Lorenzana: No militarization on Pag-asa Island

From the Philippine Star (Jun 3, 2020): Lorenzana: No militarization on Pag-asa Island (By Patricia Lourdes Viray)

Despite the presence of hundreds of Chinese ships in the area, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said there is no threat of attack on Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea.

Pag-asa Island, which is under the jurisdiction of the municipality of Kalayaan in Palawan, is one of the biggest features occupied by the Philippines in the Spratly Islands in the West Philippine Sea.

Related Stories:

China tried to block Pag-asa Island repairs — Lorenzana
Chinese militia presence slowed down Pag-asa Island repairs — think tank

READ: DFA: Chinese vessels near Pag-asa Island illegal

Confirming that the beaching ramp on the island has been completed, Lorenzana said the Philippines will not militarize the island.

"We will not militarize our island there. We will not bring in military equipment to defend it because I don't think there is any threat of attack of our Pag-asa (Island) and eight other islands," Lorenzana said in an interview with CNN Philippines' "The Source."

The Philippines controls nine islands in the Spratlys, where Filipino troops are stationed.

On the completion of the beaching ramp, Lorenzana said the next project of the government would be to repair the dilapidated runway on the island.

"Next project will be the repair of the dirt runway. We can now bring in materials, we can bring in heavy equipment, we can also bring in construction materials to improve the living quarters of our people there," Lorenzana said.

Just last month, the Philippine Navy's landing craft BRP Ivatan docked on Pag-asa Island, becoming the first navy ship that berthed on the island.

The docking of the navy vessel was part of the navy's rotation and reprovisioning mission at different Kalayaan Island Group detachments in the West Philippine Sea.

While Philippine officials blamed severe sea conditions for the delay of construction projects on Pag-asa Island, Washington-based think tank Asia Maitime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) reported that the continuous presence of Chinese militia ships in the vicinity likely slowed down the repairs.

In a report issued in March, satellite imagery obtained by AMTI showed that an average of 18 Chinese ships are around the island each day.

"These counts indicate the minimum number of Chinese ships present on a given day. Many vessels likely went uncounted because they were under cloud cover or outside the frame of the images," the report read.

China appears to have deployed ships in the area as early as July 2018 in response to the Philippines' repairs on the island.

In November 2018, Lorenzana confirmed that China tried to block the government's plan to repair facilities on the island.

Lorenzana earlier said then Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua approached him upon learning of the planned rehabilitation of Pag-asa Island.

The Defense chief, however, said "no" and told the Chinese envoy that it was proper for the Philippines to improve every facility on the island as China already developed Subi Reef, which is 12 nautical miles from Pag-asa Island.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/06/03/2018445/lorenzana-no-militarization-pag-asa-island

Indonesia Cites 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Tribunal Award at UN. Is That a Big Deal?

Posted to The Diplomat (Jun 3, 2020): Indonesia Cites 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Tribunal Award at UN. Is That a Big Deal? (By By Ankit Panda)

Is Jakarta’s move an extension of existing policy or a change?

Credit: AP Photo/Dita Alangkara, 

Just how notable is the Indonesian government’s recent submission at the United Nations citing the July 2016 ruling by the Hague-based arbitral tribunal at the Permanent Court of Arbitration on the South China Sea in Philippines v. China? Last week, Jakarta’s UN mission submitted a “note verbale” (an official diplomatic communication) to the office of the UN Secretary-General opposing what one report described as “a series of circular notes filed by Being in relation to Malaysia’s application to define the limits of its extended continent shelf.”

The Malaysian application was a late-2019 surprise and may have had something to do with why one of its state-owned oil company’s drillships, the West Capella, was at the center of a recent tense standoff in the South China Sea, spurred by Chinese activity. (Some more background on Malaysia’s late-2019 submission here.)

The latest Indonesian submission accepted one of the most important components of the 15-point, 500+ page award, which found, among other things, that none of the contested features in the Spratly Islands could be considered an “island” in the international legal sense of the word as understood in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. As a corollary, “no maritime feature in the Spratly islands is entitled to an exclusive economic zone or a continental shelf of its own.”

The Indonesian side added the following:

Indonesia reiterates that the 9-dash line map implying historic rights claim clearly lacks international legal basis and is tantamount to upset UNCLOS 1982.

…

This view has also been affirmed by the Award of 12 July 2016 by the Tribunal that any historic rights that the People’s Republic of China may have had to the living and non-living resources were superseded by the limits of the maritime zones provided for by UNCLOS 1982.

