Nabbed Spaniard wanted to meet Malaysian fugitive Amin

From The Star Online (Feb 2): Nabbed Spaniard wanted to meet Malaysian fugitive Amin

Neutralised: Abdelhakim reacting when a rifle grenade is shown by prosecutors during proceedings at the Department of Justice in Manila. — AP

KOTA KINABALU: A Spaniard arrested by Philippine troops for involvement with the Abu Sayyaf militant group was trying to make contact with Malaysian fugitive Amin Bacho.

An intelligence source said 20-year-old Abdelhakim Labidi Adib was hoping to meet with Amin to learn how to make improvised explosive devices as he wanted to be an active member of the militant group, which has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS).

 

“We believe the Spaniard could not meet Amin, who has been constantly on the move after escaping from the Marawi City siege late last year,” the source said.

The source said Amin is believed to be moving between Abu Sayyaf strongholds on Basilan Island and Jolo Island in southern Philippines.

The Spaniard, who is of Tunisian descent, was caught carrying grenades and bomb-making equipment on Jan 24 at a Philippine army checkpoint on Basilan island.

 

However, his Filipino accomplice managed to escape.

Philippine special forces commanding office in Basilan, Capt Exequel Panti, described Labidi Adib as a sympathiser and ardent supporter of the move to establish an Islamic caliphate in the Philippines.

The arrest came amid ongoing military operations to mop up the remnants of IS involved in last year’s siege of Marawi City that saw several Malaysians, including lecturer-turned-militant Dr Mahmud Ahmad, killed when the military recaptured the city.

Tawau native Amin, who was a member of the Darul Islamiah Sabah that followed Dr Mahmud after he teamed up with slain Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon, has remained under the radar since his escape from Marawi City.


Abu Jamil

The intelligence sources said that Amin took his 13-year-old son and the son of Abu Jamil, another dead militant from Sabah, to a safe area in southern Philippines before returning to Jolo.

“Both his son and Jamil’s son were in Marawi. They (children) were not part of the fighting but followed their fathers. Jamil’s son is now under Amin’s care,” the source said.

“We sometimes get information (of his whereabouts) but it remains just talk,” the source said, adding that Amin was not senior enough to take over IS in the Philippines as claimed by some security analysts.

The source explained that any successor to Isnilon Hapilon has to be a respected member of Abu Sayyaf and a Filipino.

“They will not accept a non-Filipino to lead them,” the source added.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/02/02/nabbed-spaniard-wanted-to-meet-msian-fugitive-amin/

WesMinCom: Abu Sayyaf hostages now down to nine

From UNTV News & Rescue (Jan 31): WesMinCom: Abu Sayyaf hostages now down to nine

 

Based on the figures of the military, the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) is holding nine hostages only, particularly in the province of Sulu, from the previous 30 hostages in 2016.

Aside from neutralizing the rebel group, the Armed Forces of the Philippines – Western Mindanao Command (AFP-WesMinCom) also targets to rescue its remaining hostages.

Based on the figures of the military, the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) is holding nine hostages only, particularly in the province of Sulu, from the previous 30 hostages in 2016.

Four of the hostages are Filipino nationals while five were foreigners.

The AFP believes they can rescue the remaining hostages through their continuous conduct of offensive operations.

“Sa ngayon, nakikita natin na we are continuing our effort in rescuing these hostages. More on Sulu base, we cannot reveal you kung sino ang humahawak cause it’s already an operational matter,” said WesMinCom Commander LtGen. Carlito Galvez Jr.

(For now, we can see that we are continuing our effort in rescuing these hostages. More on Sulu base, we cannot reveal you who is handling it, ‘cause it’s already an operational matter.)

Meanwhile, the number of casualties on the part of the ASG has climbed to 128.

Eighty ASG members were arrested while 166 have surrendered to the military.

Seventy-two of them are from Basilan, 61 from Sulu and 33 are from Tawi-Tawi province.

 

The AFP said that the high number of surrenderers is a good indication that the group is near a total defeat.

The military noted that ASG’s leadership has been in chaos after the death of one of its top leaders, Isnilon Hapilon, who was declared the emir of the Islamic State in Southeast Asia.

The WesMinCom commander claims that the declaration of martial law in Mindanao helped them in lessening the threats from rebel groups in the region.

“Yun ang target naming na at the end of 2018 sa duration ng martial law we can have a significant dent ang target namin is 70% of the threat will be removed,” said Galvez.

