Army to file charges vs. NPA for recruiting minor

From the Mindanao Times (Jun 26, 2019): Army to file charges vs. NPA for recruiting minor

Authorities are set to file charges against the New People’s Army (NPA) for recruiting a minor as one of its combatants.

On Sunday, a 14-year-old NPA surrendered to the soldiers of 56th Infantry Battalion in Talaingod, Davao del Norte Sunday afternoon.

The 56th IB is presently coordinating with the police in Talaingod for the filing of charges against the NPA leaders responsible for recruiting Ka Grace, a resident of Barangay Dagohoy in Talaingod.

“The NPAs are still recruiting minors to become child soldiers despite the universally accepted moral obligation under the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) that children must be protected,” Col Nolasco Mempin, the commander of the 1003rd Brigade, said. “The NPAs continue to deliberately put children in the way of armed conflict, thus, further depriving them of many of their rights.”

Capt. Erick Wynmer Calulot, the Civil-Military Operations Officer of the Philippine Army’s 1003rd Infantry Brigade, said Ka Grace served as a medic for the Andoy Platoon of the NPA’s Sub-Regional Guerilla Unit, Sub-Regional Committee 5, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC).

Calulot said Ka Grace surrendered to Lt. Col. Norman Valdez, commanding officer of the 56IB in Barangay Sto Niño, Talaingod after “seeing the sincerity of the Community Support Program Team (CSP) in bridging for the resolution of social and developmental issues in their community.”

During the interview conducted by the soldiers, Ka Grace revealed that she was recruited last October. She joined after being promised by the NPA that her family will be out of poverty.

Ka Grace, Calulot said, also revealed that there are other minors still with the underground movement.

Currently, the surrenderer was already turned over to the Talaingod municipality’s Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) where she will undergo psychological and other necessary evaluation.

http://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2019/06/26/army-to-file-charges-vs-npa-for-recruiting-minor/

Farmers disown NPA in Agusan Norte

Posted to the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 26, 2019): Farmers disown NPA in Agusan Norte

BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte -- More than 200 members of Union ng Mag-uuma sa Agusan del Norte (UMAN), a New Peoples Army (NPA) allied organization, disowned the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP-NPA) terrorist group and took their pledge of loyalty and allegiance to the government during a peace consultation dialogue on June 22, 2019 at the covered court of Brgy. Tungao, Butuan City.

The peace consultation dialogue was conducted thru a convergence effort of the Barangay Council of Barangays Tungao and San Mateo and the 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion to address the issues and concerns of the residents and the UMAN members. These include security of land tenure, livelihood and employment, youth recruitment and peace and order.

Moreover, after the open forum, the officers and members of UMAN, as well as the residents of the barangay, took their oath to dismantle UMAN as an organization, to stop supporting the CPP-NPA and will not succumb to any group who will organize them except the government.

UMAN is a farmers’ organization being used by the CPP-NPA to recruit farmers by promising them that the latter will receive the land that they are tilling. A monthly due is being collected by the group from the members.

According to Rheda (true name withheld for security reason), a member of UMAN, they joined the UMAN hoping that the organization would help them with their problems regarding the security of land tenure, livelihood and employment, and help them with their basic social needs. That, if they will join UMAN, the lands they are tilling will be given to them. They are also paying monthly dues to UMAN.

Another member, Elvira (true name withheld for security reason) said, "Karon nakabalo na mi kung unsay tinuod sa UMAN, muondang na mi pag-apil sa ilaha ug bungkagon nanamo sila karon. Muderetso nalang mi sa ahensya sa gobyerno kung aduna mi mga problema (Now that we are aware of the intention of UMAN, we will stop joining them and dismantle their group. Instead, we go straight to the government whenever we have issues)."

