Opinion piece by Marit Stinus-Cabugon posted to the Manila Times (Nov 11, 2019): Bacolod arrests prevented NPA recruitment
IN July 2000, Anakbayan Central Visayas Chairman Marvin Marquez was killed in an encounter in Bohol. The communist New People’s Army (NPA) confirmed that Marvin was one of them and admitted that students from Cebu regularly visited NPA camps in Bohol. In the same encounter, a staff member of the Farmers Development Center, recently “Red-tagged,” was killed. She was in the camp with Marvin and the six other people who were killed in the encounter. One of the six was the wife of Federico “ka Val” Villalongha who was himself killed in an encounter eight years later in southern Negros. Killed together with Villalongha was Rachelle Mae “ka Hannah” Palang, a nursing graduate of Velez College in Cebu City and a former vice president for the Visayas of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines who became a “reserve element of the NPA.” (Bulatlat, Oct. 4, 2008).
Last February 14, University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) student John Carlo Capistrano Alberto was killed in an encounter in Laguna. He was the Anakbayan UPLB vice chairman. “Mabuhay ang mga Martir ng Rebolusyon!” Anakbayan UPLB said in its statement on Alberto’s death.
In March 2018, Myles Albasin and five young men were caught with high-powered firearms in the hinterlands of Mabinay, Negros Oriental. Albasin, a UP Cebu graduate, was Anakbayan Cebu chairman for two years until 2017.
On the occasion of the 48th founding anniversary of the NPA, Bayan and other national democratic organizations gathered at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City “to give the ‘highest tribute’ not just for the fallen, but for all those currently waging armed struggle in the countryside” (Bulatlat, March 30, 2017). “Many of the martyred NPAs were youths had been recruited in sectoral and community organizations and became organizers and leaders. They eventually sought a more dangerous life and gave ‘the ultimate sacrifice’ as guerrillas in the countryside, waging the primary form of struggle of the national democratic revolution.” The names of “young, martyred NPA guerrillas in recent decades” were read and “the challenge and call to join the NPA resonated.”
On October 31, police and military raided the offices of Bayan Muna, Gabriela, Kilusang Mayo Uno and the National Federation of Sugar Workers in Bacolod City and arrested more than 50 individuals. Thirteen minors were released immediately. The prosecutor dismissed the charges against 31 others. Eleven have been charged with illegal possession of firearms, and seven are facing illegal possession of explosives charges as well.
One of the persons charged is Karina Mae de la Cerna, the national deputy secretary general of the National Network of Agrarian Reform Advocates (NNARA)-Youth. NNARA-Youth is school-based and organizes “basic masses integration” activities in farming communities under the slogan “Live their lives, join the struggle.” The other persons facing charges are key officials of KMP, KMU, NFSW, Makabayan, Karapatan and Paghimutad (alternative media). The raids were conducted to prevent the “immersion” of the minors with the NPA.
I agree with many of these organizations’ issues against the government such as the excessive use of force used during Oplan Sauron and the war on drugs. I agree that there is too much injustice and poverty and that not enough is being done about it. Too many Filipinos live in abject poverty and the government is too often unresponsive to the needs of rural and urban poor.
But taking up arms against the government is illegal. Helping, at any stage, in the recruitment of NPA fighters and preparing prospective rebels for a life in the mountains are unacceptable activities that the government must clamp down on without delay. The NPA is waging a war not simply on the Duterte administration but on Philippine democracy itself.
Becoming an armed rebel — “waging the primary form of struggle of the national democratic revolution” — or helping the NPA indirectly may be one’s individual choice. But one must face the consequences of making such a choice and not whine about arrests and raids which are the State’s legitimate response to protect itself and its citizens. In addition, while freedom of speech is one of the pillars of a democratic society it should not be abused to deceive the public about the true purpose of one’s activities. Nongovernment organizations and individuals who deliberately mislead the public to further the cause of the NPA at the expense of the government are as indispensable to the NPA as its armed combatants.
On the killing of Dindo Generoso
No wonder that a long list of extrajudicial killings in Negros Oriental have gone unsolved over the years as policemen are involved in some of them. Police Cpl. Roger Rubio was identified as the triggerman in the murder of broadcaster Dindo Generoso. The victim had not been linked to any illegal activities. Kudos to Col. Julian Entoma, chief of the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office since October 18, for solving the crime. The mastermind remains unidentified but local folks whisper about a powerful politician.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2019/11/11/opinion/columnists/bacolod-arrests-prevented-npa-recruitment/655029/
Sunday, November 10, 2019
27 ex-RPA-ABB rebels complete basic military training
From the Sun Star-Bacolod (Nov 10, 2019): 27 ex-RPA-ABB rebels complete basic military training
SOME 27 former rebels of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB) recently completed their basic military training as part of the Peace Development Communities program in Western Visayas.
Philippine Army 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) spokesperson Captain Cenon Pancito III said the training is part of their return to the local community in order to serve for territorial defense.
The 27 will also help maintain peace and order and protect their communities from insurgents.
As part of the de-militarization process, the 27 former rebels had to surrender their personal firearms. They were issued M16 assault rifles.
The former rebels will also receive an allowance for their services.
Although the de-militarization program is being questioned by the public, Pancito assured the former rebels will remain loyal to the government.
In September, 3,000 RPA-ABB members participated in a surrender ceremony in Jamindan, Capiz.
The RPA-ABB is a breakaway faction of the New People’s Army operating in Western Visayas.
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1831399
SOME 27 former rebels of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB) recently completed their basic military training as part of the Peace Development Communities program in Western Visayas.
Philippine Army 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) spokesperson Captain Cenon Pancito III said the training is part of their return to the local community in order to serve for territorial defense.
The 27 will also help maintain peace and order and protect their communities from insurgents.
As part of the de-militarization process, the 27 former rebels had to surrender their personal firearms. They were issued M16 assault rifles.
The former rebels will also receive an allowance for their services.
Although the de-militarization program is being questioned by the public, Pancito assured the former rebels will remain loyal to the government.
In September, 3,000 RPA-ABB members participated in a surrender ceremony in Jamindan, Capiz.
The RPA-ABB is a breakaway faction of the New People’s Army operating in Western Visayas.
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1831399
Suspected NPA platoon leader arrested in Iloilo
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Nov 10, 2019): Suspected NPA platoon leader arrested in Iloilo
ILOILO CITY, Iloilo, Philippines — Police on Sunday arrested a suspected platoon leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Iloilo, but a regional farmers’ group condemned the arrest and denied that the arrested suspect was a rebel.
Herman Alliza was arrested at his house in Barangay Bolo in Maasin town in Iloilo where police officers said they found a hand grenade, holsters, a handcuff pouch, and several alleged rebel documents.
Police searched his house on the strength of a warrant issued by Judge Gemalyn Faunillo-Tarol of the Iloilo City Regional Trial Court Branch 31, according to a report of the Western Visayas Police Regional Office.
Alliza, allegedly a platoon leader of the NPA under the Central Front Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), has been detained at the Maasin Municipal Police Station.
But the farmers’ group Paghugpong sang mga Mangunguma sa Panay kag Guimaras (Pamanggas) decried Alliza’s arrest, saying he was a farmer and village coordinator of Anakpawis party-list group.
“He is a former barangay captain and Pamanggas treasurer who is known in the town and even in the municipal hall as a farmer and weaver of bamboo-made beds and seats,” Cris Chavez, Pamanggas secretary-general, said.
Chavez tagged Alliza’s arrest as a part of a “crackdown on legal organizations” by linking them to the NPA and “planting” firearms and explosives in their houses and offices.
“This is a desperate move to quell the protests of farmers severely affected by the Rice Tariffication Law and other harmful policies of the government,” Chavez said.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1188092/suspected-npa-platoon-leader-arrested-in-iloilo
ILOILO CITY, Iloilo, Philippines — Police on Sunday arrested a suspected platoon leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Iloilo, but a regional farmers’ group condemned the arrest and denied that the arrested suspect was a rebel.
Herman Alliza was arrested at his house in Barangay Bolo in Maasin town in Iloilo where police officers said they found a hand grenade, holsters, a handcuff pouch, and several alleged rebel documents.
Police searched his house on the strength of a warrant issued by Judge Gemalyn Faunillo-Tarol of the Iloilo City Regional Trial Court Branch 31, according to a report of the Western Visayas Police Regional Office.
Alliza, allegedly a platoon leader of the NPA under the Central Front Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), has been detained at the Maasin Municipal Police Station.
But the farmers’ group Paghugpong sang mga Mangunguma sa Panay kag Guimaras (Pamanggas) decried Alliza’s arrest, saying he was a farmer and village coordinator of Anakpawis party-list group.
“He is a former barangay captain and Pamanggas treasurer who is known in the town and even in the municipal hall as a farmer and weaver of bamboo-made beds and seats,” Cris Chavez, Pamanggas secretary-general, said.
Chavez tagged Alliza’s arrest as a part of a “crackdown on legal organizations” by linking them to the NPA and “planting” firearms and explosives in their houses and offices.
“This is a desperate move to quell the protests of farmers severely affected by the Rice Tariffication Law and other harmful policies of the government,” Chavez said.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1188092/suspected-npa-platoon-leader-arrested-in-iloilo
3 NPA ‘terrorists’ surrender to cops in Caraga
From ABS-CBN (Nov 10, 2019): 3 NPA ‘terrorists’ surrender to cops in Caraga
Three alleged communist rebels have surrendered to government forces on Saturday after a series of negotiations with police in the Caraga region.
In a statement, Caraga police said the three members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army Terrorists (CNT), aged 21 to 51, voluntarily surrendered to the Surigao del Sur 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company.
The former rebels also surrendered to authorities a folder containing lyrics of communist songs, one firing wire of an improvised explosive device (IED), a caliber .38 revolver with five live ammunitions, an extension wire used for IED, and one black shirt with the print “New People's Army,” police said.
Brig. Gen. Joselito Esquivel, director of the Caraga police, appealed to remaining communist rebels to surrender.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/10/19/3-npa-terrorists-surrender-to-cops-in-caraga
In a statement, Caraga police said the three members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army Terrorists (CNT), aged 21 to 51, voluntarily surrendered to the Surigao del Sur 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company.
The former rebels also surrendered to authorities a folder containing lyrics of communist songs, one firing wire of an improvised explosive device (IED), a caliber .38 revolver with five live ammunitions, an extension wire used for IED, and one black shirt with the print “New People's Army,” police said.
Brig. Gen. Joselito Esquivel, director of the Caraga police, appealed to remaining communist rebels to surrender.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/10/19/3-npa-terrorists-surrender-to-cops-in-caraga
Experts warn of spying risk in AFP deal with China-backed telco (Pt. 2)
From Rappler (Nov 11, 2019): Experts warn of spying risk in AFP deal with China-backed telco
The military's co-location deals with Smart Communications, Globe Telecom, and Dito Telecommunity are prone to spying, experts say, but Dito's link to the Chinese government means the third telco poses a greater threat
CONCLUSION
READ: Part 1 | Experts warn of spying risk in AFP deal with China-backed telco
MANILA, Philippines – The most significant feature of Dito Telecommunity's co-location contract with the military that sets it apart from the otherwise similar contracts of Globe Telecom and Smart Communications is a provision that is a tacit admission that the arrangement could indeed lead to spying. This was the assessment of experts whom Rappler consulted.
Article 7 of Dito’s and Smart’s contracts, and Article 6 of Globe’s, pertain to “Security.”
Here, Globe and Smart have only two provisions, which Dito also has:
Section 1 – “Access to the sites/facilities of either party shall be restricted and controlled by the Host in the interest of security. Consequently, only authorized persons as determined by the Parties shall be allowed access to said sites/facilities.”
Section 2 – “The Host shall allow access to the Co-locator to place the Co-locator’s site attendants at the co-location sites. The assignment of site attendant must be subject to approval of the Host.”
The wording of Section 2 in Globe’s contract is slightly different but does not essentially change the provision’s meaning.
How about the contract with Dito? This one adds a third provision.
Section 3 – “Mislatel guaranties (sic) that the devices, equipment and/or structures installed at the site provided by the AFP shall not be used by the Co-locator and/or any other entity to obtain classified information from the AFP.”
Is the third provision in Dito’s contract a tacit recognition by the AFP of the possibility that the telco might exploit the arrangement for espionage, to China’s advantage?
“Yes, of course,” said the retired high-ranking military source Rappler consulted for this story, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Shouldn't this address the security concerns? The source stressed that "a guarantee is not an assurance."
He added: "You’ll have to look at the big picture – China’s unrestricted warfare strategy and gray zone tactics,” the retired officer warned, citing as an example Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea in Ukraine by “paralyzing its telecommunications and power.”
Rappler's telco source, an information security expert with 30 years of experience in the industry, believes the addition of Section 3 to the Dito MOA implies the need to keep a closer watch on the new telco.
"The presence of that third one tries to really put a clear statement, written or unwritten, that there’s additional safeguards that need to be done with this third contract. Whether that’s because of the personalities involved or the corporate structure of the company, maybe that’s the reason they put these additional safeguards on security,” he said.
For defense analyst Jose Antonio Custodio, a tacit admission of the risk of espionage is already contained in the first two sections.
"All, from Globe to Smart, all recognize that, because Section 1 and Section 2, which are common to all 3 contracts, presuppose that the equipment can be used for espionage. There’s no question. All can be used for espionage,” Custodio said.
"This shows that you already suspect the other side of doing something bad. This Section 3, it’s like a political statement that really carries no weight because basically, Sections 1 and 2 should already cover Section 3….It’s just to head off public sentiment,” he added.
SECURITY CLAUSE. The memorandum of agreement between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Dito Telecommunity adds a 3rd provision to the security article that otherwise resembles Globe's and Smart's. This 3rd provision tackles classified information. Photo obtained by Rappler
The context of China
Soon after the MOA was signed and sparked controversy last September, Dito released a statement to fend off concerns about cybersecurity risks.
"We want to assure the public that Dito has a cybersecurity plan, as approved by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), and that the company will always protect the national and cybersecurity interests of the Philippines,” Dito Telecommunity chief administrative officer Adel Tamano said in a statement on Tuesday, September 17.
Tamano was Dito’s signatory on the contract with the military.
Custodio gives the telco’s Filipino owners the benefit of the doubt. What’s suspect, he said, is China Telecom.
“The Philippine side, let’s say, in principle, can be guaranteeing. For the benefit of the doubt, Dennis Uy’s side can say, ‘We are really not going to do anything.’ But can he control the 40% Chinese element, the Chinese presence there? That is your problem,” Custodio said.
What's the common concern of the security experts? China has a long history of, and modern capacity for, spying.
In fact, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan, the UK, and the US have either banned or restricted the use of the Chinese company Huawei’s technology in their 5th generation or 5G networks to guard against Chinese spying.
Custodio, the telco source, and the military source all pointed this out.
Although Globe and Smart have been using Chinese-made technology to certain degrees, Custodio said Dito takes it a notch higher by having a Chinese company actually be responsible for its entire infrastructure as a part-owner.
“There will be attempts now by China to exploit that, okay? So Section 3 will not be a protection from that, okay? Because you gave a window of opportunity to the Chinese,” Custodio warned.
“Perfunctory. That’s how I’d characterize the contract,” the military source told Rappler after studying the Dito MOA.
“You won’t find anything in the contract,” he added. It provides no real safeguard against information security breaches.
'Local intercept'
For the telco information security source, however, the problem goes beyond having a Chinese-backed telco’s cell sites inside or near Philippine military camps.
Wireless telecommunication technology means spying can happen between any two gadgets that are online – whether they’re a meter, a kilometer, or a continent apart.
“If you remember, during analog days, there was wiretapping. Even currently, in the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) state, with all this encryption, that’s also possible already, no? And that’s not a hidden fact,” the telco source said.
Nowadays, one doesn’t need a physical wire to tap into a communication exchange, as any hacker would attest to. Encryption can protect private information the way a wall encloses a space. However, no wall is too high for the determined climber – or hacker.
Ultimately, no system is immune to breaches. It’s only a matter of how long it takes to crack its encryption code.
Besides, any smartphone, laptop, or tablet is embedded with a feature through which the provider of the connection could access its information, the telco source said. Theoretically, it can be done by anyone who has the “key” to activate this feature.
“[This is] the so-called local intercept. That’s a feature on GSM, and you can be able to tap or capture [information]. But of course, those tapping equipment or wireless equipment that can do local intercept, that’s not being used here in this country if not needed,” the telco source said.
“Remember, all of our telecom equipment, even if that’s Huawei, ZTE, or the like, have that feature already embedded into it. You can do local intercept, but it’s a deactivated feature.”
“In other countries, because of the threat of terrorism, it’s activated. But in the Philippines, it’s not yet allowed to be activated,” he added.
