NDF/Sison: Esperon is bluffing and exposing his ignorance or disrespect for the law governing INTERPOL

Jose Maria Sison propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Philippines (NDFP or NDF) Website (Oct 30, 2019): Esperon is bluffing and exposing his ignorance or disrespect for the law governing INTERPOL



By Jose Maria Sison
NDFP Chief Political Consultant

It has been nearly two months since General Albayalde, chieftain of the ninja cops in the illegal drug trade, boastfully announced on September 10, 2019 that I would soon be arrested with the use of the Interpol on the false charge of being responsible for the the so-called Inopacan massacre fabricated by General Esperon during the Arroyo regime. No arrest has been made up to this time.

Now here comes General Esperon himself, the original inventor of the Inopacan yarn who made the sacks of bones walk from the Baybay case to the Inopacan case, belatedly bluffing and boasting that a team of his Filipino operatives is already in Europe collaborating with Interpol personnel in all-out plan to arrest me.

I assure the public that Esperon is merely exposing his ignorance or disrespect for the law governing the Interpol by bluffing that its personnel are collaborating with his team in operations to arrest me.

According to law and its defined tasks, the Interpol does not engage in arrest operations but can at the most collect and disseminate information to national police forces and coordinate cooperation between national police forces, for example between those of the Philippines and the Netherlands where I am.

There is no way for the Duterte regime and its armed minions to arrest me without taking into account the jurisdiction of the Netherlands, its own sovereign laws regarding due process and its conformity to international conventions on refugees, human rights and fundamental freedoms.

I must stress two legal points to Esperon, his master Duterte and all their armed minions:

First, the Interpol does not deploy personnel for arrest operations and does not disseminate derogatory information against any one if the information is predominantly politically-motivated, like the Inopacan fabrication, which was supposed to have occurred in 1985 while I had no position in the CPP and was under maximum military detention during the Marcos regime.

Second, there is due process in the Netherlands unlike the Philippines which is dominated by a regime that has become notorious for extrajudicial killings with impunity. I must remind Esperon that he failed to cause my extradition in 2005 because I have the right of non-refoulement as a recognized political refugee and likewise the false charges he fabricated against me in 2006 and 2007 did not suffice to keep me in prison.

I won my case in the Dutch court against the false charge of multiple murder because there is due process in the Netherlands, which is bound by its own sovereign laws and by international conventions on refugees, human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The more Hermogenes Esperon talks about arresting me, the more he reinforces my status as a recognized political refugee. He is proving to The Netherlands and the European Union how the Philippine government under Duterte threatens and persecutes dissenters and critics like myself. Esperon’s boasts would be added to the rich case file for status as a recognized political refugee.

Esperon is deluding only himself and Duterte that they could arrest me, or that they could fool the rest of the world into arresting me. There are limits to his delusion, and the limits include Dutch, and European laws and international human rights conventions and Dutch laws.

Esperon should never forget that when he was military chief under the Arroyo regime, he and his minions tried to hoodwink the Dutch prosecutors and courts with the fabricated case against me. They succeeded in having me arrested for some 17 days, only to be freed by the court which found the case weak, unsustainable and incredible.

I challenge Esperon and Duterte to arrest Imelda Marcos, former police chief Albayalde, and other big criminals who are in fact scandalously allied with the Duterte regime . He should stop picking on me. The most I can do abroad is to exercise my freedom of thought and expression. And I am well supported and defended by my lawyers, solidarity activists and people.

Duterte, Esperon and other murderous criminals in power in the Philippines should prepare to be impleaded in the ICC proceedings. It is more probable to see Duterte and Esperon arrested in the near future, than someone like me who has respected the laws of the country where I stay as a recognized political refugee.

As a descendant of the Marcos fascist dictatorship and now one of the top hatchetmen of the Duterte tyranny, national security adviser General Esperon must be reminded that I stand for freedom and justice and the national and social liberation of the Filipino people and that I have a record of prevailing over tyrannical regimes and over false charges, as when I became one of the winning plaintiffs in the human rights case against Marcos and frustrated Esperon’s fabricated charge in 2007 which was dismissed by the court concerned in The Netherlands ###

https://ndfp.org/esperon-is-bluffing-and-exposing-his-ignorance-or-disrespect-for-the-law-governing-interpol/

CPP/NPA-Quezon: The road to peace, is rough, and on the left

NPA-Quezon propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Oct 29, 2019): The road to peace, is rough, and on the left

CLEO DEL MUNDO

SPOKESPERSON

NPA-QUEZON

NAPOLONIO MENDOZA COMMAND

NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY

OCTOBER 29, 2019

“Sagot sa opinion column ni Governor Danilo Suarez”
www.manilastandard.net/opi…/…/over…/the-road-to-peace.html

Dear Editor,

I have read the column of Gov. Danilo Suarez titled The Road To Peace posted last October 17 on your website. It was a week after the first 100 days of the governor as head of the province of Quezon, and still, he is clearly unaware of the real plight of his people, especially the coconut farmers and the indigenous people from the countryside.

Expectedly, the revolutionary movement in the province DO NOT share the same method of Governor Suarez on how to achieve a better life in Quezon.

Gov. Suarez being a staunch supporter of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict is blindly encouraged by the US-Duterte regime that ending armed conflict can be achieved by the expensive all-out war of the joint operations of the military and the police waged against the New Peoples Army.

No, Mister Governor, it wont achieve anything related to peace. Instead, the combined focused military operations and the so called community support program operations of RTF-ELCAC already resulted to more than 300 counts of human rights violations from June of this year alone in the towns of South Quezon-Bondoc Peninsula, in Sariaya, General Nakar and Infanta.

