188 rebels 'neutralized' in C. Mindanao in past 7 months

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 5, 2023): 188 rebels 'neutralized' in C. Mindanao in past 7 months (By Edwin Fernandez)

Major Gen. Alex Rillera, the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander. (Image courtesy of 6ID)

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao Norte – At least 188 members of threat groups have been “neutralized” by the military in Central Mindanao since January this year, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID) said Tuesday.

During the same period, 486 guns were also recovered and surrendered to 6ID field units, said Maj. Gen. Alex Rillera, the 6ID commander and head of Joint Task Force Central (JTFC).

In a statement, Rillera described the achievement as a "remarkable feat" by military units in the provinces of Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, parts of Sarangani, North Cotabato, and Lanao del Sur.

Rillera said the radical groups “encompass a range of affiliations and ideologies, posing threats to the security and progress of local communities.”

To date, he said the 6ID neutralized 49 communist rebels and saw a notable decline in activities of the communist New People’s Army (NPA).

Of the 49, seven were apprehended, 12 died during armed clashes, and 30 decided to renounce violence and reintegrate into mainstream society.

Rillera said the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) also faced a significant blow after one fighter was arrested, 17 died in armed clashes and 101 surrendered to authorities.

The Dawlah Islamiyah terror group also suffered losses with nine of its members rendered ineffective through a combination of arrests, casualties, and surrender.

Rillera said the persistent campaign of the security forces led to the apprehension of 11 members of private armed groups (PAGs).

The series of operations against PAGs also resulted in the confiscation of 213 firearms, crew-served weapons, and explosive materials.

Rillera acknowledged the support of local government officials who helped facilitate the surrender of unlicensed guns through the “Balik-Baril Program.”

Some 273 firearms have been handed over to various military units under JTFC from January to August this year.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1209220

P26.9-M aid released to ex-rebels in E. Visayas in 5 years

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 5, 2023): P26.9-M aid released to ex-rebels in E. Visayas in 5 years (By Sarwell Meniano)

ASSISTANCE. A former rebel receives a check from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) during a ceremony inside a military camp in Borongan City, Eastern Samar in this February 22, 2023 photo. DILG has released PHP26.92 million worth of assistance to 514 former rebels in Eastern Visayas in the past five years as part of its Enhanced Comprehensive Livelihood Integration Program (E-CLIP). (PNA photo courtesy of DILG)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has released PHP26.92 million worth of assistance to 514 former rebels in Eastern Visayas in the past five years as part of its Enhanced Comprehensive Livelihood Integration Program (E-CLIP).

During a forum at the Tacloban Convention Center on Tuesday, DILG Undersecretary for Peace and Order Oscar Valenzuela said their office has been active in assisting surrenderers from the New People’s Army (NPA) in the region since 2018 when the Office of the President formed the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

“Recipients are regular members of the NPA and Militia ng Bayan (MB) who surfaced on April 3, 2018, onwards and have expressed the desire to abandon armed violence and become productive members of the society,” Valenzuela said.

In the region, 214 of the 514 former rebels who received the assistance as of August 2023 are NPA combatants, and 290 are MB members.

MB refers to indoctrinated individuals who may or may not be directly involved in violent armed struggle but, when organized, can provide mass support to NPA.

The package of support includes PHP15 million immediate assistance, PHP11.2 million for livelihood, PHP3.25 million for the remuneration of surrendered firearms, PHP5 million for reintegration assistance, and PHP15 million for the construction of three halfway houses.

Halfway houses help former rebels rebuild their lives shattered by years of armed rebellion.

They undergo social healing, reconciliation, and spiritual enhancement sessions inside the shelter for five to six months to prepare them for reintegration into the mainstream community.

The DILG-administered aid consists of immediate assistance of PHP15,000 to each surrenderer, PHP50,000 livelihood support to each former regular NPA member, PHP21,000 reintegration assistance, and firearms remuneration (double the amount of the surrendered firearms).

The E-CLIP is developed to avoid/prevent delays in the release of Financial Assistance to FRs and Receiving Units. The information and data derived from it are crucial in providing evidence-based analytics for decision-making, planning, program management, monitoring, and evaluation.

Since July 5, 2018, the DILG has been administering the provision of assistance packages to former rebels from the NPA and MB who surfaced and wanted to return to the fold of the law and become productive citizens of society.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1209262

PH, US conduct bilateral sail in West Philippine Sea

From CNN Philippines (Sep 4, 2023): PH, US conduct bilateral sail in West Philippine Sea (By CNN Philippines Staff)

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 4) – The navies of Manila and Washington launched a bilateral sail in the West Philippine Sea, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Monday.

The Philippine Navy’s guided-missile frigate BRP Jose Rizal (FF150) and the US Navy’s Alrleigh Burke-class guided missile-destroyer USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) will carry out “Division Tactics rehearsal” as part of the operation, the AFP said.

The ongoing bilateral sail off Palawan is being conducted under a “Mutual Defense Board – Security Engagement Board framework” and it aims to strengthen maritime cooperation and operational interoperability between Manila and Washington’s navies.

It is also seen as an opportunity to test and refine the Philippine Navy and the US’ Indo-Pacific Navy’s “existing maritime doctrine” and to demonstrate their capabilities in the region.

The bilateral sail comes just a week after Beijing released its “10-dash line map,” a move which Manila protested. The expanded claim covered nearly the entire South China Sea and overlapped with the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) of the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

The West Philippine Sea is the portion of the South China Sea which is part of the Philippines’ EEZ.

READ: PH rejects, protests China’s expanded 10-dash line in South China Sea

In 2016, an arbitral tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines and invalidated China’s previous “nine-dash line” claim that overlapped with Manila’s EEZ and continental shelf.

Meanwhile, Manila and Washington are still working out the details of the joint patrols in the West Philippine Sea, which could come to fruition this year.

