Indonesia backs peace process in southern Philippines

From Vietnam (Feb 4): Indonesia backs peace process in southern Philippines



MILF gunmen in southern Philippines (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesian Deputy President Jusuf Kalla on February 1 received a delegation of the south Philippines-based Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which is visiting Indonesia to learn from the successful peace process in Aceh province.

Speaking with reporters after the meeting, Kalla said the MILF delegation paid a visit to Aceh to observe the region’s development after the peace agreement as well as the progress achieved in Indonesia.

Kalla said he had shared his experience in encouraging peace in Aceh that was torn by a prolonged conflict between the local armed group and the Indonesian military. Mutual respect must be the first priority in every peace mission, and secondly, a compromise, he stressed, adding that Indonesia still has 10 monitoring teams in Manila.

Lauding the development of Aceh province, head of the MILF delegation Murad Ebrahem noted that the group will learn from the example set by Indonesia in conflict settlement.

The same day, Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi also met with the delegation.

The foreign minister has conveyed her support to the ongoing efforts in South Philippines in order to achieve peace, and she has also encouraged all parties, including MILF, to contribute to the peace building process and to maintain peace, said Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Arrmanatha Nasir.

During their visit to Indonesia, the MILF delegation was scheduled to meet representatives of several Indonesian Islamic organizations, such as Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah.

Indonesia has been active in enabling the peace process in South Philippines since the 1990s, including its involvement in the International Monitoring Team (IMT) in the South Philippines.

As of 2018, Indonesia has sent 84 officials to the IMT, which was created in 2004 to monitor the implementation of the ceasefire agreement forged by the Philippines government and the MILF in southern Philippines in 2003.

Indonesia`s involvement in peace building efforts was also shown when Marsudi launched a cooperation agreement with the local government on the field of Islamic education during her visit to Davao city of south Philippines in January.

The governments of Indonesia and Philippines had agreed on the importance of developing Islamic education, which will cover curriculum development, joint research and education workshops; teacher exchange programmes; technical vocational education and student exchange programmes, especially in Islamic schools in South Mindanao.

Indonesia has also offered 100 scholarships each year to students and teachers of Islamic schools in Mindanao of the Philippines to study in Indonesia.-VNA

https://en.vietnamplus.vn/indonesia-backs-peace-process-in-southern-philippines/126024.vnp

Trial of terrorist in Jakarta sheds light on arms trail from southern Philippines to Indonesia

From The Straits Times (Feb 2): Trial of terrorist in Jakarta sheds light on arms trail from southern Philippines to Indonesia



Suryadi Mas'ud leaving the courtroom on Jan 30 after judges postponed the hearing to next week.ST PHOTO: WAHYUDI SOERIAATMADJA

The ongoing trial of terrorist Suryadi Mas’ud has revealed how Indonesian militants linked up with fellow networks in Marawi, southern Philippines, to procure M-16 assault rifles and handguns.

It has even shown how they set up a temporary paramilitary drill to train Indonesian militants to use the weapons.

Family feuds, general crime and rebel fighting have made the southern Philippines the primary destination for Indonesian militants seeking weapons and ammunition.

The rampant illegal arms trade there is supported by the flourishing gun handcrafting industry and availability of loose firearms.

Suryadi, alias Montilia Perez, had no difficulty finding help there, using a network he got to know while fighting alongside local rebels under the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) from 1996 to 2000, according to court documents obtained by The Straits Times.

Suryadi and others who fought in the southern Philippines have become the Indonesian government’s top surveillance target because they could be the link to the country’s firearms supply.

Suryadi had served several years in prison for his role in the 2002 bombing of a McDonald’s outlet in Makassar, south Sulawesi, and over a paramilitary training camp in Aceh in 2010.

The man behind the Jakarta attacks

JAKARTA – Iwan Darmawan Muntho, who goes by the alias 'Rois' and is in his 40s, was a cellmate of terrorist ideologue Aman Abdurrahman, 46, in Nusakambangan island prison. Both were moved to isolation cells and were barred from meeting guests other than close relatives.

 Rois is currently on death row for his part in the 2004 bombing of the Australian embassy in Jakarta.


 Police have said Aman and Rois also planned the Jakarta attacks on Jan 14, 2016, assisted by Abu Gar, 44, who in November 2016 was sentenced to nine years in jail for his role as a field coordinator and recruiter of the militants who carried out the attacks.

 Aman, who remains in jail, is expected to stand trial for the Jakarta attacks within the next few weeks.

In the current case, he has been indicted with planning terror acts, procuring firearms and helping to fund terrorism. The West Jakarta district court will return a verdict next Tuesday, with prosecutors demanding a 10-year jail sentence.

The 45-year-old terrorist travelled to General Santos in the southern Philippines in late September 2015. His second wife Neneng Rita Anyar was travelling with him to avert suspicion during his arms procurement mission, needed for several planned attacks back home.

Suryadi visited local militants named Marod and Dato, old friends from the MILF. Marod agreed to help and let Suryadi stay at his house.

Marod would bring home firearms which were on sale and Suryadi checked the condition of each one.

He sent photos of them to Iwan Darmawan Muntho, alias Rois, an Australian embassy bomber on death row in the Nusakambangan island prison, court documents say.

If Rois gave the nod, Suryadi would test the guns in the backyard of Marod’s house. Rois, who later was placed in an isolation cell, had arranged and funded Suryadi’s mission.

Suryadi paid a total of US$30,000 (S$39,000) via Western Union, using borrowed ID cards, to purchase 16 M-16 rifles, one M-14, and five handguns.

In April 2016, Suryadi met Isnilon Hapilon, the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria’s (ISIS) South-east Asia chief, and proposed setting up a short paramilitary training programme for Indonesian militants who would be tasked with picking up the firearms from the Philippines and taking them back home to Indonesia.

Isnilon agreed and an eight-day paramilitary training session was held in Basilan, using 12 M-16 assault rifles that Isnilon provided.

Suryadi earlier handed US$20,000 to Isnilon for the 12 M-16s and US$5,000 to buy a car and a boat to transport the other firearms from General Santos to Zamboanga, then to Basilan, before crossing over to the Indonesian territory of Kalimantan.

Four militants from Indonesia and five from Basilan participated in the paramilitary training which was led by a local named Ibnu Qoyyim.

Suryadi was arrested in a West Java hotel as part of police anti-terror raids on March 23 last year without ever managing to take any of the assault rifles to Indonesia. However, the five handguns were transported through the Sangihe island-Bitung, North Sulawesi route.

Police suspected two of the five handguns were used in the Jan 14, 2016 attacks in Jakarta that killed four bystanders and four attackers while injuring more than 20.

Court documents also show how in October 2016, Suryadi travelled to Udon Thani in Thailand with his first wife Siti Armi Rahman Kotta on a mission to help an ISIS-affiliated Uighur, identified as Hanzolah. He had broken out of a local immigration detention centre and needed help to cross over to Malaysia then to travel to Turkey.

Before leaving, Mahmud Ahmad, a former university lecturer who helped lead and finance the assault on Marawi, told Suryadi to contact a cleric in Pattani, who then referred Suryadi to contact an individual named Yakoh Sue Mae, who would assist with the overland trip to Malaysia.

Suryadi met Hanzolah in Udon Thani and stayed at a local hotel. But during their stay, Suryadi and his wife were approached and interrogated by Thailand immigration officers in a random check at the hotel, where he told the officers they were in Thailand to celebrate a wedding anniversary. Hanzolah fled the hotel and Suryadi never met him again.
http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/tracing-the-arms-trail-into-indonesia

Gov't prepared for retaliation amid arrest of communist rebels: Esperon

From ABS-CBN (Feb 3): Gov't prepared for retaliation amid arrest of communist rebels: Esperon

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon on Friday said the government is ready to face any retaliatory attacks from the communist New People's Army (NPA) in the wake of arrests of NDF-CPP-NPA leaders.

"When you arrest high-ranking leaders of the CPP-NPA, you expect some retaliation but we are ready for that anyway," Esperon told ABS-CBN News on the sidelines of the Manila Bulletin's 118th anniversary celebration at the Manila Hotel.

"Kung may security threat man, they are already there. The NPAs are doing what they have been doing burning construction equipment, burning small-scale factories even plantations, extorting from farmers. They've always been doing that," he added.


Esperon's remarks came two days after the Philippine National Police arrested Rafael Baylosis, a consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, over charges of illegal possession for firearms and explosives.

NDFP consultant rearrested in QC
Cops 'arrest' 2nd CPP official; lawyers say suspect arrested 9 months ago

On Thursday, the PNP also served arrest warrants on suspected CPP official Rommel Dorango Salinas in Ozamiz City for arson and frustrated murder charges.

