From the Mindanao Examiner (Jan 17): Warren Rodwell kidnapper arrested in Zamboanga province
Philippine authorities are holding a notorious sub-leader of a criminal gang linked to the kidnappings of foreign nationals and wealthy Filipinos in the southern Zamboanga Peninsula.
Insp. Dahlan Samuddin, a regional police spokesman, said Ayub Enriquez was arrested January 16 in the village of Tenan in Zamboanga Sibugay’s Ipil town.
The officer said Enriquez, of the Barahama Ali kidnap gang, has been implicated in the kidnappings of Australian adventurer Warren Rodwell in December 2011 in Ipil town and Chinese trader Li Pei Zhei in September 2014 in Kabasalan town, also in Zamboanga Sibugay.
Enriquez – who is also facing a string of murder charges - was also linked to the kidnappings of several Filipinos Reynaldo Drapeza and Joel Indino and Maricris Cuartocruz.
Police raiders also recovered a .45-caliber pistol and a fragmentation grenade, including ammunition, from Enriquez.
Last month, police forces also captured Hassim Calon, another sub-leader of the gang, in the same village where Enriquez was arrested. Calon was also implicated in the Rodwell kidnapping, which was previously blamed by the authorities to the Abu Sayyaf.
Barahama Ali, a commander of the former rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front which signed a peace accord with Manila in March last year, remains at large. Authorities had implicated Ali to the kidnapping of Rodwell, an accusation strongly denied by the MILF.
Rodwell was seized from his home by at least 5 gunmen disguised as policemen and was eventually handed over or sold by the kidnappers to the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan province.
Rodwell, who was married to a Filipino woman, Miraflor Gutang, was freed on March 2013 after his brother and sisters paid a huge ransom to the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group which is notorious for beheading their victims who cannot pay ransoms.
http://www.mindanaoexaminer.net/2015/01/aussie-kidnapper-arrested-in-zamboanga.html
Friday, January 16, 2015
NDF hopeful papal visit will call attention to rights abuses
From the Rappler (Jan 16): NDF hopeful papal visit will call attention to rights abuses
'We, in the revolutionary movement, stand in fervent hope that Pope Francis’ visit will inspire the people to unite and be more resolute in their struggle for social justice'
Jorge “Ka Oris” Madlos, Mindanao spokesperson of the NDF, said that all revolutionary forces on the island greet Pope Francis and ensure that members of the New People’s Army will strictly adhere to the 10-day unilaterally declared ceasefire.
“In deference to the papal visit, the NDFP-Mindanao has reiterated to the New People’s Army (NPA) in the island to strictly comply with the 10-day ceasefire declared by the NDFP at the national level, which includes in its coverage the 4-day stay of the Pope in the country. During such time, the NPA, while in defensive mode, shall cease all its tactical offensive military operations,” Madlos said.
With the messages delivered by Pope Francis about social justice and human rights, Madlos commented that these would hopefully motivate the Filipino people to continue fighting for what is right.
“As a world leader whose office holds considerable influence over the Filipino populace, we, in the revolutionary movement, stand in fervent hope that Pope Francis’ visit will inspire the people to unite and be more resolute in their struggle for social justice, particularly for genuine land reform, which is the aspiration of millions of peasants who have been for so long exploited and deprived of land to own, and, for national industrialization, which is the hope of exploited workers, particularly factory, mine and plantation workers who struggle to free themselves from below subsistence wages and inhuman working condition,” Madlos said.
The communist spokesman added that they are expecting the papal visit to bring attention to the alleged cases of human rights abuses and the culture of impunity in the country.
“Gleaning from the Pope’s views against pervasive abuses against human life and dignity, the Filipino people should be inspired by the visit to take the fight against human rights violations further, especially in the context of millions who have fallen victim to Benigno Aquino III’s brutal military campaign Oplan Bayanihan. This bloody campaign has, since the first quarter of 2014, razed the countryside in the island of Mindanao with incessant combat operations, terrorizing populated villages with cannon fire and aerial bombardment, and compelling whole communities of peasants, Lumad, and Moro to abandon their farms and flee their villages,” Madlos said.