READ: PH-US finalizing joint patrols in WPS - NSC official

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/9/4/ph-us-bilateral-sail-palawan.html

Police foils bombing attempt in Iligan

From MindaNews (Sep 3, 2023): Police foils bombing attempt in Iligan (By RICHEL V. UMEL)

ILIGAN CITY (MindaNews / 3 Sept) – Police authorities here have foiled a bombing attempt in an ukay-ukay (used clothing) store near the Gaisano Mall downtown Sunday morning, just a few days after the city opened its month-long Diyandi Festival leading to the city fiesta towards the end of September.

But Col. Reinante delos Santos, city police director, told MindaNews hours after the commotion that initial reports from members of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team showed that the four improvised explosive devices (IEDs) wrapped in garbage bags “lacked several components” for it to be able to explode.

Major Felix Rabago Jr., commander of Iligan City Police Station 5, said that a call from a concerned citizen prompted his unit to proceed to the suspected location and cordoned off the area near Emiat’s Treasurehunt Secondhand Shoppe along Consunji St. across Gaisano Mall’s southern entrance, causing monstrous traffic as it is situated just a few meters from the national highway.

Rabago said the EOD and K9 units repeatedly searched the area for bombs, then initiated a water cannon disruptor to disable the suspected IED.

He said they found four containers with alleged ammonium nitrate (used in fertilizer but highly explosive and thus commonly used in IEDs), fuel oil, two-way handheld radio, three keypad cellphones, one-inch concrete nails, switches and wires.

Delos Santos said the EOD team is still finalizing its report and assessing the IEDs as to their potential to cause heavy damage.

He said they are still investigating as to the possible motive of those who left the IEDs in a commercial area.

Rabago said they have already secured a copy of the CCTV footage from a commercial establishment showing the movement of the suspect that carried the backpack containing the IEDs minutes before police received the report.

Iligan’s social media erupted Sunday morning as some posted that a bomb was found in the ukay-ukay store even before the police could comment on the matter. An owner of a restaurant nearby lamented that their customers hurriedly left because of the bomb scare.

Mayor Frederick Siao lauded the police for immediately responding to the call on the suspected bomb.

He assured Iliganons the explosion they heard was only the water disruptor initiated by the EOD team to make sure that the IEDs would be disabled.

The mayor said that the city will implement more security measures in the coming days. “I am asking the cooperation of everyone to follow the procedures and policies being implemented for our maximum protection,” he added.

Siao told the police to double their efforts to make sure that Iliganons will be safe, and called on the public to immediately report to the police any possible threats.

Delos Santos said an additional police augmentation force has arrived from the Police Regional Office 10.

Brig. Gen. Anthon Abrina, commander of the Army’s 2nd Mechanized Infantry “Magbalantay” Brigade, assured Iliganons of the military’s support through Task Force Iligan. (Richel V. Umel / MindaNews)

https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2023/09/police-foils-bombing-attempt-in-iligan/

1 hurt in grenade attack in Maguindanao del Sur

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 4, 2023): 1 hurt in grenade attack in Maguindanao del Sur (By Edwin Fernandez)

TWIN BLASTS. Police in Buluan, Maguindanao del Sur, launch a post-blast investigation in a village where two rifle launcher-fired M79 grenades fired landed in a residential area, leaving a resident slightly injured. The glass panes of a residential house (inset) were also shattered from the explosion. (Photo from Buluan MPS)

BULUAN, Maguindanao Sur – A person was injured when two M-79 grenades fired by unidentified individuals landed in the residential areas here on Sunday dawn.

In a report Monday, Lt. Cemafranco Cemacio, the municipal police chief, said the twin explosions were recorded at around 2 a.m. in the residential area of Purok 3, Barangay Digal.

“One of the grenades landed on the roof of one of the houses that slightly injured one person,” Cemacio said.

The victim was brought to the hospital, he added.

Cemacio said they have yet to identify the perpetrators and motive behind the attack.

“We strongly condemn such violent acts that sow fear among citizens and disrupt the existing peace and order,” he said.

Cemacio said they are also trying to determine if the attack is related to the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections next month.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1209138

22 ex-NPA supporters pledge loyalty to gov't in Albay

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 4, 2023): 22 ex-NPA supporters pledge loyalty to gov't in Albay (By Connie Calipay)

ALLEGIANCE TO GOV'T. A total of 22 former supporters of the New People's Army (NPA) are shown after vowing loyalty to the government on Sunday (Sept. 3, 2023). This followed their surrender to authorities after withdrawing their membership from the sectoral front organization of the communist terrorist group. (Photo courtesy of PRO5)

LEGAZPI CITY – At least 22 residents of Camalig town in Albay who were former supporters of the New People’s Army (NPA) vowed loyalty to the government in a ceremony at Camp Gen. Simeon Ola here on Sunday.

In an interview on Monday, Lt. Col. Malu Calubaquib, Police Regional Office-5 (Bicol) spokesperson, said those who withdrew their membership from the sectoral front organization (SFO) will receive assistance from the government as they embark on a new chapter in their lives.

"The assistance includes participation in a structured reintegration program, access to livelihood opportunities and educational support for their children," she said.

Calubaquib said the withdrawal of support serves as a testament to the power of change, unity and the hope for a brighter future.

She noted that the former rebel supporters were deceived into rebellion by being "recruited by a certain 'Ka Sonia' to work for a private company".

Calubaquib said the 22, who once stood with the communist terrorist groups (CTGs), were warmly welcomed by PRO5 Director Brig. Gen. Westrimundo Obique and officials of other government agencies including the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency 5, Naval Forces Southern Luzon, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Civil Military Operations of the Philippine Army and the Philippine Air Force.

During the event, a representative from the SFO delivered a heartfelt message and shared testimonies about his experiences in the CTG.

One former NPA supporter, Jojo Nowa, said his wish is to get benefits for his family.