Who holds the key to activate it? “The telco. But the government has the right to issue an order to activate it so that government agencies will be able to get in and get those information out,” the telco source said.
In terms of accessing military information, it does not really matter whether or not a tower is inside the camp itself.
“You can do local intercept wirelessly even if you’re one kilometer or 10 kilometers away, as long as I am able to put up an antenna and do a wireless scan all over the area. And as you very well know, a lot of these antennae can reach ranges from 1, 2, 5, 10 kilometers and so on. It can do a big wireless radius scan,” said the telco source.
DEAL SIGNED. Former AFP chief of staff General Benjamin Madrigal Jr (2nd-R), 3rd-Telco Mislatel president and CEO Dennis Uy (2nd-L), Major General Adrian Sanchez (right), and Atty Adel Tamayo (left) during the ceremonial signing of the MOA between the AFP and Mislatel at Camp Aguinaldo on Sept 11, 2019. Photo by Darren Langit/Rappler
So why bother checking this agreement? What does it matter whether or not co-location deals with telcos give another country such as China access to military bases and camps?
The concern is “not espionage per se but China networking within the Philippine military,” Custodio said.
“That’s the other aspect here that is very important that people forget. It’s not just the espionage capability. It’s the fact that the Chinese are networking in the Philippine military as there are officers who are willing to provide that necessary opportunity for the Chinese to expand their influence within,” he added.
China Telecom personnel, working for Dito, will have direct access to the AFP’s facilities where they will put up their cell sites. They will have close dealings with AFP personnel, perhaps even access to their personal communications. The exchange deal will have them working on the AFP’s own communication systems, and training its communication personnel.
“They will always try to look for an opportunity to slip something in,” Custodio said, referring to China Telecom.
“So the Chinese, once they are able to do that through a combination of networking and eavesdropping, they will find more ways to co-opt the Philippine military and the military will then lose sight of its mandate to protect the territorial integrity of the country. Instead, it will sing hosannas to Beijing,” Custodio said.
What are the other security implications? China would not only want to tap into the Philippine military’s communications. The AFP has broad dealings with the US military because of their treaty alliance.
As China and the US run a global political and economic race, the US military may become wary of dealing with the AFP, knowing China’s ears could be listening in.
That would be a problem for the Philippines, which still largely depends on its treaty alliance with the US as a deterrent against foreign aggression.
“So for example, you have a tower that is within or near an AFP compound, then you can put sensors there that can now try to decipher or crack whatever encrypted communication the Philippine military has with its traditional allies.“ Custodio said.
'Nothing wrong'
When Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, on September 30, was asked by the Senate appropriations panel why he would allow the military to enter into such a deal, he threw the question back at the lawmakers: Why did you grant Dito a franchise in the first place?
Lorenzana said it put the AFP in a bind. How could it refuse the third telco an arrangement it already had with the first two? Besides, the first two telcos also have foreign equity: Globe has Singapore’s Singtel, and Smart has Japan’s NTT.
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon then pointed out that neither country has a sovereignty dispute with the Philippines – unlike China, with its spurious claim over much of the West Philippine Sea.
And among those countries, only China has a law that mandates companies it owns to provide intelligence to its government.
The senators asked Lorenzana to hold off signing his final approval of the contract until they are able to scrutinize it for its security implications.
On October 17, Lorenzana said he found "nothing wrong" with the agreement, and he was inclined to sign it. He was just waiting for the Senate to give its opinion.
The AFP chief of staff at the time the deal was signed, General Benjamin Madrigal, downplayed the threat, telling reporters in a briefing on September 17, "Remember, you are dealing with a Chinese company, not the Chinese government,” referring to China Telecom.
The reporters in the room had to tell him there was hardly any difference.
More expensive fish
What all this reveals, Custodio said, is that China’s influence over the Philippine military is “steadily growing.”
“The overall interest of the Chinese is to break the influence that we have with our traditional allies. So they will now cultivate people within the AFP who can be used to obstruct alliance activities and to bring the AFP institutionally closer to China,” he said.
Ultimately, this could make the military even less willing to confront China on the frontline of its conflict of interest with the Philippines: the West Philippine Sea.
“How does this affect the ordinary Filipino? Well next time around, he’s going to have more expensive fish. Why? Because the Chinese have managed to co-opt the Philippine military, so the Philippine military will not anymore push back against the Chinese who are now going to ravage our seas,” Custodio said.
For our telco practitioner source, however, the problem goes far beyond Chinese presence in military camps.
“National cybersecurity is the bigger problem. Everybody needs a cybersecurity system. Everybody. Including our government. Eh ngayon, open gate ka eh (Right now, were an open gate),” he said.
The government must create an agency to secure and oversee the country’s cybersecurity – a “cybersecurity center” – that would constantly watch for attacks, the telco source said. The thing about cyber attacks, he added, is that “if the attacker can see you, you can see them,” so it’s just a matter of constant and competent vigilance.
It would, however, entail critical legislation because it might run in conflict with current data privacy laws, the telco source said, but that’s what it would take to really secure the communications not just of the military but of all Filipinos.
“Rather than a contract. What’s a contract, right? It’s ink on paper. How can that protect you?”
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/244602-conclusion-experts-warn-spying-risk-military-contract-china-backed-telco
The military's co-location deals with Smart Communications, Globe Telecom, and Dito Telecommunity are prone to spying, experts say, but Dito's link to the Chinese government means the third telco poses a greater threat
CONCLUSION
READ: Part 1 | Experts warn of spying risk in AFP deal with China-backed telco
MANILA, Philippines – The most significant feature of Dito Telecommunity's co-location contract with the military that sets it apart from the otherwise similar contracts of Globe Telecom and Smart Communications is a provision that is a tacit admission that the arrangement could indeed lead to spying. This was the assessment of experts whom Rappler consulted.
Article 7 of Dito’s and Smart’s contracts, and Article 6 of Globe’s, pertain to “Security.”
Here, Globe and Smart have only two provisions, which Dito also has:
Section 1 – “Access to the sites/facilities of either party shall be restricted and controlled by the Host in the interest of security. Consequently, only authorized persons as determined by the Parties shall be allowed access to said sites/facilities.”
Section 2 – “The Host shall allow access to the Co-locator to place the Co-locator’s site attendants at the co-location sites. The assignment of site attendant must be subject to approval of the Host.”
The wording of Section 2 in Globe’s contract is slightly different but does not essentially change the provision’s meaning.
How about the contract with Dito? This one adds a third provision.
Section 3 – “Mislatel guaranties (sic) that the devices, equipment and/or structures installed at the site provided by the AFP shall not be used by the Co-locator and/or any other entity to obtain classified information from the AFP.”
Is the third provision in Dito’s contract a tacit recognition by the AFP of the possibility that the telco might exploit the arrangement for espionage, to China’s advantage?
“Yes, of course,” said the retired high-ranking military source Rappler consulted for this story, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Shouldn't this address the security concerns? The source stressed that "a guarantee is not an assurance."
He added: "You’ll have to look at the big picture – China’s unrestricted warfare strategy and gray zone tactics,” the retired officer warned, citing as an example Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea in Ukraine by “paralyzing its telecommunications and power.”
Rappler's telco source, an information security expert with 30 years of experience in the industry, believes the addition of Section 3 to the Dito MOA implies the need to keep a closer watch on the new telco.
"The presence of that third one tries to really put a clear statement, written or unwritten, that there’s additional safeguards that need to be done with this third contract. Whether that’s because of the personalities involved or the corporate structure of the company, maybe that’s the reason they put these additional safeguards on security,” he said.
For defense analyst Jose Antonio Custodio, a tacit admission of the risk of espionage is already contained in the first two sections.
"All, from Globe to Smart, all recognize that, because Section 1 and Section 2, which are common to all 3 contracts, presuppose that the equipment can be used for espionage. There’s no question. All can be used for espionage,” Custodio said.
"This shows that you already suspect the other side of doing something bad. This Section 3, it’s like a political statement that really carries no weight because basically, Sections 1 and 2 should already cover Section 3….It’s just to head off public sentiment,” he added.
SECURITY CLAUSE. The memorandum of agreement between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Dito Telecommunity adds a 3rd provision to the security article that otherwise resembles Globe's and Smart's. This 3rd provision tackles classified information. Photo obtained by Rappler
The context of China
Soon after the MOA was signed and sparked controversy last September, Dito released a statement to fend off concerns about cybersecurity risks.
"We want to assure the public that Dito has a cybersecurity plan, as approved by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), and that the company will always protect the national and cybersecurity interests of the Philippines,” Dito Telecommunity chief administrative officer Adel Tamano said in a statement on Tuesday, September 17.
Tamano was Dito’s signatory on the contract with the military.
Custodio gives the telco’s Filipino owners the benefit of the doubt. What’s suspect, he said, is China Telecom.
“The Philippine side, let’s say, in principle, can be guaranteeing. For the benefit of the doubt, Dennis Uy’s side can say, ‘We are really not going to do anything.’ But can he control the 40% Chinese element, the Chinese presence there? That is your problem,” Custodio said.
What's the common concern of the security experts? China has a long history of, and modern capacity for, spying.
In fact, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan, the UK, and the US have either banned or restricted the use of the Chinese company Huawei’s technology in their 5th generation or 5G networks to guard against Chinese spying.
Custodio, the telco source, and the military source all pointed this out.
Although Globe and Smart have been using Chinese-made technology to certain degrees, Custodio said Dito takes it a notch higher by having a Chinese company actually be responsible for its entire infrastructure as a part-owner.
“There will be attempts now by China to exploit that, okay? So Section 3 will not be a protection from that, okay? Because you gave a window of opportunity to the Chinese,” Custodio warned.
“Perfunctory. That’s how I’d characterize the contract,” the military source told Rappler after studying the Dito MOA.
“You won’t find anything in the contract,” he added. It provides no real safeguard against information security breaches.
'Local intercept'
For the telco information security source, however, the problem goes beyond having a Chinese-backed telco’s cell sites inside or near Philippine military camps.
Wireless telecommunication technology means spying can happen between any two gadgets that are online – whether they’re a meter, a kilometer, or a continent apart.
“If you remember, during analog days, there was wiretapping. Even currently, in the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) state, with all this encryption, that’s also possible already, no? And that’s not a hidden fact,” the telco source said.
Nowadays, one doesn’t need a physical wire to tap into a communication exchange, as any hacker would attest to. Encryption can protect private information the way a wall encloses a space. However, no wall is too high for the determined climber – or hacker.
Ultimately, no system is immune to breaches. It’s only a matter of how long it takes to crack its encryption code.
Besides, any smartphone, laptop, or tablet is embedded with a feature through which the provider of the connection could access its information, the telco source said. Theoretically, it can be done by anyone who has the “key” to activate this feature.
“[This is] the so-called local intercept. That’s a feature on GSM, and you can be able to tap or capture [information]. But of course, those tapping equipment or wireless equipment that can do local intercept, that’s not being used here in this country if not needed,” the telco source said.
“Remember, all of our telecom equipment, even if that’s Huawei, ZTE, or the like, have that feature already embedded into it. You can do local intercept, but it’s a deactivated feature.”
“In other countries, because of the threat of terrorism, it’s activated. But in the Philippines, it’s not yet allowed to be activated,” he added.
Who holds the key to activate it? “The telco. But the government has the right to issue an order to activate it so that government agencies will be able to get in and get those information out,” the telco source said.
In terms of accessing military information, it does not really matter whether or not a tower is inside the camp itself.
“You can do local intercept wirelessly even if you’re one kilometer or 10 kilometers away, as long as I am able to put up an antenna and do a wireless scan all over the area. And as you very well know, a lot of these antennae can reach ranges from 1, 2, 5, 10 kilometers and so on. It can do a big wireless radius scan,” said the telco source.
DEAL SIGNED. Former AFP chief of staff General Benjamin Madrigal Jr (2nd-R), 3rd-Telco Mislatel president and CEO Dennis Uy (2nd-L), Major General Adrian Sanchez (right), and Atty Adel Tamayo (left) during the ceremonial signing of the MOA between the AFP and Mislatel at Camp Aguinaldo on Sept 11, 2019. Photo by Darren Langit/Rappler
So why bother checking this agreement? What does it matter whether or not co-location deals with telcos give another country such as China access to military bases and camps?
The concern is “not espionage per se but China networking within the Philippine military,” Custodio said.
“That’s the other aspect here that is very important that people forget. It’s not just the espionage capability. It’s the fact that the Chinese are networking in the Philippine military as there are officers who are willing to provide that necessary opportunity for the Chinese to expand their influence within,” he added.
China Telecom personnel, working for Dito, will have direct access to the AFP’s facilities where they will put up their cell sites. They will have close dealings with AFP personnel, perhaps even access to their personal communications. The exchange deal will have them working on the AFP’s own communication systems, and training its communication personnel.
“They will always try to look for an opportunity to slip something in,” Custodio said, referring to China Telecom.
“So the Chinese, once they are able to do that through a combination of networking and eavesdropping, they will find more ways to co-opt the Philippine military and the military will then lose sight of its mandate to protect the territorial integrity of the country. Instead, it will sing hosannas to Beijing,” Custodio said.
What are the other security implications? China would not only want to tap into the Philippine military’s communications. The AFP has broad dealings with the US military because of their treaty alliance.
As China and the US run a global political and economic race, the US military may become wary of dealing with the AFP, knowing China’s ears could be listening in.
That would be a problem for the Philippines, which still largely depends on its treaty alliance with the US as a deterrent against foreign aggression.
“So for example, you have a tower that is within or near an AFP compound, then you can put sensors there that can now try to decipher or crack whatever encrypted communication the Philippine military has with its traditional allies.“ Custodio said.
'Nothing wrong'
When Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, on September 30, was asked by the Senate appropriations panel why he would allow the military to enter into such a deal, he threw the question back at the lawmakers: Why did you grant Dito a franchise in the first place?
Lorenzana said it put the AFP in a bind. How could it refuse the third telco an arrangement it already had with the first two? Besides, the first two telcos also have foreign equity: Globe has Singapore’s Singtel, and Smart has Japan’s NTT.
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon then pointed out that neither country has a sovereignty dispute with the Philippines – unlike China, with its spurious claim over much of the West Philippine Sea.
And among those countries, only China has a law that mandates companies it owns to provide intelligence to its government.
The senators asked Lorenzana to hold off signing his final approval of the contract until they are able to scrutinize it for its security implications.
On October 17, Lorenzana said he found "nothing wrong" with the agreement, and he was inclined to sign it. He was just waiting for the Senate to give its opinion.
The AFP chief of staff at the time the deal was signed, General Benjamin Madrigal, downplayed the threat, telling reporters in a briefing on September 17, "Remember, you are dealing with a Chinese company, not the Chinese government,” referring to China Telecom.
The reporters in the room had to tell him there was hardly any difference.
More expensive fish
What all this reveals, Custodio said, is that China’s influence over the Philippine military is “steadily growing.”
“The overall interest of the Chinese is to break the influence that we have with our traditional allies. So they will now cultivate people within the AFP who can be used to obstruct alliance activities and to bring the AFP institutionally closer to China,” he said.
Ultimately, this could make the military even less willing to confront China on the frontline of its conflict of interest with the Philippines: the West Philippine Sea.
“How does this affect the ordinary Filipino? Well next time around, he’s going to have more expensive fish. Why? Because the Chinese have managed to co-opt the Philippine military, so the Philippine military will not anymore push back against the Chinese who are now going to ravage our seas,” Custodio said.
For our telco practitioner source, however, the problem goes far beyond Chinese presence in military camps.
“National cybersecurity is the bigger problem. Everybody needs a cybersecurity system. Everybody. Including our government. Eh ngayon, open gate ka eh (Right now, were an open gate),” he said.
The government must create an agency to secure and oversee the country’s cybersecurity – a “cybersecurity center” – that would constantly watch for attacks, the telco source said. The thing about cyber attacks, he added, is that “if the attacker can see you, you can see them,” so it’s just a matter of constant and competent vigilance.
It would, however, entail critical legislation because it might run in conflict with current data privacy laws, the telco source said, but that’s what it would take to really secure the communications not just of the military but of all Filipinos.
“Rather than a contract. What’s a contract, right? It’s ink on paper. How can that protect you?”
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/244602-conclusion-experts-warn-spying-risk-military-contract-china-backed-telco
Experts warn of spying risk in AFP deal with China-backed telco (Pt. 1)
From Rappler (Nov 10, 2019): Experts warn of spying risk in AFP deal with China-backed telco
Rappler obtains copies of the military’s co-location agreements with Dito Telecommunity, Globe Telecom, and Smart Communications. Security analysts say the arrangements leave military communications open to intercepts.
PART 1
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine military is opening up its bases and camps to Chinese government presence by way of a telecommunication company's cell sites – and it says that's all right, despite warnings that it would leave itself vulnerable to spying.