Esperon denied that they are violating any agreement.

Baylosis' lawyer, Rachel Pastores, said Friday that the government is violating the provisions of the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG), a pact between the government and the CPP-NPA-NDF which grants immunity from surveillance, harassment, search, arrest, detention, prosecution and interrogation to duly accredited persons involved in the peace process.

"All of them were out on bail because of their participation in the peace process. It was terminated, na-terminate na 'yan, binigyan ng sapat ng panahon upang magbalikan pero di bumabalik so we have to arrest them, if sighted," he explained.

Gov't denies crackdown on Reds

Esperon also rejected Pastores' contention that only the Supreme Court can revoke Baylosis' bail. Pastores earlier cited an order of the Regional Trial Court of Manila denying prosecution's motion to cancel his bail.

"They do not have to use the Supreme Court to say that they could not be arrested. The fact is they were part of the advisers of the panel of consultants and so kailangang bumalik sila. 'Yun lang naman eh. Eh hindi sila bumabalik so we have to go out and arrest them, especially those who are involved in several cases," he said.

"One of them is the Inupakan mass grave, the murder cases in Inupakan and Rafael Baylosis happens to be one of them," he added.

http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/03/18/govt-prepared-for-retaliation-amid-arrest-of-communist-rebels-esperon

NUJP slams cyberattack on Kodao Productions' website

From Rappler (Feb 2): NUJP slams cyberattack on Kodao Productions' website

Kodao.org is known for covering the peace process between the Philippine government and the NDFP, as well as issues about indigenous peoples, human rights, environmental issues

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) on Friday, February 2, condemned an apparent cyberattack on the website of news outfit Kodao Productions.

Kodao Productions on Friday said they were unable to access their website, Kodao.org, at around midnight.

A statement from the NUJP, meanwhile, claims Kodao's site was hit by a code injection attack through the WordPress publishing platform, keeping its website technicians from logging in. Links to Kodao stories could no longer be opened as a result of the attack.

Kodao is known for covering the peace process between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), as well covering indigenous peoples' struggles and human rights and environmental issues.

The NUJP said it "sees the attack on Kodao as part of the Duterte government's efforts to silence critical media, as seen in the continuing attempt to shut down Rappler, threaten other news outfits, and other voices of dissent."

"The NUJP stands with Kodao Productions and all other legitimate media outfits that only seek to amplify the voice of the people against tyranny, neglect, and abuse by those in power," it added.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/195111-nujp-kodao-media-cyber-attack

CPP secretary captured

From The Standard (Feb 3): CPP secretary captured

THE government announced Friday the arrest of Rommel Dorango Salinas, said to be the secretary of the Communist Party of the Philippines, in Ozamiz City by local police and elements of the 10th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army.

A consultant of the left-leaning National Democratic Front of the Philippines, Salinas was arrested at 11 a.m. in Bernard Subdivision, City Hall Drive, Barangay Aguada in Ozamiz.

A warrant of arrest was issued against the 45-year-old in October 2013 for frustrated murder and destructive arson, Ozamiz police personnel said.

Salinas is the second NDF consultant arrested after Rafael Baylosis was nabbed in Quezon City on Wednesday, and following President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of the Front, the CPP and its armed wing the New People’s Army as terrorist organizations.



CPP OFFICIAL NABBED. Police and Army troops say they have arrested and detained 45-year-old Rommel Dorango Salinas, secretary of the Communist Party of the Philippines on the strength of a warrant of arrest issued against him in October 2013 for frustrated murder and destructive arson.

But Salinas’ lawyers said he was arrested long before this week, on May 11, 2017, and has been in detention since then.

Edre U. Olalia, president of the National Union of People’s Lawyers, said in a statement that “the report and press release going the rounds of media giving the wrong impression that he was only arrested yesterday in a subdivision is false and a cheap propaganda stunt to sow terror and confusion.”

Cristina Palabay from the rights group Karapatan also said Salinas has been detained in Ozamiz City since May last year, when he was arrested with Iglesia Filipina Independiente Bishop Carlo Morales, public school teacher Ma. Teofilina Morales, and IFI driver Isadome Dalid.

She said the arrests were for “trumped up charges.”

Meanwhile, the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Silvestre Bello III, said the recent arrest of Baylosis was not part of President Rodrigo Duterte’s crackdown on communists.

Bello said Baylosis was arrested for valid reasons.

Baylosis was arrested with a certain Guillermo Roque near Katipunan Avenue and Aurora Boulevard with two .45 cal. pistols, 14 cartridges, and two magazines.

In a radio interview, Bello said the NDF official had a pending case and assured other NDF consultants without cases that they would not be arrested.

Bello also expressed hope that peace talks between the government and communist rebels will resume, adding that he has already held informal talks with Fidel Agcaoili, chairman of the NDF negotiating panel.

Duterte terminated the peace talks in November 2017, with both sides blaming each other for their failure to observe a ceasefire.

The President signed Proclamation No. 360, formally terminating the peace talks with the communist rebels.

NDFP Executive Committee member Luis Jalandoni said Baylosis’ arrest was illegal, citing their Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees with the government in 1995.

The government, however, said the Jasig is no longer in effect now that the peace talks have been scrubbed.

A Quezon City prosecutor recommended no bail for Baylosis and his companion for the offense of illegal possesion of explosives, police said Friday.

Olalia said the gun and a hand grenade were planted.

http://thestandard.com.ph/news/top-stories/257806/cpp-secretary-captured.html

Militant solon fears NPA retaliation; capture of GRP negotiators

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 3): Militant solon fears NPA retaliation; capture of GRP negotiators

Anakpawis Party-list Rep. Ariel Casilao. FILE PHOTO FROM ANAKPAWIS

The unabated arrest of National Democratic Front (NDF) consultants may prompt the New People’s Army (NPA) to retaliate and capture their counterparts in the government, a lawmaker warned on Saturday.

Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao raised the warning days after the arrest of NDF consultant Rafael “Ka Raffy” Baylosis over what activists called as “trumped-up” charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

“If this will continue—‘yung mga arrest ng mga so-called temporarily released on bail na mga NDF consultants—aabot sa punto na yung NPA mag-declare din ng sige, aarestuhin din namin ang mga [Government of the Republic of the Philippines] negotiators and consultants,” Casilao said at Saturday Forum at Annabel’s Restaurant in Quezon City. (If this will continue, the arrest of the so-called NDF consultants temporarily released on bail, it may come to a point that the NPA declare its own arrest of the GRP negotiators and consultants.)

“This will be a vicious cycle all over again, mauulit ito at wala nang katapusan (it will continue and will be endless),” he added.

Baylosis and his companion, Roque Guillermo Jr., were arrested on Wednesday afternoon by joint forces of Crime Investigation and Detection Group-National Capital Regional (CIDG-NCR) and intelligence groups of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Authorities arrested the two along Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City and supposedly recovered from them two .45-caliber guns, bullets, and magazines.

The police report on the operation stated that Baylosis and Guillermo had “visible short firearms tucked to their sides.”

The police initially filed illegal possession of firearms charges against the two and later charged them with illegal possession of explosives for the alleged hand grenade found inside the bag of brown rice Baylosis was carrying.

Baylosis’ lawyer, Rachel Pastores, called the authorities’ claims as a “bad script,” noting that the consultant is a known figure in the peace process and would not loiter around the streets of Metro Manila with a gun tucked to his side.

READ: Arrest of NDF consultant is ‘a bad script’ – lawyer

She also noted that there was a hallmark of perjury in the police’s story line and described the circumstances that surround his arrest as “incredible” and “unbelievable.”

Baylosis’ arrest came days after President Rodrigo Duterte warned that he would go after the “apparatus” and the so-called legal fronts of the Communist Party of the Philippines and NPA.

Casilao called for the resumption of peace talks, noting that violence would not curb rebellion and armed resistance in the country.

“Matagal na po ‘yung sinasabi natin na (We’ve been calling for them to) address the problem of poverty, landlessness, social injustices and no amount of a military formula will really address it. It will only worsen and will only produce, bring an unending vicious cycle,” he said.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/965813/militant-solon-fears-npa-retaliation-and-capture-grp-negotiators-ndf-npa-casilao-baylosis-arrest-communism-cases

China to bring 4G+ telecom services on man-made islands in South China Sea

From the Philippine Star (Feb 3): China to bring 4G+ telecom services on man-made islands in South China Sea



Aerial photos aired by China Central Television show the completed construction of facilities on Fiery Cross Reef, one of Beijing's artificial islands in the Spratly Islands. CCTV via Asia Times

China’s navy and telecommunication corporations are reportedly working to improve communications system in Chinese-occupied features in the disputed South China Sea by bringing 4G+ services in the area.