The victims of the military atrocites are the very same people that knocked on your office to have a dialogue. Their demand is to declare state of calamity in the province brought by El Niño in the first half of 2019 that intensified the poor condition of the farmers due to low prices of copra and cocounut for the last two years.

Instead of heeding to their grievances, you blatantly told them, wala akong magagawa, kahit pa si Presidente Duterte.

Indeed, these are the very same people that your principal, Mayor Duterte, ignorantly ordered to eat copra, rather than carrying out his promise to return the billion pesos of coco levy funds.

Returning the levy, or giving subsidy from the calamity fund, while the prices of copra is still far from recovering will somehow alleviate the condition of the farmers, i.e., leading to better life.

They also asked for your support in stopping the implementation of the Kaliwa Dam but you simply told them, wala akong magagawa, national project yan.

Standing on your own belief will be treacherous to the stories of the lamentable conditions you mentioned is worth listening to. The main demand of the farmers is better life which means raising the prices of their farm produce primarily copra, or at least providing them subsidy in the aftermath of El Niño, NOT coconut seedlings.

You should have supported the clamor of your katutubong magsasaka to stop the construction of the destructive dam. The Dumagats and Remontados, as indigenous people, are entitled to determine the outcome of any decision-making that affects them.

Mister Governor, these are your constituents whom you campaigned last May to vote for you, but recently you declared them as persona non grata just because they are members of militant and progressive organizations, you suspected them of supporting the CPP-NPA.

Yes certainly, these people are the same oppressed class in the countryside that your government pushed to take up arms in order to overthrow the ruling system.

Your vision of “inclusive and sustainable peace” should not be merely recognizing the cause but taking the right, just and lasting action, benefitting the toiling masses, the oppressed. Doing otherwise is simply feeding them with your empty trapo rethorics.

Thus, the support of the people continues for the revolutionary movement, 50 years and counting, amidst sacrifices and hardships. For we have brought, together with the oppressed, not just surface level change but real, drastic, and radical reform that your government chose not to do.

By agrarian revolution, we have won countless of campaigns for free distribution of land, lowering farm production cost and farm inputs, higher price for farm products, reduction of land rent, and many more. We have empowered the people by establishing their farmer cooperatives and organizations. These are the victories of the revolutionary mass movement. A far cry from the promised “economic change and prosperity” of your government.

One last point, dont get over excited with the numbers of rebel surrenderees because no one is convinced of your statistics. 99% of your rebel surrenderees are ordinary farmers.

It is an open secret that the enhanced comprehensive local integration program of the DILG is a milking cow of the military. We never heard of anyone from the 23 beneficiaries of ECLIP presented publicly who received cash and livelihood assistance to rebel surrenderees amounting to P25,000 up to P65,000.

What the people of Quezon knew are the surenderees who received P200 for trike rental from military camp back to their farming villages, and 5 kilos of rice and 10 cans of sardines they said came from DSWD.

Dont be surprised if these people chose the path to the mountains which you said is rough, dangerous, and risky. Turning left will definitely lead them right to the road to peace.

https://cpp.ph/statement/the-road-to-peace-is-rough-and-on-the-left/

Kalinaw News: Army to Agnor Town Local Leaders and Residents: Reject Communist Terrorist Group

Posted to Kalinaw News (Oct 30, 2019): Army to Agnor Town Local Leaders and Residents: Reject Communist Terrorist Group

Bancasi, Butuan City – The Army Commander in Caraga urged local leaders and its residents to reject the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) during the Municipal Development Council (MDC) and Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) Launching of the Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC) of the Municipality of Jabonga yesterday morning, Sunday, October 27, 2019 held at the Multi-Purpose Gym, Brgy Baleguian, Jabonga, Agusan del Norte.

In his speech during the launching of MTF ELCAC in Jabonga town, Col Maurito L Licudine, Commander of the 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade challenged the local leaders and residents to reject outright the CTG and its allied left-leaning organizations in order to move forward in one direction particularly in ending the local communist armed conflict and attain a long and lasting peace in the said town.

The launching as a manifestation of rejection of CTG and support to the EO 70 was also highlighted with the Jabonga MTF ELCAC’s 1st resolution declaring the CPP-NPA-NDF and its Allies as Persona Non Grata in Brgys A. Beltran, Maraiging, Bangonay, Libas and Baleguian of same town.

Present during the joint MDC-MPOC resolution signing of Jabonga which officially created and launched the town’s MTF ELCAC were Hon Dale V Corvera, Provincial Governor of Agusan del Norte,Hon Maria Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba, Representative of the 2nd District of Agusan del Norte and other invited guests from different agencies and stakeholders.

Col Maurito L Licudine, Commander of the 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade said, “The local residents must resist the CTG and reject them from their communities. Your Army will side by side stand in unity with the local leaders and its people to demonstrate that the CPP-NPA Terrorist (CNTs) and its left-leaning legal organizations have no place in our peace-loving communities. It’s easier said than done but with the local leaders leading their constituents in the fight against the terrorist group and at the same time addressing the root causes of the insurgency problem, no doubt we can achieve to end local communist armed conflict in Caraga the soonest possible time.”

“The operationalization of the Whole of Nation Approach as a new mantra in all levels of local governance to end local communist insurgency on the ground is a big challenge due to threat and intimidation from the CNTs particularly against civilian stakeholders. However, we call on to all local officials and IP community leaders to unite and join hands and continue supporting the peace and development interventions. Rest assured that your Army in Caraga will never cease in fulfilling its mandate to protect the communities from every threat group”, Col Licudine added.

