NPA present in more than 200 barangays, says AFP

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jul 11, 2023): NPA present in more than 200 barangays, says AFP (By: John Eric Mendoza)

MANILA, Philippines — The communist New People’s Army (NPA) is still present in more than 200 out of 42,046 barangays (villages) in the country, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar said in a press conference in Camp Aguinaldo on Tuesday.

“More than 200,” Aguilar responded when asked about the number of villages where the NPA maintains its presence.

However, Aguilar pointed out that “it should not be a cause of alarm for everybody because we started from 400 down to 200.”

“This is part of our internal security operations,” he added.

The AFP also said that the NPA only has one remaining active guerrilla front nationwide. An NPA guerrilla front should have at least three platoons with around 100 armed combatants.

To date, the NPA is now down to around 1,800 fighters, according to Aguilar.

Established on March 29, 1969, the NPA had 25,000 members at its height around 1987, according to Philippine military estimates.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1800253/npa-present-in-more-than-200-barangays-says-afp

Army steps up operations to recover more NPA firearms in Negros

Posted to the Sun Star-Bacolod (Jul 11, 2023): Army steps up operations to recover more NPA firearms in Negros

ARMS CACHE SEIZED. A joint police and Army troops recover weapons, communications equipment and subversive documents from a hideout of the dismantled New People’s Army Northern Negros Front in the hinterlands of Calatrava, Negros Occidental on Saturday, July 8. (79th IB photo)

THE Philippine Army is intensifying efforts to locate more firearms stashed by the New People’s Army (NPA) to prevent the communist rebels from making up lost ground in Negros Island.

Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), gave the assurance as he commended the joint police and military forces for the recovery of a cache of firearms in the hinterlands of Calatrava, Negros Occidental over the weekend.

“We will carry on in stepping up our military and non-military operations to recuperate more loose firearms and defuse the remnants of the communist-terrorist group in Negros Island,” Sison said in a statement on Monday.

The operation on July 8 was conducted by troops of the 79th Infantry Battalion together with personnel of the Philippine National Police’s Regional Mobile Force Battalion-Western Visayas, 1st Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force, and 6th Special Action Battalion, Special Action Force upon receiving information from the locals that led them to the location in Sitio Bandol, Barangay Maaslob.

They recovered an M14 rifle with a magazine containing live ammunition, M16 rifle magazines, clips for Garand rifle, commercial radios, and subversive documents believed to have been hidden by the remnants of the dismantled NPA Northern Negros Front.

Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, said the recovery of the arms cache is “a significant blow to the NPA’s capacity to carry out its destructive acts”.

“It also serves as a clear warning that law enforcement agencies in Negros Occidental remain committed to ensuring the safety and security of the people, and are relentless in the pursuit of those who seek to sow terror and disorder,” he added.

Meanwhile, in central Negros, troops of the 94th Infantry Battalion also recovered an M4A1 rifle with magazines loaded with ammunition along with backpacks, personal items, and copies of extortion letters after a series of clashes in Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City on July 7.

The body of a still unidentified NPA fighter, who died during the second encounter, was left behind by his comrades, the report said. (PNA)

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1966399/bacolod/local-news/army-steps-up-operations-to-recover-more-npa-firearms-in-negros

Brief: Is Abu Sayyaf Becoming Desperate for Recruits?

Posted to the Jamestown Foundation Terrorism Monitor (Jul 11, 2023): Brief: Is Abu Sayyaf Becoming Desperate for Recruits? (By: Jacob Zenn)

Publication: Terrorism Monitor Volume: 21 Issue: 14

Suspected Abu Sayyaf members (note the pevalence of the Sawadjaans family) via Global News

On June 7, Philippine security forces on Basilan Island (off of Mindanao) claimed to have “rescued” an Indonesian boy who was being trained to carry out bombings (philstar.com, June 7). The boy was in a hideout of two Islamic State (IS)-loyal sub-commanders, Mudzrimar Sawadjaan (alias Mundi) and Pasil Bayali (alias Kera). He was also the son of Rullie Rian Zeke (alias Abbang Rullie), who conducted a suicide bombing at Jolo Cathedral in January 2019 that killed 23 people and wounded more than 100 others.

Rullie Rian Zeke’s daughter, Siti Aisyah Rullie (alias Maryam Israni), had also been recruited and raised in Abu Sayyaf’s ranks, but was found by the Philippine security forces in Sulu in January 2021 (arabnews.com, June 25, 2021). By the time that they found Siti, they learned that Rullie and his wife, Ulfah Handayani Saleh, had been members of Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) in Indonesia before traveling to the Philippines to join Abu Sayyaf. Siti, meanwhile, had been married to another Abu Sayyaf member, Rudymar Habib Jihiiran (alias Gulam), who indoctrinated and trained her to become a suicide bomber.