These accusations have been consistently denied by the military and the government, downplaying the claims for justice of rights victims.
Human rights group Karapatan documented at least 225 cases of extra-judicial killings and about 226 cases of frustrated killings targeting activists, human rights workers, church leaders, and advocates since President Benigno Aquino III assumed the presidency.
Meanwhile, the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines said at least 172 media workers have been killed in the country since 1986. The last victim was a tabloid reporter who was killed a week before Pope Francis’ arrival in Manila.
Peace talks
And with the conflict between the communist movement and the government already stretching for more than 4 decades, the NDF is hoping that the Pope’s message of peace would renew the interest of the parties involved and the public to resume the stalled talks.
“As a leading figure in the quest for peace worldwide, we wish that the Pope’s presence could imbibe among Filipinos renewed interest in pursuing a peaceful resolution to the current armed conflict, particularly in pushing for the resumption of the peace talks between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP),” Madlos said.
“Directly relevant to which, the release of detained NDF consultants, whose participation is of crucial importance to said talks, should be undertaken. On the part of the NDF and the NPA, it has been releasing prisoners of war since the second half of last year as a confidence-building measure for the resumption of the talks,” the communist leader added.
Presently, peace advocates are calling on both the government and the NDF to resume the negotiations that would address the root causes of the conflict that has caused numerous casualties and damages to property.
In The Hague Joint Declaration in 1992, both parties agreed to tackle substantive agendas, including human rights and international humanitarian law, socio-economic reforms, political and constitutional reforms, end of hostilities and disposition of forces.
In March 1998, both parties signed the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).
The government and the NDF have already formulated their drafts for the Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms (Caser) but have not made progress since the talks collapsed.
The NDF is asserting that the government should release political prisoners and NDF consultants who were captured by government forces – as agreed upon in previously signed agreements – to jumpstart the stalled talks.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/81030-ndf-papal-visit-rights-abuses
'We, in the revolutionary movement, stand in fervent hope that Pope Francis’ visit will inspire the people to unite and be more resolute in their struggle for social justice'
CONSULTATIONS. Various organizations and groups are consulted by government and NDF representatives on December 27, 2014. File photo by Karlos Manlupig/Rappler
Hoping for a reflective atmosphere during the papal visit, the National Democratic Front (NDF) in Mindanao reminds its guerrillas to observe the unilaterally declared ceasefire to welcome Pope Francis.
“In deference to the papal visit, the NDFP-Mindanao has reiterated to the New People’s Army (NPA) in the island to strictly comply with the 10-day ceasefire declared by the NDFP at the national level, which includes in its coverage the 4-day stay of the Pope in the country. During such time, the NPA, while in defensive mode, shall cease all its tactical offensive military operations,” Madlos said.
With the messages delivered by Pope Francis about social justice and human rights, Madlos commented that these would hopefully motivate the Filipino people to continue fighting for what is right.
“As a world leader whose office holds considerable influence over the Filipino populace, we, in the revolutionary movement, stand in fervent hope that Pope Francis’ visit will inspire the people to unite and be more resolute in their struggle for social justice, particularly for genuine land reform, which is the aspiration of millions of peasants who have been for so long exploited and deprived of land to own, and, for national industrialization, which is the hope of exploited workers, particularly factory, mine and plantation workers who struggle to free themselves from below subsistence wages and inhuman working condition,” Madlos said.
The communist spokesman added that they are expecting the papal visit to bring attention to the alleged cases of human rights abuses and the culture of impunity in the country.
“Gleaning from the Pope’s views against pervasive abuses against human life and dignity, the Filipino people should be inspired by the visit to take the fight against human rights violations further, especially in the context of millions who have fallen victim to Benigno Aquino III’s brutal military campaign Oplan Bayanihan. This bloody campaign has, since the first quarter of 2014, razed the countryside in the island of Mindanao with incessant combat operations, terrorizing populated villages with cannon fire and aerial bombardment, and compelling whole communities of peasants, Lumad, and Moro to abandon their farms and flee their villages,” Madlos said.