Moreover, the chairman of Barangay Tungao, Melchor Salboro expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the soldiers of the Philippine Army under 23rd Infantry Battalion (23IB) for protecting and saving the barangay from the threats of CPP-NPA. “Atong ampingan ang atong barangay para walay musolod na dautang grupo na. Dili na ta magpailad sa mga teroristang CPP-NPA (We have to take care of our community so that there will be no more unscrupulous group who will enter. We will not support the CPP-NPA anymore, Salboro added)."

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Francisco Molina Jr., Commanding Officer, 23IB, is optimistic with the efforts of Barangay Officials of Barangays Tungao and San Mateo, the former officers and members of UMAN, and other residents of the two barangays that they will dismantle UMAN in their areas and will not anymore give-in to the CPP-NPA terrorist group. “Let us work together in restoring peace in your area. We must not allow any group to sow havoc in our community. Towards this end, development will surely come in,” Molina added. (1Lt Roel T Maglalang, CMO Officer, 23IB 4ID, PA/PIA Agusan del Norte)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1023683

PRRD visits Stormtroopers, confers Wounded Personnel Medal

Posted to the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 26, 2019): PRRD visits Stormtroopers, confers Wounded Personnel Medal

CATBALOGAN CITY -- President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (PRRD) visited the 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army in Camp Lukban, Catbalogan City on June 19, 2019.

He visited the soldiers from the 46th Infantry Battalion, 20th Infantry Battalion, and 63rd Infantry (INNOVATOR) Battalion recuperating from different encounters at the Heroes Ward at Camp Lukban Station Hospital and awarded them Wounded Personnel Medal.

Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte condoles with the grieving wife of a fallen soldier ambushed in Calbiga, Samar. (8th D pic)

On the other hand, the President posthumously promoted five fallen soldiers who bravely paid the ultimate sacrifice during an ambush by communist terrorists last April.

PRRD likewise turned over 2,701 Glock pistols and 200 .45 caliber pistols to the Stormtroopers in fulfillment of his promise to give Filipino soldiers handguns.

In his message, the President said, “I salute our brave soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice during an ambush by the communist terrorists last April. Their sacrifice for our country will never be forgotten and their needs, including those of their families will be taken care of.”

In April, six soldiers were killed and six others were wounded in a firefight between the army and communist rebels in Barangay Beri, some 13 kilometers away Calbiga’s town proper. (NBQ/GMT/PIA 8 Samar)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1023695

Creating env't conducive to peace & dev't is responsibility of all

Posted to the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 26, 2019): Creating env't conducive to peace & dev't is responsibility of all

LAGAWE, Ifugao - - The future of the next generations depends on the people, hence it is everyone’s responsibility to make an environment conducive to peace and development.

Brig. General Romeo Doyaoen, Commander of the 503rd Infantry Brigade, 5th Infantry Division, stressed this as he enjoined Ïmmipugo” (Ifugaos) to support the government for a peaceful and progressive community during 121st Independence Day celebration at the public plaza here.

“Huwag po nating awayin ang gobyerno bagkus ay tulungan po natin ito,” Doyaoen stressed. “Let’s us make our communities conflict- resilient and our province insurgency- free. Let’s make a difference,” he added.



He also encouraged the people to embrace Executive Order (EO) No. 70 of President Rodrigo Duterte that institutionalizes the ”Whole-Of-Nation” approach in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace, creating a national task force to end local communist armed conflict and directing the adoption of a national peace framework.

“One of the salient points of this EO is to address the root causes of insurgency in our country. Peace and security is everybody’s concern; purely military solution is not enough to address the said problem,” he said.

Doyaoen also explained some of the salient points of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the government for former rebels.

E-CLIP is locally-driven, managed and implemented. It veers away from the past practice of pre-packaged interventions designed at the national level. It responds to the circumstances, needs and concerns of former rebels through provision of assistance and seeks to consider their basic rights and situations as men and women.

Another feature of the program is the establishment of halfway houses/receiving facilities where the former rebels are to be welcomed and housed for security measures during the facilitation of their surrender.

