Murad named Bangsamoro region's interim chief minister

From Rappler (Feb 23, 2019): Murad named Bangsamoro region's interim chief minister

Murad Ebrahim, who led the Moro Islamic Liberation Front through peace talks with 3 administrations, now faces the daunting task of governing the autonomous region whose creation he fought for

NEW ROLE. MILF chairman Murad Ebrahim is named BARMM interim Chief Minister. Rappler file photo

After decades spent fighting for Moro self-rule, Al Haj Murad Ebrahim has been named as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region's interim Chief Minister.

This was formalized in a ceremony held on Friday, February 22, in Malacañang where President Rodrigo Duterte led the oath-taking of newly-appointed Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) members.


"I am also pleased to announce the appointment of MILF chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim as interim Chief Minister of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority," said Duterte in his speech after the oath-taking.

As Chief Minister, Murad will head the BTA, the entity that will lead the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in its first few years.

The 80 members of the BTA were also named on Friday. However, no list of the appointees has been provided to media as of press time.

Murad's appointment was expected since he was chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the Muslim group that had negotiated peace agreements with the government which eventually led to the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

Under the BOL, the MILF is tasked to lead the BARMM in its critical transition period, 2019 until 2022, when the new region will elect its leaders for the first time.

'Exhausted' means to prepare himself

Speaking to Rappler a day after the first successful Bangsamoro plebiscite, Murad had said he had done all he can to prepare himself for the role of chief minister.

"I’ve exhausted all means to prepare myself and to prepare my people," he had said.

Murad knows the task ahead is daunting.

"This period is the difficult struggle and it is a struggle against ourself. Basically because we see that unless we are able to change, to eradicate all the ills of the government, the corruption, the nepotism, all of this, then it just be a change of leadership, but the same system," he said.

"Our success for change is we have to really change ourselves," he added.

Murad's long struggle

The MILF's long history of talking peace with the government began in 1996 during the Ramos administration. The MILF was then under Hashim Salamat. Murad at the time led the MILF's armed forces, called the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF).

The cold and calculating BIAF commander would take the reins from Salamat when the latter died in 2003. After the Estrada administration's "all-out war" against the MILF, the group engaged with the government again under Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Murad had almost tasted victory then with the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) which creates the so-called Bangsamoro Juridical Entity. It was initially scrapped by the Arroyo administration amid questions over its legality, and later struck down by the Supreme Court as unconstitutional.

With its eye on the prize, the MILF under Murad got back up to negotiate with the administration of Benigno Aquino III.

In 2012, Murad witnessed the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, which laid the groundwork for the BOL and brought about the first round of decommissioning of MILF combatants and arms.

Finally, on January 29, 2019, the BOL was ratified by the Bangsamoro people, thereby creating the BARMM, a new region with more powers, more resources, and a parliamentary system of governance said to give the Moro people a better chance at self-rule.

 

https://www.rappler.com/nation/224119-murad-ebrahim-named-bangsamoro-region-interim-chief-minister

U.S. Secretary of State to visit Philippines amid China flirtation

From Rappler (Feb 23, 2019): U.S. Secretary of State to visit Philippines amid China flirtation

 

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will be visiting the country on his way back home from Vietnam

 

 

MIKE POMPEO. The US Secretary of State is set to visit the Philippines on February 28 and March 1 to talk to President Rodrigo Duterte. File photo by Janek Skarzynski/AFP

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will travel next week to the Philippines, the State Department said Friday, February 22, as the former US colony increasingly flirts with regional giant China.

Pompeo will travel to Manila on February 28 and March 1, for talks with President Rodrigo Duterte, State Department spokesman Robert Palladino said. (IN NUMBERS: Philippines-China relations)


The top US diplomat will be paying the visit on his way back from Hanoi where he is joining President Donald Trump for his closely watched second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

After winning the presidency in 2016, the brash Philippine leader threatened to split with the United States and patch up with China by ending a long-running sea dispute. (READ: Arroyo: Philippines can be 'friends' with both China, U.S.)

President Xi Jinping visited Manila in November, offering trade and investment incentives. (READ: Duterte to China: 'Tell us route to take' in sea row)

Duterte has bristled at all criticism over his sweeping crackdown on drugs and crime, which has killed thousands of people since mid-2016 despite criticism of lack of due process.

But Trump has hailed Duterte's actions as a sign of toughness – a marked contrast with previous US president Barack Obama, who Duterte branded the "son of a whore."

The Trump administration has downplayed human rights except when pressing adversaries and has set an overall priority of reducing the global influence of China and Russia.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/224161-us-secretary-of-state-visit-philippines-amid-china-flirtation

At the BTA oathtaking, ‘Barong Bangsamoro’ symbolizes ‘Filipino by citizenship, Bangsamoro by identity’

From MindaNews (Feb 23, 2019): At the BTA oathtaking, ‘Barong Bangsamoro’ symbolizes ‘Filipino by citizenship, Bangsamoro by identity’

Men and women of the Bangsamoro in their colorful cultural attire and barong, stepped out of the elevators of the Manila Prince Hotel Friday noon, posed for souvenir photos – and selfies — at the lobby while preparing for their date with history in Malacanang, the seat of power in the country.

They were on their way to the “ceremonial confirmation” of the results of the plebiscite on RA 11054 or the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and the oathtaking of the 80-member Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), the interim government until June 30, 2022.



Meranaw women pose for souvenir photos at the Manila Prince Hotel to lend support to their relative, youth representative Marjanie Macasalong, who was going to take his oath as member of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority in Malacanang on 22 February 2019. MindaNews photo by MANMAN DEJETO

A few men and women from the minorities in the BARMM – Indigenous Peoples in the core territory in their traditional attire and settler communities in their Filipiniana and Barong Tagalog – also waited for their turn to board their buses and vans to Malacanang.

The event was supposed to have been scheduled on February 20. The guests had arrived on February 19 only to be told during the welcome dinner at the same hotel that Malacanang had reset it to evening of February 22.

Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, chair of the MILF and newly-appointed Interim Chief Minister of the BTA, wore a barong accented with Inaul — the Maguindanao weave — on the front, collar and cuff, an outfit he asked a tailoring shop in Davao to design.



Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim and MILF Peace Implementing Panel chair Mohagher Iqbal wear their “Barong Bangsamoro,” a jusi barong accented with Inaul, a Maguindanao weave, at the oathtaking rites of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority in Malacanang on 22 February 2019. MindaNews photo by MANMAN DEJETO

This is the same shop where President Rodrigo Duterte has his suits and barong done.

Mohagher Iqbal, chair of the MILF’s peace implementing panel, also wore a barong with Inaul from the same shop. As did other members of the MILF Central Committee, the Meranaws among them wearing barong with langkit, the Meranaw weave.

Murad and Iqbal and Central Committee members wore coat and tie in the FAB and CAB signing. This is the first time they wore what MILF Central Committee member Ibrahim Ali refers to as “Barong Bangsamoro.”

“This is to to show,” Iqbal told MindaNews, that “we are Filipinos by citizenship but Bangsamoro by identity.”

https://www.mindanews.com/peace-process/2019/02/at-the-bta-oathtaking-barong-bangsamoro-symbolizes-filipino-by-citizenship-bangsamoro-by-identity/

Church people, activists, journalist tagged as ‘terrorists’ in ‘military hit list’

From MindaNews (Feb 23, 2019): Church people, activists, journalist tagged as ‘terrorists’ in ‘military hit list’



A “hit list” believed to have come from the military tagging church people, human rights advocates, lawyers and a journalist as “terrorist members of the New People’s Army and Communist Party of the Philippines” was distributed Friday in Cagayan de Oro City.

Among those named as “terrorists” were Iglesia Filipino Independiente Bp. Felixberto Calang, Fr. Rolando Abejo of Movement Against Tyranny-Northern Mindanao, Karapatan Northern Mindanao spokesperson Fr. Khen Apus, human rights lawyers Beverly Musni, Czarina Musni and Beverly Ann Musni, and journalist Cong Corrales and his family.

Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay said that at around 10:30am on Friday, during the Hustisya-Northern Mindanao assembly and launching at Philtown Hotel, a suspected military agent approached the hotel’s security guard and handed him two brown envelopes.

Each envelope contained 13 copies of the “hit list” which also included organizations of youth and teachers.

Palabay, who attended the event at Philtown Hotel, deplored the release of the list as “yet another case of harassment against human rights defenders in Northern Mindanao.”

