From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Feb 11, 2019): Duterte reiterates plan to reach out to Misuari
BULUAN, Maguindanao — President Rodrigo Duterte reiterated his desire to reach out to Moro leaders who campaigned against the new law that would give their former colleagues full expanded autonomy in Mindanao.
At the distribution of certificates of land ownership for farmers here, President Rodrigo Duterte specifically mentioned Nur Misuari, the founder of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), who publicly opposed the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
“If I can get Nur…If we will have a talk and I can win him, we will be peaceful,” Duterte said.
On January 21, the people ratified BOL, creating the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the final step in the 2014 peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
The law aims to give the impoverished south an expanded autonomous area, offering self-determination to the nation’s four million Muslims by empowering them to elect their own parliament.
The law would also give the people in parts of the southern Philippines that have Islamic majority control over many local government functions, including taxation and education, and would allow Muslim Filipinos to incorporate Sharia law into their justice system.
READ: Yes votes have it: Law creating Bangsamoro region ratified
Misuari became the governor of a Muslim autonomous region after signing a peace deal with the government in 1996 but failed to lift the area out of poverty despite millions of dollars poured into the region.
In September 2013, he led a 21-day siege and went into hiding. After Duterte came to power in 2016, the court suspended his arrest warrant on rebellion charges on orders from the President, whom he considers a personal friend. However, an arrest warrant on graft charges was filed in September 2017.
READ: What Went Before: Nur Misuari-led attacks on Zamboanga City
“Our problem again will be the ISIS. The ISIS has a violent ideology. It’s not Muslim. Their interpretation with Qua-ran was corrupt. They know nothing but to kill. They will teach us how to kill? What will happen to our children?” Duterte asked.
“It’s [the] ideology of Arabs, not [the] ideology of Maguindanao. Our only commonality is Islam. But Islam does not say we should kill each other,” he added.
Last month, two bombs exploded at the Church in Jolo, killing 23 and wounded more than one hundred churchgoers. It was the most brazen in recent years and came at a time when thousands of troops had been deployed to Jolo to crush the militants.
Two days after the blast, unidentified men lobbed a grenade inside the mosque, killing two Muslim religious leaders and wounding four other people.
Shortly after the incident in Jolo, SITE Intelligence, a US-based group that monitors online communications among Muslim militant groups, reported that the IS East Asia Province had issued a statement claiming responsibility.
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
EastMinCom find 30 landmines allegedly planted by NPA
From the Business World (Feb 11, 2019): EastMinCom find 30 landmines allegedly planted by NPA
THE MILITARY’S Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) reported that it unearthed 30 landmines in various areas, allegedly planted by the communist armed group New People’s Army (NPA).
Major General Felimon T. Santos Jr., EastMinCom head, said the buried explosive devices were found by troops between January and early this month, mainly in parts of the provinces of Compostela Valley and Surigao, and Butuan City.
Mr. Santos said the NPA have continued to use landmines even if this is a violation of the International Humanitarian Law.
“The leadership of NPA are all lip service, they always pretend to respect International Humanitarian Law, but in truth and in fact, they are the number one violator of this law. These landmines that were captured from them is a manifestation of their wanton disregard of IHL and the safety of the communities,” he said.
The 1997 Mine Ban Treaty specifically prohibits the use of landmines in war as well as ordered states to destroy their stockpiles.
https://www.bworldonline.com/eastmincom-find-30-landmines-allegedly-planted-by-npa/
THE MILITARY’S Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) reported that it unearthed 30 landmines in various areas, allegedly planted by the communist armed group New People’s Army (NPA).
Major General Felimon T. Santos Jr., EastMinCom head, said the buried explosive devices were found by troops between January and early this month, mainly in parts of the provinces of Compostela Valley and Surigao, and Butuan City.
Mr. Santos said the NPA have continued to use landmines even if this is a violation of the International Humanitarian Law.
“The leadership of NPA are all lip service, they always pretend to respect International Humanitarian Law, but in truth and in fact, they are the number one violator of this law. These landmines that were captured from them is a manifestation of their wanton disregard of IHL and the safety of the communities,” he said.
The 1997 Mine Ban Treaty specifically prohibits the use of landmines in war as well as ordered states to destroy their stockpiles.
https://www.bworldonline.com/eastmincom-find-30-landmines-allegedly-planted-by-npa/
Troops encounter NPA rebels in Negros Oriental
From the Manila Bulletin (Feb 11, 2011): Troops encounter NPA rebels in Negros Oriental
Troops under the 15th Infantry Battalion (15th IB), who were conducting Community Support Programs, encountered Communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Negros Oriental over the weekend.
A military report disclosed that the troops were in Sitio Baliw, Brgy Bagtic, Mabinay town when they encountered a still undetermined number of terrorists at about 1:30 p.m. Friday, February 8.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
Following the encounter, the soldiers were able to seize firearm, explosives, war materials, and subversive documents left behind by the fleeing rebels.
There was no report of casualty on both sides.
However, the blood stains along the enemy’s withdrawal route suggested that some of its fighters may have suffered gunshot wounds during the firefight.
Prior to the encounter, a concerned citizen already informed the soldiers about the enemy’s terroristic plan to disrupt the programs that were being intended by the people in that community.
Officials from the 15th IB immediately ordered troops to launch a deliberate action to preempt the sinister plan.
“We were able to hit the enemy for about 30 minutes and later pushed them out of the encounter site recovering several items such as one M16 rifle with 11 magazines, one Anti-Personnel Mine, one rifle grenade, one commercial radio, personal belongings, and subversive documents,” Lt. Col. Tornales, the commanding officer of the 15th IB, said.
Brig. Gen. Ignacio B. Madriaga, the brigade commander, said the encounter was the result of the continuing coordinative effort of the populace who had grown weary of the NPA menace and the unrelenting commitment of your army troops to protect the community from the NPA terrorists.
“This event is a clear manifestation that the locals are no longer afraid of the NPA terrorist group,” he said.
For his part, Lt Gen Noel Clement, the Commander of Central Command, emphasized the motivation of the soldiers who managed to quell the plans of these terrorists.
“This victory is a testimony to the courage, coupled with strong determination, of our troops who are helping the Local Government Units ensure full implementation of programs that will alleviate the socio-economic problem affecting their localities,” Clement said.
“The evil plan, however, is a solid proof of NPA’s anti-development stance to keep the people drenched in poverty. Their pathetic move didn’t work this time. The people, to whom we dedicate our service, are now actively reporting the enemy’s presence and activities in their barangays. We are happy that they fully understand and support the government’s peace and development initiatives,” he added.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/02/11/troops-encounter-npa-rebels-in-negros-oriental/
Troops under the 15th Infantry Battalion (15th IB), who were conducting Community Support Programs, encountered Communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Negros Oriental over the weekend.
A military report disclosed that the troops were in Sitio Baliw, Brgy Bagtic, Mabinay town when they encountered a still undetermined number of terrorists at about 1:30 p.m. Friday, February 8.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
Following the encounter, the soldiers were able to seize firearm, explosives, war materials, and subversive documents left behind by the fleeing rebels.
There was no report of casualty on both sides.
However, the blood stains along the enemy’s withdrawal route suggested that some of its fighters may have suffered gunshot wounds during the firefight.
Prior to the encounter, a concerned citizen already informed the soldiers about the enemy’s terroristic plan to disrupt the programs that were being intended by the people in that community.
Officials from the 15th IB immediately ordered troops to launch a deliberate action to preempt the sinister plan.
“We were able to hit the enemy for about 30 minutes and later pushed them out of the encounter site recovering several items such as one M16 rifle with 11 magazines, one Anti-Personnel Mine, one rifle grenade, one commercial radio, personal belongings, and subversive documents,” Lt. Col. Tornales, the commanding officer of the 15th IB, said.
Brig. Gen. Ignacio B. Madriaga, the brigade commander, said the encounter was the result of the continuing coordinative effort of the populace who had grown weary of the NPA menace and the unrelenting commitment of your army troops to protect the community from the NPA terrorists.
“This event is a clear manifestation that the locals are no longer afraid of the NPA terrorist group,” he said.
For his part, Lt Gen Noel Clement, the Commander of Central Command, emphasized the motivation of the soldiers who managed to quell the plans of these terrorists.
“This victory is a testimony to the courage, coupled with strong determination, of our troops who are helping the Local Government Units ensure full implementation of programs that will alleviate the socio-economic problem affecting their localities,” Clement said.
“The evil plan, however, is a solid proof of NPA’s anti-development stance to keep the people drenched in poverty. Their pathetic move didn’t work this time. The people, to whom we dedicate our service, are now actively reporting the enemy’s presence and activities in their barangays. We are happy that they fully understand and support the government’s peace and development initiatives,” he added.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/02/11/troops-encounter-npa-rebels-in-negros-oriental/
Philippine Police: Militants Kill Logger for Failing to Recite Muslim Prayer
From BenarNews (Feb 12, 2019): Philippine Police: Militants Kill Logger for Failing to Recite Muslim Prayer
Philippine security personnel lift a body bag containing the remains of a victim after two bombs exploded at a church in Jolo, in the southern province of Sulu, Jan. 27, 2019. AFP
https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/philippine/philippines-militants-02112019092111.html
Philippine security personnel lift a body bag containing the remains of a victim after two bombs exploded at a church in Jolo, in the southern province of Sulu, Jan. 27, 2019. AFP
Abu Sayyaf militants have executed a logger on the southern Philippine island of Basilan after he failed to recite a Muslim prayer, police said Monday.
Heavily armed Abu Sayyaf members took seven loggers who were working on a coconut plantation in the jungles of Abong-abong village in Maluso town on Saturday. They then asked the men to recite the first seven verses of the Quran called Al Fatihah, police commander Inspector Robert Jay Bacalangco said.
Six of the seven managed to recite the prayer properly, but the last, Eustiqui Auxtero, 39, apparently faltered. He was shot at close range and died instantly, Bacalangco quoted the six loggers as telling the police.
“The six loggers were freed unharmed and reported to us the incident,” Bacalangco said, adding it took police two hours to walk to the site to recover Auxtero’s remains.
Security officials in the south said they were treating the violence as a diversionary tactic by the Abu Sayyaf, whose members in the nearby island of Jolo are on the run from a massive military offensive after suspected militants carried out twin bombings at a church that left 23 people dead and dozens wounded.
In 2007, Abu Sayyaf gunmen kidnapped seven loggers and killed them also in the same town.
Brutal killings have been synonymous with the Abu Sayyaf, a ragtag band of self-styled militants blamed for some of the worst terror attacks in the Philippines during the past two decades.
In 2004, the group bombed a passenger ferry on Manila Bay, killing more than 100 people in one of the deadliest terrorist strikes in the Philippines.
On Jan. 27, the militants bombed a Catholic Church in Jolo as Mass was ongoing, leading to heavy casualties. President Rodrigo Duterte has blamed “suicide bombers” for the incident, and the police subsequently arrested five suspects.
Police said the five men worked with a couple of Indonesians who blew themselves up, a claim that the Indonesian government has taken with a grain of salt.
Arab bomber?
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, a former army general, said the military and police are on the lookout for an Arab-speaking suicide bomber being harbored by Abu Sayyaf fighters in the jungles of Patikul in Jolo.
Año said the bomber is with the Sulu faction of the Abu Sayyaf led by Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, believe to be the mastermind of the recent Jolo church bombings and tagged by Washington as the acting leader of the terror network Islamic State (IS) in the Philippines.
“According to our sources he's also a suicide bomber. He is described as an Arab because he spoke Arabic,” Año said, without elaborating.
A faction of the Abu Sayyaf headed by Isnilon Hapilon, then the acknowledged IS leader in Southeast Asia, took over the southern city of Marawi in May 2017 and led local militants, backed by an undetermined number of foreign fighters, in a five-month battle with government forces.
Hapilon and other top IS commanders were among the 1,200 people who were killed, including Malaysians Mahmud Ahmad and Amin Baco, according to Philippine security officials. The two foreigners, however, were still included in a list of wanted terrorists by Malaysia’s Eastern Sabah Security Command as of early last year, due to lack of independent confirmation of their deaths in Marawi.
Heavily armed Abu Sayyaf members took seven loggers who were working on a coconut plantation in the jungles of Abong-abong village in Maluso town on Saturday. They then asked the men to recite the first seven verses of the Quran called Al Fatihah, police commander Inspector Robert Jay Bacalangco said.
Six of the seven managed to recite the prayer properly, but the last, Eustiqui Auxtero, 39, apparently faltered. He was shot at close range and died instantly, Bacalangco quoted the six loggers as telling the police.
“The six loggers were freed unharmed and reported to us the incident,” Bacalangco said, adding it took police two hours to walk to the site to recover Auxtero’s remains.
Security officials in the south said they were treating the violence as a diversionary tactic by the Abu Sayyaf, whose members in the nearby island of Jolo are on the run from a massive military offensive after suspected militants carried out twin bombings at a church that left 23 people dead and dozens wounded.
In 2007, Abu Sayyaf gunmen kidnapped seven loggers and killed them also in the same town.
Brutal killings have been synonymous with the Abu Sayyaf, a ragtag band of self-styled militants blamed for some of the worst terror attacks in the Philippines during the past two decades.
In 2004, the group bombed a passenger ferry on Manila Bay, killing more than 100 people in one of the deadliest terrorist strikes in the Philippines.