(Our target at the end of 2018 in the duration of martial law, we can have a significant dent. Our target is 70% of the threat will be removed.)

https://www.untvweb.com/news/133307-2/

Abu Sayyaf bandits kills 2 in ambush

From Sun Star-Zamboanga (Feb 1): Abu Sayyaf bandits kills 2 in ambush

GUNMEN believed to be Abu Sayyaf bandits have killed two people in an ambush in the province of Sulu, a top military official said on Thursday, February 1.

 

Brigadier General Cirilito Sobejana, Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said the ambush occurred around 7:40 a.m., Thursday, in the village of Latih, Patikul municipality. Sobejana identified the victims as Muksin Kaidin and his brother, Mukim.

 

He said the victims were aboard a private-owned jeep when a group of Abu Sayyaf bandits ambushed killing them instantly. He said the bandits, one of them was identified as Sony Sajerin, boarded on a Sports Utility Vehicle and sped towards the hinterlands. He said troops have been deployed to track down the Abu Sayyaf bandits.
 

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/zamboanga/local-news/2018/02/01/abu-sayyaf-bandits-kills-2-ambush-586806

Philippine security forces capture top Maoist guerrilla leader

From Reuters (Jan 31): Philippine security forces capture top Maoist guerrilla leader

Philippine security forces arrested the head of the communist movement’s armed wing following President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to target guerrilla leaders after peace talks collapsed, police and human rights activists said on Thursday.

A police report seen by Reuters said Rafael Baylosis and a companion tried to flee from army and police intelligence agents who were following them but were cornered on Wednesday afternoon in the center of the capital, Manila.

The arrests of Baylosis, 69, and Roque Guillermo was a product of intelligence and surveillance operations after a tip-off from residents in Quezon City, northeast of Manila, national police spokesman John Bulalacao said.

“Baylosis is believed to be the acting secretary of the New People’s Army,” Bulalacao said, referring to a 3,000-strong guerrilla force that has waged a war in rural areas for nearly 50 years.

The conflict has killed more than 40,000 people and stunted growth in poor but resource-rich regions of the Philippines where mines and plantations are located.

Baylosis was the first ranking rebel leader to be captured since the Philippines ended a peace process with communist rebels late last year.

Human rights advocates and leftist activists held protests in front of the national police headquarters on Thursday to condemn the arrests and demand Baylosis’ release because they say he was covered by a government-issued immunity pass.

“The trumped-up charges must stop,” Renato Reyes, secretary-general of activist group Bayan (Nation), said in a statement. “Rather than persecute peace consultants, Duterte should resume peace talks on the most important substantive agenda.”

Baylosis was arrested without a warrant, said his lawyer Rachel Pastores, adding that a charge of illegal possession of firearms was also fabricated.

In a statement that contradicted the police account, Pastores said Baylosis was not told of his constitutional rights and was denied access to family and lawyers, and even a phone call.

“No person now is safe from the vicious and vindictive Duterte administration,” she said, likening the arrest to a tactic used by the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who ruled the country for 20 years from 1965.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the safety and immunity guarantees no longer applied after Duterte scrapped the peace talks, telling human rights activists to challenge the arrest order in court.

Baylosis was among 18 rebel leaders freed on bail in August 2016 and allowed to travel to the Netherlands for peace talks. He faces murder charges after the army discovered a mass grave of 15 suspected government spies in 2006 who were killed in the central Philippines.

In November, Duterte ended intermittent peace talks with Maoist-led rebels, declaring them “terrorists” because hostilities had continued during the talks, and ordering security forces to hunt guerrilla leaders.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-rebels/philippine-security-forces-capture-top-maoist-guerrilla-leader-idUSKBN1FL3OG?il=0

Tiamzons still being tracked down – military

From the Manila Bulletin (Jan 31): Tiamzons still being tracked down – military

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Wednesday it is tracking down National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) consultants Benito and Wilma Tiamzon in an effort to re-arrest the couple.

“We are continuously monitoring their location. I just cannot tell you the updates about it. But what we can tell you is that we are going to abide by the orders of the court to implement the arrest order once again issued by the regional trial court,” AFP spokesman Edgard Arevalo told a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Last January 11 the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 32 ordered the re-arrest of the Tiamzon couple.