“Such notorious lists have further endangered the already perilous situation of human rights defenders. We have repeatedly raised how these arbitrary and baseless accusations incite threats to the lives and security of named individuals, the worst of which is that they become victims of extrajudicial killings. We call on the Commission on Human Rights and the local governments to protect the rights defenders and make accountable those who continue to put their lives at risk,” she said.

She said Karapatan, Sandugo and Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas joined relatives of victims of human rights violations and other Mindanao-based rights activists in a National Solidarity Mission from February 21-22.

She said the mission looked into the situation of detained activists Kalumbay leader Datu Jomorito Guaynon, KMP leader Ireneo Udarbe and four members of the Misamis Oriental Farmers Association and that of evacuees from Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental.

Guaynon and Udarbe were arrested last January 28 in Cagayan de Oro.

Philippine National Police Northern Mindanao spokesperson Supt. Surki Serenas tagged the two as “top New People’s Army leaders” allegedly responsible for the attack of the police station in Binuangan town, Misamis Oriental last Dec. 2, 2017.

“Activists and everyone are being wrongly tagged as terrorists. The anti-terror law is being arbitrarily used against activists like Guaynon and Udarbe. This situation is made worse by the continuing implementation of martial law in Mindanao,” Palabay said.

“We affirm the urgent need for the lifting of martial law in Mindanao, as we lament that the Supreme Court has recently ruled again for its extension. We assert that martial law has worsened the already difficult situation of the Mindanaoans. Nevertheless, the people of Mindanao will continue to persist and resist,” she added.

In a statement Friday, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) deplored the inclusion of Corrales, a former director of the group, in the list.

“There is nothing more cowardly and deplorable than to vilify persons and put them in mortal peril behind the cloak of anonymity,” the NUJP statement said.

“And as has happened all too often, Red tagging is not mere intimidation. All too often it can be a virtual death sentence,” it said.

“Even media have not been spared from Red-tagging and other acts clearly intended to intimidate a critical press into silence, as with the ongoing vilification campaign against the NUJP and the cyberattacks on alternative media,” it added.
https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2019/02/church-people-activists-journalist-tagged-as-terrorists-in-military-hit-list/

BTA creation, a 'milestone' in Mindanao peace process: Japan

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 23, 2019): BTA creation, a 'milestone' in Mindanao peace process: Japan

The Japanese government welcomed the establishment of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) in Malacañang on Friday, citing it as an "important milestone" in the Mindanao peace process.

The BTA is the governing body established to supervise the transition from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to the new Bangsamoro government in 2022.

In a statement, the Japanese Embassy in Manila relayed Tokyo's commitment to "further enhance" its support to the region.

"Japan will continue to strengthen its support as the peace process progresses to ensure that the people of Mindanao can feel the benefit of peace," it said.

Japan's provision of a USD200-million loan for a road network in Mindanao was formalized when the two nations signed an Exchange of Notes this month.

According to the Embassy, Tokyo is keen to extend further assistance to the agricultural sector and construction of water supply facilities in the Bangsamoro region.

Moreover, Japan will provide vehicles and other equipment worth about PHP160 million for the Joint Peace and Security Team and the Independent Decommissioning Body to support their normalization activities that include the decommissioning and disarmament of former Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

"This package of new assistance is equivalent to the total amount of assistance that Japan has provided to Mindanao through J-BIRD (Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development) projects since 2006," the Embassy said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1062758

Group decries spread of red-tagging lists, flyers in CDO

From the pro-Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) online publication the Davao Today (Feb 22, 2019): Group decries spread of red-tagging lists, flyers in CDO

The flyers being distributed in Cagayan de Oro City tagged local church workers, lawyers, rights advocates and a journalist as “terrorist members of the New People’s Army and Communist Party of the Philippines.” (davaotoday.com)

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Human rights group Karapatan raised a red flag over the malicious flyers being distributed in Cagayan de Oro City red-tagging personalities, which they describe as a “military hitlist.”

The flyers tagged local church workers, lawyers, rights advocates and a journalist as “terrorist members of the New People’s Army and Communist Party of the Philippines.”

The group reported that the flyers were discovered by delegates attending the assembly and launching of Hustisya-Northern Mindanao on Friday morning at Philtown Hotel in Cagayan de Oro City.

A suspected military agent approached the security guard of the said hotel and handed him two brown envelopes with each contained 13 copies of the flyers, it added.

The flyer reads: “Ania ang listahan sa pipila ka miyembro sa Partido Komunista dinhi sa atong dakbayan nga nag tinguha nga magmadaugon sila sa ilang pag-ilog sa kagamhanan (Here’s the list of few members of the Communist Party of the Philippines in the city who aim to cease the power from the government).”

Included among the list are Iglesia Filipino Independiente Bishop Felixberto Calang, Fr. Rolando Abejo of Movement Against Tyranny-Northern Mindanao, Karapatan Northern Mindanao spokesperson Fr. Khen Apus, human rights lawyers Beverly Musni, Czarina Musni, and Beverly Ann Musni, and journalist Cong Corrales and his family.

“Such notorious lists have further endangered the already perilous situation of human rights defenders. We have repeatedly raised how these arbitrary and baseless accusations incite threats to the lives and security of named individuals, the worst of which is that they become victims of extrajudicial killings,” said Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay in a statement.

Also written on the flyer is a warning that members of the CPP visit jails in the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Malaybalay in a National Solidarity Mission. It mentioned that Karapatan conducts meeting inside the United Church of Christ in the Philippines located at Licoan, Cagayan de Oro City.

The mission held on February 21 and 22, Palabay said, aimed to assist the families of victims of human rights violations in the region and to “look into the situation” of arrested progressive leaders Datu Jomorito Guaynon of IP group Kalumbay, KMP leader Ireneo Udarbe, and four members of the Misamis Oriental Farmers Association and that of evacuees from Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental.

READ: Lumad, peasant leaders not ‘missing’ but arrested, PNP says

Karapatan, IP and Moro group Sandugo, and peasant group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas led the said mission and engaged with the Commission on Human Rights-Region 10 (CHR-10) to call for their release.

Palabay calls on the CHR and local government unit address the incident and “protect the rights defenders and make accountable those who continue to put their lives at risk.”

“Activists and everyone is being wrongly tagged as terrorists. The anti-terror law is being arbitrarily used against activists like Guaynon and Udarbe. This situation is made worse by the continuing implementation of martial law in Mindanao,” Palabay said.

A similar red-tagging incident also happened in Davao City last week where posters tagging progressive party lists like ACT Teachers, Anakpawis, Bayan Muna, Gabriela, and Kabataan as “protectors of the CPP-NPA-NDF terrorists.”

READ: Militants hit anti-Left campaign materials in Davao City

Which was denounced by Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao as it endangers the lives of its members making them as “open targets to extra-judicial killings, threats, harassment, and prosecution.”

http://davaotoday.com/main/human-rights/group-decries-spread-of-red-tagging-lists-flyers-in-cdo/

Malacañang rejects Abu Sayyaf's ransom demand for foreign hostages

From Rappler (Feb 23, 2019): Malacañang rejects Abu Sayyaf's ransom demand for foreign hostages

 

'We stand firm on our no ransom policy,' says Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo, reacting to the Abu Sayyaf Group's threat to behead two Indonesians and one Malaysian if ransom is not paid

 

 

NO RANSOM PAYMENT. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo says the Philippine government will not give in to the demands of the ASG. Screenshot from RTVM livestream

The Philippine government has rejected the ransom demand of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) who had threatened to behead their Indonesian and Malaysian hostages.

"We stand firm on our no ransom policy. To give in to the demands of terrorists and other lawless groups would embolden them to engage in more abductions that would allow them to conduct extremist and other criminal activities as they could buy more arms and weapons," Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said on Friday, February 22.

He was responding to reports of a video uploaded on Facebook on February 14, showing an Indonesian hostage, held at knife-point, appealing to Indonesian President Joko Widodo to help secure their release.

According to the Straits Times, the identities of the Abu Sayyaf hostages are Heri Ardiansyah, 19; and Hariadin, 45, both Indonesia. The third hostage is 24-year-old Jari Abdulla, a Malaysian.

The 3 were kidnapped from their fishing trawler in waters near Tawi-Tawi Island on December 5, 2018.

Panelo said the Philippine government is exerting all efforts to rescue the foreigner hostages.

"We are doing our best to secure the release of hostages from the evil hands of the Abu Sayyaf Group," said Panelo.

The government has assigned an entirely new army division to Sulu just to crack down on the Abu Sayyag, a persistent security threat in the Zambasulta area and Mindanao in general.