The security forces also learned when Siti was arrested that her brother had been taken to another camp to be trained to conduct his own suicide bombing. Their other sister, Rezky Fantasya Rullie (alias Cici), was already in prison at that time for planning a suicide attack to avenge the death of her husband, Andi Baso; Baso was killed in battle with the Philippine security forces in Sulu in 2020. He had been a militant recruiter in Indonesia and Malaysia before becoming a combatant in the Philippines (inquirer.net, October 12, 2020).

Moreover, in the same operation that led to Baso’s death, another Abu Sayyaf bomb-maker, Samir Nani, was killed. Intelligence obtained from the operation also led the security forces to track down another bomb-maker, Arsibar Sawadjaan, who was a nephew of Abu Sayyaf commander Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan. Arsibar Sawadjaan was killed in September 2020, several weeks after Baso and Nani (manilastandard.net, September 29, 2020).

The incestuous nature of the Rullie and Sawadjaan families’ involvement in Abu Sayyaf reflects how the group is likely no longer able to recruit en masse across wide swathes of southern Mindanao. Rather, the group depends on families to contribute their children to the cause, especially after the parents themselves are killed in battle or conduct suicide bombings. The recruitment of children and the marrying off of daughters to commanders suggests that the group, therefore, does not enjoy the broader appeal that it once had. Moreover, once the main contributing families to Abu Sayyaf—such as the Rullies and Sawadjaans—are disrupted from carrying out more attacks or see most of their members detained or deceased, Abu Sayyaf operations will experience drawdowns.

More broadly, as early as the start of this year, Marine Brigadier General Arturo Rojas, who had led the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM), stated that Mudzrimar Sawadjaan’s fighters now travel in small groups because of their “dwindling numbers” (mindanews.com, January 1). Moreover, two areas that had once hosted Abu Sayyaf bases, according to Rojas, including Zamboanga Peninsula and Tawi-Tawi, had by 2023 become “Abu Sayyaf-free.” The latest WESTMINCOM statements and disruption of key contributing Abu Sayyaf families further substantiates the trend that Abu Sayyaf is closer to its demise than potential resurgence.

https://jamestown.org/program/brief-is-abu-sayyaf-becoming-desperate-for-recruits/

Marines focused on sustaining gains in Palawan – Brig. Gen. Mangoroban

From Palawan News (Jul 11, 2023): Marines focused on sustaining gains in Palawan – Brig. Gen. Mangoroban (By Gerald Ticke)

3rd Marine Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Antonio Mangoroban Jr. is welcomed with a lei at the Rodolfo Punsalang Marine Base in Barangay Tiniguiban last July 10, during the arrival honors rendered by personnel of the brigade for his promotion to star rank.

There will not be much change in the mission, as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has achieved its primary goal of eliminating the New People’s Army (NPA) in Palawan, said Brigadier General Antonio Mangoroban Jr., commander of the 3rd Marine Brigade (3MBde).

Mangoroban stated that with the dismantling of the rebel group in the province, their focus now lies on preventing its resurgence by laying the foundation for this accomplishment.

“Our mission remains to maintain the peace and order in the province of Palawan, primarily on ISO (Internal Security Operation) so we will just continue to maintain whatever gains we have made from the past years,” Mangoroban told the media in an interview, Monday, July 10.

“Although we are [insurgency-free], nandyan [pa rin] yung danger na makabalik. And, of course, we are also guarding our shores against other lawless elements out to create terrorism,” he said.

Along with the mission of maintaining the insurgency-free status, he said 3MBde is also slowly setting its focus on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations.

“If you noticed this past few years, yung mga hindi natin inaasahang sakuna ay nangyayari, dati sa north pero ngayon sa south mas pronounced na so we are preparing in coordination with the provincial disaster response office so that we can be more responsive to the needs of the province (in terms of disaster response and preparedness). What we are trying to do is learn more on the HADR. Hindi naman siya bago but we are trying to be more capable on that aspect in coordination with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office,” he explained.

Furthermore, Mangoroban stated that the additional Marine Battalion Landing Team-9 in the province is also in line with the HADR operation readiness and more on the reorganization of forces due to the improvement of peace and order situation in other parts of the Philippines.

“We are just putting more personnel here to help us confront other issues aside from the ISO,” he said.

Newly promoted

Meanwhile, Mangoroban expressed gratitude to what he called his support trinity in his recent promotion to brigadier general, a few months after assuming command of the 3rd Marine Brigade (3MBde), replacing Brig. Gen. Jimmy Larida in February.

“As I have mentioned when I was donned by the Flag-Officer-in-Command of the Philippine Navy last week, this would not have been possible without the constant prayers, inspiration and push of my so-called support trinity – my friends, my fellow marines, and my family,” he said.

“This promotion is for you as it is for me for i could not have done it alone,” he added, referring to the personnel of 3MBde.