“Let us join hands in propagating and campaigning the benefits of E-CLIP of our government to help them (rebels) return to the folds of the law and to the mainstream society,” he said. (JDP/MBL- PIA CAR, Ifugao)



https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1023614

Task force for localized peace talks in S. Cotabato pushed

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 26, 2019): Task force for localized peace talks in S. Cotabato pushed



The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in South Cotabato is pushing for the creation of a special task force that will spearhead sustained peace and development initiatives in a bid to end the communist insurgency in the province.

Lawyer Michelle Viejo, acting provincial director of DILG-South Cotabato, said Tuesday the move is in line with the national government's "whole-of-nation" approach and based on President Rodrigo R. Duterte's Executive Order 70 that created the "National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict."

Viejo said they have already crafted an action plan to institutionalize the implementation of the "whole-of-nation" approach to attain inclusive and sustainable peace.

She said the action plan consists of a local version of the strategies that seek to curb the rebels' atrocities, while recognizing that insurgencies and other armed conflict are not only military and security concerns.

“The government believes that each province has its own reasons for communist armed conflict. We have to create a task force that will focus on the localized peace process,” Viejo said during the provincial peace and order council meeting in Koronadal City.

The local task force will be composed of concerned government agencies, local government units, and civil society groups, she said.

Viejo said they will present the plan next month to new South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. for proper action.

The "whole-of-nation" approach mandates all concerned agencies of government to work in a holistic and integrated manner to deliver much-needed services to underdeveloped, conflict-affected communities.

The approach seeks to "utilize localized peace engagements, wherein local government units (LGU) and other community members situated in conflict-affected areas will take the lead in providing solutions to best resolve the nation’s insurgency problem."

In connection with the initiative, Lt. Col. Jones Otida, commanding officer of the Army's 27th Infantry Battalion, urged LGUs to prioritize the conduct of more outreach activities to areas that are prone to armed conflict.

In South Cotabato, Otida said the areas with problems on communist armed conflict are situated in the municipalities of Lake Sebu, Banga, Tampakan, and Tboli.

However, he said the entire province remains generally peaceful and the activities of the New People's Army have been affected by the declining support from residents.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1073333

Arrested ‘NPA leader’ freed due to 'mistaken identity'

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 26, 2019): Arrested ‘NPA leader’ freed due to 'mistaken identity'

WRONG GUY. A masked witness points at arrested Baltazar Saldo (extreme right) as 'Virgilio Paragan', a former rebel leader facing two attempted murder charges and two murder charges. Saldo was released Monday evening (June 24, 2019) due to confusion on his real identity. (PNA Photo by Gail Momblan)

The Western Visayas police released on Monday night an alleged Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) leader due to confusion on his identity.

The release of Baltasar Saldo, 54, of Sto. Angel, Dumalag, Capiz came a few hours after he was presented to the media by the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO 6) on Monday morning.

Saldo was arrested on Sunday afternoon in Capiz.

During the media presentation, a masked witness identified Saldo as Virgilio Paragan alias “Hassan”, a former commanding officer of the Roger Mahinay Command, Komiteng Rehiyong-Negros.

Paragan is facing two attempted murder and two murder charges filed in various regional trial courts in Negros Island.

“I was convinced to present him because there is this witness who is pointing at the suspect who is the one whose name is indicated in the warrants of arrest (for two attempted murder and two murder charges),” Brig. Gen. John Bulalacao, PRO 6 regional director, said in an interview with the media on Tuesday afternoon.

Bulalacao said the witness is the son of a former rebel under the command of Paragan.

However, after the media presentation, the arrested alleged NPA head was released after he appeared before the Kabankalan City Prosecutor’s Office as the fiscal was unsatisfied with the statement of the police witness.

Police reports show a relative of Paragan was at the prosecutor's office when the suspect was presented and said Saldo and Paragan is not one and the same person.