These accusations have been consistently denied by the military and the government, downplaying the claims for justice of rights victims.
Human rights group Karapatan documented at least 225 cases of extra-judicial killings and about 226 cases of frustrated killings targeting activists, human rights workers, church leaders, and advocates since President Benigno Aquino III assumed the presidency.
Meanwhile, the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines said at least 172 media workers have been killed in the country since 1986. The last victim was a tabloid reporter who was killed a week before Pope Francis’ arrival in Manila.
Peace talks
And with the conflict between the communist movement and the government already stretching for more than 4 decades, the NDF is hoping that the Pope’s message of peace would renew the interest of the parties involved and the public to resume the stalled talks.
“As a leading figure in the quest for peace worldwide, we wish that the Pope’s presence could imbibe among Filipinos renewed interest in pursuing a peaceful resolution to the current armed conflict, particularly in pushing for the resumption of the peace talks between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP),” Madlos said.
“Directly relevant to which, the release of detained NDF consultants, whose participation is of crucial importance to said talks, should be undertaken. On the part of the NDF and the NPA, it has been releasing prisoners of war since the second half of last year as a confidence-building measure for the resumption of the talks,” the communist leader added.
Presently, peace advocates are calling on both the government and the NDF to resume the negotiations that would address the root causes of the conflict that has caused numerous casualties and damages to property.
In The Hague Joint Declaration in 1992, both parties agreed to tackle substantive agendas, including human rights and international humanitarian law, socio-economic reforms, political and constitutional reforms, end of hostilities and disposition of forces.
In March 1998, both parties signed the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).
The government and the NDF have already formulated their drafts for the Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms (Caser) but have not made progress since the talks collapsed.
The NDF is asserting that the government should release political prisoners and NDF consultants who were captured by government forces – as agreed upon in previously signed agreements – to jumpstart the stalled talks.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/81030-ndf-papal-visit-rights-abuses
3 Capiz rebels give up armed struggle
From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 15): 3 Capiz rebels give up armed struggle
Three more members of the armed group in Capiz have opted to embrace a peaceful life.
According to Philippine Army 61st Infantry Battalion Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Victor Llapitan, three more members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) from Capiz have recently returned back to the folds of law.
He said that the surrender of the said rebels were made possible through Tapaz Mayor Rosemarie Gardose amd Aglinab, Tapaz Barangay Captain Remy Katipunan.
Llapitan said that the move of said members of the armed group in the province is a welcome development in the campaign for peace and development in the countryside, particularly in the province here.
He added that Alen, Team leader Squad 2, Baloy Platoon, CF-Panay; alias Tommy and alias Mica, both members of Tugalbong Platoon, CF, KR-Panay operating in the areas of Tapaz, Dumalag and boundaries of Jamindan and Mambusao all of Capiz, back surrendered themselves, January 12, to the Philippine Army and the Tapaz town Philippine National Police.
Llapitan said that the three are already in the custody of the 3rd Infantry Division-Philippine Army in Jamindan, Capiz.
With their sincere intention to live in peace and with normal and decent life with their families, the government has pledged to provide them with assistance.
On the other hand, 3ID Commander Rey Leonardo Guerrero has reassured the rebels of the Philippine Army’s willingness to accept them by abandoning their armed struggle.
Guerrero said that the communities and other stakeholders, including the officials of government agencies and local government units will be one in helping and assisting said rebels to live in normal lives.
http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/991421301208/3-capiz-rebels-give-up-armed-struggle
Three more members of the armed group in Capiz have opted to embrace a peaceful life.
According to Philippine Army 61st Infantry Battalion Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Victor Llapitan, three more members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) from Capiz have recently returned back to the folds of law.
He said that the surrender of the said rebels were made possible through Tapaz Mayor Rosemarie Gardose amd Aglinab, Tapaz Barangay Captain Remy Katipunan.
Llapitan said that the move of said members of the armed group in the province is a welcome development in the campaign for peace and development in the countryside, particularly in the province here.