On Jan. 27, the militants bombed a Catholic Church in Jolo as Mass was ongoing, leading to heavy casualties. President Rodrigo Duterte has blamed “suicide bombers” for the incident, and the police subsequently arrested five suspects.
Police said the five men worked with a couple of Indonesians who blew themselves up, a claim that the Indonesian government has taken with a grain of salt.
Arab bomber?
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, a former army general, said the military and police are on the lookout for an Arab-speaking suicide bomber being harbored by Abu Sayyaf fighters in the jungles of Patikul in Jolo.
Año said the bomber is with the Sulu faction of the Abu Sayyaf led by Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, believe to be the mastermind of the recent Jolo church bombings and tagged by Washington as the acting leader of the terror network Islamic State (IS) in the Philippines.
“According to our sources he's also a suicide bomber. He is described as an Arab because he spoke Arabic,” Año said, without elaborating.
A faction of the Abu Sayyaf headed by Isnilon Hapilon, then the acknowledged IS leader in Southeast Asia, took over the southern city of Marawi in May 2017 and led local militants, backed by an undetermined number of foreign fighters, in a five-month battle with government forces.
Hapilon and other top IS commanders were among the 1,200 people who were killed, including Malaysians Mahmud Ahmad and Amin Baco, according to Philippine security officials. The two foreigners, however, were still included in a list of wanted terrorists by Malaysia’s Eastern Sabah Security Command as of early last year, due to lack of independent confirmation of their deaths in Marawi.
https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/philippine/philippines-militants-02112019092111.html
Logger slain by Abu Sayyaf in Basilan; 6 escape
From the Philippine Star (Feb 12, 2019): Logger slain by Abu Sayyaf in Basilan; 6 escape
Suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits shot dead a lumberjack while his companions managed to escape in Maluso, Basilan on Friday, police learned yesterday.
The fatality was identified as Eutiquio Auxtero, 39, a resident of Barangay Tubigan.
The Maluso police said the victim and his companions were on their way to a mountain when they were stopped by a group of Abu Sayyaf bandits led by Pasil Bayali and Guraba Gulam in Sitio Alleng, Barangay Tubigan at about 10 a.m.
Bayali reportedly shot Auxtero in the head using an M16 rifle, prompting the other loggers to scamper toward Barangay Tubigan.
Responding police officers said Bayali was positively identified by one of Auxtero’s companions.
Police and military personnel launched pursuit operations, but they failed to catch up with the suspects.
The body of the victim was turned over to his family.
Last month, suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits reportedly shot and beheaded a villager they suspected of giving information that led to the arrest of one of their cohorts in Indanan, Sulu.
Police said the bandits dumped the decapitated body of the victim a few meters away from the house of their arrested cohort.
The fatality was identified as Eutiquio Auxtero, 39, a resident of Barangay Tubigan.
The Maluso police said the victim and his companions were on their way to a mountain when they were stopped by a group of Abu Sayyaf bandits led by Pasil Bayali and Guraba Gulam in Sitio Alleng, Barangay Tubigan at about 10 a.m.
Bayali reportedly shot Auxtero in the head using an M16 rifle, prompting the other loggers to scamper toward Barangay Tubigan.
Responding police officers said Bayali was positively identified by one of Auxtero’s companions.
Police and military personnel launched pursuit operations, but they failed to catch up with the suspects.
The body of the victim was turned over to his family.
Last month, suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits reportedly shot and beheaded a villager they suspected of giving information that led to the arrest of one of their cohorts in Indanan, Sulu.
Police said the bandits dumped the decapitated body of the victim a few meters away from the house of their arrested cohort.
Philippine Leader Asks Ex-Muslim Rebels to Help Battle IS-Linked Militants
From BenarNews (Feb 12, 2019): Philippine Leader Asks Ex-Muslim Rebels to Help Battle IS-Linked Militants
Members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, a Muslim rebel group that signed a 1996 peace pact with the Philippine government, arrive at Patikul town, on the volatile southern Philippines island of Jolo, to seek the release of foreign and Filipino hostages long held by Abu Sayyaf gunmen, Jan. 15, 2013. AP
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte asked former Muslim rebels to fight alongside government soldiers against Islamic State-linked militants in the south, two weeks after a deadly bomb explosion in Jolo island, according to the presidential palace Tuesday.
In a visit to the southern town of Buluan in Maguindanao province Monday evening, Duterte rallied the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to the government’s side and said a breakaway faction – the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) – knew nothing except to kill.
“The ISIS has violent ideology. It’s not Muslim. Their interpretation of Quran was corrupt. They know nothing but to kill. They will teach us how to kill? What will happen to our children?” Duterte said, referring to the other acronym for the Islamic State (IS).
“It’s the ideology of Arabs. Not ideology of Maguindanao. Our only commonality is Islam. But Islam does not say we should kill each other,” he said, according to transcripts of his speech made available to reporters Wednesday.
Duterte made the appeal after the ratification of Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), which created an autonomous region known by its local acronym as BARMM, the final step in the 2014 peace agreement between the Manila government and the MILF.
The law aims to give the impoverished south an expanded autonomous area, offering self-determination to the nation’s four million Muslims by empowering them to elect their own parliament.
Last month, two bombs exploded at the Catholic church in Jolo, killing 23 people and wounding more than 100 others. The attack was blamed on another group, the Islamic State-linked Abu Sayyaf, and was launched as thousands of troops had been deployed to Jolo to crush them.
Two days after the blast, unidentified men lobbed a grenade inside a mosque in nearby Zamboanga city, killing two Muslim religious leaders and wounding four people.
Duterte has blamed “suicide bombers” for the Jolo blast, and local police said the Abu Sayyaf had worked with two foreigners to launch the attack.
The military also blamed Abu Sayyaf commander Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan as the mastermind. Sawadjaan has been tagged by the United States as the likely next leader of the Islamic State in the country, after the death of Isnilon Hapilon in Marawi city two years ago.
“You will have to fight the ISIS. They would create hell for us,” Duterte said. “We are not here talking to destroy the future and our family. We are here planning for what we can do to them, so that by the time they are the father and mothers of the community, they would know what to do and make it more comfortable for our children.”
On Sunday, police arrested a suspected Abu Sayyaf member who was believed behind the bomb explosion that killed seven people and wounded dozens at a bus terminal in southern city of Kidapawan on Oct. 10, 2002.
National police director chief Oscar Albayalde said the suspect, Abdurahman Mataud Daiyung, who was also accused of involvement in the beheading of five plantation workers on June 11, 2001, in nearby Basilan island, was arrested in Manila.
National Capital Region police chief Guillermo Eleazar said Daiyung has been in Manila for only a few months and has been working as a welder.
“We are not clear yet as to his purpose here, but clearly he is one among the suspects and responsible in the bus terminal bombing,” Eleazar told reporters in a news conference in Manila Tuesday.
Founded in the early 1990s, Abu Sayyaf is notorious for kidnappings, bombings and beheading in southern Philippines over the past decade. The group was blacklisted by the United States as a foreign terrorist organization.
It is the smallest, but considered the most brutal, of several armed groups that operate in the restive south. The BIFF, meanwhile, broke away from the MILF after the latter decided to negotiate peace and a Muslim autonomy in the south, dropping its bid for independence.
Members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, a Muslim rebel group that signed a 1996 peace pact with the Philippine government, arrive at Patikul town, on the volatile southern Philippines island of Jolo, to seek the release of foreign and Filipino hostages long held by Abu Sayyaf gunmen, Jan. 15, 2013. AP
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte asked former Muslim rebels to fight alongside government soldiers against Islamic State-linked militants in the south, two weeks after a deadly bomb explosion in Jolo island, according to the presidential palace Tuesday.
In a visit to the southern town of Buluan in Maguindanao province Monday evening, Duterte rallied the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to the government’s side and said a breakaway faction – the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) – knew nothing except to kill.
“The ISIS has violent ideology. It’s not Muslim. Their interpretation of Quran was corrupt. They know nothing but to kill. They will teach us how to kill? What will happen to our children?” Duterte said, referring to the other acronym for the Islamic State (IS).
“It’s the ideology of Arabs. Not ideology of Maguindanao. Our only commonality is Islam. But Islam does not say we should kill each other,” he said, according to transcripts of his speech made available to reporters Wednesday.
Duterte made the appeal after the ratification of Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), which created an autonomous region known by its local acronym as BARMM, the final step in the 2014 peace agreement between the Manila government and the MILF.
The law aims to give the impoverished south an expanded autonomous area, offering self-determination to the nation’s four million Muslims by empowering them to elect their own parliament.
Last month, two bombs exploded at the Catholic church in Jolo, killing 23 people and wounding more than 100 others. The attack was blamed on another group, the Islamic State-linked Abu Sayyaf, and was launched as thousands of troops had been deployed to Jolo to crush them.
Two days after the blast, unidentified men lobbed a grenade inside a mosque in nearby Zamboanga city, killing two Muslim religious leaders and wounding four people.
Duterte has blamed “suicide bombers” for the Jolo blast, and local police said the Abu Sayyaf had worked with two foreigners to launch the attack.
The military also blamed Abu Sayyaf commander Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan as the mastermind. Sawadjaan has been tagged by the United States as the likely next leader of the Islamic State in the country, after the death of Isnilon Hapilon in Marawi city two years ago.
“You will have to fight the ISIS. They would create hell for us,” Duterte said. “We are not here talking to destroy the future and our family. We are here planning for what we can do to them, so that by the time they are the father and mothers of the community, they would know what to do and make it more comfortable for our children.”
On Sunday, police arrested a suspected Abu Sayyaf member who was believed behind the bomb explosion that killed seven people and wounded dozens at a bus terminal in southern city of Kidapawan on Oct. 10, 2002.
National police director chief Oscar Albayalde said the suspect, Abdurahman Mataud Daiyung, who was also accused of involvement in the beheading of five plantation workers on June 11, 2001, in nearby Basilan island, was arrested in Manila.
National Capital Region police chief Guillermo Eleazar said Daiyung has been in Manila for only a few months and has been working as a welder.
“We are not clear yet as to his purpose here, but clearly he is one among the suspects and responsible in the bus terminal bombing,” Eleazar told reporters in a news conference in Manila Tuesday.
Founded in the early 1990s, Abu Sayyaf is notorious for kidnappings, bombings and beheading in southern Philippines over the past decade. The group was blacklisted by the United States as a foreign terrorist organization.
It is the smallest, but considered the most brutal, of several armed groups that operate in the restive south. The BIFF, meanwhile, broke away from the MILF after the latter decided to negotiate peace and a Muslim autonomy in the south, dropping its bid for independence.
Cops nab Abu Sayyaf member ‘most wanted’ for Kidapawan bombing —PNP
From GMA News (Feb 12, 2019): Cops nab Abu Sayyaf member ‘most wanted’ for Kidapawan bombing —PNP
Authorities have arrested an Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) member suspected to be involved in the Kidapawan bus terminal bombing of 2002 that killed seven people, Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde announced in Tuesday.
Abdurahman Mataud Daiyung, who was a member of Isnilon Hapilon's group, was arrested on Sunday morning in Ermita, Manila by the joint forces from National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and the military.
The ASG member was involved in the Kidapawan bus terminal bombing in 2002 where seven persons were killed and 24 others were wounded.
Daiyung was also accused of being involved in the kidnapping of 15 employees of Golden Harvest Plantation in Lantawan, Basilan.
He was nabbed through a warrant of arrest issued by a Regional Trial Court in Basilan.
Considering that Daiyung was arrested in Manila, NCRPO chief Director Guillermo Eleazar assured the public that there are no threats of ASG terror attack in Metro Manila.
“Pero hindi natin pwedeng i-disregard yung possibility na ganun,” Eleazar said.
According to Eleazar, the presence of an ASG member like Daiyung in Metro Manila does not necessarily mean that the terror group was planning an attack in the area because some of them are already inactive members.
“Ang Abu Sayyaf kasi meron silang active, inactive at ang iba naman sympathizers at supporters. In the case sa naaresto natin, right now dinedetermine natin kung siya ba ay active member,” Eleazar said.
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/metro/684652/cops-nab-abu-sayyaf-member-most-wanted-for-kidapawan-bombing-pnp/story/
Authorities have arrested an Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) member suspected to be involved in the Kidapawan bus terminal bombing of 2002 that killed seven people, Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde announced in Tuesday.
Abdurahman Mataud Daiyung, who was a member of Isnilon Hapilon's group, was arrested on Sunday morning in Ermita, Manila by the joint forces from National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and the military.
The ASG member was involved in the Kidapawan bus terminal bombing in 2002 where seven persons were killed and 24 others were wounded.
Daiyung was also accused of being involved in the kidnapping of 15 employees of Golden Harvest Plantation in Lantawan, Basilan.
He was nabbed through a warrant of arrest issued by a Regional Trial Court in Basilan.
Considering that Daiyung was arrested in Manila, NCRPO chief Director Guillermo Eleazar assured the public that there are no threats of ASG terror attack in Metro Manila.
“Pero hindi natin pwedeng i-disregard yung possibility na ganun,” Eleazar said.
According to Eleazar, the presence of an ASG member like Daiyung in Metro Manila does not necessarily mean that the terror group was planning an attack in the area because some of them are already inactive members.
“Ang Abu Sayyaf kasi meron silang active, inactive at ang iba naman sympathizers at supporters. In the case sa naaresto natin, right now dinedetermine natin kung siya ba ay active member,” Eleazar said.
