CPP/NPA-Mindoro: 2 SAF, patay sa matagumpay na aktibong depensa ng Lucio De Guzman Command – NPA – Mindoro

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (Mar 16, 2023): 2 SAF, patay sa matagumpay na aktibong depensa ng Lucio De Guzman Command – NPA – Mindoro (2 SAF, dead in successful active defense of Lucio De Guzman Command – NPA – Mindoro)

 


Madaay Gasic

Spokesperson

NPA-Mindoro (Lucio De Guzman Command)

Southern Tagalog Regional Operational Command (Melito Glor Command)

New People's Army

March 16, 2023

Dalawang (2) pwersa ng Special Action Force (SAF) ng PNP-MIMAROPA ang nasawi matapos ang isinagawang aktibong depensa ng isang yunit ng Lucio De Guzman Command – NPA – Mindoro (LDGC) laban sa isang kolum ng nakapokus na operasyon ng 10tn Special Action Force Battalion at 203rd Brigade sa Sitio Naksib, Brgy. Sta Cruz, bayan ng Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro noong Marso 15, 2023, sa ganap na 02:30 ng hapon. Walang kaswalti sa hanay ng mga Pulang mandirigma na ligtas na nakaatras matapos ang limang minutong pakikipagpalitan ng putok sa nananalakay na kaaway.

Isa itong matagumpay na kontra-atake sa gitna ng mas masinsin at mabangis na atake ng FMO at RCSPO ng berdugong AFP-PNP-MIMAROPA. Bago pa man maganap ang labanan, halos isang buwan nang walang patid na naghahalihaw sa kabundukan at naghahasik ng teror ang mga pulis at sundalo sa mga mamamayan ng Bongabong at Bansud. Kabi-kabilaan na ang naitatalang mga paglabag sa karapatang pantao, pinakatampok dito ang walang pakundangang pagkakampo ng pasistang tropa ng 10th SAB sa Mindoro State College of Agriculture and Technology (MinSCAT) at tatlo pang ibang eskuwelahan sa Bongabong, dagdag pa sa mga pamayanan at barangay hall na ginagawang kampo-militar ng mersenaryong pulis at militar.

Ang aktibong depensa ng LDGC ay patunay lamang ng mataas na determinasyon ng mga Pulang mandirigma na biguin ang hibang na pangarap ng ilehitimong rehimeng US-Marcos II na wakasan ang rebolusyonaryong paglaban ng mamamayan sa isla. Ipinagbubunyi ng mamamayang Mindoreño ang matagumpay na bigwas ng rebolusyonaryong hukbo laban sa mga palalong kaaway na malaon nang nagpapahirap sa kanila. Lalo lamang nitong tinutulak ang mamamayan na suportahan at pakamahalin ang BHB, ang tunay na hukbo ng mamamayang api na lumalaban para sa kanila.

Sa pagtindi ng krisis ng malakolonyal at malapyudal na lipunan, ubos-kayang bibiguin ng Pulang hukbo ng LDGC ang imbing pakana ng reaksyunaryong estado na durugin ang rebolusyonaryong kilusan sa isla. Tangan ang di magagaping diwa, nakahanda ang mga Pulang mandirigma ng LDGC na isulong ang mas masinsin at malaganap na pakikidigmang gerilya upang ipagtanggol at ipaglaban ang interes ng mamamayang Mindoreño, mag-ambag sa paglakas ng rebolusyonaryong paglaban ng mamamayang Mindoreño, at iabante sa mas mataas ang digmang bayan hanggang sa makamit ang tagumpay!

Mabuhay ang darating na ika-54 anibersaryo ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan!
Mamamayang Mindoreño, mag-armas, sumapi sa BHB!

https://philippinerevolution.nu/statements/2-saf-patay-sa-matagumpay-na-aktibong-depensa-ng-lucio-de-guzman-command-npa-mindoro/

CPP: Philippines becoming battleground amid heightened US and China rivalry

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (Mar 16, 2023): Philippines becoming battleground amid heightened US and China rivalry

 


Communist Party of the Philippines
March 16, 2023

Superpower discord between the US and China continues to rise and the Philippines is increasingly being drawn into the growing vortex of their conflict. Both powers profess to be friends of the Filipino people, but in fact have complete contempt of Philippine sovereignty.