He added that Alen, Team leader Squad 2, Baloy Platoon, CF-Panay; alias Tommy and alias Mica, both members of Tugalbong Platoon, CF, KR-Panay operating in the areas of Tapaz, Dumalag and boundaries of Jamindan and Mambusao all of Capiz, back surrendered themselves, January 12, to the Philippine Army and the Tapaz town Philippine National Police.
Llapitan said that the three are already in the custody of the 3rd Infantry Division-Philippine Army in Jamindan, Capiz.
With their sincere intention to live in peace and with normal and decent life with their families, the government has pledged to provide them with assistance.
On the other hand, 3ID Commander Rey Leonardo Guerrero has reassured the rebels of the Philippine Army’s willingness to accept them by abandoning their armed struggle.
Guerrero said that the communities and other stakeholders, including the officials of government agencies and local government units will be one in helping and assisting said rebels to live in normal lives.
http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/991421301208/3-capiz-rebels-give-up-armed-struggle
Four coops in Lanao del Sur receive farm, livelihood equipment from PAMANA-ARMM
From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 15): Four coops in Lanao del Sur receive farm, livelihood equipment from PAMANA-ARMM
MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur ---Four cooperatives in the province has received farm and livelihood equipment from the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) project of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
The equipment, which included four units of 6-wheeler hauler trucks and 35 units of sewing machines, were awarded to the respective cooperatives of four Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) communities in the province on January 9.
The beneficiaries included the Darussalam Producer Cooperative of barangay Manalucon Talub in Masiu town; Unified Farmers Multi-purpose Cooperative, Inc. of barangay Cabasaran, Madamba town; and, in the town of Bayang, the Padang Karbala Farmers and Marketing Cooperative Inc. of Barangay Rantian and RSSRC Agricultural Multi-purpose Cooperative, Inc. of barangay Pandapatan Bayang.
“Ito ang isa sa pinakamalaking items na madedeliver natin para sa MNLF communities, (this is one of the biggest items that we can deliver to the MNLF communities)” said Dong Anayatin, PAMANA-ARMM program manager.
He said it is part of the first batch of materials that will be awarded to beneficiaries.
“Ito ay napakaganda. Napakalaki ng maitutulong nito sa amin. ‘Yung hauler trucks ay para sa mga magsasaka at ’yung sewing machines ay para sa mga kababaihan,” (This is very useful and of big help to us. The hauler trucks are for farmers while the sewing machines are for women), said AbdulJabbar “Africa” Mamoclo, chairman of Darussalam Producer Cooperative.
He said the equipment will facilitate the transport and delivery of agricultural products and the sewing machine will help women in their community start a livelihood.
The ceremonial turn-over, held at ARMM’s seat in Cotabato City, was formally led by Laisa Alamia, ARMM executive secretary, Dong Anayatin, and Rasol Mitmug, the regional governor’s chief of staff.
http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1521421284582/four-coops-in-lanao-del-sur-receive-farm-livelihood-equipment-from-pamana-armm
MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur ---Four cooperatives in the province has received farm and livelihood equipment from the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) project of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
The equipment, which included four units of 6-wheeler hauler trucks and 35 units of sewing machines, were awarded to the respective cooperatives of four Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) communities in the province on January 9.
The beneficiaries included the Darussalam Producer Cooperative of barangay Manalucon Talub in Masiu town; Unified Farmers Multi-purpose Cooperative, Inc. of barangay Cabasaran, Madamba town; and, in the town of Bayang, the Padang Karbala Farmers and Marketing Cooperative Inc. of Barangay Rantian and RSSRC Agricultural Multi-purpose Cooperative, Inc. of barangay Pandapatan Bayang.
“Ito ang isa sa pinakamalaking items na madedeliver natin para sa MNLF communities, (this is one of the biggest items that we can deliver to the MNLF communities)” said Dong Anayatin, PAMANA-ARMM program manager.
He said it is part of the first batch of materials that will be awarded to beneficiaries.