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/metro/684652/cops-nab-abu-sayyaf-member-most-wanted-for-kidapawan-bombing-pnp/story/
NDF/Sison: On the malicious and futile attempt of Duterte regime to summon me to Manila
Jose Maria Sison propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Philippines (NDFP or NDF) Website (Feb 12, 2019): On the malicious and futile attempt of Duterte regime to summon me to Manila
Statement by Jose Maria Sison
NDFP Chief Political Consultant
13 February 2019
I pity Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra and Manila Judge Marlo Madoga-Malager for collaborating to have me summoned to Manila and for appearing stupid and grossly ignorant of international law pertaining to my status and my decades-long legal history just to comply with the truly stupid order of their boss Duterte to target me in the proscription case against the CPP and the NPA.
The summons to me from the Philippine authorities is worthless and ineffective in compelling me to appear before the Manila court. As a recognized political refugee in the Netherlands, I am protected by the Refugee Convention and by Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which prohibits my deportation to the Philippines or even to a third country.
The legal protection that I enjoy is well tested and proven valid and effective by the legal and judicial processes that I have undergone to have my name removed from the EU list of terrorists and to cause the dismissal of the false charge of committing the alleged murder of certain individuals in the Philippines by ordering from Dutch territory alleged accomplices to commit the crime directly.
The European Court of Justice ruled in 2009 that my rights had been violated by being listed as terrorist and subjected to sanctions without being informed of the charges, without the benefit of legal counsel and without availing of judicial review.
The ruling also established that I had not been culpable for any terrorist act and took note that, since I was detained by the Marcos fascist regime in 1977, it had been impossible for me to act as an operational leader of the Communist Party of the Philippines or the New People’s Amy
Earlier, the Dutch Appellate Court in The Hague had ruled in 2007 that I was not an operational leader of the CPP and that there was no proof that I gave orders to NPA personnel. Thus, the false charge of committing murder in the Philippines from my refuge in The Netherlands was dismissed.
The attempt to summon me to the Philippines is malicious and futile. It is a blatantly cheap political maneuver of the tyrannical Duterte regime which has become notorious for committing gross and systematic human rights violations for the purpose of terrorizing the people.
I enjoy not only the legal protection of the Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights but also the moral and political support and protection of the Dutch and all other peoples who are already well aware of the murderous and bloodthirsty character of the Duterte regime.
It is best that Duterte stop his policy and acts of state terrorism, cease and desist from violating the national and democratic rights of the Filipino people, remove all obstacles of his making and give way to the resumption of peace negotiations between the GRP and the NDFP in accordance with The Hague Joint Declaration.
https://www.ndfp.org/on-the-malicious-and-futile-attempt-of-duterte-regime-to-summon-me-to-manila/
Statement by Jose Maria Sison
NDFP Chief Political Consultant
13 February 2019
I pity Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra and Manila Judge Marlo Madoga-Malager for collaborating to have me summoned to Manila and for appearing stupid and grossly ignorant of international law pertaining to my status and my decades-long legal history just to comply with the truly stupid order of their boss Duterte to target me in the proscription case against the CPP and the NPA.
The summons to me from the Philippine authorities is worthless and ineffective in compelling me to appear before the Manila court. As a recognized political refugee in the Netherlands, I am protected by the Refugee Convention and by Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which prohibits my deportation to the Philippines or even to a third country.
The legal protection that I enjoy is well tested and proven valid and effective by the legal and judicial processes that I have undergone to have my name removed from the EU list of terrorists and to cause the dismissal of the false charge of committing the alleged murder of certain individuals in the Philippines by ordering from Dutch territory alleged accomplices to commit the crime directly.
The European Court of Justice ruled in 2009 that my rights had been violated by being listed as terrorist and subjected to sanctions without being informed of the charges, without the benefit of legal counsel and without availing of judicial review.
The ruling also established that I had not been culpable for any terrorist act and took note that, since I was detained by the Marcos fascist regime in 1977, it had been impossible for me to act as an operational leader of the Communist Party of the Philippines or the New People’s Amy
Earlier, the Dutch Appellate Court in The Hague had ruled in 2007 that I was not an operational leader of the CPP and that there was no proof that I gave orders to NPA personnel. Thus, the false charge of committing murder in the Philippines from my refuge in The Netherlands was dismissed.
The attempt to summon me to the Philippines is malicious and futile. It is a blatantly cheap political maneuver of the tyrannical Duterte regime which has become notorious for committing gross and systematic human rights violations for the purpose of terrorizing the people.
I enjoy not only the legal protection of the Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights but also the moral and political support and protection of the Dutch and all other peoples who are already well aware of the murderous and bloodthirsty character of the Duterte regime.
It is best that Duterte stop his policy and acts of state terrorism, cease and desist from violating the national and democratic rights of the Filipino people, remove all obstacles of his making and give way to the resumption of peace negotiations between the GRP and the NDFP in accordance with The Hague Joint Declaration.
https://www.ndfp.org/on-the-malicious-and-futile-attempt-of-duterte-regime-to-summon-me-to-manila/
NDF/Sison: Duterte makes a fool of himself by denying the existence of the people’s government
Jose Maria Sison propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Philippines (NDFP or NDF) Website (Feb 12, 2019): Duterte makes a fool of himself by denying the existence of the people’s government
By Prof. Jose Maria Sison
NDFP Chief Political Consultant
February 12, 2019
In one of his latest rants against me, Duterte makes a fool of himself by denying the existence of the people’s democratic government and opposing its vital function of taxation for defraying the costs of administration and various social programs for the benefit of the people.
Duterte should be reminded that when he was still mayor of Davao city he publicly acknowledged the existence of the people’s democratic government and also publicly urged the owners of taxable properties and enterprises to pay their taxes to this revolutionary government or else incur penalties.
Now, he claims that the only government there is in the Philippines is the reactionary government of big compradors, landlords and corrupt bureaucrats like him. And in glaring despotic style he uses the personal possessive pronoun “my” to refer to the reactionary government, its public funds, its armed forces and police.
Whenever necessary, the NDFP has always pointed out there are two governments in the Philippines, the reactionary one and the revolutionary one of workers and peasants. These two governments are in a state of civil war (as distinguished from national war against foreign aggression) and they are co-belligerents under the international laws on armed conflict, human rights and humanitarian conduct.
https://www.ndfp.org/duterte-makes-a-fool-of-himself-by-denying-the-existence-of-the-peoples-government/
By Prof. Jose Maria Sison
NDFP Chief Political Consultant
February 12, 2019
In one of his latest rants against me, Duterte makes a fool of himself by denying the existence of the people’s democratic government and opposing its vital function of taxation for defraying the costs of administration and various social programs for the benefit of the people.
Duterte should be reminded that when he was still mayor of Davao city he publicly acknowledged the existence of the people’s democratic government and also publicly urged the owners of taxable properties and enterprises to pay their taxes to this revolutionary government or else incur penalties.
Now, he claims that the only government there is in the Philippines is the reactionary government of big compradors, landlords and corrupt bureaucrats like him. And in glaring despotic style he uses the personal possessive pronoun “my” to refer to the reactionary government, its public funds, its armed forces and police.
Whenever necessary, the NDFP has always pointed out there are two governments in the Philippines, the reactionary one and the revolutionary one of workers and peasants. These two governments are in a state of civil war (as distinguished from national war against foreign aggression) and they are co-belligerents under the international laws on armed conflict, human rights and humanitarian conduct.
https://www.ndfp.org/duterte-makes-a-fool-of-himself-by-denying-the-existence-of-the-peoples-government/
NDF/Sison: Duterte is the chief political agent and hatchet man of the landed oligarchy and the agri-corporations
Jose Maria Sison propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Philippines (NDFP or NDF) Website (Feb 12, 2019): Duterte is the chief political agent and hatchet man of the landed oligarchy and the agri-corporations
By Prof. Jose Maria Sison
NDFP Chief Political Consultant
February 12, 2019
Duterte is belatedly distributing only a few token certificates of land transfer to a small number of presumed land reform beneficiaries for the purpose of propaganda. He is using his tokenism to make the big lie that he will distribute all the idle public land to the landless peasants who have long hungered for land of their own.
In fact, he is subjecting to “conversion” or exemption from land reform vast amounts of land previously considered as subject to land reform so that these lands could be repossessed by real estate corporations and landlords. As already exposed by former DAR secretary Rafael Mariano, “conversion” is a racket of Duterte and his fellow corrupt bureaucrats.
Duterte has been using the state terrorism of the reactionary armed forces and police to protect the landed oligarchy and the agri-corporations to keep their monopoly of the best agricultural land and to brutally attack both the mass movement of farm workers and poor peasants and the revolutionary movement that is carrying out genuine land reform.
As regards to tillable but idle public land, Duterte is actually giving this away to his fellow bureaucrats, landlords and agri-corporations that engage mainly in the production of palm oil, rubber,banana, pineapple and other fruits for export. Otherwise the mining companies favored by Duterte merely ruin the public land and natural environment.
Duterte is now the chief political agent and hatchet man of the landlords and the agri-corporations not only in Davao but in the entire country. He is merely boasting and lying by declaring that he can distribute all idle public land to the landless peasants and to do away with the role of the mass movement of farm workers and peasants, the people’s army and the people’s democratic government in carrying out genuine land reform and distributing land to the landless peasants.
Duterte has terminated the peace negotiations with the NDFP precisely because he is opposed to a comprehensive agreement on social and economic reforms, especially genuine agrarian reform and rural development. In all previous negotiations of the NDFP with the reactionary government, the latter has always blocked the full progress of negotiations on social and economic reforms, especially land reform.
https://www.ndfp.org/duterte-is-the-chief-political-agent-and-hatchet-man-of-the-landed-oligarchy-and-the-agri-corporations/
By Prof. Jose Maria Sison
NDFP Chief Political Consultant
February 12, 2019
Duterte is belatedly distributing only a few token certificates of land transfer to a small number of presumed land reform beneficiaries for the purpose of propaganda. He is using his tokenism to make the big lie that he will distribute all the idle public land to the landless peasants who have long hungered for land of their own.
In fact, he is subjecting to “conversion” or exemption from land reform vast amounts of land previously considered as subject to land reform so that these lands could be repossessed by real estate corporations and landlords. As already exposed by former DAR secretary Rafael Mariano, “conversion” is a racket of Duterte and his fellow corrupt bureaucrats.
Duterte has been using the state terrorism of the reactionary armed forces and police to protect the landed oligarchy and the agri-corporations to keep their monopoly of the best agricultural land and to brutally attack both the mass movement of farm workers and poor peasants and the revolutionary movement that is carrying out genuine land reform.
As regards to tillable but idle public land, Duterte is actually giving this away to his fellow bureaucrats, landlords and agri-corporations that engage mainly in the production of palm oil, rubber,banana, pineapple and other fruits for export. Otherwise the mining companies favored by Duterte merely ruin the public land and natural environment.
Duterte is now the chief political agent and hatchet man of the landlords and the agri-corporations not only in Davao but in the entire country. He is merely boasting and lying by declaring that he can distribute all idle public land to the landless peasants and to do away with the role of the mass movement of farm workers and peasants, the people’s army and the people’s democratic government in carrying out genuine land reform and distributing land to the landless peasants.
Duterte has terminated the peace negotiations with the NDFP precisely because he is opposed to a comprehensive agreement on social and economic reforms, especially genuine agrarian reform and rural development. In all previous negotiations of the NDFP with the reactionary government, the latter has always blocked the full progress of negotiations on social and economic reforms, especially land reform.
https://www.ndfp.org/duterte-is-the-chief-political-agent-and-hatchet-man-of-the-landed-oligarchy-and-the-agri-corporations/
WESTMINCOM: WestMinCom tenders arrival honor to deputy chief of Tactical Operations Command
From the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Website (Feb 12,2019): WestMinCom tenders arrival honor to deputy chief of Tactical Operations Command
Soldiers, airmen, sailors, and marines of the Western Mindanao Command tendered an arrival honor to Brigadier General Arthur Cordura, the deputy commander of the Tactical Operations Command, during his visit to the troops in Camp Navarro, this city this morning (February 12).
Brigadier General Cordura paid a courtesy call to Lieutenant General Arnel Dela Vega and joined five other generals during the command conference at the WestMinCom headquarters.
Colonel Nolasco Cawaling welcomed Brigadier General Cordura upon his arrival.
http://www.westmincom.com/westmincom-tenders-arrival-honor-to-deputy-chief-of-tactical-operations-command/
Soldiers, airmen, sailors, and marines of the Western Mindanao Command tendered an arrival honor to Brigadier General Arthur Cordura, the deputy commander of the Tactical Operations Command, during his visit to the troops in Camp Navarro, this city this morning (February 12).
Brigadier General Cordura paid a courtesy call to Lieutenant General Arnel Dela Vega and joined five other generals during the command conference at the WestMinCom headquarters.
Colonel Nolasco Cawaling welcomed Brigadier General Cordura upon his arrival.
http://www.westmincom.com/westmincom-tenders-arrival-honor-to-deputy-chief-of-tactical-operations-command/
WESTMINCOM: Marine Brigade Commander visits WestMinCom troops
From the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Website (Feb 12,2019): 1st Marine Brigade Commander visits WestMinCom troops
Soldiers and non-uniformed personnel of the Western Mindanao Command welcomed Brigadier General Eugenio Hernandez, the 1st Marine Brigade Commander, during his visit to the troops in Camp Navarro, Zamboanga City at around 9am today (February 12).
