CPP/NPA-Front Twelve/NPA-Southern Panay: Pananakot sa Tubungan LGU, Ipinagkakaila ng NPA

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (Jun 7, 2023): Pananakot sa Tubungan LGU, Ipinagkakaila ng NPA (Threat to Tubungan LGU, Denied by NPA)

 

Ang artikulong ito ay may salin sa Hiligaynon

Ariston Remus

Spokesperson

NPA-Front Twelve (Napoleon Tumagtang Command)

NPA-Southern Panay | Panay Regional Operational Command

New People's Army

June 07, 2023

Malakas na ipinagkakaila ng Napoleon Tumagtang Command, NPA- Southern Panay ang alegasyon at ipinangangalandakan sa media na pagteterorisa raw sa Tubungan LGU! Hindi kagagawan at walang kinalaman ang NPA sa pagpigil daw sa implementasyon ng mga proyekto ng NTF-ELCAC (National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict) sa Tubungan, Iloilo at pagpadala ng pulang bandera kay PESO Officer Emelyn Estando Tano.

Hindi na kailangang magbanta pa upang malantad sa malawak na masa ang nasabing programa at mga proyekto. Sa matagalan at sa madali, mapapatunayan ng sambayanan na pakunwari lamang at hindi ito makalulutas sa mga sandigang problema sa lupa, mahal na farm inputs, mababang presyo ng kanilang produkto, kumakarerang pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin at kanilang mga pangangailangan. Hindi malulutas ng kalsada at imprastruktura ang kahirapan at kagutuman na iniinda ng masa. Sa halip nananatili itong gatasan at sorsa ng korapsyon ng NTF-ELCAC at mga alipores nito.

Mariin kaming naniniwala na kaparte ito ng dirty tricks at psywar na hakbangin ng pasistang estado at NTF- ELCAC sa hangad na sirain at batikusin ng sambayanan ang NPA. Sa isang banda, itulak ang lokal na gubyerno na kumontra sa rebolusyon. Kaparte din ito ng drama upang pagtakpan ang katotohanang hindi na maipapatupad ang proyekto dahil nilamon na ng masiba na mga buwaya ng NTF-ELCAC ang pondo.

Sa katapusan, nananawagan kami sa malawak na sambayanan na maging matalas na unawain ang kalagayan at pumili ng wastong landas sa paglutas ng hinaharap na mga problema. Wala tayong maaasahang pundamental na solusyon mula sa korap, pasista at maki-dayuhang rehimeng Marcos II. Magpupursige kami sa pagpukaw at pag-organisa ng malawak na sambayanan upang buuin ang matibay na lakas na magluluwal ng tunay na kalayaan at demokrasya.

https://philippinerevolution.nu/statements/pananakot-sa-tubungan-lgu-ipinagkakaila-ng-npa/

CPP/CPP-Ilocos-Cordillera Regional Committee: Surface Dexter Capuyan and Bazoo De Jesus! Stop perpetrating enforced disappearances! Respect the rights of civilians and hors de combat!

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (Jun 7, 2023): Surface Dexter Capuyan and Bazoo De Jesus! Stop perpetrating enforced disappearances! Respect the rights of civilians and hors de combat!

 

This article is available in Pilipino

CPP Ilocos-Cordillera Regional Committee

Ilocos-Cordillera Regional Operational Command (Chadli Molintas Command)

New People's Army

Communist Party of the Philippines

June 07, 2023

The Ilocos-Cordillera Regional Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the Chadli Molintas Command (Ilocos-Cordillera Regional Operational Command) of the New People’s Army (NPA), condemn in the strongest terms the perpetration of enforced disappearances by the fascist regime of Ferdinand Marcos Jr, and challenge the Philippine government to fully respect the rights of civilians and hors de combat.

Dexter Capuyan and Gene Roz Jamil “Bazoo” De Jesus are victims of enforced disappearance. They were abducted on April 28, 2023. They have since been unlawfully deprived of their liberty, detained incommunicado in unknown locations, and possibly tortured or subjected to cruel, degrading, and inhumane treatment.

Continually carried out in the various regions of the country, enforced disappearance is being perpetrated by no other than the tyrannical Commander-in-Chief, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, through his pro-US imperialist state’s military and police forces. Marcos Jr and his forces should be held accountable for violating their own Philippine government’s Republic Act No. 10353, the Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act of 2012.

The aforementioned law recognizes the right of Dexter Capuyan and Bazoo De Jesus to be treated humanely and surfaced immediately by their abductors–who initially identified themselves as operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG). If the two are accused of any crime, they should be allowed to face the charges against them in open court.

Furthermore, the law obliges the government’s Commission on Human Rights to heed the urgent calls of the Capuyan and De Jesus families to mount an impartial investigation into the enforced disappearance of the two victims, locate their whereabouts, and have them surfaced as soon as possible.

Through its propagandists in Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), the state’s National Task Force-End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) has broadcasted the information that Dexter Capuyan was a ranking NPA officer and, at the time of his abduction, was in Metro Manila to seek medical treatment for complications to a chest injury that he had sustained in a March 2023 firefight in Balbalan, Kalinga between the NPA and the AFP. Through SMNI, the state has thus portrayed Dexter Capuyan as hors de combat.

International Humanitarian Law (IHL), applicable to both international and non-international or domestic armed conflicts, prohibits attacks on hors de combat–persons whom injury, capture, or similar circumstance has taken out of the fight. This is specifically provided by Rule 47. International Humanitarian Law also protects civilians from attack. This is specifically provided by Rules 5 and 6, and by numerous other IHL Rules. The protection of civilians is, in fact, the cornerstone of the IHL Rules.

Bazoo De Jesus is a civilian.

Violations of the Rules protecting civilians and hors de combat are defined by International Humanitarian Law as war crimes. The enforced disappearance of a civilian and a person rendered hors de combat itself constitutes a war crime.

We urge Marcos Jr., his military and police forces, and the various agencies of the state to respect the rights of Dexter Capuyan and Roz Jamil “Bazoo” De Jesus. We demand that they surface the two immediately, without delay!

https://philippinerevolution.nu/statements/surface-dexter-capuyan-and-bazoo-de-jesus-stop-perpetrating-enforced-disappearances-respect-the-rights-of-civilians-and-hors-de-combat/

CPP/NDF-KAGUMA: Statement of Katipunan ng mga Gurong Makabayan (KAGUMA) on the Recent Public Appearance of Patricia Cierva and Cedrick CasañoRevolutionary pedagogy emancipates! Fascist coercive indoctrination is bound to fail!

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (Jun 6, 2023): Statement of Katipunan ng mga Gurong Makabayan (KAGUMA) on the Recent Public Appearance of Patricia Cierva and Cedrick CasañoRevolutionary pedagogy emancipates! Fascist coercive indoctrination is bound to fail!

 


Katipunan ng mga Gurong Makabayan (Kaguma)

National Democratic Front of the Philippines

June 06, 2023

Kaguma welcomes with trepidation the recent surfacing of Patricia Cierva and Cedrick Casaño, two students that were taken into custody by the military in Cagayan. At the same time, we still insist that the military and the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), now Chaired by Vice President Sara Duterte, are liable for the abduction of the two students and their companions, as well as Gene Roz Jamil “Bazoo” De Jesus who remain missing. It is inexplicable that the students and their companions were only presented to the public by the notorious NTF-ELCAC weeks after they were apprehended, and their disappearance made public by supporters, friends, and universities. Such deceitful maneuver deprives the individuals of their basic rights to contact their families and seek legal counsel. But more disquieting than these human rights violations is the torture that these individuals were conceivably subjected to. These barbaric acts, created and perfected during US-backed Marcos martial rule, wantonly disregards the humanitarian and human rights’ provisions of CARHRIL (Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law) specifically the following: The right not to be subjected to physical or mental torture, solitary confinement, rape and sexual abuse, and other inhuman, cruel o degrading treatment, detention and punishment (Article 2, Section 7).