The Philippines claims parts of the South China Sea within its exclusive economic zone and calls it the West Philippine Sea.

On Friday, state-run news agency Xinhua reported that the Chinese navy has signed an agreement with Beijing’s three largest telecom operators to “comprehensively upgrade” civil communication system on Chinese reefs in Xisha (Paracel) and Nansha (Spratly) islands.

The project is targeted to be completed in May.

“The project will greatly increase the number of telecommunication base stations on some islands and reefs, such as Yongxing (Woody), Yongshu (Kagitingan), and Meiji (Panganiban),” Xinhua reported.

“The operators also promised more affordable service packages for users,” it added.

“In addition to improvements in the living conditions for civilians and military on the islands and reefs, the upgrade is also expected to provide support for fishery, emergency response, maritime search and rescue, and humanitarian relief efforts in nearby waters.”

In a report dated December 14, the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative of Washington’s CSIS identified all permanent facilities that can be used for military purposes that China completed or began work since the start of 2017.

AMTI said Beijing had done “smaller scale” construction at its bases in the Paracel islands, which are claimed in whole or in part by Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Although there was no substantial new construction at the island last year, Woody island, China’s military and administrative headquarters in the disputed sea, saw two first-time air deployments that “hint at things to come at the three Spratly Island airbases farther south.”

READ: Analyst: China continues expansion in South China Sea as int'l focus 'shifts away'

China and the Philippines have long sparred over the South China Sea, but relations have improved considerably under Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who courted the Asian power for billion dollars’ worth of investments.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/02/03/1784227/china-bring-4g-telecom-services-man-made-islands-south-china-sea

Lumad school mocks Duterte’s offer of UP slots as new evacuation reported

From InterAksyon (Feb 3): Lumad school mocks Duterte’s offer of UP slots as new evacuation reported

Lumad villagers and students prepare on January 29 to evacuate from their communities because of alleged military abuses. (ALCADEV photo)

An award-winning lumad school in Surigao del Sur poked fun at President Rodrigo Duterte’s “offer” to kick out activists from the University of the Philippines and give their slots to indigenous youth even as an advocate group reported fresh evacuations of tribal families in the Mindanao province.

Speaking at an indigenous peoples’ forum at the headquarters of the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command, Duterte dissed UP students who staged a walkout to call for his ouster and dared them to quit so he could give their slots to lumad youth.

“Kamong dili mang-iskwela, hawa mo diha kay dad-on ko nang mga nitibong bright ngari. Mao’y ipabutang nako diha. Daghang Pilipino nga gusto’g edukasyon nga gwapo (Those who do not want to go to school anymore, you get out because I will bring these intelligent lumads. I will put them there. There are many Filipinos who want good education),” Duterte said.

Responding to this, the Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development, or ALCADEV, tweeted: “First you told us you’d bomb our schools. And now you’re telling us you want quality education for us?! We’ve already established an education system relevant to our needs and our culture. If you want quality educ for us, pull out your military troops in our areas!”

Two images were attached to the tweet, one quoting Duterte after his second state of the nation address last year, when he threatened to have the military bomb lumad schools, the second quoting him on his offer of UP slots.




Another tweet said: “To every UP student who walked out from their classes to join us in our struggles, we express our heartfelt gratitude to you. You have already given us your slots when you welcomed us in your campus so many times! Padayon, pag-asa ng bayan (Onward, hope of the nation)!”

For the past few years, UP Diliman has hosted the annual “Manilakbayan” of lumad and peasants from Mindanao who journey to the capital to highlight their plight, mainly about militarization and the encroachment of extractive industries in their ancestral lands, and to demand relief from government.

In his recent speech in Davao, Duterte told the lumad to be ready to relocate and that he would choose investors to be granted access to their ancestral lands.

The resistance of may indigenous communities to mining, logging and large agricultural plantations has long been a source of conflict, helping fuel the communist insurgency in Mindanao and accusations of massive human rights abuses by state forces and militias.

ALCADEV itself, which the military has openly accused of espousing support for communist rebels, has often been targeted for violence or harassment of its students and staff. In September 2015, a military-backed militia murdered the school’s executive director, Emerito Samarca, and executed lumad leaders, Dionel Campos and Datu Juvello Sinzo in front of hundreds of tribesfolk, including children, as a nearby Army unit looked on.

The killings triggered the evacuation of tens of thousands of lumad from the Surigao del Sur hinterlands.

Although Duterte had earlier boasted of being an advocate of lumad rights, lately, after he scrapped peace negotiations with the communists, he has taken to accusing indigenous people of sympathy for the rebels and openly threatened hem.

Late this week, the group “Friends of the Lumad in Caraga” issued a statement decrying “a series of human rights violations” that dove 161 Surigao del Sur lumad families, or 758 individuals, from 12 communities in Lianga and San Austin towns to flee their homes on January 29, “the third time since July 2017.”

The evacuees have sought shelter at the community in Kilomeer 9, Barangay Diatagon, Lianga, the group said.

“The past weeks had been terrifying for the lumad as the military were in their farms since January 8 and have been directly harassing them and threatening their lives, making it difficult for them to tend their farms and earn a living,” the statement said, adding that “at least 10 cases of threat, harassment and intimidation have been recorded.”

The statement said several residents on their way to their farms or homes “were interrogated at gunpoint and held by the soldiers,” who accused them of being members or supporters of the New People’s Army, taking pictures and listing down their names, and threatening them with retaliation of the rebels attacked.

The lumad organization Kahugpungan sa mga Lumadnong Organisasyon sa Caraga said eight Army battalions have been deployed to the Caraga region, three of these to Surigao del Sur, operating mainly in indigenous people’s and peasant communities, allegedly “so that they can eliminate opposition against the entry, operation and expansion of mining companies and plantations.” KASALO Caraga said in their statement.

The Andap Valley Complex, where the community hosting ALCADEV is located, contains rich deposits of coal which have long been eyed by mining companies.

http://www.interaksyon.com/lumad-school-mocks-dutertes-offer-of-up-slots-as-new-evacuation-reported/

Lumad group hits Duterte's plan for ancestral domains

From Rappler (Feb 3): Lumad group hits Duterte's plan for ancestral domains

This comes after President Rodrigo Duterte said he will search for investors to help generate wealth in ancestral domains

MEETING IP LEADERS. President Rodrigo Duterte arrives at the Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Panacan, Davao City, to attend the Indigenous Peoples Leaders' Summit on February 1, 2018. Malacañang photo

An alliance of indigenous peoples in Mindanao condemned President Rodrigo Duterte's plan to find investors to develop Mindanao's protected ancestral domains.

The Kusog sa Katawhang Lumad sa Mindanao (Kalumaran) called such plan a "sell-out." The group also said it will be detrimental to ancestral lands that many groups have fought to protect against multinational corporations.

"Now, it is becoming more clear that the 65 battalions of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) currently deployed in Mindanao (are) to secure the investments of foreign multinational operations," said Duphing Ogan, Kalumaran secretary general, in a statement Friday, February 2.

The alliance was reacting to Duterte's announcement before Lumad leaders on Thursday, February 1, in a gathering at the military's Eastern Mindanao Command headquarters in Davao City.

 

In his speech, the President said he will search for investors in a bid to generate wealth in ancestral domains.

He said Davao City's Paquibato district, for instance, was an area where investors have long wanted to put up palm oil plantations.

 

Paquibato, among the city's biggest districts situated in the north, has been beset with conflict between troops and the New People's Army (NPA), which celebrated its 48th founding anniversary in the same area in 2016.

Duterte, who was mayor in Davao City prior to his presidency, earlier ordered the military to target the communist rebels after it wraps up its operations in Marawi. This came after the government gave up negotiating with the Reds.

For Kalumaran, though, condemning Duterte’s announcement was meant to oppose militarization in Lumad areas as "this has resulted (in) more human rights violations against Lumad leaders, peasant and Moro communities as well as human rights defenders."

 

"It is also expected that the present number of victims of extrajudicial killings, massacre, and forced displacements will continue to rise as we are under siege by the implementation of martial law and as more troops being deployed in Mindanao," Ogan added.

Over the years, Kalumaran has condemned atrocities against Lumad, including those allegedly committed by indigenous paramilitaries.