Supressing the group is among the goal's of Duterte's martial law declaration over the entire Mindanao region.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/224105-malacanang-rejects-demands-abu-sayyaf-group-holding-foreigners-hostage

2 New People’s Army rebels slain in Mindoro clash

From the Philippine Star (Feb 22, 2019): 2 New People’s Army rebels slain in Mindoro clash

Two suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas were killed in an encounter with Army troopers in Mansalay, Occidental Mindoro yesterday morning.

Authorities have yet to identify the fatalities, who were believed to be members of the NPA’s Platoon Mike of Kilusang Laranga Guerrilla Silangan and headed by a certain Peter Rivera alias Ka Rotchie.
The encounter between the soldiers and the insurgents occurred at around 4:30 a.m. in Barangay Teresita.

The troopers were responding to a complaint of the residents about the presence of a group of armed men in the area, according Col. Marceliano Teofilo, chief of the Army’s 203rd Infantry Brigade.

The troopers recovered three rifles, backpacks, medical paraphernalia and personal belongings from the encounter site.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2019/02/22/1895681/2-new-peoples-army-rebels-slain-mindoro-clash

Teachers’ group forms defense system amidst relentless attacks

From the pro-Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) online publication the Davao Today (Feb 22, 2019): Teachers’ group forms defense system amidst relentless attacks

Photo from Alliance of Concerned Teachers-Philippines’ Facebook page

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — In the midst of the continuing threats, intimidation, and harassments against the leaders and members of Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), the group announced it has compelled to form a mechanism that will enhance their collective strength to defend their ranks.

Dubbed as Teachers’ CHALK or Complaint Hotline and Legal Kiosk, ACT said its formation is “a concrete step towards promoting unity and solidarity inside and outside the country for the empowerment of teachers against the onslaught of state-sponsored attacks, which only continue to intensify. It is also aimed at the protection of democracy in the country.”

The group criticized the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte for the relentless and ascertaining attacks against leaders and members of ACT.

“Under the Duterte regime, the education sectors has experienced relentless and ascertaining attacks in the past recent months. From profiling of public and private school teacher members of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers at the beginning of the year to downright harassment of its members,” the group said in a statement issued on Thursday.

Among the intimidations made against ACT is the profiling of its members by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the red-tagging being staged by state forces, particularly the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

“Such attacks have taken on more blatant and dangerous forms as their leaders have been subjected to be terrorist-tagging, death threats, and extortion. Hence, the affronts crackdown to teacher’s rights has caused a downtrodden effect on education workers,” the statement continued.

ACT emphasized that their leaders and members are educators and not terrorist as well as they have not done anything wrong in the state.

The group also decried the latest move of the PNP and the AFP by launching an intensive suppression movement where ACT is tagged as a “communist front.”

The movement usually initiates activities in schools in the forms of anti-drug campaigns and seminars for teachers and students but actually identify ACT and other members of Makabayan bloc in the House as fronts of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the New People’s Army (NPA).

 

ACT said the intensified campaign of the Duterte government against their rank “serve no other purpose than to preserve the oppressive and exploitative status quo. It further exposes who the real terrorists are.”

“With the state making enemies out of teachers and the people, we are left to rely solely on our own collective strength,” ACT pointed out.

The group also reminded the Duterte administration that they “will not be intimidated by cowardly tyrants who employ worn-out tactics of terrorist-tagging to silence our ranks and our legitimate demands.”

ACT said its leaders and members will “stand tall in the fight for justice and for the rights of teachers and of the people. As history has shown, no amount of fascism can stand in the way of a united people’s resolve for social justice.”

http://davaotoday.com/main/politics/teachers-group-forms-defense-system-amidst-relentless-attacks/

NPA rebels not welcome in 7 Buk'n villages

From Sun Star-Cagayan de Oro (Feb 21, 2019): NPA rebels not welcome in 7 Buk'n villages

AT LEAST seven villages in Bukidnon have passed a resolution declaring communist rebels and legal organizations of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) "persona non grata", Wednesday, February 20, the military said.

In a statement, the army's 8th Infantry Battalion (8IB) said local leaders of Barangays Caburacanan, St. Peter, Silae and Indalasa of Malaybalay City, and Barangays Canangaan, Freedom and Dalacutan of Cabanglasan town adopted a resolution declaring the CPP-NPA and its legal fronts "unwelcome" to their community. Among the legal organizations declared unwelcome are Katribu, Anakpawis, Bayan Muna, Tamaraw, Gabriela and League of the Filipino Students (LFS), among others.

The military claimed village officials and tribal leaders have strengthen their support to the government by doing such move.

According to the surveys of the army's Community Support Program (SCP) teams, the declaration was due to high numbers of surrenders, atrocities allegedly perpetrated by the NPA and violations of the International Humanitarian Law.

"The declaration of the barangays imply that they want peace and development in their area. Knowing the true identity of the NPA and realizing the effect of their presence in the community that they won't help in any development but a hindrance to the government in delivering services," the military said.

"It was a clear manifestation that the NPA don't get any support from these places and they want to end the terrorism for their families and community," they added.

Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Illanal, 8IB commander, said the military lauded the decision of the local officials.

"I am hoping that time will come wherein all of the stakeholders, local government units and government agencies will work hand in hand to address the insurgency problem in our communities," Illana said.

"To the CPP-NPA terrorists who are still in the mountain ranges of Bukidnon come down and yield to your army," he added.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1793696

349 officials aiding Reds? Interior draws up watchlist

From the Manila Standard (Feb 22, 2019): 349 officials aiding Reds? Interior draws up watchlist

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Thursday said 349 government officials are providing support to the Communist Party of the Philippines and its military arm, the New People’s Army by paying “permit to campaign fees” in areas where the guerrillas are active.

Of the 349 officials, 11 are provincial governors; five are vice governors; 10 are provincial board members; 55 are mayors; 21 are vice mayors and 41 are councilors, Año said.

They also include 11 former local government executives, 10 incumbent congressmen, and a former lawmaker.

“We now have a watchlist, we know you. So if you are supporting communist rebels, in any way, you ascertain yourself as a supporter of terrorism and an enemy of the state, [and] you establish yourself as an accomplice to their cause,” he said.

“We cannot win the war against terrorism if these local officials continue funding the very source of terrorism in the first place,” he added.

Also on the list are 126 barangay captains, 50 barangay councilors, and eight other barangay officials.

“This number is not alarming as compared to the total number of barangays in the country, but it sends a message that extortion starts at the community level, down in the grassroots,” Año said.

“These 349 officials are giving money to the terrorists, which is why they can continue to operate.

Can you just imagine that? Our own government officials giving funds to the enemy,” Año said in a mix of Filipino and English.

DILG spokesman and Assistant Secretary Jonathan E. Malaya said the officials come from different regions of the country, with Region V tallying the most cases, with 154.

“Extortion money comes from everywhere, all across the nation. Whether these officials gave their support voluntarily or involuntarily is immaterial. Politicians and local leaders should shun any connection with these communist rebels. Do not harbor, support terrorists,” Malaya said.

He encouraged local officials to report and work with the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines if they are being harassed by the rebels.

Año also urged the public not to vote for candidates who support or who have links to communist terrorist groups.

Año said the communist rebels accumulated P195.5 million from their various extortion activities nationwide during the 2016 and 2018 polls.

He said all candidates should stop paying “permit to campaign fees” to the NPA, which collects P300,000 to P650,000 from governors and vice governors and P200,000 to P500,000 from mayors.

 

Paying the terrorists, he said, was a crime.

“You do not need them to win nor to campaign. What you need is a robust platform and a desire to serve the people within your jurisdiction,” he said.

The Army said the NPA rebels are struggling to recover their former strongholds in Leyte province because of a lack of support.

Of the 1,393 villages in Leyte, only 178 are still affected by operations of the NPA-Leyte front committee. Seventeen had been categorized as influenced, 50 of these are less influenced, and 111 others are considered threatened.

“They are trying to beef up manpower by looking for potential recruits, but they’re not that successful as people report to us their sightings,” said Lt. Col. Roberto Beatisula, commander of the Philippine Army’s 93rd Infantry Battalion, during the provincial peace and order council meeting in Tacloban on Wednesday. With PNA

“They have been striving to conceal their movements in far-flung areas and mountainous areas of the province to avoid confrontation with government forces to preserve their ranks,” Beatisula said.

The NPA in Leyte has 75 active members with 40 classified as political and 35 as armed with light weapons.

Also on Thursday, two NPA rebels were killed in a firefight with soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division in Occidental Mindoro.