"This is why we were baffled when a series of meetings were conducted and topics tackled were inappropriate to our work. We were deceived by the declarations of Ka Sonia who enticed us to condemn and overthrow the government. Our intentions as a worker are clear," he said.

Nowa said they are grateful for the government program that helps former rebels since this will help them clear their names.

Calubaquib said the government remains committed to supporting all individuals who wish to turn away from violence and seek opportunities for growth and development.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1209164

Ex-rebel urges young pregnant NPA members to lay down arms

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 4, 2023): Ex-rebel urges young pregnant NPA members to lay down arms (By Mary Judaline Partlow)

YOUTH SUMMIT. Forty-seven young individuals completed the three-day 1st Youth Leadership Summit in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental on Sunday (Sept. 3, 2023). One of the participants and resource speakers was a former rebel and a young mother who surrendered last May and who shared her experiences while with the New People's Army in southern Negros Oriental. (PNA photo by Judy Flores Partlow)

DUMAGUETE CITY – A former rebel has called on pregnant members of the underground movement to give up their cause and surrender to authorities so they could give their children a good future.

Clarice (not her real name), a 21-year-old mother of a four-month-old, gave her testimony as a speaker/participant in the three-day 1st Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental which concluded on Sunday.

In an interview with the Philippine News Agency, she called on at least four other young pregnant New People’s Army (NPA) members to rejoin mainstream society.

She said these young women, if they still remain with the NPA, are bound to leave their newborn babies with families unknown to them, with the risk of not ever seeing their children again.

She also urged youth leaders in Tanjay City to be wary of the deceptions and lies of the NPA that she had personally experienced.

“I am a victim of the lies and deceptions of the NPA. I was exploited and I fell prey to their false promises of better living conditions. Do not be fooled by what they tell you,” Clarice said in the local dialect.

Recounting her experience in the underground movement, she said that she became a vulnerable target of the NPA because of her lack of education as well as her family background.

Separated from her seven siblings at two years old after their mother died, Clarice said her father brought her to Silay, Negros Occidental where she lived until she was 19.

She returned home to Tamlang Valley, Sta. Catalina.

She said she had to fend for herself in Silay, working as a house help because her father already had a second family.

Her siblings in Sta. Catalina came across her on social media and convinced her to come home so she decided to go back to her roots.

Once there, she enrolled as a “visitor” in third grade at an elementary school but never completed the school year because of fear of being rejected.

She suffered the stigma and around this time, two women recruited her to join the NPA, telling her that life would be easier if she were to join the insurgency movement.

But things were far different from what she had expected. There were plenty of restrictions and she said she carried a firearm even when she was not running errands for the higher-ups.

Clarice met her husband, Jose (not her real name), last year and they were “married” by the NPA, although she knew the ceremony was not legally binding.

It was only when she conceived that they realized the dangers of having a baby while in the underground movement.

Clarice and Jose finally made arrangements for their surrender to the Army’s 11th Infantry Battalion (IB) based in Siaton, Negros Oriental last May. They are now happily settled in a safe place.

During the Youth Leadership Summit, Clarice said she learned a lot of new things which opened her eyes to the real world of peace and freedom.

The YLS is funded by the Tanjay City government and facilitated by the 11th IB headed by commanding officer, Lt. Col. Michael Aquino, with the help of the provincial Youth for Peace. It graduated 47 aged 15 to 25, including Clarice.

The activity prepares the young participants as future leaders with lectures on the environment, illegal drugs, terrorism and the role of youth in nation-building.

Jestoni Cuadra, president of the Negros Oriental Youth for Peace, said he is honored and privileged for being chosen to lead the group.

“It is a responsibility to be able to serve the youth and the biggest challenge is to get their attention because the reality is in this current generation, they have little memory retention,” he pointed out.

Earl John Tocao, chairman of the Tanjay YLS chapter, said “it is very transformational and I am now more empowered to lead the group, especially as I am a member of the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgende and queer) and I hope to see equal treatment among all”.

Tocao said he will be working closely with the LGU and other sectors to promote the welfare and future of the youth in Tanjay.

Jeannette Quila, chairperson of the Youth Development Program of Tanjay City, said the event “molded the character of the participants and inspires us to do what we thought we were not capable of doing in terms of leadership."

Quila admits a “change of personality” after the training, saying she used to have little self-confidence.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1209177

PH security adviser promotes Church's role to end terrorism

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 4, 2023): PH security adviser promotes Church's role to end terrorism (By Priam Nepomuceno)

National Security Adviser Eduardo Año (PNA file photo)

MANILA – The Catholic Church plays an important role in ending violence and terrorism in the country, National Security Adviser Eduardo M. Año said over the weekend.

This was after the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Public Affairs (CBCP-ECPA) became the first private-sector representative to the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

“We are opening the doors of NTF-ELCAC to the Church because it has an important role to play in ending violence and terrorism in the country. For more than 50 years, we have lived under the scourge of the communist armed conflict. With peace now in sight, the Church has an important role to play in ensuring peace and development in the long term,” said Año, who is also the National Security Council director general, in a statement.

He added that they are looking forward to working with the CBCP in pursuing peace and development in all parts of the country, especially in conflict-affected areas.

Año said they are also eyeing a productive engagement with the CBCP and are open to suggestions from the Church in adopting “moral and ethical approaches in addressing communist insurgency” as earlier mentioned by CBCP president and Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David.

He said that with the CBCP's representation in NTF-ELCAC, they can immediately address concerns raised by the Church or by cause-oriented groups supported by them.

"Because of this development, the Church will have more opportunity to relay its concerns, since its mandate is to act as a liaison of the CBCP to (the) government,” he added.

CBCP-ECPA executive secretary Fr. Jerome Secillano attended the NTF-ELCAC’s executive committee meeting last Aug. 31 presided by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in Malacañang.

Año said the NTF-ELCAC’s main mandate is to formulate a whole-of-government approach to end armed conflict in the country and that the CBCP-ECPA’s membership in the task force ensures a whole-of-nation participation because the religious sector is an important component of the nation.