“Ito ay napakaganda. Napakalaki ng maitutulong nito sa amin. ‘Yung hauler trucks ay para sa mga magsasaka at ’yung sewing machines ay para sa mga kababaihan,” (This is very useful and of big help to us. The hauler trucks are for farmers while the sewing machines are for women), said AbdulJabbar “Africa” Mamoclo, chairman of Darussalam Producer Cooperative.
He said the equipment will facilitate the transport and delivery of agricultural products and the sewing machine will help women in their community start a livelihood.
The ceremonial turn-over, held at ARMM’s seat in Cotabato City, was formally led by Laisa Alamia, ARMM executive secretary, Dong Anayatin, and Rasol Mitmug, the regional governor’s chief of staff.
http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1521421284582/four-coops-in-lanao-del-sur-receive-farm-livelihood-equipment-from-pamana-armm
Insurgency-free
From the Mindanao Newsbits section of the Manila Bulletin (Jan 16): Insurgency-free
Camp Bancasi, Butuan City – At least six provinces in Mindanao are now investments and economic hubs after being declared insurgency-free, Maj. Gen. Oscar T. Lactao, commanding general of the AFP’s Mindanao’s largest 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division said yesterday.
These provinces are Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Misamis Oriental and Dinagat Islands province.
According to Lactao these areas had already been declared out of the influence of the New People’s Army (NPA) armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
In the area of responsibility of the 4th ID alone, Lactao said there were already 300 surrenders coming from the various NPA fronts in Northeastern and Northern Mindanao regions last year.
http://www.mb.com.ph/mindanao-newsbits-for-january-16-2015/
Camp Bancasi, Butuan City – At least six provinces in Mindanao are now investments and economic hubs after being declared insurgency-free, Maj. Gen. Oscar T. Lactao, commanding general of the AFP’s Mindanao’s largest 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division said yesterday.
These provinces are Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Misamis Oriental and Dinagat Islands province.
According to Lactao these areas had already been declared out of the influence of the New People’s Army (NPA) armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
In the area of responsibility of the 4th ID alone, Lactao said there were already 300 surrenders coming from the various NPA fronts in Northeastern and Northern Mindanao regions last year.
http://www.mb.com.ph/mindanao-newsbits-for-january-16-2015/
Ex-NPA slain
From the Luzon Newsbits section of the Manila Bulletin (Jan 16): Ex-NPA slain
Bontoc, Mountain Province — A man long suspected by the New People’s Army (NPA) to be a military informer was killed in his house in Sitio Lobo, Tamboan, Besao town, this province, police reported yesterday.
Senior Superintendent Oliver Enmodias, provincial director (PD), said Rufino Basilio Posdo, 63, also known as “Kak-ew,” was shot dead by suspected NPA rebels around 10 p.m. last Sunday.
His killers declared that Posdo, a former NPA rebel who surrendered to the government in 1989, was being punished for his crime to the NPA.
http://www.mb.com.ph/luzon-newsbits-for-january-16-2015/
Bontoc, Mountain Province — A man long suspected by the New People’s Army (NPA) to be a military informer was killed in his house in Sitio Lobo, Tamboan, Besao town, this province, police reported yesterday.
Senior Superintendent Oliver Enmodias, provincial director (PD), said Rufino Basilio Posdo, 63, also known as “Kak-ew,” was shot dead by suspected NPA rebels around 10 p.m. last Sunday.
His killers declared that Posdo, a former NPA rebel who surrendered to the government in 1989, was being punished for his crime to the NPA.
http://www.mb.com.ph/luzon-newsbits-for-january-16-2015/
NDF cancels release of cops coz of AFP’s refusal to pullout community organizers
From MindaNews (Jan 15): NDF cancels release of cops coz of AFP’s refusal to pullout community organizers
The National Democratic Front in the Philippines-Northeastern Mindanao Regional (NDFP-NEMR) has called off the release of the three policemen who are captives of the New People’s Army because of the military’s refusal to temporarily withdraw their community organizers.
“The NDFP-NEMR regrets to inform the relatives and friends, the Third Party Facilitators and the general public that the release of three PNP personnel is cancelled,” said Ka Maria Malaya, spokesperson of the NDFP-NEMR.