To supporters of international law, Jakarta’s willingness to explicitly cite the 2016 ruling will be welcome. Days before the award’s July 12, 2016, release, the Philippines experienced a transition of government from that of Benigno Aquino III, who was forward-leaning on the matter and oversaw Manila’s submission of the case, to Rodrigo Duterte, who effectively turned Philippine foreign policy 180-degrees on China in a few short months.

As a result, without Manila making the case for the award, which was overwhelmingly decided in favor of the Philippines (without China’s formal participation), it found little currency in regional politics. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations remained mostly divided, with the South China Sea matter remaining limited in scope, especially at multilateral settings.

Indonesia, which is not a formal territorial claimant in the South China Sea, has seen its relationship with Beijing deteriorate over overlapping maritime claims near the Natuna Islands. In this part of Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone, China’s ambiguous nine-dash line claim overlaps; incidents involving Chinese law enforcement vessels and fishing trawlers have become all too common for Jakarta.

On two levels, Indonesia’s recent statement is notable. First, Jakarta’s status as something of a first-among-equals in ASEAN remains notable. By making the 2016 ruling part of its own policy on the South China Sea, we may be seeing an Indonesia more keen to take a similar approach in the ten-member grouping. Second, Indonesia’s willingness to cite the 2016 award may come to bear on Vietnam’s decision-making; as Derek Grossman writes in The Diplomat recently, international legal action is “under serious consideration at the moment” in Hanoi.

Over at the South China Morning Post, Indonesian foreign policy expert Evan Laksmana cautions not to read too much into Jakarta’s submission, noting that the move does not amount to an “overhaul,” but an extension of Indonesia’s existing policies that have taken shape under the presidency of Joko Widodo.

Importantly, Laksmana contextualizes Jakarta’s overall policy approach as being “rooted in international law and multilateralism.” From the perspective of self-interest, relying on an easily accessible international legal precedent—the most significant one for the South China Sea by far—makes sense for Jakarta as it seeks to protect its own interests.AUTHORS

[Ankit Panda is a senior editor at The Diplomat and director of research for Diplomat Risk Intelligence. Follow him on Twitter.]

https://thediplomat.com/2020/06/indonesia-cites-2016-south-china-sea-arbitral-tribunal-award-at-un-is-that-a-big-deal/

PH wants continued, strong military partnership with US: DFA

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 3, 2020): PH wants continued, strong military partnership with US: DFA (By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora)



Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. (Photo courtesy of DFA)

Manila seeks to continue its strong military partnership with the United States as it suspends the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said Wednesday.

"We look forward to continuing our strong military partnership with US even as we continue to reach out to our regional allies in building common defense towards enduring stability and peace, and continuing economic progress and prosperity in our part of the world," he said in a speech.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in a diplomatic note dated June 1, informed the US embassy about the suspension of abrogation for half a year. Following notification in February 2020, the accord was originally set for termination in August.

Defending President Rodrigo Duterte's decision, Locsin said the suspension was in line with the developments in the region and the Philippines' national interest.

"In the vast and swiftly changing circumstances of the world, in a time of pandemic and heightened superpower tensions, a world leader must be quick in mind and fast on his feet for the safety of our nation and the peace of the world," he said.

He also assured that the action "alarms no country in Asia and the rest of the world" as it even "greatly assures everyone".

Covid-19, SCS among factors
In a separate interview Wednesday, Philippine Ambassador in Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez said the decision was influenced by several factors, including the coronavirus pandemic and recent developments in the South China Sea.

“Obviously, the situation as far as the pandemic is concerned is a major concern as far as the Visiting Forces Agreement. As a matter of fact, many of the Balikatan exercises had to be moved or cannot be obviously be implemented because of the pandemic so that's one,” he said in an ANC interview.

“The political reason, obviously, is there’s quite a number of things that are happening right now in the South China Sea, very clearly we see that and so because of security issues and many things that are happening in the world, both I think our governments have seen that it would be prudent for us to just simply suspend first any implementation of the termination," he added.

Although surrounded with "many issues", the VFA in itself is a vehicle to implement exercises between Washington and Manila under the context of the Mutual Defense Treaty.

In the long run, Romualdez said the Philippines has to find some form of mechanism to continue with the defense pact.

"The President has always said that he has no intention of abrogating our Mutual Defense Treaty which was signed in 1951, that in itself is already an indication that we have to have some mechanism on how we can continue with that defense treaty," he said.