The soldiers recovered an M16 rifle, two rifle grenades, three backpacks, bandoleers, medical paraphernalia, and other personal belongings.

http://manilastandard.net/news/top-stories/288404/349-officials-aiding-reds-interior-draws-up-watchlist.html

Iqbal on Bangsamoro: “We have seen the dawn”

From MindaNews (Feb 22, 2019): Iqbal on Bangsamoro: “We have seen the dawn”



Mohagher Iqbal, Peace Implementing Panel Chair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, talks to MindaNews on 20 February 2019. MindaNews photo by MANMAN DEJETO
At the lobby of the Manila Prince hotel here, men in their 60s and 70s – leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) — spent what Mohagher Iqbal, information chief of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and chair of its peace panel since July 2003, described as an “unexpected, unprogrammed” day on what was supposed to be a historic moment in their lives — the oathtaking for the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) on February 20.

But evening of February 19, MILF chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim and Iqbal received a text message from Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Carlito Galvez, Jr. that the event would be reset to February 22.

Iqbal recalls receiving a text message from Galvez at 7:07 p.m. that “baka ma-move” (it might be moved) to February 22, Galvez finally confirming the postponement during the welcome dinner he and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana tendered for the MILF delegation at the hotel.

The “unexpected, unprogrammed” free days on Wednesday, February 20, and Thursday, February 21, became an occasion for reunions in the lobby and the café of men and women in the Bangsamoro peace process. It also paved the way for sightseeing and shopping at the nearby malls and for Manila-based relatives to fetch them for bonding time.

But the Malacanang Palace visitors have to inform the OPAPP’s “checkpoint,” a table set up near the entrance, if they leave the hotel.

Iqbal spent some time with his family between meetings and interviews, while between meetings and interviews, Murad, the MILF’s nominee to be Interim Chief Minister, dined with different ambassadors.

Murad led a delegation of 300 from the MILF, including members of its Central Committee, the Chief of Staff of the soon-to-be-decommissioned Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, five of the seven Front commanders and representatives of the two others who could not come due to illness, and, in the words of Iqbal, “scores of base commanders.”

Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chair Yusoph Jikiri could not come but the MNLF has a 30-member delegation, 19 from the mainland and 11 from the islands.

There was no chartered Philippine Airlines plane that brought delegates to Manila as was done during the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) on October 15, 2012 and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) on March 27, 2014.

Instead, the key MILF and MNLF officials took commercial flights while the rest were flown to Manila on C-130 cargo aircraft and C-295 of the Philippine Air Force.

Outside the Manila Prince Hotel where the Malacanang Palace guests were billeted, MindaNews saw policemen and soldiers fielded, the latter even setting up a tent at the parking area while on the street, three big buses were parked – two with markings of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and one of the Philippine Air Force.

Iqbal, the historian of the MILF – he has written two books on the peace process – as Salah Jubair, said in the long history of the Bangsamoro peace process, including the peace process with the MNLF that led to the signing of the Tripoi Agreement of 1976, and the MILF’s from 1997, “who’d think we would ever reach – it’s as if it is impossible mission but it was made possible with the passage and the ratification of the Bangsamoro law, because we believe in the struggle, we believe in perseverance.”

Iqbal as Jubair wrote “Bangsamoro: A nation under endless tyranny” and “The Long Road to Peace: Inside the GRP-MILF Peace Process.”

“We were young before and now we are old but we are lucky, so lucky enough that at least we have seen the dawn of what we intend to achieve… We have seen the dawn right now,” Iqbal said.

Iqbal said he is “very happy but at the same time I am also worried,” because “we are facing an unchartered territory – governance. We have not done this any time before. We succeeded in the armed struggle for almost 50 years. We succeeded in the negotiation for 42 years including that of the MNLF. We succeeded in coming up with the law for five years from the Aquino administration then Duterte administration. We succeeded in the plebiscite, we achieved what we want.

Now we are facing a new challenge, an unchartered territory and that worries me.”

Iqbal said they have been asked if they could guarantee success of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the new autonomous political entity that will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). “I cannot guarantee … we are human beings — the only thing I can guarantee is best efforts.”

“As to whether we can succeed and deliver, well, time will tell,” Iqbal said.

https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2019/02/iqbal-on-bangsamoro-we-have-seen-the-dawn/

Amid Loss of Leaders, Unknown Militant Rises in Philippines

Posted to the Voice of America (Feb 22): Amid Loss of Leaders, Unknown Militant Rises in Philippines



PhiliPhoto provided by Philippine National Police (PNP), shows militant Abu Sayyaf Group leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan in the PNP confidential report.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Unlike many of his slain comrades, the touted new leader of the Islamic State group in the southern Philippines lacks the bravado, clan name or foreign training.

Not much is known about Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, but the attacks attributed to him heralding his rise are distinctly savage: A deadly bombing, which authorities say was a suicide attack by a foreign militant couple, blasted through a packed Roman Catholic cathedral in the middle of a Mass.
The January 27 attack, which killed 23 people and wounded about 100 others on southern Jolo Island, and another suspected suicide bombing on nearby Basilan Island last July that officials said he masterminded, put Sawadjaan in the crosshairs of the U.S.-led global campaign against terrorism. It also comes at a time when the Islamic State group’s last enclave in eastern Syria is near its imminent downfall, signaling an end to the territorial rule of the self-declared “caliphate” that once stretched across much of Syria and Iraq.

A recent U.S. Department of Defense report to Congress said without elaborating that it believed Sawadjaan was the “acting emir,” or leader, in the Philippines of the Islamic State group, also known by its acronym ISIS. It added that no actual leader is confirmed to have been designated by the main ISIS command in the Middle East as of late last year.

 

Philippine Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano, however, said intelligence indicated that Sawadjaan, a Jolo-based commander of the brutal Abu Sayyaf extremist group, was installed as ISIS chief in a ceremony last year. Three other extremist groups were recognized as ISIS allies, he said.

Founded in the early 1990s as an offshoot of the decadeslong Muslim separatist rebellion in the south, the Abu Sayyaf lost its commanders early in battle, sending it to a violent path of terrorism and criminality. It has been blacklisted, along with ISIS-linked local groups, as a terrorist organization by the United States.

Now in his 60s, Sawadjaan is a late bloomer in the terrorism underworld.

His turn at the helm came after dozens of commanders, some initially aligned with the al-Qaida movement and later with ISIS, were killed or captured in decades of military offensives. The biggest battle loss came in 2017 when several foreign and local commanders were killed as troops quelled a five-month siege by hundreds of militants in southern Marawi city.

Among those killed was Isnilon Hapilon, a fierce Abu Sayyaf leader, who was the first ISIS-designated leader in the Philippines.

“I think Sawadjaan rose in rank because of seniority and there were no other leaders left. Almost everyone had been wiped out,” said Ano, a former military chief who oversaw the Marawi offensives and now supervises the national police as interior secretary.

Largely confined to Jolo’s poverty-wracked mountain settlements all his life, Sawadjaan was not the well-connected and media-savvy strategist foreign groups would normally ally with to expand their reach. His rise shows how ISIS would latch on desperately to any militant who could provide a sanctuary and armed fighters as its last strongholds crumble in Syria, Ano said.
“For the ISIS to perpetuate their terror actions, they need a base, they need people. That’s the role of Sawadjaan,” Ano told The Associated Press in an interview. He estimated that Sawadjaan commands about 200 combatants and followers.

Sawadjaan was born to a peasant family in predominantly Muslim Jolo and only likely finished grade school. Poverty drove him to work as a lumberjack in the jungles off Patikul town, where he married a woman from Tanum, the mountain village where he would base his Abu Sayyaf faction years later, a military officer, who has closely monitored the Abu Sayyaf, told the AP on condition of anonymity because of the nature of his work.

As an elderly villager, he served as a local mosque preacher, earning him the religious sobriquet “hatib,” or sermon leader in Arabic, the officer said.

Sawadjaan first took up arms as a member of the Moro National Liberation Front, the largest Muslim secessionist group in the south of the largely Roman Catholic country, which went on to sign a 1996 Muslim autonomy deal with the government, according to the officer.

His commander was Radulan Sahiron, the locally popular one-armed rebel who broke away from the MNLF in 1992. They joined the Abu Sayyaf, which had just been organized by a Libyan-educated local militant, said MNLF leader Yusop Jikiri.

Sawadjaan would later part ways with Sahiron, including over Sahiron’s refusal to accomodate foreign militants for fear they’re a magnet for military airstrikes, said Abu Jihad, a former militant who has met Sawadjaan and was captured by troops. Abu Jihad described Sawadjaan as a folksy village elderly, who constantly lugged an M-16 rifle in his hinterland community but was friendly to visitors.