As revolutionary educators, we abide by the basic principles of revolutionary pedagogy that we do not force or impose our ideas on the masses no matter how backward they may think. Revolutionary educators patiently learn from the masses about their conditions, problems, interests, and aspirations before it dares teach them what to do. As Jose Maria Sison, the greatest revolutionary teacher, our nation had ever produced once put it: “One should not throw big theories and big slogans without first learning the concrete conditions and problems of the people.” Therefore, contrary to the laughable decrepit accusations of NTF-ELCAC and their Medusa-like tentacles, the League of Filipino Parents and the senile members of the Duterte Youth, that allegedly communists “brainwash” students, it is now very obvious that the barbaric armed agents of the state and the asinine members of the NTF-ELCAC are the torture specialists who actually are “brainwashing” “fake” surrenderees so they can brag about their sham accomplishments to justify their stupid existence and steal billions of tax payers’ money for their bogus counter-insurgency programs.

As revolutionary educators, we cannot blame nor put the onus of responsibility to the “forced” and “coerced” surrenderees for publicly renouncing their political ideologies. We know that deep down the hearts of these revolutionaries, despite the machinations of the military and the scheming of NTF-ELCAC is the firm conviction that they have the correct line. In the end, if they denounce the revolutionary movement, it is not an argument against the objective and scientific historical truth of the national democratic revolution.

We therefore call on our fellow progressive and patriotic teachers to continue teaching our students the basic principles of national democratic struggle. After a long hiatus of being confined to modular learning and hybrid teaching, let us bring our students to the factories, expose them to striking workers, encourage them to do research on the working conditions of our farmers, ask them to write term papers by interviewing contractual workers on the alienation they experience. Let us not be satisfied with merely assigning progressive texts and readings for our classes. Vital though these readings, they are not substitute for learning with and from the masses. The counterrevolutionaries are miles away from the toiling masses. They have no roots in the daily grind of our people. That is the advantage of revolutionary teachers and education workers. Let’s build on this advantage so we can educate more students and persuade our fellow teachers to join the national democratic movement.

Kaguma members will neither cower nor be intimidated by the terroristic acts of NTF-ELCAC. We will be undeterred by the shameless propaganda of the armed agents of the state backed by the US-Marcos- Duterte regime. We will persevere in advancing our people’s protracted war until all fascists and imperialists are wiped out in our nation.

Down with fascism!
Down with the US-Marcos puppet regime!
Long live our educator martyrs!
Abolish NTF-Elcac!

https://philippinerevolution.nu/statements/revolutionary-pedagogy-emancipates-fascist-coercive-indoctrination-is-bound-to-fail/

Gibo’s first task: Fix MUP pension system

From the Philippine Star (Jun 8, 2023): Gibo’s first task: Fix MUP pension system (By Michael Punongbayan)

Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro Jr. holds his first press briefing as the newly appointed secretary of the Department of National Defense (DND) in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on June 07, 2023.
STAR / Ernie Penaredondo

MANILA, Philippines — Taking a cue from President Marcos who appointed him back to the Department of National Defense, DND Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said yesterday he would be prioritizing reforms in the military and other uniformed personnel (MUP) pension system.

In separate interviews before officially assuming his post at Camp Aguinaldo in a formal turnover ceremony, Teodoro revealed that Marcos gave him a “marching order” to focus on resolving issues concerning the pension of retired and active personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

“The first marching order of the President to me was the pension scheme for the armed forces, and a lot of work has been done toward that end and it’s a matter of continuing the work done,” he told ANC.

But before making a move, he commended his predecessor, Senior Undersecretary Carlito Galvez Jr., and the rest of the financial team of Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno for working together on possible reforms in the MUP pension system.

Marcos’ economic team is pushing to overhaul the pension system to avert what Diokno has described as fiscal collapse stemming from high pension costs. The reforms would cover retired and retiring soldiers.

“It’s a matter of really just communication and tweaking the basis of it,” said Teodoro, who served as DND secretary from 2007 to 2009 during the Arroyo administration.

He expressed confidence in being able to help address the issues “because I came from the financial sector also.”

“I was an independent director from the financial institution,” Teodoro said. “I can review it and see because we want a self-sustaining pension system as much as possible. But it needs in my experience a couple of years to load it up in order for that to be self-sustaining.”

Teodoro said he wants to ensure that prudential standards are put in the governance of whatever fund is made.

In addition, he emphasized that those responsible for managing the fund should adhere to fit and proper rules similar to those imposed on bankers by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.?While acknowledging the inherent risks involved in growing the fund, Teodoro highlighted the importance of maintaining a balance by implementing prudent standards.

In an interview with dzRH radio, Teodoro explained that part of his responsibility is to ensure that the affected personnel of the AFP fully comprehend the reforms being pursued by the government.

While acknowledging the progress already achieved, Teodoro emphasized that his role is to build upon and amplify the message, ensuring that it reaches all members of the military effectively.

Last April, Galvez issued a statement assuring active and retired military personnel that proposed MUP reforms are being carefully studied for their benefit.

AFP modernization

One commitment Teodoro intends to keep on top of his priorities list is the modernization of the AFP in order to maintain a credible defense posture in protecting and defending the country’s territory.

“That is an essential element of a strong nation,” he said in the interview with dzRH as he reaffirmed the government’s unwavering stance on not surrendering any inch of Philippine territory, particularly in the West Philippine Sea.

“The policy of the country is clear. We do not give up our rights based on the UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea), which is an existing law that defines your rights, your territory. That does not change,” he added.

Teodoro also underscored the need for a whole-of-government approach in addressing territorial issues, where national defense and civil defense awareness among the public are equally important.

Regarding the support from the United States through the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, Teodoro explained that further assistance and equipment would be based on the military’s needs and capabilities.

He emphasized the Philippines’ role as a strong partner in the Mutual Defense Treaty.
No talks with CPP-NPA

On dealing with the insurgency, Teodoro firmly stated that he will not recommend the resumption of peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

In the interview he gave to ANC, he emphasized his consistent stance on welcoming rebels back into the fold of the government for rehabilitation and new opportunities. “But to enter into peace talks, I have always been against that. Why will we enter into peace talks when they can go back and run for public office?” he said.

Teodoro cited that in other countries, the authority of the communist party is essentially a dictatorship, contradicting their claim of being a “dictatorship of the proletariat.”

Regarding concerns raised by certain sectors about human rights and red-tagging, Teodoro acknowledged that any violation of the law should be disciplined.

However, he pointed out the achievements of the National Task Force to End the Local Communist Armed Conflict in dismantling communist fronts.

Teodoro expressed his belief that the military may no longer need to aggressively pursue the NPA as many of the communist fronts have already been dismantled.

Nevertheless, he stressed the importance of remaining vigilant against all forms of terrorism to ensure the country’s development and security.

With his firm stance on peace talks and commitment to maintaining security, Teodoro sets a clear direction for his role as defense secretary in dealing with the CPP-NPA and safeguarding the nation’s interests.?Meanwhile, rights group Karapatan strongly criticized the appointments of Teodoro as defense chief and Teodoro Herbosa as secretary of the Department of Health.

Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay recalled that during Teodoro’s first stint as defense chief of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from August 2007 to October 2009, their group documented 181 cases of extrajudicial killings, 24 enforced disappearances, 20 abductions, 99 cases of torture, 456 illegal arrests and 164 illegal arrests with detention.

These abuses occurred during the implementation of Oplan Bantay Laya, which Palabay described as a brutal counterinsurgency campaign.

She also criticized Herbosa, accusing him of red-tagging and dismissing health care workers’ concerns instead of addressing their issues, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. — Emmanuel Tupas

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/06/08/2272274/gibos-first-task-fix-mup-pension-system

Teodoro eyes more funds for DND capital outlay, AFP modernization

From GMA News Online (Jun 7, 2023): Teodoro eyes more funds for DND capital outlay, AFP modernization (By JOVILAND RITA, GMA Integrated News)

“We cannot continue to have a DND without a capital outlay for our own Department. We need to build up the capabilities of this Department as part of the National Defense family. I would like to state that that is one of my goals to build up the capabilities of the DND proper,” Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said Wednesday. JOVILAND RITA

New Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. on Wednesday said he is targeting more funds for the capital outlay of the Department of National Defense (DND) and the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

At a press conference, Teodoro said he will continue to lobby these additional funds to the Congress.