"The VFA was obviously a vehicle for which we will be able to implement many of these exercises but it has been under review for many years even before President Duterte, there are many issues, of course, that need to be resolved... In the long run we need to have some form of agreement to be able to implement our defense treaty with the US," he said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1104766

Ex-rebel in Negros says NPA commander molested her

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 3, 2020): Ex-rebel in Negros says NPA commander molested her (By Nanette Guadalquiver)



EX-REBEL. “Ka Rachelle” (left) holds a Communist Party of the Philippines flag with a comrade when she was still a New People’s Army combatant. In a video released by the Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade on Tuesday (June 2, 2020), she admitted that she was sexually abused by an NPA commander. (Screenshot from 303rd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army video)

A former New People’s Army (NPA) rebel in Negros Island has confirmed the sexual abuses suffered by female combatants like her in the hands of their comrades.

“Ka Rachelle”, now 20, surrendered to the government in 2018 after being part of the NPA’s Komiteng Rehiyon - Negros (KR-N) since she was 17.

In a video released by the Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade (303IBde) on Tuesday night, she admitted being a victim of sexual abuse.

“Ako ang buhi nga ehemplo nga gi-molestyahan sang akon nga mga kaupod. Ang akon nga commander gin-molestyahan nya ako sadtong panahon nga nag-TO (tactical operations) kami (I am a living example of someone who has been molested by my comrades. I was molested by my commander during the time we were conducting [tactical operations]),” she said.

“Ka Rachelle”, who was also a member of the Kabataang Makabayan, said the NPA cadre failed to act on the sexual abuses and they could not also report what they went through because they feared for their lives.

“May kaupod man ko nga gin-molestyahan man sang kaupdanan namon. Indi kami puede kapanugid kay nakulbaan kami kay patyon kami nila (I also had a comrade who was abused. We could not tell anyone because they might kill us),” she added.

Col. Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of 303IBde, condemned the rampant sexual abuses committed by communist-terrorist commanders on their female combatants.

“It is a sham when their commanders trumpet that they respect the dignity of women. The testimony of ‘Ka Rachelle’ clearly speaks of the existing sexual abuses within their ranks. This evil act must be stopped,” Pasaporte said.

He noted that the birth control pills recovered by troops of the 94th Infantry Battalion after a clash with NPA rebels in Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City on May 22 can be linked to the ongoing abuses on female NPA members.

“Once again, I encourage all female NPA combatants to abandon their group and return to their respective families. We will facilitate your return to living a normal life where the dignity of women is upheld,” Pasaporte said.

The Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1104768

32 NPA rebels yield in SoCot

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 3, 2020): 32 NPA rebels yield in SoCot (By Allen Estabillo) 



RETURNEES. Some of the 32 New People’s Army (NPA) combatants formally surrender to authorities and local officials in Tantangan town, South Cotabato on Tuesday (June 2, 2020). The former rebels, who were previously under the Guerilla Front 73 (Musa) of the NPA - Far South Mindanao Region, voluntarily yielded 20 firearms, explosives, and subversive materials. (Photo courtesy of the provincial government of South Cotabato) 

A total of 32 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels operating in the hinterlands of South Cotabato province formally surrendered to government authorities and local officials on Tuesday.

The rebels formally laid down their firearms and renewed allegiance to the government in a ceremony spearheaded by the joint provincial and municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-Elcac) in Tantangan town, South Cotabato.

Col. Jemuel Siason, South Cotabato police director, said the returnees were formerly under the Guerilla Front 73 (Musa) of the NPA - Far South Mindanao Region, which operates in parts of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani.
Siason said they were led by a vice platoon commander and finance officer of a unit based in the quad-boundaries of Koronadal City and the municipalities of Tantangan, Banga, and Norala in South Cotabato.

The returnees were listed as residents of Sitio Matapol, Barangay Simsiman in Norala and Purok 9, Sitio El Nap, Barangay Dumadalig and Sitio Mayada, Barangay Libas in Tantangan, South Cotabato.

He said the surrender was a joint effort of the South Cotabato Police Provincial Office, Police Regional Office (PRO) 12’s (Soccsksargen) intelligence unit, and the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

These were supported by the local governments of South Cotabato and Tantangan and other members of TF-Elcac, Siason said.

He cited their engagements with concerned stakeholders, especially community and barangay officials, as well as other rebel returnees.

“This is a continuing process and we’re expecting more rebels to surrender in the coming days,” Siason said in a press conference.

Seven of the surrenderers initially signified to yield last May 26 while 13 others followed on May 29. Their number increased to 32 on Tuesday.

The group voluntarily yielded 20 high- and low-powered firearms, explosives, and subversive documents and materials.

Since May 15, a total of 89 NPA combatants from Guerilla Fronts 72 and 73 have surrendered in parts of South Cotabato.
South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr., who personally welcomed the returnees, assured the provincial government’s full support for their reintegration into their communities, especially in terms of livelihood.

Tamayo said they would evaluate and process their enrollment into the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip), which would provide them with various assistance packages from government agencies.

He said the provincial government would provide them with initial financial assistance of PHP20,000 each.

