— Superintendent, Philippine Military Academy

The new law also states that the officers holding the abovementioned positions would not be eligible for any post in the AFP unless promoted to chief of staff.

Retirement is also compulsory for officers in the grades of second lieutenant/ensign to lieutenant general/vice admiral when they reach the age of 57 years old or after their 30 years of active duty.

Lawmakers pushed for the amendment to appease “grumblings” in the AFP.

Defense department office-in-charge Carlito Galvez Jr. admitted last January that there were grumblings over the AFP fixed term law as it could halt the promotion of thousands of enlisted personnel, affecting the morale of soldiers.

READ: Galvez admits 'grumblings' within AFP over fixed term law

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/5/18/marcos-law-amending-fixed-terms-afp.html

NPA rebel with murder case nabbed in Parañaque

From the Philippine News Agency (May 17, 2023): NPA rebel with murder case nabbed in Parañaque (By Connie Calipay)

Camp Gen. Simeon Ola, headquarters of the Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO5) (PNA file photo)

LEGAZPI CITY – A member of the New People’s Army (NPA) facing murder charge was nabbed during a manhunt operation conducted by operatives of the Police Regional Office-Bicol (PRO5) in Parañaque City on Tuesday, a police report said.

In an interview on Wednesday, Lt. Col. Malu Calubaquib, PRO5 spokesperson, identified the suspect as Ferdinand Nolasco, 42, an active NPA member belonging to Platoon 3, Komite ng Probinsya 3 of the Albay Bicol Regional Party Committee (BRPC).

"He is being indicted with the crime of murder with no bail recommended issued by the court," she said.

Calubaquib said Nolasco was tracked down after the conduct of surveillance and intelligence operations starting in April.

He was finally arrested around 5:20 p.m. in Barangay San Dionisio after the service of a warrant of arrest by joint personnel of the different units of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Army (PA).

"The accused is now under the custody of Guinobatan Municipal Police Station for proper disposition and documentation. Heeding the call for peace and order, PRO5 is strongly determined to put behind bars offenders in order to curb lawlessness and criminality with the help of the communities and other stakeholders in the region," Calubaquib said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1201678

Slain NPA leader in Surigao Sur ignored pleas to surrender

From the Philippine News Agency (May 17, 2023): Slain NPA leader in Surigao Sur ignored pleas to surrender (By Alexander Lopez)

PARENTS' PLEA. Eric Mahinay Colon, one of the three NPA leaders killed in an encounter last May 11, 2023 in Cantilan, Surigao del Sur, had received several pleas from his parents to surrender but refused. This was according to the rebel’s father, Arnolfo Colon, who issued a statement Wednesday (May 16, 2023) during his son's wake at their residence in Barangay Mat-i, Surigao City. (Photo courtesy of 4ID)

BUTUAN CITY – One of the three leaders of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the Caraga Region killed during the encounter on May 11 Cantilan town, Surigao del Sur, disregarded his parents' pleas to surrender peacefully.

Eric Mahinay Colon, the political guide of the NPA Squad 1, Sentro De Grabidad 16 (SDG-16), North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC), died during a clash in Barangay Lobo, Cantilan, with combined forces of the Army’s 30th and 36th Infantry Battalions.

Two other NPA leaders who died in the encounter were identified as Alberto Castaneda, the commander of Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda 16C of the weakened NPA Guerrilla Front 16, NEMRC; and Ranjie Pertos, vice squad leader of SDG-16.

“We tried to convince him many times to surrender and go home, but he refused,” Arnolfo Colon, Eric's father, said in a video message to the 36IB, a copy of which was obtained by the Philippine News Agency on Wednesday.

The elder Colon said his son once worked in a mining tunnel in their town when he was recruited by the rebels.

“He was with the NPA for almost eight years and gained nothing. We told him to surrender for the sake of his good future, but he continued to refuse,” Colon said.

With the death of his son, Colon pleaded with the remaining NPA rebels in the area to accept the offer of the government to surrender.

“It's not too late to decide and go back to your families. The government is offering programs and services to renew your lives,” Colon said.

He also thanked the government for assisting his family with the proper burial of his slain son.