Arevalo said the military does not regret the decision of the government to temporarily free the couple so they could participate in peace negotiations with communist organizations.

“Well, first of all we should give peace a chance. That was the chance seen by our government in order to achieve lasting peace. And if it would require some members of the NPA whom we were able to arrest as we have seen and observed that they were given temporary liberty on account of that particular grant of pass as a consultant, then we understand and we will support that. But since it came to pass that we have to re-arrest them, then we will obey and abide by the orders of the court,” he said.

Arevalo also said it will take a national approach to defeat the New People’s Army (NPA), the military arm of the National Democratic Front (NDF).

“As we have seen (in the past) there are efforts being done and we do not intend to do this all by the AFP. It has to be a whole-nation approach,” Arevalo said.

Judge Thelma Bunyi Medina ordered the arrest of the Tiamzon couple and their co-accused Adelberto Silva, who are facing murder charges in relation to the mass grave found in Leyte in 2006.

The three were granted provisional liberty so they could participate in the peace negotiations between the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front-New People’s Army (CPP-NDF-NPA).

Last November 23, President Duterte signed Proclamation 360 terminating the peace talks.

“In view of the termination of peace negotiations with the NDF-CPP-NPA, the accused, who are merely granted provisional liberty for purposes of their supposed participation in said peace talks, should be recommitted to the courts,” Medina said.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/01/31/tiamzons-still-being-tracked-down-military/

AFP scrutinizes NPA, legal fronts

From Sun Star-Davao (Jan 31): AFP scrutinizes NPA, legal fronts
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is looking into the connection of legal front organizations to the New People’s Army (NPA) following the surrender of an alleged Anakpawis chairwoman which further reinforces the AFP’s information that the group is a supporter of NPA.

Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala, commander officer of the 28th Infantry Battalion, said the surrender of the chairwoman of Anakpawis Mati chapter in Davao Oriental identified as Gemma Burgos Quiroga, 35, from Barangay Calapagan in Lupon, Davao Oriental, is a significant development.

“Her surrender, for 28th IB, was very significant because, the people we are facing, the New People’s Army (NPA), are not just armed. We are also facing the organization that is able to organize rallies against our government. It is a two-pronged attack against the government,” Zagala said.

He added that the NPA is not the only armed group that they are confronting in the hinterland but also the legal fronts protesting on the streets.

“Some people might think na ang NPA ay nasa bundok lang at ginagamit lang nila ang armas against the government. It’s a combination of both - the armed struggle and the struggle in the street. The political struggle which is to raise issues, bring issues against the government and use front organizations to face the government in the streets, complaining, but they are also part of the armed struggle because they are the one that surface,” Zagala said.

During their interview with Quiroga, she revealed that in 2012, she was designated as the squad medic of the New People’s Army’s Section Committee 18, Sub-Regional Command (SRC) 2, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC). After the leaders saw her potential to organize people, she was transferred to Anakpawis in 2016.

“For us, it shows a connection between the legal front organizations and the Red areas or the armed struggle,” Zagala cited.

Part of Quirogas’ role as a chairwoman is to organize the people in Davao Oriental to attend rallies in Davao City and distribute extortion letters to businessmen. She also brought with her several copies of subversive documents.

Zagala clarified that they have no idea about the existence of Quiroga, not until the city mayor of Lupon turned her over to their battalion to facilitate her surrender.

Anakpawis party-list Representative Ariel Casilao, meanwhile, denied the allegation of the 10th Infantry Division implicating Anakpawis to a rebel surrenderee who is claiming to be a chairperson of Anakpawis Mati chapter, Davao Oriental.

He pointed that the real chairperson of Anakpawis Party-list for Davao Oriental is Artemia Olivar and not Gemma Burgos Quiroga as was reported.

“How can Gemma be a chairperson for Mati City when her Comelec registered address is in Brgy. Kalapagan, Municipality of Lupon, Davao Oriental. Lupon town is several kilometers away from Mati City,” he said.

He added that Quiroga was only using the name of Anakpawis Party-list and other progressive party-list, ALMASiD (Alyansa sa Mag-uuma sa Sidlakang Dabaw-KMP), to solicit funds from local businessmen and local politicians for personal use without the knowledge of the provincial and regional chapter.

“Clearly with the facts mentioned, she needed to invent issues and allowed herself to be used to suffice the Red-tagging intentions and motives of her military handlers,” the lawmaker said.

