Sunday, December 8, 2019

Kalinaw News: Troops nab fugitive; seize high-powered guns in Basilan

Posted to Kalinaw News (Dec 8, 2019): Troops nab fugitive; seize high-powered guns in Basilan (By Western Mindanao Command}



ZAMBOANGA CITY – A joint military and police team has arrested a fugitive and seized high-powered firearms with ammunition in a law enforcement operation in Basilan province, a top military official announced Saturday.

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, identified the suspect as Hadji Maruan Naser, 47, a native of Tongkil, Sulu.

Sobejana said Nasir was arrested Wednesday in a law enforcement operation by way of service of a warrant of arrest in Barangay Balanting, Tabuan Lasa, Basilan province.

He said Nasir has a standing warrant of arrest for the crimes of robbery with homicide issued on Nov. 25, 2019, by Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch Judge Leo Principe of Isabela City, Basilan.

He said the arresting team composed of 14th Special Forces Company troops and policemen seized from Nasir’s possession a Bushmaster M4 rifle with six magazines; 142 rounds of ammunition for caliber 5.56 millimeter (MM); a caliber .45 pistol with two magazines and six rounds of ammunition; and, six rounds of .9-mm pistol.

“We continue our joint law enforcement operation with other agencies to ensure the safety and security of the communities,” Sobejana said.

“This success is attributed to all men and women in uniform as well as all our partners and stakeholders who never fail to support us in all our endeavors,” he added.

Nasir and the seized items were turned over to Basilan Police Provincial Office for documentation and proper disposition.





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


https://www.kalinawnews.com/troops-nab-fugitive-seize-high-powered-guns-in-basilan/

Kalinaw News: Army recovers war armaments in Maguindanao

Posted to Kalinaw News (Dec 8, 2019): Army recovers war armaments in Maguindanao (By 6th Infantry Division - Kampilan)



CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao — Government troops belonging to the Army’s 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion (MIB) recovered on Friday war materiel from fleeing Islamic State-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao.

Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander, said soldiers scouring Sitio Maybunga, Barangay Bagong Upam, Shariff Aguak stumbled upon the weapons in an abandoned BIFF lair.

Among the weapons recovered were one 40-mm. grenade launcher, one 60-mm. mortar tube launcher, black powder, and metal grindings used to manufacture improvised bombs.

“Our troopers are continuously scouring Sitio Maybunga for more homemade bombs left behind by the fleeing terror group,” Carreon said.

On Wednesday, soldiers also recovered the body of a slain BIFF following a firefight in the area.

Carreon, also chief of the Joint Task Force Central, lauded the efforts of the 1MIB for its relentless pursuit of terror groups in Maguindanao.


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

Kalinaw News: Updates on the JTFC military operation vs BIFF and DITG

Posted to Kalinaw News (Dec 8, 2019): Updates on the JTFC military operation vs BIFF and DITG (By Kalinaw News)



The Joint Task Force Central (JTFC) has carried out an intensified and focused military operation against the terror groups, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and Dawlah Islamiya Terrorist Group (DITG) in the different areas of Maguindanao that commenced last November 14, 2019.

It has come to the attention of JTFC that these terror groups are planning to conduct series of terror attacks in the different provinces of Central Mindanao as reported by the concerned civilians.

Since the operation started, improvised explosive devices were recovered successively in the municipalities of Shariff Saydonna Mustapha, Datu Piang, Shariff Aguak, Guindulungan, and Datu Anggal Midtimbang in Maguindanao province. Several firearms and a makeshift gun and IED-making factory were also found at the engagement areas and withdrawal routes of the terror groups eluding the government troops.

As of December 4, at least 34 IEDs rigged and ready to be blown were recovered and safely disrupted by the troops on the ground. Several IEDs with unexploded ordnance and IED-making components were also recovered.

As the troops were pursuing the terror groups, high and low powered firearms were also recovered, to wit: 4 M16 rifles, 1 caliber 45 pistol, 1 K2 rifle, 2 M14 rifles, 2 homemade calibre 50 Barret, 2 M203 grenade launchers, 1 M79 grenade launcher, 1 homemade rocket propelled grenade launcher, one 60mm mortar, 1 shot gun, and one 9mm Ingram submachine gun.

The terror groups suffered more casualties from an initial report of 3 dead bodies found last November 26. Based on the report on the ground, a total of 14 members of the terror groups were confirmed dead and 7 were wounded.

In the efforts to stop the radical extremist groups from sowing fear and violence in the peace-loving communities in Maguindanao, three JTFC troopers have been killed during the combat operations with the BIFF and DITG. There were also 8 other government troops wounded from gunshots and IED blasts.

The recoveries in the on-going operation are manifestations that the JTFC is relentless in stopping terrorism in Maguindanao and its neighbouring provinces. With the utilization of air, artillery and armor assets during ground operations, the JTFC has continuously gained ground as these terror groups are feeling the pressure of our government troops. It is also evident in the recovery of numerous IEDs planted by the terrorists purposely to harm our troops in a desperate move to overpower them.

While the operation is on-going, the JTFC continuously coordinates with the local government units and concerned local government agencies in the municipalities regarding the displaced families affected by the operation. These families were brought to safer grounds to ensure their safety.

The vigilance of our troops has also prevented these groups from using these IEDs to wreak havoc and disturb the peace in the communities especially during celebratory events.

The JTFC expresses its gratitude for the continuous support and cooperation of the different stakeholders, the LGUs, the local community, and the PNP that complemented our efforts to counter the radical extremists and terror groups in the area of operation.“I am also urging the people in the communities for their cooperation and support in our fight against terrorism and work together progressively for peace and order in the region.” Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon stated.

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


https://www.kalinawnews.com/updates-on-the-jtfc-military-operation-vs-biff-and-ditg/

Kalinaw News: Army-PNP joint operation recovers arms cache in Aurora

Posted to Kalinaw News (Dec 8, 2019): Army-PNP joint operation recovers arms cache in Aurora (By 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division)



BONGABON, Nueva Ecija – Intensified Army-PNP joint operations spearheaded by the 91st Infantry (Sinagtala) Battalion in Brgy Punglo, Maria Aurora, Aurora led to the discovery of an arms cache on December 07, 2019. The 91ST Infantry (Sinagtala) Battalion under CPT REY B CARANDANG (INF) PA with 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (1PMFC), Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office (NEPPO) led by PSMS Ryan Brillantes, and Aurora Police Provincial Office (APPO) conducted intelligence driven operation that led to the recovery of Communist Terrorist Groups’ (CTGs) firearms cache containing the following: two (2) M16 Rifle with serial numbers RP8297729 and RP9062689, three (3) M16 Rifles with defaced serial numbers, two (2) AK47 with serial numbers 01042 and 77880, one (1) M14 Rifle with serial number 1537760, sixteen (16) pieces M16 long magazine, fifteen (15) pieces M16 short magazine, two (2) pieces AK47 magazine, four (4) bandoleers, and one hundred fifty (150) Caliber 5.56 live ammunition. Items recovered belonged to former members of Platoon Dos Kilusang Larangang Gerilya (KLG) Sierra Madre who already went on lie low status due to relentless TRIAD operations of the 91IB, NEPPO and APPO.