Division Public Affairs Office 4th Infantry Division Philippine Army
Cpt Regie H Go
OIC DPAO 4ID
armydiamond@ymail.com

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace by the Philippine Army. It provides information on the activities of Army Units nationwide in the performance of their duty of Serving the People and Securing the Land. This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
Contact us: contact@kalinawnews.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/army-to-agnor-town-local-leaders-and-residents-reject-communist-terrorist-group/

Kalinaw News: More and more communities decry CPP-NPA-NDF and its allied left leaning organizations in Agusan Norte, declares Persona Non Grata

Posted to Kalinaw News (Oct 30, 2019): More and more communities decry CPP-NPA-NDF and its allied left leaning organizations in Agusan Norte, declares Persona Non Grata

Bancasi, Butuan City – Another batch of communities decry the CPP-NPA-NDF and its Allied Left Leaning Organizations and declared them as Persona Non Grata in Agusan Norte during the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) 1-Day Community Immersion held at Brgy Mahaba, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte on October 26, 2019.

More and more communities have declared the CPP-NPA-NDF and its Allied Left Leaning Organizations as Persona Non Grata in the province of Agusan del Norte as they condemned the continuous threat and exploitation of its people thereby hampering the peace and development they wanted in the province.

Five (5) Barangays of Cababadbaran City namely: Brgys Puting Bato, Bayabas, Concepcion, Bay-ang, and Mahaba have announced their declaration of the CPP-NPA-NDF and its Allied Left Leaning Organizations as Persona Non Grata through their respective resolutions.

Excerpt from one of the brangay resolution state that “Usa ka resoluyon gikan sa konseho sa Barangay, aron ipadayag ang mga miyembro sa Kumunistang Partido sa PIilipinas, Bagong Hukbong Bayan, National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) ug miyembro sa ilang organisasyon sama sa: Unyun sa Mag-uuma sa Agusan del Norte, Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), KATRIBU, Karapatan, Anak Pawis, , Anak Bayan, Bayan Muna, Gabriela, League of Filipino Students (LFS), Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas ug uban pang teroristang grupo ug iyang taga-suporta nga Persona Non Grata o dili na Pagadawaton”.

Likewise, two (2) tribal councils of Brgys Mahaba and Puting Bato in a unified resolution also declared said groups as Persona Non Grata. They recognized that the CPP-NPA are terrorist and all the members of the community who will support or accept the members of the CPP-NPA and their legal organization will be punished for supporting terrorism.

In line with the Whole of Nation Approach (WNA) embodied in the Executive Order No. 70, the 1-Day Community Immersion dubbed as “Serbisyong Tinuoray, Serbsisyong Walay Pili” aimed at winning back the trust of the community especially in the conflict affected barangays to support the government’s effort in bringing the government closer to the people wherein basic services of all government agencies and other stakeholders are at the doorstep of its constituents.

As per records of 402nd Brigade, there are already thirty-eight (38) barangays, four (4) municipalities and three (3) Tribal Community/Councils that already declared the CPP-NPA-NDF and its Allied Left Leaning Organizations as persona non grata in Agusan del Norte while two hundred seventy-three (273) barangays, seven (7) Tribal Community/Councils, twenty-one (21) municipality, and one (1) province in the whole Caraga region had done same

Col Maurito L Licudine, Commander of the 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade said, “Most of the barangays that have declared the CPP-NPA-NDF and its Allied Left-Leaning Organizations as Persona Non Grata are the influenced barangays or categorized as conflict affected areas wherein residents have experienced for the past years to be under the threat and control of the CPP-NPA Terrorist and were victims of deceptive recruitment and extortion.”

“We recognize the courage of the leaders and the residents for the expulsion of the terrorist and their left leaning organizations in their barangays we commit our continuous effort to rid these communities of the CPP-NPA influence. We call on the remaining CNT members to be awakened and realize the futility of their armed struggle. It’s not too late, they can avail the government’s integration program and live peacefully with their families”, Col Licudine added.

402nd Infantry Brigade, 4th Infantry Division Philippine Army
CPT FRANCISCO P GARELLO JR (INF) PA
402nd Bde Civil Military Operations Officer
Contact Number:0915-054-3439/0948-641-6783
Add us on Facebook at: RAJAH KULAMBO (Stinger)

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace by the Philippine Army. It provides information on the activities of Army Units nationwide in the performance of their duty of Serving the People and Securing the Land. This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
Contact us: contact@kalinawnews.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/more-and-more-communities-decry-cpp-npa-ndf-and-its-allied-left-leaning-organizations-in-agusan-norte-declares-persona-non-grata/

Kalinaw News: One NPA Terrorist with One (1) High-Powered Firearm Surrender to 73IB

Posted to Kalinaw News (Oct 30, 2019): One NPA Terrorist with One (1) High-Powered Firearm Surrender to 73IB



MALAPATAN, Sarangani Province – A member of the NPA identified as Melchor of Squad 1, Platoon Central, WGF TALA (GF71), FSMR, resident of Sitio Melag, Brgy Kinam, Malapatan, Sarrangani Province voluntarily surrendered to Alpha Company, 73IB under 1st Lt. Orestes D. Fausto, Sarangani Police Provincial Office, and Malapatan Police Station on Wednesday, 30 October 2019, bringing along with him one (1) springfield carbine rifles with serial number 388427. Accordingly, Melchor surrendered due to fear for his security and constant hiding from government troops. He would also like to settle his family problems which were brought about by his joining the NPA.

SInce January of this year, there are already a total of 46 NPA who have surrendered to 73IB with 29 assorted firearms.“The government forces are focused on defeating the CPP-NPA Terrorists as it hinders peace and security. Thus, we are reiterating our call on other NPA members to lay down their arms, surrender and avail the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP)”, Lt. Col. Ronaldo G. Valdez, Commander, 73IB said.