This was on top of the assistance that they will get under the E-Clip and the firearms remuneration program, Tamayo said.

“Rest assured that we’re always ready to welcome and help you become part again of our communities,” he said.

The municipal government of Tantangan, through Mayor Benjamin Figueroa Jr., released an initial cash assistance of PHP5,000 each to the surrenderers.

Figueroa said they would assess other means to help the returnees, especially in terms of sustainable livelihood.

The ceremony was joined by PRO-12 Chief Brig. Gen. Michael John Dubria, Army 601st Brigade deputy commander Col. Joel Mamon, and National Intelligence Coordinating Agency 12 Director Eduardo Marquez.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1104761

NPA couple, squad leader yield in Agusan del Sur

From the Manila Bulletin (Jun 3, 2020): NPA couple, squad leader yield in Agusan del Sur (By Mike Crismundo)

CAMP DATU LIPUS MAKAPANDONG, Awa New Leyte, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur – A husband-and-wife team and a rebel squad leader surrendered to the Peace, Law Enforcement and Development Support(PLEDS) cluster of the San Luis Task Force- End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC) in Agusan del Sur province on Sunday, May 31, military reported Wednesday.

First Lt. Percival J. Carido, Civil Military Operations (CMO) officer of 26th Infantry Battalion (26th IB), said that “Ka Mark” and “Ka Mariane”, members of Sub-Regional Committee 3 of the CPP-NPA North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (SRC3, NCMRC), turned themselves to authorities after reportedly “getting tired” of life on-the-run with the Communist New People’s Army (NPA).

On the other hand, “Ka Ariel”, a squad leader of Squad1, Platoon 2 of NCMRC yielded to the government due to hunger, and added that he was already tired of running in the mountains, the 26th IB CMO officer said.
The couple and squad leader also turned in an M16 AR18 Rifle, a caliber. 45 pistol, and a KG9 rifle and magazines with live ammunitions, according to Carido.

During initial talk with the surrenderers, they narrated how they were recruited by the NPAs with false ideology, causing them to hate the government, the 26th IB CMO officer added.

Meanwhile, 26th IB commander Lt. Col. Romeo C. Jimenea applauded the MTF- ELCAC, through its PLEDS cluster, for its efforts in facilitating the surrender of the NPAs.

“We are very grateful that due to our continuous effort on reaching out to our fellow citizens who joined the NPA movement, they are now able to realize the futility of their armed struggle. Rejoice, for you will be reunited with your families”, Jimenea said.

The three former rebels are now undergoing custodial and stress debriefing prior to their enrollment to the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/06/03/npa-couple-squad-leader-yield-in-agusan-del-sur/

Negros army chief condemns alleged sexual abuses of NPA commanders

From the Sun Star-Bacolod (Jun 2, 2020): Negros army chief condemns alleged sexual abuses of NPA commanders

COLONEL Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, condemned the alleged sexual abuses of New People’s Army (NPA) commanders on their female combatants.

“This is a sham when their commanders trumpet that they respect the dignity of women when in fact they try to hide their own ill-doings. Now, who says that we are liars and fabricators of stories. The testament of Ka Rachelle clearly speaks of the existing sexual abuses within their ranks. This evil act must be stopped,” Pasaporte said.

Pasaporte made the statement after the army reported that a female former rebel alias “Ka Rachelle” of Komiteng Rehiyon - Negros (KR-N) revealed that some of the female combatants of the NPA were allegedly being abused sexually by their commanders.

The troops of 94th Infantry (Mandirigma) Battalion clashed with NPA Terrorists at Brgy. Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental last May 22, 2020 wherein the troops recovered several contraceptive pills among the personal belongings of the NPAs. The army connected this to the alleged abuses on female members by NPA commanders to prevent unwanted pregnancies.


Ka Rachelle stated that she had a traumatic experience from her commander when she was still in the organization. She also said that some females even if they were already married are being sexually abused or raped by their leaders.

“Once again, I encourage all female NPA combatants to abandon their group and return to their respective families. We will facilitate your return to live a normal life were the dignity of women are upheld. Our government has a program to accept you and give you a new beginning through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip),” Colonel Pasaporte added.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1858769/Bacolod/Local-News/Negros-army-chief-condemns-alleged-sexual-abuses-of-NPA-commanders

4 cops cheat death in Bukidnon bomb blast

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jun 3, 2020): 4 cops cheat death in Bukidnon bomb blast
By: Richel V. Umel

Four police officers cheated death in an explosion of an improvised bomb Tuesday in Cabanglasan town in Bukidnon province.