 

https://www.rappler.com/nation/195141-lumad-group-duterte-plan-ancestral-domains-investors

Baylosis rearrested over 'pack of lies' – lawyer

From Rappler (Feb 3): Baylosis rearrested over 'pack of lies' – lawyer

Lawyer Rachel Pastores says the police narrative on the arrest of peace consultant Rafael Baylosis 'is incredibly laughable and obviously false'

NDF CONSULTANTS. File photo of freed political prisoners raising their clenched fists during a press conference held shortly after their release in 2016. NDF consulant Rafael Baylosis (righmost) is among them. Photo by Ben Nabong/Rappler

The legal counsel of two arrested leftist leaders questioned the evidence used by the police as basis to bring them back behind bars.

Rachel Pastores, counsel for National Democratic Front (NDF) consultant Rafael Baylosis and Roque Guillermo Jr, issued a statement on Friday, February 2, calling for the immediate release of the two.

Pastores said Baylosis was in jail "over a pack of lies."

"The police narrative of the arrest of peace consultant Rafael Baylosis and Roque Guillermo Jr is incredibly laughable and obviously false, particularly with revisions midway," said Pastores, managing counsel at the Public Interest Law Center.

Previously, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said the arrest recovered two caliber .45 pistols, 14 ammunition, and two magazines. (READ: Leftists slam rearrest of NDF consultant over 'trumped-up charges')

But what Pastores specifically questioned was the grenade found inside a bag of red rice, which was mentioned by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group – NCR.

"The inclusion of the hand grenade among the items allegedly recovered from Baylosis will make the charge non-bailable and will result in further curtailment of Baylosis' right to liberty," Pastores said.

The non-bailable arrest has been condemned by their leftist colleagues, saying President Duterte manifested fickle-mindedness in pursuing the talks.

As to whether Baylosis' case was bailable or not, she also said it would be up to the Supreme Court.

The Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) supposedly protected the two from arrest, but the Philippines formally terminated negotiating with the Reds last year.

Since the talks were terminated, Duterte has urged the NDF consultants to surrender.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/195147-ndf-consultant-baylosis-arrested-lies-lawyer

Rappler Talk: CSIS' Gregory Poling on West Philippine Sea

From Rappler (Feb 3): Rappler Talk: CSIS' Gregory Poling on West Philippine Sea

US-based analyst Gregory Poling explains why he views the Duterte administration's West Philippine Sea policy as 'well-intentioned but naive'



Rappler talks to Gregory Poling, one of the world's leading experts on the South China Sea or West Philippine Sea, as he makes a two-day trip to the Philippines for a series of talks and meetings.

Poling is the director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) based in Washington DC. AMTI is the group that regularly publishes satellite images of the South China Sea.

In this Rappler Talk interview, Poling explains why he views the Duterte administration's policy on the West Philippine Sea as "well-intentioned but naive."

Watch the full Rappler Talk interview here.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/195096-rappler-talk-csis-gregory-poling-west-philippine-sea-south-china-sea

Alleged finance officer of NPA in Mindanao nabbed in Butuan

From MindaNews (Feb 3): Alleged finance officer of NPA in Mindanao nabbed in Butuan

An alleged finance officer of the New People’s Army (NPA) was arrested, “with the help of the community, Friday afternoon in Butuan City, the Eastern Mindanao Command said in a press release.

Leonida Guao alias Lea, Ligaya and Laya was arrested during a joint 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army – PNP CARAGA Inter-agency Law Enforcement Operations in Brgy Bading, Butuan City on February 2, 2018 at around 3 p.m. “with the help of the community.”

Guao “handles the group’s extortion money in Mindanao,” Eastmincom said.

It also said Guao was nabbed by virtue of a warrant of arrest for murder, issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch-7 in Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur.

No other details were provided on how Guao was arrested.



Leonida Guao alias Lea, Ligaya and Laya (right) alleged finance officer of the New People’s Army in Mindanao, was arrested in Brgy Bading, Butuan City on February 2, 2018 at around 3 p.m. “with the help of the community,” the Eastern Mindanao Command said. Photo courtesy of Eastmincom’s 402nd Infantry Brigade

Major Ezra Balagtey, chief of the Public Information Office of Eastmincom, told MindaNews that the community helped authorities in arresting Guao through “information and monitoring.”

Guao is now under the custody of the PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group- Caraga.

Eastmincom chief Lt General Benjamin Madrigal expressed his appreciation for the cooperation of the different government agencies and the community that led to Guao’s arrest.

“The arrest gave justice to the victims of their atrocities, particularly those Indigenous Peoples they brutally killed, the common people who have been victimized by their extortion and terroristic activities, and those who have lost their livelihood brought about by their arson and sabotage activities. This arrest is a result of the cooperation of the whole community and the different law enforcement agencies. It also proves that the terrorists cannot run away from the long arm of the law, Madrigal said.

President Rodrigo Duterte called off the talks with the National Democratic Front (NDF) in November last year. The NDF represents the Communist Party of the Philippines and the NPA in the peace negotiations.

In Deecember, Duterte issued a proclamation declaring the CPP nad NPA as terrorist organizations.

Guao’s arrest came two days after authorities arrested NDF peace panel consultant Rafael Baylosis and his companion, Guillermo Roque, in Quezon City on Wednesday.

http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2018/02/alleged-finance-officer-of-npa-in-mindanao-nabbed-in-butuan/

Top NPA leader arrested, 8 others yield and linked government official to rebel group

From the Mindanao Examiner (Feb 3): Top NPA leader arrested, 8 others yield and linked government official to rebel group

Security forces arrested a senior communist rebel leader in-charge of distribution of so-called revolutionary taxes to various fronts in southern Philippines, officials announced Saturday.

Officials said 8 other rebels also surrendered to the military in the restive region where security forces are battling insurgents and terrorism.

Major Ezra Balagtey, an army spokesman, said Leonidad Guao alias Laya – a member of the New People’s Army – was nabbed by soldiers and policemen on Friday afternoon in the village of Bading in Butuan City. “The arrested terrorist leader is the finance officer of the NPA in the whole of Mindanao,” he said, adding, Guao is currently being interrogated by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

She is facing murder charges in Agusan del Sur province, according to Balagtey, who said civilians tipped off the military of Guao’s presence in Butuan City. “With the help of the community, the arrest was made by virtue of warrant of arrest issued by Regional Trial Court Branch-7 in Bayugan City in Agusan del Sur,” Balagtey said.

Army Lieutenant General Benjamin Madrigal Jr., chief of the Eastern Mindanao Command, praised the arrest of Guao, saying, the cooperation of the different enforcement agencies and the community that led to the rebel leader’s arrest.

“The arrest gives justice to the victims of their atrocities, particularly those indigenous people they brutally killed, the common people who have been victimized by their extortion and terroristic activities, and those who have lost their livelihood brought about by their arson and sabotage activities.”

“This arrest is a result of the cooperation of the whole community and the different law enforcement agencies. It also proves that the terrorists cannot run away from the long arm of the law,” he said.

Eight NPA fighters, mostly tribal members, also yielded to authorities in Sultan Kudarat’s Bagumbayan town on Friday. During interrogation, three of the rebels have linked a local government official to the NPA, according to Major General Arnel dela Vega, commander of the 6th Infantry Division, whose unit initially investigated them.

Dela Vega did not identify the government official, but quoting the interrogation report, said the official facilitated the organization of tribal members as NPA fighters and provided sanctuary to 2 rebel leaders in his house.

There was no immediate statement from the NPA or the Department of the Interior and Local Government linking a government official to the rebel group which has been fighting for a separate state for many decades now.

https://mindanaoexaminer.com/top-npa-leader-arrested-8-others-yield-and-linked-government-official-to-rebel-group/

Police, Army pool resources to secure regional meet

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 2): Police, Army pool resources to secure regional meet



The Davao City Police Office (DCPO), other security forces, and the city government have pooled resources to secure the upcoming Davao Regional Athletic Association (DAVRAA) in Davao City this month.

More than 5,000 security forces will be deployed in Davao City, said Angel Sumagaysay, the deputy head of the Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC).

Sumagaysay said the components of the security involved will be coming from DCPO, Task Force Davao, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Navy, Tactical Operations Group and the Civil Security Unit (CSU).

"We give emphasis on the security and protection of the delegates, the players, and spectators," he said.

He said there will be tight security measures to be implemented especially in the playing venues and billeting quarters.

Sumagaysay revealed there will be police officers and personnel from CSU who will be deployed in the billeting areas to prevent looting incident inside the quarters.

"During our meeting, we give importance to this matter (looting) and we will make sure that the billeting areas will be well guarded," he said.

Looting inside billeting quarters is a common scenario in every annual sporting event not just in the region but also in the national events.

He said all delegates including the security personnel and staff of the regional games will be given identification cards.