“We shall continue to uphold our core purpose of serving the people and securing the land. With the support of the Local Government Unit and local officials of Sarangani Province, we can together defeat and end the CPP-NPA Terrorists evil interventions”, he added.

Division Public Affairs Office 10th Infantry Division Philippine Army
Cpt Jerry Lamosao
Chief, DPAO 10th Infantry Division
Mawab, Compostela Valley
09154962407

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace by the Philippine Army. It provides information on the activities of Army Units nationwide in the performance of their duty of Serving the People and Securing the Land. This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
Contact us: contact@kalinawnews.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/one-npa-terrorist-with-one-1-high-powered-firearm-surrender-to-73ib/

Negrense Visayas AFP head

From the Visayan Daily Star (Oct 30, 2019): Negrense Visayas AFP head

A Negrense Army general is taking over the command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Central Command at Camp Lapu-Lapu in Cebu City tomorrow.

He is Maj. Gen. Roberto Ancan, of Victorias City, Negros Occidental.

Ancan, outgoing commander of the Army’s1st Infantry Division, will replace Maj. Dinoh Dolina, who served as OIC of AFP Central Command, following the designation of Lt. Gen. Noel Clement as AFP chief of staff.

Dolina, who is also the commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, is slated to retire from the military service on Nov. 14.

Brig. Gen. Eric Vinuya, Assistant division commander of 3ID and concurrent Joint Task Force Negros commander, was reported to be among those being groomed to replace Dolina.
But there is no confirmation yet as of this time for the new position of Vinuya, nor of the successor of Ancan as 1st Infantry Division commander in Mindanao.

Ancan, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1987, used to serve in Negros as company commander of the 11th Infantry Battalion and chief of staff of the 3rd Infantry Division in Jamindan, Capiz.

AFP chief of staff Clement is expected to install Ancan as the new commander of the AFP Central Command. With his promotion to a higher position, Ancan is also expected to be promoted to the rank of lieutenant general.

Ancan is the recipient of a long list of medals, awards and commendations, the highest of which is the Distinguish Service Star, the second highest medal next only to the Medal of Valor of the AFP.

As AFP Central Command chief, Ancan will supervise the AFP units in Visayas, including the Air Force and Navy units, and the two Army divisions stationed in Western and Eastern Visayas.

Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office 6 led by PBrig. Gen. Rene Pamuspusan yesterday rendered testimonial honors forDolina at Camp Martin Delgado in Iloilo City.

Regional police spokesperson Lt. Col. Joem Malong said Gen. Dolina was given honors by the PRO6, in recognition of his untiring support to the police force during his term as commander of 3rd Infantry Division, specifically in peace, order and security efforts in the region.

In his speech, Dolina, expressed his gratitude to the PRO6 for giving him such honor.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2019/October/30/topstory5.htm

Philippines, China hold first meeting on oil, gas exploration deal

From Rappler (Oct 30, 2019): Philippines, China hold first meeting on oil, gas exploration deal

The official establishment of the Philippines-China intergovernmental joint steering committee brings the two countries closer to exploiting natural resources in the West Philippine Sea



EXPLORATION. The Philippines and China officially establish the intergovernmental joint steering committee on oil and gas exploration on October 28,2019, in Beijing, China. Photo by the Department of Foreign Affairs

The Philippines and China officially convened the intergovernmental joint steering committee on oil and gas exploration, marking a step forward in joint exploration efforts by the two countries in specific areas in the West Philippine Sea.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced on Wednesday, October 30, that Filipino and Chinese officials held their first meeting on the matter in Beijing last Monday, October 28.

During the meeting, both governments confirmed the official establishment of the committee which is in line with the memorandum of understanding (MOU) and terms of reference on oil and gas exploration signed by both Manila and Beijing.

The committee, the DFA said, had a "candid, in-depth, and friendly exchange on cooperation arrangements" under the MOU and agreed to move forward with talks.

Among those present at the committee's first meeting were Foreign Undersecretary for Policy Enrique Manalo, who headed the Philippine delegation, and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui, who headed the Chinese delegation.

The DFA said other officials from both the foreign affairs and energy departments or ministries from both countries, along with other relevant agencies, were also present.

The first official meeting of the joint governmental committee is the latest development after the Philippines and China formed committees to draft contracts covering specific areas for oil and gas exploration in Philippine waters during President Rodrigo Duterte's 5th visit to China last August.

The formation of the groups was also stipulated in the MOU on joint exploration signed during Xi's state visit to the Philippines in November 2018.

China earlier authorized the China National Offshore Oil Corporation to undertake oil and gas exploration, while the Philippines said companies already holding service contracts would have authority. Areas not covered by any existing service contract would be handled by state-run Philippine National Oil Company-Exploration Corporation.

The issues being tackled by the committee include proposed areas for exploration. These areas are expected to be finalized by November this year.

Manila and Beijing will also have to thresh out the 60-40 sharing scheme Duterte wants.