Bulalacao said Saldo was released as the witness still needs to take more legal actions against the suspect "to convince the fiscal to commit the suspect to jail". The witness is not among the complainants against Paragan.

Despite the confusion, Bulalacao said the situation is a “normal occurrence” in police operations.

“There is a witness and the police should act on it. Much more, the person has long been wanted and the police are eager to arrest him,” he said.

Meanwhile, Capt. Cenon Pancito, Philippine Army’s 3rd infantry Division spokesperson, said on Wednesday the Army will still continue to go after the real Virgilio Paragan.

“We are intensifying our investigation by looking into the chronology of events of how the witness came forward, just to validate,” Pancito said in a phone interview.

He said the Army is on “stand by” for the witness to file necessary documents before Kabankalan City Prosecutors Office.

“The police coordinated with the witness to file the necessary complaint before the Kabankalan City Prosecutors Office so that his accounts will be recorded or documented,” he said.

He clarified that Paragan is still at-large while Saldo will still be investigated.

“We will try to get more witnesses and investigate whether Saldo and Paragan is one and the same person, or it was indeed a mistaken identity,” he said.

Paragan was recommended by Police Regional 7 to be included on the "Directorate for Intelligence List of Wanted Persons".

He was also elevated and listed under the Department of the Interior and Local Government and Department of the National Defense (DILG-DND) Joint Order on CNN (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front)/Terrorist Wanted Person with PHP1,050,000 cash bounty.

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1073322

Condemn NPA atrocities, police tells incoming Iloilo execs

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 26, 2019): Condemn NPA atrocities, police tells incoming Iloilo execs

PERSONA NON GRATA. Police Col. Martin Defensor Jr, director of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO), says on Wednesday (June 26, 2019) he will be asking incoming city and provincial officials of Iloilo to declare the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) 'persona non-grata'. The incumbent Sangguniang Panlungsod denied the similar request of the ICPO in May this year. (PNA file photo)

ILOILO CITY -- Top police officials in Iloilo will be asking the incoming city and provincial executives to close their doors to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) and to condemn the terror group's atrocities.

Col. Martin Defensor Jr., director of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO), said he will be talking to incoming Iloilo City officials to declare the communist-terrorist group “persona non-grata”.

“I will talk to them first before requesting again for the declaration of the 'persona non grata'. The last time that we requested right after the election, the stand of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) was not to support our request,” he said in a phone interview Wednesday.

He was informed that the SP claimed the CPP-NPA has not committed atrocities in the city. Likewise, they are not privy to the identities of the NPAs, thus there is no way they can be prevented from entering Iloilo City.

“What we want is to manifest that our desire that the armed struggle should be stopped and they should already join in the mainstream and if they wanted to participate in the democratic process it has to be through peaceful means,” he said.

However, Defensor said that there are a lot of local government units (LGUs), which have already declared the communist-terrorist group "persona non-grata".

“It’s about time that we will show that we are together to declare them as 'persona non-grata' to show them that their almost 50 years of armed struggle is not welcome. It’s time that we resort to peaceful means. If they are concerned about our country, it’s time that they should cooperate with our government,” he said.

Col. Marlon Tayaba, director of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO), said he will be requesting the Iloilo Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) when they convene next week to pass a resolution to denounce the atrocities of the CPP-NPA.

“From the PPOC, we will also request LGUs. Most probably the Sanggunian to also issue the same statement,” he said.

He is not inclined to request for the declaration of "persona non-grata" because it is too high-sounding for the common people to understand.

Tayaba believes the declaration denouncing their atrocities is necessary for local government units, particularly local chief executives, to manifest their opposition to the NPA.

The presence of NPA rebels is still visible in the province’s high-risk areas, particularly Miagao, San Joaquin, Alimodian, Tubungan, Lemery and San Rafael, among others.