On September 11, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) signed a memorandum of agreement with the Mindanao Islamic Telephone Company (Mislatel), allowing the company to "build facilities in military camps and installations,” on communication towers within AFP properties.
Mislatel, which has rebranded as "Dito Telecommunity (Dito)," is a consortium of Filipino businessman Dennis Uy’s holdings firm Udenna Corporation with a 35% stake, his listed company Chelsea Logistics with 25%, and the Chinese government-owned and -controlled China Telecom with 40%.
Why should this matter?
Rappler obtains copies of the military’s co-location agreements with Dito Telecommunity, Globe Telecom, and Smart Communications. Security analysts say the arrangements leave military communications open to intercepts.
PART 1
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine military is opening up its bases and camps to Chinese government presence by way of a telecommunication company's cell sites – and it says that's all right, despite warnings that it would leave itself vulnerable to spying.
On September 11, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) signed a memorandum of agreement with the Mindanao Islamic Telephone Company (Mislatel), allowing the company to "build facilities in military camps and installations,” on communication towers within AFP properties.
Mislatel, which has rebranded as "Dito Telecommunity (Dito)," is a consortium of Filipino businessman Dennis Uy’s holdings firm Udenna Corporation with a 35% stake, his listed company Chelsea Logistics with 25%, and the Chinese government-owned and -controlled China Telecom with 40%.
Why should this matter?
This means the Chinese government, through China Telecom, has a 40% equity in Mislatel/Dito.
More than just a shareholder, China Telecom will be in charge of building Dito's nationwide telecommunication infrastructure, as Uy admitted his companies have no such expertise or experience.
China Telecom, by its country's law, is mandated to spy for its government. Chapter 1, Article 7 of China’s National Intelligence Law states, "Any organization or citizen shall support, assist, and cooperate with the state intelligence work in accordance with the law..."
Under President Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippines has moved closer to China. Duterte has downplayed his country's international law-backed claim to sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea in exchange for loans and pledges of financial cooperation.
He agreed to joint exploration of the West Philippine Sea's oil and gas reserves. He's kept mum about China's encroachment on Philippine waters, its abuses – even aggression – against Filipinos, especially fishermen. He has also allowed the entry of Chinese nationals working in the offshore gaming industry and Chinese-financed construction projects.
All this while Chinese coast guard and naval ships criss-cross and even patrol the West Philippine Sea nearly unchallenged. Besides a perfunctory, unimplementable order to drive these vessels out, Duterte has largely tolerated this, too.
Given this context, shouldn't the deal with a China-backed telco raise concerns within the military itself? No, the AFP said, because they have "safeguards in place" and the telco's equipment would be "separate" from the military's. Exactly how they would see to this, the AFP's top brass would not elaborate.
5 critical points
To better understand this "co-location" arrangement between the military and Mislatel/Dito, Rappler obtained a copy of their memorandum of agreement (MOA), as well as those of Globe Telecom and Smart Communications, and sought help from 3 independent subject matter experts to examine them.
Here, in a nutshell, is what we found out:
More than just a shareholder, China Telecom will be in charge of building Dito's nationwide telecommunication infrastructure, as Uy admitted his companies have no such expertise or experience.
China Telecom, by its country's law, is mandated to spy for its government. Chapter 1, Article 7 of China’s National Intelligence Law states, "Any organization or citizen shall support, assist, and cooperate with the state intelligence work in accordance with the law..."
Under President Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippines has moved closer to China. Duterte has downplayed his country's international law-backed claim to sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea in exchange for loans and pledges of financial cooperation.
He agreed to joint exploration of the West Philippine Sea's oil and gas reserves. He's kept mum about China's encroachment on Philippine waters, its abuses – even aggression – against Filipinos, especially fishermen. He has also allowed the entry of Chinese nationals working in the offshore gaming industry and Chinese-financed construction projects.
All this while Chinese coast guard and naval ships criss-cross and even patrol the West Philippine Sea nearly unchallenged. Besides a perfunctory, unimplementable order to drive these vessels out, Duterte has largely tolerated this, too.
Given this context, shouldn't the deal with a China-backed telco raise concerns within the military itself? No, the AFP said, because they have "safeguards in place" and the telco's equipment would be "separate" from the military's. Exactly how they would see to this, the AFP's top brass would not elaborate.
5 critical points
To better understand this "co-location" arrangement between the military and Mislatel/Dito, Rappler obtained a copy of their memorandum of agreement (MOA), as well as those of Globe Telecom and Smart Communications, and sought help from 3 independent subject matter experts to examine them.
Here, in a nutshell, is what we found out:
- The MOA with Dito does not provide real safeguards against information breaches.
- It does not explicitly limit where the telco can place its facilities within military properties. In fact, the contract states that Mislatel/Dito may co-locate its facilities in "all sites owned by AFP."
- Part of the exchange deal is for Dito to help "design, develop, and upgrade" the AFP's information systems, products, and services – which would require access to the military's communication systems.
- A provision allows Dito to relocate its facilities "to any designated place" inside the military property should the AFP require it. This is vague compared to another telco's version of this provision, and may be taken advantage of by Dito's Chinese component.
- A security provision unique to Dito's MOA inherently acknowledges that the arrangement may enable Dito to obtain classified information from the AFP, but "guarantees" that it would not – which raises false hopes, experts say.
Beyond these, the experts warned of the more insidious and far-reaching effects of having operatives from China Telecom accessing Philippine military properties and dealing closely with officers privy to vital information and influential in the country's security establishment.
The matter also touches on the lack of an overarching cybersecurity facility or program to protect the entire country's communications and information databases from interception.
The 3 subject matter experts interviewed for this story, and who examined the military's MOAs with Dito, Globe, and Smart are the following:
CO-LOCATION AGREEMENT. The first page of the memorandum of agreement between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Dito Telecommunity, allowing the telco to build facilities in military properties. Photo obtained by Rappler
The Dito agreement
Dito's deal with the military allows the telco to “co-locate some of their Microwave Relay and Base Transceiver Stations for mobile communications services and equipment with that of the AFP” for "economic, technical and security reasons,” the MOA says.
This saves Dito money otherwise spent on building new towers.
Co-locating with the military protects the 3rd telco, too, from rebel attacks – an incentive that Globe and Smart also seized in their earlier decision to set up towers in military camps. Communist guerrillas have been attacking their towers since the 1990s.
The deal also allows the military to do the same with Dito’s own properties: “AFP may possibly intend to co-locate its future telecommunication sites with that of Mislatel (Dito).”
The MOA requires Dito to “consult with and obtain concurrence and approval” of the AFP in all installation plans involving military facilities, and to make sure not to “undermine” any military function.
Dito will cover all expenses that their co-location with the military will incur, including taxes.
The AFP, meanwhile, “shall determine the specific location as well as the rental value” of the property it will lend Mislatel/Dito, making sure the location is “aligned with the Master Development Plan of the bases/camps/reservations, to ensure that the needs of the AFP are the priority.”
Does the contract involve money? As in the deals with Globe and Smart, the military will not receive cash from Mislatel/Dito for the use of its properties. Instead, “settlement of accounts shall be by offsetting arrangement.”
Dito will give the AFP the following services equivalent to the rental value of the co-located properties:
ALL SITES. The 3rd provision in this article of the memorandum of agreement between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Dito Telecommunity allows co-location in 'all sites owned' by either party. Photo obtained by Rappler
Where exactly will Dito put up its cell sites? The MOA’s article on “Exchange of Services” says, “The AFP shall allow co-location in the sites it owns.” The provision then points to an “Annex A,” a list of the specific locations in AFP properties co-located with the telco.
In the case of Dito, this “Annex A” is blank.
A note at the bottom of the empty list says, “Sites to be determined after the approval of site survey thru Confidentiality Agreement.”
Location of Globe and Smart towers
Globe’s “Annex A” lists 42 AFP properties, while Smart’s contains 31.
They include some crucial locations such as Malacañang Park and the Philippine Navy Headquarters in Manila, Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, the Naval Station in Sangley Point, Cavite City, Clark and Basa Air Bases in Pampanga, the Philippine Army Headquarters and the Marine Barracks in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, and the AFP General Headquarters, Camp Aguinaldo, in Quezon City.
Because the AFP granted Dito a “similar arrangement” with those of Globe and Smart, Custodio said the 3rd telco will likely lobby for access to the same sites given to the first two.
Besides, another provision in the same article of the MOA states, “The AFP shall allow Mislatel (Dito) to co-locate its facilities in all sites owned by AFP,” emphasis ours. The AFP also gets the same arrangement from Dito, for as long as its equipment does not interfere with the telco’s.
Likewise, “Mislatel (Dito) in any way is not allowed to reconfigure or exploit the configuration of equipment without authority from the AFP.”
Although the AFP told the media that Dito's cell sites would be built “not precisely inside camps” and be limited to “military reservations,” the MOA itself does not mention these.
RELOCATION/RECOVERY. The third provision under this section of the contract between the military and Dito Telecommunity allows facility relocation 'to any designated place' within the military property. Photo obtained by Rappler
Are there marked differences in the contracts with the 3 telcos? Yes. One such difference is a sub-provision under the “Relocation/Recovery of Facilities” provision.
Across the 3 MOAs, the “Host shall have the right to recall or modify the allocated space and use of support facilities to satisfy their own priority requirements.” This goes both ways – for AFP properties lent to Dito and vice versa.
All 3 contracts give the “Co-locator,” let’s say the telco, 180 days to comply with the AFP’s request to relocate its cell site.
So in case the military wants the telco to move its cell site, the telco is required to do so within half a year. But who decides on the new location?
Globe’s MOA states, “For this purpose, the Co-locator may relocate its facilities to a place mutually agreed upon by the Host and the Co-locator within the Host’s premises,” emphasis ours.
Smart’s and Dito’s MOAs state, “For this purpose, the Co-locator may relocate its facilities to any designated place with[in] the Host’s premises,” emphasis ours.
Rappler’s telco information security source said this was probably due to “cut-and-paste” – the drafters of the 3rd telco’s MOA must have patterned it after the earlier two. In fact, the Dito contract's wording closely resembles Smart's.
Smart’s MOA was notarized on October 24, 2018, according to the date stamp on the copy obtained by Rappler. The notary date stamp on our copy of Globe’s contract is 3 years earlier – November 11, 2015.
This just means that Smart’s contract was renewed more recently than Globe’s, our telco source said. Smart’s contract is actually older because it was the first telco to seek co-location with the military, the source added.
When Globe applied for the same arrangement, the wording on relocation/recovery of facilities was tightened from “any designated place” to “a place mutually agreed upon by the Host and the Co-locator” because the first phrase was deemed imprecise, the telco source said.
An opening for China
“It’s vague. It’s ambiguous,” Custodio said of the provision in the MOA of Dito.
“Because they based it on an earlier MOA, it’s the same, yes. This one is similar to Smart’s. The difference is in the entities. Dito is partly-Chinese owned, 40% owned by the Chinese government, which has a law that states that a Chinese company is mandated to serve Beijing,” he said.
“We don’t know why from a very precise language with Globe, we jumped to something that was ambiguous with Dito. But the point is, if you’re a Chinese intelligence operative, you’re going to take advantage of that. And basically, any Chinese presence in Mislatel will definitely have an intelligence background or an intelligence network behind him. Any Chinese presence. Not the Filipino component but the Chinese component. That is a given already and the AFP should know that,” Custodio said.
Was this deliberate or a mere lapse? According to Custodio: "I don’t know with the AFP. But now this gives the Chinese an opening."
The telco information security source said it could have been an honest mistake because it appears to have been patterned after Smart’s contract.
“Vague ‘yon eh. ‘Yung sa Smart kasi, nauna na ‘yan talaga eh, at the time, wala naman kasing suspicion of such thing eh,” the telco source said. (That’s vague. Smart’s contract just really came earlier and at the time, there was no suspicion of such thing.)
“It should be ‘mutually agreed’ and it should be ‘at the designated place decided by the host as the appropriate location.’ Should always be the host because they’re the property owner,” he added.
The telco source agreed that the provision in the Dito contract, and Smart’s for that matter, may be prone to exploitation – and needs to be amended.
“Should be ‘mutually agreed,’” he stressed. (To be concluded) – Rappler.com
READ: Conclusion | Experts warn of spying risk in AFP deal with China-backed telco
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/244539-experts-warn-spying-risk-military-contract-china-backed-telco
The matter also touches on the lack of an overarching cybersecurity facility or program to protect the entire country's communications and information databases from interception.
The 3 subject matter experts interviewed for this story, and who examined the military's MOAs with Dito, Globe, and Smart are the following:
- Jose Antonio Custodio, defense analyst and former consultant of the National Security Council
- An information security practitioner of more than 30 years who “built telcos from scratch,” and who spoke to Rappler on condition of anonymity
- A retired high-ranking military officer, who spoke to Rappler on condition of anonymity
CO-LOCATION AGREEMENT. The first page of the memorandum of agreement between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Dito Telecommunity, allowing the telco to build facilities in military properties. Photo obtained by Rappler
The Dito agreement
Dito's deal with the military allows the telco to “co-locate some of their Microwave Relay and Base Transceiver Stations for mobile communications services and equipment with that of the AFP” for "economic, technical and security reasons,” the MOA says.
This saves Dito money otherwise spent on building new towers.
Co-locating with the military protects the 3rd telco, too, from rebel attacks – an incentive that Globe and Smart also seized in their earlier decision to set up towers in military camps. Communist guerrillas have been attacking their towers since the 1990s.
The deal also allows the military to do the same with Dito’s own properties: “AFP may possibly intend to co-locate its future telecommunication sites with that of Mislatel (Dito).”
The MOA requires Dito to “consult with and obtain concurrence and approval” of the AFP in all installation plans involving military facilities, and to make sure not to “undermine” any military function.
Dito will cover all expenses that their co-location with the military will incur, including taxes.
The AFP, meanwhile, “shall determine the specific location as well as the rental value” of the property it will lend Mislatel/Dito, making sure the location is “aligned with the Master Development Plan of the bases/camps/reservations, to ensure that the needs of the AFP are the priority.”
Does the contract involve money? As in the deals with Globe and Smart, the military will not receive cash from Mislatel/Dito for the use of its properties. Instead, “settlement of accounts shall be by offsetting arrangement.”
Dito will give the AFP the following services equivalent to the rental value of the co-located properties:
- "Supply, delivery and installation of fix[ed] and mobile CEIS (Communications, Electronics and Information Systems) equipment and accessories"
- “Design, development, upgrade of AFP information systems, products and services from affiliates like video conferencing, IPVPN (Internet Protocol Virtual Private Network), application services, consultancy”
- “ICT (Information and Communication Technology)-related training of AFP CEIS personnel to be provided by Mislatel or by a third party that regularly offer[s] the required training for the AFP personnel.”
ALL SITES. The 3rd provision in this article of the memorandum of agreement between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Dito Telecommunity allows co-location in 'all sites owned' by either party. Photo obtained by Rappler
Where exactly will Dito put up its cell sites? The MOA’s article on “Exchange of Services” says, “The AFP shall allow co-location in the sites it owns.” The provision then points to an “Annex A,” a list of the specific locations in AFP properties co-located with the telco.
In the case of Dito, this “Annex A” is blank.
A note at the bottom of the empty list says, “Sites to be determined after the approval of site survey thru Confidentiality Agreement.”
Location of Globe and Smart towers
Globe’s “Annex A” lists 42 AFP properties, while Smart’s contains 31.
They include some crucial locations such as Malacañang Park and the Philippine Navy Headquarters in Manila, Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, the Naval Station in Sangley Point, Cavite City, Clark and Basa Air Bases in Pampanga, the Philippine Army Headquarters and the Marine Barracks in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, and the AFP General Headquarters, Camp Aguinaldo, in Quezon City.
Because the AFP granted Dito a “similar arrangement” with those of Globe and Smart, Custodio said the 3rd telco will likely lobby for access to the same sites given to the first two.
Besides, another provision in the same article of the MOA states, “The AFP shall allow Mislatel (Dito) to co-locate its facilities in all sites owned by AFP,” emphasis ours. The AFP also gets the same arrangement from Dito, for as long as its equipment does not interfere with the telco’s.
Likewise, “Mislatel (Dito) in any way is not allowed to reconfigure or exploit the configuration of equipment without authority from the AFP.”
Although the AFP told the media that Dito's cell sites would be built “not precisely inside camps” and be limited to “military reservations,” the MOA itself does not mention these.
RELOCATION/RECOVERY. The third provision under this section of the contract between the military and Dito Telecommunity allows facility relocation 'to any designated place' within the military property. Photo obtained by Rappler
Are there marked differences in the contracts with the 3 telcos? Yes. One such difference is a sub-provision under the “Relocation/Recovery of Facilities” provision.
