From the Manila Times (Jan 30, 2020): Palace: PH won’t lose convicted US soldier in transgender slay sans VFA (By Catherine S. Valente)
MALACAÑANG is confident that the Philippines will retain its jurisdiction over the case of an American soldier convicted of killing Filipino transgender Jennifer Laude even after the country’s Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States (US) is formally terminated.
Speaking to reporters, Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said that the termination of the agreement would not have an impact on the conviction of US Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton, who is currently detained at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
“We acquired jurisdiction over him (Pemberton) and therefore, the jurisdiction remains. You must remember that the VFA states that we cannot acquire jurisdiction unless of particular importance and we already did that,” Panelo said during a Palace press briefing.
“Hence, logic will tell us that the termination of VFA will not affect the acquisition of jurisdiction by the Philippine courts,” he added.
The Olongapo Regional Trial Court in 2015 found Pemberton guilty of killing Laude. The American soldier was sentenced to serve a jail term of up to six years.
Former Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr., also legal counsel of the Laude family, pushed for the transfer of Pemberton to the state penitentiary.
“Now that the President has terminated the VFA, Pemberton, who is currently under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Corrections (BoC) and allegedly detained in a golden cage in Aguinaldo, should now be transferred forthwith to Muntinlupa to be in the company of his fellow killers such as the Ampatuans,” Roque said in a statement.
“I call on the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) to exercise vigilance as US authorities will definitely attempt to spirit him out of the country to prevent his detention in Muntinlupa where he truly belongs,” he added.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/01/30/second-headline/palace-ph-wont-lose-convicted-us-soldier-in-transgender-slay-sans-vfa/678573/
Friday, January 31, 2020
US, Philippine defense ties on a chopping block
Posted to the Asia Times (Jan 31, 2020): US, Philippine defense ties on a chopping block (By RICHARD JAVAD HEYDARIAN)
Philippine leader escalates diplomatic spat while doubling down threat to scrap key security pact
Philippine leader escalates diplomatic spat while doubling down threat to scrap key security pact
US and Philippine troops at a joint exercise event in a file photo. Photo: Twitter
Just days after Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to terminate a key defense agreement with the Unites States, prominent statesmen, political allies and legal experts are all challenging the move.
The Filipino leader raised the possibility of nixing the country’s Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the US in response to the imposition of a reported travel ban against his former police chief Bato Dela Rosa, who oversaw Duterte’s controversial drug war and is now a senator.
Duterte upped the ante on January 29 by ordering his Cabinet secretaries and senior officials to “boycott” the US, an effective travel ban that would inevitably cripple one of Asia’s oldest alliances underwritten by the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty.
“I will not allow any Cabinet member to go there at this time,” Duterte announced on the sidelines of the founding anniversary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
The order will remain in place “indefinitely,” the president said, while he implements a “toning down” of relations with Washington.
Duterte also confirmed that he declined a White House invitation to attend the US-Association of Southeast Asian Leaders Summit to be held in Las Vegas on March 4 for “strategic, geopolitical considerations.” No top Philippine official is expected to attend the event, Duterte added.
The Filipino leader raised the possibility of nixing the country’s Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the US in response to the imposition of a reported travel ban against his former police chief Bato Dela Rosa, who oversaw Duterte’s controversial drug war and is now a senator.
Duterte upped the ante on January 29 by ordering his Cabinet secretaries and senior officials to “boycott” the US, an effective travel ban that would inevitably cripple one of Asia’s oldest alliances underwritten by the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty.
“I will not allow any Cabinet member to go there at this time,” Duterte announced on the sidelines of the founding anniversary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
The order will remain in place “indefinitely,” the president said, while he implements a “toning down” of relations with Washington.
Duterte also confirmed that he declined a White House invitation to attend the US-Association of Southeast Asian Leaders Summit to be held in Las Vegas on March 4 for “strategic, geopolitical considerations.” No top Philippine official is expected to attend the event, Duterte added.
US President Donald Trump and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte at the ASEAN Summit in Manila, November 2017. Photo: Twitter
If fully implemented, it would prevent the Philippines’ defense, finance and foreign secretaries from visiting Washington as well as the United Nations in New York.
Abrogation of the VFA, which facilitates the rotational stationing of US troops on Philippine soil, would jeopardize hundreds of annual joint exercises and activities staged by the two treaty allies’ militaries.
A complementary accord, the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), is likewise in jeopardy. The EDCA was enacted in 2014 and provided American forces with wider than previous access to Philippine military facilities and allows them to build structures and preposition defense equipment in the country.
In response, key military officials, former senior diplomats as well as top legislators have spoken out against a threat they see as inimical to the Philippines’ broad national interests and to the benefit of rising rival China.