In related recent events, more and more members of the CPP/NPA/NDF are returning to the folds of the government. This indicates that their members are now realizing the false promises of the communist movement. Their surrender is proof of the effectiveness of the Whole-of-Nation-Approach in the campaign to end local armed conflict. The terrorists are already threatened by the joint efforts of the government and other agencies as well as the active participation of local populace, the rebels lost already the trust and confidence of their mass base.

COL ANDREW D COSTELO INF (GSC) PA, Commander, 703rd Brigade said that these continuous joint operations of the Army-PNP is conducted to end communist led armed struggle, educate and encourage our people to cooperate and participate in the peace and development programs of the government. This, he said further is the perfect time for rebels to go back to the folds of law, start a new life and benefit from the services of the government offers.

Source:  7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division

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


https://www.kalinawnews.com/breaking-91st-infantry-battalion-and-aurora-pnp-uncovered-npa-arms-cache/

NDF/Jalandoni: NDFP salutes the Republic of Cuba for its firm defense of Latin America and the Caribbean against U.S. Imperialism

Jose Maria Sison propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Philippines (NDFP or NDF) Website (Dec 7, 2019): NDFP salutes the Republic of Cuba for its firm defense of Latin America and the Caribbean against U.S. Imperialism



NDFP Chief International Representative Luis Jalandoni

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines firmly supports the powerful defense of the Republic of Cuba of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela led by President Nicolas Maduro, the Plurinational State of Bolivia, President Evo Morales and the Bolivian people, the Sandinista government and people of Nicaragua, and other progressive and anti-imperialist forces in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Cuba likewise vigorously condemns the US for its permanent interference in Latin America and the Caribbean which Cuba identifies as the main reason for the instability in the region.

It declares with no hesitation that “the corruption that characterizes the behavior of the current US administration can be hidden no more. Its impact on the peoples of Latin America and the Carabbean has taken a toll on human lives and has caused hardships, instability and economic damages.”

Cuba declares with conviction: “The Cuban Revolution has also been a proof that a people that is closely united, that has become the owner of their country and institutions, living in a permanent and profound democracy, can successfully resist and develop in the face of the longest-lasting aggression and blockade in history.”

Cuba assures that it “will continue to work towards the integration of Our America, which includes all efforts so that the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), which will be very soon presided over by Mexico would continue to promote the common interests of our nations by strengthening unity amidst diversity.”

We salute the Republic of Cuba and the heroic Cuban people for asserting “with unswerving optimism and confidence” in their glorious victory that “they inherit from the Commander in Chief of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz, under the leadership of the First Secretary of the Party, Army General Raul Castro and the guidance of President Miguel Diaz-Canel.”



We recognize the valiant struggle of President Nicolas Maduro and the Venezuelan people, President Evo Morales and the Bolivian people, and President Daniel Ortega and the Sandinistas.

We, the revolutionary Filipino people, are engaged in a life-and-death struggle against US imperialism and its puppets, the big compradors and landlords. Ever since the US launched its war of aggression in 1898 to colonize the Philippines, as it did to Cuba and Puerto Rico, we have never stopped fighting against US imperialism. From 1898 to 1914, during the US war of aggression, the imperialist aggressors caused the death of 1.5 million Filipinos.

As we persevere in our struggle for freedom and liberation against US imperialism, we are united with the just struggles of the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Down with US imperialism and its puppets!
Victory to the liberation struggles of Latin America, the Cariabbean, the Philippines and elsewhere!
Long live international solidarity!

Luis Jalandoni
Member, National Executive Committee
Chief International Representative

https://ndfp.org/the-national-democratic-front-of-the-philippines-salutes-the-republic-of-cuba-for-its-firm-defense-of-latin-america-and-the-caribbean-against-u-s-imperialism/

NDF/Sison: Duterte and Esperon set precondition that prevents resumption of peace negotiations

Jose Maria Sison propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Philippines (NDFP or NDF) Website (Dec 7, 2019): Duterte and Esperon set precondition that prevents resumption of peace negotiations



By Jose Maria Sison
NDFP Chief Political Consultant

On December 5 Duterte was reported in Manila mass media as having made the offer to resume peace negotiations with NDFP and having ordered Secretary Silvestre “Bebot” Bello III to fly to The Netherlands and meet me concerning the offer.

In good faith, I told media interviewers that the NDFP and I welcomed the offer for the sake of the Filipino people. I went to the extent of saying that the NDFP had never closed the door to peace negotiations with the GRP under Duterte or any other president.

I noticed that Duterte did not make any precondition for resuming the peace negotiations. But within 24 hours after the Duterte offer, he and his sidekick Esperon put forward the precondition that the peace negotiations must be resumed in the Philippines.

This precondition is totally unacceptable to the NDFP because it aims to put the NDFP and the entire peace negotiations in the pocket of the Duterte regime and under the control and surveillance of the bloodthirsty military and police who engage in mass murders and other heinous crimes with impunity.

The Duterte regime has in fact killed the GRP-NDFP negotiations since 2017 by issuing Proclamation No.360 to terminate said negotiations, Proclamation No. 374 designating the CPP and NPA as “terrorist” and Executive Order No. 70 militarizing and making the government fascist, to mention only the most important anti-peace issuances of the tyrant Duterte.

The aforementioned issuances of Duterte prevent peace negotiations anywhere in the universe if these are not overcome and repealed in conjunction with the reaffirmation of all agreements mutually approved by the GRP and NDFP since The Hague Joint Declaration of 1992.

The purpose of informal talks is to settle first the issues that prevent the formal resumption of the peace negotiations and to take advantage of the progress and level of agreement of previous negotiations regarding the amnesty and release of political prisoners amd the draft agreements on social and economic reforms, political and constitutional reforms and ceasefire.