 

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2018/01/31/afp-scrutinizes-npa-legal-fronts-586710

NPA regulars, supporters continue to surrender

From the Manila Bulletin (Feb 1): NPA regulars, supporters continue to surrender

Field unit commanders of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday disclosed that communist-New People’s Army (NPA) regulars and their mass base supporters and followers continue to surrender to field units in order to live a peaceful life.

In a statement sent to The Manila Bulletin on Thursday, Maj. Gen. Noel S. Clement, commanding general of the Army’s 10th Infantry (Agila) Division (10th ID) revealed that these NPA terrorists are already tired from hiding and evading the troops who relentlessly pursue them.



New People’s Army (NPA) fighters in formation in the Sierra Madre mountain range
(AFP/ MANILA BULLETIN)
On Tuesday, a squad commander of SYP 2-SRC 2 of guerilla-Front Committee 2 and another regular member of his unit voluntarily surrendered to the Army’s 28th Infantry Battallion in Poblacion, Pantukan, Compostela Valley (ComVal) province. The two NPAs also yielded 2 handcuffs, improvised grenades, improvised explosive devices and 82 pieces of explosives.

“They were convinced by their relatives to surrender in order to live a peaceful life. Their surrender was put to blotter at the Lupon Police Station and they were brought to Lupon Health Center to undergo medical exam,” said the 10th ID chief as he further disclosed that the returnees are presently undergoing custodial debriefing at the headquarters of 28th IB.

“The two surrenderees made the right thing when they surrendered and brought along with them explosives. With this, terrorists’ planned atrocities are preempted. We are grateful to the people who answered our call to encourage their relatives and members of their families who are struggling already in the hands of NPA terrorists,” Maj. Gen. Clement said.

On Monday, 5 regular members of CPP-NPA, among them a team leader, also voluntarily surrendered to 25th IB under Lt. Col. Oscar B. Balignasay Jr. at Camp Kalaw, in Monkayo town of that same province, also said 10th ID Spokesperson Capt. Jerry S. Lamosao, in the same statement sent to The Manila Bulletin.

He said the surrenderees were all regular members of Primera, Baking Force-SDG of guerilla-Front Committee 25 of the CPP-NPA Southern Mindanao Regional Committee.

“They are also tired of hiding, running and evading the government troops who relentlessly pursue them,” claimed the 10th ID spokesperson.

On the same day on Monday, 6 unarmed mass-base supporters of the NPA, armed wing of the CPP, also voluntarily surrendered to 71st IB commander Lt. Col. Esteyven Ducusin in Purok 8, Barangay Nueva Visayas, Mawab town of that same province, Capt. Lamosao said.

All the NPAs who yielded their firearms will be given money, aside from the livelihood program that will be extended to them under the government’s Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP), the 10th ID spokesperson added.

“Our field units are always ready to accept the surrender of NPAs and their supporters. To the NPAs, redeem your right to live peacefully with your families and come back to the folds of the law and government programs await you,” Maj. Gen. Clement also said in the same statement sent to The Manila Bulletin.

“However, our forces will continue to pursue the remaining NPA terrorists in our Area of Responsibility (AOR) and as much as we want peace, these terrorists must be neutralized so they can no longer influence and terrorize the communities in the countryside. We are reminding those who are supporting the CPP-NPA terrorists that it is a criminal offense under RA 10168 also known as ‘Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012,” the 10th ID chief said.

Relentless focused military operation is continuously conducted by field units of the 10th ID to deny terrorists the chance to recruit and deceive the people in the division’s area of responsibility, he added.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/02/01/npa-regulars-supporters-continue-to-surrender/

Increased Chinese presence monitored in Scarborough Shoal

From the Philippine Star (Feb 1): Increased Chinese presence monitored in Scarborough Shoal

The air patrol mission of the Navy’s King Air surveillance C90 aircraft was its first since its delivery and commissioning late last year. File
On its maiden patrol mission in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, a Philippine Navy aircraft donated by Japan has monitored increased presence of Chinese vessels in the area now under China’s control despite being within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

 

The air patrol mission of the Navy’s King Air surveillance C90 aircraft was its first since its delivery and commissioning late last year.

 

It was the second such mission to be launched within a two-week period at Panatag Shoal by the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Northern Luzon Command (AFP-Nolcom) amid growing concerns over Chinese military buildup in the West Philippine Sea.