Dela Rosa is not alone in being banned from the US. Other senior Philippine officials accused of involvement in extrajudicial killings and human rights violations face similar US sanctions.
Under the Global Magnitsky mechanism, the US and other major Western countries could be poised to impose other forms of sanctions including asset freezes against top Philippine officials found to be involved in human rights violations.
“Any state can punish or prosecute against violators of the most grievous human rights anywhere in the world. And this is not new,” said Chito Gascon, chairman of the Commission of Human Rights (CHR), an independent constitutional office, in an interview with the author.
If fully implemented, it would prevent the Philippines’ defense, finance and foreign secretaries from visiting Washington as well as the United Nations in New York.
Abrogation of the VFA, which facilitates the rotational stationing of US troops on Philippine soil, would jeopardize hundreds of annual joint exercises and activities staged by the two treaty allies’ militaries.
A complementary accord, the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), is likewise in jeopardy. The EDCA was enacted in 2014 and provided American forces with wider than previous access to Philippine military facilities and allows them to build structures and preposition defense equipment in the country.
In response, key military officials, former senior diplomats as well as top legislators have spoken out against a threat they see as inimical to the Philippines’ broad national interests and to the benefit of rising rival China.
Dela Rosa is not alone in being banned from the US. Other senior Philippine officials accused of involvement in extrajudicial killings and human rights violations face similar US sanctions.
Under the Global Magnitsky mechanism, the US and other major Western countries could be poised to impose other forms of sanctions including asset freezes against top Philippine officials found to be involved in human rights violations.
“Any state can punish or prosecute against violators of the most grievous human rights anywhere in the world. And this is not new,” said Chito Gascon, chairman of the Commission of Human Rights (CHR), an independent constitutional office, in an interview with the author.
A boy walks past pictures of victims of drug war killings at a vigil in Quezon City, December 1, 2017. Photo: Ezra Acayan/AFP Forum via NurPhoto
Amid an ongoing International Criminal Court (ICC) preliminary examination of alleged crimes against humanity committed in Duterte’s drug war, Gascon warned that top Filipino officials could eventually face ICC prosecution.
“[I]f we show by our own actions or by our words that we are actually enabling and we’re not really holding anyone to account, then other states will say this is a core universal principle,” the commission chief added.
External powers can step in, Gascon explains, because “human rights is not within the exclusive jurisdiction [of the Philippines]…it is a universal standard,” unless the Duterte administration assures that the Philippines will “adhere to international human rights and we will do something about it.”
Analysts believe the Philippine president is thus deeply worried about the prospect of a widening net of international sanctions imposed against his inner circle, if not himself, in the coming years.
Rather than addressing criticism about a lack of accountability for thousands of suspected extrajudicial killings, as well as persecution of critical opposition leaders such as Senator Leila De Lima, Duterte has threatened instead to sever ties with the US.
On January 29, the Philippine leader reiterated that his threat to nix the VFA was serious and not a bluff. “I am terminating [VFA]. I was not joking the day I said it. [It] was the day I decided it will be terminated.”
“They say [the decision is] subject to my whim capricious,” the president acknowledged. “[But] it started when they mentioned the US resolution in the US Senate” imposing travel bans and sanctions against top Filipino officials late last year.
Amid an ongoing International Criminal Court (ICC) preliminary examination of alleged crimes against humanity committed in Duterte’s drug war, Gascon warned that top Filipino officials could eventually face ICC prosecution.
“[I]f we show by our own actions or by our words that we are actually enabling and we’re not really holding anyone to account, then other states will say this is a core universal principle,” the commission chief added.
External powers can step in, Gascon explains, because “human rights is not within the exclusive jurisdiction [of the Philippines]…it is a universal standard,” unless the Duterte administration assures that the Philippines will “adhere to international human rights and we will do something about it.”
Analysts believe the Philippine president is thus deeply worried about the prospect of a widening net of international sanctions imposed against his inner circle, if not himself, in the coming years.
Rather than addressing criticism about a lack of accountability for thousands of suspected extrajudicial killings, as well as persecution of critical opposition leaders such as Senator Leila De Lima, Duterte has threatened instead to sever ties with the US.
On January 29, the Philippine leader reiterated that his threat to nix the VFA was serious and not a bluff. “I am terminating [VFA]. I was not joking the day I said it. [It] was the day I decided it will be terminated.”
“They say [the decision is] subject to my whim capricious,” the president acknowledged. “[But] it started when they mentioned the US resolution in the US Senate” imposing travel bans and sanctions against top Filipino officials late last year.
A US Navy member (left) gives instructions to his Philippine counterpart during drills at Sangley Point, Cavite City, west of Manila. Photo: AFP/Ted Aljibe
In response, Duterte explained, he began “trying to figure out who would be barred from entering (the US). Even then, my mind was working. I’m like that. I just announced late [my retaliation].”