He also made special mention of Sgt. Wilbert Mora, a marine soldier who was also with him when he was the commanding officer of Marine Battalion Landing Team-6. He said Mora got wounded and lost an eye during one of their combat operations.

“To this day, the burden of command is still with me, asking myself if i have made the right decision meticulously planned that operation and led them to such,” Mangoroban said

“That is remembered up to this day, and the big part of this promotion is because of them. My special salute to all of you,” he added.

Furthermore, he mentioned what his family had to go through during the early part of his career as a military officer.

“The final but not the least vertex of the triad is my family, who have endured a lot in the course of my service to the country and to this province. My children who have grown to be responsible citizens without my constant guidance and my wife who have filled my constant absence,” he said.

“My parents who have instilled in me the value of hard work early in my childhood. Utang ko sa kanila ang lahat ng ito,” he added.

https://palawan-news.com/marines-focused-on-sustaining-gains-in-palawan-brig-gen-mangoroban/

Former rebels surrender in Brooke’s Point and Roxas

From Palawan News (Jul 11, 2023): Former rebels surrender in Brooke’s Point and Roxas (By Palawan News)



Former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to authorities in separate incidents in Palawan.

“Ka Pet”, 38, and “Ka Gelinda”, 32, voluntarily surrendered to the personnel of the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) of the Palawan Provincial Police Office (PPO) on Sunday, July 9, at Sitio Cabangaan, Barangay Samariñana, Brooke’s Point.

Meanwhile, 48-year-old , “Ka Ramero” surrendered to the personnel of the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) in their Headquarters in Sitio Bagto, Barangay San Nicolas, Roxas.

Ka Pet” and “Ka Gelinda” were allegedly operating in Southern Palawan, while “Ka Ramero” was a former supply officer/courier for the NPA in northern Palawan.

They will now undergo proper debriefing and will be assisted in the processing of necessary programs, such as the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

https://palawan-news.com/former-rebels-surrender-in-brookes-point-and-roxas/

Canada, PH finalizing deal on defense cooperation

From CNN Philippines (Jul 11, 2023): Canada, PH finalizing deal on defense cooperation (By Tristan Nodalo, CNN Philippines)

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 11) — The Canadian and Philippine governments are finalizing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on defense cooperation which aims to boost Manila's maritime capabilities in addressing regional challenges.

Speaking to CNN Philippines, Canadian Ambassador David Hartman expressed optimism that the MOU will be signed very soon. The envoy did not give an exact timeline, but said he is confident with the progress of the negotiations.

"I'm very optimistic that it will be signed in a not so distant future. I'll be candid with you and we have been negotiating this for some time," Hartman said.

According to Hartman, the MOU will not be a treaty or a legally-binding document – but more of a manifestation of "the government of Canada wanting to collaborate with the government of the Philippines, with the Armed Forces and other stakeholders to exchange best practices, train together, exchange technology and shared military exercises."

As one of the biggest maritime countries in the world, Canada said it can provide a lot of expertise in maritime activities and technology.

"We have three coasts, the Atlantic, Arctic and the Pacific. We have a tremendous amount of world class technologies that we are keen to develop opportunity here," Hartman said.

"In the area of maritime issues, we have a lot of high-end technologies, satellite-based technologies, and augmenting the Philippines’ maritime domain for the protection of your exclusive economic zone, territorial waters, fisheries and these are the technologies we help distribute elsewhere in the world," he added.

The Canadian envoy said Ottawa is also pushing for coast guard-to-coast guard cooperation with Manila.

"Our coast guard is very similar to here in the Philippines, they are intended to help facilitate the free flow of commerce, international maritime traffic and that is an area where we have advanced discussions. Basically help the Philippines increase capacity to police, enforce, and protect your own maritime coasts," he added.

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/7/11/canada-ph-defense-cooperation.html

EU, Canada reaffirm support for 'legally binding' 2016 arbitral ruling

From CNN Philippines (Jul 11, 2023): EU, Canada reaffirm support for 'legally binding' 2016 arbitral ruling (By Tristan Nodalo, CNN Philippines)

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 11) — The European Union (EU) and the Canadian government reaffirmed their support for the Philippines in upholding the 2016 Arbitral Ruling that debunked China's sweeping claims over the South China Sea.

On the eve of the seventh anniversary of the landmark decision, the EU maintained that the arbitral award is legally binding.

"The Award of the Arbitral Tribunal is a significant milestone, which is legally binding upon the parties to those proceedings, and a useful basis for peacefully resolving disputes between the parties," the EU said in a statement.

"The EU reiterates the fundamental importance of upholding the freedoms, rights and duties established in UNCLOS [United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea], in particular the freedoms of navigation and overflight," it added.

The EU also stressed its commitment to secure, free, and open maritime supply routes in the Indo-Pacific and urged all parties to comply with international law.