Brigadier General Hernandez paid a courtesy call to Lieutenant General Arnel Dela Vega, the WestMinCom Commander, at Laong-Laan.
He joined five other generals and other officers of the WestMinCom during the command conference held this morning.
http://www.westmincom.com/1st-marine-brigade-commander-visits-westmincom-troops/
Soldiers and non-uniformed personnel of the Western Mindanao Command welcomed Brigadier General Eugenio Hernandez, the 1st Marine Brigade Commander, during his visit to the troops in Camp Navarro, Zamboanga City at around 9am today (February 12).
Brigadier General Hernandez paid a courtesy call to Lieutenant General Arnel Dela Vega, the WestMinCom Commander, at Laong-Laan.
He joined five other generals and other officers of the WestMinCom during the command conference held this morning.
http://www.westmincom.com/1st-marine-brigade-commander-visits-westmincom-troops/
WESTMINCOM: Sahiron’s follower yields to troops in Sulu
From the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Website (Feb 12,2019): Sahiron’s follower yields to troops in Sulu
As troops hunt down and pound Abu Sayyaf rebels in the jungles of Sulu, a follower of top Abu Sayyaf leader Radulan Sahiron laid down his arms on February 10.
Basari Sali, 60, surrendered to the troops of the Philippine Marine Ready Force Sulu under Colonel Armel Tolato in Panamao, Sulu on Sunday.
Barangay officials of Bulangsih and local officials of Panamao facilitated his surrender to the troops.
Sali was then presented to Lieutenant Colonel Hilario De Vera, Jr., the PMRF Sulu Deputy Commander.
Marine troops subsequently brought him to Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Hospital in Bus-bus, Jolo, Sulu before he was turned over to the Joint Task Force Sulu.
Sali also yielded a Garand rifle to the marines.
“The intensive efforts and dedication of the government troops, particularly the Fleet-Marine forces in Sulu, led to the surrender of Sali and the recovery of a loose firearm,” said Rear Admiral Rene Medina, the commander of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao.
“Your navy will continue its stand to deny and eliminate the presence of terrorists in its area of operations,” he added.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Arnel Dela Vega, the commander of the Western Mindanao Command, said, “With the escalated offensives and the pursuit of remaining terrorists, we anticipate that more Abu Sayyaf militants will be convinced to abandon the group and surrender to the troops in Sulu.”
“Nevertheless, our heightened operations will continue to crush the militants and suppress terrorism in the province,” he added.
http://www.westmincom.com/sahirons-follower-yields-to-troops-in-sulu/
As troops hunt down and pound Abu Sayyaf rebels in the jungles of Sulu, a follower of top Abu Sayyaf leader Radulan Sahiron laid down his arms on February 10.
Basari Sali, 60, surrendered to the troops of the Philippine Marine Ready Force Sulu under Colonel Armel Tolato in Panamao, Sulu on Sunday.
Barangay officials of Bulangsih and local officials of Panamao facilitated his surrender to the troops.
Sali was then presented to Lieutenant Colonel Hilario De Vera, Jr., the PMRF Sulu Deputy Commander.
Marine troops subsequently brought him to Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Hospital in Bus-bus, Jolo, Sulu before he was turned over to the Joint Task Force Sulu.
Sali also yielded a Garand rifle to the marines.
“The intensive efforts and dedication of the government troops, particularly the Fleet-Marine forces in Sulu, led to the surrender of Sali and the recovery of a loose firearm,” said Rear Admiral Rene Medina, the commander of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao.
“Your navy will continue its stand to deny and eliminate the presence of terrorists in its area of operations,” he added.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Arnel Dela Vega, the commander of the Western Mindanao Command, said, “With the escalated offensives and the pursuit of remaining terrorists, we anticipate that more Abu Sayyaf militants will be convinced to abandon the group and surrender to the troops in Sulu.”
“Nevertheless, our heightened operations will continue to crush the militants and suppress terrorism in the province,” he added.
http://www.westmincom.com/sahirons-follower-yields-to-troops-in-sulu/
WESTMINCOM: New JTF ZamPeLan commander welcomed by WestMinCom troops
From the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Website (Feb 12,2019): New JTF ZamPeLan commander welcomed by WestMinCom troops
Days after he assumed as the commander of the Joint Task Force ZamPeLan, Brigadier General Roberto Ancan visited soldiers and non-uniformed personnel of the Western Mindanao Command in this city this morning (February 12).
Brigadier General Ancan joined five other generals during the command conference and courtesy call to Lieutenant General Arnel Dela Vega in Camp Navarro early today.
http://www.westmincom.com/new-jtf-zampelan-commander-welcomed-by-westmincom-troops/
Days after he assumed as the commander of the Joint Task Force ZamPeLan, Brigadier General Roberto Ancan visited soldiers and non-uniformed personnel of the Western Mindanao Command in this city this morning (February 12).
Brigadier General Ancan joined five other generals during the command conference and courtesy call to Lieutenant General Arnel Dela Vega in Camp Navarro early today.
http://www.westmincom.com/new-jtf-zampelan-commander-welcomed-by-westmincom-troops/
WESTMINCOM: 602nd Brigade Commander visits WestMinCom in Zambo City
From the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Website (Feb 12,2019): 602nd Brigade Commander visits WestMinCom in Zambo City
Troops of the Western Mindanao Command welcomed Brigadier General Alfredo Rosario, Jr. the commander of the 602nd Infantry Brigade, during his courtesy call to Lieutenant General Arnel Dela Vega in Camp Navarro, Zamboanga City today (February 12).
Brigadier General Rosario, Jr. joined five other generals and military officers of the WestMinCom during the command conference at WestMinCom headquarters this morning.
Colonel Gerry Besana, the spokesperson of the WestMinCom, welcomed Brigadier General Rosario, Jr. upon his arrival.
http://www.westmincom.com/602nd-brigade-commander-visits-westmincom-in-zambo-city/
Troops of the Western Mindanao Command welcomed Brigadier General Alfredo Rosario, Jr. the commander of the 602nd Infantry Brigade, during his courtesy call to Lieutenant General Arnel Dela Vega in Camp Navarro, Zamboanga City today (February 12).
Brigadier General Rosario, Jr. joined five other generals and military officers of the WestMinCom during the command conference at WestMinCom headquarters this morning.
Colonel Gerry Besana, the spokesperson of the WestMinCom, welcomed Brigadier General Rosario, Jr. upon his arrival.
http://www.westmincom.com/602nd-brigade-commander-visits-westmincom-in-zambo-city/
WESTMINCOM: Mechanized Brigade Commander welcomed by troops in Zambo City
From the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Website (Feb 12,2019): 1st Mechanized Brigade Commander welcomed by troops in Zambo City
Brigadier General Robert Dauz, the 1st Mechanized Brigade Commander, visited soldiers and civilian personnel of the Western Mindanao Command during his courtesy call to Lieutenant General Arnel Dela Vega in Camp Navarro, Calarian, this city today (February 12).
Along with five other generals and other WestMinCom officers, Brigadier General Dauz attended the command conference at the WestMinCom headquarters this morning.
http://www.westmincom.com/1st-mechanized-brigade-commander-welcomed-by-troops-in-zambo-city/
Brigadier General Robert Dauz, the 1st Mechanized Brigade Commander, visited soldiers and civilian personnel of the Western Mindanao Command during his courtesy call to Lieutenant General Arnel Dela Vega in Camp Navarro, Calarian, this city today (February 12).
Along with five other generals and other WestMinCom officers, Brigadier General Dauz attended the command conference at the WestMinCom headquarters this morning.
http://www.westmincom.com/1st-mechanized-brigade-commander-welcomed-by-troops-in-zambo-city/
WESTMINCOM: 501st Brigade Commander visits WestMinCom troops
From the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Website (Feb 12,2019): 501st Brigade Commander visits WestMinCom troops
The men and women of the Western Mindanao Command welcomed Brigadier General Peter Angelo Ramos, the 501st Brigade Commander, during his visit to the troops in Camp Navarro, Calarian, this city today (February 12).
Brigadier General Ramos paid a courtesy call to Lieutenant General Arnel Dela Vega, the WestMinCom Commander, at Laong Laan this morning.
He also joined the command conference with ground commanders and other military officers at the WestMinCom headquarters.
http://www.westmincom.com/501st-brigade-commander-visits-westmincom-troops/
The men and women of the Western Mindanao Command welcomed Brigadier General Peter Angelo Ramos, the 501st Brigade Commander, during his visit to the troops in Camp Navarro, Calarian, this city today (February 12).
Brigadier General Ramos paid a courtesy call to Lieutenant General Arnel Dela Vega, the WestMinCom Commander, at Laong Laan this morning.
He also joined the command conference with ground commanders and other military officers at the WestMinCom headquarters.
http://www.westmincom.com/501st-brigade-commander-visits-westmincom-troops/
WESTMINCOM: WestMinCom reviews draft of its implementation plan
From the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Website (Feb 12,2019): WestMinCom reviews draft of its implementation plan
Civil-military, intelligence, and operations officers of the Joint Task Forces under the Western Mindanao Command reviewed yesterday, February 11, the implementation plan crafted by the triad staff as a framework and guideline of the Command.
“The implementation plan is pivotal in setting out, defining, and executing our operational objectives by laying out the means and the goals in a holistic approach. This is why we tapped ground units and deliberated on the inputs and recommendations on the proposed implementation plan,” said Lieutenant General Arnel Dela Vega, the commander of the Western Mindanao Command.
Military officers of component commands participated in the workshop held in Camp Navarro yesterday.
Early this morning, February 12, ground commanders joined the discussion on the ongoing campaign and the result of yesterday’s deliberations during the command conference presided by Lieutenant General Dela Vega.
http://www.westmincom.com/westmincom-reviews-draft-of-its-implementation-plan/
Civil-military, intelligence, and operations officers of the Joint Task Forces under the Western Mindanao Command reviewed yesterday, February 11, the implementation plan crafted by the triad staff as a framework and guideline of the Command.
“The implementation plan is pivotal in setting out, defining, and executing our operational objectives by laying out the means and the goals in a holistic approach. This is why we tapped ground units and deliberated on the inputs and recommendations on the proposed implementation plan,” said Lieutenant General Arnel Dela Vega, the commander of the Western Mindanao Command.
Military officers of component commands participated in the workshop held in Camp Navarro yesterday.
Early this morning, February 12, ground commanders joined the discussion on the ongoing campaign and the result of yesterday’s deliberations during the command conference presided by Lieutenant General Dela Vega.
http://www.westmincom.com/westmincom-reviews-draft-of-its-implementation-plan/
NUJP website latest target of 'coordinated campaign' vs critical news
From Rappler (Feb 13): NUJP website latest target of 'coordinated campaign' vs critical news
Attacks continue after earlier hits on Bulatlat, Kodao Productions, and Pinoy Weekly
The website of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) became the latest target in an ongoing series of cyberattacks against alternative, critical news organizations.
The website went down on the night of February 8, after a wave of distributed denial of services (DDoS) attack, and again on February 11. A DDoS attacks attempts to overload a web server with traffic in order to bring it down. In a statement, the NUJP described a massive attack that bombarded their site with 615 gigabytes of traffic in total.
This included a single attack that dropped 468 gigabytes on their site. This is 10 times the 50 gigabytes that brought down another alternative news site Bulatlat earlier, according to NUJP.
This wave of cyberattacks began in December 2018 which first hit the sites Pinoy Weekly, Kodao Productions, and Bulatlat. Kodao and Bulatlat were hit for a second time on January 25. The 3 are all members of the Altermidya network.
The NUJP believes these cyberattacks are "part of a coordinated campaign to undermine alternative news and critical views in the Philippines."
“The use of DDoS attacks to silence critical voices and opinions is the latest threat to press freedom. Blocking access to information is a violation of people’s rights and weakens democracy. We will stand with NUJP and the media community as they strive for press freedom," said the International Federation of Journalists, of which the NUJP is an affiliate.
https://www.rappler.com/technology/news/223360-nujp-website-latest-target-coordinated-campaign-vs-critical-news
Attacks continue after earlier hits on Bulatlat, Kodao Productions, and Pinoy Weekly
The website of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) became the latest target in an ongoing series of cyberattacks against alternative, critical news organizations.
The website went down on the night of February 8, after a wave of distributed denial of services (DDoS) attack, and again on February 11. A DDoS attacks attempts to overload a web server with traffic in order to bring it down. In a statement, the NUJP described a massive attack that bombarded their site with 615 gigabytes of traffic in total.
This included a single attack that dropped 468 gigabytes on their site. This is 10 times the 50 gigabytes that brought down another alternative news site Bulatlat earlier, according to NUJP.
This wave of cyberattacks began in December 2018 which first hit the sites Pinoy Weekly, Kodao Productions, and Bulatlat. Kodao and Bulatlat were hit for a second time on January 25. The 3 are all members of the Altermidya network.
The NUJP believes these cyberattacks are "part of a coordinated campaign to undermine alternative news and critical views in the Philippines."