Wielding de facto control over Panatag, the Chinese might build an island on the shoal just like it did on other land features in the disputed waters so that it could strengthen its hold on a seized territory, security experts say.

Flying 800 feet above the rich fishing ground, the Navy surveillance plane reported the presence of nine Chinese vessels – four coast guard vessels, four unmarked Chinese ships and a Chinese fishing vessel.

Last week, a Philippine Air Force (PAF) C295 plane also circled over Panatag and spotted four Chinese coast guard ships and a fishing vessel in the area. Filipino fishing boasts were also present.

 

The Chinese ships in Panatag did not challenge the Filipino patrols.

 

Located 120 nautical miles from mainland Zambales, Panatag Shoal used to be a target range for live fire exercise of the US and Philippine militaries in 1970s to 1980s.

The dismantling of the US bases in the country in the early ‘90s, observers say, may have given China opportunity to assert its South China Sea nine-dash line maritime claim, initially by establishing its presence in Panganiban (Mischief) Reef off Palawan in 1995.

Meanwhile, a Japanese destroyer is set to arrive in Manila tomorrow for a three-day goodwill visit. The destroyer JS AMAGIRI (DD-154), which has a DH-60J patrol helicopter, will dock at Pier 13 in South Harbor.

The visit is part of the continuing initiatives of the Philippine Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) to further improve relations.

In November 2017, an anti-submarine destroyer of the JMSDF also made a goodwill port call in Manila.

 

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/02/01/1783462/increased-chinese-presence-monitored-scarborough-shoal

AFP opens new bank account for troops killed, wounded in action

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 1): AFP opens new bank account for troops killed, wounded in action

To show appreciation and support for the sacrifices and heroism of military personnel, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has opened a new bank account to accommodate donations for soldiers wounded and killed in various operations nationwide.

Col. Edgard Arevalo, AFP spokesperson, said this move was in the wake of outpouring public support to soldiers who fought and died or were maimed in the five-month battle to liberate Marawi from the clutches of the Maute Group terrorists.

He added that the former Landbank account for AFP Marawi Casualty received a total of PHP317 million. Arevalo said families of the 168 troops killed-in-action and 1,584 soldiers wounded in Marawi benefitted from this amount.

"(And) for this the AFP is eternally grateful," he added.

Arevalo said the AFP was constrained to open another bank account, despite the end of the Marawi conflict, as many people continue to show their gratitude and express their support to soldiers who continue to engage in combat operations all over the country.

"It is for this reason, that the AFP has opened a new bank account to receive donations for AFP Battle Casualties," he added.

For those who would like to give their donations, they may send the through the following: Land Bank of the Philippines

Account name: AFP Battle Casualty Account number: 00000552107179.

You may also contact the following for questions regarding: Cash Donations:

27th Finance Service Unit AFP Tel No: (02) 774-6998.

Donations in-kind: Civil Relations Service, AFP Tel No: (02) 912-6616 loc. 5640.

Other matters: Lt. Cmdr. Rose Abud +63917-862-7869.

"The AFP has set guidelines to ensure accountability and transparency in the disbursement of funds so that donations of our generous benefactors will reach the intended beneficiaries," Arevalo added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1023708

SC upholds dismissal of 14 PNP officials over chopper scam

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 1): SC upholds dismissal of 14 PNP officials over chopper scam

The Supreme Court (SC) has upheld the dismissal of 14 high-ranking officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) involved in the controversial purchase of helicopters in 2009.

In a decision received by the Office of the Ombudsman on January 15, the SC reinstated the Ombudsman’s May 30, 2012 joint resolution ordering the dismissal from the service of Police Directors Leocadio Santiago, Jr. and George Piano, Senior Superintendents Job Nolan Antonio, Edgar Paatan, Mansue Lukban, and Claudio Gaspar, Jr., Chief Superintendents Herold Ubalde and Luis Saligumba, Superintendent Ermilando Villafuerte, and Roman Loreto; Chief Inspector Maria Josefina Reco, Senior Police Officer 3 Ma. Linda Padojinog, Police Officer 3 Avensuel Dy, and non-uniformed personnel Ruben Gongona.

In 2012, the Ombudsman found the 14 PNP officials guilty of serious dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

Likewise, the 14 respondents were meted with accessory penalties of perpetual disqualification from holding public office and forfeiture of retirement benefits, aside from their dismissal from the service.