Esperon is extremely arrogant and insulting to the NDFP by declaring that it has no choice but to accept the resumption of peace negotiations in the Philippines because he believes his own lie that the reactionary military and police forces have already defeated the armed revolution of the people with fake news about fake community support projects, fake surrenders and fake encounters.

Esperon should not try to gain from cheap ephemeral psywar and spoil or sabotage the possibility of resuming the peace negotiations in a foreign neutral venue before the mutual approval of the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms. He is practically telling the NDFP not to negotiate and challenging the people and the revolutionary forces to fight the best way they can in order to achieve national and social liberation.

Indeed, they have no choice but to continue all forms of revolutionary struggle while the Duterte regime remains traitorous, tyrannical, genocidal, corrupt and deceptive. This regime has aggravated the crisis of the semicolonial and semifeudal system, inflicting intolerable suffering on the people and driving them to wage all forms of struggle and advance the people’s democratic revolution against imperialism, feudalism and bureaucrat capitalism.###

https://ndfp.org/duterte-and-esperon-set-precondition-that-prevents-resumption-of-peace-negotiations/

NDF/Sison: On the resumption of the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations

Jose Maria Sison propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Philippines (NDFP or NDF) Website (Dec 9, 2019): On the resumption of the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations



By Jose Maria Sison, NDFP Chief Political Consultant

I welcome President Duterte’s publicly expressed desire to resume the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations and his instruction to Secretary Bello to visit me and consult with me in Utrecht in this regard. I am pleased that President Duterte has also acknowledged that he is “running out of time” and that he is determined to achieve peace before the end of his term.

It is timely for the GRP and NDFP to celebrate with the Filipino people the season of Christmas and the New Year and to create the favorable atmosphere for peace negotiations by undertaking such goodwill measures as reciprocal unilateral ceasefires and the release of political prisoners who are elderly and sickly on humanitarian grounds, especially those who shall participate in the peace negotiations.

In my view, the peace negotiations can be resumed in a formal meeting to issue the declaration to reaffirm the agreements that have been forged since 1992, to overcome the presidential issuances and other obstacles that have prevented peace negotiations since 2017 and to set the agenda and schedule for these negotiations and to fullfill political, legal and security requirements.

The GRP and NDFP negotiating panels can pursue further negotiations on the Interim Peace Agreement, with its three components pertaining to coordinated unilateral ceasefires, general amnesty and release of all political prisoners and the sections of the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER) on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development and National Industrialization and Economic Development.

All the remaining sections of the CASER can be negotiated, completed and mutually approved by the GRP and NDFP in a relatively short period of time. Thereafter, the Comprehensive Agreements on Political and Constitutional Reforms and the End of Hostilities and Disposition of Forces shall be negotiated, completed and mutually approved..

WESTMINCOM: WestMinCom intensifies military ops against ASG in Sulu

Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Website (Dec 8,2019): WestMinCom intensifies military ops against ASG in Sulu (By PIO Western Mindanao Command)



Western Mindanao Command through the Joint Task Force Sulu continuously intensifies its focused operations to crush down the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu.

At 1:40pm on December 7, 2019, operating troops of the 32nd Infantry Battalion and 12th Reconnaissance Company encountered 40 Abu Sayyaf Group members under sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan in Sitio Tambang, Barangay Kabbon Takas, Patikul.





Based on a report, the 30-minute firefight resulted to four ASG members killed and the wounding of several others.




While scouring the encounter site, troops recovered one dead body, believed to be the remains of one of the four slain abus; one M16 Rifle; and personal belongings of the fleeing bandits.




“The spotted crumbs of human flesh and bloodstains in the encounter site are indicatives of ASG’s enormous casualties other than the cadaver recovered. Hence, we are very grateful for the information fed by the civilians regarding the presence of armed bandits in their communities,” said Brigadier General Antonio Nafarrete, Commander of 1101st Brigade.



The encounter also resulted in one soldier killed and nine others wounded.

“The ASG has no safe place here in Sulu as the Peace-loving Tausugs are now very active in reporting their presence wherever they go. The untimely death of one of our soldiers will never weaken our spirits in our fight against terrorism. His ultimate sacrifice will serve as our inspiration and motivation in hunting down the remaining ASG in Sulu. The ASG maneuver space is dwindling. Hence, they now have to surrender or be killed by our operating forces,” JTF Sulu commander Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan expressed.

Battle casualties were immediately brought to Camp Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital for medical attention.

“We call on all the peace-loving citizens of this country to continuously pray for the safety of our soldiers and the enlightenment of our enemies,” said Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, WestMinCom commander.

“Let us all pray and work together for the attainment of the coveted peace in Western and Central Mindanao,” he added.

CHR to probe NPA’s alleged use of child soldier

From CPP Philippines (Dec 8, 2019): CHR to probe NPA’s alleged use of child soldier



Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 8) — The Commission on Human Rights (NPA) said Sunday it will probe the New People’s Army’s (NPA) alleged use of a child soldier, as reported by the military.

The CHR denounced
the NPA’s supposed use of a 16-year-old boy as a soldier, saying the use of minors in combat is a war crime.


“Under the International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, even non-state armed groups must respect the prohibition to recruit and use children in armed conflict and hostilities,” CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said.

“Putting children in the battlefield imperils and endangers them. Even if they survive armed encounters, the psychological and mental impact can be lifelong,” she added. “[The boy] was still in his development years and should be focusing on honing his potentials so he can pursue his goals and dreams but his life was snuffed out and can no longer be taken back.”

The military reported Monday that it has identified the 16-year-old NPA combatant, who was slain in an encounter, through his brother.

The military recovered two AK-47 rifles, one M16A1 rifle, one M16A1-RMC rifle, five civilian backpacks, two bandoleers, subversive documents, and other personal belongings along with the boy’s body.

The supposed child soldier was a sixth grade student who had gone missing in February, the military said.

“His case is a clear violation of children's rights. He was deceptively recruited for the ideology he does not even understand. This act is being condemned in the highest form. It paints the true color of the [communist terrorist groups] who disregard the concern and human rights of the people, particularly the children," Eastern Mindanao Commander Lt. Gen. Felimon Santos Jr. said.

The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines. The groups have yet to comment on this issue.

NUPL slams posters linking progressive individuals, groups with CPP

From GMA News Online (Dec 8, 2019): NUPL slams posters linking progressive individuals, groups with CPP

The National Union of Peoples' Lawyers (NUPL) on Sunday slammed the posting of several paraphernalia in Leyte and General Santos City which appears to link progressive groups and individuals with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

A photo from NUPL showed tarpaulins placed outside an event of the lawyers' group in Tacloban, Leyte depicting Bayan Muna chairman Neri Colmenares and NUPL president Edre Olalia as "lapdogs" of CPP founding chair Jose Maria Sison.