Instead of asserting the country’s independence, the Marcos regime has adopted the policy of “no one’s enemy” to justify the plan to allow the US to construct more military bases in the the country, and its servility to China’s expanding claim of economic and military dominion in areas within the West Philippine Sea. As a result, the possibility of the country again becoming a battleground of inter-imperialist conflict continues to rise.

The US government’s rush to construct four or five more military facilities within camps of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are clearly part of its war theater preparations and aim to provoke China and raise the level of armed tensions. This is further exacerbated by plans to carry out a series of joint war exercises, including the planned deployment of at least 12,000 American troops for the Balikatan exercises, on the pretext of preparing to “defend the archipelago.”

In addition to US military build up in the Philippines, the US has been increasing its military presence in Japan, Korea, and other countries surrounding China. Its aircraft carriers also maintain permanent presence in the west and eastern seas of the Philippines, the Japanese sea and in the waters around the Taiwan strait. It has sold two nuclear-powered submarines to Australia that aim further expand the military presence of US and its subalterns in the South China Sea.

The US claims that all these are part of its “military deterrence” strategy, but are in fact, calculated to provoke China to take military action. It is constantly stoking Taiwan secession to push China to unleash its military might, and in turn, use the pretext of defending Taiwan to justify US armed intervention.

In response, the Chinese embassy in Manila issued a veiled threat that allowing the US to push through with plans to construct more military facilities “will seriously harm Philippine national interests and endanger regional peace and stability.” Such threats do not help lower the tensions. China itself maintains large military facilities in the South China Sea that violate the country’s sovereign marine territory.

Amid rising inter-imperialist tensions, the Party calls on the Filipino people to condemn US and Chinese saber-rattling, denounce their war preparations involving Philippine territory, uphold Philippine sovereignty and fight for genuine national independence and non-alignment in the rivalries of imperialist powers.

The Filipino people must demand the imperialist US and China to put an end to their saber-rattling, denounce their war preparations involving Philippine territory, oppose plans to build more US military bases and facilities in the Philippines, call for the pull-out of all US troops in the country, call for the pull-out of all Chinese warships that transgress in the country’s maritime territory and take away the source of livelihood of Filipino fisherfolk, oppose plans to hold large scale war exercises, and demand the dismantling of all foreign military bases, whether American and Chinese.

The Filipino people must continue to link up with other peoples of Asia and other parts of the globe who are resisting imperialist military intervention in their countries. A united front to fight imperialist wars must be established and strengthened and stop these from erupting into a conflagration.

Rising US and China conflict are among the manifestations how inter-imperialist conflicts are rapidly worsening amid the acute global capitalist crisis. As a result of deepening and prolonged economic slowdown and falling rates of profit, leading capitalist countries are driven to protect and expand their own economies and spheres of investment, leading to wars and conflict to change the existing division of the world between the imperialist superpowers.

https://philippinerevolution.nu/statements/philippines-becoming-battleground-amid-heightened-us-and-china-rivalry/

CPP/NPA-Central Negros: 2 Patay, 2 Pilason sa 62nd IB sa Vallehermoso

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (Mar 16, 2023): 2 Patay, 2 Pilason sa 62nd IB sa Vallehermoso (2 Dead, 2 Wounded at 62nd IB in Vallehermoso)

 


JB Regalado

Spokesperson

NPA-Central Negros (Leonardo Panaligan Command)

Negros Island Regional Operational Command (Apolinario Gatmaitan Command)

New People's Army

March 16, 2023

Patay ang 2 kag 2 pa samaron sa mga katapo sang 62nd IB sang ginharas kag ginpalukpan sang 2 ka grenade rifle sang Leonardo Panaligan Command-New People’s Army ang bag-ong gintukod nga army detachment sa Brgy Malangsa proper sa Vallehermoso, Negros Oriental kagab-i alas 7:30, Marso 15, 2023. Samtang hilway naman nga naka-atras ang mga katapo sang NPA matapos nga nagpinalupok ang nasambit nga tropa militar nga wala sang direksyon.

Ang 62nd IB ang madugay na nga ginareklamo sang pumuluyo. Pilit nga ginapatrabaho ang mga residente sang Brgy Malangsa ilabe na ang malapit nga sityo nga wala sang nagakaigo nga bayad. Kadam-an man sa ila ang ginapasibangdan nga mga supporter sang NPA, ginapahug kag pilit ginapasurender. Ang presenya sang militar sa ila ugar ang dako nga nagaperwisyo sa ila pagpangabuhi, imbes nga ipanguma sang mga magunguma sa ila kaugalingon nga luna para makaprodukto sa pihak sang grabe nga kapigaduhon kag kagutom bangud sang kawad-on sa duta, kulang sa pangabuhian, nubo nga sweldo sa kampo kag naga-atubang pa sa problema sang implasyon, mahal nga mga balaklon tuga sang pagtaas sang presyo sang gasolina kag krudo, pilit pa sila nga ginapatawag sang militar sa libre nga pagdagyaw sa paghimo sang ila kampo militar.