Ombudsman probers found that in 2009, the PNP purchased from Manila Aerospace Products Trading Corporation (MAPTRA) two standard Robinson R44 Raven I light police operational helicopters (LPOH) worth PHP62.67 million and one fully equipped Robinson R44 Raven II LPOH worth PHP42.31 million.

In the procurement documents, the PNP-approved specifications required the helicopters to be brand-new, air-conditioned, and with a minimum of three hours’ endurance.

However, upon project implementation, the MAPTRA delivered only one brand new Robinson Raven II LPOH, while the two standard Robinson Raven I were pre-owned by the former First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo.

Piano filed a petition for review before the Court of Appeals (CA).

On May 28, 2014, the CA rendered a ruling exonerating Piano from the administrative charges.

The case was elevated by the Ombudsman to the SC for the reversal of Piano’s exoneration.

In its decision, the SC said, “The CA erred in exonerating [Piano] of the charge of serious dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service as found by the Ombudsman.”

“Respondent [Piano] is the Chairman of the PNP Inspection and Acceptance Committee (IAC). The IAC plays a very important role in the procurement process of the agency, since it has the responsibility of inspecting the deliveries to make sure they conform to the quantity and approved technical specifications in the supply contract and the purchase order and to accept or reject the same. Notably, only after the IAC’s final acceptance of the items delivered can be supplier be paid by the PNP,” the SC ruled.

The SC took note of Piano’s role in the chopper deal when he signed Resolution No. IAC-09-045 claiming that “after inspection and evaluation, the Committee found the said items to be conforming [with] the approved NAPOLCOM specifications and passed the acceptance criteria.”

The PNP’s Weapons Tactics and Communications Division submitted a report disclosing the non-conformity of the delivered helicopters to the approved technical specifications.

However, Piano, as IAC Chairman, failed to make further inquiries or validated the lack of compliance and deviation from requirements.

Piano’s act of signing the Resolution No. IAC-09-045 “is a distortion of truth in a matter connected with the performance of his duties,” the SC said.

It added: “The 1987 Constitution itself underscores that public office is a public trust and that public officers and employees must, at all times, be accountable to the people. This imposes upon the SC the responsibility of holding public officers accountable for their blatant disregard of the high standard of ethics, competence, and accountability demanded of them. Those in public service, such as herein respondent P/Director Piano, are thus, cautioned to act in full accordance with this constitutional standard, for this Court will not shirk from its duty of upholding administrative sanctions against erring public servants."

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1023713

AFP to track down NPAs behind beheading of militiaman

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 1): AFP to track down NPAs behind beheading of militiaman

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) vowed to track down and bring to justice the communist rebels responsible for torturing and beheading an off-duty militiaman whom they caught hunting in the mountains of San Miguel town, Surigao Del Sur last January 29.

In a statement Thursday, AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Emmanuel Garcia strongly condemned the inhuman act of the New People's Army (NPA) terrorists.

"We condemn the torture done to the off-duty Manobo Cafgu Mar Acebedo Bocales, a father of three, who was abducted as he was hunting for wild animals to feed his family. His body bore torture marks as he was made to suffer before being beheaded by NPA terrorists in the mountains of San Miguel, Surigao Del Sur on January 29, 2018," he added.

Garcia said the brutal death of Bocales was proof of the numerous atrocities of the NPA and of their barbarism that was comparable to the Abu Sayyaf and Islamic State-inspired Maute terrorists who beheaded their helpless victims.

"The AFP vows to pursue the perpetrators until they are brought to justice. The AFP will continue to conduct focused military operations to secure our people and vulnerable communities against threats of rebels and terrorists," he added.

In the same vein, Garcia also called on all Filipinos to unite against terrorism and violent extremism; and to help the government in the pursuit of peace.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1023729

Army refuses to engage solon over surrender of Anakpawis head

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 1): Army refuses to engage solon over surrender of Anakpawis head

An Army ground commander refused to engage Anakpawis Party-list Rep. Ariel Casilao over the affiliation of the organization’s chapter chairperson who surrendered to military troops in Mati, Davao Oriental this week.

Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, commanding officer of the 28th Infantry Battalion, said the affiliation of latest surrenderer, Gemma Quiroga, was not important, but it remains a question why there is a connection between the New People’s Army (NPA) and Anakpawis, as evidenced by letters as tools to collect revolutionary taxes.