The NUPL event served to relaunch its chapter in Tacloban. Colmenares himself attended the event on Saturday, while Olalia also spoke there two weeks ago.

Another photo showed posters claiming that Colmenares and Bayan Muna party-list Representative Carlos Zarate as well as other progressive organizations are "allies" of the CPP and its armed wing, the New People's Army, and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.



These posters were placed outside the venue of the 17th Assembly of Union of People's Lawyers, an affiliate of NUPL, on Saturday in General Santos City where Olalia served as speaker along with retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio.

"These vicious, unrelenting though ridiculous but dangerous villification is precisely what the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) of the ICC and the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) have separately pointed out and continue to warn against," Olalia said of the paraphernalia.

"These would certainly impact on the OTP’s findings in her conclusion of her preliminary findings in 2020 and of the OHCHR’s comprehensive report to be submitted during the 44th Session of the UNHRC in June 2020," he added.

Olalia said they are already considering taking more surgical, legal and metalegal steps against these "orchestrated red-tagging charades."

"We continue to just do our work in the service of the poor, oppressed and persecuted. We will not be distracted nor slowed down," he said.

"Thank you for the effort and the cute and flattering pictures though," he added.

With a report from Sandra Aguinaldo/Erwin Colcol/KG, GMA News

Holding peace talks in PHL an ‘unacceptable’ precondition – Joma

From GMA News Online (Dec 7, 2019): Holding peace talks in PHL an ‘unacceptable’ precondition – Joma

Though open to resuming peace talks with the government, Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison on Saturday rejected the idea of resuming negotiations in the Philippines, saying it was "totally unacceptable."

"This precondition is totally unacceptable to the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) because it aims to put the NDFP and the entire peace negotiations in the pocket of the Duterte regime,"
Sison said in a Facebook post.


Months after he terminated the peace negotiations, President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday ordered Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III to communicate with Sison in the Netherlands.

However, Sison pointed out that the "Duterte regime has in fact killed the GRP-NDFP negotiations since 2017 by issuing Proclamation No.360 to terminate said negotiations."

According to Sison, the purpose of informal talks was to "settle first the issues that prevent the formal resumption of the peace negotiation" as well as "to take advantage of the progress and level of agreement of previous negotiations regarding the amnesty and release of political prisoners."

Sison also slammed National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. for "declaring that [NDFP] has no choice but to accept the resumption of peace negotiations in the Philippines."

Esperon on Friday refused to divulge the conditions the Philippine government had set in order for peace talks to resume.

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Saturday expressed their support for the president's decision.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/metro/718354/holding-peace-talks-in-phl-an-unacceptable-precondition-joma/story/

4 Abu Sayyaf bandits killed in Sulu clash

From Rappler (Dec 8, 2019): 4 Abu Sayyaf bandits killed in Sulu clash

A government soldier was also killed in the encounter with members of the ISIS-affiliated faction of the terror group blamed for suicide attacks earlier this year



4 Abu Sayyaf bandits and a government soldier were killed in a clash in Patikul, Sulu over the weekend.

At least 4 members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) were killed in a battle with government forces on Saturday, December 7, in Sulu province, said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom).

At around 1:40 pm on Saturday, troops from the Philippine Army’s 32nd Infantry Battalion and 12th Reconnaissance Company
encountered some 40 ASG bandits in Sitio Tambang, Barangay Kabbon Takas in Patikul municipality.

The bandits were from the ASG’s pro-Islamic State (ISIS) faction under sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, the Westmincom said in its statement sent to reporters on Sunday, December 8. The ASG’s Sawadjaan faction is believed to be behind the series of suicide bombings in Basilan and Sulu from July 2018 to September 2019.

Saturday’s firefight lasted about 30 minutes, killing 4 ASG bandits and wounding several others. One Philippine Army soldier was killed, and 9 others were wounded.

Troops recovered the body of one of the slain bandits. Bloodstains and bits of human flesh spotted in the encounter site indicate more casualties among the ASG, said the commander of the Army’s 1101st Brigade, Brigadier General Antonio Nafarrete.


An M16 rifle and personal belongings of the fleeing bandits were also recovered from the site.

Sulu’s Tausug citizens have been “very active” in reporting the presence of the ASG’s members and their activities to the military, said Westmincom’s Joint Task Force Sulu commander Major General Corleto Vinluan.

“The ASG maneuver space is dwindling. Hence, they now have to surrender or be killed by our operating forces,” Vinluan added.


He hailed the “ultimate sacrifice” of one of the troops, saying it would inspire and motivate efforts to stamp out the ASG in Sulu.

The 9 wounded soldiers were brought to Camp Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital in Jolo, Sulu’s capital, for treatment.

The military has been in hot pursuit of the ASG, which it said has been reduced to operating in Sulu. The group’s faction under main leader Radullan Sahiron was said to be behind the kidnapping of the couple Alan and Wilma Hyrons from their resort in Zamboanga del Sur on October. They were rescued on November 25.

The military said the ASG has at least 3 remaining hostages, believed to be Indonesians.

Meanwhile, the group’s Sawadjaan faction is said to have been working with foreign extremists to train suicide bombers.

On November 23, Abu Talha, a bomb expert and ISIS’ liaison to the ASG, was killed in a battle with the military in Patikul. His death is a major setback for the Sawadjaan faction.


Westmincom chief Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana earlier told Rappler that the ASG’s remaining members “are just there for survival,” especially after some of their key leaders have been killed.

"We call on all the peace-loving citizens of this country to continuously pray for the safety of our soldiers and the enlightenment of our enemies," Sobejana said in Sunday’s statement.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/246731-4-abu-sayyaf-bandits-killed-in-sulu-clash

Two NPA rebels yield in Lake Sebu

From the Mindanao Times (Dec 8, 2019): Two NPA rebels yield in Lake Sebu (By Rhoda Grace Saron)

Two members of New People’s Army surrendered to the 27th Infantry Battalion on Dec. 5 in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.

The Municipality of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato passed a resolution declaring the
Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front-New People’s Army persona non grata within the communities.

1Lt. Efren James Halawig, the Civil-Military Operations officer of the 27th, IB
identified the rebel returnees as alias Kapitan and Mowen, members of Platoon West of Sub-Regional Committee-Musa, Far South Mindanao Region.