Slain NPA leaders Colon and Pertos are from Barangay Mat-i in Surigao City, and Sison town, Surigao del Norte, respectively.

Castaneda, the highest NPA leader killed in the encounter, is from Samar province.

Another NPA leader falls

Meanwhile, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in the Caraga Region (CIDG-13) reported the arrest of an NPA leader in a police operation on Tuesday in Barangay Mat-i, Surigao City.

CIDG-13 chief, Col. Joseph Boquiren, identified the arrested NPA leader as Chanlie Embili Godez, of Barangay Magsaysay, Placer, Surigao del Norte.

Godez is described as the political guide of the Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda of NPA Guerrilla Front 16C, NEMRC.

Boquiren said Godez has a standing arrest warrant for violation of Republic Act 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 29 in Surigao City.

Godez is also considered the fifth most wanted person in the region, Boquiren added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1201669

Schools to rise in remote Samar villages to stop NPA recruitment

From the Philippine News Agency (May 17, 2023): Schools to rise in remote Samar villages to stop NPA recruitment (By Roel Amazona)

NO SCHOOL. Matuguinao, Samar Mayor Aran Boller (sitting on stairs) talks to children and parents of remote San Roque village. The community, the farthest from the town center, has no school. (Photo from FB page of Aran Boller)

TACLOBAN CITY – The local government unit of Matuguinao, Samar is opening more primary schools in remote communities to help stop the recruitment activities of the New People's Army (NPA).

Elementary campuses will open in Bag-otan and Camonoan villages this year, said Mayor Aran Boller in a phone interview on Wednesday.

Currently, the 300 learners from these two villages have to walk for hours to attend classes in neighboring villages. Students in Camonoan attend classes in San Jose village in Gandara town while learners from Bag-otan are enrolled in schools at the town center.

“After decades of aspiration to have a school in their village, finally this will be realized this year. The evaluation conducted by the Department of Education (DepEd) regional office had a positive result. We expect that by August, these two villages will have classrooms,” he said.

The construction of classrooms will be funded by the DepEd while the lot is donated by the local government.

The Matuguinao local government also aims the establishment of a primary school in the farthest village of San Roque.

“When I went there, I learned that there were residents who were almost as old as me but had never been to school, not even in a daycare,” Boller added.

Going to San Roque takes a day-long hike. The easiest way of going to the village is to pass through Silvino Lobos town in Northern Samar.

The village was declared insurgency free in 2021, but there are still sightings of the communist armed group crossing the boundaries of Northern Samar to the other two Samar Island provinces.

The problem of illiteracy makes children vulnerable to recruitment by the New People's Army, the mayor said.

“As a leader, it’s depressing to know that this is happening to the youth. That is why it is not surprising that they are easily recruited by the communist group because they can’t even read or write. They can’t identify letters nor numbers. So, we really need to provide and give directions to the youth,” Boller said.

He added that after his visit, he immediately wrote a letter to the education department to build a school in San Roque village.

Aside from primary school, Boller has bared the DepEd's plan to establish two new secondary schools, which will cater to high school students living in far-flung villages of the town.

At present the town has only one secondary school, the Matuguinao National High School situated in the town proper.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1201671

Renewal and realignment in the US–Philippines alliance16 May 2023

Posted to the East Asia Forum (May 16, 2023: Renewal and realignment in the US–Philippines alliance16 May 2023 (By Narupat Rattanakit, American University)

On 11 April 2023, a significant ministerial dialogue between the United States and the Philippines took place after a tumultuous period in the alliance under the previous administrations of presidents Rodrigo Duterte and Donald Trump. It followed the largest ever US–Philippines joint military drill. This historic moment demonstrates a renewed US commitment to modernising interoperability with one of its oldest allies in Asia.



Recent developments have increased the impetus for the alliance’s renewal. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has expressed concerns that a military battle between the United States and China over Taiwan will almost certainly entangle the Philippines. The highly contested grey zone of the South China Sea — an area in which China is making aggressive territorial claims and deploying military assets to disputed islands — is causing significant concern among neighbouring countries. These fears have escalated since the China–Philippines standoff at Scarborough Shoal in 2012.