While no criminal activity involving NPA was recorded in the city in the past 30 to 40 years, yet cases of harassments and threats had been reported in the province.

In 2017, the communist terrorist group attacked the Maasin Municipal Police Station and took 12 firearms.

In 2018, three personnel of the IPPO 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company were wounded when the rebels detonated an anti-personnel mine in a village of Leon town.

Last January, a trooper of the Philippine Army was wounded when ambushed by the NPA in a far-flung village of Lambunao. Two months ago, the rebels also attacked a highway police assistance desk (HIPAD) and took a rifle and service firearm of the police on duty.

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1073337

Gunmen kill village chief in Basilan

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 26, 2019): Gunmen kill village chief in Basilan

Google map of Lantawan town, Basilan province.

Police said they are conducting an in-depth probe to identify the two people behind the gun-slay of a barangay official in Isabela City, Basilan province on Tuesday.

The Isabela City Police Station identified the victim as Hadji Hamsain Nasirin, the barangay chairperson of Bulan-Bulan in Lantawan, Basilan.

Investigation showed that Nasirin had just emerged from a mosque and was on his way to a car wash center to retrieve his motorcycle when two men aboard a motorcycle arrived and shot the barangay official.

Police said the incident happened around 4:55 p.m. in Purok 1, Barangay Tabuk, Isabela City.

Police said that Nasirin was shot twice in the head with a caliber .45 pistol that caused his instantaneous death. The suspects sped off after the incident.

The Isabela City police said it was coordinating with the police of Lantawan town to identify the assailants.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1073360

Army’s anti-NPA program engages 100 Eastern Visayas villages

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 26, 2019): Army’s anti-NPA program engages 100 Eastern Visayas villages

COMMUNITY VISIT. Soldiers talk with residents of a remote community in Lope de Vega, Northern Samar covered by the Philippine Army Community Support Program. In the first six months of 2019, the program has reached out to 100 remote communities in Eastern Visayas in the bid to fight the decades-long insurgency. (Photo from FB page of Army 43rd Infantry Battalion)

The Philippine Army’s community support program (CSP) has reached out to at least 100 remote villages in Eastern Visayas region in the first semester of 2019 to fight the decades-long communist insurgency.

Lt. Col. Danilo Ambe, operations officer of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division, reported on Wednesday that they are stepping up the implementation of CSP as the central government aims to eradicate the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

In Samar province, there are 29 villages listed as CSP priority this year -- 11 in Calbiga town, three in Pinabacdao, one in Calbayog City, five in Motiong, seven in San Jose de Buan, one in San Jorge, and one in Matuguinao.

Of the 11 areas in Eastern Samar province, eight are in the municipality of Dolores and three in Can-vid town.

Northern Samar province has the widest CSP coverage with 30 villages. These include four in Catarman, five in Lope de Vega, one in Pambujan, one in Mondragon, six in Silvino Lobos, and 13 in Las Navas.

In Leyte province, the 22 villages engaged by the military can be found in Ormoc City, three; Calubian, four; San Isidro, five; Baybay City, one; Mahaplag, three; Inopacan, two; and Hilongos, four.

Although Southern Leyte province has been declared as insurgency-free, the military conducted CSP in eight villages of Bontoc town, considering that its upland villages have been tagged as possible entry points of fleeing rebels.

Earlier, the military reported that armed rebels have been attempting to move closer to Southern Leyte after they were “pressured by military operations” in Leyte province.

“The CSP aims to bring awareness to the people on the evils of CPP-NPA. Through this program, we can insulate communities vulnerable to NPA’s senseless ideology and recover areas influenced by them,” Ambe told the members of the Regional Task Force - End Local Communist Armed Conflict during an orientation at the National Economic Development Authority regional office here.

CSP deployments are meant to facilitate the government’s development programs by hearing issues and concerns of villagers and bring this to the attention of concerned government offices.