Across the 3 MOAs, the “Host shall have the right to recall or modify the allocated space and use of support facilities to satisfy their own priority requirements.” This goes both ways – for AFP properties lent to Dito and vice versa.
All 3 contracts give the “Co-locator,” let’s say the telco, 180 days to comply with the AFP’s request to relocate its cell site.
So in case the military wants the telco to move its cell site, the telco is required to do so within half a year. But who decides on the new location?
Globe’s MOA states, “For this purpose, the Co-locator may relocate its facilities to a place mutually agreed upon by the Host and the Co-locator within the Host’s premises,” emphasis ours.
Smart’s and Dito’s MOAs state, “For this purpose, the Co-locator may relocate its facilities to any designated place with[in] the Host’s premises,” emphasis ours.
Rappler’s telco information security source said this was probably due to “cut-and-paste” – the drafters of the 3rd telco’s MOA must have patterned it after the earlier two. In fact, the Dito contract's wording closely resembles Smart's.
Smart’s MOA was notarized on October 24, 2018, according to the date stamp on the copy obtained by Rappler. The notary date stamp on our copy of Globe’s contract is 3 years earlier – November 11, 2015.
This just means that Smart’s contract was renewed more recently than Globe’s, our telco source said. Smart’s contract is actually older because it was the first telco to seek co-location with the military, the source added.
When Globe applied for the same arrangement, the wording on relocation/recovery of facilities was tightened from “any designated place” to “a place mutually agreed upon by the Host and the Co-locator” because the first phrase was deemed imprecise, the telco source said.
An opening for China
“It’s vague. It’s ambiguous,” Custodio said of the provision in the MOA of Dito.
“Because they based it on an earlier MOA, it’s the same, yes. This one is similar to Smart’s. The difference is in the entities. Dito is partly-Chinese owned, 40% owned by the Chinese government, which has a law that states that a Chinese company is mandated to serve Beijing,” he said.
“We don’t know why from a very precise language with Globe, we jumped to something that was ambiguous with Dito. But the point is, if you’re a Chinese intelligence operative, you’re going to take advantage of that. And basically, any Chinese presence in Mislatel will definitely have an intelligence background or an intelligence network behind him. Any Chinese presence. Not the Filipino component but the Chinese component. That is a given already and the AFP should know that,” Custodio said.
Was this deliberate or a mere lapse? According to Custodio: "I don’t know with the AFP. But now this gives the Chinese an opening."
The telco information security source said it could have been an honest mistake because it appears to have been patterned after Smart’s contract.
“Vague ‘yon eh. ‘Yung sa Smart kasi, nauna na ‘yan talaga eh, at the time, wala naman kasing suspicion of such thing eh,” the telco source said. (That’s vague. Smart’s contract just really came earlier and at the time, there was no suspicion of such thing.)
“It should be ‘mutually agreed’ and it should be ‘at the designated place decided by the host as the appropriate location.’ Should always be the host because they’re the property owner,” he added.
The telco source agreed that the provision in the Dito contract, and Smart’s for that matter, may be prone to exploitation – and needs to be amended.
“Should be ‘mutually agreed,’” he stressed. (To be concluded) – Rappler.com
READ: Conclusion | Experts warn of spying risk in AFP deal with China-backed telco
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/244539-experts-warn-spying-risk-military-contract-china-backed-telco
Policeman wounded in Lanao Sur ambush
From MindaNews (Nov 10, 2019): Policeman wounded in Lanao Sur ambush
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews / 10 Nov) – Unidentified gunmen ambushed a Toyota Innova driven by police escorts of Masiu town Mayor Nasser P. Pangandaman Jr., while traversing the highway in Lanao del Sur, Sunday morning, wounding one of the policemen.
But military and police reports interviewed by MindaNews had conflicting reports if the mayor was on board the Toyota or not and where the ambush took place.
Col. Jose Maria Cuerpo, commander of the Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade based in Marawi City, said the mayor was in Masiu waiting for his escorts but the latter were waylaid in the municipality of Mulondo, about 20 kms southeast of Marawi.
On the other hand, Col. Madzgani Mukaram, provincial police director of Lanao del Sur, said Pangandaman was on board but was unharmed. He was still able to proceed to Masiu to preside over a meeting of the Municipal Peace and Order Council after the ambush in the town of Buadipuso-Buntong, the town before to Mulondo coming from Marawi.
Police said Cpl. Jabbar Pangandaman was hit in the abdomen while two civilians onboard another vehicle were also wounded. Jammal Gabriel Pangandaman was reportedly in the knee while Casanoding Mangandog suffered gunshot wound in his buttocks.
“The gunmen immediately left the scene and was pursued by soldiers stationed nearby,” Cuerpo said. He added that soldiers confiscated several high-powered firearms but have not arrested any suspects.
He said they suspect the motive of the ambush was “rido” or clan feud practiced by warring families in Lanao del Sur.
Mukaram said the wounded were brought to the Amai Pakpak Medical Center in Marawi for treatment and are now safe from danger.
Lt. Col. Edgar Allan Villanueva, commander of 49th Infantry Battalion, and Lt. Col. Rafman Altre, 82IB commander, in coordination with the PNP, are currently scouring the area in search of the perpetrators.
https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2019/11/policeman-wounded-in-lanao-sur-ambush/
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews / 10 Nov) – Unidentified gunmen ambushed a Toyota Innova driven by police escorts of Masiu town Mayor Nasser P. Pangandaman Jr., while traversing the highway in Lanao del Sur, Sunday morning, wounding one of the policemen.
But military and police reports interviewed by MindaNews had conflicting reports if the mayor was on board the Toyota or not and where the ambush took place.
Col. Jose Maria Cuerpo, commander of the Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade based in Marawi City, said the mayor was in Masiu waiting for his escorts but the latter were waylaid in the municipality of Mulondo, about 20 kms southeast of Marawi.
On the other hand, Col. Madzgani Mukaram, provincial police director of Lanao del Sur, said Pangandaman was on board but was unharmed. He was still able to proceed to Masiu to preside over a meeting of the Municipal Peace and Order Council after the ambush in the town of Buadipuso-Buntong, the town before to Mulondo coming from Marawi.
Police said Cpl. Jabbar Pangandaman was hit in the abdomen while two civilians onboard another vehicle were also wounded. Jammal Gabriel Pangandaman was reportedly in the knee while Casanoding Mangandog suffered gunshot wound in his buttocks.
“The gunmen immediately left the scene and was pursued by soldiers stationed nearby,” Cuerpo said. He added that soldiers confiscated several high-powered firearms but have not arrested any suspects.
He said they suspect the motive of the ambush was “rido” or clan feud practiced by warring families in Lanao del Sur.
Mukaram said the wounded were brought to the Amai Pakpak Medical Center in Marawi for treatment and are now safe from danger.
Lt. Col. Edgar Allan Villanueva, commander of 49th Infantry Battalion, and Lt. Col. Rafman Altre, 82IB commander, in coordination with the PNP, are currently scouring the area in search of the perpetrators.
https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2019/11/policeman-wounded-in-lanao-sur-ambush/
1 soldier killed, 2 others injured in military-BIFF clash in Mamasapano
From MindaNews (Nov 10, 2019): 1 soldier killed, 2 others injured in military-BIFF clash in Mamasapano
CAGAYAN DE ORO (MindaNews / 10 November) – A law-enforcement operation to arrest one of the leaders of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) turned bloody after the rebels and its allies fought back in Mamasapano, Maguindanao over the weekend.
Armed Forces Western Command spokesperson Major Arvin Encinas said fighting raged the entire Saturday resulting to the death of an Army soldier. Two soldiers were wounded.
He said four members of the BIFF faction led by Ismael Abubakar, alias Imam Bungos were killed in the fighting that lasted until the wee hours of Sunday.
CAGAYAN DE ORO (MindaNews / 10 November) – A law-enforcement operation to arrest one of the leaders of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) turned bloody after the rebels and its allies fought back in Mamasapano, Maguindanao over the weekend.
Armed Forces Western Command spokesperson Major Arvin Encinas said fighting raged the entire Saturday resulting to the death of an Army soldier. Two soldiers were wounded.
He said four members of the BIFF faction led by Ismael Abubakar, alias Imam Bungos were killed in the fighting that lasted until the wee hours of Sunday.
A tricycle passes through a newly constructed bridge in Barangay Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao province in this fiale photo taken in January 2016 TOTO LOZANO
“We used every available asset we have.. artillery and airplanes because the BIFF were too many,” Encinas said.
Encinas said the joint law enforcement operation by the military and the Special Action Force (SAF) of the Philippine National Police was conducted to serve a warrant of arrest against Abubakar who led one of the three BIFF factions.
In 2015, Abubakar adopted the ideology of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levan (ISIL) and declared its allegiance to the radical group.
The weekend fighting took place near the bridge in Tukanalipao, Mamasapano where 66 persons were killed during a law enforcement operation to get Malaysian terrorist Zulkfli Adhir alias Marwan. Of the 66, 44 were SAF troops, 17 were combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, and five were civilians.
The fighting triggered the evacuation of at least 400 families in Barangay Tukanalipao, according to officials from Mamasapano town.
Butch Malang, chair of the MILF’s Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) said the government informed them of the law enforcement operation on Thursday, a day before the military and police started their operation in Tukanalipao on Friday.
Malang said the fighting intensified when Abubakar’s allies and other armed groups joined last Saturday.
He said the MILF fighters stayed away from the fighting. They stayed with the civilians on the highway.
Malang said the village of Tukanalipao is an MILF community.
The MILF signed a peace agreement with the government on March 27, 2014. Part of the agreement is the creation of a new autonomous political entity that would replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. That new political entity is called the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
In September, the MILF decommissioned the first 30% of its combatants, as agreed with government in the 2014 peace pact.
https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2019/11/1soldier-killed-2-others-injured-in-military-biff-clash-in-mamasapano/
“We used every available asset we have.. artillery and airplanes because the BIFF were too many,” Encinas said.
Encinas said the joint law enforcement operation by the military and the Special Action Force (SAF) of the Philippine National Police was conducted to serve a warrant of arrest against Abubakar who led one of the three BIFF factions.
In 2015, Abubakar adopted the ideology of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levan (ISIL) and declared its allegiance to the radical group.
The weekend fighting took place near the bridge in Tukanalipao, Mamasapano where 66 persons were killed during a law enforcement operation to get Malaysian terrorist Zulkfli Adhir alias Marwan. Of the 66, 44 were SAF troops, 17 were combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, and five were civilians.
The fighting triggered the evacuation of at least 400 families in Barangay Tukanalipao, according to officials from Mamasapano town.
Butch Malang, chair of the MILF’s Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) said the government informed them of the law enforcement operation on Thursday, a day before the military and police started their operation in Tukanalipao on Friday.
Malang said the fighting intensified when Abubakar’s allies and other armed groups joined last Saturday.
He said the MILF fighters stayed away from the fighting. They stayed with the civilians on the highway.
Malang said the village of Tukanalipao is an MILF community.
The MILF signed a peace agreement with the government on March 27, 2014. Part of the agreement is the creation of a new autonomous political entity that would replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. That new political entity is called the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
In September, the MILF decommissioned the first 30% of its combatants, as agreed with government in the 2014 peace pact.
https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2019/11/1soldier-killed-2-others-injured-in-military-biff-clash-in-mamasapano/
Army reports the mass surrender of NPA supporters in Central Luzon
From the Philippine Information Agency (Nov 10, 2019): Army reports the mass surrender of NPA supporters in Central Luzon
SAN FERNANDO CITY, Nov. 9 (PIA) - - The Philippine Army had reported the mass surrender of the 77 supporters of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the provinces of Nueva Ecija and Aurora on Wednesday.
Secretary Hermogenes C. Esperon, Jr., National Security Adviser and Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) for Region 1, together with Major General Lenard T. Agustin, the commander of the army’s 7th Infantry Division (7ID), made the announcement during the 3rd executive meeting of the Joint Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF1 – ELCAC) held at Diego Silang Hall, Provincial Capitol, City of San Fernando, La Union on Thursday, Nov. 7.
SAN FERNANDO CITY, Nov. 9 (PIA) - - The Philippine Army had reported the mass surrender of the 77 supporters of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the provinces of Nueva Ecija and Aurora on Wednesday.
Secretary Hermogenes C. Esperon, Jr., National Security Adviser and Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) for Region 1, together with Major General Lenard T. Agustin, the commander of the army’s 7th Infantry Division (7ID), made the announcement during the 3rd executive meeting of the Joint Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF1 – ELCAC) held at Diego Silang Hall, Provincial Capitol, City of San Fernando, La Union on Thursday, Nov. 7.
Secretary Hermogenes C. Esperon Jr., (center) national security adviser and concurrent Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) for Region 1; with (from right) Brigadier Joel Orduna, regional director of Region 1 police office; Major General Lenard T. Agustin, commander of the army's 7th Infantry Division; Vigan City Mayor Juan Carlo S. Medina, chairperson of the Regional Development Council (RDC) Region 1; and Brigadier General Ramon Evan T. Ruiz of the Northern Luzon Command, meets the local media for a press briefing before the 3rd executive meeting of the Joint Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF – ELCAC) held at Diego Silang Hall, Provincial Capitol, City of San Fernando, La Union on Thursday. (Photo by Roland Naoe/PIA1)
“I’m proud to announce the snowballing on mass surrender of NPA rebels and supporters in Regions 3,” said Esperon.
“We are expecting more surrenderees in Regions 1 and 3 as we continue the implementation of the programs for the whole of nation approach to end the local communist armed conflict (ELCAC),” he added.
On the other hand, Agustin said the mass surrender of the NPA rebels and supporters in Nueva Ecija and Aurora was considered as the biggest accomplishment of their unit in a single day since the start of the ELCAC campaign.
At around 5:00 AM on Wednesday, a total of 53 rebel supporters from Sitios Lising and Pandayan of Barangay Capintalan, and Sitio Malihdi of Barangay Minuli, both in the town of Carranglan, Nueva Ecija, yielded to the soldiers belonging to the army’s 84th Infantry Battalion.
Eight hours later, Agustin said that another 24 members of the Milisyang Bayan and other mass base supporters of the rebels were surrendered to the operatives of the army’s 91st Infantry Battalion and 3rd Civil-Military Operations Company at Barangay Dimanayat in San Luis, Aurora.
The village officials facilitated the mass surrender following the army’s fruitful negotiation.
The surrenderees were reportedly members of the “Sangay ng Partido sa Localidad” and “Yunit Milisyang Bayan,” the mass base units of the NPA rebels’ supporters in the towns.
“The army is working together with other government agencies to induce NPA members and supporters to go back to the folds of the law,” Agustin said.
Meanwhile, Secretary Esperon lauded the efforts of the army and the other government agencies on their successful negotiation convincing the NPA supporters to surrender.
Presiding over the executive meeting, Esperson said that such accomplishment achieved on encouraging the NPA rebels and their supporters to surrender to the government is an output of the aggressive implementation of the ELCAC programs of President Rodrigo Duterte. (JCR/FGL, PIA 1)
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1029960
“I’m proud to announce the snowballing on mass surrender of NPA rebels and supporters in Regions 3,” said Esperon.
“We are expecting more surrenderees in Regions 1 and 3 as we continue the implementation of the programs for the whole of nation approach to end the local communist armed conflict (ELCAC),” he added.
On the other hand, Agustin said the mass surrender of the NPA rebels and supporters in Nueva Ecija and Aurora was considered as the biggest accomplishment of their unit in a single day since the start of the ELCAC campaign.
At around 5:00 AM on Wednesday, a total of 53 rebel supporters from Sitios Lising and Pandayan of Barangay Capintalan, and Sitio Malihdi of Barangay Minuli, both in the town of Carranglan, Nueva Ecija, yielded to the soldiers belonging to the army’s 84th Infantry Battalion.
Eight hours later, Agustin said that another 24 members of the Milisyang Bayan and other mass base supporters of the rebels were surrendered to the operatives of the army’s 91st Infantry Battalion and 3rd Civil-Military Operations Company at Barangay Dimanayat in San Luis, Aurora.
The village officials facilitated the mass surrender following the army’s fruitful negotiation.
The surrenderees were reportedly members of the “Sangay ng Partido sa Localidad” and “Yunit Milisyang Bayan,” the mass base units of the NPA rebels’ supporters in the towns.
“The army is working together with other government agencies to induce NPA members and supporters to go back to the folds of the law,” Agustin said.
Meanwhile, Secretary Esperon lauded the efforts of the army and the other government agencies on their successful negotiation convincing the NPA supporters to surrender.