The NDFP, in an email Thursday, said the cancellation was due chiefly to the AFP’s refusal to temporarily withdraw their Community Organizing for Peace Development (COPD) operatives from the area.
PO1 Jonry M. Amper was taken in Malimono town in Surigao del Norte last Nov. 12 while PO3 Democrito Polvorosa Jr. and PO1 Marichel Unclara Contemplo were seized in Alegria town of the same province last Nov. 16.
“To facilitate the safe and orderly release of the three prisoners of war and to avoid possible encounter between the NPA and the AFP, the NDFP-NEMR requested that AFP units conducting COPD operations in Barangays Sico-sico and Camam-onan, Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte to temporarily withdraw to their base camp in Brgy. Mahanub [in] Gigaquit … even as the personnel of the Brgy. Sico-sico detachment remain in place,” Malaya said.
She lamented that despite negotiations, Brig. Gen. Jonathan Ponce, head of the Army’s 402nd Infantry Brigade, refused to grant the request to pull out COPD operatives.
Malaya said Ponce’s position “seriously endangered not only the lives of the 3 POWs but of their family and loved ones and others” who wish to witness the release.
“The NDFP-NEMR deemed it necessary to call off the release and ordered the NPA Custodial Force to relocate to a safer place,” Malaya added.
The release of the three POWs was meant to be a gesture of peace during the papal visit and in response to the ardent request of the family to be reunited with their loved ones, she said.
Malaya said this is also a confidence-building measure for the resumption of the peace talks between the NDFP and the GPH.
She noted that the “simple request” of the NPA Custodial Force, the family, the local Third Party Facilitators, the Local Crisis Committee of Surigao del Norte, the chairman of the Peace and Order Council of Caraga (Butuan Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr.) and the office of the secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government would not have been “difficult to consider” by the AFP.
“In spite of the AFP’s outright refusal, we thank all those who genuinely gave effort to somehow make the release possible,” Malaya said.
In a radio interview this morning, Jorge “Ka Oris” Madlos, spokesperson of the NDFP-Mindanao, told the military to respect civilian authority. “People have been requesting for the temporary pullout of military forces for this purpose but they still refused,” he said.
The captives were supposed to be freed before Christmas but due to military presence in hinterlands in Surigao del Norte, the NPA did not push through with the release.
On January 6, the NDFP-Mindanao issued a release order for the three policemen.
Unfortunately, government and military officials have been mum on the issue since late last year.
Earlier today, MindaNews attempted but failed to contact Gov. Sol Matugas and provincial administrator Primolito Plaza, who is spokesperson of the Crisis Committee. Lt. Col. Arsenio Sadural, commanding officer of the 30th Infantry Battalion which has jurisdiction in the area, likewise refused to comment.
http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2015/01/15/ndf-cancels-release-of-cops-coz-of-afps-refusal-to-pullout-community-organizers/
The National Democratic Front in the Philippines-Northeastern Mindanao Regional (NDFP-NEMR) has called off the release of the three policemen who are captives of the New People’s Army because of the military’s refusal to temporarily withdraw their community organizers.
“The NDFP-NEMR regrets to inform the relatives and friends, the Third Party Facilitators and the general public that the release of three PNP personnel is cancelled,” said Ka Maria Malaya, spokesperson of the NDFP-NEMR.
The NDFP, in an email Thursday, said the cancellation was due chiefly to the AFP’s refusal to temporarily withdraw their Community Organizing for Peace Development (COPD) operatives from the area.
PO1 Jonry M. Amper was taken in Malimono town in Surigao del Norte last Nov. 12 while PO3 Democrito Polvorosa Jr. and PO1 Marichel Unclara Contemplo were seized in Alegria town of the same province last Nov. 16.
“To facilitate the safe and orderly release of the three prisoners of war and to avoid possible encounter between the NPA and the AFP, the NDFP-NEMR requested that AFP units conducting COPD operations in Barangays Sico-sico and Camam-onan, Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte to temporarily withdraw to their base camp in Brgy. Mahanub [in] Gigaquit … even as the personnel of the Brgy. Sico-sico detachment remain in place,” Malaya said.