“We cannot continue to have a DND without a capital outlay for our own Department. We need to build up the capabilities of this Department as part of the National Defense family.

“I would like to state that that is one of my goals to build up the capabilities of the DND proper,” he said.

Teodoro said these capital outlay funds will be inserted as an item in the General Appropriations Act (GAA).

He lamented the small office and manpower of the DND.

“Nakita nyo ang aming opisina napakaliit, iilan lang ang empleyado rito, cuatrocientos lang. Ang minamanage natin na stakeholders dito ay aabot na ng milyon,” he said. (You see our office is so small and employees are very few, around 400 only. We are managing many stakeholders reaching a million already.)

“Papaano ang manager to client ratio, masyadong malaki (How about the manager to client ratio? The difference is quite big)," he added.

Meanwhile, since the AFP already set the stages of the modernization program, Teodoro said he will only ensure that the assets that will be purchased are affordable and sustainable.

“They already set horizons for that that they have set for the upcoming year. We will continue to lobby Congress for that and for more funds,” he said.

“In the modernization, the AFP set the horizons. What we will do is to make sure that they get the best at the most affordable cost with the most sustainability as possible,” he added. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/872305/teodoro-eyes-more-funds-for-dnd-capital-outlay-afp-modernization/story/

VERA FILES FACT CHECK: Video DOES NOT show an ‘attack drone made in the Philippines’ False

 From Vera Files Fact Check (Jun 7, 2023): VERA FILES FACT CHECK: Video DOES NOT show an ‘attack drone made in the Philippines’ False (By VERA FILES)

A YouTube channel and a Facebook (FB) page uploaded a video of a drone firing missiles and claimed it was manufactured in the Philippines. This is not true. A company based in the United Kingdom designed the aerial vehicle in the video.

Uploaded on YouTube on April 25 and reposted on FB on May 23, the video bore the headline:

“PILIPINAS ATTCK (sic) DRONE SINUBUKAN NA (PHILIPPINES ATTACK DRONE HAS BEEN TESTED)! PHILIPPINE VINES BREAKING NEWS VIRAL.”

Tagged “breaking news,” the video’s thumbnail featured the drone with a digitally added Philippine flag. It also carried a text with a similar claim.

The clips show a drone hovering and launching missiles. The text in the video further claims that the aircraft “currently being developed” “can be used by the Philippines to defend its territory.”

This is false. Reverse image search revealed that the drone in the video is the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) Jackal drone, designed and developed by Flyby Technology based in Yorkshire.



Jackal, a Vertical Take Off and Landing aircraft, fired Thales Lightweight Multirole Missiles during the six-week testing exercise sponsored by RAF’s Rapid Capabilities Office in October 2022. Details of the trial were publicly revealed last April.

Thales released footage of the test and uploaded by The Sun’s YouTube channel on April 19. The Times also posted similar clips on Twitter two days earlier. These clips were mirrored in the false video.

The erroneous video was first circulated during the April 11 to 28 Balikatan exercise between the Philippines and United States forces.

YouTube channel Ella Vloggs’s (created on Feb. 15, 2019) post has 35,609 views as of writing. FB page Jaffar 1.7as (Feb. 16, 2023) uploaded a cropped version of the video garnering 1,100 reactions, 76 comments, 65 shares and 21,000 views.

This is not the first time that VERA Files Fact Check flagged this YouTube channel for spreading military-related disinformation. (Read The submarine in the video is NOT ‘Pinoy-made’)

https://verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-fact-check-video-does-not-show-an-attack-drone-made-in-the-philippines

Marines receive donated 25-hectare Calayan property for coastal defense

From the Business Mirror (Jun 7, 2023): Marines receive donated 25-hectare Calayan property for coastal defense (By Rene Acosta)

The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) has acquired a property in Calayan, Cagayan amid the corps continuing effort to help the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) build the country’s coastal defense.

The PMC, which has already formed its Coastal Defense Regiment being the first recipient of the soon to be delivered Brahmos missile, acquired a 25-hectare land out of a donation by the Calayan municipality.

Capt. Jarald Rea, PMC spokesman, said the property will be used to further boost the coastal defense of the country in the northern territory.

The property was turned over by Calayan Mayor Joseph Llopis to Armed Forces Northern Luzon Command commander Lt. Gen. Fernyl Buca, Marine commandant Major Gen. Arturo Rojas and retired Lt. Gen. Juancho Sabban, president of the Philippine Marine Corps Foundation, Inc.

“Calayan, as a strategic location, will help the AFP and the Philippine Marine Corps fulfill our mandate of protecting the people and securing the state,” said Buca during the turnover ceremony.

“As we perform our duty, it is awe-inspiring to have partners who share the same aspirations and offer simple gestures of generosity for the welfare of our people,” he added.

Cagayan, where Calayan is located, will host American troops and their equipment under the expanded Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the United States.

Two areas in Cagayan will serve as EDCA locations.

Rojas thanked Calayan for the donation, which he said will go a long way in the military’s effort to secure the country’s territory and sovereignty.

“With this deed of donation, the Philippine Marine Corps becomes that much closer to our goal of achieving a strong coastal defense of our country. Thank you for making a difference through your generosity. I assure you that we will make the best use of this property, which will be for the betterment of your community and the country,” he said.

Rea said the presence of the military in Calayan Island will support maritime governance, border security, environmental protection, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, and local economic development.

Calayan is also a venue for military exercises such as Balikatan and KAMANDAG that involve amphibious expeditionary operations in a littoral environment.

Troops from the Marine Battalion Landing Team-10 are currently stationed on the island.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2023/06/07/marines-receive-donated-25-hectare-calayan-property-for-coastal-defense/

‘Bangsamoro’ people long for peace, development in region

 From the Manila Bulletin (Jun 7, 2023): ‘Bangsamoro’ people long for peace, development in region (By FRANCK DICK ROSETE)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – A woman lamented she could have finished her studies were it not for frequent evacuations in their areas in Maguindanao del Sur.



LANAO del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr. (center), Maguindanao del Sur Gov. Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu (second from right), Tawi-Tawi Gov. Yshmael Sali (right), Sulu Gov. abdusakur Mahail Tan (second from left), and Mayor Hanie Bud of Maluso town, Basilan (left), representative of Basilan Gov. Jim Hataman Salliman, stand at the governors’ table for the opening prayer during the BARMM Governor’s Caucus (BGC) in Cagayan de Oro City on Tuesday, June 6. (Franck Dick Rosete)

This woman is just one of the thousands of Maguindanao residents who long to see peace in their areas.

The woman said when she was young, she had plans to finish her education, but she wasn’t able to do so because she frequently evacuated to different locations due to gun battles.

Now, as a parent, she wanted her children to achieve a goal she didn’t accomplish, something which can only be achieved if the “conflict” is ended.



A RESIDENT in Maguindanao del Sur expresses her concern in a video presentation during the BARMM Governor’s Caucus (BGC) in Cagayan de Oro City on Tuesday, June 6. (Franck Dick Rosete)


The woman’s concerns were actually the focus of a video presentation by the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Governors’ Caucus (BGC) held here on Tuesday, June 6.

"It would be nice that, hopefully, BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) would help us stop the battles here in our area. There’s no one else that could help here, only BARMM and its members," the woman resident said in her dialect in the video presentation.

The organizers of the event prepared a video presentation showcasing residents, not just in Maguindanao del Sur but also in other BARMM provinces, who were expressing their various concerns and asking for help from the government.

The governors of the five BARMM provinces made their collective commitment and vowed to strengthen their joint efforts in promoting rule of law, peace and order, and inclusive governance and development in the Bangsamoro region.