RELATED: MTRCB allows ‘Barbie’ screening in PH despite 9-dash line controversy

Canada: 2016 arbitral ruling needs to be enforced

Canadian Ambassador David Hartman said Canada has been very vocal when it comes to its support for the arbitral ruling.

"The 2016 arbitral ruling needs to be enforced and it is legally binding that it be included in the international law, we have always been strong in our position… and we have been an active vocal proponent on the enforcement of it, encouraging all parties involved to respect the ruling," Hartman told CNN Philippines.

"Canada, like many members of the international community, is crystal clear on that. We very much support the government of the Philippines in its all efforts to enforce your territorial integrity," it added.

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/7/12/EU--Canada-reaffirm-support-for--legally-binding--2016-arbitral-ruling.html

Increased number' of US military aircraft due to bilateral drills – PAF

From CNN Philippines (Jul 11, 2023): Increased number' of US military aircraft due to bilateral drills – PAF (By David Santos, CNN Philippines)

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 11) — The presence of US military aircraft in the country is due to bilateral exercises between Manila and Washington, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) clarified on Tuesday.

"We have an increased number of aircraft which are participating in our Cope Thunder 23-2 exercises, which is ongoing," said PAF spokesperson Col. Maria Consuelo Castillo.

She added that all US air assets involved in the drills are covered by diplomatic clearances.

Several lawmakers earlier questioned the recent arrival of US military planes in the country.

READ: Makabayan bloc seeks House probe into US military planes landing in PH

Sen. Imee Marcos had called for a Senate probe into the "unadvised" landing of a US military aircraft at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on June 26.

The senator said while Manila often calls out Beijing over the presence of Chinese vessels in the South China Sea, there is little information on the ongoing US military activity within Philippine territory.

READ: Sen. Marcos calls for increased monitoring of US military planes at PH airports to ‘track violations’

Castillo said the Department of Foreign Affairs will have to shed light on any issues being raised by lawmakers.

The second iteration of "Cope Thunder" started on July 2nd and will run until the 21st.

The PAF said at least 10 different types of US aircraft are taking part in the exercises.

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/7/11/increased-military-planes-due-to-bilateral-exercises.html

Cordillera activists face asset freeze as ATC labels them as terrorists

Posted to Rappler (Jul 11, 2023): Cordillera activists face asset freeze as ATC labels them as terrorists (By SHERWIN DE VERA)

'While we at CPA continue to seek legal remedies... in this shrinking democratic space, the state also weaponizes everything at its disposal to silence us,' says the Cordillera Peoples Alliance

BAGUIO, Philippines – Four Cordillera activists are now at risk of having their properties frozen, following their designation as terrorists by the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC), a month after a court threw out a rebellion case filed against them and several others for lack of evidence.

An ATC press release on July 10 identified Windel Bolinget, Stephen Tauli, Jennifer Awingan-Taggaoa, and Sarah Abellon-Alikes as leaders of the Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA).

Bolinget is the chairperson of CPA; Tauli is a member of its regional council; Awingan-Taggaoa serves as its research officer; and Abellon-Alikes is one of the group’s pioneers.

The designation comes after the Abra court had excluded them, along with three other activists, from a rebellion case over a month ago.

The ATC alleged that the four activists are members of the Ilocos Cordillera Regional White Area Committee and the Cordillera White Area Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

The council said their designation under ATC Resolution No. 41, approved on June 7, was “based on verified and validated information, sworn statements, and other pieces of evidence gathered by Philippine law enforcement agencies.”

ATC has accused Abellon-Alikes and Bolinget of allegedly violating Sections 10 and 12 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), which pertain to recruitment and membership in a terrorist organization, as well as providing material support to such organization. The ATC also alleged that Awingan-Taggaoa and Tauli violated Section 10 of the ATA.

The ATA list also includes Jovencio Tangbawan, who allegedly serves as the commander of the NPA’s Agustin Begnalen Command in Abra, and May Vargas-Casilao, another alleged high-ranking communist rebel leader.

The council has so far designated 32 people as terrorists for their alleged connection with CPP-NPA-NDF, which it considers as a terrorist organization.

‘ATA targets activists’

In a July 10 statement, the CPA condemned the designation of four of its leaders as terrorists, calling it one of the “relentless attacks against indigenous peoples’ activists” in the Cordillera region.

“While we at CPA continue to seek legal remedies to ensure our safety, security, and human rights in this shrinking democratic space, the state also weaponizes everything at its disposal to silence us,” read part of the CTA statement.

The International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation (IPMSDL) also condemned the labeling of the activists as terrorists and called on the government to remove their names from that list.

Bolinget, incidentally, is a member of the international coordinating committee of the IPMSDL network.

“Indigenous peoples’ proactive defense of their ancestral lands, life, rights, and territories are never acts of terrorism but a vibrant exercise of their right to self-determination. Their vocal expression of dissent and democratic freedoms to criticize any powers that be must be ensured and protected, not silenced, criminalized, vilified and further marginalized,” the IPMSDL said.