They brought with them two AK-47 rifles. Kapitan said that he could see for himself the development in his own community in the last few years. “There are already projects for the people, such as farm-to-market roads, free education, healthcare assistance, and others,” he told the soldiers.


Lt. Col Jones Otida, the 27th IB commander, said “The resolution passed by the local government unit of Lake Sebu and the declaration of CTG (communist terrorist group) as persona non grata, only show that the people support the implementation of EO 70 signed by our President.”

Executive Order 70 is a whole-of-nation approach where all government agencies are activated to develop hard-to-reach communities, which are the most vulnerable to communist influence. By making them feel the presence of the government, the residents would be dissuaded from supporting the rebel group.

“That is why we thank the people who have complemented our efforts by adding social pressure for the NPA terrorists to finally surrender,” Otida said.

Mean while, the two rebel returnees will undergo debriefing and later enrolled in the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integrated Program.

Fighting erupts in Sulu (Photos)

From the Zamboanga Post (Dec 7, 2019): Fighting erupts in Sulu

SULU – Troops clashed with Abu Sayyaf militants on Saturday and killing one gunman, but security officials said a soldier was also slain with four others wounded in Sulu province in southern Philippines.

Lt. Col. Gerald Monfort, an army spokesman, said intelligence reports claimed that four more militants were killed and 5 others wounded in the 30-minute gun battle in Kabbon Takas village in Patikul town.




Military photos show the body of the slain militant and personal belongings.



He said the soldiers recovered only one body of slain militant, including an automatic rifle and personal belongings left behind by those who fled the fighting.

At least 40 militants under a notorious militant leader Hajan Sawadjaan engaged the soldiers in the firefight. It was unclear whether Sawadjaan led the militants in the fight or not.

Army Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, commander of the Joint Task Force Sulu, mourned the death of his soldier.

“The untimely death of our soldier in today’s armed encounter will never weaken our spirit in the fight against terrorism,” he said, adding, troops were pursuing those who managed to escape from the military operation.

The wounded soldiers were rushed to a military hospital in the capital town of Jolo. (Zamboanga Post)

https://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2019/12/fighting-erupts-in-sulu.html?fbclid=IwAR3SddF2zt6M4DR7yIa68HutJ1XYcOHNnac6WHRxfRXGaTUcyNhP47rcBUc

Kadamay members surrender to the government

From the Philippine Information Agency (Dec 8, 2019): Kadamay members surrender to the government (By William L. Beltran)


A total of 185 members of the Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap in Bulacan voluntarily surrender to government peacekeeping forces. (7th Infantry Division)

MALOLOS CITY, Dec.8 (PIA) -- A total of 185 members of the Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) in Bulacan voluntarily surrendered to government peacekeeping forces.

The surrenderees, who submitted themselves to the Army 48th Infantry Battalion (48IB) and Bulacan Police Provincial Office (BPPO), came from different resettlement areas of Pandi town who forcibly occupied units of the National Housing Authority in March 2017.

They also turned over six firearms that include one Garand rifle, one caliber .45 pistol with one magazine, three caliber .38 pistol and one Ingram pistol as well as several subversive reading materials.


Governor Daniel Fernando commended the efforts of 48IB led by Lieutenant Colonel Felix Emeterio M. Valdez and Pandi Municipal Police Station led by Police Major Joy Placido.

Fernando initially distributed gift packs to the surrenderees and promised to provide them with livelihood, scholarship and health grants.

Valdez, for his part, assured the former Kadamay members of 48IB’s continued support.

“We at the 48IB, together with other government agencies, will continue to be your instrument of change as you choose to embrace and support the government for internal peace and development,” he said.

In a statement, 7th Infantry Division Commander Major General Lenard T. Agustin lauded the 48IB and BPPO for delivering a new milestone in the government’s fight against insurgency.

“The sudden increase in the number of surrenderees in Central Luzon, particularly in the province of Bulacan, is a clear manifestation of the success in our campaign to end local communist armed conflict,” Agustin affirmed. (CLJD/WLB-PIA 3)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1031363

Joint Army-Police operation yield high-powered firearms of NPA unit

From the Philippine Information Agency (Dec 8, 2019): Joint Army-Police operation yield high-powered firearms of NPA unit (By William L. Beltran)

BALER, Aurora, Dec. 8 (PIA) -- A total of eight high-powered firearms and assorted materiel belonging to a unit of the New People’s Army (NPA) were recovered Saturday in a joint Army-Police operation in barangay Punglo, Maria Aurora town.

“Among those recovered from the suspected firearms cache of
Platoon Dos Kilusang Larangang Gerilya (KLG) Sierra Madre include 2 units of AK-47 assault rifles, 5 units of M-16 rifles, 1 M-14 rifle, 16 long magazine assembly for cal. 5.56/M-16, 15 short magazine assembly for cal. 5.56/M-16, 4 bandoliers and 150 cal. 5.56 live ammunitions,” Army 703rd Brigade Commander Colonel Andrew D. Costelo disclosed.


A total of eight high-powered firearms and assorted materiel belonging to a unit of the New People’s Army were recovered Saturday in a joint Army-Police operation in barangay Punglo, Maria Aurora town. (Army 703rd Brigade)

The recovery of these high-powered firearms and assorted materiel was made possible through the revelation of former rebel “Roel” who used to be a squad leader of the KLG Sierra Madre Platoon Uno operating in the provinces of Nueva Ecija and Aurora. They are now in the custody of 91st Infantry Battalion for proper disposition and documentation.

“The Army and Police will continue to operationalize the government’s campaign to end local communist armed conflict. That is why I encourage the remaining members of the NPA to go back to the folds of law, start a new life and benefit from the services the government offers,” Costelo emphasized. (CLJD/WLB-PIA 3)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1031364

Kids, teachers caught in cross fire get psychosocial help

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 8, 2019): Kids, teachers caught in cross fire get psychosocial help (By Che Palicte)



HELP FOR TRAUMA. Lawyer Elisa Lapiña (standing), municipal administrator of Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte, leads psychosocial activities for parents, teachers and students of the Magwawa Integrated School in the town on Friday (Dec. 7, 2019). The interventions came after government troops figured in a firefight with the New People's Army a day earlier in nearby Barangay Colosas, Paquibato District in Davao City. (Photo courtesy of Sto. Tomas MIO)

The municipality of Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte has conducted psychosocial interventions to parents, teachers and students of the Magwawa Integrated School in Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte who were caught in a cross fire between government troops and New People’s Army (NPA) rebels last Thursday.