 

When fellow militants kidnapped a visiting American Muslim convert, Jeffrey Schilling, for ransom in August 2000, Sawadjaan stayed in the background but helped gather bamboos that were used to build huts for the militants and their hostage, Abu Jihad said.

“He can discuss local issues but didn’t have any wisdom on jihad,” he told AP by phone, referring to the militants’ concept of holy war. “He’s very accommodating. He’s the type who will not be hard to sway.”

Sawadjaan collaborated with diverse outlaws, both Islamic extremists and brigands, Ano said.

 

He harbored the foreign couple, believed by Philippine officials to be Indonesians, who detonated the bombs in the Jolo cathedral last month, as well as a militant believed to be an Arab known as Abu Kathir al-Maghribi, who died in the van blast that also killed 10 government militiamen and villagers in Basilan last year, Ano added.

A video obtained by police officials showed al-Maghribi in Sawadjaan’s camp last year before the foreign militant reportedly carried out the suicide attack in Basilan. The video was seen by The AP.

His daughter married a Malaysian militant known as Amin Baco, who has ISIS connections. His younger brother, Asman, also belonged to the Abu Sayyaf, according to a confidential police profile of Sawadjaan.

 

Sawadjaan and his men would later be implicated in the kidnappings of a German couple, two Canadian men, Schilling and a Jordanian journalist, Baker Atyani. Most were ransomed off or escaped but the Canadian men were separately beheaded on video by one of Sawadjaan’s militant nephews, Ben Yadah, according to military and police officials.

 

In the more than a year of jungle captivity under Sawadjaan’s group starting in June 2012, Atyani got a deep insight into the Abu Sayyaf and the man who sheltered other militants from Indonesia and Malaysia and fostered banditry in the blurry underworld of Islamic extremism in the volatile south. Atyani is believed to have been freed in exchange for ransom.

“It’s all money-driven, it’s not an ideology,” Atyani said. “However, he has sympathy for those who are allegedly fighting for a cause.”

 

https://www.voanews.com/a/amid-loss-of-leaders-unknown-militant-rises-in-philippines/4799855.html

Army Commander slams CPP-NPA Terrorist’s brutality against civilians

From the Manila Bulletin (Feb 21, 2019): Army Commander slams CPP-NPA Terrorist’s brutality against civilians

The Army’s 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division under the leadership of Major General Dinoh Dolina is one with the Negrenses in condemning in the strongest possible terms the CPP-NPA Terrorist’s relentless killing rampage in Negros Island victimizing defenseless civilians.

Dolina said the latest victims of their alleged killing spree were Jonybert Sabeco, 40, former Revolutionary Proletarian Army (RPA) member and a resident of Sitio Cara-an, Brgy Tampalon, Kabankalan City; and Reynaldo Loque-Loque, 30, of Sitio Abaca, Barangay Nalundan, Bindoy, Negros Oriental.

Sabeco, according to Dolina, was brutally killed by unidentified communist terrorists on February 19, 2019 while Loque-Loque was shot to death outside of his own house on February 18, 2019.


“This is a very serious human rights matter wherein CPP-NPA Terrorist boastfully claiming the responsibility of killing civilians. It is a clear violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law on which the CPP-NPA-NDF is one of the signatories,” Dolina said.

“The CPP-NPA Terrorist and its support groups keep saying that they are freedom fighters and human rights defenders, but their words are in contrary to their deeds. These are deceptive slogans designed to mislead the people. The truth here is they don’t value human rights and human life. They are the true murderers and human rights violators,” he added.

Last January 29, 2019, the CPP-NPA Terrorist also allegedly heartlessly murdered a village watchman in front of his daughter in Brgy Carol-an, Kabankalan City.


“We challenge the Karapatan and its allied groups claiming that they are human rights advocates to denounce the brutality of the communist terrorists. If you are true human rights defenders, show up, dig deep and help the families of the victims attain justice,” he said.

Further, the Army Commander called on the Negrenses to continue cooperating with the government troops by providing information on the whereabouts of the CPP-NPA terrorists especially those who are behind yet another brutal crime to stop them from casting more atrocities.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/02/21/army-commander-slams-cpp-npa-terrorists-brutality-against-civilians/

Army commander to public: ‘Avoid spreading unverified information’

From the Philippine Information Agency (Feb 22, 2019): Army commander to public: ‘Avoid spreading unverified information’

COTABATO CITY – Army's 6th Infantry Division (6ID) Commander Major General Cirilito Sobejana has appealed to the public to refrain from spreading unverified information on social media following the recent twin explosion at the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Jolo, Sulu and the lobbing of grenade inside a mosque at Barangay Talon-Talon in Zamboanga City.

In his official statement, Sobejana said that with the very volatile situation, there are some individuals who are circulating messages in the social media threatening the public of more bombings triggering fear among the populace.
“I am appealing for sobriety and request everyone to stop from spreading unverified stories and reports that could aggravate the current situations in the affected areas,” the commander said.

Sobejana said he had already directed all the units under his command to strictly heighten the alert level and secure all places of worship, public places, and areas of convergence.

“We will also further intensify our intelligence efforts and initiate pro-active security measures to thwart possible hostile plan,

“I urged everyone to be watchful and extra vigilant at all times. Peace and security is everybody’s responsibility. Hence, report to authorities any security related issues for the safety of everyone,” he added.

Sobejana said the Joint Task Force Central which he leads and the 6ID maintain its partnership with Local Government Units (LGU) to strengthen and ensure the safety and security of everyone.

“I should say that we are on top of the situation and we have enough forces to protect the people and secure the area,” he said.

Sobejana also called on the public to be united and cooperate with authorities to resolve any looming security threat.

“Rest assured that in public service, we are never above you, we are never below but always beside you,” he added.

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1018886

DILG turns over ‘reintegration assistance’ to Army

From the Philippine Information Agency (Feb 22, 2019): DILG turns over ‘reintegration assistance’ to Army

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL -- The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Provincial Office turned over P231,000 worth of reintegration assistance to the 62nd Infantry Battalion (62nd IB) and 3rd Civil-Military-Operations Battalion (CMOBn) of the Philippine Army.

The reintegration assistance is a component benefit of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of President Rodrigo Duterte by virtue of Administrative Order No. 10 – 2018 that centralizes all government efforts for the reintegration of former rebels.

According to a release from the 303rd Infantry Brigade, the P21,000 assistance will be provided to each of the 11 former rebels, of which seven surrendered to 62nd IB and four to the 3rd CMOBn.

The reintegration assistance will be in support to the receiving unit to which the rebels surrendered which will be spent on their daily subsistence or meals while in custody of the military unit as well as for other incidental expenses necessary for their reintegration like securing birth certificate, identification card, and mobility expenses.

Engr. Carmelo Orbista, DILG provincial director, turned over the checks to the military here represented by Colonel Benedict Arevalo, commander of 303rd Infantry Brigade; Lt. Col. Egberto Dacoscos, commanding officer of 62nd IB; and Major Udgie Villan, acting commanding officer of 3rd CMOBn.

“This shows the sincerity of the government to accept NPAs who want to return to the folds of the law and live normal lives,” Arevalo said.

Other E-CLIP benefits include immediate assistance of P15,000; livelihood assistance of P50,000; firearms remuneration of P12,000 to P500,000; halfway house assistance; PhilHealth enrolment and medical assistance; education assistance; housing assistance; legal assistance; and healing and reconciliation initiatives.

Arevalo added that the Army strongly supports the E-CLIP initiative and welcome those who want to lay down their arms.

For inquiries about surrender, the 303rd Infantry Brigade can be reached through hotline numbers, 0956-328-2415 and 0947-5240587.

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1018857

Army expects hike in NPA surrenderees with E-CLIP implementation

From the Philippine Information Agency (Feb 22, 2019): Army expects hike in NPA surrenderees with E-CLIP implementation

CAMP PERALTA, Jamindan, Capiz, Feb -- Army's 3rd Infantry Division commander Major General Dinoh Dolina is anticipating a snowball of Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) terrorist surrenderees in Panay and Negros Islands.

“The growing number of former NPAs in the region receiving reintegration assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) will encourage the remaining communist terrorists to return to the folds of the law and live normal lives,” Dolina said.

Recently, 11 former NPAs in Negros Island who surrendered to the 62nd Infantry Battalion and 3rd Civil-Military Operations Battalion each received P21,000 worth of reintegration assistance from the Interior and local government of Negros Occidental.