The move faces growing domestic opposition. Key Duterte allies such as Senators Richard Gordon and Koko Pimental have called for a discussion of the matter to ensure the country’s national interests, rather than that of the president’s inner circle, are the paramount consideration.
“At the very least, it will help the people understand the importance of what the government is doing, what are the security implications of such [a] move,” Gordon said while calling for a public hearing on the matter.
“Would this mean we are truly pivoting to China? That’s what the others are saying. But I don’t think so. I think we should adopt a neutral stand but we should be able to study this carefully and not just follow whatever they say.
“The Senate must assert itself as the third branch of government involved in treaty making. Remember this is the only thing that the Senate is involved [with, the rest Congress is involved.”
“My appeal is for us to be more careful and discerning because if we have the power to abrogate a treaty, the other party also has that (authority),” warned Pimentel, who heads the Senate’s foreign affairs committee.
“Remember that we still have other treaties with the US. If they feel insulted by our sudden termination of the VFA, the US may withdraw from all other treaties with us. We might be surprised,” he added.
In response, Duterte explained, he began “trying to figure out who would be barred from entering (the US). Even then, my mind was working. I’m like that. I just announced late [my retaliation].”
The move faces growing domestic opposition. Key Duterte allies such as Senators Richard Gordon and Koko Pimental have called for a discussion of the matter to ensure the country’s national interests, rather than that of the president’s inner circle, are the paramount consideration.
“At the very least, it will help the people understand the importance of what the government is doing, what are the security implications of such [a] move,” Gordon said while calling for a public hearing on the matter.
“Would this mean we are truly pivoting to China? That’s what the others are saying. But I don’t think so. I think we should adopt a neutral stand but we should be able to study this carefully and not just follow whatever they say.
“The Senate must assert itself as the third branch of government involved in treaty making. Remember this is the only thing that the Senate is involved [with, the rest Congress is involved.”
“My appeal is for us to be more careful and discerning because if we have the power to abrogate a treaty, the other party also has that (authority),” warned Pimentel, who heads the Senate’s foreign affairs committee.
“Remember that we still have other treaties with the US. If they feel insulted by our sudden termination of the VFA, the US may withdraw from all other treaties with us. We might be surprised,” he added.
US and Philippine Marines at annual joint Amphibious Landing Exercises at the former US naval base of Subic. Photo: AFP/Jay Directo
Senior opposition senator Franklin Drilon, meanwhile, claimed that Duterte cannot unilaterally scrap the agreement, saying any such executive move to scrap international agreements requires the Senate’s concurrence.
Cagayan de Oro Second District Representative Rufus Rodriguez, a leading voice on defense issues, warned that the VFA termination “will be inimical to our national interest and security.”
Former Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia Jr warned that the VFA is crucial to counterterrorism efforts, especially in the wake of the 2017 siege of Marawi by Islamic State-backed rebels, and that China will be the main beneficiary of any scrapping of the VFA.
“The military exercises, those are going to be completely gone. So who will benefit? Of course, China. Who will suffer? The Philippine military. But the Philippine military will not dare say that,” Cuisia said.
Despite Duterte’s threats, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has reiterated its commitment to the US alliance.
“We will continue to engage our closest allies in terms of training, in terms of capability upgrade. The US is helping us,” said Navy chief Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad. “We will continue to engage. We will continue to exercise with them,” he said, with not a small hint of defiance.
https://www.asiatimes.com/2020/01/article/us-philippine-defense-ties-on-a-chopping-block/
Senior opposition senator Franklin Drilon, meanwhile, claimed that Duterte cannot unilaterally scrap the agreement, saying any such executive move to scrap international agreements requires the Senate’s concurrence.
Cagayan de Oro Second District Representative Rufus Rodriguez, a leading voice on defense issues, warned that the VFA termination “will be inimical to our national interest and security.”
Former Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia Jr warned that the VFA is crucial to counterterrorism efforts, especially in the wake of the 2017 siege of Marawi by Islamic State-backed rebels, and that China will be the main beneficiary of any scrapping of the VFA.
“The military exercises, those are going to be completely gone. So who will benefit? Of course, China. Who will suffer? The Philippine military. But the Philippine military will not dare say that,” Cuisia said.
Despite Duterte’s threats, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has reiterated its commitment to the US alliance.