Año added that he sees the CBCP making a significant contribution to the development of areas previously under NPA influence as well as facilitating societal inclusivity in pursuit of peace.

With 19 guerilla fronts weakened out of 20 remaining guerilla fronts in the country, Año sees the end of the New People’s Army under the current administration.

“Given that we are now on the road to total victory, it’s necessary that we recalibrate the way we do things and the entry of the CBCP to NTF-ELCAC is one of the changes we implemented under the Marcos Jr. Administration,” he said.

Helping the people

Secillano, meanwhile, appealed to the public to be more “prudent” in issuing statements against the group’s decision to join the NTF-ELCAC Executive Committee with the sole intention "to help the people."

“We meant well sa aming (in going about with this) engagement na ito. We’re allowing ourselves to be a member of the NTF-ELCAC in good faith… Sa pagiging member namin dito sa NTF-ELCAC, we’re provided with a platform for the betterment of the people in the country,” he added.

Secillano is also the alternate representative for Bishop Reynaldo Evangelista, who is also from ECPA.

He also clarified that only the ECPA and “not the whole CBCP” would be the point of convergence for the task force because the commission's mandate is to deal with issues and concerns on public and private matters that affect the Church.

“We don’t want to be myopic in joining the NTF-ELCAC… Sana magkaroon tayo ng bukas na kaisipan at malawak na pang-unawa (I hope that we will all have an open mind and better understanding) Nakita naman namin ‘yung shift tulad ng development (we all saw the shift towards development,” he said, referring to the “paradigm shift” the government has been aggressively implementing in insurgent-cleared barangays in far-flung areas through the flagship project, Barangay Development Program.

On the issue of the so-called “red-tagging” and alleged human rights violations by government units, Secillano pointed out that the ECPA’s membership in the NTF-ELCAC will serve as an opportunity for closer dialogue.

“Everytime may (there is) red-tagging that also includes some of our priests and even bishops, we always reach out naman sa kanila at napapansin naman (to them and we always get the attention we need,” Secillano admitted, adding he sees the venue as the proper forum to prod the government to always give paramount for the promotion and protection of human rights.

“We also would want in the ExeCom (to give importance) to human rights. Mahalaga po itong component na ito dahil kabahagi po sa adbokasya ng ating Simbahan (this is important component because this is part of the advocacy of the Church)," he emphasized.

Meanwhile, NTF-ELCAC executive director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. said the CBCP-ECPA’s membership in the Execom is a “blessing” that provides an enormous boost in finding peaceful solutions to put an end to the decades-old violence espoused by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

“We’re blessed to have the CBCP,” Torres said, adding that critics should “listen to the voice of reason rather than throw stones” at the task force and the CBCP.

Last week, the government announced the inclusion of the CBCP into the NTF-ELCAC Executive Committee, a development that drew a slew of negative reactions from different groups, including the front organizations of the CPP-NPA-NDF, like the so-called “Makabayan Bloc” in Congress.

Torres further explained that there is nothing new about the “collective mission” of the task force and members of the CBCP when it comes to the government’s programs on peace, unity and development in the country.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1209102

NTF-ELCAC says gov't on track to curb remaining insurgents

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 4, 2023): NTF-ELCAC says gov't on track to curb remaining insurgents (By Priam Nepomuceno)

MANILA – The government is on track to wipe out the remaining New People's Army (NPA) units still operating in the country following the declaration of Palawan as an insurgency-free province.

The latest feat brings the country closer to the Marcos administration's vision of a united, peaceful and prosperous nation, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) said in a Facebook post Monday.

"The NTF-ELCAC lauds this achievement as a significant breakthrough that reflects the collective efforts of the local government, the security sector and civil society. " the agency stated.

The body also reiterated its commitment to promoting peace in all aspects of its work -- from diplomacy and security to development and human rights.

"We believe that peace is not only the absence of violence but also the presence of justice, equality, and dignity for all. We are one in attaining unity, peace, and development," the NTF-ELCAC said.

During the rites for the declaration of Palawan as insurgency-free in Puerto Princesa City on Sept. 1, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said the country continues to make significant strides in attaining peace and order.

“Patuloy pa rin ang proseso ng paghahanap ng kapayapaan para sa lahat ng komunidad ng Pilipinas (The process of finding peace for all communities in the Philippines is still ongoing),” he stressed.

The Chief Executive also attributed the successful implementation of the peace initiatives and anti-insurgency efforts to the government’s “whole-of-nation” approach.

Marcos lauded the “collaborative and inclusive” efforts of the Regional and Provincial Task Forces to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, Provincial Peace and Order Council, partner agencies and Palawan residents to end insurgency in the island.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1209110

PH, US warships hold 'bilateral sail' in Palawan waters

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 4, 2023): PH, US warships hold 'bilateral sail' in Palawan waters (By Priam Nepomuceno)

BILATERAL SAIL. The Philippine Navy’s BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) (right) and US Navy’s USS Ralph Johnson (left) are seen carrying out "division tactics" rehearsal at an undisclosed location off the waters of Palawan province on Monday (Sept. 4, 2023). The AFP said the activity highlights the"robust maritime cooperation between the two nations. (Photo courtesy of AFP Western Command)

MANILA – Filipino and American warships are currently conducting a "bilateral sail" in waters off the western part of Palawan province, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced on Monday.

Lt. Col. Enrico Gil Ileto, AFP public affairs office chief, said the activity highlights the "robust maritime cooperation" between the two nations.

"The activity is done under the Mutual Defense Board – Security Engagement Board framework that aims to develop operational interoperability between the navies of the two countries," he said in a statement.

Ileto said the AFP deployed the Navy's guided-missile frigate, BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) while the US Navy deployed the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, the USS Ralph Johnson (DDG-114).

He also said the AFP Western Command's Naval Task Force 41 and the US 7th Fleet will carry out a "division tactics" rehearsal aimed at enhancing interoperability between the two navies.