“The use of DDoS attacks to silence critical voices and opinions is the latest threat to press freedom. Blocking access to information is a violation of people’s rights and weakens democracy. We will stand with NUJP and the media community as they strive for press freedom," said the International Federation of Journalists, of which the NUJP is an affiliate.
https://www.rappler.com/technology/news/223360-nujp-website-latest-target-coordinated-campaign-vs-critical-news
Bangsamoro is ARMM + Cotabato City + 63 villages in North Cotabato
From MindaNews (Feb 12, 2019): Bangsamoro is ARMM + Cotabato City + 63 villages in North Cotabato
Five provinces, three cities, 116 towns, and 63 barangays out of Mindanao’s 27 provinces, 33 cities, 422 towns and 10,084 barangays.
That will be the territorial jurisdiction of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM): the five-province, two-city, 116-town Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi, tawi and the cities of Marawi and Lamitan), Cotabato City and 63 barangays in six North Cotabato town, results of the January 21 and February 6 plebiscite show.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on January 25 proclaimed RA 11054 or the Organic Law for the BARMM ratified by majority vote in the ARMM and Cotabato City during the plebiscite on January 21. The National Plebiscite Board of Canvassers is convening at 2 p.m. Monday for the canvassing of election returns of the February 6 plebiscite in Lanao del Norte and North Cotabato.
A Comelec official checks on the ballot box during the provincial canvassing of the plebiscite on the Bangsamoro organic law in the capital town of Tubod Thursday (7 Feb 2019). MindaNews photo by FROILAN GALLARDO
Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, chair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the MILF’s nominee to the post of Bangsamoro Chief Minister, told MindaNews on Monday that “clearly, the landslide ratification of the Bangsamoro organic law and the joining of Cotabato City and the 63 barangays in North Cotabato signify the very clear acceptance as well as high optimism of the people to the Bangsamoro organic law and the BARMM.”
“This also sends a strong message of challenge to the MILF being the lead in the government,” he said.
Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi had earlier manifested they will file an election protest, citing threats and intimidation by the MILF. She told MindaNews Sunday that they will file the protest this week.
The province of Sulu voted “no” to ratification but will still be part of the BARMM because the law provides that the ARMM votes as “one geographical area,” a provision that Sulu questioned, among others, in its petition before the Supreme Court.
Lanao del Norte, North Cotabato
The six predominantly Muslim towns in Lanao del Norte – Balo-i, Munai, Nunungan, Pantar, Tagoloan and Tangcal – were proposed for inclusion in the BARMM but majority in the 22-town province rejected their inclusion. These six towns voted for inclusion in the supposed expanded ARMM in the August 14, 2001 plebiscite but remained with Lanao del Norte because Congress failed to pass a law constituting it into another province of the ARMM.
RA 11054 or the Organic Law for the BARMM provides for a double majority: even as the six towns vote “yes,” the rest must vote “yes” as well.
Moro women queue for their turn to cast their vote in Barangay Buliok, Pikit, North Cotabato during the Bangsamoro plebiscite on Feb. 6, 2019. MindaNews photo by MANMAN DEJETO
In North Cotabato, 67 villages were proposed for inclusion: 39 had voted for inclusion in the expanded ARMM in 2001 while the petitions for inclusion of the 28 other villages were approved by the Comelec last month.
Sixty-three out of 67 villages in the towns of Aleosan, Carmen, Kabacan, Midsayap, Pigcawayan, Pikit and Tulunan that were proposed for inclusion got the nod of the majority in their respective municipalities.
But Tulunan town voted against inclusion of Barangay Gabilan; Pikit rejected inclusion of Barangay Balatican but voted for the inclusion of 22 others; and Aleosan town voted “no” to the inclusion of two barangays: Pagangan and Lower Mingading. But voted “yes” to inclusion of barangays Dunguan and Tapodoc.
Pagangan’s petition for inclusion was approved last month by the Comelec. Lower Mingading had voted “yes” to inclusion in the ARMM in 2001.
The six Lanao del Norte towns proposed for inclusion are contiguous to Lanao del Sur while the North Cotabato barangays are contiguous to Maguindanao.
From RAG to ARMM to BARMM
The government and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) signed on December 23, 1976 the Tripoli Agreement providing for autonomy in 13 provinces and nine cities in Mindanao and Palawan.
These “areas of the autonomy” were to comprise the following: Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-tawi, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, North Cotabato, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Davao Del Sur, South Cotabato and Palawan and “all the cities and villages” therein.
At that time in 1979, there were nine cities situated within the autonomy areas: Zamboanga, Dipolog, Dapitan, Pagadian, Cotabato, Iligan, Marawi, General Santos in Mindanao and Puerto Princesa in Palawan.
Voters look for their names at the Sambulawan Elementary School in Barangay Sambulawan, Midsayap, North Cotabato on February 6, 2019 as a soldier stands guard. MindaNews photo by BONG SARMIENTO
But exercising his martial law powers (he declared martial law in 1972), then President Ferdinand Marcos issued Proclamation 1628 on March 25, 1977 creating two Regional Autonomous Governments (RAGs) instead of just one. He set the plebiscite date on April 17, 1977.
Marcos’ 1628 also created a provisional government covering the 13 provinces, and tasked it to prepare for the conduct of the referendum on the RAGs and election of their legislative assembly and to administer the provinces. The MNLF had negotiated for a provisional government in the Tripoli Agreement of 1976, but not this version of Marcos who named his crony, the warlord Ali Dimaporo, as head. The two RAGs were inaugurated in 1979.
The MNLF protested the Marcos administration’s unilateral decision to declare two regional autonomous governments.
In the 1977 plebiscite, three out of the 13 provinces (South Cotabato, Davao del Sur and Palawan) and two of the nine cities (General Santos and Puerto Princesa) listed under the “areas of the autonomy” of the 1976 Tripoli peace pact rejected inclusion in the RAGs.
Twelve years later, in 1989, yet another plebiscite over the same “areas of the autonomy” was held, this time to ratify RA 6734 or the Organic Act creating the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). The basis for the plebiscite was the provision in the 1987 Constitution creating the ARMM.
A voter shows the indelible ink on his finger inside the Kauswagan Central Elementary School in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte during the plebiscite on the Bangsamoro Law on Wednesday, February 6, 2019. The law proposes the inclusion of six Lanao del Norte towns to the autonomous region. MindaNews photo by BOBBY TIMONERA
The MNLF in the late 1970s had split into three: MNLF under Nur Misuari, MNLF Reformist Group under Dimas Pundato and MILF under Salamat Hashim. Pundato joined the government when Marcos was toppled by the People Power revolt but the MNLF and MILF boycotted the ratification of the 1987 Constitution and subsequently the 1989 plebiscite on the ARMM. The two fronts pushed for the implementation of the 1976 agreement “in letter and spirit.”
Only four provinces – Sulu, Tawi-tawi, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao and none of the nine cities voted for inclusion in the ARMM.
Another 12 years later, in 2001, only the Islamic City of Marawi and the province of Basilan, except Isabela City, voted yes to inclusion in a supposed “expanded” ARMM. The plebiscite was to ratify RA 9054, the law that was supposed to have incorporated the provisions of the 1996 “Final Peace Agreement” with the MNLF and allow for expansion of the ARMM.
The MNLF again boycotted the plebiscite, claiming RA 9054 rendered the autonomous region “less autonomous than it was under RA 6734. The MILF by then was still negotiating peace with the government.
A member of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, the soon-to-be-decommissioned armed wing of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front waits for his turn to check his name on the voters’ list outside a voting precinct in Kabasalan Elementary School in Barangay Kabasalan, Pikit, North Cotabato, on 06 February 2019. MindaNews photo by CAROLYN O. ARGUILLAS
Since 2001, ARMM had been composed of five Moro-dominated provinces: Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi and the city of Marawi. Lamitan in Basilan became the second city in the ARMM when it was converted into a city in 2007.
In the 2019 plebiscite, the areas that would form the BARMM are the five-province, two-city, 116-town ARMM plus Cotabato City and 63 villages in six North Cotabato towns.
https://www.mindanews.com/peace-process/2019/02/bangsamoro-is-armm-cotabato-city-63-villages-in-north-cotabato1/
Five provinces, three cities, 116 towns, and 63 barangays out of Mindanao’s 27 provinces, 33 cities, 422 towns and 10,084 barangays.
That will be the territorial jurisdiction of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM): the five-province, two-city, 116-town Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi, tawi and the cities of Marawi and Lamitan), Cotabato City and 63 barangays in six North Cotabato town, results of the January 21 and February 6 plebiscite show.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on January 25 proclaimed RA 11054 or the Organic Law for the BARMM ratified by majority vote in the ARMM and Cotabato City during the plebiscite on January 21. The National Plebiscite Board of Canvassers is convening at 2 p.m. Monday for the canvassing of election returns of the February 6 plebiscite in Lanao del Norte and North Cotabato.
A Comelec official checks on the ballot box during the provincial canvassing of the plebiscite on the Bangsamoro organic law in the capital town of Tubod Thursday (7 Feb 2019). MindaNews photo by FROILAN GALLARDO
Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, chair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the MILF’s nominee to the post of Bangsamoro Chief Minister, told MindaNews on Monday that “clearly, the landslide ratification of the Bangsamoro organic law and the joining of Cotabato City and the 63 barangays in North Cotabato signify the very clear acceptance as well as high optimism of the people to the Bangsamoro organic law and the BARMM.”
“This also sends a strong message of challenge to the MILF being the lead in the government,” he said.
Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi had earlier manifested they will file an election protest, citing threats and intimidation by the MILF. She told MindaNews Sunday that they will file the protest this week.
The province of Sulu voted “no” to ratification but will still be part of the BARMM because the law provides that the ARMM votes as “one geographical area,” a provision that Sulu questioned, among others, in its petition before the Supreme Court.
Lanao del Norte, North Cotabato
The six predominantly Muslim towns in Lanao del Norte – Balo-i, Munai, Nunungan, Pantar, Tagoloan and Tangcal – were proposed for inclusion in the BARMM but majority in the 22-town province rejected their inclusion. These six towns voted for inclusion in the supposed expanded ARMM in the August 14, 2001 plebiscite but remained with Lanao del Norte because Congress failed to pass a law constituting it into another province of the ARMM.
RA 11054 or the Organic Law for the BARMM provides for a double majority: even as the six towns vote “yes,” the rest must vote “yes” as well.
Moro women queue for their turn to cast their vote in Barangay Buliok, Pikit, North Cotabato during the Bangsamoro plebiscite on Feb. 6, 2019. MindaNews photo by MANMAN DEJETO
In North Cotabato, 67 villages were proposed for inclusion: 39 had voted for inclusion in the expanded ARMM in 2001 while the petitions for inclusion of the 28 other villages were approved by the Comelec last month.
Sixty-three out of 67 villages in the towns of Aleosan, Carmen, Kabacan, Midsayap, Pigcawayan, Pikit and Tulunan that were proposed for inclusion got the nod of the majority in their respective municipalities.
But Tulunan town voted against inclusion of Barangay Gabilan; Pikit rejected inclusion of Barangay Balatican but voted for the inclusion of 22 others; and Aleosan town voted “no” to the inclusion of two barangays: Pagangan and Lower Mingading. But voted “yes” to inclusion of barangays Dunguan and Tapodoc.
Pagangan’s petition for inclusion was approved last month by the Comelec. Lower Mingading had voted “yes” to inclusion in the ARMM in 2001.
The six Lanao del Norte towns proposed for inclusion are contiguous to Lanao del Sur while the North Cotabato barangays are contiguous to Maguindanao.
From RAG to ARMM to BARMM
The government and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) signed on December 23, 1976 the Tripoli Agreement providing for autonomy in 13 provinces and nine cities in Mindanao and Palawan.
These “areas of the autonomy” were to comprise the following: Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-tawi, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, North Cotabato, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Davao Del Sur, South Cotabato and Palawan and “all the cities and villages” therein.
At that time in 1979, there were nine cities situated within the autonomy areas: Zamboanga, Dipolog, Dapitan, Pagadian, Cotabato, Iligan, Marawi, General Santos in Mindanao and Puerto Princesa in Palawan.
Voters look for their names at the Sambulawan Elementary School in Barangay Sambulawan, Midsayap, North Cotabato on February 6, 2019 as a soldier stands guard. MindaNews photo by BONG SARMIENTO
But exercising his martial law powers (he declared martial law in 1972), then President Ferdinand Marcos issued Proclamation 1628 on March 25, 1977 creating two Regional Autonomous Governments (RAGs) instead of just one. He set the plebiscite date on April 17, 1977.
Marcos’ 1628 also created a provisional government covering the 13 provinces, and tasked it to prepare for the conduct of the referendum on the RAGs and election of their legislative assembly and to administer the provinces. The MNLF had negotiated for a provisional government in the Tripoli Agreement of 1976, but not this version of Marcos who named his crony, the warlord Ali Dimaporo, as head. The two RAGs were inaugurated in 1979.
The MNLF protested the Marcos administration’s unilateral decision to declare two regional autonomous governments.
In the 1977 plebiscite, three out of the 13 provinces (South Cotabato, Davao del Sur and Palawan) and two of the nine cities (General Santos and Puerto Princesa) listed under the “areas of the autonomy” of the 1976 Tripoli peace pact rejected inclusion in the RAGs.
Twelve years later, in 1989, yet another plebiscite over the same “areas of the autonomy” was held, this time to ratify RA 6734 or the Organic Act creating the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). The basis for the plebiscite was the provision in the 1987 Constitution creating the ARMM.