“We will continue to engage our closest allies in terms of training, in terms of capability upgrade. The US is helping us,” said Navy chief Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad. “We will continue to engage. We will continue to exercise with them,” he said, with not a small hint of defiance.
https://www.asiatimes.com/2020/01/article/us-philippine-defense-ties-on-a-chopping-block/
No VFA mention in US statement after Locsin meeting
From GMA News (Jan 31, 2020): No VFA mention in US statement after Locsin meeting (By MICHAELA DEL CALLAR)
The US State Department did not mention the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement in its statement following a meeting with Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr in Washington, but said both countries are committed to their long-standing alliance.
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Locsin met with Deputy State Secretary Stephen Biegun on Thursday (Friday in Manila) days after President Rodrigo Duterte sought the scrapping of the military agreement in retaliation for the visa cancellation of his former police chief and now senator Roland Dela Rosa, who carried out the government's violent anti-drug war.
Before departing for the US, Locsin and Malacañang said the Philippines has started the process of terminating the VFA, a 1999 treaty that covers the treatment and presence of American forces in the country with or without military exercises with Filipino soldiers.
"In their introductory meeting, Deputy Secretary Biegun and Foreign Secretary Locsin reaffirmed the value of the US-Philippine alliance based on the deep, historic friendship and mutual respect between our two countries," the US statement said.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Locsin's counterpart, is currently in the United Kingdom.
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Locsin met with Deputy State Secretary Stephen Biegun on Thursday (Friday in Manila) days after President Rodrigo Duterte sought the scrapping of the military agreement in retaliation for the visa cancellation of his former police chief and now senator Roland Dela Rosa, who carried out the government's violent anti-drug war.
Before departing for the US, Locsin and Malacañang said the Philippines has started the process of terminating the VFA, a 1999 treaty that covers the treatment and presence of American forces in the country with or without military exercises with Filipino soldiers.
"In their introductory meeting, Deputy Secretary Biegun and Foreign Secretary Locsin reaffirmed the value of the US-Philippine alliance based on the deep, historic friendship and mutual respect between our two countries," the US statement said.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Locsin's counterpart, is currently in the United Kingdom.
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America is all we have —Locsin
"They also discussed the importance of that partnership to face current global health challenges," the statement said.
The two officials, it added, called for the denuclearization of North Korea and expressed commitment to ensure a "free and open Indo-Pacific in which all countries prosper side by side as sovereign, independent states."
The US did not cite its reason for revoking Dela Rosa's visa, but government critics believe that it is due to his involvement in Duterte's massive crackdown on illegal drugs that left thousands of drug suspects dead.
Duterte's drug war has been criticized by the US, United Nations, European Union, human rights groups and other countries.
There is also a US law that bans foreign government officials involved in human rights violations and corruption from entering America.
In scrapping the VFA, the Philippines would have to inform Washington that it is abrogating the agreement.
Former Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario admitted that the VFA is imperfect, but said abrogating it at this time would interrupt the two allies’ ongoing defense cooperation.
"The VFA is an essential agreement to both the Philippines and the USA in effectively implementing the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT)," said Del Rosario. The MDT is the 69-year-old defense accord that binds America to defend its Asian ally from aggression.
Walter Lohman, Director of Asian Studies Center at the Heritage Foundation in Washington said ending the agreement would have a "major impact" on Philippines-US military alliance.
"There are still many things we could do together, but the atmosphere such move would generate would damage those efforts, too," Lohman told GMA News Online.
"The most important thing maybe Duterte is missing here is that the US-Philippines alliance is much more important to the Philippines than to the US. It’s important to us, no doubt. The US is grateful for it. But the US is essentially the Philippines’ security guarantor, and you live in a more dangerous neighborhood than we do."
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/724277/no-vfa-mention-in-us-statement-after-locsin-meeting/story/
America is all we have —Locsin
"They also discussed the importance of that partnership to face current global health challenges," the statement said.
The two officials, it added, called for the denuclearization of North Korea and expressed commitment to ensure a "free and open Indo-Pacific in which all countries prosper side by side as sovereign, independent states."
The US did not cite its reason for revoking Dela Rosa's visa, but government critics believe that it is due to his involvement in Duterte's massive crackdown on illegal drugs that left thousands of drug suspects dead.
Duterte's drug war has been criticized by the US, United Nations, European Union, human rights groups and other countries.
There is also a US law that bans foreign government officials involved in human rights violations and corruption from entering America.
In scrapping the VFA, the Philippines would have to inform Washington that it is abrogating the agreement.
Former Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario admitted that the VFA is imperfect, but said abrogating it at this time would interrupt the two allies’ ongoing defense cooperation.
"The VFA is an essential agreement to both the Philippines and the USA in effectively implementing the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT)," said Del Rosario. The MDT is the 69-year-old defense accord that binds America to defend its Asian ally from aggression.
Walter Lohman, Director of Asian Studies Center at the Heritage Foundation in Washington said ending the agreement would have a "major impact" on Philippines-US military alliance.