In the context of China’s assertiveness, the United States has reiterated its commitment to the Philippines and its willingness to help defend the nation’s sovereignty in the South China Sea. The US–Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, which was signed in 1951, serves as the foundation for this commitment, providing for the mutual defence of both countries in the event of an armed attack.

Given the rising geopolitical tensions between the United States and China, Marcos’s call to ‘[evolve] the alliance to make it more responsive to present and emerging challenges’ has been heeded by Manila and Washington. One example of this closer alignment between the two nations are efforts to modernise the US–Philippines alliance. In April 2023, Philippine National Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin discussed plans to operationalise four new Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement sites, deepening military interoperability between the United States and the Philippines.

The new Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement sites are also expected to support combined training, exercises and other operational activities between US and Philippine armed forces, enabling the countries to effectively respond to shared security challenges. It was made clear that the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement is primarily about the Philippines’ interests, not Taiwan’s. The United States has allocated over US$82 million for projects in these locations, which also aims to support economic growth and job creation in local Philippine communities.

The two countries have made further commitments to building interoperability and cooperation in both conventional and unconventional domains, particularly for disaster relief and maritime security. This includes adopting a security roadmap to guide shared defence modernisation investments and inform the delivery of priority platforms over the next five to ten years.

The US and Philippine defence secretaries recognised the value of collaborating closely with like-minded countries such as Japan, members of the AUKUS trilateral security partnership and ASEAN. The potential to strengthen operational cooperation with partners such as Japan and Australia was recognised, which could include observation and participation in trilateral and multilateral exercises.

Both the United States and the Philippines backed the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific in April 2023 and stressed the need for regional alliances and arrangements in maintaining ASEAN’s prominence. The secretaries agreed on the necessity of expanding economic and security cooperation with other Southeast Asian partners through a variety of measures, including joint training and capacity building. But ASEAN’s ineffectiveness over the years, particularly in solving the Myanmar crisis, has increased the likelihood that the Philippines will concentrate more on improving bilateral relations with the United States.

The Balikatan military exercises — held annually between the United States and the Philippines to improve combined planning, combat readiness and interoperability — reinforce the Philippines’ commitment to integrating the US security alliance into its broader regional network. The most recent exercise was the most advanced in history, involving 12,200 US forces, 5400 Filipino forces and a diverse set of multilateral partners.

Despite the commitment to a renewed US–Philippines alliance, its long-term success will largely depend on how the Marcos administration manoeuvres domestic opposition. Various groups including the Filipino–Chinese business community, former president Rodrigo Duterte, and Marcos’ sister oppose an alignment with the US in the face of China. As a result of this, Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo expressed in his most recent remarks in Washington a mix of joy and caution within alliance commemorations. For the US–Philippines alliance to succeed and adapt to the realities of the 21st century, it must become stronger, more resilient and wary of domestic opposition.

[Narupat Rattanakit is a Fellow in the Pericles Institute, a think tank based at American University.
https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/05/16/renewal-and-realignment-in-the-us-philippines-alliance/]

‘Internal cleansing’ among Negros NPA – Army

From the Visayan Daily Star (May 17, 2023): ‘Internal cleansing’ among Negros NPA – Army (By GILBERT P. BAYORAN)

Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin* Capitol PIO photo

Following deaths of its top leaders in Negros Island, the New People’s Army is now conducting an “internal cleansing” among their ranks, revealed yesterday by Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin, who is the 303rd Infantry Brigade commander.

The killing of Rogelio Posadas, secretary of the Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor, and NPA regional commander Romeo Nanta, among other key leaders, created a leadership vacuum, confusion and disillusionment among them members, which also prompted some of their members to surrender, Edralin said.

From January up to this time, he reported that 14 rebels, including its top leaders, died in separate gunbattles, military records show.

Edralin said the neutralization of its key leaders is a big setback to the CPP NPA in Negros Island, which shows that the communist terrorist organization continues to weaken.

A total of 69 former rebels, who recently surrendered to authorities, availed of financial assistance from the government.

With many rebels abandoning the armed struggle, Edralin said “we are winning the peace”.

He also encouraged former rebels to serve as “instruments of peace”, by helping the government’s effort in convincing their former comrades to surrender and live peacefully with their respective families.