Col. Roel L. Lami-ing, chief of the Bukidnon Police Provincial office, said the officers, members of the Cabanglasan Municipal Police Station, were aboard a patrol car going to Barangay Cabuloha. They were going to investigate a grenade attack that took place there on Monday night. The attack injured two cops at a quarantine checkpoint.

As they go to a place somewhere between Barangay Mandaing and Barangay Anlugan, at around 11 a.m., a bomb hidden among some plants exploded.

No one was hurt among the police officers, and they were able to fire at several men who fled towards a creek in Barangay Mandaing.

Lami-ing suspects that the perpetrators are New People’s Army rebels.

Immediately after the blast, Lami-ing deployed two teams to pursue the fleeing perpetrators.

Other police stations were also alerted and ordered to help in the pursuit operations.

Lami-ing said investigators had also coordinated with the military regarding the incident.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1285252/4-cops-cheat-death-in-bukidnon-bomb-blast

Curfew in ESSZone extended until June

Posted to the The Sun Daily (Jun 3, 2020): Curfew in ESSZone extended until June

KOTA KINABALU: The curfew in the waters off seven districts in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone), which ends at 6pm tomorrow, has been extended until June 19, said Sabah Police Commissioner, Datuk Zaini Jass.

Zaini said the curfew covered the waters off Tawau Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Sandakan and Beluran and residents were required to remain at home throughout the curfew period.

Following the extension, residents and outsiders were not allowed to enter or be in the affected areas between 6pm and 6am during the curfew, he said in a statement today.

He said the extension was to safeguard the waters from terrorists’ intrusions and based on intelligence, the Abu Sayyaf militant group and those carrying kidnapping-for-ransom were still trying to encroach on the ESSZone to commit abductions and cross-border crimes.

He said the curfew was also to facilitate enforcement and monitoring on boat movements as well as to ensure the safety of chalet operators and fishermen.

“I have authorised all district police chiefs in the ESSZone to issue permits to eligible applicants for the purpose of fishing activities or to attend to urgent matters during the curfew,” he added. — Bernama

https://www.thesundaily.my/local/curfew-in-esszone-extended-until-june-19-MG2495248

CPP/NPA-Panay: NPA-Panay angot sa anti-terror law sang rehimeng US-Duterte

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 2, 2020): NPA-Panay angot sa anti-terror law sang rehimeng US-Duterte

JULIO MONTANA

NPA-PANAY

CORONACION CHIVA “WALING-WALING” COMMAND

NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY

JUNE 02, 2020

Nagasala ang militaristang gobyerno ni Duterte sa pagpugong sa akig sang gutom nga pumuluyong Pilipino. Sa pagdali-dali sang anti-terror law, athag nga tuyo sang kontra-imol kag mapintas nga gobyernong Duterte nga lubos nga pahipuson ang pumuluyo nga biktima sang iya kriminal nga pagpatumbaya. Indi matago ni Duterte ang kapaltahan sang iya militarista nga pamaagi sa pag-atubang sang Covid19.

Akig ang pumuluyo sa pagkadula sang ila palangabuhian, indi patas kag ulihi nga tagtaganay sang pagkaon kag ayuda, kag bayolasyon sang ila mga duna nga kinamatarung sosyo-kultural. Yara sa frontline sang pagpang-abuso ang mga mapintas kag wala-kapasidad nga kapulisan kag militar sa pagpatuman sang lain-lain nga porma sang lockdown.

Sa subong, mas nakapuntirya sa mga ordinaryo nga pumuluyo ang anti-terror law para punggan ang militante kag demokratiko nga paghulag para sukton si Duterte sa iya kapaltahan. Tatakan kag himuon sang gobyerno nga kriminal kag terorista ukon “domestic terrorist” ang lehitimo kag husto nga pagpanukot sang pumuluyo. Labi nga pasingkion ang atake sa mga maki-tao nga mga trabahador, nagabulig sa mga imol, kag mga tagsakdag sang kinamatarung sang pumuluyo. Sa gihapon, kasangkapan ni Duterte ang mapintas kag kurap nga militar kag kapulisan sa pagpahipos kag pamatay sang pumuluyo.

Indi na bag-o ang terorismo sa kaumhan. Madugay na ini napaluntad sang tanan nga reaksyunaryo nga rehimen. Padayon man ang pagpamatok sang pumuluyo sa terorista nga mga atake sang pasistang tropa. Ang NPA, bilang tunay nga hukbo sang pumuluyo, padayon nga magadepensa sa mga imol kag gina-daug-daog sang yara sa poder. Sa paglala sang mga atake ni Duterte kag sang iya militar sa pumuluyo, mas magadamo ang maga-pasakop sa armado nga paghimakas kag mas maga-isog ang mga pumuluyo. Amon gina-hangkat ang mga pumuluyo, labi na ang mga pamatan-on, nga magpatapu sa NPA para maka-amot sa pagtukod sang naga-ulikid nga Demokratiko nga Gobyerno sang Pumuluyo sa kaumhan.