Lawyer Elisa Lapiña, municipal administrator of Sto. Tomas, led the psychosocial activities held on Friday.

"In an armed conflict situation, the teachers and students are greatly affected in various ways and consequently require different kinds of support. That’s why we are here in the community to give the necessary intervention they needed,” Lapiña said in a statement.

Mart Sambalud, Sto. Tomas Municipal Information Officer, said the exchange of gunfire in nearby Barangay Colosas here was heard by residents of Barangay Magwawa, especially those at the Magwawa Integrated School.

“The firefight lasted about 10 minutes and it has caused disruption of classes in a nearby public elementary school,” Sambalud told the Philippine News Agency in an interview on Saturday.

The distance between the villages of Colosas and Magwawa is about three kilometers.

“Magwawa Integrated School and the outskirts of Barangay Colosas where the clash happened were only divided by a river,” Sambalud said.

A number of traumatized school children and teachers were given respite through the psychosocial activities conducted by the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) at Magwawa Integrated School, said Lapiña.

She said the purpose of the stress debriefing is “to help them process their traumatic experience.”

“This is something that is really needed since they are the frontliners and they were affected by the incident,” she said.

Personnel from MSWDO headed by Leilani Mae Rafol conducted critical incidence stress debriefing, play therapy and physical exercises to school children.

Rafol said the play therapy was to help the victims release their fears.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1088209

PNP mobile forces eyed to help AFP vs. NPA front orgs

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 8, 2019): PNP mobile forces eyed to help AFP vs. NPA front orgs (By Dionisio Dennis, Jr.)



BOARD MEETING. Officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) attend an area clearing validation board meeting on the community support program-white area operation of the 5th Infantry Battalion covering Region 2 and the Cordillera Administrative Region on Friday (Dec. 6, 2019) at Camp Bado Dangwa in La Trinidad, Benguet. PNP officer in charge, Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa and Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) Deputy for Operations, Brig. Gen. Gen. Ramon Evan Ruiz joined the meeting as part of the collaboration of the two agencies towards ending local communist armed conflict. (PNA photo courtesy of PROCOR-PIO)

CAMP DANGWA, LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- The heads of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are looking at aligning the skills of the PNP mobile forces in helping soldiers manage the New People's Army (NPA) front organizations operating in urban areas.

"The problem against our communist terrorist group is a security threat of which all our government security forces dapat magtulung-tulungan (help each other). That is why if you see a while ago there is a joint effort between the PNP and AFP,”
Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa, PNP officer in charge, said on the sidelines of an area-clearing validation board meeting.


The confab delved on the community support program-white area operation of the 5th Infantry Battalion (5ID) covering Region 2 or Cagayan Valley and the Cordillera Administrative Region held at Camp Dangwa on Friday.

Gamboa led the police in the meeting while the Nolcom was led by Deputy for Administration, Brig. Gen. Ramon Evan Ruiz.

Gamboa said the PNP has the mobile forces -- regional and provincial mobile forces -- which are trained like the AFP and fights side by side with the military.

He, however, said that the mobile forces have to be trained on handling white areas of the AFP, at the urban areas where the legal fronts operating for the insurgents do their activities.


“Siguro mangilan-ngilan would go to Manila but the general situation is yung fight talaga versus their legal fronts. Ito yung pinag-aaralan ngayon ng PNP na pwede kaming tumulong sa white area (Maybe some go to Manila but the general situation is really the fight against legal fronts. This is what we are really looking into, where we can help in white areas),” Gamboa said.

“We will try to study and hopefully we can study and help the AFP in the fight versus CTGs (communist terrorist groups)," he added.

For his part, Brig. Gen. Ramon Evan Ruiz said the government’s goal is a wholistic approach where government agencies collaborate with each other. Also included is the participation of the private sector.

“Kaya ito ay wholistic, we need all the participation of government, of everyone. Lahat tayo ay working versus insurgency (This is wholistic. We need all the participation of government, of everyone. We are all working versus insurgency,” Ruiz said.

He said, “we are strengthening their community relations service, putting in more force on public, civil and 'psy-ops', propaganda operation".

He said the Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC) is very active in implementing its mandate as dictated by Executive Order 70 that calls for a collaborated action between and among the government agencies.

He also said the ELCAC task forces from the national down to the barangay levels are gearing to convince the NPAs and their supporters to embrace the law and work hand in hand for the country’s development.

Ruiz mentioned the media’s role as a medium to reach out to the NPAs who want to return to the fold of the law.

"We are offering the E-CLIP where we give livelihood, school and all privileges for a new life of the surrenderers,” he said of the government’s commitment to give alternative and better lives to the NPAs and their “militia ng bayan” supporters.

Ruiz said that both forces, AFP and the PNP, are working hand in hand to help implement Executive Order 70 that calls for a whole of nation and whole of community approach to end local communist armed conflicts.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1088221

52% of Pinoys say PH can have good ties with both US, China: SWS

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 8, 2019): 52% of Pinoys say PH can have good ties with both US, China: SWS (By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos)



Fifty-two percent of Filipinos believe the Philippines can have good relations with both the United States and China, the Social Weather Stations (SWS) found in its September 27-30 poll.

The same survey released on December 7, however, revealed that 78 percent of Filipinos believe the country’s ties with the US is “more important” than its relationship with China, while 12 percent think otherwise.

The poll noted that only 5 percent consider the Philippines’ relationship with both the US and China as “equally important,” while 4 percent were ambivalent on the matter.

Those who valued more the country’s ties with the Washington than Beijing was highest in Balance Luzon (83 percent), followed by Metro Manila (79 percent), the Visayas (77 percent), and Mindanao (67 percent), according to the results of the survey.

The SWS bared that 21 percent of Filipinos have “much trust” in China, 54 percent have “little trust,” and the remaining 23 percent are undecided, for a net trust rating of -33 classified by SWS as bad.


“Those with much trust in China have stronger believe that the Philippines can have a good relationship with both China and the US at the same time,” the SWS said.

Meantime, the pollster said the US got an “excellent” net trust rating of +72 as 80 percent of Filipinos have “much trust” in Washington, 8 percent have “little trust,” and the remaining 11 percent could not decide on the issue.

“Those with little trust in China value the Philippines’ relationship with the US more than its relationship with China,” it added.

Despite this, the survey noted that 52 percent think it is “possible” for the Philippines to have a good relationship with both China and the US “at the same time.”

Forty-one percent ruled out such possibility, while the remaining 7 percent did not have an answer.

SWS stressed that about half in all areas say it is possible for the Philippines to have a good relationship with both China and the US at the same time.