In January 29 of this year, a former rebel from the municipality of Cuartero, Capiz who voluntarily surrendered to the government authorities also received a financial assistance amounting to P10,000 from the provincial government of Capiz.

“These E-CLIP beneficiaries are the living proofs of the government’s sincerity in helping those who courageously abandoned the senseless and bloody armed struggle. This sincerity will erase the reluctance of the communist terrorists to give up their selfish fight,” Dolina said.

Further, he reiterated his call to the remaining members of the CPP-NPA terrorists to lay down their arms and avail the E-CLIP for them to start a new and normal life together with their family. (Capt. Eduardo Precioso Jr./DPAO/PIA-Capiz)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1018862

4 NPA 'amazons' surrender in Bukidnon

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 22, 2019): 4 NPA 'amazons' surrender in Bukidnon

MANOLO FORTICH, Bukidnon -- Four women officers of the New People’s Army (NPA) have surrendered to the Army's 1st Special Forces Battalion (SFBn) in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon from January to the present.

In a statement Thursday, the Army's 4th Infantry Division (ID), identified the NPA surrenderers as Lorena Micabalo, 24, a political officer who surrendered on February 14; Gloria Jandaya, 63, a staff member of the NPA's regional urban committee who yielded on February 11; Gleceria Balangiao, 34, a liaison staff of the NPA's regional urban committee and daughter of Gloria Jandaya, who surrendered on February 11; and Jackielyn Ann Elaco, 34, a finance officer and political instructor who surrendered on January 21.
According to the 4th ID, Elaco turned in assorted medical and dental kits, and medicines that she claimed were used to treat injured NPA members. She also surrendered cellphones and a tablet that are now undergoing "contents forensics and analysis."

The four were members of the NPA's sub-regional committee 4, North Central Mindanao regional command, whose task was to radicalize communities and recruit members to the rebel group, the 4th ID said.

Col. Edgardo de Leon, commander of the Army's 403rd Brigade, lauded Lt. Col. Sergio Macarandan, commander of 1st SFBn, for "gaining the trust of the people in the communities.”

“The four ladies who surrendered are all victims of the CPP-NPA terrorists' exploitation. That is why they deserve to receive assistance from the government," de Leon said. CPP stands for the Communist Party of the Philippines.

"Their being among the marginalized sector of our society was exploited by CPP-NPA cadres who posed as ‘poverty liberators’ promising better living conditions, but in reality, brought them into the armed terrorist movement," he added.

Brig. Gen. Franco Nemesio Gacal, 4th ID commander, commended the troops "for painstakingly reaching out and convincing the four individuals to return to the fold of the law and enroll in the E-CLIP program."

Gacal was referring to the Enhanced Comprehensive Localized Integration Program (E-CLIP), the government's strategic flagship program to achieve its peace and development agenda.

"They (four surrenderers) were actually rescued by the soldiers and the civilians who acted as conduits. We thank our peace partners for believing, trusting, and joining our call for a united effort to foster peace in our communities," he added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1062643

Maute 'fundraiser' yields P6.8-M shabu in Lanao Sur

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 22, 2019): Maute 'fundraiser' yields P6.8-M shabu in Lanao Sur

BUY-BUST. Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency–Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao account the illegal stuff seized from alleged big-time drug peddler Amarodin Bantog in Wao, Lanao del Sur on Thursday (Feb. 21). (Photo courtesy of PDEA-ARMM)

COTABATO CITY – An alleged fundraiser of the Maute terror organization was arrested by anti-narcotic operatives during an anti-drug sting operation in Wao, Lanao del Sur on Thursday and seized some PHP6.8-million worth of illegal drugs.

Juvenal Azurin, director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) at the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, identified the suspect as Amarodin Allan Bantog who has four aliases based on identification cards seized from him that all bore his photo.

Bantog was believed to be peddling illegal drugs for the terrorist organization still fighting the government in Lanao del Sur.

Azurin said Banto carries the following aliases: Amroden Skak Bantog, Said Macarampat Gandawali, Amroden Iskak Bantog, and Datu.

“Bantog, who is 34-years-old and resident of Barangay Bumiga, Malabang, Lanao Del Sur, is a PDEA high-value target,” Azurin said.

Seized from the suspect was an eco-bag Bantog containing some 1,000 grams of shabu with an estimated market value of PHP6.8 million, the buy-bust money made of fake P1,000-peso bills in a plastic bag, shabu paraphernalia, assorted identification cards, and mobile phones.

Azurin said the shabu was repacked into small pieces of plastic packs while the supposed buy-bust money was placed in a black paper bag that contained one original PHP1,000 bill and 17 bundles of fake PHP1,000 bills which PDEA described as “boodle money.”

A PDEA confidential agent acted as a buyer of the shabu and they agreed to have an exchange at 1:30 p.m. along Purok 4, Barangay Easter in Wao, particularly in front of the Western Pilot Elementary School.

Bantog is now at the PDEA-ARMM custodial facility in Cotabato City while charges of violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 are being prepared against him.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1062698

AFP backs sanctioning pols giving in to Reds' extortion

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 22, 2019): AFP backs sanctioning pols giving in to Reds' extortion

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) supports efforts to punish politicians and candidates found giving aid to communist terrorist groups who extort money and demand permit-to-campaign from them, an official said Friday.

"The AFP will always support the efforts of the DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government) in sanctioning the erring candidates and politicians who violate these specific instructions and the laws pertaining to giving aid and comfort to the enemy of the state," AFP Public Affairs Office chief, Col. Noel Detoyato said Friday.

"We will monitor and gather information and report same to the DILG. Our field units are given specific tasks to carry this out while performing security and combat operations against the armed group of the CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front)," he added in a message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

The NPA, the armed wing of the CPP, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States government and European Union.

Last Thursday, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año revealed that 349 local and national government officials are supporting the communist rebels by giving in to the extortion demands and permit-to-campaign rackets of the NPA.

"We now have a watchlist, we know you. So if you are supporting communist rebels, in any way, you ascertain yourself as a supporter of terrorism and an enemy of the state, you establish yourself as an accomplice to their cause," he said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1062669

Gov't firm on no-ransom policy for Abu Sayyaf hostages

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 22, 2019): Gov't firm on no-ransom policy for Abu Sayyaf hostages

Malacañang on Friday stood firm on its policy not to give ransom money to the extremist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in exchange for the release of its hostages.

"To give in to the demands of terrorists and other lawless groups would embolden them to engage in more abductions that would allow them to conduct extremist and other criminal activities as they could buy more arms and weapons," Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

Panelo said the government is doing its best to secure the release of the two Indonesian and one Malaysian hostages.

"The ASG continues to be on the run as a result of the order of the President to the military to crush them. Our security forces are hunting them in the wild forests of Mindanao to unleash their might and blow them to kingdom come," he said.

The Abu Sayyaf threatened to execute the hostages, currently held captive in Mindanao, if ransoms are not paid.

The Indonesian hostages, believed to be Heri Ardiansyah, 19; and Hariadin, 45, were shown in the video in a forested area posted by ASG being guarded by gunmen.

The Malaysian hostage, Jari Abdulla, 24, was not with the two in the video.

The hostages were kidnapped at sea off Sandakan in Sabah on Dec. 5, 2018.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1062689

Trillanes rebellion raps trial resumes Mar. 20

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 22, 2019): Trillanes rebellion raps trial resumes Mar. 20

The Makati City regional trial court has set the continuation of the trial of the criminal case against Senator Antonio Trillanes IV for his part in the 2007 Manila Peninsula siege.

In an order dated February 6, Judge Elmo Alameda of Branch 150 said "considering that there is no more legal hindrance such as TRO [temporary restraining order] or injunction that enjoins this court from continuing with the hearing of the case, the court hereby sets the continuation of the presentation of prosecution evidence on March 20, 2019".

The court has allowed Trillanes to post bail last September 25.

The case had been hampered by pending motions and efforts by the court to recover destroyed pages of the original court records, which had been included for disposal and destruction under the directive of the Supreme Court on disposed cases five years and older.

In an order dated Dec. 18, 2018 Alameda denied the motion for reconsideration filed by defense counsels, ruling that Trillanes failed to provide sufficient basis to reverse the earlier ruling of the Makati court.

Alameda reiterated that contrary to Trillanes' insistence, the so-called "best evidence" rule applies in the case.

The legal principle means that in case the contents of a document are part of a legal controversy, which in Trillanes' case was whether he filled up forms seeking amnesty, the original document would be the best evidence.