Presiding over the executive meeting, Esperson said that such accomplishment achieved on encouraging the NPA rebels and their supporters to surrender to the government is an output of the aggressive implementation of the ELCAC programs of President Rodrigo Duterte. (JCR/FGL, PIA 1)
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1029960
77 rebels in Central Luzon surrender in a day
From the Philippine Information Agency (Nov 10, 2019): 77 rebels in Central Luzon surrender in a day
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Nov.10 (PIA) -- A total of 77 personalities involved in supporting the National People’s Army (NPA) officially surrendered to the folds of the government on Wednesday.
This is one of the biggest mass surrenders ever to take place in a single day in Central Luzon.
“The whole of nation approach in ending local communist armed conflict in the country has come across in many localities that we are able to encourage NPA members and supporters to surrender. We do this to attain inclusive peace and development for the country and our people,” Army 7th Infantry Division (7th ID) Commander Major General Lenard T. Agustin said.
Of the 77 rebel-returnees, 53 came from different NPA-organized supporters in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija and 24 were from San Luis, Aurora.
Surrenderees came from the following NPA underground affiliates: Sangay ng Partido sa Lokalidad; Yunit Milisyang Bayan; Pambansang Katipunan ng Magbubukid sa Pilipinas; Malayang Kilusan ng Bagong Kababaihan; Kabataang Makabayan of Sitios Lising and Pandayan; and Komiteng Larangang Gerilya Sierra Madre.
The mass surrender was a result of the concerted efforts of the 91st Infantry Battalion (91st IB), 84th Infantry Battalion (84th IB), 3rd Civil Military Operations Company and the 7th Civil Military Operations Battalion with the support and assistance of Barangay Task Forces to End Local Communist Armed Conflict in the areas.
91st IB Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Jose Mari F. Torrenueva II, who formally received the surrenderees in San Luis, said they will continue to conduct necessary actions to convince rebels and their supporters to surrender and go back to mainstream society.
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Nov.10 (PIA) -- A total of 77 personalities involved in supporting the National People’s Army (NPA) officially surrendered to the folds of the government on Wednesday.
This is one of the biggest mass surrenders ever to take place in a single day in Central Luzon.
“The whole of nation approach in ending local communist armed conflict in the country has come across in many localities that we are able to encourage NPA members and supporters to surrender. We do this to attain inclusive peace and development for the country and our people,” Army 7th Infantry Division (7th ID) Commander Major General Lenard T. Agustin said.
Of the 77 rebel-returnees, 53 came from different NPA-organized supporters in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija and 24 were from San Luis, Aurora.
Surrenderees came from the following NPA underground affiliates: Sangay ng Partido sa Lokalidad; Yunit Milisyang Bayan; Pambansang Katipunan ng Magbubukid sa Pilipinas; Malayang Kilusan ng Bagong Kababaihan; Kabataang Makabayan of Sitios Lising and Pandayan; and Komiteng Larangang Gerilya Sierra Madre.
The mass surrender was a result of the concerted efforts of the 91st Infantry Battalion (91st IB), 84th Infantry Battalion (84th IB), 3rd Civil Military Operations Company and the 7th Civil Military Operations Battalion with the support and assistance of Barangay Task Forces to End Local Communist Armed Conflict in the areas.
91st IB Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Jose Mari F. Torrenueva II, who formally received the surrenderees in San Luis, said they will continue to conduct necessary actions to convince rebels and their supporters to surrender and go back to mainstream society.
53 former rebels from Carranglan, Nueva Ecia renounce armed struggle as they surrender to the 84th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army. (Army 7th Infantry Division)
“They, too, deserve to live peacefully, and we are giving them the chance to do that,” he said.
Moreover, 84th IB Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Honorato S. Pascual Jr said the 53 former rebels from Carranglan who formally surrendered to him admitted to the useless and pointless cause they were fighting for.
“Gusto na nilang mabuhay nang payapa, at ang paraan lang para magawa nila iyon ay sumuko sila at makipagtulungan sa atin (They want live in peace now, and the only way to do that is for them to cooperate with us),” he shared.
The 7th Infantry Division is currently conducting routine interviews on the surrenderees for processing of their eligibility to available government benefits for former rebels including the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
Some of the rebel returnees were presented to Presidential Peace Adviser and Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security for Central Luzon Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. during a meeting of the Peace, Law Enforcement and Development Support Cluster of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict held in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga on Friday.
Galvez led the ceremonial handing over of food and non-food packages and cash as immediate assistance to the surrenderees.
“This signifies our pursuit for good governance and response to the challenges and threats posed by the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA as President Rodrigo R. Duterte aspires to have a peaceful Philippines by 2022,” the cabinet official emphasized. (CLJD/WLB-PIA 3)
“They, too, deserve to live peacefully, and we are giving them the chance to do that,” he said.
Moreover, 84th IB Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Honorato S. Pascual Jr said the 53 former rebels from Carranglan who formally surrendered to him admitted to the useless and pointless cause they were fighting for.
“Gusto na nilang mabuhay nang payapa, at ang paraan lang para magawa nila iyon ay sumuko sila at makipagtulungan sa atin (They want live in peace now, and the only way to do that is for them to cooperate with us),” he shared.
The 7th Infantry Division is currently conducting routine interviews on the surrenderees for processing of their eligibility to available government benefits for former rebels including the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
Some of the rebel returnees were presented to Presidential Peace Adviser and Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security for Central Luzon Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. during a meeting of the Peace, Law Enforcement and Development Support Cluster of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict held in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga on Friday.
Galvez led the ceremonial handing over of food and non-food packages and cash as immediate assistance to the surrenderees.
“This signifies our pursuit for good governance and response to the challenges and threats posed by the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA as President Rodrigo R. Duterte aspires to have a peaceful Philippines by 2022,” the cabinet official emphasized. (CLJD/WLB-PIA 3)
7th Infantry Division presented to Presidential Peace Adviser and Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security for Central Luzon Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. (fourth from left) during a during a meeting of the Peace, Law Enforcement and Development Support Cluster of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict held in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga on Friday. Galvez also led the ceremonial handing over of food and non-food packages and cash as immediate assistance to the surrenderees. (Edward S. Manarang/PIA 3)
2.7K Mamasapano residents flee as Army, BIFF clash in Maguindanao
From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 10, 2019): 2.7K Mamasapano residents flee as Army, BIFF clash in Maguindanao
RENEWED CLASHES. An old villager on a bicycle peacefully crosses the new Tukanalipao bridge in Barangay Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao in this file photo. Fresh clashes erupted anew Saturday (Nov. 9, 2019) between Army troopers and Islamic State-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters after the radicals harassed government forces stationed in the area. (Photo by PNA-Cotabato)
CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao -- Some 2,700 people were displaced after Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) linked to the Islamic State (IS) harassed government forces stationed in Barangay Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Saturday.
A rebel was killed while two others were wounded in a clash between elements of the Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion (33IB) and BIFF along Tukanalipao River, site of the killing of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) members in 2015.
Ismael Hashim, chairperson of Barangay Tukanalipao, said the firefight erupted after rebels opened fire on soldiers stationed near the new bridge built across the river.
Citing information from locals, Hashim said the fleeing BIFF took their dead and two wounded cohorts away following ground and artillery attacks by government forces.
“There was no reported casualty on the government side,” he told reporters here in a phone interview on Sunday.
Government troops, led by Lt. Col. Elmer Boongaling, 33IB commander, responded to reports from residents about BIFF massing up in the tri-borders of Tukanalipao, Tuka, and Pedsandawan villages, all in Mamasapano town.
Hashim said all the residents of Barangay Tukanalipao have fled to adjacent villages for fear of getting caught in the crossfire.
The more than 450 families or 2,700 individuals have sought refuge in nearby villages.
In January 2015, an elite police force operation against Malaysian terror bomber Zulkifli bin Hir alias “Marwan,” resulted in the killing of 44 SAF members.
Seventeen rebels and five civilians were also killed in the ensuing clashes that same day.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1085569
RENEWED CLASHES. An old villager on a bicycle peacefully crosses the new Tukanalipao bridge in Barangay Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao in this file photo. Fresh clashes erupted anew Saturday (Nov. 9, 2019) between Army troopers and Islamic State-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters after the radicals harassed government forces stationed in the area. (Photo by PNA-Cotabato)
CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao -- Some 2,700 people were displaced after Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) linked to the Islamic State (IS) harassed government forces stationed in Barangay Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Saturday.
A rebel was killed while two others were wounded in a clash between elements of the Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion (33IB) and BIFF along Tukanalipao River, site of the killing of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) members in 2015.
Ismael Hashim, chairperson of Barangay Tukanalipao, said the firefight erupted after rebels opened fire on soldiers stationed near the new bridge built across the river.
Citing information from locals, Hashim said the fleeing BIFF took their dead and two wounded cohorts away following ground and artillery attacks by government forces.
“There was no reported casualty on the government side,” he told reporters here in a phone interview on Sunday.
Government troops, led by Lt. Col. Elmer Boongaling, 33IB commander, responded to reports from residents about BIFF massing up in the tri-borders of Tukanalipao, Tuka, and Pedsandawan villages, all in Mamasapano town.
Hashim said all the residents of Barangay Tukanalipao have fled to adjacent villages for fear of getting caught in the crossfire.
The more than 450 families or 2,700 individuals have sought refuge in nearby villages.
In January 2015, an elite police force operation against Malaysian terror bomber Zulkifli bin Hir alias “Marwan,” resulted in the killing of 44 SAF members.
Seventeen rebels and five civilians were also killed in the ensuing clashes that same day.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1085569
Lanao Sur mayor cheats death as gunmen waylay convoy
From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 10, 2019): Lanao Sur mayor cheats death as gunmen waylay convoy
ILIGAN CITY -- The convoy of the town mayor of Masiu, Lanao del Sur was ambushed by still unidentified gunmen, around 10 a.m. Sunday in Barangay Gata, Buadipuso Buntong town.
Col. Madzgani Mukaram, chief of Provincial Police Office in Lanao del Sur, said Mayor Nasser Pangandaman Jr., was on the way to his office from Marawi City when gunmen armed with high-powered firearms waylaid his convoy.
Pangandaman and his escorts cheated death but his police escort, Staff Sgt. Jabbar Romato Pangandaman and other two civilian companions, Jamal Gabriel Pangandaman and Casanoding Mangandog onboard the other vehicle, were injured.
Mukaram said Sgt Pangandaman sustained a gunshot wound on his abdomen, Jamal on his right knee while Mangandog in his buttocks.
They are now in stable condition at the Amai Pakpak Medical Center.
"The Scene Of the Crime Operatives were deployed to the crime scene while the motive of the ambush is still to be determined," police athorities said in a statement.
Lt. Col. Edgar Allan Villanueva, commander of the Army's 49th Infantry Battalion (49IB), said Pangandaman was scheduled to preside the regular meeting of his Municipal Peace and Order Council at 10 a.m.
Masiu town is under the area of operation (AOR) of the 49IB while Buadiposo Buntong, where the ambush happened, is under the AOR of the 82nd Infantry Battalion (82IB).
Buadipos Buntong is around 10 kilometers away from Masiu.
"Our police and Army troopers under the 82IB are now scouring the area for the possible arrest of the perpetrators. An SITG (Special Investigation Task Group) will also be activated to help monitor the progress of this case," Mukaram said.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1085576
ILIGAN CITY -- The convoy of the town mayor of Masiu, Lanao del Sur was ambushed by still unidentified gunmen, around 10 a.m. Sunday in Barangay Gata, Buadipuso Buntong town.
Col. Madzgani Mukaram, chief of Provincial Police Office in Lanao del Sur, said Mayor Nasser Pangandaman Jr., was on the way to his office from Marawi City when gunmen armed with high-powered firearms waylaid his convoy.
Pangandaman and his escorts cheated death but his police escort, Staff Sgt. Jabbar Romato Pangandaman and other two civilian companions, Jamal Gabriel Pangandaman and Casanoding Mangandog onboard the other vehicle, were injured.
Mukaram said Sgt Pangandaman sustained a gunshot wound on his abdomen, Jamal on his right knee while Mangandog in his buttocks.
They are now in stable condition at the Amai Pakpak Medical Center.
"The Scene Of the Crime Operatives were deployed to the crime scene while the motive of the ambush is still to be determined," police athorities said in a statement.
Lt. Col. Edgar Allan Villanueva, commander of the Army's 49th Infantry Battalion (49IB), said Pangandaman was scheduled to preside the regular meeting of his Municipal Peace and Order Council at 10 a.m.
Masiu town is under the area of operation (AOR) of the 49IB while Buadiposo Buntong, where the ambush happened, is under the AOR of the 82nd Infantry Battalion (82IB).
Buadipos Buntong is around 10 kilometers away from Masiu.
"Our police and Army troopers under the 82IB are now scouring the area for the possible arrest of the perpetrators. An SITG (Special Investigation Task Group) will also be activated to help monitor the progress of this case," Mukaram said.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1085576
2 NPA members operating in Aurora, Nueva Ecija surrender
From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 10, 2019): 2 NPA members operating in Aurora, Nueva Ecija surrender
BALER, Aurora -- Two members of the New People’s Army (NPA) who claimed they can no longer bear the kind of life in the mountains have surrendered to the 91st Infantry Battalion (91IB) of the Philippine Army on Friday.
Lt. Col. Jose Mari F. Torrenueva II, 91IB commander, said on Saturday that the two communist rebels turned themselves in to the battalion in Sitio Dupinga, Barangay Malinao, Gabaldon in Nueva Ecija.
He said the two surrendered rebels, who requested to be identified only as "Ka Kevin" and "Ka Sam", were members of the Platoon Uno of Kilusang Larangang Guerrilla Sierra Madre operating in the provinces of Aurora and Nueva Ecija.
“The safe negotiation was through the efforts of the 91IB, 69IB, and 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (1st PMFC) of Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office. Ka Kevin and Ka Sam, who were recruited by the Communist New People's Army Terrorists (CNTs) last April this year, expressed their gratitude to the government for giving them the chance to live normal lives and to become productive citizens of the community,” Torrenueva said.
Based on the former rebels’ revelations, he said they were lured to join by the NPA using black propaganda against the government.
“They (surrendered rebels) said that they will never go back again to the terrorist movement as they are only telling lies and sowing terror to the communities,” he said.
He assured the former rebels’ protection and assistance as they begin to immerse in the civilian way of life.
Following the surrender, the two rebels received cash assistance and goods coming from Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) in Central Luzon.
Torrenueva encouraged the former rebels to avail of other benefits being offered by the government through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
He also advised them to spend the financial assistance they received in something that can alleviate their lives from poverty.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1085572
BALER, Aurora -- Two members of the New People’s Army (NPA) who claimed they can no longer bear the kind of life in the mountains have surrendered to the 91st Infantry Battalion (91IB) of the Philippine Army on Friday.
Lt. Col. Jose Mari F. Torrenueva II, 91IB commander, said on Saturday that the two communist rebels turned themselves in to the battalion in Sitio Dupinga, Barangay Malinao, Gabaldon in Nueva Ecija.
He said the two surrendered rebels, who requested to be identified only as "Ka Kevin" and "Ka Sam", were members of the Platoon Uno of Kilusang Larangang Guerrilla Sierra Madre operating in the provinces of Aurora and Nueva Ecija.
“The safe negotiation was through the efforts of the 91IB, 69IB, and 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (1st PMFC) of Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office. Ka Kevin and Ka Sam, who were recruited by the Communist New People's Army Terrorists (CNTs) last April this year, expressed their gratitude to the government for giving them the chance to live normal lives and to become productive citizens of the community,” Torrenueva said.
Based on the former rebels’ revelations, he said they were lured to join by the NPA using black propaganda against the government.
“They (surrendered rebels) said that they will never go back again to the terrorist movement as they are only telling lies and sowing terror to the communities,” he said.
He assured the former rebels’ protection and assistance as they begin to immerse in the civilian way of life.
Following the surrender, the two rebels received cash assistance and goods coming from Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) in Central Luzon.
Torrenueva encouraged the former rebels to avail of other benefits being offered by the government through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
He also advised them to spend the financial assistance they received in something that can alleviate their lives from poverty.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1085572
AFP denies involvement in ex-Karapatan exec's disappearance
From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 10, 2019): AFP denies involvement in ex-Karapatan exec's disappearance
DAVAO CITY -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP) 10th Infantry Division (10ID) on Saturday denied any involvement in the disappearance of Honey Mae Suazo, former secretary-general of Karapatan Southern Mindanao Region (SMR).
Capt. Jerry Lamosao, spokesperson of the 10ID, said linking the military to the disappearance of Suazo is another allegation that has been hurled by Karapatan against them.
According to Karapatan SMR, Suazo was last seen on Nov. 2 visiting her relatives' grave during the All Soul's Day in Panabo City, Davao del Norte.