She lamented that despite negotiations, Brig. Gen. Jonathan Ponce, head of the Army’s 402nd Infantry Brigade, refused to grant the request to pull out COPD operatives.
Malaya said Ponce’s position “seriously endangered not only the lives of the 3 POWs but of their family and loved ones and others” who wish to witness the release.
“The NDFP-NEMR deemed it necessary to call off the release and ordered the NPA Custodial Force to relocate to a safer place,” Malaya added.
The release of the three POWs was meant to be a gesture of peace during the papal visit and in response to the ardent request of the family to be reunited with their loved ones, she said.
Malaya said this is also a confidence-building measure for the resumption of the peace talks between the NDFP and the GPH.
She noted that the “simple request” of the NPA Custodial Force, the family, the local Third Party Facilitators, the Local Crisis Committee of Surigao del Norte, the chairman of the Peace and Order Council of Caraga (Butuan Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr.) and the office of the secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government would not have been “difficult to consider” by the AFP.
“In spite of the AFP’s outright refusal, we thank all those who genuinely gave effort to somehow make the release possible,” Malaya said.
In a radio interview this morning, Jorge “Ka Oris” Madlos, spokesperson of the NDFP-Mindanao, told the military to respect civilian authority. “People have been requesting for the temporary pullout of military forces for this purpose but they still refused,” he said.
The captives were supposed to be freed before Christmas but due to military presence in hinterlands in Surigao del Norte, the NPA did not push through with the release.
On January 6, the NDFP-Mindanao issued a release order for the three policemen.
Unfortunately, government and military officials have been mum on the issue since late last year.
Earlier today, MindaNews attempted but failed to contact Gov. Sol Matugas and provincial administrator Primolito Plaza, who is spokesperson of the Crisis Committee. Lt. Col. Arsenio Sadural, commanding officer of the 30th Infantry Battalion which has jurisdiction in the area, likewise refused to comment.
http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2015/01/15/ndf-cancels-release-of-cops-coz-of-afps-refusal-to-pullout-community-organizers/
De Lima orders probe of ex-soldier's kidnapping
From the Philippine Star (Jan 16): De Lima orders probe of ex-soldier's kidnapping
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has ordered a re-investigation of the kidnapping of a retired soldier by suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas in Tanay, Rizal in September last year.
In a resolution signed last Jan. 7, De Lima cited the procedural lapses in the charges filed against Marites Marquez and Rosario Loreto, who were tagged in the kidnapping of retired M/Sgt. Lino Filipino.
“A careful review of the evidence on record reveals a procedural flaw that violated the sacred rights of the respondents to be secure in their persons. In an inquest proceeding, it is the duty of the prosecutor to first determine the legality of the arrest made,” De Lima said.
“Records show that at the time of their arrests, the arresting officers did not even have an iota of personal knowledge of facts and circumstances that respondents Marquez and Loreto committed the alleged kidnapping,” she added.
De Lima said the arrests were based on mere hearsay by one Jonathan delos Angeles, a member of the Civilian Active Auxiliary, who claimed Marquez and Loreto were among the armed individuals who flagged down the jeepney that Filipino was riding and that he saw them leading him away.
De Lima also directed the provincial prosecutor’s office to move for the withdrawal of the charges against the respondents.
The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Filipino’s wife. The former soldier was reportedly seized by armed individuals, wearing camouflage uniforms in Barangay Tinucan, Tanay, Rizal on Sept. 26, 2014.
The complainant said among those who took her husband were four women, who introduced themselves as NPA rebels.
Marquez and Loreto were arrested by soldiers of the 16th and 59th Infantry Battalion in Sta. Ines, Tanay Rizal on Sept. 27.
http://rp2.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/01/15/15/de-lima-orders-probe-ex-soldiers-kidnapping
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has ordered a re-investigation of the kidnapping of a retired soldier by suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas in Tanay, Rizal in September last year.