Batuan ang anti-terror bill! Patalsikon ang mapintas, maki-dumuluong, kurap, kag kontra-imol nga gobyernong US-Duterte! Angkunon ang hustisya! Mag-intra sa NPA!

https://cpp.ph/statement/npa-panay-angot-sa-anti-terror-law-sang-rehimeng-us-duterte/

CPP/NPA-Southern Panay: Dugang Naman nga mga Biktima sang Kapintas sang 61st IB kag 12th IB

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 2, 2020): Dugang Naman nga mga Biktima sang Kapintas sang 61st IB kag 12th IB

ILAYA KANAWAY

NPA-SOUTHERN PANAY

NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY

JUNE 02, 2020

Nadugangan naman ang listahan sang pagpang-abuso sang 61st IB kag 12th IB PA sa isla sang Panay.

Sa Sityo Takas, Brgy. Bagay, Igbaras, Iloilo, sadtong Mayo 11, 2020, alas 12 sa udto, ginsakit nila si John Mark Esapol, 32 anyos kag ginpisa-pisa interogar si Waldo Odango Jr., 46 anyos. Lunsay sila mga sibilyan nga mangunguma sa nasambit nga baryo.
Samtang, sa Sityo Igculibao, Brgy. Cabladan, Sibalom, Antique, sining damlag lang, Mayo 22, 2020 natabo ang pagkuot kag pagpamahog sa 2 ka mangunguma nga mag-asawa. Iligal sila nga gindakop mga alas-6 sang sirom kag ginbuy-an mga alas-11 na sa tungang-gab-i.

Antes sang ini nga mga insidente, natabo man ang pagpang-abuso sang militar sadtong Abril 18, 2020 nga kun sa diin ginpatay nila ang isa ka lider mangunguma nga konsehal sa Brgy. Onop, Miag-ao, Iloilo kag kadungan sini, may 11 pa ka mga mangunguma nga taga Brgy. Igpanulong kag Tordesillas, Sibalom, Antique ang ginpangdakop, ginpangtortyur kag ginpasakaan sang mga himu-himo nga kaso. Upod man sa ginpangdakop ang 5 ka menor de edad nga ila man ginpatu-patuan nga mga child warrior sang NPA.

Ang mga pagpang-abuso nga ini natabo sa pihak sang kapigaduhon kag pag-antus sa krisis sang COVID-19. Imbes nga dapat tutukan sang gubyernong Duterte ang pagtapna sang COVID-19 kag buligan ang pumuluyo, padayon kag pinasingki nga militarisasyon ang ginapatuman sini. Indi ayuda ang ginadala nila sa kaumhan kundi pagsabwag sang kakugmat kag kapintas. Wala ini nagapangilin nga maggasto sang 75 bilyones para sa pagpamakal sang mga moderno nga armas kag kagamitan militar, samtang sa pihak nga bahin, palpak ang ginapatuman nga Social Amelioration Program. Maski sa tunga sang COVID-19 nga pandemya, handum kag dumot sini sa gihapon ang mapintas nga pagwasak sa rebolusyonaryo nga kahublagan. Tuyo sini nga “pahubsan sang tubig ang isda”, amo nga maski sin-o diri sa kaumhan, kapin sa mga kabaryuhanan nga ginahulagan sang NPA, may katalagman nga mangin biktima sang mga pasista, bayaran nga mga suldado ni Duterte. Wala sang pili nga pagbayolar sa tawhanon nga kinamatarung ang ila ginalarga kapin sa masang mangunguma. Ginahingalitan lamang sang rehimeng US-Duterte ang kahimtangan nga may krisis sang COVID-19 para ipatuman sang militar kag kapulisan sini ang ala Martial Law nga lockdown kag mga restriksyon. Nagapabor lamang ini sa labi nga pagpamintas agud limitahan kag lubos nga lupigon ang pagbato sang pumuluyo.

Apang, mas gamhanan ang pagbato sang minilyon nga ginagutom nga pumuluyo amo nga sa baylo, wala sang liwan nga pakadtuan ini kundi ang labi nga pagbaskog sang armado nga paghimakas kag ang labi nga paglapad sang pulang gahum nga nagahatag sang masanang nga buwas-damlag sa pumuluyo halin sa kadulom sang pagpang-ipit sang mapiguson kag mahimuslanon nga sistema.