Retired Supreme Court senior associate justice Antonio Carpio, a staunch defender of the West Philippine Sea, earlier said the Philippines is "safe" with the recent oil deal between Manila and Beijing as the Philippine government has included service contracts, which recognize that the area falls within Philippine sovereignty or sovereign rights. (READ: Carpio on West Philippine Sea: Every Filipino's duty to defend PH territory)

The MOU also specifies oil and gas exploration would be done without prejudice to the legal positions of both the Philippines and China.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/243727-philippines-china-first-meeting-oil-gas-exploration-deal

Military chief Clement gets 4th star

From Rappler (Oct 30, 2019): Military chief Clement gets 4th star

General Noel Clement leads the AFP as it tackles security threats from terrorists, communist rebels, Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea, as well as hazing in the Philippine Military Academy – until he retires in January 2020



4TH STAR. Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Noel Clement is promoted to the rank of general and receives his 4th star from his wife Geraldine (left) and Defense Undersecretary Cardozo Luna (right) on October 30, 2019. Photo from the AFP

Lieutenant General Noel Clement, chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), was promoted to the rank of general on Wednesday, October 30, more than a month since assuming the post, and just over two months before he is set to retire.

The military chief received his 4th star from Department of National Defense (DND) Undersecretary Cardozo Luna in a donning-of-rank ceremony at the DND office in Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, the AFP General Headquarters, in Quezon City.

Clement officially assumed command of the AFP on September 24, in a ceremony that President Rodrigo Duterte was supposed to lead, but skipped at the last minute because he was unwell, according to his spokesman, Salvador Panelo.

After having led the government's military campaign against communist insurgents in the Visayas as chief of the AFP Central Command, Clement promised "continuity" as the new military chief. He will only be serving 3 and a half months before reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56 on January 5, 2020.

Although Duterte may opt to extend Clement's term, critics have pointed out that the so-called "revolving door policy" of appointing military chiefs close to retiring could be counterproductive or even detrimental.

The AFP currently faces several pressing issues, such as the territorial threat from China in the West Philippine Sea, terrorism from extremist groups, the communist insurgency, and internally, the reported cases of hazing in the Philippine Military Academy.

One of Clement's first priorities, he said, is to fulfill Duterte's order to end the communist rebellion, which began in 1969 and is now Asia's longest-running insurgency.

Clement's donning-of-rank ceremony was attended by AFP Vice Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Gaudencio Collado Jr, Army chief Lieutenant General Macairog Alberto, Navy chief Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad, Air Force chief Lieutenant General Rozzano Briguez, and AFP Southern Luzon Command chief Lieutenant General Gilbert Gapay, as well as Clement's wife and two sons.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/243734-military-chief-clement-gets-fourth-star

11 more brgys. in Bukidnon declare CPP-NPA persona non-grata

Posted to the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 30, 2019): 11 more brgys. in Bukidnon declare CPP-NPA persona non-grata  (By 8th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army)

MALITBOG, Bukidnon - The 11 barangays here declared the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army (CPP-NPA) persona non grata.

The declaration was made through resolutions issued during the Flag Raising Ceremony at the Municipal Hall, Monday.

The decision of the barangay officials including its law-abiding citizens came out after Malitbog Mayor Osmundo Dela Rosa issued Municipal Resolution No. 1, 2019 dated September 10, 2019 condemning the terrorists acts relentlessly committed by the CPP-NPA, its front groups and affiliates and declaring them as persona non grata in the municipality.

Such was adopted by the barangay governments as a basis to issue their resolutions.

Their sincerity was seen in public as they signed the Community Peace Covenant stating, “We condemn the presence and existence of the CPP-NPA-Terrorists (CNTs) and other Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs). We would not tolerate actions of the terrorist group in our respective jurisdictions and promise under oath to the Republic of the Philippines. Further, we would be held criminally liable if proven to have supported CNTs/CTGs without reasonable doubt.”

Mayor Dela Rosa accepted that military solution is not enough to end the local communist armed conflict. “Yes, military solution is just one of the approaches to defeat insurgency. The main solution lies in the hands of us, legislators. Let's bring our services to the people,” he said.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Illana, commanding officer of the 8th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army who has been serving the municipality for years, extended his gratitude to the local officials for their clever move of complementing the national government's program in ending the local communist armed conflict.

“My appreciation to all of you on your courageous decision. This action is the beginning of addressing the local communist armed conflict. Let us all unite and perform our mandated duties. Do not give these NPA terrorists time to use propaganda against our government for these issues are their weapons in recruiting members.”

The Municipality of Malitbog is the first municipality in Bukidnon to complete all barangay resolutions declaring the CPP-NPA, its front groups, and affiliates as persona non-grata. (8IB)

Source: 8th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1029426

NPA executes CAFGU in front of wife: An IHL Violation

Posted to the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 30, 2019): NPA executes CAFGU in front of wife: An IHL Violation (By 403rd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army)

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon -- Elizabeth Dela Torre, live-in partner of Pablo Omblero decries the inhumane act of New People's Army (NPA) terrorists by killing his husband in front of her on October 27, 2019 in Purok 18, Brgy. Batangan, Valencia City.

Omblero a Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) Active Auxillary was off duty from Lumbayao Patrol Base of the same city when the incident happened. "7 sila nga nagsulod sa amo balay, ilang gihigtan akong bana, gidala mi sa Batangan, grabe among pakitluoy, among hilaka apan mga walay konsensya ug kasingkasing. Ilang gipusil akong bana kaduha bisag walay ikasukol, sako atubangan pa gyud," Elizabeth narrated. (Seven armed men barged in our house and hog-tied my husband. We were dragged away to Batangan. We cried and pleaded them not to harm us but they shot my husband twice, in front of me, even if he has no capacity to fight.)

"Ngano lugar ilang patyon akong asawa sa mga NPA nga klarong wala man mi nisukol ug ikasukol?" Elizabeth added. (Why killed my husband when they knew we were unarmed and helpless?)

CAFGU Pablo Oblero was considered a “captive” when he was forcibly taken by NPA terrorists from his home.

Under the International Humanitarian Law (IHL), a captive is not a combatant, thus has the right to life and must be treated humanely.