"There are still many things we could do together, but the atmosphere such move would generate would damage those efforts, too," Lohman told GMA News Online.
"The most important thing maybe Duterte is missing here is that the US-Philippines alliance is much more important to the Philippines than to the US. It’s important to us, no doubt. The US is grateful for it. But the US is essentially the Philippines’ security guarantor, and you live in a more dangerous neighborhood than we do."
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/724277/no-vfa-mention-in-us-statement-after-locsin-meeting/story/
Police say Talakag ambush is ‘NPA’s handiwork’
From the Sun Star-Cagayan de Oro (Jan 31, 2020): Police say Talakag ambush is ‘NPA’s handiwork’ (By ALWEN SALIRING)
Screenshot From The Video
POLICE have accused the New People’s Army (NPA) as responsible for the ambush which killed a police corporal and wounded three others in Talakag, Bukidnon, Wednesday, January 29, based on the pieces of evidence recovered from the ambush site.
Investigators recovered an improvised explosive device (IED), personal belongings and a notebook that would point to the communist rebels who were possibly harboring meters away from the area.
“Atong mga ebidensya nga nakuha nagsulti nga membro sa NPA ang mismo ni-ambush,” Police Regional Office (PRO)-Northern Mindanao spokesperson Mardy Hortillosa said. (The evidence pointed out the members of the NPA as the culprits of the ambush.)
Corporal Rowel Sumaylo was killed while Captain Ramil Gighe, Corporal Jerwin Genilla and Senior Master Sergeant Giovannie Malinab were wounded but are now safe and recuperating in the hospital.
A convoy composed of around nine members of the Provincial Mobile Forces Company (PMFC) of Bukidnon was carrying Brigadier General Joselito Salido, the deputy director of the PNP Directorate for Integrated Police Operation (DIPO) in Eastern Mindanao, who was set to conduct inspection of provincial mobile forces in the region.
Salido was safe and unhurt.
Hortillosa said the ambush was not planned but a quick and “treacherous” move of the Maoist guerillas.
“Dili to planado, naka chance lang gyud sila paglabay sa convoy. It’s an isolated case,” Hortillosa said. (The ambush is unplanned, they just encountered the convoy by chance. It’s an isolated case.)
He said the police escorts encountered around 20 rebels who fled immediately after the troop returned fire.
Hortillosa also admitted some minor lapses as the team was not supposed to pass the Dominorog-Tikalaan road.
“Supposed to be dili gyud didto moagi. Wala nakalatag didto ang security pero gumikan kay dunay decision sa mga commander nga dili pud mapugngan,”Hortillosa said. (Supposed to be, the convoy should not pass that road. That path wasn’t included in the security laid but because of the commanders’ decision, so they passed through that path inevitably.)
Hortillosa also said PNP Chief Archie Gamboa is scheduled to visit the slain and wounded PNP personnel.
He said the victims will also be given financial assistance and medal.
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1842270
Screenshot From The Video
POLICE have accused the New People’s Army (NPA) as responsible for the ambush which killed a police corporal and wounded three others in Talakag, Bukidnon, Wednesday, January 29, based on the pieces of evidence recovered from the ambush site.
Investigators recovered an improvised explosive device (IED), personal belongings and a notebook that would point to the communist rebels who were possibly harboring meters away from the area.
“Atong mga ebidensya nga nakuha nagsulti nga membro sa NPA ang mismo ni-ambush,” Police Regional Office (PRO)-Northern Mindanao spokesperson Mardy Hortillosa said. (The evidence pointed out the members of the NPA as the culprits of the ambush.)
Corporal Rowel Sumaylo was killed while Captain Ramil Gighe, Corporal Jerwin Genilla and Senior Master Sergeant Giovannie Malinab were wounded but are now safe and recuperating in the hospital.
A convoy composed of around nine members of the Provincial Mobile Forces Company (PMFC) of Bukidnon was carrying Brigadier General Joselito Salido, the deputy director of the PNP Directorate for Integrated Police Operation (DIPO) in Eastern Mindanao, who was set to conduct inspection of provincial mobile forces in the region.
Salido was safe and unhurt.
Hortillosa said the ambush was not planned but a quick and “treacherous” move of the Maoist guerillas.
“Dili to planado, naka chance lang gyud sila paglabay sa convoy. It’s an isolated case,” Hortillosa said. (The ambush is unplanned, they just encountered the convoy by chance. It’s an isolated case.)
He said the police escorts encountered around 20 rebels who fled immediately after the troop returned fire.
Hortillosa also admitted some minor lapses as the team was not supposed to pass the Dominorog-Tikalaan road.