“We facilitate solutions for those identified problems through the convergence of efforts of different government agencies. This is one proof that ending insurgency is not just the work of the military,” Ambe added.

The Army said the communist terrorist group has 336 active members in Eastern Visayas Region with 558 firearms. The NPA has affected 31 villages, a small fraction of the region’s 4,390 villages.

From January 1 to June 25 this year, armed rebels initiated 12 violent attacks and 357 non-violent activities.

“The atrocities and other violent activities perpetrated by the communist NPA terrorists are not only to project an image of strength but as part of their extortions and intimidations since most of these activities were observed before the conduct of 2019 (mid-term) elections,” Ambe explained.

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

The formation of the regional task force operationalizes Executive Order 70 issued by President Rodrigo Duterte on Dec. 4, 2018. The directive also institutionalizes a “whole-of-nation approach” in attaining an “inclusive and sustainable peace.”

Patterned after the national task force, the regional body is composed of heads of local offices of the departments of the interior and local government, justice, defense, public works, budget, finance, agrarian reform, social welfare, and education, as well as the military, police and local communication office.

Also listed as members are regional or provincial heads of the National Economic and Development Authority, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, as well as two representatives of the private sector.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1073381

Lanao Norte residents yield 28 unlicensed guns

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 26, 2019): Lanao Norte residents yield 28 unlicensed guns



UNLICENSED GUNS. Mayor Rafael Rizalda of Maigo, Lanao del Norte leads the turnover of loose firearms to the military Tuesday (June 25, 2019). (Photo courtesy of Army's 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs Office)

Residents of the Lanao del Norte town of Maigo surrendered a total of 28 loose firearms with hundreds of ammunition, military officials said Wednesday.

Capt. Clint Antipala, Army’s 1st Infantry Division acting information officer, said the firearms were surrendered to the Army's 5th Mechanized Battalion in a ceremony held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Mindanao State University in Maigo, Lanao del Norte.

Antipala said the surrendered firearms consisted of an AK-47 rifle, one Bushmaster, one .30-caliber M1 Garand rifle, two .30-caliber carbine rifles, one M4 rifle, one M16 A1 “Baby Armalite” rifle, two .22-caliber rifles; three 40 millimeter-grenade launchers; nine 12-gauge shotguns and seven handguns.

Outgoing Mayor Rafael Rizalda of Maigo, who facilitated the surrender of the firearms, thanked the Army for their efforts in sustaining peace and development in the municipality during his stint as the town executive.

Brig. Gen. Ezra James Enriquez, Army’s 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade commander, who has operational jurisdiction over Lanao del Norte, said the campaign against the proliferation of loose firearms aims to ensure that “the people would feel more secure and safe in their daily activities.”

Enriquez urged the people to cooperate and report to proper authorities the proliferation of firearms in their communities.

Lt. Col. Rolando Orengo, commander of the 55th Mechanized Battalion, said the concerted effort and intensified collaboration among the troops, local communities, local chief executives and other stakeholders resulted to the surrender of the loose firearms in Maigo town.

Maj. Gen. Roberto Ancan, the Army’s 1st Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Zampelan (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao provinces) commander, lauded the troops, the local government unit and stakeholders of Maigo, Lanao del Norte.

"I urge everyone to continue our efforts in pursuing lasting peace not just for Mindanao but for the whole country. Let us conquer the challenges ahead of us and step up the momentum in sustaining our gains for our common aspiration,” Ancan said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1073384

6 NPA members fall in southern Negros

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 26, 2019): 6 NPA members fall in southern Negros

ARRESTED. New People’s Army members Eliseo Andres (left) and Rodrigo Medez, two of the six arrested by a joint police and military personnel in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on Wednesday (June 26, 2019). They were brought to Himamaylan City Police Station after their arrest. (Photo courtesy of 62nd Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army)

Joint police and military personnel arrested six members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in separate operations at Barangay Buenavista in Himamaylan City in southern Negros Occidental on Wednesday.