Padayon nga mag-isa ang pumuluyo! Manindugan para sa tawhanon nga kinamatarung kag demokratikong interes!

Sa mga yunit sang NPA, lig-on nga itib-ong kag isulong ang armadong paghimakas! Ilunsar ang inaway banwa tubtob sa kadalag-an!

https://philippinerevolution.nu/statements/2-patay-2-pilason-sa-62nd-ib-sa-vallehermoso/

CPP/Negros Island ROC: AGC-NPA condemns killing of Gov. Degamo, warns of intensified military attacks against the people

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (Mar 15, 2023): AGC-NPA condemns killing of Gov. Degamo, warns of intensified military attacks against the people

 


Maoche Legislador

Spokesperson

Negros Island Regional Operational Command (Apolinario Gatmaitan Command)

New People's Army

March 15, 2023

The brazen massacre of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and eight others in Pamplona last March 4 is outright condemnable. It was an act of violence that demonstrated the systemic culture of impunity in Negros cemented by Duterte in 2018 when he ordered the deployment of additional AFP troops to the island thru Memorandum Order 32. Duterte incited the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) to commit widespread violence and mount attacks against the people.

The AFP and PNP have long lost the trust and confidence of the Negrosanons. These state forces are the perpetrators of over a hundred extrajudicial killings especially of Negrosanon peasants and activists. They use violence to strike fear among the people and suppress the people’s legitimate struggles for their basic rights and welfare.

Though peasants are the main victims of state-sponsored violence in Negros Island, public personalities have also been targetted. Mass murders back in 2018 and 2019, most during Oplan Sauron (combined “killing” operations of the AFP and PNP), have resulted to the slaughter of 37 unarmed farmers and public personalities like barangay captains, a city councilor, an ex-mayor, DepEd educators and officials, and lawyers.

There were also human rights defender Atty. Benjamin Ramos and Canlaon District Hospital Chief Dr. Avelex Amor who were gunned down in 2018, Escalante City Councilor Toto Patigas in 2019, and Negros Occidental Provincial Consultant Marton Cui and ex-councilor of Vallehermoso Henry Hermoso in 2021.

In 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the head of the Guihulngan City Inter-Agency Task Force against Emerging Infectious Diseases, Dr. Mary Rose Sancelan, and her husband Edwin were also killed. Sancelan was number one on a hitlist of Army-backed vigilante group Kagubak (or Kawsa Guihulnganon Batok Komunista) that vilified and red-tagged her.

Not one of these victims have been given justice by the Duterte regime, all the more by the current Marcos regime. Of course, this is not surprising as fascist butchers are not capable of passing justice upon themselves.

The Apolinario Gatmaitan Command – New People’s Army Negros Island (AGC-NPA) sees through the grandstanding of Marcos and his loyalists. Talks of “giving justice,” “dismantling private armed groups,” “establishing normalcy and regaining the trust of the public,” “the day of reckoning,” “enforcing the full might of the law and restore peace and order,” and “military only there to keep people safe,” are smokescreen to cover the heightening militarization in Negros in the context of dismantling the revolutionary forces on the island within the first two years of the Marcos II regime.

The “hunt” for suspects in the Degamo slay is mere justification for another round of deployment of troops to Negros Island in addition to the 15 battalions of the Philippine Army and the PNP special forces already in place. The existing de facto martial law terrorizing Negrosanons will only worsen along with increasing extrajudicial killings and other forms of human rights violations.

Instead of going after the mastermind and conspirators of the Pamplona massacre, the AGC-NPA expects more intense and violent massive attacks on guerrilla fronts and guerrilla zones of the NPA especially in Central and Southern Negros where the AFP and PNP absurdly claim the rest of the perpetrators are in hiding.