"In particular, this event aims to provide an opportunity for the Philippine Navy and the US Indo-Pacific Navy to test and refine existing maritime doctrine and demonstrate their defense capabilities in line with the shared commitment of upholding peace and security in the Indo-Pacific Region," Ileto said.

He said the AFP will continue to be involved in "bilateral and multilateral activities" that will contribute in further developing its capability to perform its mission of protecting the country's national sovereignty and national territory.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1209122

CPP/NDF-Bicol: High quality and mass-oriented education, not fascism

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (Sep 3, 2023): High quality and mass-oriented education, not fascism

 

This article is available in Pilipino

Ma. Roja Banua

Spokesperson

NDF-Bicol

National Democratic Front of the Philippines

September 03, 2023

The classes have opened last week. But the deplorable situation of students, teachers and schools remain while Dep-Ed, under the helm of Sara Duterte, is in a frenzy asking for a bigger budget for fascism and corruption. Duterte proposed the P150 million confidential and intelligence funds for Dep-Ed because she believes that education and national security are connected although this department has no constitutional mandate of surveillance and intelligence.

Duterte’s militaristic logic means heightened suppression and attacks against teachers, students and the whole academe as well as the tighter integration of fascism in the curriculum. In Bikol, teachers who are members of Alliance of Concerned Teachers in Catanduanes and Masbate have been repeatedly red-tagged, threatened and intimidated. In some cases, the military arrange meetings within their headquarters and coerce the teachers to surrender as NPA members. In other parts of the country, cases of illegal arrests of teachers and professors and continuing attacks and forced closure of Lumad schools have been occurring.

While Duterte and Dep-Ed feverishly militarize schools, the national learning crisis worsens. Millions of children are unable to set foot in schools or forced to leave because of problems such as their families’ incapacity to support the demands of a commercialized educational system, extreme poverty forcing them to child labor as well as military presence and occupation of schools, daycare centers and other academic facilities within barrios in the countryside. These children who have no access to education are the most vulnerable to suffer from intergenerational disenfranchisement and denied opportunities because of their lack of skills and knowledge.

There is still a big deficit in classrooms, teachers and even teaching materials. Around 150,000 classrooms are lacking in schools across the country. In Bikol, 17 schools are still used as evacuation centers after more than 20,000 Albayano were forced to vacate their residences due to Mayon volcano’s eruption. Teachers’ salaries also remain paltry while budget cuts beset state universities and colleges.

It is only right and just for teachers, students and their parents to denounce this current regime’s perverted focus on fascism instead of delivering quality education. A nationalist, scientific and mass-oriented education for all is a fundamental right critical in shaping the future of the Filipino youth.

https://philippinerevolution.nu/statements/high-quality-and-mass-oriented-education-not-fascism/

CPP/NDF-Palawan: Ipagbunyi ang tagumpay ng mamamayan ng Brooke’s Point laban sa mapaminsalang mina ng INC at Celestial Mining!

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (Sep 3, 2023): Ipagbunyi ang tagumpay ng mamamayan ng Brooke’s Point laban sa mapaminsalang mina ng INC at Celestial Mining! (Celebrate the victory of the people of Brooke's Point against the harmful mines of INC and Celestial Mining!)

 


Leona Paragua

Spokesperson

NDF-Palawan

NDF-Southern Tagalog

National Democratic Front of the Philippines

September 03, 2023

Binabati ng National Democratic Front of the Philippines – Palawan, kaisa ng buong mamamayan ng probinsya, ang malaking tagumpay ng mamamayan ng Brooke’s Point na maipatigil ang operasyon ng mga mapaminsalang mina ng Ipilan Nickel Corporation (INC) at Celestial Nickel Mining Exploration Corporation (Celestial Mining). Muling napatunayan na sa pamamagitan ng sama-samang pagkilos at pagsalig sa sariling lakas ng mamamayan maipagwawagi ang kanilang laban para sa karapatan, kabuhayan at kalikasan.

Resulta ng mga serye ng pagkilos, barikada at pagpepetisyon ng mamamayan ng Brooke’s Point mula pa Pebrero, naglabas ang Korte Suprema ng writ of kalikasan noong Agosto 15 laban sa dalawang pribadong kumpanya ng mina na INC at Celestial Mining, gayundin sa dalawang reaksyunaryong institusyong maka-mina na Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) at Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB). Kaugnay nito, napilitan ding maglabas ang National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP)-MIMAROPA ng cease and desist order o atas ng pagpapatigil sa operasyon ng dalawang mapaminsalang mina.

Ang pagkasandal sa pader ng reaksyunaryong gubyerno ay iniresulta ng di-magagaping diwa ng mamamayan ng Brooke’s Point na protektahan ang kalikasan at likas na yaman ng Mt. Mantalingahan at ng lokal na mga komunidad, laluna ang lupaing ninuno ng mamamayang minoryang nakaasa ang buhay, panirahan at kabuhayan dito. Hindi napigil at nasupil ang pakikibaka ng mamamayan ng Brooke’s Point sa kabila ng mga maniobra ng mga kumpanya sa mina na ipatigil ang mga protesta at ipagpatuloy ang pangwawasak nito sa kalikasan ng Mt. Mantalingahan at ng buong probinsya. Ang mga pasistang hakbangin ng mararahas na dispersal at iligal na pag-aresto sa mga nagpoprotestang mamamayan ang higit na nagpaalab sa damdamin ng mamamayan na huwag sumuko sa laban. Nahubaran din ang DENR, MGB at AFP-PNP bilang mga kasabwat ng mga mapaminsalang pribadong kumpanya ng mina, at sa gayo’y mga kasangkapan upang higit na wasakin at huthutan ng yaman ang kalikasan ng Palawan at iba pang bahagi ng bansa.