On April 4 this year, the Philippine Army 601st Infantry Brigade reported that more or less 3,200 residents were displaced in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town, Maguindanao del Sur, due to the gun battles between two armed groups of the 105th and 118th base commands of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front-Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (MILF-BIAF).



THE Philippine Army 601st Infantry Brigade conducts dialogue between the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) and Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG), the Philippine National Police, and the local government unit of Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur, after encounters between the 105th and 118th base commands, BIAF-MILF, on April 4, 2023. (File photo courtesy of the 601st Infantry Brigade Facebook page)

For most of the residents in the region, stopping the battles is already a “huge help” in order to live a peaceful life and have a better future for their children.

Another Maguindanao del Sur resident, who lay low from the MILF, questioned the undying gun battles and just wanted to have a job to sustain the needs of his family.

"I’m too old to hold an arm… I’m having a hard time, and I just want my children to finish their studies," the male resident said in their dialect.

Maguindanao del Sur Gov. Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu stressed during the BGC that governance and development in the BARMM must be inclusive in order to address the “feelings of marginalization by citizens, which trigger rebellion and violent extremism.”

"Public funds must benefit the greatest number of constituents," Mangudadatu said.

Meanwhile, Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr., said the caucus noted that the security challenges in the BARMM were "not sufficiently addressed because of the unclear and overlapping mandates of law enforcement agencies and the peace mechanisms."

He stressed that maintaining peace and order is the joint responsibility of the national and regional governments, local government units (LGUs), and law enforcement agencies.

He added that the Caucus will reach out to the national and regional governments and the peace mechanisms towards improving coordination and interoperability in law enforcement in the communities.

The “rule of law,” which was elaborated by Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Mahail Tan, the “peace and order” elaborated by Adiong, and the “inclusive governance and development” elaborated by Mangudadatu are the priority issues of the caucus – a platform to promote the common issues of the constituents of the LGUs in the BARMM.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/6/7/bangsamoro-people-long-for-peace-development-in-region

Teen son of Jolo cathedral suicide bombers rescued from Abu Sayyaf

From Rappler (Jun 7, 2023): Teen son of Jolo cathedral suicide bombers rescued from Abu Sayyaf (By FERDINANDH CABRERA)

'

He is still young, and we are hopeful that, with proper guidance and counseling, he will be able to walk back on the right path and build a better future,' says Western Mindanao Command chief Lieutenant General Roy Galido

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Members of the 5th Army Scout Ranger Battalion on Saturday, June 3, rescued from a terrorist group the teenager son of the Indonesian suicide bombers behind the Jolo cathedral explosions in 2019.

“He is still young, and we are hopeful that, with proper guidance and counseling, he will be able to walk back on the right path and build a better future,” Western Mindanao Command chief Lieutenant General Roy Galido said, referring to the rescued teen.

The troops of Joint Task Force Basilan rescued the Indonesian teenager in Sitio Lobloban, Barangay Guiong, Sumisip, Basilan, after a relentless chase after the Sulu-based Daulah Islamiyah-Abu Sayyaf Group sub-leader Mudzrimar Sawadjaan, a.k.a. Mundi, and Basilan-based ASG sub-leader Pasil Bayali, a.k.a. Kera.

Galido said the scout rangers were able to locate position of the targets, but the latter escaped upon sensing the presence of the troops, and left behind the Indonesian teenager.

The Western Mindanao Command reported that Mundi brought along the Indonesian teenager as they fled Sulu to evade the relentless combat operation of the 1103rd Infantry Brigade.

Joint Task Force Basilan Acting Commander Colonel Frederick Sales identified the rescued minor by his alias Addih.

He was confirmed to be the 15-year-old son of the late couple Rullie Rian Zeke, a.k.a. Abbang Rullie, and his wife Ulfah Handayani Saleh, who were behind the 2019 Jolo cathedral suicide bombings.

The troops brought the rescued Indonesian teenager to the hospital for a medical check-up and to undergo counseling.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/mindanao/teenager-son-jolo-cathedral-suicide-bombers-rescued-from-abu-sayyaf/

2 suspected members of Daulah Islamiyah, Abu Sayyaf killed in Basilan

From GMA News Online (Jun 7, 2023): 2 suspected members of Daulah Islamiyah, Abu Sayyaf killed in Basilan (By JOVILAND RITA, GMA Integrated News)

Two alleged members of terrorist groups Daulah Islamiyah (DI) and Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) were killed in an operation in Sumisip, Basilan on Tuesday, the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) said Wednesday.

In a statement, the Westmincom said the two, whom the military did not name, were under DI-ASG subleader Mudzrimar Sawadjaan or Mundi and ASG subleader Pasil Bayali or Kera.

The Joint Task Force Basilan conducted a focused military operation against Mundi and Kera in Sitio Talisay, Barangay Upper Benembengan on the wee hours of Tuesday.

Two cadavers were recovered during the clearing operation.

The bodies were turned over to the barangay chairman of Upper Benembengan and the Sumisip Police for proper disposition, according to the military.

On Saturday, government troops were able to locate the harboring position of Mundi.

The operation resulted in the rescue of an Indonesian teenager identified as the son of the Jolo Cathedral suicide bomber, the militray said.

“Your armed forces will not stop its military operations until the terror groups are completely crushed,” Westmincom chief Lieutenant General Roy Galido said.

“We have highly motivated and committed forces currently deployed to eliminate the threats and secure the communities in Basilan,” he added.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/872307/2-suspected-members-of-daulah-islamiyah-abu-sayyaf-killed-in-basilan/story/

2 terrorists killed in Basilan clash

From the Manila Times (Jun 9, 2023): 2 terrorists killed in Basilan clash (By Al Jacinto)

ZAMBOANGA CITY: The Philippine Army reported on Wednesday the killing of two pro-Islamic State (IS) fighters in a clash in the southern Muslim province of Basilan, south of here.

It said the two terrorists were followers of Dawlah Islamiya sub-leader Mudzrimar Sawadjaan and Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Pasil Bayali. They were killed by soldiers in the hinterlands of Sumisip town late on Tuesday, June 6, in continuing operations that started three days earlier.

Col. Frederick Sales, the acting commander of the Joint Task Force-Basilan, identified the two slain terrorists only by their aliases Dodong and Boy. He said their remains were handed over to the local police.

There were no reports on Sawadjaan or Bayali, although troops earlier recovered Ahmad Ibrahim Rullie, the 15-year-old son of Indonesian suicide bombers in the area.

Rullie's parents — Rullie Rian Zeke and Ulfah Handayani Saleh — were tagged in the January 2019 bombing at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel in downtown Jolo in Sulu province.

Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, vowed to crush the terrorist groups and said the operations against the terrorist groups continue in the province, a major stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf and other armed groups.

"Your armed forces will not stop its military operations until the terror groups are completely crushed. We have highly motivated and committed forces currently deployed to eliminate the threats and secure the communities in Basilan," he said.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/06/08/regions/2-terrorists-killed-in-basilan-clash/1894999

Bulatlat: Rights group alarmed over reports of int’l humanitarian law violations

Anti-government/military propaganda article posted to the pro-CPP/NPA/NDF online propaganda publication Bulatlat (Jun 7, 2023): Rights group alarmed over reports of int’l humanitarian law violations (Anne Marxze Umil)

Groups demand justice for New Bataan 5 in a protest in front of the Commission on Human Rights on Saturday, Feb. 26. (Photo by UMANI Productions)

MANILA – Human rights group Karapatan reiterated its demand for the Philippine government to stop violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) as the group continues to receive reports of civilians and hors de combat (combatants who are unable to fight) being killed in the implementation of the government’s counterinsurgency program by state forces.

On April 14, Karapatan said National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) consultant Manuel “Ka Dodie” Tinio was shot seven times after he was arrested while driving a motorcycle between San Miguel City and Ubay town in Bohol.

“To conceal their heinous act, the military falsely claimed that Tinio ‘fought back’ and planted a .45 cal pistol on his person to complete their fictitious version of events,” Karapatan said in a statement.