Last September, the Makati regional trial court issued an alias warrant of arrest and hold departure order against Trillanes in connection with his rebellion case and other Magdalo soldiers over the Manila Peninsula siege in 2007.

Alameda said the burden of proving compliance with the minimum requirements to be entitled to amnesty under Proclamation No. 75, which was issued by the previous administration, rests on Trillanes.

Trillanes, the judge said, failed to convince the court that he complied with the minimum requirement to personally fill-up and file the official amnesty application form as required in Section 5, 6, and 11 of Department of National Defense Amnesty Committee Circular dated Dec. 21, 2010.

The Makati court noted that Trillanes failed to present the original hard copy, a duplicate copy, or even a photocopy to substantiate his claim that he personally accomplished and filed his official amnesty application form.

The court also gave weight to the online news report published on Jan. 5, 2011 presented by the prosecution, which indicated that Trillanes failed to expressly admit his guilt for the crimes committed during the Oakwood Mutiny and Manila Peninsula siege.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1062710

BARMM 'realization' of Moro dreams and end armed struggle: PRRD

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 22, 2019): BARMM 'realization' of Moro dreams and end armed struggle: PRRD

The newly-established Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is a realization of everyone's dream to end the armed struggle in Mindanao, President Rodrigo R. Duterte said on Friday.

"The successful ratification of this Organic Law will enable us to create an environment that will be conducive to the peaceful coexistence between the Muslims, Christians, Lumads, and all tribes of this planet as indigenous peoples and settlers who will consider Mindanao as their home," Duterte said in his speech during the ceremonial confirmation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) plebiscite canvass results and oath-taking ceremony of the members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) at Malacañang Palace.

Duterte assured various stakeholders that his administration will ensure good governance in BARMM.

"Your courage and determination will never be put to waste. I guarantee that you and this administration will use all the resources within its disposal to ensure better governance and inclusive political empowerment in this new Bangsamoro region," he said.

The President recalled the hardships of the peace process and expressed hope for permanent peaceful co-existence with the ratification of the BOL.

"We would like to see an end of the violence that has rocked Mindanao and have cost so many lives for nothing.If there is any problem at all or in the future, let me assure you that for the remaining years of my work as a government work here, here in this building, I assure you, Insha’Allah, I will always do what the law says and what is yours, to what extent that we can give you, not only comfort but happiness to the Muslims of Mindanao," he said.

Duterte challenged the 80 newly-appointed members of the BTA to fulfill a better future for the people of BARMM by committing to the values of the rule of law, good governance, and democracy.

"Always embody the dreams and aspirations of the great men and women who came before you and fought for the recognition of your right to determine your future," he told them.

The President announced the appointment of Moro Islamic Liberation Front Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim as Interim Chief Minister of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority.

The BOL, considered as one of President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s biggest legislative achievements, is expected to give the Moro people the basic legal tools to chart their own destiny within the country’s Constitutional framework.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1062747

PH envoy receives documentary evidence of IPs vs. CPP-NPA

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 22, 2019): PH envoy receives documentary evidence of IPs vs. CPP-NPA



National Security Council Deputy Director General Vicente Agdamag (right) on Feb. 21 hands over to Ambassador Evan P. Garcia, Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva, the documents containing the official complaints of the different tribal communities represented by the Mindanao Indigenous People Council for Peace and Development pertaining to the 17 atrocities committed by the Communist Party of the Philippines - New Peoples Army – National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF). The complaints will be submitted to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. (PNA photo by Gigie Arcilla-Agtay)

GENEVA, Switzerland – The National Security Council on Thursday handed over to Ambassador Evan P. Garcia, Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) and other International Organizations in Geneva, the documents containing the official complaints of the different tribal communities.

In a simple ceremony held at the Philippine Mission office here, National Security Council Deputy Director General Vicente Agdamag gave Garcia the official documents from IP groups represented by the Mindanao Indigenous People Council for Peace and Development pertaining to the 17 atrocities committed by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New Peoples' Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) against IPs.

“Thank you for these information. Rest assured that this will be properly handed over and move forward for the sake of our country and prosperity of our IPs,” Garcia said in his brief remark.

The submission of documentary evidence was in reference to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights’ Resolution 33/12 dated Sept. 29, 2016 which defines the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur for Indigenous People.

“We humbly submit the official complaints of the different tribal communities represented by the Mindanao Indigenous Peoples Council for Peace and Development relative to the ongoing persecution of peace-loving IPs by the CPP-NPA-NDF and their front organizations like Rural Missionaries of the Philippines, Mindanao Interfaith Service Foundation, Incorporated, IBON Foundation and KARAPATAN,” said the letter dated Feb. 21, 2019, addressed to the UNHCHR.

“The 17 violations of tribal culture and tribal rights include: the recruitment of IP children to become child warriors; encroachment of tribal ancestral domain through the CPP schools without free and prior informed consent (FPIC); rape and molestation of IP children in these schools; trafficking of IP children by CPP allies; and the continuous killing of tribal leaders opposing the CPP-NPA programs in the ancestral domain,” the letter signed by Agdamag added.

The documents also include IP affidavits and resolutions.

The NSC letter said “all the violations have been going on for years since the communist groups indigenized the revolution (communist) in the 1980s.

“It must be noted that the current UN Rapporteur Victoria Tauli-Corpuz seems to have never lifted a finger to intervene in these communist terrorist groups’ (CTGs) violations and has rather trained her attention to government forces who have been trying to defend the human rights of the IPs,” the letter said.

Tauli-Corpuz, a Filipina development consultant and an international indigenous activist of Kankana-ey Igorot ethnicity, assumed responsibilities as the third UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on June 2, 2014.

Agdamag, in a separate interview, said this is the first time that the Philippine government submitted documentary evidence against the CTGs.

“It becomes very clear that the government is serious in ending the local communist armed conflict,” he added.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte, on December 4, 2018, signed Executive Order No. 70, which also institutionalizes a “whole-of-nation approach” in attaining an “inclusive and sustainable peace, creating a National Task Force to end local communist armed conflict, and directing the adoption of a National Peace Framework. “

“There is a need to create a national task force that will provide an efficient mechanism and structure for the implementation of the whole-of-nation approach to aid in the realization of the collective aspiration of the Filipino people to attain inclusive and sustainable peace,” the order read.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1062751

WESTMINCOM: Maute sub-leader yields to troops in Lanao del Sur

Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Website (Feb 20, 2019): Maute sub-leader yields to troops in Lanao del Sur



A sub-leader of the Daesh-inspired Maute fighters surrendered yesterday to military troops in Lanao del Sur.

The local government of Lumba Bayabao facilitated the surrender of Aloyodan Bantak, alias Ibrahim Bantak, according to Lieutenant Colonel Edgar Allan Villanueva, the 49th Infantry Battalion Commander.

“Bantak is involved in the November 2016 Butig Siege. He is the recruiter of the Abu Dar group,” added Lieutenant Colonel Villanueva.

Bantak also yielded a caliber 5.56mm sniper rifle, two magazines of grenade launchers, and ammunition.

On February 18, three Daesh-inspired-Maute remnants under sub-leader Mubarak Manalo, also surrendered to the 49IB in the municipality of Sultan Dumalondong, Lanao del Sur.

“While we are supporting the recovery, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of Marawi, our efforts against the Maute terrorists will be continuous in order to achieve a peaceful and progressive community,” said Colonel Romeo Brawner, the 103rd Infantry Brigade Commander.

Meanwhile, Brigadier General Roberto Ancan, the Joint Task Force ZamPeLan Commander, commended the efforts of the troops of the 49th IB and the LGU of Lumba Bayabao.

“Our campaign against terrorists will be relentless and we will take advantage of their weakened leadership and capabilities in order to attain a just and lasting peace in our area of operation,” concluded Ancan.

Lieutenant General Arnel Dela Vega, the commander of the Western Mindanao Command, said the series of capitulations is a welcoming development on the current thrust of the armed forces to purge Western and Central Mindanao of insurgency.

“With the extension of Martial Law in Mindanao, internal security operations will be strengthened and consultations with those at stake will be initiated to address decades-long insurgency in the area,” he added.

“While we maintain our stance, we gladly welcome those who wish to lay down their arms and return to the fold of the law,” added Lieutenant General Dela Vega.

http://www.westmincom.com/maute-sub-leader-yields-to-troops-in-lanao-del-sur/

WESTMINCOM: 5 communist terrorists yield to troops in Sultan Kudarat

Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Website (Feb 21, 2019): 5 communist terrorists yield to troops in Sultan Kudarat



Five communist terrorists surrendered to the troops of the Marine Battalion Landing Team-2 in Sultan Kudarat on February 11.