The highest number of Filipinos, who raised the possibility that Manila can manage good ties with both countries, was recorded in Mindanao (53 percent), and was followed by Metro Manila (52 percent), Balance Luzon (52 percent), and in the Visayas (48 percent).

SWS conducted the survey amid the implementation of President Rodrigo Duterte’s independent foreign policy that is aimed at pursuing good relations with all nations.

Duterte has maintained the Philippines’ good relations with the Washington under the watch of US President Donald Trump.

The President, at the same time, has mended the country’s ties with China, which has a sour relationship with the past administration due to tensions in the disputed South China Sea.

SWS used face-to-face interviews with 1,800 respondents aged 18 and above.

It applied sampling error margins of ±2.3 percentage points for national percentages, ±4 percentage points each for Balance Luzon and Mindanao, and ±6 percentage points each for Metro Manila and the Visayas.


https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1088197

No arrest for Sison, communist leaders during peace talks

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 8, 2019): No arrest for Sison, communist leaders during peace talks (By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos)



Presidential Spokesperson and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo (File photo)

Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria "Joma" Sison and other communist leaders who are facing arrest will enjoy temporary liberty upon their return to the Philippines for the possible resumption of peace talks, Malacañang said on Sunday.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo guaranteed that President Rodrigo Duterte will order the suspension of arrest order issued on
Sison and other members of the CPP's political arm, the National Democratic Front (NDF), once they agree to go back home for the revival of peace negotiations with the government.

"Hindi naman sila aarestuhin. At iyan naman ay pinapangako ni Presidente. Sususpendihin ang lahat ng mga pending warrant of arrest laban sa kanila kung may pag-uusap (They will not be arrested. The President is promising that. All the pending warrants of arrest against them will be suspended, in case the peace talks resume),"
Panelo told dzIQ.


The assurance was made after Duterte announced on Thursday that he will be sending Bello to the Netherlands to discuss with Sison his administration's plan to give the communist movement another chance for a dialogue that will pave the way for the crafting of a peace deal.

On August 28, the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 32 ordered the arrest of Sison, his wife, and 36 others for their supposed involvement in the so-called "Inopacan massacre", the 1980 mass purging of communist rebels suspected to have links with the military in Inopacan, Leyte. No bail was recommended for the accused.

Sison has been in self-exile with his wife, Juliet, in the Netherlands since 1987.

The Manila RTC Branch 32 in January 2018 also ordered the re-arrest of communist leaders Benito and Wilma Tiamzon, following the termination of peace negotiations between the national government and the communist party.

The Tiamzon couple and Silva were released from detention in August 2016 to join the peace negotiations as NDF consultants.

Duterte on Nov. 23, 2017 signed Proclamation 360, which formally scrapped peace talks with the NDF, following the series of attacks staged by the communists' armed wing, the New People's Army (NPA), against the government troops and civilians.

On December 5, 2017 or barely two weeks the peace talks was scrapped, the President inked Proclamation 374, which classifies the CPP and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), as terror organizations because of their supposed commission of crimes that are “against the Filipino people, against humanity, and against the law of the nations.”
The CPP-NPA has also been listed as a terror group by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

'Show sincerity,' communists told

On Tuesday, Duterte said opening the government's door to possible resumption of talks with the communists would be his "last card."

Panelo said the President is always open to peace talks because he wants to achieve peace and order in the entire country before his term ends in 2022.

"Ganyan palagi ang sinasabi niya. Palagi siyang nakabukas. Merong ajar, merong maliit na bukas sa bintana o sa pintuan (That is what he is always saying. He leaves the window or the door ajar)," the Palace official said.

"Kasi alam mo ang Presidente, pareho lang ng lahat ng Pilipino. Ayaw nila ng himagsikan, rebolusyon, rebellion. Ayaw nila ng magulo, ayaw nila ng patayan. Lahat tayo gusto natin ay kapayapaan (Because you know the President has the same thinking with Filipinos. They do not want revolution, rebellion, chaos, and killings. We all want peace)," he added.

Panelo expressed hope that the communists would show "sincerity" to enable both parties to come up with a peace pact.

He said the fate of the peace negotiations would now be up to the communist rebels.

"Sa kabila iyan eh kung sinsero at tapat sa kanilang layunin na maayos ang suliranin ng bayan (It's up to the other party if they are sincere to address the problems in the country," Duterte's spokesman said.

On Friday, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said the President wants peace talks to be held in the Philippines, once both parties decide to return to the negotiation table.

In a Facebook post on Saturday, Sison expressed openness to the communists' resumption of talks with the national government, but rejected the idea of holding the negotiations in the Philippines.

Panelo said there was no need for Sison and other communist leaders to worry, if the possible revival of peace negotiations happens in the Philippines.

"Hindi mahalaga yung lugar. Ang mahalaga yung katapatan ng bawat panig na mag-usap sa kapayapaan (The place is not important. What is important is the sincerity of each party to talk about peace)," he said.

"Kahit na saang lugar, kung talagang matapat ka, papasok sila sa usapan (Wherever it is, if you are since, you will agree to resume the talks)," Panelo added.


https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1088201

Red groups, allies playing pity card when cornered: Parlade

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 8, 2019): Red groups, allies playing pity card when cornered: Parlade (By Priam Nepomuceno)



Major General Antonio Parlade, Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Deputy Chief-of-Staff for Civil-Military Operations (PNA File photo)

A ranking official of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC) said communist groups and their supporters appeal for pity whenever they get themselves into a tight corner.

Major General Antonio Parlade, Jr., who is also Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Deputy Chief-of-Staff for Civil-Military Operations, said this is clearly being demonstrated by the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP) when it announced that it wants Sister Elenita Belardo, its former national coordinator, excluded from the perjury case filed by the NTF ELCAC due to her old age.

"That's 'argumentum ad misericordiam' or appeal to pity. The RMP's argument is actually full of fallacies and that's the result of years of exploitation by the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines),"
he said in a statement to the PNA Saturday.


The perjury complaint had been filed by National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. who claimed RMP officials and others perjured themselves in the petition for writs of Amparo and habeas corpus filed before the Court of Appeals (CA) against the former and other government officials.

Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Nilo Peñaflor, in the petition filed before the CA by CPP-NPA front groups, said Belardo "knowingly made untruthful statements under oath" when she said the RMP is a "duly registered non-stock, non-profit organization."

"In fact the accused very well knew that said allegations were false and untruthful as the certificate of registration of RMP was already revoked effective September 29,2003," Peñaflor added.