A report from the Philippine Army identified one of them as Rodrigo Medez “Salvo”, secretary of local party branch of Central Negros Front (CNF), Komiteng Rehiyong-Negros (KR-N), and member of Yunit Militia.

The five others included Jimmy Teves, Jodito Montecino, JP Romano, Eliseo Andres, and Roger “Jack” Sabanal, who are from the local party branch and Yunit Militia members.

Lt. Col. Egberto Dacoscos, commanding officer of 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB), said in a statement all were arrested “in accordance with existing laws” through a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Rodney Magbanua of Regional Trial Court Branch 61 in Kabankalan City.

Each of them faces two counts of murder and six counts of frustrated murder for the deaths of two soldiers and injury of six others during the clash between government troops and communist rebels at Sitio Bunsad, Barangay Tan-awan in neighboring Kabankalan City in May last year.

“Their arrest is a big blow to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front in central Negros,” he added.

Personnel of the 2nd Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office Mobile Force Company and the Army’s 62IB served the warrant in the respective homes of the suspects in Sitios Bito, Balatugan and in Dawhan.

Teves, Montecino, and Romano were arrested just before 8 a.m. while Medez and Andres were apprehended at 11:45 a.m. Sabandal was nabbed at 3 p.m.

They were endorsed to the Himamaylan City Police Station, the Army report said.

“No one is above the law and no one can escape justice. Sooner or later the NPA will answer for their crimes, either they will get killed in encounters or get arrested,” Dacoscos added.

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1073412

Police reassure safety in Marawi after explosion

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 26, 2019): Police reassure safety in Marawi after explosion



The Philippine National Police in Lanao del Sur has assured the public anew that the peace and order situation in Marawi City and Lanao del Sur is under control.

This, after a post on social media regarding an explosion in Marawi on Wednesday afternoon caused panic to the public.

Colonel Madzgani Mukaram, director of the Provincial Police Office in Lanao del Sur, said the explosion at 2 p.m. was a disposal of an unexploded ordnance (UXO) retrieved inside the Most Affected Area (MAA) of the Marawi Siege, during a clearing operation.

It was done at the Sector 5 of the MAA.

The Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM), through the National Housing Authority (NHA) that supervises the demolition of structures, has divided the MAA into nine sectors.

The Joint Task Group Builder, composed of the Explosive Ordnance Division of the Philippine Army and the private contractor, has continued its clearing activity as part of the demolition and rehabilitation process inside the 250,000-hectare former main battle ground.

Mukaram reminded the public that when there is a scheduled disposal of UXOs, an advisory will be sent to the public through radio and social media.

"There will be warning... A long siren before the disposal and two short sirens after," Mukaram said in a phone interview.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1073413

NPA rebels urged to surrender, enjoy gov't benefits

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 26, 2019): NPA rebels urged to surrender, enjoy gov't benefits



Two New People's Army rebels surrender to military authorities in Iligan City on Monday (June 24, 2019). (Photo courtesy of the Army's 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs Office)

Remaining members of the New People’s Army (NPA) should come down from the mountains surrender and enjoy the benefits given by the government through the Enhanced Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

Maj. Gen. Roberto Ancan, Army’s 1st Infantry Division commander, made the call Wednesday following the surrender of two NPA rebels in Iligan City on Monday.

“We encourage other NPA members to surrender with their firearms, return to the folds of the law and benefit the Enhanced Local Integration Program of the government,” said Ancan, who is also the Joint Task Force Zampelan (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao Provinces) commander.

The two NPA rebels turned over two Grand rifles to the Army’s 51st and 5th Infantry Battalions around 11 a.m. in Barangay Rogongon, Iligan City.

Lt. Col. Jasper Edward Obar, commander of the 51st Infantry Battalion, said one of the two NPA surrenderers identified only as a certain Ka Braga bared they were compelled to give up because of the military's “relentless combat operation”.