Bolinget said the recent ATC resolution designating them as terrorists only showed how people in government use the ATA to target activists and government critics.

He added, “It is a government tool, a last resort when their systematic legal harassment fails to silence activists and the democratic mass movement.”

Bolinget and Abellon-Alikes have faced criminal charges filed by state forces even before being implicated in the recently quashed rebellion case.

Bolinget had been included in a murder case in Davao del Norte, but a court in Tagum City dismissed it in July 2021 for lack of probable cause. Following his lawyer’s advice, he recently sued several police officials involved in the case for damages.

Meanwhile, for Abellon-Alikes, the quashing of the arrest warrant against her for rebellion last May was her fifth legal victory since 2017.

On May 11, a regional court in Abra granted the motion to dismiss rebellion charges that had been filed by the military against a community journalist and six other activists and development workers in the Cordillera and Ilocos regions.

In his decision, Judge Corpuz Alzate said Awingan, Abellon-Alikes, Tauli, Bolinget, Lucia Lourdes Gimenes, Nino Joseph Oconer, and Florence Kang were never identified, rendering the case against them baseless. The judge then ordered the quashing of all warrants issued against the seven.

Oconer works as a correspondent for Ilocos of Northern Dispatch, while Florence Kang is a development worker. Meanwhile, Lucia Lourdes Gimenez is an activist advocating for peasant rights.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/luzon/cordillera-activists-face-asset-freeze-anti-terrorism-council-designates-terrorists-july-10-2023/

2 killed in clashes between army and communist rebels

From the Davao Times (Jul 11, 2023): 2 killed in clashes between army and communist rebels (By RHODA GRACE SARON) 

 


TWO New People’s Army guerrillas were killed, and three high-powered firearms were seized in separate armed clashes in Surigao del Sur and Bukidnon on July 7-8.

Meanwhile, two other rebels surrendered and turned over six high-powered firearms in Lianga.

The 4th Infantry Division identified the slain rebel as Risam Gonzales Gam, a member of Squad 3, Sentro de Grabidad 16 (SDG16), Guerilla Front 16, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) and a resident of Barangay Sinay, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur.

Major Francisco Garello Jr., the spokesperson of 4th Infantry Division, said the army continued its crackdown on the communist rebel remnants in Surigao del Sur, resulting in the clash between the 36th Infantry Battalion of the 901st Infantry Brigade and eight rebels belonging to the composite squad of Platoon 1, Guerilla Front 30 (GF30) and Sandatahang Yunit Pamproganda 16C (SPY16C), both under NEMRC.

Troops also captured M653 Assault Rifle at the encounter site.

Meanwhile, troops of the 43rd Division Reconnaissance Company (43DRC) of the 403rd Infantry Brigade successfully tracked down the fleeing members of the Regional Sentro De Gravidad (RSDG) Compaq of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCRMC) after two separate encounters in the hinterlands of Barangay Bontongon, Impasugong, Bukidnon on July 7.

The 30-minute clash resulted in the death of an unidentified male rebel and the capture of an M4A1 5.56mm Carbine Rifle and M14 7.62mm Rifle, including numerous war materiel and personal belongings.

Moreover, Garello said another two lives were saved and will be reintegrated into mainstream society under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) after two CNTs surrendered through the joint efforts of the 3rd Special Forces Battalion and 75th Infantry Battalion under the OPCON of the 401st Infantry Brigade on July 8, at Barangay San Isidro, Surigao del Sur.

The surrendered CNTs identified as alias KR, Mess Officer of Squad 1, and alias Jong-jong, Vice Squad Leader of Squad 3, both belonging to RSDG, NEMRC.

Alias KR revealed to soldiers that they abandoned the communist terrorist group (CTG) due to demoralization within their ranks brought about by the relentless military operations and isolation from communities due to the lack of support from the communities.

They also revealed the location of an arms cache resulting in the recovery of two (2) .50 Caliber Sniper Rifles, four AK47 Rifles, and numerous ammunition and magazines.

In a statement, 4ID commander Major General Jose Maria R. Cuerpo II emphasized their determination to pursue the remnants and the support of the active civilian communities as the key factor and the game changer in the campaign against the NPA.

“The CTG has further weakened its criminal capabilities and is in a state of disillusionment. We have prevailed,” Cuerpo said.