“Supposed to be dili gyud didto moagi. Wala nakalatag didto ang security pero gumikan kay dunay decision sa mga commander nga dili pud mapugngan,”Hortillosa said. (Supposed to be, the convoy should not pass that road. That path wasn’t included in the security laid but because of the commanders’ decision, so they passed through that path inevitably.)
Hortillosa also said PNP Chief Archie Gamboa is scheduled to visit the slain and wounded PNP personnel.
He said the victims will also be given financial assistance and medal.
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1842270
Karapatan asks: Free political prisoners
From the Manila Standard (Jan 30, 2020): Karapatan asks: Free political prisoners (By Willie Casas)
Karapatan Alliance Philippines Inc. started a petition to President Rodrigo Duterte urgently calling on the government to immediately release all political prisoners on just and humanitarian grounds, through general, unconditional and omnibus amnesty.
As of December 2019, there are 610 political prisoners suffering injustice in jails throughout the Philippines, including 13 consultants and staff involved in the peace process between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.
Among them are 104 who are suffering physical ailments; 92 are women, and 48 elderly. At least 363 were arrested under this administration.
Some have been detained for 10 years or more, he said.
These political prisoners experience further suffering due to the periodic denial of visitation along with the harassment and abuse, including mandatory strip searches inflicted on their families and loved ones.
The release of political prisoners is a matter of justice, he said.
Political prisoners have been arrested, detained, and imprisoned for engaging in acts in furtherance of their political beliefs. While some political prisoners are charged with political offenses such as rebellion and sedition, majority of them are facing trumped-up charges of non-bailable, common crimes based on planted evidence and falsified testimony.
Even those who face political charges are also charged with common crimes.
These trumped-up charges are used to justify their illegal arrest and detention, hide the political reasons of their imprisonment as well as to stigmatize and demonize them as common criminals.
“With President Duterte’s bold pronouncement that he desires the resumption of peace talks with the NDFP, he needs to match his talk with action by undertaking confidence-building measures. Foremost of these is the release of political prisoners, most especially the sick and elderly for humanitarian reasons, and the peace consultants and staff who have played and will continue to play pivotal roles in the peace negotiations,” said Karapatan in a statement.
Karapatan said the Duterte government must also stop the political persecution of critics and dissenters using illegal and unjust practices such as the filing of trumped-up charges, red-tagging, surveillance, and harassment, especially as part of its counterinsurgency operations under the auspices of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
“It is within President Duterte’s power to rectify such historic injustices and to bring relief and remedy to political prisoners and their families. Whether through an amnesty proclamation, pardon, or through the most expedient measure of humanitarian release, President Duterte has the power to free all political prisoners,” said Karapatan.
“President Duterte promised to end armed conflict and to resume the GRP-NDFP peace talks. We believe that to achieve a just peace, the GRP must address the legitimate demands of our people that underlie the armed conflict—as reflected in the proposed Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER)—rather than rely on militarist policies and solutions,” they said.
The release of political prisoners on just and humanitarian grounds is a critical gesture of goodwill and fosters confidence for the hard work and diligent efforts needed in the peace talks, they said.
In addition, such releases are in consonance and compliance with the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL), a hallmark agreement already signed by the two Parties.
“As peace advocates, we join the people’s clamor for the resumption of the GRP-NDFP peace talks to arrive at a just and lasting peace in the country. As human rights advocates, we reiterate the call for President Duterte to release all political prisoners without further delay,” the group said.
https://manilastandard.net/news/national/316152/karapatan-asks-free-political-prisoners.html
Karapatan Alliance Philippines Inc. started a petition to President Rodrigo Duterte urgently calling on the government to immediately release all political prisoners on just and humanitarian grounds, through general, unconditional and omnibus amnesty.
As of December 2019, there are 610 political prisoners suffering injustice in jails throughout the Philippines, including 13 consultants and staff involved in the peace process between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.
Among them are 104 who are suffering physical ailments; 92 are women, and 48 elderly. At least 363 were arrested under this administration.
Some have been detained for 10 years or more, he said.
These political prisoners experience further suffering due to the periodic denial of visitation along with the harassment and abuse, including mandatory strip searches inflicted on their families and loved ones.
The release of political prisoners is a matter of justice, he said.
Political prisoners have been arrested, detained, and imprisoned for engaging in acts in furtherance of their political beliefs. While some political prisoners are charged with political offenses such as rebellion and sedition, majority of them are facing trumped-up charges of non-bailable, common crimes based on planted evidence and falsified testimony.
Even those who face political charges are also charged with common crimes.
These trumped-up charges are used to justify their illegal arrest and detention, hide the political reasons of their imprisonment as well as to stigmatize and demonize them as common criminals.