Quiroga, who surrendered to the 28th IB, claimed to be the chairperson of Anakpawis Mati City Chapter.

She surrendered to the 28th IB through the help of barangay councilman of Calapagan, Mati on January 27. She told the military she was the chairperson of Anakpawis – Mati Chapter.

Zagala said Quiroga was a medic of the NPA’s Section Committee 18 before she shifted to a front organization.

“To be honest, we did not even know her existence prior to her surrender,” he said. “But we are aware of the front organizations in Davao Oriental.”

“If she is lying, she has no direct link with us. I would just like to emphasize that the only time we met her was when the LGU of Lupon came to request a meeting because there will be someone who will surrender to us,” he added.

Zagala said Quiroga also brought with her several letters reportedly from Anakpawis to be distributed to establishments allegedly as a tool for extortion. Quiroga was also instrumental in bringing people to attend rallies in Davao City.

He, however, stressed that it was unimportant if Quiroga was a chairperson of Anakpawis or not, but rather the link between the NPA and the front organization.

“So her surrender is not that she was a member of Anakpawis but she was a former member of SeCom 18,” he said.

In a report of the 10th ID, Quiroga turned over medical paraphernalia and subversive documents during her surrender.

The 35-year-old Quiroga is from Barangay Calapagan. Quiroga joined the armed group because of her grudge against her family and neighbors.

She is undergoing an interview and custodial debriefing at the headquarters of the 28th IB.

In a statement shared in the Facebook account of Jay Apiag of Karapatan-SMR, Casilao claims that the Anakpawis chair for Davao Oriental is Artemia Olivar and not Quiroga.

He, however, admitted that Quiroga's listed address was Barangay Kalapagan in Lupon and her name was submitted as a poll watcher of Makabayan and a local political party.

Casilao added that Quiroga illegally identified herself as a representative of Anakpawis Party-list and the Alyansa sa Maguuma sa Sidlakang Dabaw-KMP in the 2016 national elections to solicit funds from local politicians and businessmen.

“Clearly with the facts mentioned, she needed to invent issues and allowed herself to be used to suffice the red tagging intentions and motives of her military handlers,” the lawmaker said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1023712

3 rebel returnees receive financial aid

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 1): 3 rebel returnees receive financial aid

Three former rebels in Iloilo province on Thursday received a total of PHP195,000 financial assistance under the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
The male rebel returnees, all natives of Barangay Cabatangan, Lambunao, Iloilo, received the financial assistance during the meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) at the capitol.

Each of the returnee received a PHP65,000 check, while PHP50,000 would go to their livelihood project, and PHP15,000 would serve as immediate assistance.

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Sr., DILG-Iloilo provincial director Teodora Sumagaysay and Col. Leonardo Peńa, deputy commander of the Philippine Army's 301st Infantry Brigade, assisted the turnover of checks.

Peńa said these rebel returnees surrendered on Aug. 15 last year. They brought with them three long rifles and a .45-caliber pistol, all functional.

The Technical Working Committee had yet to determine the additional amount to be given to the rebel returnees as remuneration for their firearms, Peńa added.

According to a 40-year-old rebel returnee, he will use the money to raise pigs in his backyard for livelihood and for the construction of his house.

“I decided to join the group because I have many problems,” he said, adding that he was with the communist movement for one-and-a-half years.

He said he was tired of walking in the mountains, thus he decided to surrender.

“I am really thankful that I am back now,” he added.

Peńa hoped that more rebels would return to the fold of the law.

To recall, 10 rebels from the province also received the same assistance from DILG in March and April last year.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1023795

2 killed in Sulu ambush

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 1): 2 killed in Sulu ambush



Two civilians were killed in an ambush staged by suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits on the island province of Sulu, the military reported Thursday.

Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Joint Task Force Sulu commander, identified the victims as Muksin Kaidin and his brother, Mukim.

Sobejana disclosed the incident occurred at around 7:40 a.m. Thursday along Kalimatahayan Road in Barangay Latih, Patikul town.

He said the victims were aboard a private-owned jeep when a group of Abu Sayyaf bandits ambushed killing them instantly.

He said the bandits, one of them was identified as Sony Sajerin, boarded on a Sports Utility Vehicle and sped towards the hinterlands.

There were information that the victims were military informants but Sobejana did not confirm the report.

Sobejana said troops had been deployed to track down the suspects behind the incident.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1023754