Also arrested on the same day was former student activist turned New People’s Army guerrilla Arthur Lucenario. He was reportedly arrested by elements of the 47th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army and was presented as a casualty in an alleged encounter on May 12 in Barangay Tabuan, Antequera, more than 70 kilometers away from San Miguel.

Karapatan said Lucenario’s remains bore marks of severe torture.

In Negros Occidental, three civilians were reportedly killed by troops of the 15th IBPA who have been conducting focused operations in Sipalay City and Cauayan since April 23.

On May 21, Gusting Mapos was on his way to his farm when he was killed by soldiers in Sitio Bajay, Barangay Caliling, Cauayan town in Negors Occidental, Karapatan said.

“To justify the killing, the 15th IBPA claimed that Mapos was an NPA casualty in a supposed encounter. The soldiers even planted a cal .45 pistol, a command-detonated explosive and blasting cap, two magazines, ammunition and a backpack on the victim,” the group said.

The group said that local residents denied that an encounter had taken place in the area.

The supposed encounter was reported by various media outlets, however, the name of the fatality was not disclosed in several news reports.

Meanwhile on May 21, Jonel Bayno, a resident of Barangay Manlucahoc, Sipalay City was arrested by troops of 15th IBPA. Days later, on May 25, the group said his body was found at Crossing Tanduay in Barangay Camindangan.

The group added that a few days later, the same troopers arrested Rogelio Lacton, a resident of barangay Camindangan. He was later found dead in sitio Sadlum of the same barangay on May 27.

Karapatan reiterated that the international humanitarian law prohibits the killing or harming of both civilians and combatants who have been rendered hors de combat (out of combat) “because they have been captured, wounded or surrendered, or otherwise incapable of participating in hostilities due to illness or some other disability.”

“These continuing reports of IHL violations targeting captured or incapacitated NPA members as well as civilians in communities considered to be hotbeds of insurgency underscore the hollowness and the evident hypocrisy of the Philippine government’s formal acquiescence to several IHL protocols, as well as its enactment in 2009 of Republic Act No. 9851, or the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity,” Karapatan said.

The human rights group added that the Philippine government “has likewise showed contempt for the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.”

Karapatan also called on the Commission on Human Rights to conduct a “thoroughgoing investigation of both the grave breaches of IHL, of the international human rights instruments to which the Philippine government is a signatory as well as applicable local laws.” (RTS, RVO) 

https://www.bulatlat.com/2023/06/07/rights-group-alarmed-over-reports-of-intl-humanitarian-law-violations/

578 loose guns, 78 explosives seized in Caraga

From the Manila Bulletin (Jun 7, 2023): 578 loose guns, 78 explosives seized in Caraga (By MIKE CRISMUNDO)

CAMP RAFAEL C. RODRIGUEZ, Butuan City – The Police Regional Office-13 (PRO-13) has seized 578 loose firearms and 78 explosives from Jan. 1 to the present in line with the intensified crackdown against loose firearms and security measures for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in the Caraga region in October.

LABRA (center). (FB)

PRO-13 Director Police Brig. Gen. Pablo G. Labra II said that 93 individuals were arrested by the police for possession of loose firearms and explosives.

Suspects are facing charges for violation of RA No. 10591 or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms Ammunition, Labra said.

The law defines a loose firearm as an unregistered weapon, an obliterated or altered firearm, firearm which has been lost or stolen, illegally manufactured firearm, registered firearm in possession of an individual other than the licensee, and those with revoked licenses in accordance with the rules and regulations, he added.

Labra said most of the explosives seized were rifle grenades, hand grenades, and other explosive materials.

The PRO-13 Regional Operations Division said 114 firearms were surrendered by former New People’s Army rebels, 79 were confiscated during the implementation of search warrants, police response, and search incidental to a lawful arrest, while 385 were surrendered to police units for safekeeping.

Top performing units were Agusan del Sur Police Provincial Office (PPO) with 226 confiscated loose firearms, Agusan del Norte PPO with 98, and Surigao del Norte PPO with 89.

Labra said there is no letup in the campaign against loose firearms.

“PNP-Caraga will relentlessly ensure that no loose firearms shall be used in sowing crimes, election-related violent incidents, and other illegal activities,” Labra said.

“Expect a more aggressive operation against loose firearms in the coming days.”

https://mb.com.ph/2023/6/7/578-loose-guns-78-explosives-seized-in-caraga

Army seizes NPA gun, ammunition in Iloilo

From the Manila Bulletin (Jun 7, 2023): Army seizes NPA gun, ammunition in Iloilo (By TARA YAP)

ILOILO CITY – The Philippine Army 61st Infantry Battalion (IB) seized a gun and ammunition in an encounter with the New People’s Army in Leon town, Iloilo province on Monday, June 5.



THE military seized New People’s Army hardware in an encounter in Leon town, Iloilo province. (61st IB)

Lt. Col. Harold Garcia, 61st IB commander, said that troops conducted combat operations after receiving reports from residents on the presence of armed groups planning to conduct extortion activities.

Soldiers encountered members of the NPA Sibat platoon believed to be under Jenel Tacaisan, alias “Ka Rico,” in the boundary of Barangays Carara-an and Igcadios.

Government forces and the NPA rebels traded gunfire until the communist guerrillas withdrew.

The Army recovered a caliber .45 pistol, four backpacks, 48 rounds of caliber 5.56mm ball for M16A1, five caliber .45 ammunition, a detonator for an anti-personnel mine, an electrical wire, and other items.

Garcia lauded local residents for giving information about the rebels to the military.

“The encounter is the result of our persistent efforts with the community and continued focus on military operations to find and deter the NPA from creating chaos and harm,” said Garcia.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/6/6/army-seizes-npa-gun-ammunition-in-iloilo

Reformed members, sympathizers of NPA get financial aid in Samar

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jun 7, 2023): Reformed members, sympathizers of NPA get financial aid in Samar (By: Joey Gabieta)

New People’s Army (NPA) | INQUIRER.net file photo

TACLOBAN CITY — About 41 former members and sympathizers of the New People’s Army (NPA) received financial assistance from the provincial government of Samar on Monday, June 5.

The granting of financial assistance amounting to P1.79 million was made under the government’s local social integration program.

These surrenderees were previously operating or residing in the towns of Basey, San Jose de Buan, and Villareal, all in Samar.

Of the 41 beneficiaries, 17 of them were regular members of the armed front of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

One of them was alias Maya who used to be part of the Bugsok Platoon of the sub-regional committee sesame of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee.

“We are thankful to the government for giving us this financial assistance. We will use this to put up a small business to provide our daily needs,” she said.

Samar Gov. Sharee Ann Tan said she was happy that these former rebels and supporters have decided to return to the folds of the law.

“Welcome home to the true government. Do not ever think that the government has forsaken you or that we did not listen to your needs. We are always here and the people, our constituents, are always our top priority,” Tan said in her message during the program held at the camp of the 8th Infantry Division in Catbalogan City.

Major Gen. Camilo Ligayo, commanding general of the 8th Infantry Division, also expressed his gratitude to the former rebels for cooperating with them.

“I enjoin the former rebels to be agents of peace and be active partners of the government in its quest to have a community free from the influence of the communist terrorist groups (and) make use of the assistance provided by the government to start a new life,” he said.

Ligayo earlier vowed to do everything to end the insurgency problem in Eastern Visayas this year.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1780722/reformed-members-sympathizers-of-npa-get-financial-aid-in-samar

WATCH: Karla Estrada's Army reservist post features NPA song, draws mixed reactions

From the Philippine Star (Jun 7, 2023): WATCH: Karla Estrada's Army reservist post features NPA song, draws mixed reactions (Kathleen A. Llemit)

MANILA, Philippines — Actress-TV host Karla Estrada's proud moment went viral for reasons she might not be aware of.

Karla posted a new milestone as she revealed that she is going to be a Philippine Army reservist soon. Many of her celebrity friends congratulated her on her newest feat.

Her now-deleted Instagram video uploaded yesterday, June 6, showed her with officers from the Philippine Army with her in their uniform.