“With President Duterte’s bold pronouncement that he desires the resumption of peace talks with the NDFP, he needs to match his talk with action by undertaking confidence-building measures. Foremost of these is the release of political prisoners, most especially the sick and elderly for humanitarian reasons, and the peace consultants and staff who have played and will continue to play pivotal roles in the peace negotiations,” said Karapatan in a statement.
Karapatan said the Duterte government must also stop the political persecution of critics and dissenters using illegal and unjust practices such as the filing of trumped-up charges, red-tagging, surveillance, and harassment, especially as part of its counterinsurgency operations under the auspices of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
“It is within President Duterte’s power to rectify such historic injustices and to bring relief and remedy to political prisoners and their families. Whether through an amnesty proclamation, pardon, or through the most expedient measure of humanitarian release, President Duterte has the power to free all political prisoners,” said Karapatan.
“President Duterte promised to end armed conflict and to resume the GRP-NDFP peace talks. We believe that to achieve a just peace, the GRP must address the legitimate demands of our people that underlie the armed conflict—as reflected in the proposed Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER)—rather than rely on militarist policies and solutions,” they said.
The release of political prisoners on just and humanitarian grounds is a critical gesture of goodwill and fosters confidence for the hard work and diligent efforts needed in the peace talks, they said.
In addition, such releases are in consonance and compliance with the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL), a hallmark agreement already signed by the two Parties.
“As peace advocates, we join the people’s clamor for the resumption of the GRP-NDFP peace talks to arrive at a just and lasting peace in the country. As human rights advocates, we reiterate the call for President Duterte to release all political prisoners without further delay,” the group said.
https://manilastandard.net/news/national/316152/karapatan-asks-free-political-prisoners.html
NDF/Sison: On the Duterte legacy
Jose Maria Sison propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Philippines (NDFP or NDF) Website (Feb 1, 2020): On the Duterte legacy
By Jose Maria Sison
NDFP Chief Political Consultant
February 1, 2020
By his own policies and actions, Duterte has defined his legacy. It is a malignant one characterized by treason, tyranny, butchery, corruption and deception.
1. Treason and Double Puppetry
Contrary to his lie that he has an independent foreign policy, he is a steadfast puppet of US imperialism subject to US direction and logistical requirements and surrounded by pro-US military stooges in his so-called security cluster. He has maintained all unequal treaties, agreements and arrangements that make the US the most dominant imperialist power in the Philippines economically, politically and militarily.
But what endears him most to US imperialism (especially its so-called deep state) is his pledge to destroy the revolutionary movement of the Filipino people in the name of anti-communism through state terrorism and to remove through charter change the national restrictions in the 1987 Constitution on foreign ownership of land, natural resources and all businesses.
As the chief representative of the Philippine oligarchy of big comprador-landlords and corrupt bureaucrats, he benefits materially and politically from his role as a marionette and is mindful of the capability of the US to remove him from power. But so far the US has allowed him to rule the people mainly because of his pledge to destroy the revolutionary movement even as the US displays a certain measure of concern over the extrajudicial killings in the so-called war on illegal drugs.
However, on his own initiative and for the benefit of his dynasty and his cronies, Duterte has vocally and practically waived the sovereign rights of the Filipino people over the West Philippine Sea and the marine and mineral resources in the exclusive economic zone and extended continental shelf of the Philippines. He has allowed China to build and militarize artificial islands in the West Philippine Sea.
Duterte and his cronies get commissions and subcontracts from China in the exploitation of natural resources in the entire Philippine archipelago and from high interest Chinese loans and overpriced infrastructure projects. The involvement of close relatives and cronies of Duterte in the smuggling of illegal drugs and other commodities from China has been exposed. Duterte has engaged in the mass murder of suspected drug users and pushers in urban poor communities but he has protected the drug lords that pay obeisance to him.
2. Tyranny and Human Rights Violations
The Philippines is under the tyrannical rule of Duterte. Under various pretexts, such as a bogus war on illegal drugs and anti-communist campaigns of suppression, he has unleashed a wide range of human rights violations in order to terrorize the people and intimidate his political opponents. There is now a de facto fascist dictatorship of Duterte which may or may not be formalized by the transitory or regular provisions of a new constitution.
He has made presidential issuances (proclamations, executive orders and memorandum orders) that allow him and his armed minions to engage in campaigns of state terrorism against his critics and political opponents. Since becoming president, he has always waged an all-out war against the Filipino people and their revolutionary forces. He has issued Proclamation No. 55 to declare a state of national emergency over the entire Philippines since September 4, 2016. With or without proclaiming martial law, he can unleash acts of state terrorism against the people and his political opponents.