The rights group linked the incident to the intensifying crackdown on activists and Suazo's past experience of harassment and alleged red-tagging by state forces.
“Time and time again, this group continuously links the AFP to all incidents that they can think of to discredit the government,” he said.
Lamosao challenged Karapatan to prove their allegation in court as a group, adding that they are now losing the respect of the masses.
Suazo left Karapatan almost two years ago. She previously complained of harassment and surveillance by alleged members of the military when she was still active in the group.
The said charges had been dismissed by the Department of Justice in 2016.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1085588
DAVAO CITY -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP) 10th Infantry Division (10ID) on Saturday denied any involvement in the disappearance of Honey Mae Suazo, former secretary-general of Karapatan Southern Mindanao Region (SMR).
Capt. Jerry Lamosao, spokesperson of the 10ID, said linking the military to the disappearance of Suazo is another allegation that has been hurled by Karapatan against them.
According to Karapatan SMR, Suazo was last seen on Nov. 2 visiting her relatives' grave during the All Soul's Day in Panabo City, Davao del Norte.
The rights group linked the incident to the intensifying crackdown on activists and Suazo's past experience of harassment and alleged red-tagging by state forces.
“Time and time again, this group continuously links the AFP to all incidents that they can think of to discredit the government,” he said.
Lamosao challenged Karapatan to prove their allegation in court as a group, adding that they are now losing the respect of the masses.
Suazo left Karapatan almost two years ago. She previously complained of harassment and surveillance by alleged members of the military when she was still active in the group.
The said charges had been dismissed by the Department of Justice in 2016.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1085588
Army’s 2ID denies 'ambush-slay' of 5 soldiers in Quezon
From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 10, 2019): Army’s 2ID denies 'ambush-slay' of 5 soldiers in Quezon
FALSE CLAIM. Brig. Gen. Arnulfo Marcelo B. Burgos Jr., commander of the Philippine Army's 2nd Infantry "Jungle Fighter" Division (2ID), is shown speaking to newsmen in a file photo taken at the 2ID Headquarters, Camp Gen. Capinpin, Tanay, Rizal. On Sunday (Nov. 10, 2019), he branded as fake news a claim by an alleged New People's Army spokesperson that five soldiers were killed in an encounter between the rebels and government troops in General Nakar, Quezon. (File photo by Saul E. Pa-a)
CAMP GEN. CAPINPIN, Tanay, Rizal -- The Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry “Jungle Fighter” Division (2ID) on Sunday condemned the New People’s Army's (NPA) act of propagating fake news and dismissed as false claim its statement that five were "killed" in an ambush last Friday in General Nakar, Quezon.
Brig. Gen. Arnulfo Marcelo B. Burgos Jr., 2ID commander, said the NPA’s action is a reflection of its desperate attempt to gain relevance in the community as well as to cover up the terrorists’ imminent downfall.
“Any self-respecting spokesman would know that sowing lies and deceit among the people is unacceptable and such despicable act of the NPA’s spokesperson is aggravated by their attempt to use mainstream media,” Burgos said.
He referred to a statement of Eliza dela Guerra, an alleged NPA spokesperson, pertaining to the terrorists’ ambush on some 50 soldiers and police officers in General Nakar’s Barangay Lumutan at around 12:40 p.m.
The General Nakar police station, through its chief of police, has denied the incident and said it was “not aware of that supposed incident”.
Burgos, however, confirmed that government troops launched an armed engagement against the NPA terrorists during their Focused Military Operations on Friday afternoon in Sitio Labno, Barangay Lumutan.
He added that there was no casualty recorded on the government side while the enemies were suspected to have incurred losses based on the discovery of bloodstains on the rebel’s escape routes.
“We hope that the media will not tolerate and glorify acts that bastardize the noble profession of journalism by giving attention to baseless claims such as this report,” Burgos said.
He also called on NPA terrorists to respect the members of the media “by not weaponizing them through psychological operations fully knowing that information given to them should at all times be factual, truthful and verifiable.”
He added that the communist group's propaganda to destabilize the government and recruit the youth and Indigenous Peoples (IP) has been used by the NPA as its main tool for party and army building efforts to support its now deteriorating insurgency movement in the country.
The NPA, which has been waging a five-decade armed struggle against the government, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1085586
FALSE CLAIM. Brig. Gen. Arnulfo Marcelo B. Burgos Jr., commander of the Philippine Army's 2nd Infantry "Jungle Fighter" Division (2ID), is shown speaking to newsmen in a file photo taken at the 2ID Headquarters, Camp Gen. Capinpin, Tanay, Rizal. On Sunday (Nov. 10, 2019), he branded as fake news a claim by an alleged New People's Army spokesperson that five soldiers were killed in an encounter between the rebels and government troops in General Nakar, Quezon. (File photo by Saul E. Pa-a)
CAMP GEN. CAPINPIN, Tanay, Rizal -- The Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry “Jungle Fighter” Division (2ID) on Sunday condemned the New People’s Army's (NPA) act of propagating fake news and dismissed as false claim its statement that five were "killed" in an ambush last Friday in General Nakar, Quezon.
Brig. Gen. Arnulfo Marcelo B. Burgos Jr., 2ID commander, said the NPA’s action is a reflection of its desperate attempt to gain relevance in the community as well as to cover up the terrorists’ imminent downfall.
“Any self-respecting spokesman would know that sowing lies and deceit among the people is unacceptable and such despicable act of the NPA’s spokesperson is aggravated by their attempt to use mainstream media,” Burgos said.
He referred to a statement of Eliza dela Guerra, an alleged NPA spokesperson, pertaining to the terrorists’ ambush on some 50 soldiers and police officers in General Nakar’s Barangay Lumutan at around 12:40 p.m.
The General Nakar police station, through its chief of police, has denied the incident and said it was “not aware of that supposed incident”.
Burgos, however, confirmed that government troops launched an armed engagement against the NPA terrorists during their Focused Military Operations on Friday afternoon in Sitio Labno, Barangay Lumutan.
He added that there was no casualty recorded on the government side while the enemies were suspected to have incurred losses based on the discovery of bloodstains on the rebel’s escape routes.
“We hope that the media will not tolerate and glorify acts that bastardize the noble profession of journalism by giving attention to baseless claims such as this report,” Burgos said.
He also called on NPA terrorists to respect the members of the media “by not weaponizing them through psychological operations fully knowing that information given to them should at all times be factual, truthful and verifiable.”
He added that the communist group's propaganda to destabilize the government and recruit the youth and Indigenous Peoples (IP) has been used by the NPA as its main tool for party and army building efforts to support its now deteriorating insurgency movement in the country.
The NPA, which has been waging a five-decade armed struggle against the government, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1085586
2 ISIS-inspired terrorists killed in Maguindanao clash
From the Philippine Star (Nov 10, 2019): 2 ISIS-inspired terrorists killed in Maguindanao clash
Two members of a local terror group operating in the fashion of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria were killed in a series of clashes with soldiers on Saturday.
The gunfights erupted when followers of wanted terrorist Abu Toraife, whose real name is Abdulmalik Esmael, attacked a team from the 33rd Infantry Battalion patrolling in a secluded area in Barangay Tukanalipao in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
Abu Toraife, leader of the Dawlah Islamiya that splintered in 2017 from the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, and his men are wanted for all deadly bombings in central Mindanao in recent months.
Residents identified the slain Dawlah Islamiya members as Katib Amerudin and Madzid Sangid, reportedly felled one after another by 33rd IB snipers as the encounter ensued.
Villagers confirmed seeing the fleeing terrorists carry their cadavers as they fled towards a marsh near the border of Mamasapano and nearby Datu Piang, also in Maguindanao, after they ran out of ammunition.
Three other followers of Abu Toraife, Akmad Dodi, Taugan Mindo and Alam Sarip, were also wounded in the clash, according to local officials.
Major Gen. Diosdado Carreon, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said Sunday no one from among the soldiers the terrorist attacked from different directions was hurt.
The soldiers were dispatched to Barangay Tukanalipao for a security mission after villagers reported the presence of terrorists under Abo Toraife’s group trying to collect “protection money” from hapless villagers.
Two members of a local terror group operating in the fashion of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria were killed in a series of clashes with soldiers on Saturday.
The gunfights erupted when followers of wanted terrorist Abu Toraife, whose real name is Abdulmalik Esmael, attacked a team from the 33rd Infantry Battalion patrolling in a secluded area in Barangay Tukanalipao in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
Abu Toraife, leader of the Dawlah Islamiya that splintered in 2017 from the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, and his men are wanted for all deadly bombings in central Mindanao in recent months.
Residents identified the slain Dawlah Islamiya members as Katib Amerudin and Madzid Sangid, reportedly felled one after another by 33rd IB snipers as the encounter ensued.
Villagers confirmed seeing the fleeing terrorists carry their cadavers as they fled towards a marsh near the border of Mamasapano and nearby Datu Piang, also in Maguindanao, after they ran out of ammunition.
Three other followers of Abu Toraife, Akmad Dodi, Taugan Mindo and Alam Sarip, were also wounded in the clash, according to local officials.
Major Gen. Diosdado Carreon, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said Sunday no one from among the soldiers the terrorist attacked from different directions was hurt.
The soldiers were dispatched to Barangay Tukanalipao for a security mission after villagers reported the presence of terrorists under Abo Toraife’s group trying to collect “protection money” from hapless villagers.
NPA thrives in N. Mindanao, Caraga by recruiting child warriors
From the Manila Bulletin (Nov 10, 2019): NPA thrives in N. Mindanao, Caraga by recruiting child warriors
The New People’s Army (NPA) in Northern Mindanao and Caraga regions continue to survive by allegedly recruiting teenagers as its young combatants, a ranking military official disclosed on Sunday.
Major General Franco Nemesio Gacal, commander of the 4th Infantry Division (4ID) which has military jurisdiction in the regions, said the presence of NPA child warriors has been “very alarming.”
“The presence of NPA child warriors is very alarming and everybody must take urgent action to stop the recruitment of our school children,” Gacal said.
Gacal said they discovered the NPA’s tactics following the surrender of two alleged former rebels, Rex Antonio alias Kent, 19, and alias Bradex, 23.
Gacal said that Kent is an alleged NPA combatant who got wounded and rescued by the government troops during an encounter between the Army’s 29th Infantry Battalion (29IB) and the NPA at the hinterlands of Brgy. San Isidro, Santiago, Agusan del Norte last November 2.
He revealed that he was recruited by the group when he was still 17 years old.
Meanwhile, Gacal said that Bradex is a former rebel from the province of Bukidnon who surrendered last 2018.
“I am only 12 years old when the NPA used me as a courier and I became a full time NPA combatant at the age of 16,” Bradex added as he confirmed the rampant recruitment of minors by the NPA in Bukidnon.
The revelations of the two former rebels were confirmed by one Sandara Monsalao Mandahinog alias Karla, a 17-year-old squad medic of the NPA who surrendered last March 23 before the 23rd Infantry Battalion (23IB) in Buenavista, Agusan del Norte.
“I was recruited and forced to join the NPA at the age of 14 which made my life miserable,” she said.
Gacal said the NPA’s recruitment of child warriors is a clear violation of Rule 136 of the International Humanitarian Law which prohibits recruitment of minors by any armed groups involved in hostilities.
Rule 136 states that “children must not be recruited into armed forces or armed groups.”
“I urge everyone, especially the parents, to take care of your children and together let us protect their future, our future generation,” Gacal said.
“We can prevent this recruitment of minors and totally end the local communist armed conflict through our convergence of efforts,” he added.
The New People’s Army (NPA) in Northern Mindanao and Caraga regions continue to survive by allegedly recruiting teenagers as its young combatants, a ranking military official disclosed on Sunday.
Major General Franco Nemesio Gacal, commander of the 4th Infantry Division (4ID) which has military jurisdiction in the regions, said the presence of NPA child warriors has been “very alarming.”
“The presence of NPA child warriors is very alarming and everybody must take urgent action to stop the recruitment of our school children,” Gacal said.
Gacal said they discovered the NPA’s tactics following the surrender of two alleged former rebels, Rex Antonio alias Kent, 19, and alias Bradex, 23.
Gacal said that Kent is an alleged NPA combatant who got wounded and rescued by the government troops during an encounter between the Army’s 29th Infantry Battalion (29IB) and the NPA at the hinterlands of Brgy. San Isidro, Santiago, Agusan del Norte last November 2.
He revealed that he was recruited by the group when he was still 17 years old.
Meanwhile, Gacal said that Bradex is a former rebel from the province of Bukidnon who surrendered last 2018.
“I am only 12 years old when the NPA used me as a courier and I became a full time NPA combatant at the age of 16,” Bradex added as he confirmed the rampant recruitment of minors by the NPA in Bukidnon.
The revelations of the two former rebels were confirmed by one Sandara Monsalao Mandahinog alias Karla, a 17-year-old squad medic of the NPA who surrendered last March 23 before the 23rd Infantry Battalion (23IB) in Buenavista, Agusan del Norte.
“I was recruited and forced to join the NPA at the age of 14 which made my life miserable,” she said.
Gacal said the NPA’s recruitment of child warriors is a clear violation of Rule 136 of the International Humanitarian Law which prohibits recruitment of minors by any armed groups involved in hostilities.
Rule 136 states that “children must not be recruited into armed forces or armed groups.”
“I urge everyone, especially the parents, to take care of your children and together let us protect their future, our future generation,” Gacal said.
“We can prevent this recruitment of minors and totally end the local communist armed conflict through our convergence of efforts,” he added.
CPP/Ang Bayan: Mga mamamahayag, delikado sa Pilipinas
Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Nov 7, 2019): Mga mamamahayag, delikado sa Pilipinas
SA TATLONG MAGKAKASUNOD na taon, nanatiling panglima ang Pilipinas sa mga bansang may pinakamataas na Global Impunity Index (GII) ayon sa ulat noong Oktubre 29 ng Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Ang GII ay sumusukat sa bilang ng mga hindi nareresolbang kaso ng ekstrahudisyal na pagpaslang sa mga mamamahayag. Nakapagtala ang CPJ ng 41 kaso sa Pilipinas na tinatayang pinakamalaki sa buong mundo.
Kabilang sa listahan ang mga bansang may gera tulad ng Syria at Iraq. Kasama rin ang Somalia, South Sudan, Afghanistan, Mexico, Pakistan at Brazil.
Sa ilalim ng rehimeng Duterte, 13 mamamahayag na ang pinaslang ayon sa National Union of Journalists of the Philippines. Makailang ulit na pinagbantaan ni Duterte ang mga mamamahayag at hinikayat ang pagpaslang sa kanila.
Nitong Oktubre, tatlong kaso ng pagpaslang at panggigipit sa mga mamamahayag ang naitala. Sa Arayat, Pampanga, namatay si Jupiter Gonzales, manunulat sa Remate, matapos barilin ng hindi nakilalang mga suspek noong Oktubre 20.
Samantala, makailang beses na pinaputukan ang presidente ng Sultan Kudarat Provincial Task Force on Media Security at tagapangasiwa ng Radyo ni Juan na si Benjie Caballero noong Oktubre 30.
Kabilang naman sa 57 na iligal na inaresto ng mga pulis noong Oktubre 31 sa Bacolod City si Anne Kreuger, mamamahayag ng Paghimutad.
Ang mga kasong ito ay naganap ilang araw bago gunitain ang International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists noong Nobyembre 2.
[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippinesand is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]
https://cpp.ph/2019/11/07/mga-mamamahayag-delikado-sa-pilipinas/
SA TATLONG MAGKAKASUNOD na taon, nanatiling panglima ang Pilipinas sa mga bansang may pinakamataas na Global Impunity Index (GII) ayon sa ulat noong Oktubre 29 ng Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Ang GII ay sumusukat sa bilang ng mga hindi nareresolbang kaso ng ekstrahudisyal na pagpaslang sa mga mamamahayag. Nakapagtala ang CPJ ng 41 kaso sa Pilipinas na tinatayang pinakamalaki sa buong mundo.
Kabilang sa listahan ang mga bansang may gera tulad ng Syria at Iraq. Kasama rin ang Somalia, South Sudan, Afghanistan, Mexico, Pakistan at Brazil.
Sa ilalim ng rehimeng Duterte, 13 mamamahayag na ang pinaslang ayon sa National Union of Journalists of the Philippines. Makailang ulit na pinagbantaan ni Duterte ang mga mamamahayag at hinikayat ang pagpaslang sa kanila.
Nitong Oktubre, tatlong kaso ng pagpaslang at panggigipit sa mga mamamahayag ang naitala. Sa Arayat, Pampanga, namatay si Jupiter Gonzales, manunulat sa Remate, matapos barilin ng hindi nakilalang mga suspek noong Oktubre 20.