The AGC-NPA directs all guerrilla fronts to stay alert against military attacks. Seize the opportunities of mounting effective combinations of annihilative and attritive tactical offensives against the weak sections of the enemy. The people of Negros must be defended from vicious focused military operations and justice be delivered for all victims of state terrorism.#

https://philippinerevolution.nu/statements/agc-npa-condemns-killing-of-gov-degamo-warns-of-intensified-military-attacks-against-the-people/

NPA fighter ‘Ka Mark’ surrenders in Palawan

 From Palawan News (Mar 16, 2023): NPA fighter ‘Ka Mark’ surrenders in Palawan (By Ruil Alabi)

1st PPMFC commander P/Lt. Col. Eldie Bantal speaks to Bienvenido Vallever Command member Ka Mark, who surrendered on March 14.

Ka Mark, who claims to be an “inactive” member of the rebel group’s Bienvenido Vallever Command (BVC) in the province and has been hiding out at his home in Brooke’s Point, has surrendered to the 1st Palawan Provincial Mobile Force Company (1st PPMFC).

According to 1st PPMFC commander P/Lt. Col. Eldie Bantal, Ka Mark surrendered to them on March 14 at the encouragement of his family so that he may resume his normal life.

“Matagal na daw siyang hindi active sa grupo at nanatiling sa kanilang bahay na lang sa Brooke’s Point. Matapos na hindi na siya maging active, kinuha na rin daw sa kaniya yong issued sa kaniya na baril,” explained Bantal.

“Masugid din nating nakausap yong pamilya niya tungkol doon nga sa kaniyang pinasukang grupo, until naisipan na niyang mag surrender, magbalik-loob sa pamahalaan, at maging isang ordinaryong mamamayan,” he added.

Bantal said that Ka Mark joined the BVC of the New People’s Army (NPA) in 2012, but only received training in the leftist struggle in the province in 2015.

In barely three months on Paly Island in Taytay, northern Palawan, Ka Mark trained to operate his supplied firearm, and became one of the fighters of the BVC.

“Madali siyang nahikayat ng isang Ka Harry na umanib sa pamamagitan ng pangakong susuportahan ang pinansyal na pangangailangan. Ngunit taliwas umano ito sa naranasan niya. Sa halip ay hirap at gutom ang dinanas niya. Dahil rin daw sa hirap na dinadanas nila sa kabundukan, hindi na niya matiis ito. Sumasama daw siya sa mga operations nila halimbawang may mga gagawing hakbang,” Bantal said.

Bantal added that Ka Mark was among the BVC members who torched a heavy equipment in Sofronio Española in the past.

The 1st PPMFC is now assisting him with his paperwork so that he, too, may be eligible for the Local Social Integration Program (LSIP) and the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP).

In December 2022, the Western Command (WESCOM) declared Palawan “insurgency-free” after the defeat of the NPA.

The declaration was made in a joint measure adopted by the Palawan Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict and the Provincial Peace and Order Council.

https://palawan-news.com/npa-fighter-ka-mark-surrenders-in-palawan/

Creation of Task Force Marawi underway

From the Philippine Information Agency (Mar 15, 2023): Creation of Task Force Marawi underway (By Apipa Bagumbaran)

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)—The 103rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army said the organization of a task force to synchronize and harmonize security forces' operations to fight terrorism and criminality in Marawi is underway.

Brigade commander BGen. Yegor Rey Barroquillo Jr. said higher authorities had given them the go signal for creating Task Force Marawi.

He said preliminary talks with the city government of Marawi have also already been made.

"Kasi habang nagrerehabilitate ang Marawi (because while Marawi is being rehabilitated), more people are entering the most affected area, and so is crime and lawlessness," he said during the first quarter joint meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council and Provincial Anti-Drugs Abuse Council, March 14.

Barroquillo emphasized that the creation of Task Force Marawi would address the security concerns in the city.

According to him, the task force will be modeled after Task Force Davao and Task Force Zamboanga. (APB/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)

US Air Force brings in F-22 'Raptor' aircraft in talks with PAF

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 16, 2023): US Air Force brings in F-22 'Raptor' aircraft in talks with PAF (By Priam Nepomuceno)

(Photo courtesy of PAF)

MANILA – Two of the United States Air Force's (USAF) premier stealth fighter aircraft, the Lockheed Martin F-22 "Raptor" along with its Boeing KC-135 "Stratotanker" aircraft, landed and visited Clark Air Base, Pampanga for a so-called bilateral fighter "subject matter expert exchange" (SMEE) on March 13.

In a statement Wednesday, Philippine Air Force (PAF) spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said the bilateral fighter SMEE is part of the Air Force's Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB) activities for 2023.

This also includes PAF engagement opportunities with the USAF's Pacific Air Forces (PACAF).