“Due to our intensified military operations and information campaign on the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program, the rebels decided to yield to our troops in Kalamansig,” said Brigadier General Eugenio Hernandez, the 1MBde Commander.

The former rebels belong to the Dulangan-Manobo tribe.

Marine troops presented the former rebels to Mayor Ronan Eugene Garcia of the town of Kalamansig.



They will receive E-CLIP benefits, such as free housing, reintegration program worth P21,000, livelihood assistance worth P50,000, free college education, and other government benefits.

The former rebels claimed they were deceived by the NPA. They were given arms and false promises to fight the government, they added.

Mayor Garcia said the former rebels will be given jobs and may be recruited as members of the Civilian Active Auxiliary to become productive citizens.

The surrender is one way of encouraging other communist rebels to surrender to the government, added Brigadier General Hernandez.

“We will continue to do our mandate to keep the peace and prosperity in the municipalities,” he added.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Arnel Dela Vega, the commander of the Western Mindanao Command, said, “Military troops work with line agencies and local government units to advance the government’s thrust to assist and reintegrate former rebels.”

“With our internal security campaign and our community support program, we hope that we may enlighten and convince other rebels to leave the battleground and to ponder the government’s sincere efforts to lend a hand and to address insurgency in Mindanao,” he added.

http://www.westmincom.com/5-communist-terrorists-yield-to-troops-in-sultan-kudarat/

WESTMINCOM: 2 Sayyafs slain, 2 hurt in Sulu clash

Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Website (Feb 21, 2019): 2 Sayyafs slain, 2 hurt in Sulu clash



Two Abu Sayyaf militants were slain while two more were wounded in a gunfight with military troops in Sulu this morning (February 21).

Operating troops of the 41st Infantry Battalion encountered more or less eight Abu Sayyaf militants in Sitio Tubig Amu, Barangay Tanum, Patikul, Sulu at around 11am today.

Said gunfight resulted in deaths of two Abu Sayyaf militants and wounding of two others, based on information coming from the populace.

“Troops are presently scouring the encounter site and will pursue the fleeing enemy,” said Brigadier General Divino Rey Pabayo, the Joint Task Force Sulu Commander.

Troops delivered 105mm and 81mm rounds at Luba Hill of said barangay, where the Abu Sayyaf members are suspected to have fled.

“Military troops are closing in on evading Abu Sayyaf militants and are gaining a foothold with the sustained conduct of tactical offensives and intelligence operations being launched in the hinterlands of Sulu,” said Lieutenant General Arnel Dela Vega, the commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

http://www.westmincom.com/2-sayyafs-slain-2-hurt-in-sulu-clash/

WESTMINCOM: Norwegian ambassador visits troops in Maguindanao

Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Website (Feb 21, 2019): Norwegian ambassador visits troops in Maguindanao



Mr. Bjon Jahnsen, the Norwegian ambassador to the Philippines, met with Brigadier General Juvymax Uy, the 6th Infantry Division Assistant Commander, in Camp Siongco, Awang, Datu Odin, Sinsuat, Maguindanao on February 20.

Ambassador Jahnsen was accompanied by delegates from Myanmar High-Level Delegation of the Joint Monitoring Committee, Myanmar Embassy in Manila, and Norwegian Embassy.



Discussed were the central role of the 6th ID and the elements and strategies that contributed to the success of the Bangsamoro Peace Process, particularly on the experience of the GPH-MILF Ceasefire Mechanism and the normalization process.



The meeting is in connection with the visitors’ Leadership Study Visit for the Joint Monitoring Committee–Union Level from Myanmar that intends to replicate the ongoing ceasefire agreement between the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and the Ethic Armed Organization.



http://www.westmincom.com/norwegian-ambassador-visits-troops-in-maguindanao/

EASTMINCOM:MGen Santos Jr. to NPA: Heed the people's call

Posted to the Eastern Mindanao Command (EASTMINCOM) Website (Feb 22, 2019): MGen Santos Jr. to NPA: Heed the people's call


NSFA, Panacan, Davao City - "Heed the people's call, they are already tired of your coercion and intimidation." This was the challenge of MGen. Felimon T. Santos Jr. to the leadership of the NPA after more and more communities and LGUs are declaring them "persona non grata" in their respective communities.

"The people believe in the government's resolve to address their issues and concern and socio-economic changes that are being pushed and that they do not want this to be hampered and stalled," MGen Santos said.

Latest villages that declared the CPP-NPA as persona non grata were Barangays Caburacanan, St. Peter, Silae, Indalasa of Malaybalay and Barangay Canangaan, Freedom, and Dalacutan of Cabanglasan, all of Bukidnon Province. The declaration was made on February 20, 2019.

The Province of Davao Oriental prohibited the CPP-NPA-NDF and declared them as undesirable in the whole province after the Provincial Peace and Order Council passed a resolution on February 19, 2019, to that effect.

On February 15, 2019, villages in Surigao del Norte particularly Camam-onan and Gigaquit, both known villages where NPA thrive for the past years, banned the CPP-NPA-NDF in their villages when they declared them as persona non grata on February 15, 2019.

Last January 25, 2019, Compostela Valley Province passed a resolution condemning and declaring the CPP-NPA-NDF as persona non grata in the whole province.

In the same manner, 21 Barangays in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon and the whole Municipality of Sibagat, Agusan del Sur declared the CPP and NPA members as persona non grata on October 23, 2018, and December 21, 2018, respectively.

"This is a good development which shows that the communities are prepared and willing to participate in the implementation of Executive Order 70, particularly on the implementation of the cultural and socio-economic programs of the government," MGen Santos Jr. said.

It can be recalled that on 2014, the Municipality of Kapalong together with the Tribal Leaders courageously declared the CPP-NPA-NDF as persona non grata in the whole municipality including the Ancestral Domain under it, which contributed to the stable peace and order in the area.

Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP

 

http://www.eastmincomafp.com.ph/2019/02/mgen-santos-jr-to-npa-heed-peoples-call.html

EASTMINCOM: Female Rebel Leaders enrolled in E-CLIP

Posted to the Eastern Mindanao Command (EASTMINCOM) Website (Feb 22, 2019): Female Rebel Leaders enrolled in E-CLIP



NSFA, Panacan, Davao City - Four members of terrorist armed group NPA who voluntarily surrendered to the 1st Special Forces Battalion under Ltc. Sergio Macarandan based in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon were formally enrolled in the Government program's Enhance Comprehensive Local Integration Program yesterday, February 21, 2019.

The enrolment came after their confession as members of the NPA which was administered by lawyers from the Public Attorneys Office to the Provincial Prosecutor in Bukidnon.

In a report made by Col. Edgardo Y. De Leon to MGen. Felimon T. Santos Jr., Commander of Eastern Mindanao Command, he indicated that the four were frustrated due to the contradictions between what is being preached and what is actually happening inside the CPP-NPA, which made them decide to quit and join the folds of the law.

Accordingly, the four have been recruiting residents of western Bukidnon and in urban areas of Cagayan de Oro City to join the underground and armed group during their stint with the terrorist organization and have also served in different capacities.



The surrenderees were identified as JAI-JAI, a Political Officer of an NPA Platoon voluntarily surrendered on February 14, 2019; and a mother and daughter identified as alias Diding, 63 years old, and Jao, 34 years old, both staffs of the Regional Urban Committee in North Central Mindanao surrendered on February 11, 2019.

On the other hand, LALA, 34 years old, a Finance Officer and Platoon Political Instructor of an NPA Platoon voluntarily surrendered last January 21, 2019. She turned-in assorted medical and dental kits such as medicines which she used to treat NPA terrorists injured in encounters with government troops; cellphones and an ACER tablet that are now undergoing "contents forensics and analysis."

Meanwhile, MGen Santos Jr. expressed his full support for the advocacy of BGen. Franco Nemesio Gacal, Commander of 4th Infantry Division for a 'Peaceful War' which seeks to reach out the vulnerable sectors, the influenced masses, and those recruited into the armed group to gain their support in establishing a peaceful community.

"We do not need to kill each other after all we are all Filipinos, our issues are being addressed by the government. In support to the advocacy, I encourage all our units to assist the communities and act as ambassadors of peace and development in our communities in partnership with different stakeholders to end this conflict once and for all," MGen Santos Jr. said.

Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP

 

http://www.eastmincomafp.com.ph/2019/02/female-rebel-leaders-enrolled-in-e-clip.html