A voter shows the indelible ink on his finger inside the Kauswagan Central Elementary School in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte during the plebiscite on the Bangsamoro Law on Wednesday, February 6, 2019. The law proposes the inclusion of six Lanao del Norte towns to the autonomous region. MindaNews photo by BOBBY TIMONERA
The MNLF in the late 1970s had split into three: MNLF under Nur Misuari, MNLF Reformist Group under Dimas Pundato and MILF under Salamat Hashim. Pundato joined the government when Marcos was toppled by the People Power revolt but the MNLF and MILF boycotted the ratification of the 1987 Constitution and subsequently the 1989 plebiscite on the ARMM. The two fronts pushed for the implementation of the 1976 agreement “in letter and spirit.”
Only four provinces – Sulu, Tawi-tawi, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao and none of the nine cities voted for inclusion in the ARMM.
Another 12 years later, in 2001, only the Islamic City of Marawi and the province of Basilan, except Isabela City, voted yes to inclusion in a supposed “expanded” ARMM. The plebiscite was to ratify RA 9054, the law that was supposed to have incorporated the provisions of the 1996 “Final Peace Agreement” with the MNLF and allow for expansion of the ARMM.
The MNLF again boycotted the plebiscite, claiming RA 9054 rendered the autonomous region “less autonomous than it was under RA 6734. The MILF by then was still negotiating peace with the government.
A member of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, the soon-to-be-decommissioned armed wing of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front waits for his turn to check his name on the voters’ list outside a voting precinct in Kabasalan Elementary School in Barangay Kabasalan, Pikit, North Cotabato, on 06 February 2019. MindaNews photo by CAROLYN O. ARGUILLAS
Since 2001, ARMM had been composed of five Moro-dominated provinces: Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi and the city of Marawi. Lamitan in Basilan became the second city in the ARMM when it was converted into a city in 2007.
In the 2019 plebiscite, the areas that would form the BARMM are the five-province, two-city, 116-town ARMM plus Cotabato City and 63 villages in six North Cotabato towns.
https://www.mindanews.com/peace-process/2019/02/bangsamoro-is-armm-cotabato-city-63-villages-in-north-cotabato1/
Marines expose deception of rebel groups
From the Philippine Information Agency (Feb 12, 2019): Marines expose deception of rebel groups
LTC. Fidel Macatangay, MBLT-10 commander, dicusses their community immersion activities to media practitioners during the recent 'Tipon-Tipan sa PIA'. (Photo by PIA-2)
TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan -- The Marine Battalion Landing Team-10 based in Sta. Ana town recently conducted a dialogue with barangay officials and their constituents to counter the deceiving tactics and recruitment activities conducted by rebel groups in some parts of the province.
Lieutenant Colonel Fidel Macatangay, battalion commander, said they are now conducting community immersion programs particularly to those New People’s Army-influenced areas.
Aside from dialogues, Macatangay said they also gather pressing and common problems of the local folks during the immersion which were properly endorsed to concerned government agencies for appropriate action.
“We need to let them know that the government is always ready to protect, provide for and invest in its people. We have a number of government programs that these people can avail,” Macatangay said during his recent guesting at the Philippine Information Agency’s Tipon-Tipan broadcast program.
He said most of the projects that the community folks requested include barangay road developments, land reforms, livelihood programs and scholarship grants.
Macatangay, on the other hand, encouraged rebel groups to return to the fold of the law and have the chance to avail of the various programs and services provided by the government for rebel returnees.
Among these programs, he said is the Comprehensive Livelihood Integration Program, a complete package of assistance given to former rebels who voluntarily abandoned the armed struggle and opted to become productive members of the society.
LTC. Fidel Macatangay, MBLT-10 commander, dicusses their community immersion activities to media practitioners during the recent 'Tipon-Tipan sa PIA'. (Photo by PIA-2)
TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan -- The Marine Battalion Landing Team-10 based in Sta. Ana town recently conducted a dialogue with barangay officials and their constituents to counter the deceiving tactics and recruitment activities conducted by rebel groups in some parts of the province.
Lieutenant Colonel Fidel Macatangay, battalion commander, said they are now conducting community immersion programs particularly to those New People’s Army-influenced areas.
Aside from dialogues, Macatangay said they also gather pressing and common problems of the local folks during the immersion which were properly endorsed to concerned government agencies for appropriate action.
“We need to let them know that the government is always ready to protect, provide for and invest in its people. We have a number of government programs that these people can avail,” Macatangay said during his recent guesting at the Philippine Information Agency’s Tipon-Tipan broadcast program.
He said most of the projects that the community folks requested include barangay road developments, land reforms, livelihood programs and scholarship grants.
Macatangay, on the other hand, encouraged rebel groups to return to the fold of the law and have the chance to avail of the various programs and services provided by the government for rebel returnees.
Among these programs, he said is the Comprehensive Livelihood Integration Program, a complete package of assistance given to former rebels who voluntarily abandoned the armed struggle and opted to become productive members of the society.
2 NPA fighters surrender with their IEDs in Compostela Valley
From the Philippine Information Agency (Feb 13, 2019): 2 NPA fighters surrender with their IEDs in Compostela Valley
A surrenderer presents himself to 1st Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Col. Esteveyn Ducusin and Mawab Mayor Ruperto Gonzaga III. (71st Infantry Battalion)
NABUNTURAN, Compostela Valley (PIA) –Two self-confessed members of the New People’s Army (NPA) have surrendered with their war materials to the military, the chief of civil military operations of the 71st Infantry Battalion (IB) said Friday.
1st Lt. Jhocell Asis said “Marco,” 23, and “Janggoy,” 24, also surrendered three pieces of 15-kilo improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to Lt. Col. Esteveyn Ducusin, the commanders of the 71st IB.
The former rebels were welcomed by Mawab Mayor Ruperto Gonzaga III, who facilitated their formal handover, and escorted to Ducusin in Mawab town on Thursday.
Explaining the implication of the surrender, Ducusin said “the relentless efforts of the 71st IB in our area of operation impede the operation of NPA because mass supporters switched to trust military personnel.”
He denounced the communist movement for using IEDs, which he said have killed innocent civilians.
Asis said the surrendered IEDs were buried in Barangay Andili in Mawab by a certain “Rashed/Macdel,” a former commanding officer of the NPA’s Section Committee 27, who allegedly tasked “Marco” and “Janggoy” to watch over the war materials.
At the handover, “Marco” narrated that he was a squad leader, vice political instructor and vice commanding officer under Guerilla Front 27, Sub-Regional Committee 2 of the NPA’s Southern Mindanao Regional Command.
“Marco” was recruited by a certain “Val” to join the movement’s black propaganda to project it as the champion of the oppressed and make the government look corrupt.
Before becoming a full-time NPA member, “Marco” underwent seminars for communist cadres.
He admitted that he participated in an encounter with government forces at Bantayan, New Bataan in 2018.
As to “Janggoy,” the former squad medic for fellow guerillas in Guerilla Front 27 is a daughter of “Binoy,” also a known NPA member in Mawab.
She said it was her father who convinced her to join the movement. Ironically, it was his death during an encounter with government forces that prompted her to defect to the authorities.
“Janggoy” said she became disillusioned with the communist movement when her fellow guerillas left the lifeless body of her father during an encounter with government forces at Barangay Parasonon, Maragusan town in 2016.
During the formal handover, the mother of “Janggoy” expressed resentment towards the NPA, blaming the underground movement for the death of her husband and the family dysfunction.
Asis said the former rebels will be enrolled in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Intergration Program for livelihood and other necessary assistance.
The NPA is the armed wing of the underground Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), which has waged a Maoist rebellion since 1969 that has left thousands dead.
The Philippine government has a pending court petition to have the CPP-NPA designated as terrorists.
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1018243
A surrenderer presents himself to 1st Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Col. Esteveyn Ducusin and Mawab Mayor Ruperto Gonzaga III. (71st Infantry Battalion)
NABUNTURAN, Compostela Valley (PIA) –Two self-confessed members of the New People’s Army (NPA) have surrendered with their war materials to the military, the chief of civil military operations of the 71st Infantry Battalion (IB) said Friday.
1st Lt. Jhocell Asis said “Marco,” 23, and “Janggoy,” 24, also surrendered three pieces of 15-kilo improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to Lt. Col. Esteveyn Ducusin, the commanders of the 71st IB.
The former rebels were welcomed by Mawab Mayor Ruperto Gonzaga III, who facilitated their formal handover, and escorted to Ducusin in Mawab town on Thursday.
Explaining the implication of the surrender, Ducusin said “the relentless efforts of the 71st IB in our area of operation impede the operation of NPA because mass supporters switched to trust military personnel.”
He denounced the communist movement for using IEDs, which he said have killed innocent civilians.
Asis said the surrendered IEDs were buried in Barangay Andili in Mawab by a certain “Rashed/Macdel,” a former commanding officer of the NPA’s Section Committee 27, who allegedly tasked “Marco” and “Janggoy” to watch over the war materials.
At the handover, “Marco” narrated that he was a squad leader, vice political instructor and vice commanding officer under Guerilla Front 27, Sub-Regional Committee 2 of the NPA’s Southern Mindanao Regional Command.
“Marco” was recruited by a certain “Val” to join the movement’s black propaganda to project it as the champion of the oppressed and make the government look corrupt.
Before becoming a full-time NPA member, “Marco” underwent seminars for communist cadres.
He admitted that he participated in an encounter with government forces at Bantayan, New Bataan in 2018.
As to “Janggoy,” the former squad medic for fellow guerillas in Guerilla Front 27 is a daughter of “Binoy,” also a known NPA member in Mawab.
She said it was her father who convinced her to join the movement. Ironically, it was his death during an encounter with government forces that prompted her to defect to the authorities.
“Janggoy” said she became disillusioned with the communist movement when her fellow guerillas left the lifeless body of her father during an encounter with government forces at Barangay Parasonon, Maragusan town in 2016.
During the formal handover, the mother of “Janggoy” expressed resentment towards the NPA, blaming the underground movement for the death of her husband and the family dysfunction.
Asis said the former rebels will be enrolled in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Intergration Program for livelihood and other necessary assistance.
The NPA is the armed wing of the underground Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), which has waged a Maoist rebellion since 1969 that has left thousands dead.
The Philippine government has a pending court petition to have the CPP-NPA designated as terrorists.
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1018243
We don’t need NPA, we’re distributing lands: Duterte
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 12, 2019): We don’t need NPA, we’re distributing lands: Duterte
It is unnecessary to join the communist struggle because the government is willing to distribute lands, President Rodrigo R. Duterte said on Monday.
He made this remark in his speech before more than 700 beneficiaries during the ceremonial distribution of Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) in Buluan, Maguindanao.
“Up to now, I have about 60,000 hectares already nung na-Presidente ako (when I became President). Hindi na natin kailangan ang NPA (We no longer need the New People's Army). What for?” Duterte said in his speech.
“‘Yan man ang mga kampanya nila -- ibigay nila ang lupa sa tao. Kaya ko mang ibigay ‘yan. Ibinibigay ko na nga (Their campaign is to give land to the people. I can give them that. I have actually already given land),” he added.
Duterte also slammed Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman Jose Maria “Joma” Sison for justifying the communist rebels’ collection of revolutionary taxes for what the exiled revolutionary leader calls the “people’s government.”
“Ano bang hindi namin maibigay? Fifty-three years kayong nakipaglabanan sa gobyerno, ni hindi kayo makahawak ng isang barangay. Tapos gusto niyo patayan lang palagi (What can’t we give? You’ve been fighting against the government for 53 years and you can’t even conquer one barangay. Then you just want to perpetrate the killing),” he said.
The President described the collection of revolutionary taxes as a form of extortion.
“Tapos mag-dream ka na kailangan ka mag-extort kasi ‘yung inyong gobyerno kailangan mabuhay. ‘Yun ang statement ni Sison. Anong gobyerno? Kailan ka ba nagkaroon ng gobyerno? (And then you dream that you need to extort money because your government needs to be funded. That’s Sison’s statement. What government? When did you ever have your own government?)" he added.
Last week, Duterte offered to reopen peace talks but Sison shut it down and described it as an “insult to the revolutionary movement.”
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo advised Sison to instead rejoin society and contribute his intellect and expertise to peaceful dialogues for the betterment of all Filipinos.
“Sison must step down from his ivory tower and extend his hands for peace, for his own sake, for his followers, for the Filipino people, for his country he loves so well,” Panelo said.
“It is time to rejoin society. There is nothing dishonorable in accepting defeat. There is another path for change other than armed struggle. Filipinos cannot continue killing Filipinos,” he added.
In 2017, Duterte terminated peace talks with the communist rebels following continued attacks against government troops and their insistence to collect revolutionary taxes.
The CPP-NPA has been tagged as a terror group by the United States and the European Union.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1061624
It is unnecessary to join the communist struggle because the government is willing to distribute lands, President Rodrigo R. Duterte said on Monday.
He made this remark in his speech before more than 700 beneficiaries during the ceremonial distribution of Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) in Buluan, Maguindanao.
“Up to now, I have about 60,000 hectares already nung na-Presidente ako (when I became President). Hindi na natin kailangan ang NPA (We no longer need the New People's Army). What for?” Duterte said in his speech.