Parlade said using old age as means to forestall legal liability is a weak argument as CPP founding chairperson Jose Maria "Joma" Sison is as old as Sister Elenita but the former is still capable of ordering communist rebels to attack government troops and assassinate key NTF ELCAC officials.

"Shall we pity Sister? Shall we go soft on 'Joma' who has been ordering his allies in Bayan to continue recruiting very young children to join Anakbayan, LFS (League of Filipino Students) and Kàbataan, and eventually become full-time NPAs (New People's Army) members)? Shall we continue to allow 'Joma' to prosecute all these violence to all of us because he is old?" he added.

He said attempts to justify Sister Elenita's act by claiming that the nun spent most of her adult life by working to uplift the lives of the rural poor as her testament of her love and commitment to Christ is not justifiable.

"RMP national coordinator Sister Elsa Compuesto is also justifying Sister Elenita's act by citing that the latter 'spent most of her life working with the rural poor as a testament of her love and commitment to Christ'. Don't you think you are using the name of Christ in vain? Isn't it what Father Fausto 'Pops' Tentorio, an Italian communist priest did in Arakan, North Cotabato?" he said.

Fr. Tentorio, he added, worked in very poor and isolated areas, sent 800 young indigenous children on scholarship but produced more than 700 NPA cadres out of them.

"Now he is acclaimed in Ibon Foundation manuals for Salugpungan schools, as a National Hero (Basic Education Curriculum Guide, Kindergarten to Grade 6, Salugpungan Ta 'Tanu Igkanogon Community Learning Center Inc) or PAGKAKAUGNAY Araling Panlipunan 3, Edisyong 2015, Ibon Foundation). An Italian rebel as our national hero?" he said.

He went on to ask the group on whether recruiting innocent minors to beef up the ranks of the communist rebels can be considered a testament of love even if allegations about government abuse, militarization, and pillage of ancestral domain is true.

"Is it Holy and Christian-like to allow our children to be pushed to danger by radicalizing them? Another 16-year-old NPA was killed last November 30 in an encounter in Butuan City. Litboy Talja Binongcasan was only 14 when he went missing in Gingoog City to join the NPA," he added.

Since militant groups do not know the answer to his questions, Parlade surmised this is among the reasons why the sisters and priests booted him out when he arrived at the National Union of Peoples Lawyers forum "Weaponizing the Law: Criminalizing Dissent" held on Nov. 27.

"Maybe the sisters and priests at the QC Sports Club booted me out because they did not have answers either. Sister Liza Ruedas of the Daughters of Charity, Father Enriquez, and Father Bert Alejo knew they are being exploited by the Christians for National Liberation (CNL), the underground CPP organization embedded among the religious. How can you not stand up against the radicalization of our children by the CPP if you have compassion to the young?" he added.

He added that RMP claims that it is not involved in aiding the CPP-NPA does not hold water due to the testimony of their own finance staff who surrendered and admitted to disbursing your funds for the communist rebels.

"Gliceria Balangiao, your finance officer in CDO (Cagayan de Oro) has narrated how she collects funds sent to Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation Inc (MISFI) by European NGOs like 11.11.11 and Solidagro of Belgium, from a dollar to a peso account, then disbursed to CPP-NPA personalities, their families in the form of SUPAMlL (Suporta sa Pamilya), and other CPP front organizations. She also admitted to supporting the GenSan 12, top CPP personalities captured in GenSan (General Santos City) last year," he said.

The CPP-NPA has been listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

"So, Sisters Elenita and Elsa, we admit to being sinners but are you telling this Catholic nation that you are too holy to lie, and so people should believe you about your works? Are you saying that Sister Coni Ledesma, now wife of Father Jalandoni, all stooges of 'Joma' Sison in Utrecht are saints too, and should not be vilified by the government because they are simply dissenters? That's not what we see in the walls of Manila," he said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1088212

Eleazar wants SAF to go after drug lords

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 8, 2019): Eleazar wants SAF to go after drug lords (By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan)



Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, chief of Directorial Staff, Philippine National Police (PNA file photo).

To further intensify the government's crackdown on illegal drugs, the Special Action Force (SAF) should be included in the anti-drug campaign, especially against high-value targets or big-time drug lords, a ranking official of the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.

Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, the PNP’s chief of Directorial Staff, cited the police commando’s unquestionable integrity in his speech during the graduation of six classes from SAF courses on Friday.


“I firmly believe that you (SAF commandos) are the most qualified unit to run after big-time drug lords. The discipline, the bravery and the integrity you have make you the most qualified warriors that President Duterte has been looking for to finally finish off the illegal drugs problems in the country,” he said.

Eleazar admitted the government's aggressive campaign against drugs has always been marred by the involvement of some policemen as protectors of drug syndicates or in drug-recycling activities.

This is the part where the SAF would fit in, he said.

“As members of the police elite force, you are PNP’s last bastion of integrity. The kind of discipline that you have been molded into, the warrior that was brought out from each and every one of you, and the tried-and-tested integrity that your senior has shown make you the worst nightmare of drug lords,” Eleazar said.

He said the involvement of SAF that he envisions is more on operations since the intelligence aspect will still be at the hands of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and police anti-narcotics operatives who are trained on it.

SAF commandos are highly-trained in combat and the most equipped in terms of firepower.

Eleazar said that if SAF commandos are deployed to run after drug lords, this would make the illegal drugs campaign more aggressive against high-value targets.

Eleazar, however, said the decision still remains with the President as their commander-in-chief.

He said the illegal drugs business is indeed a multi-billion peso industry in the country, which makes drug cartels and drug lords continue to operate despite the aggressive government campaign.

“Illegal drugs are threat to national security and drug lords are the worst enemies of the State. So the President is right, this is already a war,” Eleazar said.

“Having seen the success of the President's war against illegal drugs, I, in my personal and current official capacity, shall intensify my efforts to win as many battles in this war (against illegal drugs)," he said.

Earlier, Duterte said he wanted the government’s anti-narcotics units or the next PNP chief to focus more on big-time drug offenders.

He said it was not enough to be presented with a list of contenders for the next PNP chief because he was expecting a “better deal.”

Duterte said the three police generals on the list of contenders for the next PNP chief are “all good”.

“They are all good. I want a better deal. It is not enough that you recommend to me,” Duterte said in a televised interview.

The three contenders for the top police post are PNP officer-in-charge, Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa, deputy chief for operations, Lt. Gen. Camilo Cascolan and Eleazar, who is former Metro Manila police director.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1088206