Omblero, according to 403rd Infantry Brigade Commander BGen Edgardo De Leon, was unarmed, off duty and has begged for his life. "The NPA should have respected his rights enshrined by the IHL as he can no longer be considered combatant because he was already captured, disarmed, and therefore has no capacity to fight the armed NPA," De Leon added.

"We are recommending that the Local Government of Valencia City create a Fact-Finding Committee on IHL to investigate this issue. We also ask the Commission of Human Rights and IHL watchdog KARAPATAN to join the investigation of this NPA-perpetrated IHL violation," De Leon appealed.

Omblero was declared dead on arrival at Adventist Medical Center. He sustained gunshot wounds in his face and abdomen. (403rd Bde)

Source: 403rd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1029438

San Jorge MTF-ELCAC in Samar sends RCSP teams in the Barangays

Posted to the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 30, 2019): San Jorge MTF-ELCAC in Samar sends RCSP teams in the Barangays (By 87IB, 8ID, PA)

SAN JORGE, Samar -- Five days after the organization of its Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC), the Municipality of San Jorge, this province, continues to manifest its commitment to institutionalize the Whole-of-Nation Approach in addressing the root causes of insurgency.

On October 28, 2019, the Send-Off Ceremony for the Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) Teams was conducted immediately after the Flag Raising Ceremony at the municipal grounds.Vice Mayor Jay Bisnar, representing the Municipal Mayor and MTF Chair, Leo De Guia, spearheaded the ceremony and attended by Ltc Reynaldo B Balido Jr INF (GSC) PA, commanding officer of the 87IB; Gilbert Hilvano, MLGOO; other members of the MTF-ELCAC composed of SB members and department heads, municipal employees and members of the RCSP teams.

Significant to this send-off ceremony was the presence of the Punong Barangays of the identified conflict-affected areas who warmly welcomed the members of the Peace, Law Enforcement and Development Support (PLEDS) Cluster that were deployed.

Bisnar acknowledged the importance of coming together in delivering the basic services and bringing the government closer to the communities especially in the geographically-isolated and economically-disadvantaged areas. This is to ensure that issues will no longer be exploited by the CTGs.

RCSP teams will immerse in the conflict-affected areas (CAAs) to look into the issues and concerns being experienced by the residents.

Now being led by the LGU, RCSP is the convergence of all stakeholders in the barangays with the objective of transforming these CAAs into developed and conflict-resilient communities.

The four RCSP Teams will be deployed in four identified (CAAs) of the municipality. (87IB, 8ID, PA)

Source: 87th Infantry Battalion, 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1029474

ISIS fading in Mid East, thriving in the Philippines

Posted to the Asia Times (Oct 30, 2019): ISIS fading in Mid East, thriving in the Philippines (By  Bong S. Sarmiento)

Terror group is fast regrouping in the Philippines, two years after its failed but fateful siege of Marawi

While Islamic State’s (ISIS) fate hangs in the balance after the recent assassination of its leader in Syria, the terrorist group is still alive and well in the Philippines.

Two years after Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte declared the liberation of Marawi City from ISIS-aligned militants, the group is now recruiting a new generation of fighters from the ruined city’s dislocated and disenfranchised victims.

Regional security experts are concerned that recent convulsions in Syria are driving a new wave of ISIS fighters into Southeast Asia, particularly into the southern Philippines, where dozens of local extremist outfits have declared fealty to the group.

As during a previous exodus of ISIS fighters from the Middle East to Southeast Asia, where militants crossed into the Philippines lightly patrolled southern reaches on the island of Mindanao, analysts believe Marawi is reemerging as an extremist epicenter.

“Marawi City has become a fertile ground for extremist recruitment,” said Rommel Banlaoi, chairman of the Manila-based Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research, a think tank.

“The Islamic State in the Philippines is continuously recruiting and is taking advantage of the frustrations of affected (Marawi-based) families and individuals.”

Islamic State fighters in a radicalization video clip targeting the Philippines. Photo: Youtube

He said ISIS is drawing on a large pool of potential recruits in Marawi, namely the more than 100,000 residents still residing either in squalid temporary shelters or with their relatives who have not been allowed to return to rebuild or repair their homes and businesses.

ISIS recruitment is now in full swing over social media, school campuses and among remote Muslim communities, with recruiters said to be offering cash, guns and monthly allowances to lure mostly young men to their radical cause, according to various sources.

Banlaoi claims Mindanao has become a well-known safe haven for ISIS fighters fleeing the Middle East, with many recently being absorbed into local extremist groups that continue to hit Philippine security forces in hit-and-run attacks.

The five-month siege of the largely Catholic nation’s only Muslim majority city displaced over 350,000 civilians, a third of whom have yet to return to Ground Zero, or the former urban battleground encompassing 24 of the city’s 96 villages.

For the residents of Marawi, known as Meranaos, Ground Zero is the heart and soul of a religiously significant city that Duterte’s government first vowed in October 2017 but has so far failed to sufficiently rebuild and rehabilitate.

Authorities have estimated the damage at 62 billion pesos, or US$1.2 billion at the current exchange rate. Much of that destruction was caused by the government’s aerial bombardment of rebel-held areas, assaults some saw as excessive in relation to the threat.

Two years after Duterte’s liberation and restoration rhetoric, millions of tons of debris have not been cleared from the city’s center, while demolition and search for unexploded ordinance is ongoing.

Eduardo del Rosario, chairperson of the multi-government agency Task Force Bangon Marawi which is tasked to rebuild the war-torn city, pointed to the unfinished search for unexploded bombs and ongoing demolition works as the main reasons why residents have not been allowed to return to Ground Zero.