“Our past and recent successful encounters and surrenders from the CTG have been a consistent trend for the CTG’s weakening state. We will continue the fight under the government’s whole-of-nation approach for our people who have now felt the relatively safe environment and are enjoying genuine peace, free from threat and danger in their communities from these criminal groups,” he added.

https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2023/07/11/2-killed-in-clashes-between-army-and-communist-rebels/

‘Principles for Peace’ launched in Davao City

From MindaNews (Jul 11, 2023): ‘Principles for Peace’ launched in Davao City (By ANTONIO L. COLINA IV)

Peace advocates launch the “Principles for Peace” at the Waterfront Insular Hotel on Tuesday, 11 July 2023, in Davao City. Among the dignitaries in attendance are Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. and Mohagher Iqbal, MILF Peace Implementing Panel chair. MindaNews photo by ANTONIO L. COLINA IV

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 11 July) – Peace advocates launched here Tuesday the “Principles for Peace” (P4P), an initiative that seeks to set a “new mechanism, standards and metrics to support and sustain efforts for a long-lasting peace in Mindanao.”

During the “P4P Southeast Asia Regional Launch” at the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao, Hiba Qasas, executive director of the Principles for Peace Foundation, acknowledged that the region, including Mindanao, is a home to some of the most successful peace processes where other conflict-affected areas of the world can learn from.

“As you can see, these principles are more than a set of standards or common framework. They are meant to be a platform of unity, of vision and of common purpose,” she said.

She added that the principles would not only serve as a “common ground to break barriers” so that the stakeholders could act together, converge and sustain peace, but also provide some opportunity to catalyze shared understanding and language that transcends political and social divides.

The P4P includes dignity, solidarity, humility, embracing legitimacy, accountable security, integrated & hybrid solutions, adopting subsidiarity and promoting pluralism.

According to a briefer, dignity is both the aim and the means of peacemaking and embodies mutual respect and fair and equal treatment of all parties and individuals; solidarity is based on a fact that the world is fundamentally interconnected and interdependent; and humility is being emphasized as peacemakers should strive to be empathic and respect the efforts and perspectives of others.

It added that embracing long-term legitimacy of peace processes is a primary objective for successful and sustainable peace; accountable people-centered security and justice provision is required to end hostilities and reduce risk of the cyclical return of violence; and, enhancing the local legitimacy of and support for peacemaking initiatives, including horizontal integration of activities and embedding solutions in local norms, traditions and institutions.

It also enshrined subsidiarity as a principle, which means peace process should be “local as possible and global as necessary,” and promotion of pluralism by ensuring fair and equal participation in public life and providing equitable access to institutions and services across communal, political, social, economic and gender divides.

Qasas expressed hopes the eight principles would provide the communities a platform for dialogue and participation that can put different sectors of society together around the common vision in order to move the process to work.

She said the principles could serve as a “useful tool and a lens for decision-making in governance.”

Bert Koenders, chair of the Principles for Peace Foundation, said the principles can catalyze better decision-making and guide joint actions in achieving lasting peace, but emphasized that they must be put in practice.

“We are here because we want a new approach to peace… It is from this premise that the belief that there must be a better way forward that the Principles for Peace was created, as a worldwide initiative supported by evidence and research,” he said.

Mohagher Iqbal, chair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Peace Implementing Panel, said the “principles provide a framework for building a just and lasting peace.

“No one can argue against the importance of these values. These values, however, are frames and ideals, and experience shows that it is more challenging to uphold them perfectly in practice because of competing values and priorities,” he said.

Iqbal, who is also the Education Minister in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said the values and principles also require humility, compromise and willingness to listen to the needs of others.

“There will always be challenges to peacemaking and it is essential to remember that peace is a journey and not a destination,” he said.

Iqbal said he resonated with the principle of dignity because “the revolutionary struggle is in response to its denial of our dignity by Spain, the Americans and Filipinos.”

“This denial of dignity has been ongoing for hundreds of years and continues today. Our revolutionary struggle is a claim to our birth right to dignity to be treated as a people who are valuable, important and an equal to the Filipino,” he said.

Peace advocates launch the “Principles for Peace” at the Waterfront Insular Hotel on Tuesday, 11 July 2023, in Davao City. MindaNews photo by ANTONIO L. COLINA IV

Gus Miclat, executive director of the Mindanao-based Initiatives for International Dialogue, told reporters the peace principles provide and offer “a mechanism and a new framework in regenerating the support that the Bangsamoro peace process had.”

He explained that the new framework would serve as a diagnostic tool to measure the progress of the Bangsamoro peace process.

“We are offering this new framework called the ‘Principles for Peace’ as a new metric that will determine and diagnose what has been happening because all peace processes don’t end with the peace agreement,” he said.

In a briefer, the P4P is a “result of an extensive two-year global consultation process that gathered inputs, including in a Southeast Asia meeting in Manila last October.”

“The P4P is a follow-up mechanism for an initiative that hopes to celebrate a paradigm shift in the field and create an independent feedback loop to inform decision-making that is inspired by and can accompany peace-building practices in the region,” it said.