Several Internet users, however, were amused when they saw on her post and heard the background song to her Instagram video.

On the description portion of her post, the song's title read: "Ang Bagong Hukbong Bayan (Anthem of the New People's Army)."

One commenter wrote on the comments section: "Anthem daw ng NPA yan karla."

"NPA ka? Research muna tungkol sa kanta na ginagamit," another one wrote.

The New People's Army (NPA) is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CCP).

The NPA has been in conflict with the Philippine government for decades since 1969.

 
https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/on-the-radar/2023/06/07/2272161/watch-karla-estradas-army-reservist-post-features-npa-song-draws-mixed-reactions

OPAPRU: Mine attacks show Reds' disregard for human rights

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 7, 2023): OPAPRU: Mine attacks show Reds' disregard for human rights (By Priam Nepomuceno)

MANILA – The New People's Army's (NPA) anti-personnel mine (APM) attack that killed two civilians in Northern Samar on June 3 highlights the insurgents' disdain for international humanitarian law and protocol.

"The CTG (communist terrorist group) used APM in the attack, which is a clear violation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and the International Ban on the Use of APM," Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) Acting Secretary Isidro L. Purisima said in a statement Tuesday night.

Purisima condemned the attack in Barangay Magsaysay, Las Navas, Northern Samar, saying such inhumane methods serve no other purpose than to sow fear, anger, and mistrust among the people, especially among the victims of these heinous acts.

Two civilians were killed in the incident – Roel Lebico and Jerson Cabe, construction workers who had just finished working at a farm-to-road market undergoing construction.

Purisima said such attacks have no room in a peaceful, civil, and humane society.

"We, therefore, call on those responsible for the attack to put an end to this cycle of violence. There is no justification for your actions, the repercussions of which are irreparable and irreversible," he said.

Purisima also assured the family of the victims that the perpetrators of the gruesome incident would be held accountable and shall be brought to justice.

He said the NPA must indemnify the families of the victims who will forever carry the scars of their loved one’s loss.

"The OPAPRU, in collaboration with its peace partners, is committed to promoting the culture of peace, mutual understanding, and solidarity among our people so that such reprehensible acts against humanity can be prevented or avoided. Once again, we express our sincere condolences to the victims' families. We assure you that justice will be served," Purisima said.

DND condemns mine attack

Meanwhile, the Department of National Defense (DND) also condemned the attack.

"The use of APM in the said attack is emblematic of the utter disregard for the safety of civilians and the violation of the IHL by the CTG. The unfortunate deaths of Roel Lebico and Jerson Cabe, who had just then finished a day of honest work, further cement the viciousness of the CTG in perpetrating their violent crimes against the Filipino people. This must come to an end," DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said Tuesday night.

Andolong said the DND expressed its utmost sympathies to the families of the victims and is committed to support efforts to bring those responsible to justice.

"Despite the seeming desperation of the CTG, the Armed Forces of the Philippines will continue to be vanguards of our hard-earned progress in securing our communities," he said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1203019

PH Navy thanks Israel for continued support for modernization

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 7, 2023): PH Navy thanks Israel for continued support for modernization (By Priam Nepomuceno)

Israeli Foreign Minister Eliyahu Cohen (left) and PN chief Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr. (right) (Photo courtesy of Philippine Navy)

MANILA – The Philippine Navy’s (PN) ongoing modernization program has benefitted much from its strong partnership with Israel.

PN chief Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr. made the remark after the visit of Israel Minister of Foreign Affairs Eliyahu Cohen at the Navy headquarters at Naval Station Jose Andrada, Roxas Boulevard, Manila on June 5.

“Our Navy has benefitted from the partnership and relationship with Israel as we also increased the level of collaboration for the past years,” Adaci said in a statement Tuesday night.

Among the products of the strong PN partnership with Israel are the installation of launchers and Spike-ER missiles on six of its multi-purpose attack craft; the delivery of four out of nine Shaldag Mark V patrol boats known as the Acero-class gunboats in Philippine service; the refurbishment of the naval shipyard in Sangley Point, Cavite; and the pending delivery and installation of non-light-of-sight (NLOS) missiles and launchers for the Israeli-made patrol craft.

Cohen likewise thanked the PN for its long-established cooperation with Israel and considered it "a priority for us to strengthen our relation."

"We come with an open heart and open mind to cooperate with you in any field," he said.

Adaci noted that Cohen's courtesy call helped further strengthen both countries' ties, paving the way for future engagements between the two nations.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1203023

Teodoro: PH has right to build up own defense capabilities

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 7, 2023): Teodoro: PH has right to build up own defense capabilities (By Priam Nepomuceno)

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.(PNA photo by Joan Bondoc)

MANILA – The Philippines has the right to build up its credible deterrence without any question coming from any other nations, newly appointed Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro Jr. on Wednesday said.

"The job of the Secretary of the National Defense is first and foremost building up our credible deterrence, and that will, and the way that we build up our credible deterrence is our business and nobody else’s business and whether we partner with country X or Y in order to build up our own core strength is a question for the Philippines," he said in a television interview.

Also, Teodoro said other countries should not question this right as the Philippines does not call out other nations engaged in the buildup of defensive and even offensive capabilities.

"Just like we do not question the buildup of not even defensive capabilities but offensive capabilities of other countries, they should not question ours and they should not tie up our buildup of our capabilities to any question of whether it's Taiwan or whatnot. The Philippines is for the Philippines and we leverage that and I think other countries want to help us because they view it as an integral (part of) standing strong with democratic values," he added.

The DND chief also said that the Philippines is not a pawn of anyone in the ongoing "geopolitical battle" in the region.

"And so the Philippines is a value (proposition) as we call it by its own self and not a pawn of anybody else in the geopolitical battle that’s raging within our area now," he stressed.

Unexpected

As this developed, Teodoro said he was not expecting any role in President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s administration as he was already concentrating on his private sector responsibilities.

"Yes because I was already concentrating on my private sector responsibilities like, which I was concentrating only yesterday, resigning from, all my major responsibilities which I continued to do, resumed rather after the election," he added.

Teodoro ran for senator and lost under the banner of Marcos and Sara Duterte who both won in the May 2022 elections.

He added that he was only informed that he would be appointed to the DND following a meeting with Marcos.

"The President, we had a meeting and we both agreed that this is the best way I can help his administration," Teodoro said.

He also added that national defense is everybody’s business and the most important thing is to communicate about its importance.

"You know the enormous expense that’s required for it but any country worth its salt requires a robust defense because there’s no country that can have any integrity whatsoever unless it is able to enforce its laws within its own territorial boundaries," Teodoro noted.

Being DND chief more challenging now

While he is not new to the DND portfolio having served as defense chief from August 2007 to November 2009 under then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Teodoro said manning the post is more challenging now as we are all now living in a different world.

"It was not merely the relationship with China which was different then, during that time there was no Middle Eastern implosion yet, there was no Arab Spring, there was no tension between Russia and Ukraine and the relationship between China and the United States was different, even in the semiconductor and technology sector there was cooperation so now we live in a vastly different world," he added.

And with these events that have occurred, Teodoro said the lesson is the need to build up the country's capabilities in order to make sure that we are safe from any "world happening or event."

"Okay, we are talking about the conflict between these superpowers now, but who knows 30 years hence whether there will be regional conflict, we cannot foresee the political developments in the region, and our job, my job, my primary job, of course the first marching of the President to me was the pension scheme for the Armed Forces, and a lot of work has been done towards that end and it’s a matter of continuing the work done and I commend (former DND officer in charge) Secretary (Carlito) Galvez (Jr.) and the rest of the financial team, (Finance) Secretary (Benjamin) Diokno for working together for it, it’s a matter of really just communication and tweaking the basis of it, now having said that the job of the DND is to build up its capabilities in order to be ready as much as possible to foresee, predict and to react to defend the Philippines from any geopolitical happening," he added.

Building up AFP, DND capabilities

As he formally took over the helm of the DND Wednesday, Teodoro said that he will continue to lobby Congress for more funds to help the AFP in its ongoing modernization program.