The event will be from February 17 to 23 , with the opening rites on February 18 at the University of Mindanao Sports complex in Matina.

Around 8,000 young athletes from across the region will converge in the city for the annual sporting event which is their road to the Palarong Pambansa.

This is the first time for the city to host the regional meet after it was renames from Southern Mindanao Regional Athletic Association (SMRAA) 8in 2003.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1023892

Bomb explodes in Isabela City; another one recovered

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 2): Bomb explodes in Isabela City; another one recovered

An improvised bomb exploded in front of the house of a government engineer while another was recovered at the residence of another engineer in Basilan province, the police reported Friday.

The incident occurred a day after suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits killed in an ambush two employees of the Department of Public Works and Highways in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DPWH-ARMM) in Lamitan City, Basilan.

Chief Insp. Helen Galvez, Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) information officer, disclosed the explosion happened at around 9:07 p.m. Thursday at the perimeter fence of Engineer Soler Undug’s residence in Purok Yakal, Barangay San Rafael, Isabela City.

Undug is the Basilan provincial engineer of the DPWH-ARMM.

No one was either killed or injured in the explosion that caused minor damage on the perimeter fence of Undug’s residence.

Galvez said the Explosive Ordnance Demolition (EOD) personnel recovered from the blast site the following: parts of battery pack of cellular phone; base of possible pipe bomb; and, shattered parts of cellular phone screen.

Galvez said the other improvised bomb was recovered at around 8:45 p.m. Thursday at the entrance gate of Engineer Bong Lasatan’s residence in Catleya Drive, Barangay Aguada, Isabela City.

Lasatan is the assistant provincial engineer of Basilan province.

Galvez said the improvised bomb was recovered after the Isabela City police received report about the presence of an unattended baggage at the entrance gate of Lasatan compound.

She said the EOD team of the Regional Public Safety Battalion-9 rendered safe procedure to detonate the improvised bomb.

She said the recovered bomb components included the following: a cellular phone; detonating cord; improvised electric blasting cap; wire; and, possible pipe bomb.

Police authorities in Basilan believed the Abu Sayyaf bandits were behind the bombing at the residence of Undog and the bombing attempt at the residence of Lasatan since it occurred a day after the bandits ambushed a truck owned by the DPWH-ARMM in Lamitan City.

Two workers of the DPWH-ARMM were killed while two others were wounded when the Abu Sayyaf banidts ambushed the truck on Thursday in Barangay Baas, Lamitan City

Supt. Christopher Panapan, officer-in-charge of the Lamitan City Police Station, said the possible motive of the ambush was extortion.

Undug revealed the Abu Sayyaf bandits have threatened to harm the DPWH-ARMM workers if and when they will not give in to their demands.

The DPWH-ARMM is undertaking a road concreting project in Basilan province.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1023897

Army settles anew clan dispute in Lanao Sur

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 2): Army settles anew clan dispute in Lanao Sur



The military’s 6th Infantry Battalion (IB) has once more proven its effectiveness in winning the hearts and trust of the people with the settlement of a long-standing family feud involving Moro clans.

On Thursday, Lt. Col. Ruben Aquino, 6th IB chief, facilitated the signing of a peace covenant and emotional reunion of two Maranao clans locked in two decades of bloody clan war.

Aquino convinced the Balindong and Balangas clans, both from the town of Picong, Lanao del Sur, to settle their deep-seated dispute after losing more than a dozen of family members due to armed conflict.

Aquino said the fighting between the two warring clans existed for more than two decades and “it created anxiety to the residents, motorists and frequent travelers” since they normally traded bullets along the highways.

“Several harassments happened every time both families pass through each other’s bailiwick,” he said.

“We are very happy that both clans agreed to stop the conflict and settle for peace with the help of our unit. Indeed, we are really serious to implement the martial law,” the 6th IB chief said.

“To those who were here and willing to settle this conflict, it is now your responsibility to maintain the peace within yourselves, however, for those who did not signify their willingness, may I remind you that this is not for us, but rather for the future your children’s children,” Aquino told officials, warring families and local residents during the peace engagement.

Witnessing the “rido” (clan war) settlement were Lanao del Sur Vice Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. along with local officials, police and military officers. It was not the first time the 6th IB facilitated rido settlement, Aquino stressed, adding it helped settle dispute of more than a dozen families in Lanao Sur.

Aquino said the number of rido settlement here only showed that his unit has gained trust and confidence of the populace in its area of operations.

“As long as rido exists in our AOR, our peaceful means of addressing local issues will continue,” Aquino said.

Major Gen. Arnel dela Vega, Army’s 6th Infantry Division chief, has lauded the 6th IB efforts as peacekeepers.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1023834

8 Reds surrender in Sultan Kudarat

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 3): 8 Reds surrender in Sultan Kudarat



Eight more communist rebels in Sultan Kudarat province had decided to return to the folds of the law Friday, an Army colonel said Saturday.

Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, commander of the Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion (IB), said the rebels decided to come down after getting exhausted in the military’s relentless pursuit operations against the New People’s Army (NPA).

Cabunoc said to date, a total of 111 rebels had surrendered to the 33rd IB.

He identified the eight as Romeo “Taiwan” Dongco, 29; Jun-Jun Okom, 29; Nasio Dungco, 28; Binta Okom, 50; Batoy Tayak, 49; Goong Tugi, 47; Justin Tugi, 21; and a child warrior named Raffy Blah, 16.

Cabunoc said three of them had executed an affidavit linking a local government official to the communist NPA terrorists.

“He facilitated the organization of the lumads as NPA fighters purposely to reclaim our ancestral lands. He welcomed Ka George and Ka Makmak in his house to recruit us in May 2015,” said one former NPA rebel.

Cabunoc did not name the local official.

The recent surrender of eight rebels was facilitated by Bagumbayan Mayor Jonalette de Pedro and Chief Insp. Garyflor Marfil of the Bagumbayan town police office.

Cabunoc said he expects more rebels to surrender due to the ongoing military operations against NPAs in the mountains of Sultan Kudarat.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1023990

Police outreach program seen as anti-insurgency drive

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 3): Police outreach program seen as anti-insurgency drive



The Philippine National Police’s (PNP) outreach program, “Lingap ng Kapulisan” (Police Cares), is seen as key to end insurgency in this sleepy town.

Lt. Col. Nilo Lapizar, commanding officer of the Philippine Army’s 20th Infantry Battalion based in Catubig town, lauded the activity of policemen to win the hearts of communities infested by insurgency over the past decades.

“This is an assurance to people that the government is willing and ready to help them in providing solutions to their problems,” Lapizar said.

“But government agencies cannot do this alone, we need your support in the community to address this problem because you are the ones who experience its effects,” he added.

On Friday, about 5,000 beneficiaries of “Lingap ng Kapulisan” availed of its dental and optometric services, medical consultation, circumcision, Philippine Health Insurance membership, and psychosocial support.

The PNP also distributed school supplies and toys during the outreach activity. The initiative is in partnership with the military and the local government.

Mayor Minda Tan thanked the policemen for the activity considering that most of their residents are poor and health care is not a top priority of families.

“Many people here have no means to go to the health centers or hospitals to avail of professional health services,” Tan said.

Las Navas, a fourth-class town with a population of 37, 947, is more than an hour’s drive from Catarman, capital of Northern Samar, through a new road.

The town has 53 farming villages, more than half of which are upland. The farthest can be reached through a two-day hike.

PNP Regional Director Chief Supt. Gilberto Cruz said their visit aimed to make people feel secure and start trusting policemen, who were sometimes projected in the media as human rights violators.

“We are here to erase the perception that men in uniform are enemies of the people. We are here because we want to help you and make you feel that the government is always ready to help you,” he added.

Cruz promised it would not be the last time that people of Las Navas would benefit from this kind of program of the PNP as they intend to revisit the town to bring more services from the government.

Las Navas was the third town in Eastern Visayas that the PNP visited for the Lingap ng Kapulisan.

Late last year, the PNP visited the remote towns of Maslog in Eastern Samar and Silvino Lobos in Northern Samar.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1023995

P22-M road, water projects for conflict-prone Maasin village

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 3): P22-M road, water projects for conflict-prone Maasin village



The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is set to implement PHP22 million worth of projects in Barangay Subog, Maasin, Iloilo through its Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) program.

DILG-Iloilo director Teodora Sumagaysay said the Provincial Peace and Order Council would create a sub-technical technical working group that would manage the implementation of the project in the area.

PAMANA is the government’s flagship program for peace and development that aims, among others, to improve socio-economic conditions in areas affected and vulnerable to armed conflict.