It added that the “Peacemaking Covenant” outlines four shifts in approach to peacemaking as well as eight core Principles for Peace that aim “to foster the inclusive and flexible discussions needed to chart a new path towards sustainable, legitimate and lasting peace.” (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2023/07/principles-for-peace-launched-in-davao-city/

Former NPA medic reunites with family after 6 years

From MindaNews (Jul 11, 2023): Former NPA medic reunites with family after 6 years (By CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN)

Marilyn, a former NPA medic who surrendered to the Army’s 65th Infantry Battalion, gets a hug from her mother while her father sits beside them during a tearful reunion on 6 July 2023 after six years of separation. Photo courtesy of 65IB, PA.

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur (MindaNews / 11 July) – A female New People’s Army (NPA) medic, the fourth member of their family who yielded to the Philippine Army, was reunited with her parents and six siblings after six years in the underground armed movement.

1st Lt. Jade Bryce Buñe, civil military officer of the 29th Infantry Battalion(29IB) based in Cabadbaran City, said that Marilyn Mandag alias Mica, 23, and her live-in partner Dindo Kusong, alias Kalibo, surrendered to the 65th Infantry Battalion (65IB) on July 4.

Marilyn is the last member of her family who surrendered to the government.

Her parents left the communist guerilla movement and returned to the fold of the law on January 16, 2020. Her sister, Rudilyn Mandag, surrendered on September 18, 2021.

All of them joined the communist movement in 2017, Buñe said.

Upon receiving a phone call from their daughter Marilyn, her parents, Roberto and Lisa Mandag, requested the 29IB to arrange a visit to their daughter, who is under the protective custody of the 65IB.

They met on July 6.

Buñe said that Marilyn would benefit from the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), contrary to the claims of active NPA rebels.

E-CLIP is a package of cash incentives meant to entice members of the NPA to surface, return to the fold of the law, and start a peaceful life anew, together with their respective families.

Buñe quoted Marilyn in a recorded statement as saying: “Nalipay man ko nga nakitan-an nako ang akoang ginikanan, mga igsoon ug mga mahal sa kinabuhi, kay sa katong didto pa mi sa sulod kay wala man mi gihatagan ug katungod nga makatawag sa akoang pamilya ug makita man lang sila kay wala sa amoang doktrina (I am happy when I saw my parents, my siblings and my relatives. We are not allowed to call nor even to see them while in the movement, as the doctrine prohibits it.)

She claimed in her statement that she was duped into believing by their commander, identified as Ka Mackoy/Dindo, that her mother was already dead and her father was incarcerated in a hog cage after they surrendered.

Marilyn is the second eldest among seven siblings, with Rudilyn, 28, as the eldest. Their younger siblings are aged 20, 18, 16, 13 and 10.

Marilyn and her partner have been placed under the protective custody of the 65IB while their documents for application as E-CLIP beneficiaries are still being processed.

Her parents and Rudilyn have earlier availed of the E-CLIP.

The father is now a member of the Special Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary (SCAA) while Rudilyn is still training to become a member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary (CAA).

Lt Col. Cresencio C. Gargar, 29IB commander, called on the remaining comrades of Marilyn and Dindo to surrender and start a new life in mainstream society. (Chris V. Panganiban / MindaNews)

https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2023/07/former-npa-medic-reunites-with-family-after-6-years/

AFP touts 'stronger' presence in Kalayaan Islands

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 11, 2023): AFP touts 'stronger' presence in Kalayaan Islands (By Priam Nepomuceno)

(Photo courtesy of Western Command)

MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Tuesday substantial gains in internal security operations (ISO) against the New People's Army (NPA) and other local terrorist groups have allowed it to increase its presence to 90 percent in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) in the West Philippine Sea.

"With our substantial gains on ISO, a shift to external security operations (ESO) is (on) the horizon as we strengthen our security posture with the increased conduct of aerial and surface maritime patrols through our naval and air force air assets and ground forces. The deployment of additional surface patrol ships increased the AFP’s presence in the KIG to about 90 percent of the time. This is a dramatic increase from the baseline of 30 percent in 2022," the AFP said in a statement.

It did not give details on the frequency of these patrols for security reasons.

The increase in AFP's presence in the area allowed the monitoring of sea lines of communications (SLOCs) that are complemented by the AFP’s littoral monitoring stations/detachments (LMS/LMDs) to detect and monitor foreign ships, track, and subject them to interdiction operations.

The AFP also added that a redeployment of naval special operations units and the Philippine Marines was done with Marine Battalion Landing Team 9’s transfer to Palawan last month.

It also added that the presence of the 4th Marine Brigade in the northern frontier is part of the ESO. The AFP noted that the employment of air surveillance radar systems would continue.

"We have improved our capabilities and our presence in strategic locations with the effective presence of our maritime detachments in the Batanes Group of Islands, KIG, and Tawi-Tawi. The AFP facilitated the completion of personnel barracks in Likas, Parola, and Kota Stations in the KIG," it added.

These efforts by the AFP are complemented by partnering with the global and regional allied countries that will allow it to leverage its capabilities through information sharing, subject matter expert exchange, and joint and combined maritime exercises.