"There are already set horizons for that, that they have set for the coming year. We will continue to lobby Congress for that and for more funds," he said.

Teodoro also added that he will also push for a "capital outlay" for the DND to build up its capabilities.

"And I would also like to add certain things that are important. We cannot continue to have a Department of National Defense without a capital outlay for our own department. We need to build up the capabilities of this department as part of the national defense family. And I would like to state that (it is) one of my goals, to build up the capabilities of the Department of National Defense Proper," he added.

But in order to manage the five agencies under its wing, with the AFP as the largest, Teodoro said there is a need to "build up the managerial capability of the managing department" which is the DND and that he intends to focus on it.

"As a manager, my first job is to manage the home institution itself. I want to help lay the foundations for (the) Department of National Defense for our future, to develop expertise in program management, analytics, predictions, other capabilities, contracting, international relations, and to build up the career track of our own employees," Teodoro said.

Also, in the ongoing AFP Modernization Program, the DND chief said they will make sure that the services get systems and platforms with the "best, at the most affordable costs, and the most sustainability as possible".

The newly appointed DND chief also reiterated his thanks for the "trust and confidence" given to him by President Marcos in order "to steward" the defense department.

"I would also like to thank all my predecessors, most especially Secretary Charlie Galvez for the sterling work that he has done, let's give him a big hand, all of them, all of them, because national defense is not a zigzag, it is a building block. Each of us must help and reinforce one another and with the whole of government approach especially right now given the challenges we face and the future we want to build, moreso we need each other right now," he added.

Teodoro also thanked his wife, the Special Envoy to UNICEF Monica Prieto-Teodoro and son Jaime, for being with him in all the journeys he had undertaken.

"And I wished and simply put, a great working relationship with each and everyone of you. So madaming salamat po. There's a lot of work ahead and I am confident that together, in unison with one another and we will continue to work with Secretary Galvez, we will succeed. There's nowhere else to go but up," he added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1203052

96 Mimaropa cops to undergo 90-day community immersion program

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 7, 2023): 96 Mimaropa cops to undergo 90-day community immersion program (By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan)

(Photo courtesy of PRO 4B Mimaropa)

MANILA – Police Regional Office 4B (Mimaropa) director Brig. Gen. Joel Doria on Wednesday led the send-off ceremony for the 96 rookie police officers who will undergo the 90-day Community Immersion Program (CIP).

The 90-day program aims to provide participants with a deeper understanding of the insurgency problem in the Philippines and equip them with the right mindset and knowledge for engaging with target communities in the hopes of turning their minds and hearts towards the government.

In his message, Doria urged the CIP participants to embrace the program and carry the responsibility of protecting and serving the community.

He encouraged them to establish trust and unity, leading to positive change in their areas of responsibility.

“I urge you all to embrace the power of community immersion and work together to build bridges, create change, and foster trust and unity in our communities. By immersing ourselves in the community, listening to their stories, and understanding their perspectives, we can establish trust and unity, leading to positive change in our areas of responsibility,” Doria said in a statement.

The 96 CIP participants will be deployed to various geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas/barangays in the provinces of Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, as the PNP continues its commitment to protect and serve the community by building bridges and establishing trust and unity with the people they serve through this program.

Moreover, the ceremony coincided with the turnover ceremony of 1,500 food packs to Naujan Municipal Police Station, 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC), Oriental Mindoro Police Provincial Office (PPO) and 1st PMFC, Occidental Mindoro PPO.

The 500 food packs will be distributed to less fortunate and low-income families, as well as victims of the oil spill in the municipality of Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, while the remaining 1,000 food packs will be utilized for community outreach programs in identified geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas in Occidental and Oriental Mindoro.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1203056

PBBM wants ‘non-traditional’ partners in trade, security

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 7, 2023): PBBM wants ‘non-traditional’ partners in trade, security (By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos)

MEETING WITH ENVOYS. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. holds a meeting with the seven appointed Filipino diplomats at Malacañan Palace in Manila on Wednesday (June 7, 2023). Marcos urged them to look for “non-traditional” partners in the areas of trade and security and defense. (Photo courtesy of the Presidential Communications Office)

MANILA – Look for “non-traditional” partners in the areas of trade and security and defense, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday told the recently-appointed Filipino ambassadors.

Marcos made the call in a meeting at Malacañan Palace in Manila, stressing the need for the Philippines to cope with the changing times, given the current global situation amid the “pandemic economy.”

“After all the changes that have been imposed upon us, like the pandemic economy and the world situation, looking for what we sometimes referred to as non-traditional partners in trades, in any kind, in security and defense issues,” he said.

“All these things, we are always looking for partners,” Marcos added.

The Chief Executive reiterated that his foreign policy makes the Philippines neutral and independent.

“We do not subscribe to any notion of a bipolar world. We only side, of course, to the Philippines, not to the US, not to Beijing, not to Moscow. That’s very much being independent in what we do,” he said.

Marcos also told the diplomats that they could discuss with him opportunities that could help improve the priority sectors.

He said he would listen to “promising” ideas for the realization of digital transformation and the development of agriculture, energy and infrastructure.

“Now, if there are opportunities that would come up, you should explore them and if they're promising enough, then we’ll take it up. We’ll try to see if something can come up. There’s no harm in trying and kung anuman ang mangyari (whatever may happen), at least we tried,” Marcos said.

“So let us keep looking at those areas. And also what I found many times, you go there and you talk about agri and something else comes up,” he added.

Present during the meeting were Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations Carlos Sorreta and Ambassadors Henry Bensurto Jr. (Turkey), Renato Pedro Villa (Saudi Arabia), Raul Hernandez (Oman), Paul Raymund Cortez (Portugal), Josel Ignacio (India) and Maria Angela Ponce (Malaysia).

The ambassadors secured the Commission on Appointments’ nod on May 31.

New appointment

Meantime, Marcos designated Brig. Gen. Freddie dela Cruz as the commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Special Operations Command (AFPSOCOM).

Dela Cruz’s appointment was announced by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) in a Facebook post.

AFPSOCOM functions as the AFP’s unified special operations command and is tasked to plan, conduct and support the special operations of the armed forces.

AFPSOCOM takes command and supervision of the Special Operations Wing of the Air Force, the Naval Special Operations Group from the Navy; the Army's Scout Ranger Regiment, the Army's Special Forces Regiment and Light Reaction Regiment; and the Joint Special Operations Group of the AFP General Headquarters.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1203097

PH right to build deterrence, blunt potential aggressions: expert

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 7, 2023): PH right to build deterrence, blunt potential aggressions: expert (By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora)

Elbridge Colby during an interview with reporters in Makati on June 6, 2023. (Photo by Joyce Rocamora)

MANILA – The Philippines is on the right track in building up its defense capabilities, a former Pentagon official said, citing its potential to contribute to peace and “blunt” potential aggressions in the region.

Elbridge Colby, former Pentagon Deputy Assistant Secretary and co-founder of the think tank Marathon Initiative, made the statement as he cited China’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea and over Taiwan, which lies only a few hundred miles away from the country.

Colby, who was also the lead architect of the United States’ 2018 National Defense Strategy, agreed that Manila should continue engaging with China as a bilateral partner but at the same time back diplomacy with strength.

“The Chinese are not going to take your diplomacy seriously if you're operating from a position of weakness, they will take our diplomacy seriously if it's backed by force that they don't think they can mess around,” he told reporters in an interview in Makati on Tuesday.

“What I propose is, we need to be hawkish to get to a place where we can be doves,” he added.

Colby clarified that he is not suggesting going into war but for countries to have effective deterrence to precisely avoid conflict from arising in the region.

Given its distance, Colby said a conflict in the Taiwan Strait “would also encompass the Philippines, whether the Philippines wanted it or not”.

“In that situation, I think the best course of action for Manila, and also for Washington is to work together to be as strong as possible in a way that's measured and is not unduly provocative towards China but that makes clear to China that it is not a good idea to conduct military aggression,” he said.