Indi magkahahadlok. Sa baylo, manindugan kag magbato!
Batu-an ang inutil nga rehimeng US-Duterte!
Labi nga isulong ang Armado nga Paghimakas!
Mag-entra sa New People’s Army

https://cpp.ph/statement/dugang-naman-nga-mga-biktima-sang-kapintas-sang-61st-ib-kag-12th-ib-2/

CPP/NDF-EV: NDF-EV condemns killing of peasant, urban poor activists

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 27, 2020): NDF-EV condemns killing of peasant, urban poor activists

FR. SANTIAGO “KA SANNY” SALAS

SPOKESPERSON

NDF-EV

NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT OF THE PHILIPPINES

JUNE 02, 2020

The National Democratic Front-Eastern Visayas strongly condemns the extrajudicial killing of urban poor activist Carlito Badion and peasant activist Allan Aguinaldo by suspected state agents last week. “The Armed Forces of the Philippines have hunted down Badion and Aguinaldo for years,” said Fr. Ka Santiago “Ka Sanny” Salas, spokesperson for the NDF-EV. “We have reason to believe that Badion and Aguinaldo were extra-judicially killed, as part of the Duterte fascist regime’s relentless campaign to crack down on legal mass activists, and terrorize and subdue the people under the de facto martial law.”

A publicly-known spokesperson for the urban poor group Kadmay, Badion was forced to relocate to Leyte to escape the government’s crackdown against mass activists, after experiencing intense surveillance and harassment by state agents. According to initial reports, he was beaten to death on May 24 before his body was found the following day.

Meanwhile, Aguinaldo was a member of the Northern Samar Small Farmers’ Association. He participated in the Lakbayan ng Eastern Visayas in Manila in 2016 and in 2018. But last March 2, the municipal trial court issued a warrant of arrest against him for the trumped up charge of attempted homicide. More than two months later, Aguinaldo was killed in cold blood in his residence in Brgy. New Rizal, Catarman.

“We condemn the Duterte fascist regime and the AFP for their insatiable bloodlust against the legal democratic opposition. Even as the people are suffering due to the government’s incompetent and militarist response to the the COVID-19 pandemic, Duterte prioritizes his anti-communist witch hunt through Executive Order 70 to `end local communist armed conflict,’ where he paints critics and mass organizations as terrorists and kills innocent people. But in the end he fails to suppress the people’s hatred of his regime. He has only fanned it along with their call to oust him,” Salas said.

The NDF-EV spokesperson called on the people of Eastern Visayas to condemn this atrocity of the AFP and the Duterte regime. “They must denounce Badion and Aguinaldo’s killings as an affront to their democratic rights. The people must remain resolute in the midst of the Duterte regime’s onslaught on their life and rights. They must continue to insist on their democratic demands to isolate the corrupt, fascist, traitorous and anti-people Duterte, remove him from power and finally end his tyranny,” Salas ended.#

https://cpp.ph/statement/ndf-ev-condemns-killing-of-peasant-urban-poor-activists/

Kalinaw News: Fed up with NPA Leaders’ Abuse, NPA member Ran Away, Surrenders to Army in SurNor

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jun 3, 2020): Fed up with NPA Leaders’ Abuse, NPA member Ran Away, Surrenders to Army in SurNor (By 4th Infantry Division)



Placer, Surigao del Norte- Fed up with the abusive CPP-NPA Terrorist (CNT) leader who holds endless but fruitless promises, a very young NPA member ran away and voluntarily surrendered bringing along his firearm to the 30th Infantry (Python) Battalion on May 13, 2020 at its Headquarters, Brgy Sta Cruz, Placer, Surigao del Norte.

The ran away CNT member was identified as Alias Ayong, 21 years old, a resident of the municipality of Santiago in Agusan del Norte province and a newly member of Sangay Yunit Propaganda (SYP) 16B of the Guerilla Front (GF) 16, NEMRC under Jerome Tamayo @Jerric.

Alias Ayong disclosed that he decided to escape and run away from the group after realizing the mistakes he had done and all that were promised to him were all lies and meant only to deceive and lure him to join the terrorist organization within three (3) months. He said, “sa pag-apil ko sa ilang grupo noong pebrero giingnan nila ako nga kinahanglan nila ang panaghiusa aron makigbisog alang sa gobyerno aron makab-ot ang tinuod nga kalinaw, apan sa paglabay sa panahon nakita nako nga bakak ang tanan. Gisugo kaming mga ordiranaryong membro sa pagextort ug mag liquidate sa mga civilian, caa ug uban mga kasundaluhan nga sa akong tan aw ug pag tuo mga walay sala sa komunidad ug giingon pa nila nga ihulga namo ang mga magdumili sa pagpatay kanila “

Alias Ayong manage to escape by asking help to the personnel of 30IB and bring with him his issued M16A1 Rifle with two (2) short and three (3) long magazines, one bandollier and one hundred eighteen (118) 5.56mm ammunitions and turn over it to the unit.