Dapat halawan ng buong mamamayan ng Palawan ng magandang aral ang kilusang masang ito ng mamamayan ng Brooke’s Point, at taglayin ang diwang palaban at militante upang tuluy-tuloy na ipagtanggol ang karapatan at kabuhayan ng mamamayan at ang kalikasan ng probinsya. Magsisilbing inspirasyon ang tagumpay na ito upang isulong pa ang mga kahalintulad na pakikibaka para ipatigil na ang operasyon ng mga mapaminsalang dayuhan at lokal na malalaking kumpanya ng mina sa Mt. Bulanjao at Mt. Gantong at iba pang mga protektadong lugar sa probinsya.

Habang dapat na ipagdiwang ang malaking tagumpay na ito ng mamamayan ng Brooke’s Point, panimula pa lamang ito at dapat na maging mapagbantay sa tusong mga hakbangin ng INC, Celestial Mining at iba pang mga dayuhan at malalaking korporasyon at mina. Dapat nilang ipagpatuloy ang kanilang laban at kunin ang suporta ng buong mamamayan ng Palawan para pigilan ang mga pagtatangkang ito kasabwat ang lokal na reaksyunaryong gubyerno na magpatupad ng iba’t ibang mga hakbangin para makapanumbalik ang operasyon ng mapaminsalang mina. Kabilang sa mga hakbanging ito ang panlilinlang sa kapwa mamamayan ng probinsya sa tabing ng balighong paggamit ng katagang “responsableng pagmimina” at diumano’y pagbibigay ng kabuhayan sa mamamayan. Kaugnay nito, dapat ipresyur ang lokal na reaksyunaryong gubyerno na bigyan ang mga manggagawang maaapektuhan sa pagpapatigil ng operasyon ng mina ng ibang kabuhayan na hindi nangwawasak sa kalikasan, kabuhayan at karapatan ng kapwa mamamayan.

Samantala, dapat na unawain ng nakikibakang mamamayan ang mga hangganan ng pakikibakang ligal, lalo’t malaon nang napatunayan ang pagiging marahas at mapanlinlang ng papet na reaksyunaryong estado sa mamamayang nagsusulong ng kanilang mga batayang karapatan. Ang malakas na pakikibaka laban sa dambuhalang mina ay mahigpit na iugnay sa kabuuang pakikibaka laban sa estadong malakolonyal at malapyudal na nagpapanatili ng kahirapan at pagsasamantala sa bansa, gayundin sa imperyalismong nagkukumpas rito at silang pangunahing nakikinabang sa paghuhuthot at pagwawasak sa kalikasan. Ipinakita at pinatunayan ng rebolusyonaryong kilusan ang sinseridad nito sa pagpapatigil ng mapangwasak na dayuhang pagmimina sa bansa sa mga inilunsad nitong hakbang pamamarusa sa mga kumpanyang ito sa Palawan. Tampok na halimbawa ang mga punitibong aksyon ng demokratikong gubyernong bayan, sa pamamagitan ng Bienvenido Vallever Command-NPA Palawan laban sa mga kumpanyang Ipilan Nickel Corp at Macro-Asia Mining Corp. noong 2010; Citinickel noong 2016 at Agumil.

Dapat na isulong ang demokratikong rebolusyong bayan kasama ang iba pang mga demokratikong uri at sektor sa lipunang Pilipino na inaapi at pinagsasamantalahan. Dapat na palakasin ang pamumuno ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas sa probinsya, isulong ang armadong pakikibaka, at palawakin ang mga lihim at rebolusyonaryong organisasyong masa sa Palawan upang makamit ang kalutasan sa malaon nang suliranin at hinaing ng masang Palaweño sa kanilang buhay, kabuhayan, karapatan at kagalingang panlipunan.###

https://philippinerevolution.nu/statements/ipagbunyi-ang-tagumpay-ng-mamamayan-ng-brookes-point-laban-sa-mapaminsalang-mina-ng-inc-at-celestial-mining/

CPP/CIO: Marcos is daydreaming that he can defeat the NPA

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (Sep 3, 2023): Marcos is daydreaming that he can defeat the NPA

 


Marco Valbuena

Chief Information Officer

Communist Party of the Philippines

September 03, 2023

Officials of the Marcos regime are daydreaming when they make declarations of attaining “strategic victory” and defeating the New People’s Army (NPA). These wishful declarations are not new. They have been issuing exactly the same statements for three decades now and have repeatedly been proven wrong by facts.

General Año’s pronouncement yesterday of “ending the local communist armed conflict” within the term of the Marcos government rings hollow, especially after an NPA unit carried out a successful against the much detested 85th IB in Tagkawayan, Quezon last Friday morning, in which Red fighters seized five high-powered rifles and inflicted a number of casualties against the AFP. The ambush blasts recent claims that Quezon is already “insurgency free.” Together with the recent tactical offensives of the NPA in Masbate and Negros, the AFP’s much-hyped PR line that the NPA has “only active guerrilla front” is clearly a figment of their imagination.

The Filipino people and their people’s army will continue to wage armed struggle as long as US imperialism, oppression, bureaucratic corruption and social injustice prevails. The broad masses of the Filipino people are continually being roused to take up arms by widespread landlessness, grossly low wages, economic dislocation, environmental destruction, and rampant dispossession of their sources of income and means of production.

Over the past few years, the fascist reactionaries have waged an all-out campaign of state terrorism with the desperate aim of shattering the bond between the NPA and the broad masses of the Filipino people. But the more Marcos employs terrorism against the people, the more that this bond is tempered and reinforced. Indeed, without the NPA, the Filipino people have nothing to defend themselves with and will be left to the mercy of multinational corporations, the IMF and World Bank, big bourgeois compradors, landlords, and bureaucrat capitalists.