“I think that is the ultimate way to get to peace and detente, where we can continue to trade with China but do so from a position of strength where Beijing has to respect our interests,” he added.

Colby, meanwhile, commended the move by the Marcos and Biden administrations to bolster the Philippine-US defense ties and encouraged the two to further “accelerate and expand” it.

The Philippines adopts the One-China policy and has repeatedly reiterated its observance of the principles of non-interference in regional issues by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Newly-appointed Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro had also stood firm that the Philippines would not be used as a “pawn” in the face of heightened geopolitical tensions in the region.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. had also previously said that the government would not encourage provocative actions by any country nor allow the Philippines to become a staging post for any kind of military action.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1203101

Peace village for ex-rebels to rise in Samar town

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 7, 2023): Peace village for ex-rebels to rise in Samar town (By Sarwell Meniano)

HOUSE FOR EX-REBELS. The proposed site of Peace Village in San Jose de Buan, Samar. The proposed village will have permanent houses for former rebels, a training center, and a farm lot for agriculture-related livelihood activities. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army)

HINABANGAN, Samar - A housing project for former rebels will be established in the town of San Jose de Buan, Samar as part of the government's whole-of-nation approach to end insurgency.

The project, which will be called Peace Village, located near the town center will provide free housing within a 100-square-meter lot to be awarded to each identified former rebel who opted not to return to their respective communities.

The target is to start the project within the year.

“Some who have surrendered don't want to return to their communities out of fear. We are providing a safe place for them to rebuild their lives,” Gen. Lenart Lelina, commander of the Philippine Army's 801st Infantry Brigade, said in an interview late Tuesday.

It was not disclosed though how much funds will be allocated for the project.

However, at least 21 government officials, agencies, and non-government organizations have committed to donate while waiting for the budget from the National Housing Authority, the military official said.

The military and the local government have initially identified 17 rebels who will receive free houses made of mixed concrete and wood within the 1.5-hectare property.

There is an ongoing water system project by the local government that will cover the housing site. This is on top of the PHP1 million fund committed by Mayor Joaquin Elizalde for site development.

The price tag for each house is PHP180,000 to PHP400,000, depending on the design.

"Through this housing project, we are hoping to encourage the remaining active members of the New People's Army in the area to surrender," Lelina said.

The proposed village will have permanent houses for former rebels, a training center, and a farm lot for agriculture-related livelihood activities.

It will also accommodate former rebels from nearby Samar towns.

Since 2020, several active NPA members and staunch allies yielded to authorities and turned over several firearms in San Jose de Buan town alone.

The 4th class town with a population of nearly 8,000 is one of the NPA’s strongholds in Samar Island, considering its strategic location within the tri-boundaries of Northern, Eastern, and Samar provinces.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1203017

BARMM guvs launch caucus to oversee lasting peace, dev't

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 7, 2023): BARMM guvs launch caucus to oversee lasting peace, dev't (By Ercel Maandig)

LASTING PEACE, DEVELOPMENT. The five governors of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) convene to create the BARMM Governors Caucus after a dialogue in Cagayan de Oro City on Tuesday (June 6, 2023). The group's primary aim is to foster lasting peace and encourage economic development in the respective provinces of BARMM. (Photo courtesy of Lanao del Sur PIO)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The five governors of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have formed a caucus to sustain peace and economic development between their respective provinces.

In a statement Wednesday, Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. said the BARMM Governors Caucus was the result of the dialogue between the five provinces held in this city on Tuesday.

The dialogue, Adiong said, brought out different issues each province was facing.

"We are open to collaborating with stakeholders who share similar advocacies and are eager to explore common grounds with others to attain sustainable peace and development in the (Bangsamoro) region," he said.

One of the objectives of the alliance is to ensure effective law enforcement and to expedite the decommissioning process of former armed militants who have become part of BARMM as a result of the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law.

Adiong said the initiative will also advocate for the equitable allocation of public funds and greater representation, and participation of citizens in governance across diverse geographical political, and ethnic groups in the region.

The other governors who joined Adiong in the assembly were Mariam Mangudadatu of Maguindanao del Sur, Sakur Tan of Sulu, Jim Hataman Salliman of Basilan, and Yshmael Sali of Tawi-Tawi.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1203048

2 ASG bandits killed in Basilan clash

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 7, 2023): 2 ASG bandits killed in Basilan clash (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)

Google map of Sitio Talisay, Barangay Upper Benembengan, Sumisip town, Basilan province.

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Two Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits were killed in a fresh encounter with government forces in Basilan province, military officials said Wednesday.

Col. Frederick Sales, Joint Task Force (JTF)-Basilan acting commander, said the clash transpired around 6 a.m. Tuesday in Sitio Talisay, Barangay Upper Benembengan, Sumisip town.

The slain extremists were identified only as a certain "Dodong," a follower of Mudzrimar Sawadjaan, a known bomber and Sulu-based ASG sub-leader, while the other, a certain "Boy," is a follower of Basilan-based ASG leader Pasil Bayali.

Sales said the troops recovered the remains of the two bandits in Barangay Pamatsaken, although the clash occurred in the adjacent village of Upper Benembengan. Their remains were turned over to the village chief of Upper Benembengan and Sumisip police for proper burial.

The clash broke out when the troops chanced upon the ASG bandits while they were tracking down the group of Sawadjaan and Bayali.

“Your armed forces will not stop its military operations until the terror groups are completely crushed,” said Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), in a statement.

On Saturday, government troops rescued an Indonesian teenager when they overran an ASG encampment following a clash against the combined groups of Sawadjaan and Bayali in Sitio Lobloban, Barangay Guiong, Sumisip.

Sawadjaan brought the teenager with him when he recently fled from Sulu province to evade military operations, military officials said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1203064

‘Insurgency-free’ Quezon town looks forward to progress

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 7, 2023): ‘Insurgency-free’ Quezon town looks forward to progress (By Belinda Otordoz)

OFFICIALLY PEACEFUL. Mayor Vincent Arjay Mea (seated, 2nd from right) of Tiaong town, Quezon province signs the memorandum of understanding during the Philippine National Police's certification of his town as insurgency-free on Wednesday (June 7, 2023). The event was witnessed by (from left) Police Brig. Gen. Rhoderick Armamento, Councilor Eugene Lopez and Vice Mayor Roderick Umali. (PNA photo by Belinda Otordoz)

TIAONG, Quezon – This town was officially declared insurgency-free on Wednesday, turning a new chapter from its long history of being “ground zero” to clashes between the military and communist rebels.

Town officials made the declaration in ceremonies held at the Villa Escudero Plantation.

In his speech, Mayor Vincent Arjay Mea said his town will finally have a shot at progress even if it still lacks industrial sites to attract investors

"A few years ago, the town of Tiaong was not even worth mentioning, believed to be infested with insurgents, which perhaps contributed to its slow development," said Mea.

He recalled that his first order of business after being elected mayor in the 2022 election was to usher in economic development.

The mayor said he has been enticing entrepreneurs from Metro Manila to invest in his town and its people.

Additionally, the local government is developing potential tourist spots in town, including Ticub Lake in Barangay San Pedro.

In the next few months, a giant industrial factory will be built in town, Mea noted.

To attract more investors, he said his office has beefed up the town’s security by providing four mobile patrol cars and motorcycles to augment the police force's capabilities.

During the ceremonies, Brig. Gen. Carlito Gaces, director of the Police Regional Office 4A (Calabarzon), lauded Mea's efforts to make Tiaong more competitive and prosperous.

"The Tiaong local government is constantly supportive of all the PNP's (Philippine National Police) peace and order campaigns and we are particularly proud to say they truly deserve this certification of being insurgency-free," Gaces said in his speech.

Meanwhile, the occasion was also attended by Southern Tagalog Police Commander, Lt. Gen. Rhoderick Armamento, Quezon Police Director, Col. Ledon Monte, Tiaong Vice Mayor Roderick Umali and the town councilors.

Tiaong Councilor Eugene Lopez represented Gov. Angelina Tan in the activity.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1203099