PAF fighter pilots and other personnel from the 5th Fighter Wing, Air Defense Command participated in the bilateral fighter SMEE.

Castillo said bilateral exchanges focused on the capabilities of fighter aircraft operated by the two Air Forces as a prelude to other upcoming engagements to promote air domain awareness, agile combat employment, interoperability and other bilateral air objectives.

"Notably the USAF, PACAF brought in two F-22s and one KC-135 aircraft which were placed on static display for the appreciation of PAF commanders and aircrew," Castillo said.

Observers said this is the first time these high-tech stealth aircraft visited the Philippines.

She added that the PACAF delegates were welcomed by Air Defense Command chief Maj. Gen. Augustine S. Malinit.

On March 14, Castillo said an F-22 and the KC-135 tanker aircraft conducted an air-to-air refueling demonstration before being escorted out of Philippine airspace by three PAF FA-50PH light jet fighters.

The F-22 is a single-seat, twin engine, all weather stealth tactical fighter aircraft. It was designed as an air superiority fighter but also has ground attack, electronic and signal intelligence capabilities.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1197507

PH Army sees more bilateral engagements with US counterparts

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 16, 2023): PH Army sees more bilateral engagements with US counterparts (By Priam Nepomuceno)

(Photo courtesy of Philippine Army)

MANILA – Philippine Army (PA) chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said defense engagements between the PA and the US Army had been intensified.

This came following a fellowship between PA and American military officials shortly after the opening of this year's iteration of the "Salaknib" exercises last March 13.

Army spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad, in a statement Wednesday night, said the event was in honor of US Army I Corps commander Lt. Gen. Xavier T. Brunson who personally attended the opening of this year's "Salaknib" exercises in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija.

The fellowship dinner was held at the Shangri-La at The Fort, Bonifacio Global City.

"The CGPA (Commanding General PA) also acknowledged the intensified engagements between the two countries focusing on interoperability in the areas of territorial defense, counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, warfighting functions, and military professionalism despite the constraints on face-to-face engagements brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic," he added.

Brawner also expressed optimism toward more bilateral engagements and activities to realize the PA-US Army's mutual aspirations of promoting peace and stability in the region.

"The activities we undertake together are a true testament to our commitment to upholding the same degree of trust and confidence that we have consistently displayed. While working hand in hand, may we continue to share best practices and lessons gained as we build our capacity as dependable and credible forces," he added.

"Salakbib" is being held with the United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) and will run for March 13 to April 4. It is an Army-to-Army training between the PA and USARPAC.

Some 3,000 troops from the USARPAC's 25th Infantry Division and PA's 5th Infantry Division, 7th Infantry Division and 1st Brigade Combat Team will be training side-by-side in a spectrum of military operations in the coming weeks.

"The training audience will conduct bilateral exercises in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija and other venues in Central Luzon and Northern Luzon. 'Salaknib' 's first phase will precede Exercise 'Balikatan' slated for April 2023 while its second phase is scheduled for the third quarter of 2023," Trinidad earlier said.

"Salaknib" (shield in Ilocano) is an annual Army-to-Army exercise geared at strengthening the interoperability of Filipino and American soldiers.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1197509

AFP deputy chief of staff Reyes retires after 38 years of service

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 16, 2023): AFP deputy chief of staff Reyes retires after 38 years of service (By Priam Nepomuceno)

AFP deputy chief of staff Vice Adm. Rommel Anthony SD Reyes (Photo courtesy of AFP)

MANILA – Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) deputy chief of staff Vice Adm. Rommel Anthony SD Reyes retired after 38 years of military service.

Reyes was honored with a testimonial parade and review at the AFP headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Wednesday.

"Vice Admiral Reyes, who became the 78th TDCSAFP (The Deputy Chief Of Staff AFP) in February last year, rendered his final salute after serving the AFP for 38 years. Before becoming the TDCSAFP, he held notable positions in the AFP, such as Assistant Chief of Fleet Staff for Operations; F-3 of the Philippine Fleet; Assistant Chief of Fleet Staff for CEIS, F-6; Assistant Chief of Naval Staff for CEIS (Communications, Electronics and Information Systems Service), N-6; Commander, Naval Information and Communications Technology Center (NICTC); Commander, Communications Electronics Information System Service, AFP (CEISSAFP); and The Naval Inspector General, PN (Philippine Navy)," AFP public affairs office chief Col. Jorry Baclor said in a statement Thursday.