The aim of achieving complete victory might not yet be within the immediate horizon of the NPA. But it is determined to frustrate the AFP’s current campaign of encirclement and suppression, fight the Marcos regime’s rule of all-out state terrorism, and carry forward the armed struggle to even greater heights.

https://philippinerevolution.nu/statements/marcos-is-daydreaming-that-he-can-defeat-the-npa/

CPP/NPA-Palawan: Hinggil sa deklarasyong ‘insurgency-free’ sa Palawan///Hangga’t may pang-aapi at pagsasamantala, palaging may batayan ang digmang bayan sa Palawan at buong kapuluan

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (Sep 2, 2023): Hinggil sa deklarasyong ‘insurgency-free’ sa Palawan///Hangga’t may pang-aapi at pagsasamantala, palaging may batayan ang digmang bayan sa Palawan at buong kapuluan (Regarding the declaration of 'insurgency-free' in Palawan: As long as there is oppression and exploitation, there will always be a basis for the people's war in Palawan and the entire archipelago)

 


Andrei Bon Guerrero

Spokesperson

NPA-Palawan (Bienvenido Vallever Command)

Southern Tagalog Regional Operational Command (Melito Glor Command)

New People's Army

September 02, 2023

Nangangarap nang gising ang rehimeng US-Marcos II sa pagdedeklarang ‘insurgency-free’ ang probinsya sa pagbubukas ng National Peace Consciousness Month kahapon, Setyembre 1 sa Puerto Princesa City. Ipinagmalaki ni Marcos II ang tagumpay umano ng gubyerno, ng AFP at ng NTF ELCAC sa pagsugpo sa rebolusyon sa Palawan at buong bansa at na nalinis na umano nila ang lahat ng erya ng NPA sa Palawan. Para suportahan ito, muling ipinagyabang ng NTF-ELCAC ang diumano’y pagkalansag nila sa 69 larangang gerilya sa buong bansa. Muling inilahad ni Ernesto Torres, tagapagsalita ng pasistang ahensya ang inimbentong datos na 20 na lang umano ang natitirang larangang gerilya sa buong bansa, 19 ang di na aktibo at isa ang aktibo na nasa Northern Samar. Ang mga di aktibo umano ay pito sa Visayas at tig-anim sa Luzon at Mindanao.

Sadyang mangmang at pulpol si Marcos, tulad ng kanyang ama at sampu ng kanilang mga alipures sa pag-aakalang magagapi nila ang rebolusyon at ang determinasyon ng mamamayan na labanan ang lahat ng tipo ng pang-aapi at pagsasamantala. Mas lalong hibang ang mga militaristang nakapalibot kay Marcos tulad nina Galvez, Año, mga heneral ng AFP at NTF-ELCAC, na naturingang mga upisyal militar pero walang alam sa mga diyalektikal na batas ng digma. Nangangarap silang may kapayapaan sa bansa habang kabi-kabila ang karahasan at pagdaralita ng taumbayan na kagagawan mismo ng gubyerno at mga pasistang institusyon nito. Nakapangingilabot ang paulit-ulit na pagpuri sa mga pasista-teroristang institusyon na pangunahing responsable sa mga panghahalihaw, pambobomba at pagwasak sa mga komunidad sa kanayunan, pagyurak sa karapatang-tao kabilang ang pagpaslang sa mga sibilyan at paglabag sa mga kasunduan at batas ng digma.

Sa kabilang banda, kakatwang sinasabi nila ito habang ibinabalita rin ng mga field units ng AFP ang mga nagaganap na taktikal na opensiba at mga labanan sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng bansa. Pinakahuli sa mga ito ang matagumpay na ambus ng NPA Quezon kahapon sa tropa ng 85th IBPA at CAFGU sa Tagkawayan. Tulad ng Palawan, ang lalawigan ng Quezon ay idineklara ding insurgency free ng papet na rehimen ni Bongbong Marcos nito lamang Hunyo, 2023. Sa labanang ito, nakasamsam ng limang armas ang Pulang hukbo at halos malipol nila ang siyam-kataong tropang pasista kung saan napaslang ang lima at nasugatan ang tatlo pa. Higit sa lahat, sinasabi nila ito habang nasasaksihan ng mga karaniwang sundalong nakapakat sa iba’t ibang lugar sa bansa ang sukdulang pagkamuhi ng masa sa kanila at pagpapalayas sa mga salot na tropa at kampo militar.

Ang totoong motibo ni Marcos II at mga alipures niya ay palabasing nagtatagumpay ang kanilang kontra-rebolusyonaryong pakana para maging kaiga-igaya ang probinsya sa pagganyak ng dayuhang pamumuhunan at imperyalistang pandarambong. Sa kasalukuyan, nakalatag na ang mga kontrata at dayuhang pamumuhunan sa enerhiya, ekoturimo at pagmimina sa Palawan. Nilalayon pa ng rehimen kasabwat ang mga burukrata kapitalista sa lokal na gubyerno ng probinsya na higit na ihain ang iba’t ibang bahagi nito sa dayuhan. Syempre pa, sa gitna ng tensyon sa West Philippine Sea, desperado silang ipakita sa among imperyalismong US na handang-handa na ang papet na hukbong ibala sa kanyon sakaling sumiklab ang imperyalistang gera sa pagitan nito at ng China.