"All of these are with the help of an interagency-wholistic effort through the National Task Force - West Philippine Sea," the AFP said.

It earlier said ISO efforts have resulted in success with the significant reduction of NPA members and firearms and the clearing of areas where they used to maintain presence.

The military also said these efforts helped counter communist propaganda and suppress financial and logistics support for the insurgents.

"It is noteworthy that from five active communist terrorist group guerilla fronts from year-end 2022, two were dismantled, two were weakened, leaving only one active. In total, 20 are on a weakened status and one active. With these, we have safeguarded the safety and welfare of our fellow citizens. Thanks to the tireless efforts, support, and cooperation of government agencies and different sectors of society," the AFP said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1205350

2016 arbitral ruling ‘legally binding’: EU, 16 other states

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 11, 2023): 2016 arbitral ruling ‘legally binding’: EU, 16 other states (By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora)

West Philippine Sea (File photo courtesy of PTV-4)

MANILA — The European Union and 16 other countries have renewed support for the 2016 Arbitral Ruling that invalidated China’s sweeping claims over the resource-rich South China Sea.

In a statement issued on July 11, the eve of the decision’s seventh anniversary, the EU Delegation in Manila and the embassies of Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Austria, Romania, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden encouraged parties to see the decision as a potential basis for peaceful dispute resolution on the sea lane.

“The Award of the Arbitral Tribunal is a significant milestone, which is legally binding upon the parties to those proceedings, and a useful basis for peacefully resolving disputes between the parties,” it read.

“The EU reiterates the fundamental importance of upholding the freedoms, rights and duties established in UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea), in particular the freedoms of navigation and overflight,” it added.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) issued its decision on July 12, 2016 and ruled that China's claim of historic rights to resources within its so-called nine-dash line had no basis in law.

The decision, which upheld the Philippines' sovereign rights and jurisdiction in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), serves as the "twin anchors" of Manila’s policy and actions over the West Philippine Sea, which is the official designation by the government to the parts of the South China Sea that are included in the country's EEZ.

In its statement, the EU reaffirmed its commitment to secure, free and open maritime supply routes in the Indo-Pacific, “in full compliance with international law, as reflected in UNCLOS, in the interest of all”.

In addition, it supported the swift conclusion of talks on an effective Code of Conduct between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China and called for it to be fully compatible with UNCLOS while respecting the rights of third parties.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1205415

Army vows 'no let-up' ops vs. NPA after Bohol clash

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 11, 2023): Army vows 'no let-up' ops vs. NPA after Bohol clash (By Mary Judaline Partlow)

TEMPORARY ENCAMPMENT. Troopers of the Philippine Army’s 48th Infantry Battalion recovered a firearm and other items after an encounter with New People's Army rebels in Bilar, Bohol on Saturday (July 8, 2023). Brig. Gen. Joey Escanillas, 302nd Infantry Brigade commander, said the NPA's Bohol Party Committee has been dismantled but with remnants still being monitored. (Photo courtesy of the Philippine Army)

DUMAGUETE CITY – The military on Tuesday vowed to continue without letup its offensive operations against the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in Bohol after the clash in Bilar town over the weekend.

Brig. Gen. Joey Escanillas, the Army’s 302nd Infantry Brigade (302Bde) commander based in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental, said that while the NPA’s Bohol Party Committee (BPC) is already dismantled, there are still remnants who must be prevented from recruiting new members.

“These (rebels) will not cease from recovering their lost ground and from organizing, so we are closely monitoring them so that they could no longer recover,” Escanillas told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) here in an interview.

He said the dismantled BPC front now has about seven to nine remaining members who are “on the run” as government troops continue to pursue them.

On July 8, troopers of the Army’s 47th Infantry Battalion (47IB) figured in a 10-minute encounter with the remnants of the BPC in the hinterlands of Barangay Dagohoy in Bilar.

Lt. Col. Magno Mapalad, the 47IB commander, said the clash took place after civilians reported the presence of armed men in the area.

Recovered from the encounter site were a loaded .45-caliber pistol, assorted ammunition for an AK-47 rifle, an M16 rifle, and a .45-caliber pistol, personal belongings, tents, medical paraphernalia, food packs, and subversive documents.

The encounter site is described as a temporary encampment of the BPC remnants as they no longer stay in one place for longer periods.

“We cannot be complacent because they still can reorganize and recover, and actually, we are focusing on some white areas or urban works where the NPA is conducting resource generation operations,” Escanillas said.

He noted that so long as the rebels are allowed to continue generating resources, its armed component would continue to exist.

Meanwhile, the military said operations are ongoing in the area of responsibility of the Army’s 302Bde on Negros Island until the NPA South West Front is dismantled.

Currently, the guerilla front has weakened with only 17 active combatants.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1205361