“‘Yan man ang mga kampanya nila -- ibigay nila ang lupa sa tao. Kaya ko mang ibigay ‘yan. Ibinibigay ko na nga (Their campaign is to give land to the people. I can give them that. I have actually already given land),” he added.
Duterte also slammed Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman Jose Maria “Joma” Sison for justifying the communist rebels’ collection of revolutionary taxes for what the exiled revolutionary leader calls the “people’s government.”
“Ano bang hindi namin maibigay? Fifty-three years kayong nakipaglabanan sa gobyerno, ni hindi kayo makahawak ng isang barangay. Tapos gusto niyo patayan lang palagi (What can’t we give? You’ve been fighting against the government for 53 years and you can’t even conquer one barangay. Then you just want to perpetrate the killing),” he said.
The President described the collection of revolutionary taxes as a form of extortion.
“Tapos mag-dream ka na kailangan ka mag-extort kasi ‘yung inyong gobyerno kailangan mabuhay. ‘Yun ang statement ni Sison. Anong gobyerno? Kailan ka ba nagkaroon ng gobyerno? (And then you dream that you need to extort money because your government needs to be funded. That’s Sison’s statement. What government? When did you ever have your own government?)" he added.
Last week, Duterte offered to reopen peace talks but Sison shut it down and described it as an “insult to the revolutionary movement.”
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo advised Sison to instead rejoin society and contribute his intellect and expertise to peaceful dialogues for the betterment of all Filipinos.
“Sison must step down from his ivory tower and extend his hands for peace, for his own sake, for his followers, for the Filipino people, for his country he loves so well,” Panelo said.
“It is time to rejoin society. There is nothing dishonorable in accepting defeat. There is another path for change other than armed struggle. Filipinos cannot continue killing Filipinos,” he added.
In 2017, Duterte terminated peace talks with the communist rebels following continued attacks against government troops and their insistence to collect revolutionary taxes.
The CPP-NPA has been tagged as a terror group by the United States and the European Union.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1061624
Mandatory ROTC necessary to instill patriotism among youth: AFP
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 12, 2019): Mandatory ROTC necessary to instill patriotism among youth: AFP
A mandatory Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program will help instill the need and value of protecting the nation to the youth.
Col. Noel Detoyato, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief, made this comment when sought for a reaction regarding the House of Representatives' approval on second reading of a proposed bill seeking to reinstate mandatory ROTC for Grades 11 and 12.
"The AFP believes it is time to bring back mandatory ROTC in schools to ensure that the youth are shaped with a deep sense of patriotism and love for country," Detoyato said in a message to the Philippine News Agency Monday night.
Since protecting the nation is a concern of every citizen, mandatory ROTC enrolment will help instill this to the youth.
"It will also help the AFP in further strengthening its reserve force to augment the regular force in external defense and disaster response," the AFP official added.
House Bill 8961 seeks to amend for the purpose Republic Act 7077 or the Citizen Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act. Under the proposed measure, ROTC training would apply to “all students in Grades 11 and 12 in all senior high schools in public and private educational institutions.”
The bill also states that ROTC training shall be a requirement for graduation.
As provided, the following students may be exempted: those who are physically or psychologically unfit; those who have undergone or are undergoing similar military training; those who are chosen by their school to serve as the school’s varsity players in sports competition; and those who may be exempted from training for valid reasons as approved by the Department of National Defense, upon recommendation by an educational institution where the concerned student is enrolled.
The proposed measure also strictly prohibits the use of ROTC training for “political” objective and for teaching and instilling a particular political ideology on students.
House Bill 8961 also specifically bans hazing and other forms of physical or mental abuse.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1061627
A mandatory Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program will help instill the need and value of protecting the nation to the youth.
Col. Noel Detoyato, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief, made this comment when sought for a reaction regarding the House of Representatives' approval on second reading of a proposed bill seeking to reinstate mandatory ROTC for Grades 11 and 12.
"The AFP believes it is time to bring back mandatory ROTC in schools to ensure that the youth are shaped with a deep sense of patriotism and love for country," Detoyato said in a message to the Philippine News Agency Monday night.
Since protecting the nation is a concern of every citizen, mandatory ROTC enrolment will help instill this to the youth.
"It will also help the AFP in further strengthening its reserve force to augment the regular force in external defense and disaster response," the AFP official added.
House Bill 8961 seeks to amend for the purpose Republic Act 7077 or the Citizen Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act. Under the proposed measure, ROTC training would apply to “all students in Grades 11 and 12 in all senior high schools in public and private educational institutions.”
The bill also states that ROTC training shall be a requirement for graduation.
As provided, the following students may be exempted: those who are physically or psychologically unfit; those who have undergone or are undergoing similar military training; those who are chosen by their school to serve as the school’s varsity players in sports competition; and those who may be exempted from training for valid reasons as approved by the Department of National Defense, upon recommendation by an educational institution where the concerned student is enrolled.
The proposed measure also strictly prohibits the use of ROTC training for “political” objective and for teaching and instilling a particular political ideology on students.
House Bill 8961 also specifically bans hazing and other forms of physical or mental abuse.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1061627
AFP medical units ready to help DOH vs. measles outbreak
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 12, 2019): AFP medical units ready to help DOH vs. measles outbreak
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), through its medical units, is more than ready to help the Department of Health (DOH) in administering measles vaccines to stem the outbreak of the deadly disease.
"The AFP is always ready to provide assistance should the Department of Health seek its help in facilitating the nationwide mandatory measles vaccination," AFP public affairs office chief, Col. Noel Detoyato told the Philippine News Agency Monday night.
"Barangay and municipal health teams have always had close coordination with the AFP’s line units. There is an established mechanism on the ground if ever they will need support from the military," Detoyato added.
The DOH Epidemiology Bureau (EB) reported a total of 4,302 measles cases with 70 deaths from January 1 to February 9 this year.
Ages of cases ranged from one month up to 75 years old. Children from one to four years old make up 34 percent of the total cases.
It is followed by children who are less than nine months with 27 percent rate.
The DOH EB said 66 percent of the total cases had no history of vaccination against measles while 79 percent of those who died had no history of vaccination.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1061629
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), through its medical units, is more than ready to help the Department of Health (DOH) in administering measles vaccines to stem the outbreak of the deadly disease.
"The AFP is always ready to provide assistance should the Department of Health seek its help in facilitating the nationwide mandatory measles vaccination," AFP public affairs office chief, Col. Noel Detoyato told the Philippine News Agency Monday night.
"Barangay and municipal health teams have always had close coordination with the AFP’s line units. There is an established mechanism on the ground if ever they will need support from the military," Detoyato added.
The DOH Epidemiology Bureau (EB) reported a total of 4,302 measles cases with 70 deaths from January 1 to February 9 this year.
Ages of cases ranged from one month up to 75 years old. Children from one to four years old make up 34 percent of the total cases.
It is followed by children who are less than nine months with 27 percent rate.
The DOH EB said 66 percent of the total cases had no history of vaccination against measles while 79 percent of those who died had no history of vaccination.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1061629
PH Army distributes field ambulances to battalions
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 12, 2019): PH Army distributes field ambulances to battalions
The Philippine Army (PA) has started the distribution of field ambulances to the battalion level as part of ongoing efforts to upgrade its medical units.
This was disclosed by Lt. Col. Louie Villanueva, Army spokesperson, when asked for updates on the PA's medical service upgrade initiative.
"Distribution of field medical ambulance per battalion (is among the ongoing efforts)," Villanueva said in a message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA) late Monday.
A battalion is an Army formation consisting of around 300 to 900 officers and enlisted personnel.
Aside from this, the Army has also distributed first-aid kits for individual soldiers and combat life-saving kit per platoon as immediate means to treat and save lives in combat situation.
"Continuous upgrade of basic facilities of Army's hospital and medical dispensaries (ex. ward, X-ray, surgical, isolation room) and lastly, our way ahead is to come up with a mobile field hospital that can provide immediate treatment to combat casualties (trauma capable, can conduct surgical operations, X-ray, etc.)," Villanueva said.
Earlier, the PA said improvement of its medical services and support capabilities, to ensure the survival of troops wounded in combats, is one of the ongoing priority thrusts.
"Medical treatment facilities and procedures are continuously being upgraded to be responsive to the operational requirements of the tactical units," Villanueva added.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1061630
The Philippine Army (PA) has started the distribution of field ambulances to the battalion level as part of ongoing efforts to upgrade its medical units.
This was disclosed by Lt. Col. Louie Villanueva, Army spokesperson, when asked for updates on the PA's medical service upgrade initiative.
"Distribution of field medical ambulance per battalion (is among the ongoing efforts)," Villanueva said in a message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA) late Monday.
A battalion is an Army formation consisting of around 300 to 900 officers and enlisted personnel.
Aside from this, the Army has also distributed first-aid kits for individual soldiers and combat life-saving kit per platoon as immediate means to treat and save lives in combat situation.
"Continuous upgrade of basic facilities of Army's hospital and medical dispensaries (ex. ward, X-ray, surgical, isolation room) and lastly, our way ahead is to come up with a mobile field hospital that can provide immediate treatment to combat casualties (trauma capable, can conduct surgical operations, X-ray, etc.)," Villanueva said.
Earlier, the PA said improvement of its medical services and support capabilities, to ensure the survival of troops wounded in combats, is one of the ongoing priority thrusts.
"Medical treatment facilities and procedures are continuously being upgraded to be responsive to the operational requirements of the tactical units," Villanueva added.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1061630
AFP lauds US aid to enhance PH intel capabilities
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 12, 2019): AFP lauds US aid to enhance PH intel capabilities
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) welcomed the United States' commitment to provide PHP300 million to the country for the enhancement of its intelligence-gathering capabilities, which can be used in the ongoing campaign against terrorism.
"Any help from our allies is always welcome, especially that we have a common enemy, (which is) global terrorism," AFP public affairs office chief, Col. Noel Detoyato said in a message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA) when sought for comment on the donation Tuesday.
Malacañang on Monday announced that the US government has committed to provide the Philippines with PHP300 million to enhance the country’s intelligence-gathering capabilities.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo welcomed this development and described it as proof of strong ties between Manila and Washington.
Detoyato, however, said in the fight against terrorism, strong support of the populace is needed, so that this threat can be fully neutralized.
"However, in the fight to acquire the most relevant, timely and accurate actionable information, technology, which money can buy and trainings which consume funds, the human factor is an indispensable source. So the support of the populace is of paramount importance in the fight against terrorism," he added.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1061649
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) welcomed the United States' commitment to provide PHP300 million to the country for the enhancement of its intelligence-gathering capabilities, which can be used in the ongoing campaign against terrorism.
"Any help from our allies is always welcome, especially that we have a common enemy, (which is) global terrorism," AFP public affairs office chief, Col. Noel Detoyato said in a message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA) when sought for comment on the donation Tuesday.
Malacañang on Monday announced that the US government has committed to provide the Philippines with PHP300 million to enhance the country’s intelligence-gathering capabilities.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo welcomed this development and described it as proof of strong ties between Manila and Washington.
Detoyato, however, said in the fight against terrorism, strong support of the populace is needed, so that this threat can be fully neutralized.
"However, in the fight to acquire the most relevant, timely and accurate actionable information, technology, which money can buy and trainings which consume funds, the human factor is an indispensable source. So the support of the populace is of paramount importance in the fight against terrorism," he added.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1061649
AFP plans chief, ex-spox Padilla retires
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 12, 2019): AFP plans chief, ex-spox Padilla retires
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Deputy Chief-of-Staff for Plans and former spokesperson, Major Gen. Restituto Padilla, formally retired from the service.
AFP Chief-of-Staff Gen. Benjamin Madrigal presided over Padilla's retirement ceremony at the General Headquarters Building in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Tuesday.
Padilla will reach the military mandatory retirement age of 56 on February 14.
“Major Gen. Padilla has proven himself to be an accomplished military-diplomat and strategic thinker. As chief planner and strategist, he led the office in different endeavors towards the attainment of the AFP’s objective through the sound implementation of its mission and programs,” Madrigal said.
Padilla served as the AFP deputy chief-of-staff for plans or J-5, in military parlance, for almost one year and six months starting September 2017.
During his stint, he supervised the AFP’s international affairs in various bilateral engagements with allied nations, as well as the approval of the Standard Operating Procedures on the General Policies and Guidelines in the Conduct of AFP International Defense and Security Engagements (IDSE).
He also led the formulation of the complete 15-year Revised AFP Modernization program that will allow the implementation and continuous support to the modernization of the Armed Forces.
Moreover, he facilitated the activation of the AFP Systems Engineering Office (AFPSEO) and the AFP International Military Affairs Center (AFP IMAC) to rationalize the Defense and Armed Forces Attaché postings and other IDSE commitments.
Prior his appointment to J-5, Padilla was the assistant deputy chief-of-staff for civil-military operations, J-7 and AFP spokesperson since November 2014. He was also the former AFP liaison officer to the US Pacific Command in Honolulu, Hawaii from 2011 to 2014.
His military career began when he entered the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in 1981, later graduating with the PMA Class of 1985.
Following his graduation from the academy, he joined the Philippine Air Force and earned his Aviator (Pilot) Wings from the PAF Flying School in 1987.
Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Cornelio Valencia Jr., the current assistant deputy chief-of-staff for plans, AJ-5 will assume Padilla’s position in an acting capacity. He was previously assigned as the Philippine Army’s assistant chief-of-staff for plans and programs, G-5.