Reyes said he is proud of serving the AFP and prouder still of serving alongside with its brave men and women.

Army Lt. Gen. William Gonzales took over Reyes' post in an acting capacity.

Gonzales is currently the Inspector General of the military.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1197520

PH notes AUKUS assurances on preserving reg'l peace

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 16, 2023): PH notes AUKUS assurances on preserving reg'l peace (By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora)

Department of Foreign Affairs office in Pasay City

MANILA – The Philippine government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), on Thursday banked on the assurances that the AUKUS would help preserve regional peace as it noted the three-country grouping’s recently announced nuclear submarine project.

The agency did not reiterate its support for the grouping but said arrangements like AUKUS must “reinforce an international rules-based order that underpins regional security and development”. AUKUS is a 2021 trilateral security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, for the Indo-Pacific region.

“The Philippines appreciates the efforts of the AUKUS parties to provide information and developments on AUKUS, and in this regard, notes their recent announcement,” it said in a statement.

“As the Philippines remains committed to strengthening our existing bilateral security arrangements in the region, we particularly note the assurances made at the highest levels that AUKUS will contribute to the preservation of regional peace and stability,” it added.

AUKUS and similar partnerships in the Indo-Pacific, it said, should also uphold the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) central role in the “regional security architecture”.

“For the Philippines, it is important that partnerships or arrangements in the Indo-Pacific region, such as AUKUS, support our pursuit of deeper regional cooperation and sustained economic vitality and resilience, which are essential to our national development and to the security of the region,” it said.

The DFA then urged AUKUS to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency to ensure that its activities observe the relevant international nuclear safeguards and non-proliferation standards.

Canberra unveiled on Tuesday a AUD368 billion project to acquire conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines (SNN) to “enhance deterrence and promote stability in the Indo-Pacific”.

The submarines would be designed based on the UK’s next-generation SNN while incorporating US technologies. It would be built and deployed by both Australia and the UK.

During the previous administration, former Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said AUKUS “would be beneficial in the long term” including for ASEAN member states which "singly or collectively, do not possess the military wherewithal to maintain peace and security in Southeast Asia, discourage the sudden creation of crises therein, and avoid disproportionate and hasty responses by rival great powers."

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1197537

PH troops learn mortar, anti-tank warfare from US experts

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 16, 2023): PH troops learn mortar, anti-tank warfare from US experts (By Priam Nepomuceno)

(Photo courtesy of Philippine Army)

MANILA – American experts on extended-range mortar and anti-tank missile operations provided lessons to Filipino troops during the subject matter expert exchanges (SMEE) segment of the ongoing "Salaknib" exercises in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija province on Wednesday.

"Experts on extended-range mortar and 'Javelin', an anti-tank weapon extensively used in the Ukraine crisis, conducted lessons for Filipino soldiers at the SFS (Special Forces School)," said Philippine Army (PA) spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad in a statement Thursday.

Observers said the FGM-148 "Javelin" missile has proven effective in neutralizing tanks and other armored vehicles in the said conflict.

Aside from these, field artillery personnel from participating artillery units from the PA and the United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) conducted the counter unmanned aerial system SMEE at the headquarters of the Army Artillery Regiment which is also located in Fort Magsaysay.

"Filipino and US soldiers learned lessons, tactics and procedures from jungle environment and survival subject matter experts at SFS while Army aviators and medical personnel and their US counterparts conducted the aero medical evacuation SMEE at Army Aviation Regiment," Trinidad said.

The first phase of "Salaknib", which started on March 13 and will conclude on April 4, is an Army-to-Army training between the PA and USARPAC.

The ongoing exercises involve around 3,000 soldiers from USARPAC's 25th Infantry Division and PA's 5th Infantry Division, 7th Infantry Division and 1st Brigade Combat Team training side by side in a spectrum of military operations.

The exercise's second phase is slated for the second quarter of the year.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1197551

PBBM: Soldiers must take role of 'peacemakers' vs. insurgency

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 16, 2023): PBBM: Soldiers must take role of 'peacemakers' vs. insurgency (By Azer Parrocha)

TALK TO THE TROOPS. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. concludes his trip to Camarines Sur province by speaking to soldiers at the 9th Infantry "Spear" Division of the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Thursday (March 16, 2023). Marcos called on the military to be “peacemakers” in the country’s whole-of-government approach against communist insurgency. (Screengrab from RTVM)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday called on the military to be “peacemakers” in the country’s fight against communist insurgents, citing how his administration has moved away from the old anti-insurgency approach.