Sumagaysay said these projects include road improvement amounting to PHP12 million, and water systems amounting to PHP10 million.

She added that the fund had already been downloaded by the DILG to the provincial government.

The recipient village in Maasin town was identified by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).

Sumagaysay said the projects, once completed, would help the villagers gain access to water and make the transport of their harvest easier.

However, the deadline for the completion of the projects to be started this year has not been confirmed.

It can be recalled that several incidents of armed conflict took place in Maasin last year, one of which was when several of members of the New People’s Army (NPA) attacked the municipal police station in June 2017.

Last Nov. 24, an unidentified number of NPA rebels ambushed members of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion of the Western Visayas Police in Sitio Camansi, Barangay Bolo that led to the death of Police Officer I Joeffel Odon with 12 other policemen wounded.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1023996

Reds remain a threat in Agusan Norte: police

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 3): Reds remain a threat in Agusan Norte: police

Communist insurgents have remained a primary threat to peace and order in Agusan del Norte, police said.

“The CPP-NPA-NDF remains to be the most potent threat in our provincial area of responsibility,” said Supt. Carlo V. Ometer, deputy director for operations of the Philippine National Police in the province.

Ometer was referring to the rebel group’s political and armed components -the Communist Party of the Philippines, the New People’s Army and the National Democratic Front.

He bared this during a security briefing he gave before members of the Agusan del Norte Provincial Police Advisory Council Friday, where he outlined the police response against the rebels’ increasing attacks on government positions in the province.

Despite the security threat posed by the communist insurgents, the police official said “the whole province remains peaceful, with manageable crime incidents”.

Ometer added that last year, the provincial police conducted a total of nine major combat operations against NPA units operating in Agusan del Norte, and engaged rebel forces in 17 “minor combat operations”, during which police units conducted a total of 726 combat security patrols.

Overall, he said, police units in the province launched a total of 752 combat operations in 2017.

As part of the PNP’s security measures, Ometer said they conducted “target hardening measures of the camps, police bases and police stations, especially in remote and hinterland areas”.

PNP units also conducted “simulation exercises, surprise station visits, check and choke points, police beat patrols, mobile patrols”, and other security programs.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1024001

Sulu town mayor, barangay leaders surrender guns, ammunition

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 3): Sulu town mayor, barangay leaders surrender guns, ammunition


Photo shows the firearms and ammunition that were surrendered by Mayor Anton Burahan of Pata, Sulu and his barangay heads to the Joint Task Force Sulu (JTFS) on Friday, February 2, 2018. Standing are the officials of the JTFS and of the island municipality of Pata. (Photo courtesy of the Joint Task Force)
A Sulu town mayor and his barangay captains on Friday surrendered high-powered firearms in response to the campaign against unlicensed firearms in the province.

Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said the weapons were surrendered to his command at about 1 p.m. Friday by Mayor Anton Burahan of the island municipality of Pata.

Burahan was accompanied by barangay chairpersons and other municipal government officials when he turned over the firearms to Sobejana.

Sobejana said Burahan surrendered three 81-mm mortar tubes, one 90 Recoilless Rifle, one barrel of caliber .50 machine gun, four M-16 Armalite rifles, three M-14 rifles, five Garand rifles, one M-79 Grenade Launcher, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

“The genuine gesture of Mayor Burahan and his constituents in giving up voluntarily their war materiel can be a good example to all other government officials and the Tausogs as a whole who are bearing arms illegally,” Sobejana said.

He said the surrender was brought about by the relentless campaign of Joint Task Force Sulu against illegally possessed firearms.

“It is our goal to make Sulu a gun-free province. As we exert efforts to transform Sulu from terrorism to tourism, we want also to espouse the hashtag from Arm to Farm,” he said.

He said Sulu could have a bright future with the support and cooperation of all stakeholders.

Burahan and his barangay chairpersons surrendered the firearms and ammunition two days after government troops recovered an arms cache during a combat operation in Barangay Pisak Pisak, Pata.

Recovered on Jan. 31 were a caliber .50 machine gun with 150 rounds of ammunition, three baseplates for an 81-mm mortar, a bipod for an 81-mm mortar, a tripod for an 81-mm mortar, eight rounds of ammunition for an 81-mm mortar, four rounds of ammunition for 90 Recoilless Rifle and 50 rounds of ammunition for 60-mm mortar.

Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) data showed that the island town of Pata serves as the lair of the Moktadil brothers, who head an Abu Sayyaf sub-group that is known for conducting kidnapping and piracy activities beyond Tawi-Tawi’s waters.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1024004

3 PAF UH-ID helis up for engine assembly maintenance

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 3): 3 PAF UH-ID helis up for engine assembly maintenance

The Philippine Air Force (PAF), through its Bids and Awards Committee, is setting aside PHP51 million for the acquisition of spares and services needed for the maintenance of "T53-L13B" engine assemblies of its three UH-ID combat utility helicopters.

Scheduled for maintenance are UH-ID helicopters with tail numbers 0225, 501, and 8306. Submission and opening of bids is scheduled at 9 a.m. on Feb. 14, at the PAF Procurement Center Conference Room, Villamor Air Base, Pasay City.

The bid shall be governed by the provisions of Republic Act No. 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, PAF BAC chair Brig. Gen. Erickson Gloria said in a bid bulletin posted at the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System.

The PAF operates some 20 UH-IH and five UH-ID helicopters for troop, cargo, humanitarian and disaster relief, combat missions.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1023989

326 NPA rebels surrender in January

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 3): 326 NPA rebels surrender in January

About 326 members of the terror-tagged New People's Army (NPA) have voluntarily laid down their arms and surrendered to government troops last month, the military has said.

In a message Saturday, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Emmanuel Garcia said military records revealed that 310 NPA rebels surrendered in various parts of the country from Jan. 1 to 29, while the remaining 16 voluntarily gave themselves up from Jan. 30 to 31.

"The unprecedented number of surrenders is attributed to the call of President and AFP Commander-in-Chief Rodrigo Duterte on the rebels, as well as the hardship and sense of betrayal experienced by the returnees in staying with the NPA," Garcia said.
One of the notable surrenderers was Gemma Quiroga of Davao Oriental, 35, who surrendered to the Army’s 28th Infantry Battalion last January 27.

Garcia said Quiroga was a squad medic of communist rebels operating in Davao Oriental and was also designated as ANAKPAWIS chair, a known leftist organization, in Mati City.

"The AFP leadership congratulates its various units on the ground for the effective use of military pressure against the NPAs, as well as in their humane treatment of the former rebels," he added.

Garcia expressed hope that the recent surrenders would encourage other rebels to lay down their arms, abandon violent extremism, and "embrace” the path to peace.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1023997

Malacañang calls for probe into frigate deal issue

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 3): Malacañang calls for probe into frigate deal issue

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. on Saturday called for an investigation into the multi-billion Navy frigate contract entered into by the previous administration with a Korean firm.

This is in connection with the statement of Magdalo Partylist Representative Gary Alejano saying that Hyundai Heavy Industries was banned to participate in state-led bids in South Korea due to the firm's alleged bribery cases in other countries.

"Congressman Alejano, salamat po. Dahil sa iyong sinabi iimbestigahan na po natin yung inyong mga kakampi noong nakalipas na administrasyon," the Palace spokesperson said in a Malacañang press briefing held in Laoag, Ilocos Norte.

"Kung totoo na blacklisted iyong binigyan nila ng kontrata, dapat managot iyong mga opisyales ng mga nakalipas na administrasyon at sabihin sa atin bakit naging ganoon ang kanilang naging desisyon," Roque added, reiterating that the contract was already a done deal in the previous administration.

The Duterte administration, he said, merely performed a ministerial function in giving the Notice of Award to the winning bidder, pursuant to a provision of Republic Act No. 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform law.

Meanwhile, the Palace spokesperson praised Ilocos Norte for being chosen by giant international cruise liner Star Cruises as a cruise destination.

"The Super Virgo, one of its luxury liners, can accommodate up to 2,800 passengers and 1,100 crew members. We’re confident that we can surpass last year’s 99,147 foreign travelers in Region I," Roque said, citing the Accommodation Establishment Data of the Department of Tourism (DOT).

He also assured that the government, through the DOT, would assist in the building of a world-class port facility in Currimao, Ilocos Norte.

"Kung nagkaroon po tayo ng mas magandang puerto dito sa Currimao, we can expect more cruise liners to call on the Currimao port," Roque added.

Roque also congratulated Ilocos for marking its 200th founding anniversary. He particularly noted the Broadway-like production of the Tan-ok ni Ilokano Festival in Laoag.