It can be recalled that since January 2020, Three (3) other members of CNT already decided to return to the folds of law and five (5) Firearms including three (3) high powered firearms were turn over to the government forces.

In his statement, Lt Col Ryan Charles G Callanta, the Commanding Officer of 30IB said that “The surrender of @Ayong revealed the incessant deception and vile intentions of the CNTs to the people of Surigao del Norte. The influx of surrenders manifested the CNTs’ rotten ideology that even their ordinary members perceived its lies and deceptions.

“The 30IB and the Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte will do its share in keeping the peace in the province. We assure the security for the remaining CNT members who wants to lay down their arms and embrace the path of peace and avail the governements reintegration program, the ECLIP, in order to reunite with their families and start a new and brighter future without fear and intimidations”, Lt Col Callanta added.

Meanwhile, the @Ayong will undergo in custodial and stress debriefing prior to his enrollment to the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.



[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/fed-up-with-npa-leaders-abuse-npa-member-ran-away-surrenders-to-army-in-surnor/

Kalinaw News: Army, NPA clash; foils the use of APMs that endangered civilians in SurNor

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jun 3, 2020): Army, NPA clash; foils the use of APMs that endangered civilians in SurNor (By 4th Infantry Division)



Placer, Surigao del Norte- Troops of 30th Infantry (Python) Battalion clashed with the CPP-NPA Terrorist (CNT) in the hinterland of Brgy Biyadid, Sison, Surigao del Norte on June 1,2020 that foiled the used of Anti-Personnel Mines (APM) endangering local residents of the place.

With the information given by concerned citizens on the whereabouts of CNTs who continuously threat and extort the farmers of the community, the military of 30IB prompted to launch a combat patrol and led to an encounter that lasted for about thirty (30) minutes. As the CNTs scampered away, government troops recovered one (1) APM that was already laid along a trail frequently used by the local residents in the area.

It can be recalled that last April 19,2020, 30IB also recovered two (2) anti-personnel mines in an encounter at Brgy Camam-onan of Gigaquit.

The CNTs continued used of APMs is a blatant violation of IHL undermining people’s right, safety and protection. They even used APM to sow fear to the helpless local residents in the area.

In his statement, Lt Col Ryan Charles G Callanta, the commanding officer of 30IB said, “The support and cooperation of the people led the recovery of another APM from CNT shows that our campaign against terrorism is significantly gaining headways and very effective. However, we strongly condemn CNTs’ act of continuously using APM that endangered civilians creating atmosphere of fear of which their way of life are severely disrupted. With this we assure the people of Surigao del Norte that we will continue to secure and protect each and every peace-loving people of the province”.

The use of APMs is a violation of Republic Act 9851, An Act Defining and Penalizing Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide and Other Crimes Against Humanity, Organizing Jurisdiction, Designating Special Courts, and for Related Purposes.

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/army-npa-clash-foils-the-use-of-apms-that-endangered-civilians-in-surnor/

Kalinaw News: Food treat to former rebels

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jun 3, 2020): Food treat to former rebels (By 10th Infantry Division)



Malita, Davao Occidental – It had been recalled that there was an influx of surrenderees to the 73rd Infantry Battalion. In the custodial debriefing conducted to the group, most of their reason why they surrender is due to hunger.

With the Focused Military Operation, the 73rd Infantry “Neutralizer” Battalion deployed its troops all over its area of responsibility which resulted in the obstruction of the food supply of the organization. They experienced scarcity in food supplies. They always craved for food as they wander in the mountains.

In this regards, the unit treated them in a restaurant to give them gratification in times where they are starving in the upland. “Nagkaon lang mi kasag ug camote sa bukid. Naghunahuna mi nga basig mamatay na mi sa kagutom. Sa among pagtalikod, gibati namo ang kalipay. Una nakong kaon gikan pag surrender nako lami kaau. Mapasalamaton kaayo mi sa kasundaluhan sa paghatag kanamo ug higayon.” @Toto joyfully shared. (We ate only porridge and camote in the mountain. We thought we’re going to die due to hunger. When we return to the folds of law, we are very happy. Its the first time we ate tasty food. We are very grateful to the army for giving us this rare opportunity)

In the statement of the 7IB Commander, Lt. Col. Ronaldo G Valdez said, “The satisfaction and joy in the eyes of our surrenderees is already an achievement on our part. We were able to let them smile again amidst the hardships they had with the communist terrorists.”



[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/food-treat-to-former-rebels/