Speaking before the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) 9th Infantry "Spear" Division in Camarines Sur, Marcos recognized the role of the military as “warfighters” who put pressure on the enemies of the state.

He, however, said they must also take on the role of “peacemakers” who give communist insurgents a chance to return to the fold of the law.

“…Now, we are asking you to be peacemakers because we have changed our approach to the communist, terrorist groups that we have been encountering,” Marcos said.

“We are now not only presenting them with a military force, we are presenting them with other options. We are presenting them with a life after their life as rebels,” he added.

Marcos attributed the gains in ridding communist terror groups to the government’s “whole-of-nation” approach to resolving armed conflict.

The whole-of-nation approach aims to address the root causes of the communist insurgency and provide developments in conflict-affected areas.

“Although they technically have not abandoned the concept of armed struggle, I think efforts of those dissidents had been redirected in another way. And that’s why your role as the Philippine military continues to be as warfighters, but now there is the additional mission that we are asking of you to be peacemakers,” he said.

Beyond the internal threats that the country is currently facing, Marcos said external threats are also becoming “more complicated” and “more difficult.”

He said the AFP must also prioritize its mission of safeguarding the country’s maritime territory.

“With the geographical location of the 9th ID, we can see that it is very close to some of the disputed areas kung saan pumapasok ang mga iba’t ibang barko. Kailangan din nating bantayan ‘yan. Kaya’t ito na naman ay isa pang panibagong mission ninyo (where ships enter. We also need to guard those. That is your new mission),” he said.

Marcos likewise reiterated his promise to modernize the AFP’s defense capabilities.

“We in the civilian government are determined to make sure that when we ask you to do your duty, that then you are fully prepared, you are fully trained and you are complete in the equipment that you need to fulfill that mission,” he said.

He described the military as “sophisticated” and “well-trained military and urged them to keep up the good work.

“I think I am accurate when I describe our military today as being capable and as well prepared as we ever had,” he said.

“I see that the actions here, the violent instances of encounters et cetera, have slowly come down. And looking at that, all I can say is that once again, I have always been a – I have always said that of all the sectors of society, it is only the military that has never let the Filipino down,” he added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1197588

No more ‘Balikatan’ live fire exercise in Ilocos Norte

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 16, 2023): No more ‘Balikatan’ live fire exercise in Ilocos Norte (By Leilanie Adriano)

JOINT EXERCISE. Members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Ilocos Norte pose for a photo with officials in-charge of the Philippine-US Balikatan Exercise 2023 after their courtesy call in the province on Jan. 23, 2023. The live fire exercise, which was earlier planned to be held in Burgos, Ilocos Norte, has been moved to Zambales instead. (File photo by Leilanie Adriano)

LAOAG CITY – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has taken back its plan to hold a live fire exercise for the Philippine-US Balikatan in the province of Ilocos Norte in April and decided to move it to Zambales instead.

This was contained in an undated letter from AFP Maj. Gen. Marvin Licudine in his capacity as exercise director and addressed to Ilocos Norte Gov. Matthew Joseph Manotoc.

"It is with deepest regret to inform your good office that the Combined Joint Littoral Live Fire Exercise, being one of the highlights of the Philippines-United States Exercise Balikatan this year was moved to Naval Station Leovigildo Gontioqui in San Antonio, Zambales,” Licudine said.

No reason for the change of venue was mentioned in the letter.

The military official, nevertheless, acknowledged the province for their help. He said they are looking forward to going back to the province for future joint activities.

"Your sincerity and receptiveness not to mention the enthusiasm of your community to accomodate the AFP Team during the planning and coordination was deeply felt by our personnel," Licudine said.

As a result, all safety preparations in the province, which started this March, have been halted.

Last Monday, the provincial government has advised the officials of the 21 towns and two cities of Ilocos Norte to take precautionary measures for this year’s joint military exercise as a live fire exercise to test the newly acquired weapons system of the United States and the Philippines was earlier planned to be set up in Burgos town.

This year’s Balikatan will be held from April 11 to 28 in various areas in the country, including Palawan, Batanes and parts of Northern Luzon.

Unlike in previous military exercises, Col. Michael Logico, spokesperson of the Balikatan 2023, said some activities this year would be held outside traditional training areas.