Samantala, makailang beses na pinaputukan ang presidente ng Sultan Kudarat Provincial Task Force on Media Security at tagapangasiwa ng Radyo ni Juan na si Benjie Caballero noong Oktubre 30.
Kabilang naman sa 57 na iligal na inaresto ng mga pulis noong Oktubre 31 sa Bacolod City si Anne Kreuger, mamamahayag ng Paghimutad.
Ang mga kasong ito ay naganap ilang araw bago gunitain ang International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists noong Nobyembre 2.
[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippinesand is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]
https://cpp.ph/2019/11/07/mga-mamamahayag-delikado-sa-pilipinas/
CPP/Ang Bayan: Pasismo sa mga eryang nilindol sa Mindanao, binatikos
Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Nov 7, 2019): Pasismo sa mga eryang nilindol sa Mindanao, binatikos
Matapos ang trahedyang dulot ng mga lindol sa Mindanao noong Oktubre, nanawagan ang Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas (PKP) at mga rehiyunal na yunit nito sa Southern Mindanao Region (SMR) at Far South Mindanao Region (FSMR) na biguin ang militarismo ng rehimeng US-Duterte. Niyanig ang isla ng hindi bababa sa limang magkakasunod na lindol mula Oktubre 16-31. Pinakaapektado rito ang Davao del Sur at North Cotabato.
Ayon sa PKP, hindi katanggap-tanggap ang utos ni Sec. Delfin Lorenzana ng Department of National Defense na magtayo ng mga tsekpoynt sa mga bayan na labis na sinalanta.
“Ipinapataw ni Lorenzana ang kontra-insurhensyang layon nito sa pagbibigay ng agarang tulong,” ayon sa PKP. Pahihirapan ni Lorenzana ang mga gustong magbigay ng agarang tulong. Magreresulta rin ito sa malawakang korapsyon at pagnanakaw ng mga suplay ng ayuda. Malala pa, maaari din niyang ipag-utos ang pag-aresto sa mga grupong nagbibigay ng ayuda sa tabing na hindi sila awtorisado.
Iniulat ni Rubi del Mundo ng NDF-SMR na sa mga labis na apektadong lugar, pinipilit ng mga sundalo ang mga biktima na patunayang sila nga ay sinalanta ng lindol. Ipinaiilalim sila sa interogasyon at paghahalughog, na pumipigil sa kanilang humingi ng tulong at maghanap ng matutuluyan.
Ayon naman kay Ka Gary Angeles ng BHB-FSMR, nagrereklamo na ang mga biktima sa labis na pagpapabagal ng AFP at pagsasarbeylans nito sa mga tulong at serbisyong ipinadadala ng mga makataong grupo at sibilyang organisasyon.
Gayunpaman, ayon sa NDF-SMR, sa kabila ng militarismo ng reaksyunaryong rehimen, patuloy na nakapagpapaabot ng tulong at rehabilitasyon sa mga biktima ang mga lihim na organisasyon masa laluna ang mga yunit ng BHB. Nagsisikap ang mga organisasyong masa at alyado nito na magpaabot ng ayudang makakain at iba pang materyal na tulong sa mga biktima. Tumutulong naman ang mga Pulang mandirigma sa pagsasaayos ng mga bahay at sakahan at pagsalba sa mga tanim ng magsasaka sa mga bulubunduking lugar.
Hinimok din ni Del Mundo ang mga organisasyon at indibidwal na hamunin ang militarismo ng rehimen sa gitna ng nagaganap na krisis at alamin ang tunay na kalagayan ng mga biktima sa mga sentro ng ebakwasyon.
[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippinesand is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]
https://cpp.ph/2019/11/07/pasismo-sa-mga-eryang-nilindol-sa-mindanao-binatikos/
Matapos ang trahedyang dulot ng mga lindol sa Mindanao noong Oktubre, nanawagan ang Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas (PKP) at mga rehiyunal na yunit nito sa Southern Mindanao Region (SMR) at Far South Mindanao Region (FSMR) na biguin ang militarismo ng rehimeng US-Duterte. Niyanig ang isla ng hindi bababa sa limang magkakasunod na lindol mula Oktubre 16-31. Pinakaapektado rito ang Davao del Sur at North Cotabato.
Ayon sa PKP, hindi katanggap-tanggap ang utos ni Sec. Delfin Lorenzana ng Department of National Defense na magtayo ng mga tsekpoynt sa mga bayan na labis na sinalanta.
“Ipinapataw ni Lorenzana ang kontra-insurhensyang layon nito sa pagbibigay ng agarang tulong,” ayon sa PKP. Pahihirapan ni Lorenzana ang mga gustong magbigay ng agarang tulong. Magreresulta rin ito sa malawakang korapsyon at pagnanakaw ng mga suplay ng ayuda. Malala pa, maaari din niyang ipag-utos ang pag-aresto sa mga grupong nagbibigay ng ayuda sa tabing na hindi sila awtorisado.
Iniulat ni Rubi del Mundo ng NDF-SMR na sa mga labis na apektadong lugar, pinipilit ng mga sundalo ang mga biktima na patunayang sila nga ay sinalanta ng lindol. Ipinaiilalim sila sa interogasyon at paghahalughog, na pumipigil sa kanilang humingi ng tulong at maghanap ng matutuluyan.
Ayon naman kay Ka Gary Angeles ng BHB-FSMR, nagrereklamo na ang mga biktima sa labis na pagpapabagal ng AFP at pagsasarbeylans nito sa mga tulong at serbisyong ipinadadala ng mga makataong grupo at sibilyang organisasyon.
Gayunpaman, ayon sa NDF-SMR, sa kabila ng militarismo ng reaksyunaryong rehimen, patuloy na nakapagpapaabot ng tulong at rehabilitasyon sa mga biktima ang mga lihim na organisasyon masa laluna ang mga yunit ng BHB. Nagsisikap ang mga organisasyong masa at alyado nito na magpaabot ng ayudang makakain at iba pang materyal na tulong sa mga biktima. Tumutulong naman ang mga Pulang mandirigma sa pagsasaayos ng mga bahay at sakahan at pagsalba sa mga tanim ng magsasaka sa mga bulubunduking lugar.
Hinimok din ni Del Mundo ang mga organisasyon at indibidwal na hamunin ang militarismo ng rehimen sa gitna ng nagaganap na krisis at alamin ang tunay na kalagayan ng mga biktima sa mga sentro ng ebakwasyon.
[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippinesand is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]
https://cpp.ph/2019/11/07/pasismo-sa-mga-eryang-nilindol-sa-mindanao-binatikos/
CPP/Ang Bayan: Protesta sa Buwan ng Magsasaka
Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Nov 7, 2019): Protesta sa Buwan ng Magsasaka
DAAN-DAANG MYEMBRO NG mga organisasyong magsasaka at mga tagasuporta nila ang nagmartsa tungong Mendiola noong Oktubre 21 upang gunitain ang Buwan ng Magsasaka. Pinangunahan ng mga magsasaka mula sa Central Luzon, Ilocos, Mt. Province at Southern Tagalog ang kilos protesta.
Ipinanawagan nila ang pagbasura sa batas sa liberalisasyon ng bigas o RA 11203 dahil bigo ito na pababain ang presyo ng bigas. Sa halip, bumagsak ang presyo ng palay tungong P7 dahil sa pagbaha ng mga inangkat na bigas.
Maliban dito, libu-libong magsasaka rin ang napalalayas dulot ng patuloy na pagpapalit-gamit at malawakang pang-aagaw ng lupa. Halimbawa nito ang New Clark City na sasaklaw sa 9,450 ektaryang lupain sa Pampanga at Tarlac, at ang Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority na sumasaklaw ng 12,953 ektarya.
Tinutulan din ng mga magsasaka ang militarisasyon sa kanilang mga komunidad. Sa Southern Tagalog, 15 batalyon ang idineploy ng AFP sa rehiyon. Apektado rin ang kabuhayan ng mga magsasaka sa Cordillera dahil sa presensya ng mga sundalo sa kanilang mga sakahan.
Binigyang pugay sa rali ang mga lider-magsasaka na pinaslang dahil sa pagtataguyod ng kanilang karapatan para sa tunay na reporma sa lupa. Ayon sa Karapatan, may 216 magsasaka na ang nasawi sa ilalim ng rehimeng Duterte.
[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippinesand is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]
https://cpp.ph/2019/11/07/protesta-sa-buwan-ng-magsasaka/
DAAN-DAANG MYEMBRO NG mga organisasyong magsasaka at mga tagasuporta nila ang nagmartsa tungong Mendiola noong Oktubre 21 upang gunitain ang Buwan ng Magsasaka. Pinangunahan ng mga magsasaka mula sa Central Luzon, Ilocos, Mt. Province at Southern Tagalog ang kilos protesta.
Ipinanawagan nila ang pagbasura sa batas sa liberalisasyon ng bigas o RA 11203 dahil bigo ito na pababain ang presyo ng bigas. Sa halip, bumagsak ang presyo ng palay tungong P7 dahil sa pagbaha ng mga inangkat na bigas.
Maliban dito, libu-libong magsasaka rin ang napalalayas dulot ng patuloy na pagpapalit-gamit at malawakang pang-aagaw ng lupa. Halimbawa nito ang New Clark City na sasaklaw sa 9,450 ektaryang lupain sa Pampanga at Tarlac, at ang Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority na sumasaklaw ng 12,953 ektarya.
Tinutulan din ng mga magsasaka ang militarisasyon sa kanilang mga komunidad. Sa Southern Tagalog, 15 batalyon ang idineploy ng AFP sa rehiyon. Apektado rin ang kabuhayan ng mga magsasaka sa Cordillera dahil sa presensya ng mga sundalo sa kanilang mga sakahan.
Binigyang pugay sa rali ang mga lider-magsasaka na pinaslang dahil sa pagtataguyod ng kanilang karapatan para sa tunay na reporma sa lupa. Ayon sa Karapatan, may 216 magsasaka na ang nasawi sa ilalim ng rehimeng Duterte.
[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippinesand is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]
https://cpp.ph/2019/11/07/protesta-sa-buwan-ng-magsasaka/
CPP/Ang Bayan: Di-makataong pagtrato sa mga bilanggo, kinundena
Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Nov 7, 2019): Di-makataong pagtrato sa mga bilanggo, kinundena
ISINALARAWAN NG KAPATID bilang nasa “kritikal na kalagayan” ang mga bilanggo sa National Bilibid Prison (NBP) sa Muntinlupa. Ang Kapatid ay organisasyon ng mga kapamilya at tagasuporta ng mga bilanggong pulitikal. Namatay ang 29 bilanggo resulta ng “lockdown” o pagsasara ng NBP noong Oktubre 9. Pulmonya at iba pang sakit ang ikinamatay nila.
Ipinagbawal ng “lockdown” ang mga pagdalaw at winasak ang mga kubol na tulugan ng mga bilanggo. Ayon kay Eduardo Sarmiento, konsultant ng NDFP na nakakulong sa NBP, matapos ang demolisyon ng mga kubol, siksikan na ang mga bilanggo sa maliliit na espasyo sa maximum compound. Mayorya sa kanila ay maysakit at matatanda. Ang ilan ay napipilitang matulog sa sahig o sumilong saanmang may bubong. Mayroong di bababa sa 27,821 bilanggo sa NBP.
Sa pagharap ng Kapatid sa midya noong Oktubre 25, sinabi ng grupo na sadyang hindi ginamot ng mga upisyal ng Bureau of Corrections ang mga bilanggo. Binatikos din nila ang iba’t ibang bayarin sa NBP, gaya ng pagbabayad ng kuryente sa kada bilangguan. Ibinebenta rin ang inuming tubig sa halagang P150 habang ang isang lata ng sardinas ay umaabot sa P100.
Nanawagan din si Sarmiento na pagsama-samahin ang mga bilanggong pulitikal sa isang gusali sa loob ng maximum compound. Mayroong mahigit 60 bilanggong pulitikal na nakakulong sa iba’t ibang gusali ng NBP.
[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippinesand is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]
https://cpp.ph/2019/11/07/di-makataong-pagtrato-sa-mga-bilanggo-kinundena/
ISINALARAWAN NG KAPATID bilang nasa “kritikal na kalagayan” ang mga bilanggo sa National Bilibid Prison (NBP) sa Muntinlupa. Ang Kapatid ay organisasyon ng mga kapamilya at tagasuporta ng mga bilanggong pulitikal. Namatay ang 29 bilanggo resulta ng “lockdown” o pagsasara ng NBP noong Oktubre 9. Pulmonya at iba pang sakit ang ikinamatay nila.
Ipinagbawal ng “lockdown” ang mga pagdalaw at winasak ang mga kubol na tulugan ng mga bilanggo. Ayon kay Eduardo Sarmiento, konsultant ng NDFP na nakakulong sa NBP, matapos ang demolisyon ng mga kubol, siksikan na ang mga bilanggo sa maliliit na espasyo sa maximum compound. Mayorya sa kanila ay maysakit at matatanda. Ang ilan ay napipilitang matulog sa sahig o sumilong saanmang may bubong. Mayroong di bababa sa 27,821 bilanggo sa NBP.
Sa pagharap ng Kapatid sa midya noong Oktubre 25, sinabi ng grupo na sadyang hindi ginamot ng mga upisyal ng Bureau of Corrections ang mga bilanggo. Binatikos din nila ang iba’t ibang bayarin sa NBP, gaya ng pagbabayad ng kuryente sa kada bilangguan. Ibinebenta rin ang inuming tubig sa halagang P150 habang ang isang lata ng sardinas ay umaabot sa P100.
Nanawagan din si Sarmiento na pagsama-samahin ang mga bilanggong pulitikal sa isang gusali sa loob ng maximum compound. Mayroong mahigit 60 bilanggong pulitikal na nakakulong sa iba’t ibang gusali ng NBP.
[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippinesand is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]
https://cpp.ph/2019/11/07/di-makataong-pagtrato-sa-mga-bilanggo-kinundena/
CPP/Ang Bayan: Lumalawak na agwat sa pagitan ng mayaman at mahirap
Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Nov 7, 2019): Lumalawak na agwat sa pagitan ng mayaman at mahirap
INIULAT NG FORBES noong Oktubre ang muling paglobo ng yaman ng pinakamalalaking burgesya kumprador sa bansa. Inilahad nito na pare-parehong tumaas ang net worth (o halaga ng ari-arian) ng siyam sa sampung pinakamayamang bilyunaryo sa bansa. Pinakamalaki ang itinaas ng yaman ni Hans Sy (16%, tungong P140 bilyon), anak ng yumaong kapitalistang si Henry Sy.
Hindi kataka-taka na ika-siyam ang Pilipinas sa listahan ng Credit Suisse noong Oktubre ng mga bansang may pinakamalawak agwat sa pagitan ng mahirap at mayaman.
Sa ilalim ni Duterte, lumobo ang halaga ng ari-arian ng sampung pinakamayayamang kumprador nang (14%), mula P2.5 trilyon noong 2016 tungong P2.7 trilyon noong 2018. Sa kabilang banda, ipinakikita ng konserbatibong datos ng reaksyunaryong estado na aabot na sa 28.8 milyong Pilipino (tatlo sa bawat sampu) ang nagtitiis sa mas mababa pa sa P70 kada araw.
[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippinesand is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]
https://cpp.ph/2019/11/07/lumalawak-na-agwat-sa-pagitan-ng-mayaman-at-mahirap/
INIULAT NG FORBES noong Oktubre ang muling paglobo ng yaman ng pinakamalalaking burgesya kumprador sa bansa. Inilahad nito na pare-parehong tumaas ang net worth (o halaga ng ari-arian) ng siyam sa sampung pinakamayamang bilyunaryo sa bansa. Pinakamalaki ang itinaas ng yaman ni Hans Sy (16%, tungong P140 bilyon), anak ng yumaong kapitalistang si Henry Sy.
Hindi kataka-taka na ika-siyam ang Pilipinas sa listahan ng Credit Suisse noong Oktubre ng mga bansang may pinakamalawak agwat sa pagitan ng mahirap at mayaman.
Sa ilalim ni Duterte, lumobo ang halaga ng ari-arian ng sampung pinakamayayamang kumprador nang (14%), mula P2.5 trilyon noong 2016 tungong P2.7 trilyon noong 2018. Sa kabilang banda, ipinakikita ng konserbatibong datos ng reaksyunaryong estado na aabot na sa 28.8 milyong Pilipino (tatlo sa bawat sampu) ang nagtitiis sa mas mababa pa sa P70 kada araw.