He claimed the task force is “on track with its work plan” that includes finding all the unexploded bombs by October 31 and finishing debris clearing on November 30 to pave the way for the start of reconstruction. The government has claimed that rebuilding will be completed by June 2022, coinciding with the end of Duterte’s term.

The Marawi siege, staged by the combined Islamic State-aligned Maute and Abu Sayyaf groups beginning on May 23, 2017, prompted Duterte to declare the rights-curbing martial law that remains in effect until the end of this year, with the potential for an extension on security grounds.

Some 1,100 were killed, mostly ISIS-aligned militants, in the fierce urban warfare that tested the mettle of Filipino troops long used to fighting insurgents in jungles or not cities and also put the Philippines more firmly on the global terrorism map.

ISIS militants temporarily seized Marawi in a bid to establish a wilayah, or self-governed province, in Southeast Asia. As ISIS is routed in the Middle East, the group is believed to have set even stronger sights on establishing a wilayah in the Philippines.

Abdul Hamidullah Atar, the Sultan of Marawi, has said that war victims are angry, frustrated and miserable about the government’s sluggish and ineffective rehabilitation and relocation efforts.

Marawi Sultan Hamidullah Atar in a 2017 file photo. Photo: Facebook

“There is no reason to celebrate the second anniversary of Marawi’s ‘liberation’ because there is no real liberation of Marawi,” the traditional leader said.

Drieza Lininding, chairperson of the Marawi-based Moro Consensus Group, a civil society organization, blasted the Duterte administration’s Presidential Communications Operation Office for recently organizing a “Marawi tour” for media for the second anniversary celebrations for the liberation of the city from Islamic militants.

“There is nothing to commemorate, only pains and our sufferings that continue till today. We don’t feel liberated at all,” Lininding said.

As part of the second anniversary commemoration, the government organized a “run for peace” around the city’s depopulated Ground Zero, while a wreath-laying ceremony for fallen troops was held at the city’s military camp.

Security analyst Banlaoi says the plight of Marawi’s war victims has the potential to explode on the government if it does not take more concrete and fewer ceremonial actions.

“Two years after Marawi’s liberation, ISIS Philippines is down but not defeated. They are smaller in number but can still mount big attacks,” he told Asia Times by email.

There are currently several ISIS-aligned groups actively operating in Mindanao, and there are violent indications they are concertedly ramping up attacks in preparation for another Marawi-like big bang assault.

They include the Abu Sayyaf Group, which operates in the island provinces of Sulu and Basilan and was instrumental in the 2017 Marawi siege.

The ISIS-aligned Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), a breakaway from the ceasefire Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) based in mainland Maguindanao province, is also a formidable force with a deep military arsenal and explosive-making expertise.

In January, a powerful explosion perpetrated by Abu Sayyaf killed about two dozen people and injured more than 100 others at a Catholic church in Jolo, the capital of Sulu province. An Indonesian jihadist couple orchestrated the suicide attack.

In August 2018, a foreigner with links to the Abu Sayyaf detonated a van full of explosives at a military checkpoint in Basilan that left 11 people dead, including the suspect. ISIS claimed responsibility for both the lethal blasts.

Meanwhile, a September bomb attack in Sultan Kudarat province was carried out by a Swedish national who was arrested and charged along with five others. Authorities identified them all as ISIS sympathizers.

https://www.asiatimes.com/2019/10/article/isis-fading-in-mid-east-thriving-in-the-philippines/

31 former NPA rebels received financial assistance

From the Manila Bulletin (Oct 29, 2019): 31 former NPA rebels received financial assistance

Thirty-one former communist-New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Southern Mindanao received financial support from the government, said 1st Lt. Jessie P. Hinampas, Civil-Military Operations (CMO) officer of the Army’s 73rd Infantry (Neutralizer) Battalion (73rd IB), on Tuesday.

In a statement sent to The Manila Bulletin, the 73rd CMO Officer said the former rebels received financial assistance, not only from the national government but also from the provincial government of Davao Occidental.

These former rebels who recently voluntarily gave up to the command group of 73rd IB, were members of the CPP-NPA Southern Mindanao Regional Committee, he said.

The former rebels received a total amount of ₱615,000.00 immediate assistance, livelihood assistance and firearms remunerations from the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) and Provincial Assistance from the province of Davao Occidental during the 44thAraw ng Davao Occidental Governor’s Night held at Agri-Trade Center, Barangay Felis, Malita, Davao Occidental on Monday(Oct. 28).

E-CLIP is a national program of the government that seeks to contribute toward achieving the goal of permanent and peaceful closure of armed conflicts and non-state armed groups, particularly the NPA’s

In the awarding ceremony, members of E-CLIP Committee, Provincial Director Debie T. Torres of DILG, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office Officer Esterlita B. Hermosisima, RSW, and 73rd IB commander Lt. Col. Ronaldo G. Valdez handed-in checks to three) former NPA regular fighters amounting to ₱15,000.00 each as cash assistance, ₱50,000.00 each for livelihood, and a total of ₱140,000.00 for firearms remuneration.

Meanwhile, the other 28 former rebels were awarded with provincial assistance worth ₱10,000.00 each.

This is one of the positive impacts of the “Balik-Loob Program” in line with President Duterte’s Whole-of-Nation Approach under executive number 70 to attain exclusive and sustainable peace by creating a national task force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC), also said Lt. Col. Valdez, in the same statement sent to The Manila Bulletin on Tuesday.