In a resolution signed last Jan. 7, De Lima cited the procedural lapses in the charges filed against Marites Marquez and Rosario Loreto, who were tagged in the kidnapping of retired M/Sgt. Lino Filipino.
“A careful review of the evidence on record reveals a procedural flaw that violated the sacred rights of the respondents to be secure in their persons. In an inquest proceeding, it is the duty of the prosecutor to first determine the legality of the arrest made,” De Lima said.
“Records show that at the time of their arrests, the arresting officers did not even have an iota of personal knowledge of facts and circumstances that respondents Marquez and Loreto committed the alleged kidnapping,” she added.
De Lima said the arrests were based on mere hearsay by one Jonathan delos Angeles, a member of the Civilian Active Auxiliary, who claimed Marquez and Loreto were among the armed individuals who flagged down the jeepney that Filipino was riding and that he saw them leading him away.
De Lima also directed the provincial prosecutor’s office to move for the withdrawal of the charges against the respondents.
The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Filipino’s wife. The former soldier was reportedly seized by armed individuals, wearing camouflage uniforms in Barangay Tinucan, Tanay, Rizal on Sept. 26, 2014.
The complainant said among those who took her husband were four women, who introduced themselves as NPA rebels.
Marquez and Loreto were arrested by soldiers of the 16th and 59th Infantry Battalion in Sta. Ines, Tanay Rizal on Sept. 27.
http://rp2.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/01/15/15/de-lima-orders-probe-ex-soldiers-kidnapping
NPA men kill former comrade
From Tempo (Jan 16): NPA men kill former comrade
BONTOC, Mt.Province — New People’s Army (NPA) rebels shot dead their former member inside his house in Sitio Lobo, Tamboan, Besao, this province, allegedly on suspicion that he had been serving as a military informer for 25 years.
Senior Supt. Oliver Enmodias, provincial police office (PPO) director, identified the victim as Rufino Basilio Posdo, 63, also known as “Kak-ew,” of Dandanac, Tamboan, Besao, Mountain. Enmodias said that the death of the victim was reported to the police last January 11 by Dr. Dolores Dicdican of the Besao District Hospital, where he was brought after being shot.
Tamboan Barangay Captain Rene Ligowen told police that they heard gunshots coming from the house of the victim at about 10 p.m..
When barangay officials went to the area, two men came out of the victim’s house and told them that Posdo was punished for violating their law which caused the arrest of two of their comrades in 1989.
Before the two men left, they said that Posdo was killed by the NPA.
Police later gathered that Posdo was a former NPA member who voluntarily surrendered to authorities in 1989.
http://www.tempo.com.ph/2015/01/npa-men-kill-former-comrade/
BONTOC, Mt.Province — New People’s Army (NPA) rebels shot dead their former member inside his house in Sitio Lobo, Tamboan, Besao, this province, allegedly on suspicion that he had been serving as a military informer for 25 years.
Senior Supt. Oliver Enmodias, provincial police office (PPO) director, identified the victim as Rufino Basilio Posdo, 63, also known as “Kak-ew,” of Dandanac, Tamboan, Besao, Mountain. Enmodias said that the death of the victim was reported to the police last January 11 by Dr. Dolores Dicdican of the Besao District Hospital, where he was brought after being shot.
Tamboan Barangay Captain Rene Ligowen told police that they heard gunshots coming from the house of the victim at about 10 p.m..
When barangay officials went to the area, two men came out of the victim’s house and told them that Posdo was punished for violating their law which caused the arrest of two of their comrades in 1989.
Before the two men left, they said that Posdo was killed by the NPA.
Police later gathered that Posdo was a former NPA member who voluntarily surrendered to authorities in 1989.
http://www.tempo.com.ph/2015/01/npa-men-kill-former-comrade/
CPP/NDF: NDFP-Mindanao joins the nation in welcoming Pope Francis; reiterates to NPA to comply with ceasefire during the visit
NDF propaganda statement posted to the CPP Website (Jan 15): NDFP-Mindanao joins the nation in welcoming Pope Francis; reiterates to NPA to comply with ceasefire during the visit
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