[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippinesand is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]
https://cpp.ph/2019/11/07/lumalawak-na-agwat-sa-pagitan-ng-mayaman-at-mahirap/
CPP/Ang Bayan: Buhay na demokrasya sa pagresolba sa mga tunggalian ng mga tribu
Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Nov 7, 2019): Buhay na demokrasya sa pagresolba sa mga tunggalian ng mga tribu
Sa kabila ng pag-iral ng pasistang tiraniya, binubuhay ng mamamayan ang demokrasya sa landas ng pakikibaka. Matatagpuan ito sa mga organisasyon ng mamamayan, kanilang mga organo ng kapangyarihang pampulitika at gubyernong bayan, sa loob ng Partido Komunista at ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan.
Sa Cordillera, dumadaloy ang demokrasya sa ugnayan ng mga katutubo at Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas at Bagong Hukbong Bayan. Matingkad ito sa mga pagkakataon kung saan namamagitan ang mga kadre ng Partido at hukbong bayan sa mga tunggaliang pana-panahong umuusbong sa pagitan ng mga katutubo ng rehiyon. Sa mga pagkakataong ito, mahigpit ang pagtangan ng mga rebolusyonaryo sa linyang masa na nagbubuklod sa masang inaapi at pinagsasamantalahan at nilulutas ang mga kontradiksyon sa kanilang hanay sa di-antagonistikong paraan.
Nagsisilbing tagapamagitan ang mga Pulang mandirigma para iwasan ang pagputok ng mga digmang tribu at malutas sa mapayapang paraan ang mga hindi pagkakaunawaan. Pinangingibabaw nito ang panawagang “Rebolusyonaryong digmang bayan, hindi digmaan ng mga tribu.”
Isang tampok na karanasan ang pagharap ng yunit ng BHB sa kaso ng pagpaslang ng mga katutubong Baclingayan sa tatlong katutubong Agawa noong Mayo. Ang mga Baclingayan ay mula sa tribung Belwang sa Sadanga, Mountain Province habang ang mga Agawa naman ay mula sa Barangay Nabanig, Besao, ng parehong prubinsya. Naganap ang insidente sa kagubatang nasa hangganan ng Besao at Tubo, Abra.
Nang mapabalita ang pangyayari, agad na kumilos ang yunit ng Hukbo na sumasaklaw sa lugar upang tumulong sa agarang pagresolba ng insidente. Para iwasan ang pagputok ng digmang tribu, hinimok ng mga kasama ang mga panglakayen (lider ng tribu) na tumindig para agaran at mapayapang malutas ang usapin. Lumabas sa imbestigasyon ng BHB na agawan ng rekurso at teritoryo ang ugat ng insidente. Parehong itinuturing ng mga Agawa at Baclingayan na teritoryo ang naturang kagubatan.
Gamit ang resulta ng imbestigasyon ng BHB bilang batayan, nanawagan ang Cordillera People’s Democratic Front sa mga panglakayen na iwasan ang digma. Naghanap ng paraan ang mga kadre at mandirigma para magharap ang dalawang panig at maresolba ang sigalot sa pinakamadaling panahon. Ilang araw matapos ang insidente, sumang-ayon ang mga panglakayen sa isang dayalogo na pamamagitan ng BHB. Dito, inihapag ang paunang imbestigasyon ng BHB sa insidente at kinuha ang salaysay ng akusado. Pumayag ang mga Baclingayan na isuko at ipailalim sa bagta o mga batas ng bodong ang maysala. Ang bodong ang tawag sa kasunduang pangkapayapaan ng mga tribu sa Cordillera.
Isa lamang ang insidenteng ito sa marami nang kasong hinarap at nilutas ng BHB sa Cordillera. Sa mga kasong may saksi, kinukuha ang mga salaysay ng mga ito. Dinidinig ang lahat ng ito ng panglakayen ng dalawang tribu. Itinatakda ng dalawang tribu ang karampatang danyos para bigyang hustisya ang mga biktima. Sa mga ugnayang ito, napapanatili ang kaisahan ng mga tribu sa ilalim ng tradisyunal na bagta.
Sa loob ng mahigit apat na dekadang pagkilos, patuloy na pinayayabong ng BHB ang praktika sa pagharap sa mga tunggalian sa pagitan ng mga tribu. Aplikasyon ng linyang masa at pakikisalamuha sa mga komunidad ang paraan ng mga kasama. Dulot ng prinsipyadong paglutas sa mga sigalot, mataas ang respeto at pagkilala ng mga tribu sa rebolusyonaryong kilusan. Napatunayan sa mahabang praktika na walang kinikilingan ang mga kasama sa paglutas sa mga tunggalian. Patas at wasto rin ang iminumungkahi nilang mga resolusyon. Dahil dito, ang mga tribu na mismo ang humihiling sa partisipasyon ng Partido at BHB sa mga usapan.
Katuwang ang mga tribu, nagpupunyagi ang mga kasama sa paglaban sa mga pambabaluktot ng kaaway sa mga katutubong kaugalian at istruktura. Sa gayon, naitataguyod ang karapatan sa sariling pagpapasya at demokrasya sa Cordillera.
Pang-uupat ng AFP sa mga tribu
KABALIKTARAN SA PRAKTIKA ng rebolusyonaryong kilusan, ginagamit ng AFP at reaksyunaryong estado ang katutubong mga kaugalian at institusyon gaya ng bodong upang palalain ang hindi pagkakaunawaan ng mga tribu sa Cordillera. Sa panahon ng mga operasyong militar, madalas na inuudyukan ng mga sundalo ang mga sigalot para pag-away-awayin ang mga tribu. Sinasamantala ng AFP at ng estado ang kanilang hindi pagkakaisa para itulak ang mga pahirap at kontra-mamamayang proyekto sa kanilang lupang ninuno tulad ng mga dam, plantang pang-enerhiya at iba pa.
Sa kasaysayan, umabot ang pang-uudyok ng AFP sa pag-aarmas nito sa mga tribu. Noong dekada 1980, inarmasan nito ang tribung Basao para wasakin ang pagkakaisa ng mga tribu laban sa Chico River Dam Project. Sa ilalim naman ng rehimeng Duterte, ito ang pangunahing laman ng tinaguriang “IP-centered approach” ng programang kontra-insurhensya.
[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippinesand is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]
https://cpp.ph/2019/11/07/buhay-na-demokrasya-sa-pagresolba-sa-mga-tunggalian-ng-mga-tribu/
Sa kabila ng pag-iral ng pasistang tiraniya, binubuhay ng mamamayan ang demokrasya sa landas ng pakikibaka. Matatagpuan ito sa mga organisasyon ng mamamayan, kanilang mga organo ng kapangyarihang pampulitika at gubyernong bayan, sa loob ng Partido Komunista at ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan.
Sa Cordillera, dumadaloy ang demokrasya sa ugnayan ng mga katutubo at Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas at Bagong Hukbong Bayan. Matingkad ito sa mga pagkakataon kung saan namamagitan ang mga kadre ng Partido at hukbong bayan sa mga tunggaliang pana-panahong umuusbong sa pagitan ng mga katutubo ng rehiyon. Sa mga pagkakataong ito, mahigpit ang pagtangan ng mga rebolusyonaryo sa linyang masa na nagbubuklod sa masang inaapi at pinagsasamantalahan at nilulutas ang mga kontradiksyon sa kanilang hanay sa di-antagonistikong paraan.
Nagsisilbing tagapamagitan ang mga Pulang mandirigma para iwasan ang pagputok ng mga digmang tribu at malutas sa mapayapang paraan ang mga hindi pagkakaunawaan. Pinangingibabaw nito ang panawagang “Rebolusyonaryong digmang bayan, hindi digmaan ng mga tribu.”
Isang tampok na karanasan ang pagharap ng yunit ng BHB sa kaso ng pagpaslang ng mga katutubong Baclingayan sa tatlong katutubong Agawa noong Mayo. Ang mga Baclingayan ay mula sa tribung Belwang sa Sadanga, Mountain Province habang ang mga Agawa naman ay mula sa Barangay Nabanig, Besao, ng parehong prubinsya. Naganap ang insidente sa kagubatang nasa hangganan ng Besao at Tubo, Abra.
Nang mapabalita ang pangyayari, agad na kumilos ang yunit ng Hukbo na sumasaklaw sa lugar upang tumulong sa agarang pagresolba ng insidente. Para iwasan ang pagputok ng digmang tribu, hinimok ng mga kasama ang mga panglakayen (lider ng tribu) na tumindig para agaran at mapayapang malutas ang usapin. Lumabas sa imbestigasyon ng BHB na agawan ng rekurso at teritoryo ang ugat ng insidente. Parehong itinuturing ng mga Agawa at Baclingayan na teritoryo ang naturang kagubatan.
Gamit ang resulta ng imbestigasyon ng BHB bilang batayan, nanawagan ang Cordillera People’s Democratic Front sa mga panglakayen na iwasan ang digma. Naghanap ng paraan ang mga kadre at mandirigma para magharap ang dalawang panig at maresolba ang sigalot sa pinakamadaling panahon. Ilang araw matapos ang insidente, sumang-ayon ang mga panglakayen sa isang dayalogo na pamamagitan ng BHB. Dito, inihapag ang paunang imbestigasyon ng BHB sa insidente at kinuha ang salaysay ng akusado. Pumayag ang mga Baclingayan na isuko at ipailalim sa bagta o mga batas ng bodong ang maysala. Ang bodong ang tawag sa kasunduang pangkapayapaan ng mga tribu sa Cordillera.
Isa lamang ang insidenteng ito sa marami nang kasong hinarap at nilutas ng BHB sa Cordillera. Sa mga kasong may saksi, kinukuha ang mga salaysay ng mga ito. Dinidinig ang lahat ng ito ng panglakayen ng dalawang tribu. Itinatakda ng dalawang tribu ang karampatang danyos para bigyang hustisya ang mga biktima. Sa mga ugnayang ito, napapanatili ang kaisahan ng mga tribu sa ilalim ng tradisyunal na bagta.
Sa loob ng mahigit apat na dekadang pagkilos, patuloy na pinayayabong ng BHB ang praktika sa pagharap sa mga tunggalian sa pagitan ng mga tribu. Aplikasyon ng linyang masa at pakikisalamuha sa mga komunidad ang paraan ng mga kasama. Dulot ng prinsipyadong paglutas sa mga sigalot, mataas ang respeto at pagkilala ng mga tribu sa rebolusyonaryong kilusan. Napatunayan sa mahabang praktika na walang kinikilingan ang mga kasama sa paglutas sa mga tunggalian. Patas at wasto rin ang iminumungkahi nilang mga resolusyon. Dahil dito, ang mga tribu na mismo ang humihiling sa partisipasyon ng Partido at BHB sa mga usapan.
Katuwang ang mga tribu, nagpupunyagi ang mga kasama sa paglaban sa mga pambabaluktot ng kaaway sa mga katutubong kaugalian at istruktura. Sa gayon, naitataguyod ang karapatan sa sariling pagpapasya at demokrasya sa Cordillera.
Pang-uupat ng AFP sa mga tribu
KABALIKTARAN SA PRAKTIKA ng rebolusyonaryong kilusan, ginagamit ng AFP at reaksyunaryong estado ang katutubong mga kaugalian at institusyon gaya ng bodong upang palalain ang hindi pagkakaunawaan ng mga tribu sa Cordillera. Sa panahon ng mga operasyong militar, madalas na inuudyukan ng mga sundalo ang mga sigalot para pag-away-awayin ang mga tribu. Sinasamantala ng AFP at ng estado ang kanilang hindi pagkakaisa para itulak ang mga pahirap at kontra-mamamayang proyekto sa kanilang lupang ninuno tulad ng mga dam, plantang pang-enerhiya at iba pa.
Sa kasaysayan, umabot ang pang-uudyok ng AFP sa pag-aarmas nito sa mga tribu. Noong dekada 1980, inarmasan nito ang tribung Basao para wasakin ang pagkakaisa ng mga tribu laban sa Chico River Dam Project. Sa ilalim naman ng rehimeng Duterte, ito ang pangunahing laman ng tinaguriang “IP-centered approach” ng programang kontra-insurhensya.
[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippinesand is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]
https://cpp.ph/2019/11/07/buhay-na-demokrasya-sa-pagresolba-sa-mga-tunggalian-ng-mga-tribu/
CPP/Ang Bayan: Lider-anakpawis, pinatay
Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Nov 7, 2019): Lider-anakpawis, pinatay
PATAY SA PAMAMARIL si Reynaldo Malaborbor, 64, sa tapat ng kanyang bahay sa Katapatan Subdivision, Cabuyao City, Laguna noong Nobyembre 4, alas 9 ng gabi. Si Malaborbor ay myembro ng Pagkakaisa at Ugnayan ng Magsasaka sa Laguna (Pumalag) at Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan-Timog Katagalugan. Siya ay dating bilanggong pulitikal na inaresto noong Oktubre 5, 2010 at nakalaya noong 2015.
Kilala sa Laguna si Malaborbor bilang beteranong aktibista. Bago paslangin, naging bahagi siya sa pag-organisa ng welga sa NutriAsia sa Cabuyao noong Hulyo. Naging koordineytor din siya ng Makabayan noong eleksyong Mayo.
[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippinesand is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]
https://cpp.ph/2019/11/07/lider-anakpawis-pinatay/
PATAY SA PAMAMARIL si Reynaldo Malaborbor, 64, sa tapat ng kanyang bahay sa Katapatan Subdivision, Cabuyao City, Laguna noong Nobyembre 4, alas 9 ng gabi. Si Malaborbor ay myembro ng Pagkakaisa at Ugnayan ng Magsasaka sa Laguna (Pumalag) at Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan-Timog Katagalugan. Siya ay dating bilanggong pulitikal na inaresto noong Oktubre 5, 2010 at nakalaya noong 2015.
Kilala sa Laguna si Malaborbor bilang beteranong aktibista. Bago paslangin, naging bahagi siya sa pag-organisa ng welga sa NutriAsia sa Cabuyao noong Hulyo. Naging koordineytor din siya ng Makabayan noong eleksyong Mayo.
[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippinesand is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]
https://cpp.ph/2019/11/07/lider-anakpawis-pinatay/
CPP/Ang Bayan: Katiwalian sa BOC, laganap
Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Nov 7, 2019): Katiwalian sa BOC, laganap
MAHIGIT P234 BILYON buwis ang hindi naipasok sa kaban ng bayan noong 2016-2017 dahil sa katiwalian sa Bureau of Customs (BoC). Inilantad ito ni House Deputy Speaker Rep. Rodante Marcoleta sa inihain niyang resolusyon noong Oktubre. Aniya, laganap ang pamemeke sa mga listahan ng BoC para dayain ang kwenta ng buwis na kinakailangang bayaran ng mga broker (ahente ng mga importer na nagpoproseso sa pagpasok ng mga kargamento sa mga daungan).
Dati nang talamak ang korapsyon sa BoC. Laganap dito ang paggamit ng “benchmarking” at “sistemang tara.” Ang “benchmarking” ay isang iskemang nagpapadulas sa paglulusot ng mga inangkat na kargamento. Ang “sistemang tara” naman ay tumutukoy sa pagtanggap ng suhol mula sa mga importer o kanilang mga broker.
Sa bawat pagpapalit ng reaksyunaryong rehimen, kunwa’y nagkakaroon ng “paglilinis” sa loob ng BoC. Ang totoo, binabalasa lamang ng nakaupong pangkatin ang ahensya para ipwesto ang sarili nitong mga tauhan at kopohin ang bilyong pondo mula sa mga anomalya nito.
[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippinesand is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]
https://cpp.ph/2019/11/07/katiwalian-sa-boc-laganap/
MAHIGIT P234 BILYON buwis ang hindi naipasok sa kaban ng bayan noong 2016-2017 dahil sa katiwalian sa Bureau of Customs (BoC). Inilantad ito ni House Deputy Speaker Rep. Rodante Marcoleta sa inihain niyang resolusyon noong Oktubre. Aniya, laganap ang pamemeke sa mga listahan ng BoC para dayain ang kwenta ng buwis na kinakailangang bayaran ng mga broker (ahente ng mga importer na nagpoproseso sa pagpasok ng mga kargamento sa mga daungan).
Dati nang talamak ang korapsyon sa BoC. Laganap dito ang paggamit ng “benchmarking” at “sistemang tara.” Ang “benchmarking” ay isang iskemang nagpapadulas sa paglulusot ng mga inangkat na kargamento. Ang “sistemang tara” naman ay tumutukoy sa pagtanggap ng suhol mula sa mga importer o kanilang mga broker.
Sa bawat pagpapalit ng reaksyunaryong rehimen, kunwa’y nagkakaroon ng “paglilinis” sa loob ng BoC. Ang totoo, binabalasa lamang ng nakaupong pangkatin ang ahensya para ipwesto ang sarili nitong mga tauhan at kopohin ang bilyong pondo mula sa mga anomalya nito.
[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippinesand is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]
https://cpp.ph/2019/11/07/katiwalian-sa-boc-laganap/
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