“We are calling other remaining NPAs who are still in the mountains to come down and avail the government’s, peace, development, and livelihood program,” added the 73rd IB commander.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/10/29/31-former-npa-rebels-received-financial-assistance/

10 militiamen surrender in Abra

From the Sun Star-Baguio (Oct 29, 2019): 10 militiamen surrender in Abra

TEN members of the “Militia ng Bayan” of the New People’s Army serving as support group from Sallapadan, Abra surrendered to the Abra Provincial Police Office (APPO) through Sallapadan Mayor Grande Cardenas.

Their surrender was formally received by the Police Regional Office-Cordillera (PRO-Cor) through their oath of allegiance before PRO–Cor deputy regional director for administration Brigadier General Ulysses Gohel at Camp Juan Duyan in Abra capital town during the turnover of equipment by PRO-Cor to Abra PPO.

“Hopefully, they will be the initial number of surenderees that have abide by the call of our President Rodrigo Duterte for the rebels wanting to go back to society to undergo with the whole of nation approach under Executive Order number 70. One of the approaches that we have instituted is to convince them to surrender to government through the local government units which Sallapadan did guided by our Municipal and Provincial Police Offices,” said Abra PPO director Colonel Alfredo Dangani.

The surrenderers also turned over to government a grenade, rifle, explosive devices and M203 ammunition.

Dangani explained these surrenderers will be delisted from the order of battle and will be processed for possible benefits under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) where former rebels can avail of benefits, such as livelihood, medical, education, housing, and legal assistance.

“Those PNP members who have relatives associated with the Militia ng Bayan were the once who actually convinced them to surrender aside from Governor Joy Bernos who also did the same. We will make it a point to process their documents so that they can received local assistance aside from what the national government provides to rebel returnees,” Dangani stated.

Abra PPO is set to strengthen its whole of province approach to finally end terrorist activities in the 27 municipalities of the province, aside from initiating measures to prevent children from being involved in terrorist activities and even drugs.

“Together with the AFP, there are still areas affected by insurgency particularly Tubo, Laccub and Malibcong but we believe that we are gaining ground because of this surrender. Our police force have launched the ‘Kabataan Laban sa Droga’ which seeks to stop the children to not only be involved in drugs but terrorist activities as well, we will also be organizing this program in schools so that we can prevent them from being recruited by the communist terrorists ,” Dangani added.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1829749/Baguio/Local-News/10-militiamen-surrender-in-Abra

2 communist leaders nabbed in Quirino

From the Philippine Star (Oct 30, 2019): 2 communist leaders nabbed in Quirino

Two leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army were arrested in Diffun, Quirino on Monday.

Reynaldo Miguel Busania and Sharon de la Cruz, chief communications officer and medical officer of the Regional Organization Department of Komiteng Rehiyon-Cagayan Valley, respectively, were collared in Purok 2, Barangay Magsaysay at around 6:55 p.m.

The military said Busania has standing arrest warrants for frustrated murder, serious illegal detention, robbery and arson.

Brig. Gen. Laurence Mina, commander of the 502nd Infantry Brigade, said the suspects were also tagged in extortion targeting contractors of government projects and businessmen.

In Abra, 10 members of the Milisyang Bayan surrendered to the police on Monday and turned over a grenade, various types of ammunition and a rifle.

Two other rebels surrendered to the Gabaldon police in Nueva Ecija. 

 
https://www.philstar.com/nation/2019/10/30/1964478/2-communist-leaders-nabbed-quirino

Assistance programs for former MILF, MNLF combatants proposed before BTA

From Business World (Oct 29, 2019): Assistance programs for former MILF, MNLF combatants proposed before BTA

THE second batch of the Joint Peace and Security Team are undergoing training from Oct. 22 to Nov. 22. — OPAPP

THREE RESOLUTIONS calling for emergency financial assistance and other development programs for former combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) were proposed during the Bangsamoro Transition Authority’s (BTA) 21st session last Friday. 

In a statement, the BTA said the proposals “call for the proper recognition of the shahid or those who were martyred in the Bangsamoro struggle and the allocation of funds for financial assistance to the mujahideen and their family.” 

One of the resolutions, asks BTA Chief Minister Al Haj Murad Ebrahim to “allocate funds for emergency financial assistance” to both MILF and Moro National Liberation Front combatants and their families “pending the releases and implementation of the special development and rehabilitation programs” that are provided for under the Bangsamoro Organic Law. 

Faiz Alauddin, a member of parliament and the MILF provincial chair, earlier said “the mujahideen,” or those who helped in the struggle for the Bangsamoro’s right to self-determination, said, “Let us enable our mujahideen to reap the benefit of the peace agreement and assist them in every means possible so they may cherish civilian lives.” 

The proposed resolutions have been referred to BTA committees for action.

JPST BATCH 2

Meanwhile, the second batch of the Joint Peace and Security Team (JPST) started training last week at Camp Gen. SK Pendatun in Maguindanao. 

The latest JPST contingent is composed of 75 members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, 86 from the Philippine National Police, and 152 from the MILF’s Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF). 

“The JPST training will prepare you in the fulfillment of the other tasks of the JPST: (1) tracking and documenting of Private Armed Groups, (2) security arrangements for Normalization activities, and (3) support to dispute resolution initiatives on the ground,” Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Assistant Secretary David B. Diciano said during the opening ceremony. 

The month-long JPST training, which will be concluded on Nov. 22, is simultaneous with the second phase of decommissioning of MILF-BIAF members, according to OPAPP. 

The first batch of former MILF combatants, composed of 219 men, completed their Joint Peace and Security Team in August. 

A formal ceremony for the first batch of decommissioning was held Sept. 7, with more than 12,000 of the estimated 40,000 BIAF turning over their weapons.

https://www.bworldonline.com/assistance-programs-for-former-milf-mnlf-combatants-proposed-before-bta/