Edralin said the Northern Negros Front has been declared as “dismantled” since April 21, 2021, while the Central Negros 1 and 2 also declared as “weakened”.

He said the dismantling of two guerilla fronts in central Negros will be made possible, through the cooperation and support of the people.

Edralin supervises the internal security operations of 79th, 62nd and 94th Infantry Battalions in Negros Island.

https://visayandailystar.com/internal-cleansing-among-negros-npa-army/

Gov’t troops quell NPA rebels’ comeback bid in insurgency-free Aklan

From the Manila Bulletin (May 16, 2023): Gov’t troops quell NPA rebels’ comeback bid in insurgency-free Aklan (By TARA YAP)

ILOILO CITY – The 12th Infantry Battalion (IB) of the Philippine Army thwarted the New People’s Army’s bid to infiltrate an Aklan province that has long been declared insurgency free.



ITEMS recovered after NPA rebels clashed with the Army in Libacao town, Aklan province. (12th IB)

The rebels – about 10 in number – reemerged on Sunday, May 14, and tried to attack the civilians in Labacao town, but the government forces were there to deny them.

The 12th IB troops and the NPA rebels exchanged fire at Sitio Inuran, Dalagsaan village before the rebels withdrew.

No one was hurt from the government side, but there may have been wounded on the side of the NPA as bloodstains were found on their withdrawal routes.

The military recovered a caliber .45 pistol with magazine and several rounds of ammunition, a commercial radio, a backpack, an NPA flag, mobile phones, and tablets in the encounter site.

The hierarchy of the 3rd Infantry Division (ID) lauded the local residents for giving information of extortion activities in the area.

“The strong level of alertness displayed by the residents of Dalagsaan in Libacao is all we need in sustaining peace and progress in Western and Central Visayas,” said Major Gen. Marion Sison, commanding general of the 3rd ID.

“We are grateful that Aklanons maintain a sense of responsibility for protecting their peaceful communities,” added Sison.

With the sustained campaign of the government troops in the area, peace and order remained in Aklan which was declared insurgency-free in December 2011.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/5/16/gov-t-troops-quell-npa-rebels-comeback-bid-in-insurgency-free-aklan

100 ex-rebels receive P500K financial assistance

From the Philippine News Agency (May 16, 2023): 100 ex-rebels receive P500K financial assistance (By John Rey Saavedra)

AID FOR EX-REBELS. Former rebels (right) receive PHP5,000 financial assistance each from the office of Senator Ronald dela Rosa on Monday (May 15, 2023). Major Joe Patrick Martinez, chief of the 3rd Civil Relations Group, on Wednesday (May 17, 2023) said about PHP500,000 cash aid was distributed to close to 100 former rebels in Cebu during the Visayas Command's peace consultation activity in Carmen, Cebu on Monday (May 15). (Photo courtesy of 3rd Civil Relations Group)

CEBU CITY – At least 100 former rebels (FR) in Cebu have received almost PHP500,000 worth of financial assistance from the office of Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, an Army official said on Wednesday.

Major Joe Patrick Martinez, group commander of the 3rd Civil Relations Group, said the PHP5,000 cash grant for each rebel returnee was distributed through the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Central Visayas during the peace and consultation organized by the Visayas Command (Viscom) on Monday at the Carmen town gymnasium.

The assistance could be used by the FRs as capital for their small-scale livelihood project while processing their accreditation and more livelihood programs from DOLE-7.

“The engagement of Viscom with the former rebels was also a complete package such as peace dialogue with the government agencies to know their issues and concerns, seminar from the DOLE-7 for the accreditation and sustainment of their organization,” Martinez told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) in an interview.

He said giving sustainable livelihood programs to the FRs would encourage other active New People’s Army rebels to surrender and support the peace and development efforts of the government.

Most of the FR beneficiaries are from mid-north Cebu towns like Compostela, Danao City, Carmen, Catmon, Sogod, Tuburan.

Paulino Lingues, a former rebel from Barangay Lawaan, Danao City expressed his gratitude to the national government, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Dela Rosa’s office, saying that the cash assistance was already a big help for them.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1201667