"That is one of the best festivals that I've ever witnessed, bordering on probably the best," Roque said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1024020

DWDD: UPDATE | 2CRG Situational Report on Mt Mayon

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Feb 2): UPDATE  |  2CRG Situational Report on Mt Mayon

  

LEGAZPI, Albay (DWDD) – The status of Mayon Volcano remains at Alert Level 4 (a hazardous eruption is imminent) while the Danger Zones has been expanded to a radius of 9 km.

According to LTC Napoleon G Pabon JR, 2CRG Group Commander, as of February 1, 2018, the affected residents are at 21,584 families or 83,114 persons located in 88 Evacuation Centers.

The government has served 19,093 families or 72,345persons at these evacuation centers, while 2,282 families or 9,710persons were served outside of these facilities and are living with their relatives or friends.

On the concerted efforts by the Armed Forces of the Philippines:

The 9th Infantry Spear Division have deployed Disaster Response Units and assets for the conduct of conduct of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations. They have assisted in the evacuation of 30 families or 153 individuals from Barangays Matnog and Budiao, Daraga, Albay to Buraguis Elementary School Evacuation Center, Legaspi City.

Meanwhile, Two (2) Quick Reaction Teams of the 9th Civil Military Operations (Kaagapay) Battalion led by Sgt Benafin Lubingan conducted loud-speaker operations at Barangay Mabinit, Bunga and Matanag, all of Legazpi City, prior to the conduct of pre-emptive evacuation.

A Quick Reaction Team lead by Cpl Marlon Jumadiao also conducted pre-emptive evacuation of the residents of Brgy Padang Legazpi City and was able to evacuate forty nine (49) person to Buraguis Elementary School Evacuation Center.

The QRT assisted Public Safety Emergency Management Office (APSEMO) for the hauling of 30 sacks of rice and 85 boxes of sardines and brought to Sto. Domingo, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office. While the command ahas placed four (4) military trucks on standby for possible evacuation under 6-8 km PDZ

The Philippine Air Force Tactical Operations Group- 5 was responsible for the evacuation of 8 families with 32 individuals from Brgy. Matanag, Legaspi City to Albay Central School. The TOG 5, 710th Special Operations Wing and 505th Special Response Group, Team Air Force’s continues effort in providing Security Forces, Disaster Rescue Team and Mobility to the evacuees. A Total of 8 families(17 adults, 15 children) from Brgy Bagong Abre was evacuated to Oro Site High School in Legazpi City.

The TOG-5 also facilitated the conduct of aerial survey of Mayon Volcano together with OCD5, PHIVOLCS, DSWD, 9ID, PA and APSEMO.

The Naval Forces Southern Luzon (NAVFORSOL) assisted in the evacuation of 105 individuals from Brgys. Lidong and San Fernando to San Andres Elementary school and Resettlement area, all in Sto. Domingo, Albay and transported relief goods from Casa Blanca Hotel to Brgy. Gabawan Elementary School, Daraga spearheaded by TAYO.

While the 2CRG conducted continuous information dissemination through DWDD, Armed Forces Radio and coordination with the local media. AES / 2CRG / MCAG

http://dwdd.com.ph/2018/02/02/update-2crg-situational-report-on-mt-mayon/

NDF/NPA-NEMR: The AFP rightfully to blame for the beheading of a CAFGU member by Surigao Del Sur bandits

Propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Website (Jan 31): The AFP rightfully to blame for the beheading of a CAFGU member by Surigao Del Sur bandits

New People’s Army-North Eastern Mindanao
Statement
January 31, 2018



The statement made by Brig. Gen. Gacal of the 402nd Brigade and the 4th ID, Philippine Army on blaming the New People’s Army (NPA) for the inhumane killing of Mar Acebedo Bocales in Sitio Haguimitan, Barangay Castillo, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur last January 27, 2018, is a big lie and a desperate move. The New People’s Army-North Eastern Mindanao Region (NPA-NEMR) has nothing to do with the said killing.

Mar Bocales is a CAFGU member assigned to a detachment in Brgy. Los Arcos, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur who have not been on duty and was deployed as asset of the AFP. He was brutally killed by beheading and hacking his arm. And responsible for the crime is the armed group led by Emerson Cuarteron, a bandit group and member of the Magahat paramilitary group led by Calpit Egua. They are currently operating in San Miguel especially in the mining areas. They harass and extort from people earning a living from gold mining in Brgy. Castillo and Bolhoon, San Miguel.

Emerson Cuarteron, was a criminal and facing cases for kidnap for ransom, carnapping and illegal possession of fire arms. Bobby Tejero, who is responsible, along with the 75th IB, for the killing of three Lumad leaders in Han-ayan, Diatagon, Lianga Surigao del Sur last September 1, 2015, is also a member of the group. Another member of the same group is Joseph Bocales, Turneo Bocales and Junjun Bocales. The group is also responsible, along with the 16th Special Forces Coy PA troops, for the killing of a peasant leader who was a member of the Kapunungan sa mga mag-uuma sa Surigao del Sur (KAMASS) Selvestre Maratas in Brgy. Castillo, San Miguel last July 2017.

The groups of Emerson Cuarteron and Hasmin Acebedo are fighting for the control of the area, the main reason for the killing of Mar Acebedo Bocales. Mar, aside from being a CAFGU member, was also associated with Calpit Egua. He is also part of the bandit and armed group led by Hasmin Acebedo who operates on the same area. The group continue to exist by harassing and grabbing land from farmers, and forcibly collecting taxes from small miners and farmers.

Despite the crimes committed by these bandit groups, the criminals remained free and continued harassing the residents because they are being backed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP). They are actively utilized by the AFP for their counter-revolutionary campaign against the NPA and the people in Surigao del Sur and used to ensure the unopposed entry of large scale mining and plantation in the area. But because of their greed the AFP was unable to prevent the bandits from attacking each other.

To conceal the AFP’s involvement, they deviously accuse the NPA for the killing of Mar Acebedo Bocales and use such as black propaganda against the revolutionary movement and to affirm that the NPA is terrorist. It is a planned move by the AFP to destroy the unity of the Lumad and wreak havoc in the area especially with its plan to arm Lumads against the revolutionary movement.

Thus, the AFP must be condemned for the crime in Surigao del Sur committed by the bandit and paramilitary. We also denounce the irresponsible and false statement of Gacal and the 4th ID PA to destroy the honor of the NPA. Give justice to the civilians killed by AFP forces.

Ka Ariel Montero
Spokesperson
Regional Operational Command

https://www.ndfp.org/afp-rightfully-blame-beheading-cafgu-member-surigao-del-sur-bandits/

NDF/National Executive Committee: NDFP strongly condemns illegal arrest of NDFP consultant Rafael Baylosis and companion

Propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Website (Feb 1): NDFP strongly condemns illegal arrest of NDFP consultant Rafael Baylosis and companion 

National Democratic Front of the Philippines
National Executive Committee
February 1, 2018

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines condemns in the strongest terms the illegal arrest and detention of NDFP Consultant Rafael Baylosis.

Rafael Baylosis was arrested yesterday by the CIDG-NCR in Katipunan Road, Quezon City. He is a Member of the NDFP Reciprocal Working Group on Political and Constitutional Reforms. He and his companion, Jun, are now illegally detained at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

This illegal arrest and detention of NDFP Consultant Rafael Baylosis is a flagrant violation of the GRP-NDFP Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG, 1995). President Duterte must be held accountable for this trampling upon a valid peace agreement that assures all consultants and those participating in peace negotiations immunity from surveillance, harassment, search, arrest, detention, prosecution and interrogation or any other similar punitive action.

The NDFP demands the immediate and unconditional release of NDFP Consultant Rafael Baylosis and his companion, Jun.

While in detention, Rafael Baylosis and his companion have the right to consult with their lawyers, be visited by their families, doctors, and friends.

The NDFP calls on all peace-loving people and organizations to mount a strong campaign demanding the immediate release of Rafael Baylosis and his companion Jun. They should also demand that President Duterte respect and implement the JASIG, the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL, 1998) and other binding peace agreements.

President Duterte must not be allowed to kill and destroy the peace negotiations.