“Balikatans in the past were held inside military camps, but now we are venturing outside our traditional training areas. The reason is, in CERAB and Fort Magsaysay, it’s a landlocked training area. What you can only exercise there are the land and air components. There’s nothing you can do with the Navy,” Logico said in an earlier interview with reporters.

During the live fire exercise at sea, Logico said Filipino and American troops will fire at and sink a target vessel, an old fishing boat, some 12 nautical miles off Zambales.

“We are going to fire at a target. We have a target vessel that the US procured for this purpose,” Logico said.

More than 17,000 Filipino and American soldiers are set to join the Balikatan 2023, described as the largest iteration of the joint training exercises.

Around 12,000 soldiers will come from the US military, while around 5,000 will be from the AFP.

A hundred more from the Australian Defense Force will join and take part in smaller events, mostly land-based exercises. There will also be observers from Japan, South Korea, ASEAN, the United Kingdom, France and India.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1197533

NPA squad leader yields in Caraga

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 16, 2023): NPA squad leader yields in Caraga (By Alexander Lopez)

NPA SURRENDERER. Brig. Gen. Pablo Labra II, director of Police Regional Office in the Caraga Region, reports the surrender of Rem-Rem, a squad leader under the New People's Army's Guerrilla Front 4A, on March 14, 2023. The surrenderer handed over a .38-caliber revolver with four ammunition. (Visual courtesy of PRO-13 Information Office)

BUTUAN CITY – Less than a week after the arrest of two New People’s Army (NPA) hitmen in Cabadbaran City, a ranking rebel leader surrendered to police authorities in Agusan del Sur on Tuesday.

Brig. Gen. Pablo Labra II, director of the Police Regional Office in the Caraga Region (PRO-13), identified the surrenderer only as alias Rem-Rem, who turned himself in to the personnel of Regional Mobile Force Battalion 13 in Esperanza, Agusan del Sur.

In a statement Thursday (March 16, 2023), Labra said Rem-Rem, 26, served as the Squad Leader of Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda SIKOP of Guerrilla Front (GF) 4A, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) of the NPA.

Rem-Rem also handed over to authorities a .38-caliber revolver loaded with four live ammunition.

“Based on information, he was an active Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) member from 2016 to 2020 but decided to lie low because of hardships in the armed struggle and the dwindling support from the masses,” Labra said.

He said Rem-Rem also wanted to reunite with his family.

“The increasing figures of the rebel returnees prove that the CTG continues to weaken. Soon, victory will rest on our hands as more former rebels are convinced to surrender upon seeing their former comrades now living a peaceful life,” the police official said.

He also reiterated his call for the remaining NPA rebels in the region to surrender "and totally abandon the armed struggle."

Meanwhile, in a separate statement on Thursday, the Butuan City Police Office (BCPO) also reported the surrender of two NPA rebels on Wednesday.

The BCPO identified the NPA insurgents only as Rexon, 30, and Bebs, 42, who are both members of the Sangay sa Partido Lokalidad under the dismantled GF4, Sub-Regional Committee 3 of NCMRC.

The two rebels surrendered to the personnel of BCPO Station 5 and the Army's 23rd Infantry Battalion of the Army.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1197534

4 armed group members surrender in Lanao del Sur

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 16, 2023): 4 armed group members surrender in Lanao del Sur (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)

ARMED GROUP. Four members of a potential private armed group surrender and turned in high-powered firearms with ammunition to authorities in Barangay Bayabao, Butig town, Lanao del Sur province on Wednesday (March 15, 2023). They were allowed to go home but required to report weekly to the Butig police office for updates on their whereabouts and activities. (Photo courtesy of APC-WM)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Four members of a potential private armed group (PPAG) have surrendered and turned in high-powered firearms to authorities in Lanao del Sur province, a police official said Thursday.

Col. Richard Verceles, operations chief of the Area Police Command-Western Mindanao, said the PPAG surrenderers belong to the Pansar Group who surrendered around 9:21 a.m. Wednesday in Barangay Bayabao, Butig town.

The surrenderers were identified as Salaoden and Maradi, both surnamed Pansar; Moctar Masorong; and Alinader Maricor.

They surrendered a .50-caliber Barrett sniper rifle, a 5.56-mm rifle, a .45-caliber pistol, a .38-caliber revolver and ammunition.

The group’s surrender was facilitated by the Lanao del Sur Police Provincial Office with the support of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion-14 and the Butig police station.

Verceles said the surrenderers were released in good physical condition and required to report weekly to the Butig police station for continuous monitoring.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1197541