“Having been assigned to various leadership and staff positions in the Army, I can personally vouch that Brig. Gen. Valencia Jr. embodies the values and the character that will fit well for the post,” Madrigal said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1061663
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Deputy Chief-of-Staff for Plans and former spokesperson, Major Gen. Restituto Padilla, formally retired from the service.
AFP Chief-of-Staff Gen. Benjamin Madrigal presided over Padilla's retirement ceremony at the General Headquarters Building in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Tuesday.
Padilla will reach the military mandatory retirement age of 56 on February 14.
“Major Gen. Padilla has proven himself to be an accomplished military-diplomat and strategic thinker. As chief planner and strategist, he led the office in different endeavors towards the attainment of the AFP’s objective through the sound implementation of its mission and programs,” Madrigal said.
Padilla served as the AFP deputy chief-of-staff for plans or J-5, in military parlance, for almost one year and six months starting September 2017.
During his stint, he supervised the AFP’s international affairs in various bilateral engagements with allied nations, as well as the approval of the Standard Operating Procedures on the General Policies and Guidelines in the Conduct of AFP International Defense and Security Engagements (IDSE).
He also led the formulation of the complete 15-year Revised AFP Modernization program that will allow the implementation and continuous support to the modernization of the Armed Forces.
Moreover, he facilitated the activation of the AFP Systems Engineering Office (AFPSEO) and the AFP International Military Affairs Center (AFP IMAC) to rationalize the Defense and Armed Forces Attaché postings and other IDSE commitments.
Prior his appointment to J-5, Padilla was the assistant deputy chief-of-staff for civil-military operations, J-7 and AFP spokesperson since November 2014. He was also the former AFP liaison officer to the US Pacific Command in Honolulu, Hawaii from 2011 to 2014.
His military career began when he entered the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in 1981, later graduating with the PMA Class of 1985.
Following his graduation from the academy, he joined the Philippine Air Force and earned his Aviator (Pilot) Wings from the PAF Flying School in 1987.
Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Cornelio Valencia Jr., the current assistant deputy chief-of-staff for plans, AJ-5 will assume Padilla’s position in an acting capacity. He was previously assigned as the Philippine Army’s assistant chief-of-staff for plans and programs, G-5.
“Having been assigned to various leadership and staff positions in the Army, I can personally vouch that Brig. Gen. Valencia Jr. embodies the values and the character that will fit well for the post,” Madrigal said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1061663
ASG member nabbed in Manila
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 12, 2019): ASG member nabbed in Manila
Police and military troops arrested a member of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) who they said was involved in the Kidapawan bus terminal bombing the left seven persons dead and two dozen others wounded in October 2012.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) head, Director Guillermo Eleazar on Tuesday said suspect Abdurahman Mataud Daiyung was arrested in Ermita in Manila on Sunday morning.
Daiyung has a standing arrest warrant for kidnapping and serious illegal detention in connection with his active participation in the ASG's 2001 kidnapping of 15 employees of Golden Harvest Plantation in Barangay Tairan, Lantawan, Basilan, led by the late Isnilon Hapilon.
The local court will be duly informed of the arrest in the procedural return of warrant process as soon as documentation and debriefing are completed.
Eleazar said Daiyung’s arrest stemmed from the information provided to the police by Sudias Asmad, 25, another suspect in the kidnapping of the plantation employees.
Asmad was arrested in Binondo, Manila on December 20.
Eleazar said Asmad and Daiyung were both positively identified by their victims as among those who held them.
He said they have yet to obtain information on the possible involvement of the two suspects in any terror plot in the National Capital Region (NCR).
Eleazar, however, clarified that there is nothing to worry about the arrest of several ASG members in the region.
"There is nothing alarming because Abu Sayyaf has active and inactive members. They also have sympathizers and supporters. Right now, we are determining whether he is an active member because our basis for his arrest is the warrant of arrest for a case that happened a long time ago," he told reporters in a press briefing in Camp Crame.
While they have yet to determine how many ASG members are in Metro Manila, Eleazar assured that the police are gathering information to foil any terror plot.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1061667
Police and military troops arrested a member of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) who they said was involved in the Kidapawan bus terminal bombing the left seven persons dead and two dozen others wounded in October 2012.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) head, Director Guillermo Eleazar on Tuesday said suspect Abdurahman Mataud Daiyung was arrested in Ermita in Manila on Sunday morning.
Daiyung has a standing arrest warrant for kidnapping and serious illegal detention in connection with his active participation in the ASG's 2001 kidnapping of 15 employees of Golden Harvest Plantation in Barangay Tairan, Lantawan, Basilan, led by the late Isnilon Hapilon.
The local court will be duly informed of the arrest in the procedural return of warrant process as soon as documentation and debriefing are completed.
Eleazar said Daiyung’s arrest stemmed from the information provided to the police by Sudias Asmad, 25, another suspect in the kidnapping of the plantation employees.
Asmad was arrested in Binondo, Manila on December 20.
Eleazar said Asmad and Daiyung were both positively identified by their victims as among those who held them.
He said they have yet to obtain information on the possible involvement of the two suspects in any terror plot in the National Capital Region (NCR).
Eleazar, however, clarified that there is nothing to worry about the arrest of several ASG members in the region.
"There is nothing alarming because Abu Sayyaf has active and inactive members. They also have sympathizers and supporters. Right now, we are determining whether he is an active member because our basis for his arrest is the warrant of arrest for a case that happened a long time ago," he told reporters in a press briefing in Camp Crame.
While they have yet to determine how many ASG members are in Metro Manila, Eleazar assured that the police are gathering information to foil any terror plot.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1061667
Manila court orders DOJ to summon Joma in 'terror tag' plea
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 12, 2019): Manila court orders DOJ to summon Joma in 'terror tag' plea
A Manila court hearing the government's petition to declare the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People's Army (CPP-NPA) as terrorist organizations has dropped more than 600 names in the original petition filed by the government against the rebel group.
In an eight-page resolution dated February 1, Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 19 Judge Marlo A. Magdoza-Malagar also directed the Department of Justice (DOJ) to instead serve summons to the organizations, through the terror groups' known leaders Jose Maria Sison and Antonio Cabanatan.
"The addresses of Jose Maria Sison and Antonio Cabanatan being unknown, service of summons shall be made by publication," the court ruled.
The order expunged the names of more than 600 personalities in the original government petition but whose links to the organization were not substantiated by evidence.
The DOJ has identified eight individuals as current officers of the CPP-NPA on whom summons may be served namely Sison, Cabanatan, Jorge Madlos, Jaime Padilla, Francisco Fernandez, Cloefe Lagapon, Leonido Nabong and Myrna Solarte.
The magistrate explained that "its interest in ensuring the petitioner (DOJ) identified only those with unassailable links to the respondent-organizations is not because these parties are considered respondents to the petition but only because their undisputed link to the CPP-NPA is necessary for this court to ensure proper service of summons and acquire jurisdiction over the instant petition and herein respondents,"
The court, in underscoring Sison's links, cited sworn statements from a number of individuals executed between 2003 and 2014 including the sworn statement of Ruben Guevarra dated Jan. 15, 2003 executed at the General Headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) referring to Sison as the CPP-NPA Central Committee and Military Commission chairman and the direct head and mover of the NPA and the National Democratic Front (NDF).
Likewise cited was the sworn statement of Veronica Tabara dated May 22, 2006 and Oct. 9, 2006 in Sibulan, Negros Oriental referring to Sison as the founding, elected and recognized chairman of the Central Committee of the CPP/NPA/NDF.
The court also considered affidavits of Gloria Asuncion in May 2006 naming Sison as the chief of the Political Bureau and the Executive Committee and Military Commission of the CPP/NPA as well as sworn statements of Rafael Cruz, Glecerio Roluna, and Numeriano Beringuel in Tacloban City.
The court also noted that an indictment in 2007 before the Hilongos, Leyte RTC Branch 18 accused Sison as leader of the NPA members who were behind the murder of 15 persons whose bodies were found buried in a mass grave at Sitio Mt. Sapang Dako, Barangay Kauslisihan, Inopacan, Leyte.
An indictment in 2014 pending before the Manila RTC Branch 32 also named Sison for the murder of Juanita Aviola who was among those found buried in the Leyte along with Concepcion Aragon, Gregorio Eras, Teodoro Recones Jr., Restituto Ejoc, Rolando Vasquez, Junior Milyapis, Crispin Dalmacio, Zacarias Casil, Pablo Daniel, Romeo Tayabas, Domingo Napules, Ciriaco Daniel, Crispin Prado, Ereberto Prado. The deaths are suspected to be a purging by the organization of suspected military spies within its ranks.
The court said the DOJ's amended petition excluding the names of personalities alleged to be members of the CPP-NPA shall be taken as basis for the court to declare nine individuals along with the 600 other personalities as "non-parties"
The nine, namely Joanna Carino, Joan Carlin, Jeannette Ribaya-Cawiding, Beverly L. Longid, Windel B. Bolinget Sr., Elisa Tita Lubi, Rey Claro Casambre, Sherwin De Vera and Randall B. Echanis as well as the more than 600 personalities named and enumerated in the DOJ's original petition were labeled non-parties to the government's amended petition.
Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra clarified that it is the CPP-NPA and not the individuals mentioned in the petition who are the subject of the action for a judicial declaration (or proscription) as terrorists.
"The individuals were named only for the purpose of serving summons on entities with unknown addresses. The increase or decrease in their number has no relevance to the main cause of action," Guevarra told the Philippine News Agency.
The CPP-NPA has been tagged as a terror group by the United States and the European Union.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1061702
A Manila court hearing the government's petition to declare the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People's Army (CPP-NPA) as terrorist organizations has dropped more than 600 names in the original petition filed by the government against the rebel group.
In an eight-page resolution dated February 1, Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 19 Judge Marlo A. Magdoza-Malagar also directed the Department of Justice (DOJ) to instead serve summons to the organizations, through the terror groups' known leaders Jose Maria Sison and Antonio Cabanatan.
"The addresses of Jose Maria Sison and Antonio Cabanatan being unknown, service of summons shall be made by publication," the court ruled.
The order expunged the names of more than 600 personalities in the original government petition but whose links to the organization were not substantiated by evidence.
The DOJ has identified eight individuals as current officers of the CPP-NPA on whom summons may be served namely Sison, Cabanatan, Jorge Madlos, Jaime Padilla, Francisco Fernandez, Cloefe Lagapon, Leonido Nabong and Myrna Solarte.
The magistrate explained that "its interest in ensuring the petitioner (DOJ) identified only those with unassailable links to the respondent-organizations is not because these parties are considered respondents to the petition but only because their undisputed link to the CPP-NPA is necessary for this court to ensure proper service of summons and acquire jurisdiction over the instant petition and herein respondents,"
The court, in underscoring Sison's links, cited sworn statements from a number of individuals executed between 2003 and 2014 including the sworn statement of Ruben Guevarra dated Jan. 15, 2003 executed at the General Headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) referring to Sison as the CPP-NPA Central Committee and Military Commission chairman and the direct head and mover of the NPA and the National Democratic Front (NDF).
Likewise cited was the sworn statement of Veronica Tabara dated May 22, 2006 and Oct. 9, 2006 in Sibulan, Negros Oriental referring to Sison as the founding, elected and recognized chairman of the Central Committee of the CPP/NPA/NDF.
The court also considered affidavits of Gloria Asuncion in May 2006 naming Sison as the chief of the Political Bureau and the Executive Committee and Military Commission of the CPP/NPA as well as sworn statements of Rafael Cruz, Glecerio Roluna, and Numeriano Beringuel in Tacloban City.
The court also noted that an indictment in 2007 before the Hilongos, Leyte RTC Branch 18 accused Sison as leader of the NPA members who were behind the murder of 15 persons whose bodies were found buried in a mass grave at Sitio Mt. Sapang Dako, Barangay Kauslisihan, Inopacan, Leyte.
An indictment in 2014 pending before the Manila RTC Branch 32 also named Sison for the murder of Juanita Aviola who was among those found buried in the Leyte along with Concepcion Aragon, Gregorio Eras, Teodoro Recones Jr., Restituto Ejoc, Rolando Vasquez, Junior Milyapis, Crispin Dalmacio, Zacarias Casil, Pablo Daniel, Romeo Tayabas, Domingo Napules, Ciriaco Daniel, Crispin Prado, Ereberto Prado. The deaths are suspected to be a purging by the organization of suspected military spies within its ranks.
The court said the DOJ's amended petition excluding the names of personalities alleged to be members of the CPP-NPA shall be taken as basis for the court to declare nine individuals along with the 600 other personalities as "non-parties"
The nine, namely Joanna Carino, Joan Carlin, Jeannette Ribaya-Cawiding, Beverly L. Longid, Windel B. Bolinget Sr., Elisa Tita Lubi, Rey Claro Casambre, Sherwin De Vera and Randall B. Echanis as well as the more than 600 personalities named and enumerated in the DOJ's original petition were labeled non-parties to the government's amended petition.
Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra clarified that it is the CPP-NPA and not the individuals mentioned in the petition who are the subject of the action for a judicial declaration (or proscription) as terrorists.
"The individuals were named only for the purpose of serving summons on entities with unknown addresses. The increase or decrease in their number has no relevance to the main cause of action," Guevarra told the Philippine News Agency.
The CPP-NPA has been tagged as a terror group by the United States and the European Union.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1061702
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