Obar said Braga also talked about the scarcity of food in the mountains, forcing rebels to eat only once a day.

The surrender of the two has brought to 29 the number of NPA rebels that have surrendered since January this year to the Army’s 51st Infantry Battalion.

Brig. Gen. Ezra James Enriquez, the Army’s 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade commander, said the influx of NPA surrenders in Iligan City is a testament of "their desire to unite and live peacefully with their families".

“We expect that more NPA rebels will return to the folds of the law in the coming days as our troops on the ground received a lot of surrender feelers,” Enriquez said, as urged the NPA leadership “in our area of operation to engage us through localized peace talks" to address their issues and problems peacefully.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1073397

Elite PA regiment celebrates 57th anniversary

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 26, 2019): Elite PA regiment celebrates 57th anniversary



Philippine Army (PA) commander Lt. Gen. Macairog S. Alberto on Tuesday spearheaded the 57th founding anniversary of the Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) at its headquarters in Fort Magasaysay, Nueva Ecija.

The SFR(A) is an elite Army unit with a competency in unconventional warfare operations, Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said.

Members of the unit are also highly trained in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism.

Among the strengths of the regiment is its effective community relations, which helped the SFR(A) attain significant accomplishments in combat, as well as the surrender of enemies of the state.

During the celebration, Zagala said the SFR(A) demonstrated its airborne capability through a skydiving exhibition followed by an anniversary program proper, where the PA chief led the awarding ceremony of the regiment’s outstanding military personnel, civilian personnel, and Special Forces alumni.

Before the awarding, Alberto donned the star-rank insignia to the SFR(A) commander, Col. Lincoln Francisco T. Tagle.

Alberto also visited the Special Forces Airborne School and had a brief talk with the students, who were newly-commissioned officers from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 2019 and other SFR(A) personnel.

Fresh from their graduation last May, this PMA batch was directed by the Army chief himself to undergo airborne training. The regiment continues to innovate and develop its capabilities in unconventional warfare to better serve its mandate.

“The Philippine Army will continue to support your initiatives in sustaining your unit by giving you the best equipment and training. Together, let us move course towards becoming a world-class Army that is source of national pride,” Alberto said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1073326

PAF allocates P150-M for FA-50PH jet spare parts

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 26, 2019): PAF allocates P150-M for FA-50PH jet spare parts



The Armed Forces of the Philippines, through the Philippine Air Force Bids and Awards Committee, is allocating the sum of PHP150,251,000 for the acquisition of spare parts needed for the maintenance of its 12 South Korean-made FA-50PH aircraft.

The parts are for FA-50PHs with tail numbers beginning from 001 to 012.

Pre-bid conference is scheduled on July 1 at the PAF Procurement Center Conference Room of the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City at around 9 a.m.

While deadline for submission and bid opening is on July 15, 9:15 a.m., at the same venue. Prospective bidders should have an experience in a similar project within the last five years.

"The Philippine Air Force reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act) and its IRR (implementing rules and regulations), without incurring any liability to the affected bidders," PAF Bids and Awards Committee chair, Brig. Gen. Carlo Bueno N. Buena said, at the bid bulletin posted Wednesday at the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System.

The Philippines' contract with Korea Aerospace Industries for the 12 FA-50PHs worth Php18.9 billion was signed on February 2014.

The FA-50PHs has a top speed of Mach 1.5 or one and a half times the speed of sound and is capable of being fitted with air-to-air missiles, including the AIM-9 "Sidewinder" air-to-air, heat-seeking missiles aside from light automatic cannons.

The FA-50PH will act as the country's interim fighter until the Philippines get enough experience of operating fast jet assets and money to fund the acquisition of more capable fighter aircraft.

The FA-50PH design is largely derived from the F-16 "Fighting Falcon", having many similarities such as use of a single engine, speed, size, cost, and the range of weapons.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1073330