Luis G. Jalandoni
Member, NDFP National Executive Committee

https://www.ndfp.org/ndfp-strongly-condemns-illegal-arrest-ndfp-consultant-rafael-baylosis-companion/

CPP/NPA-NEMR: On the AFP’s lies regarding the Beheading of a CAFGU member by Surigao Del Sur Paramilitar

NPA-North Eastern Mindanao Region propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (Jan 31): On the AFP’s lies regarding the Beheading of a CAFGU member by Surigao Del Sur Paramilitar



Ka Ariel Montero, Spokesperson
NPA-Northeastern Mindanao

31 January 2018

The statement made by Brig. Gen. Gacal of the 402nd Brigade and the 4th ID, Philippine Army on blaming the New People’s Army (NPA) for the inhumane killing of Mar Acebedo Bocales in Sitio Haguimitan, Barangay Castillo, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur last January 27, 2018, is a big lie and a desperate move. The New People’s Army-North Eastern Mindanao Region (NPA-NEMR) has nothing to do with the said killing.

Mar Bocales is a CAFGU member assigned to a detachment in Brgy. Los Arcos, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur who have not been on duty and was deployed as asset of the AFP. He was brutally killed by beheading and hacking his arm. And responsible for the crime is the armed group led by Emerson Cuarteron, a bandit group and member of the Magahat paramilitary group led by Calpit Egua. They are currently operating in San Miguel especially in the mining areas. They harass and extort from people earning a living from gold mining in Brgy. Castillo and Bolhoon, San Miguel.

Emerson Cuarteron, was a criminal and facing cases for kidnap for ransom, carnapping and illegal possession of fire arms. Bobby Tejero, who is responsible, along with the 75th IB, for the killing of three Lumad leaders in Han-ayan, Diatagon, Lianga Surigao del Sur last September 1, 2015, is also a member of the group. Another member of the same group is Joseph Bocales, Turneo Bocales and Junjun Bocales. The group is also responsible, along with the 16th Special Forces Coy PA troops, for the killing of a peasant leader who was a member of the Kapunungan sa mga mag-uuma sa Surigao del Sur (KAMASS) Selvestre Maratas in Brgy. Castillo, San Miguel last July 2017.

The groups of Emerson Cuarteron and Hasmin Acebedo are fighting for the control of the area, the main reason for the killing of Mar Acebedo Bocales. Mar, aside from being a CAFGU member, was also associated with Calpit Egua. He is also part of the bandit and armed group led by Hasmin Acebedo who operates on the same area. The group continue to exist by harassing and grabbing land from farmers, and forcibly collecting taxes from small miners and farmers.

Despite the crimes committed by these bandit groups, the criminals remained free and continued harassing the residents because they are being backed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP). They are actively utilized by the AFP for their counter-revolutionary campaign against the NPA and the people in Surigao del Sur and used to ensure the unopposed entry of large scale mining and plantation in the area. But because of their greed the AFP was unable to prevent the bandits from attacking each other.

To conceal the AFP’s involvement, they deviously accuse the NPA for the killing of Mar Acebedo Bocales and use such as black propaganda against the revolutionary movement and to affirm that the NPA is terrorist. It is a planned move by the AFP to destroy the unity of the Lumad and wreak havoc in the area especially with its plan to arm Lumads against the revolutionary movement.

Thus, the AFP must be condemned for the crime in Surigao del Sur committed by the bandit and paramilitary. We also denounce the irresponsible and false statement of Gacal and the 4th ID PA to destroy the honor of the NPA. Give justice to the civilians killed by AFP forces.

https://www.philippinerevolution.info/statements/20180131-on-the-afps-lies-regarding-the-beheading-of-a-cafgu-member-by-surigao-del-sur-paramilitar

CPP/NPA-NEMR: AFP ang Angayang Kondenahon sa Pagputol sa ulo sa Membro sa CAFGU nga Binuhian sa mga Paramilitar sa Surigao Del Sur

NPA-North Eastern Mindanao Region propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (Jan 31): AFP ang Angayang Kondenahon sa Pagputol sa ulo sa Membro sa CAFGU nga Binuhian sa mga Paramilitar sa Surigao Del Sur

Ka Ariel Montero, Spokesperson
NPA-Northeastern Mindanao

31 January 2018

Usa ka dakung bakak ug desperadong lakang ang gipamahayag ni Brig. Gen. Gacal sa 402nd Brigade ug sa 4th ID Philippine Army kalambigit sa pagpanumangil ngadto sa Bagong Hukbong Bayan (BHB) sa hinayop nga pagpatay kang Mar Acebedo Bocales didto sa Sityo Haguimitan, Barangay Castillo, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur kaniadtong Enero 27, 2018. Walay kalambigitan ang Bagong Hukbong Bayan-North Eastern Mindanao Region (BHB-NEMR) sa maong pagpatay.

Si Mar Bocales usa ka membro sa CAFGU nga nakadestino sa detatsment, sa Brgy. Los Arcos, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur nga wala magduty ug gibuhian isip asset sa AFP. Linuog kini nga gipatay pinaagi sa pagputol sa ulo ug pagtadtad sa iyang mga bukton. Ug ang responsable sa maong krimen mao ang armadong grupo ni Emerson Cuarteron, usa ka bandidong grupo ug membro sa paramilitar nga Magahat nga gipangulohan ni Calpit Egua. Kini sila kasamtangang nag-operit sa San Miguel ilabina sa mga erya sa minahan. Nanghasi ug nangdelihensya sa mga tawo nga nanginabuhi sa minahan sa bulawan diha sa Brgy. Castillo ug Bolhoon, San Miguel.

Si Emerson Cuarteron, usa ka kriminal ug nag-atubang sa mga kasong kidnap for ransom, car napping ug illegal possession of fire arms. Kauban niya sa maong grupo si Bobby Tejero nga maoy responsible, uban sa 75th IB, sa pagpatay sa 3 ka lider sa Lumad didto sa Han-ayan, Diatagon, Lianga Surigao del Sur kaniadtong Septyembre 1, 2015. Laing sakop nila sa grupo mao sila si Joseph Bocales, Turneo Bocales ug Junjun Bocales. Kini usab nga grupo ang nagpatay, uban sa mga pwersa sa 16th Special Forces Coy PA sa usa ka lider mag-uuma nga membro sa Kapunungan sa mga mag-uuma sa Surigao del Sur (KAMASS) nga si Selvestre Maratas didto sa Brgy. Castillo, San Miguel niadtong Hulyo 2017.

Inilogay sa pagkontrol sa erya tali sa grupo ni Emerson Cuarteron ug Hasmin Acebedo ang nag-unang hinungdan sa pagpatay kang Mar Acebedo Bocales. Kini si Mar, gawas nga membro sa CAFGU, nahimong sakop ni Calpit Egua. Nasakop usab kini sa bandido ug armadong grupo ni Hasmin Acebedo nga nag-operit sa mao gihapon nga mga lugar. Nabuhi kining maong grupo pinaagi sa pagpanghasi ug pagpangilog og yuta sa mga mag-uuma, ug pinugos nga nangolekta og buhis sa mga gagmay’ng minero ug mga mag-uuma.

Taliwala sa mga krimen nga gihimo niining maong mga bandidong grupo, gawasnon nga nakasuroy-suroy ang mga kriminal ug padayon nga nakapanghasi sa mga lumulupyo gumikan kay gipaluyohan kini sa Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) AFP ug Philippine National Police (PNP). Aktibong ginagamit sila sa AFP alang sa kontra-rebolusyonaryong kampanya batok sa BHB ug sa katawhan didto sa Surigao del Sur ug gigamit usab alang sa pagseguro sa hanoy nga pagsulod sa mga dagkung minahan ug plantasyon sa lugar. Apan tungod sa kahakog sa bahandi wala mapugngi sa AFP nga nagka-unay-unay ang mga bandido.

Aron tabunan nga may kalambigitan ang AFP, malinglahon nilang gipahid sa BHB ang salaod sa pagpatay kang Mar Acebedo Bocales alang sa itom nga propaganda batok sa rebolusyonaryong kalihukan ug iduso nga terorista ang BHB. Usa ka planado nga lakang kini nga gihimo sa AFP aron gub-on ang panaghiusa sa mga Lumad ug mosugnod sa kasamok sa lugar ilabina sa plano niining armasan ang mga Lumad batok sa rebolusyonaryong kalihukan.

Busa, walay laing angayang kondenahon sa mga nahitabong krimen sa Surigao del Sur nga binuhatan sa mga bandido ug paramilitar kundili ang AFP lang. Kinahanglang ipanghimaraut usab ang iresponsable ug peke nga pamahayag ni Gacal ug sa 4th ID PA aron dauton ang dungog sa BHB. Hatagan og hustisya ang gipangpatay nga mga sibilyan sa mga pwersa sa AFP.

https://www.philippinerevolution.info/statements/20180131-afp-ang-angayang-kondenahon-sa-pagputol-sa-ulo-sa-membro-sa-cafgu-nga-binuhian-sa-mga-param