Ngunit habang malaganap ang panunupil, pagsasamantala at karalitaanan sa buong bayan, laging may batayan ng armadong paglaban ng mamamayan. Nakalimutan ata ni Marcos II at mga alipures niyang ang tinutuntungan at pinoprotektahan nilang sistema ng lipunang malakolonyal at malapyudal ang mismong ugat ng daantaong pambansa-demokratikong pakikibaka ng sambayanan, na siyang ipinagpapatuloy ng New Peoples Army sa pamumuno ng Communist Party of the Philippines. Isinusulong nito ang tunay na reporma sa lupa at pambansang industriyalisasyon na saligang pundasyon ng pambansang kaunlarang hinahangad ng sambayanang Pilipino. Hindi nga ba’t paulit-ulit itong pinatotohanan sa nakaraang 54 na taong maningning na kasaysayan ng rebolusyonaryong pakikibaka sa ilalim ng wastong pamumuno ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas (MLM). Mula sa halos wala ng itatag ito noong Marso 29, 1969, sumulong at lumakas ang Bagong Hukbong Bayan at rebolusyonaryong kilusan at nakamit nito ang walang kaparis na pagsulong at paglakas sa kasaysayan ng pakikibaka ng sambayanang Pilipino. Binigo nito ang mga operasyong kitilin sa usbong at mga kampanyang supresyon na 26 na taong inilunsad ng diktadurang US-Marcos at ang sumunod pang mga operational plan ng sumunod na mga papet na rehimen. Nilampasan nito ang lakas na inabot ng lumang rebolusyon na inilunsad nina Andres Bonifacio, maging ang lakas ng Hukbong Bayan Laban sa Hapon (HUKBALAHAP) at ng Hukbong Mapagpalaya ng Bayan (HMB). Mga batayang katotohanan itong paulit-ulit na ipinagwawalang-bahala at itinatapon ng estado sa sulsol ng US at AFP.

Ang digmang bayan, sa Palawan at buong kapuluan ay makatarungan na nakaugat sa marubdob na hangarin ng bayang ibagsak ang imperyalismong US, pyudalismo at burukrata-kapitalismo upang kamtin ang tunay na kalayaan at demokrasya sa Pilipinas kaya tinatamasa nito ang pinakamalawak na suporta ng mamamayan. Pinatunayan na ng kasaysayan ng pakikibaka sa buong daigdig ang superyoridad ng digmang bayan kahit sa napakalakas at napakalupit na digma ng mga pinakamakakapangyarihang bansa. Sadyang daraan ito sa landas na tipong paikid kung saan hindi tuwid ang pag-abante, baku-bako’t liku-liko ang landas, may mga pinsala at pansamantalang pag-atras, pero kailanma’y hindi ito magagapi, tuloy-tuloy na sumusulong at tiyak na magtatagumpay.

Gaanuman kahirap at kalupit ay puspos ng determinasyon ang BVC-NPA Palawan na isulong ang digmang bayan sa Palawan at mag-ambag ng ganang-kaya sa muling pagpapalakas at pagpapaigting ng pakikidigmang gerilya sa buong bansa. Ang kawalang kaparis na kahirapang dinaranas ng masang Palaweño, ang nagpapatuloy na suporta ng mamamayan at kabayanihan ng mga rebolusyonaryong martir sa Palawan ang aming inspirasyon sa muling pagsulong at pagbawi hanggang sa tagumpay!#

https://philippinerevolution.nu/statements/hanggat-may-pang-aapi-at-pagsasamantala-palaging-may-batayan-ang-digmang-bayan-sa-palawan-at-buong-kapuluan/

Kalinaw News: 6 CTG members surrender to the government in AgSur

Posted to Kalinaw News Facebook Page (Sep 1, 2023): 6 CTG members surrender to the government in AgSur

Ever Onward Battalion troopers welcome voluntary surrender of 6 NPA rebels and their assorted firearms in San Luis, Agusan del Sur

Read: https://bit.ly/3YXwyxQ

6 CTG members surrender to the government in AgSur

SAN LUIS, Agusan del Sur – Three (3) regular members and three (3) Milisya ng Bayan (MB) members of the Communist Terrorist Groups voluntarily surrendered to the government bringing along with them their assorted firearms. They were warmly welcomed to the home of the Ever Onward troopers at Brgy. Mahayahay, San Luis, ADS on August 28, 2023.

 
The six (6) surrenderees are known by their former comrades as alias Eman/Dos, regular member of SRSDG Sagay, SRC3; alias Ramil, squad leader of Squad 1, HQF NEO and alias Ren-ren, Medic of HQF NEO while the three others are MB members of SRSDG Sagay, SRC3 and Hqs Loader, SRC2 all of North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC). They also surrendered one (1) AK47 rifle; one (1) M16 rifle; one (1) M653 rifle and one (1) KG-9 sub-machine gun with magazines and live ammunitions.

 
Their bad experiences, hardship and scarcity of food while in the terrorist group as well as their will to live a peaceful life with their family and loved ones fueled them to return to the folds of the law.

In an interview, alias "Ren-ren", expressed her feelings as she reminisces her troubled experience in the armed group "Ako isip usa ka lumad ug walay hustong kinaadman, dali ra ako nahaylo sa mga pasalig ug nadani ngadto sa kalihukan sa nga kuno kami makigbisog aron ma protektahan ang yutang kabilin. Sa mga panahong ako nalambigit sa walhong grupo, nasinati ko ang ka kapoy ug tumang kagutom tungod ky wala nay igong pagkaon sige nalang tago-tago ug ang kahadlok alang sa akong kinabuhi. Maong ako, uban ang akong bana naninguha kami nga musibat sa kalihukan aron mahatagan ug maayong kinabuhi ang bata nga ania sa akong sabakan”, she said.

 
In a statement, Lt Col Sandy R Majarocon, Commanding Officer of 26IB, gratefully welcome the surrenderees for their fearless decision to abandon the terrorist movement and surrender. "Kami nalipay sa inyong pag surender. Taliwala sa mga kalisod ug kasakit sa inyong mga kanisatian, nag ma isugon kamu sa pag sumite sa inyong kaugalingon ug pag-undang sa kalihokan nga walay kapuslanan ug alang sa pag puyo nga malinawon. Ang 26IB maningkamot sa pagtabang kaninyo para mahatag sa inyoha ang mga benepisyo gikan sa mga nagka lain-laing ahensya sa gobyerno”, he said.

The surrenderees will now undergo various types of assessment and documentation prior to their enrollment in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the government where these former rebels will be assisted in preparation for their reintegration into the mainstream society and be able to start a better and new life.

#AFPYouCanTrust
#NTF-ELCAC
#NoToCPP-NPA-NDF
#EverOnward

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https://www.facebook.com/kalinawnews/