After pretending to be for peace negotiations with the revolutionary forces of the people, he has systematically prevented peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines by issuing Proclamation No. 360 to terminate said peace negotiations), Proclamation No. 374 to designate the CPP and NPA as terrorists and Executive Order No. 70 to militarize and make fascist the reactionary government and society in the name of anti-communism under the National Task Force-ELCAC.
Duterte’s aversion to peace negotiations and demonization of the revolutionary forces are calculated to give him and his armed minions the license to engage in acts of state terrorism and human rights violations and to entrench his tyranny and realize a fascist dictatorship similar to that of Marcos whom he has glorified and emulated.
Duterte has ordered the mass murder of tens of thousands of poor drug suspects and the wanton destruction of lives and property in Marawi City in order to make himself appear as a strong man, to criminalize and corrupt his military and police and to spread a climate of fear among the people and his political opponents.
Subsequently, he has tried in vain to suppress the revolutionary movement by murdering suspected revolutionaries and legal social activists and bombing rural communities suspected of being loyal to the people’s democratic government. He has thus aided the plantation, logging and mining corporations to grab the land and natural resources from the indigenous people and poor peasants.
3. Plunder and Aggravation of Economic and Social Ills
Contrary to his claims of being against the oligarchy, Duterte is now the chief oligarch in the Philippines and has released the imprisoned plunderers allied to him. Among his fellow oligarchs, he is the one with the absolute political power to engage in absolute corruption. But he is bound by the semi-feudal character of the Philippine economy and the class character of its oligarchy which is big comprador-landlord and bureaucrat capitalist. He heads his own pack of upstart oligarchs enjoying political power and seeking to shake down the earlier oligarchs who are not allied to him.
By pursuing the neoliberal policy of unbridled greed, Duterte has perpetuated and aggravated the exploitation and oppression of the people by foreign monopoly capitalism, feudalism and bureaucrat capitalism. The foreign monopoly firms and the big comprador-landlords take the superprofits and make the toiling masses of workers and peasants and even the middle social strata suffer the pre-industrial underdevelopment, unemployment, low income, soaring costs of subsistence, inequality and widespread poverty.
The Philippine economy is now more than ever dependent on the importation of fuel, capital equipment and components for reassembly and fringe processing; and on highly exploitative foreign investments, loans and the export of raw materials and cheap English-speaking labor. Of the labor force of 45 million, 10 million of them stay unemployed in the Philippines and the deployment of another 10 to 12 million signifies the lack of employment for them in their own country.
Under the Duterte regime, the GDP shares of agriculture and industry as basic productive sectors have shrunk in relation to the rapid bloating of the service sector. While the toiling masses suffer decreasing incomes for their subsistence, the big comprador-landlords and high bureaucrats accumulate wealth and engage in conspicuous consumption. The twenty richest comprador-landlords are estimated to own more wealth than the poorest 62 million Filipinos.
The trade deficit keeps on widening and needs to be covered by bigger amounts of foreign loans. The budgetary deficit is also widening and the Duterte regime is compelled to increase revenues by imposing excise taxes on basic commodities at the expense of the toiling masses in accordance with neoliberal policy. Budgetary allocations for public education, health, disaster relief and other social services have been reduced but those for the pay and perks of high officials, for intelligence and discretionary funds and for military and police compensation, equipment and operations have greatly and rapidly increased.
The public debt has risen rapidly as result of accelerated profit and capital remittances by foreign corporations, importation of manufactures and even food staples, debt service payments, big comprador-landlord incomes, bureaucratic corruption and military expenditures. The neoliberals and fascists in the Duterte regime are bankrupting and wrecking the economy and their own reactionary government. And yet they claim in their propaganda that the communists and revolutionary movement of the people are responsible for the underdevelopment and poverty in the Philippines.
4. The Fascist Line and System of Deception
Duterte and his propagandists use the fascist line of glorifying the leader, making him appear as the faultless messiah despite his broken promises and failures, and at the same time demonizing all his critics and opponents and subjecting them to red-tagging, personal insults and slander, physical threats and actual physical attacks, especially murder by car-riding or motorcycle-riding assassins.
The glorification of Duterte and demonization of his critics and opponents are complementary in generating both mass admiration from the ill-informed and the climate of fear among those concerned with mere survival. But even some academics are so dumbfounded that they call Duterte euphemistically a “populist” rather than a demagogue or a ruffian as he very well exposes himself through his public behavior and vulgar statements.
Duterte uses an entire system of propaganda to glorify himself and put down his critics and opponents, He has a centralized propaganda agency that sets the line for all propaganda agencies of the civil bureaucracy and the military. He monopolizes the poll survey firms to produce soaring rates of satisfaction and trustworthiness.
He has in social media an army of paid influencers, trolls and bots several times bigger than the similar army of the Marcos family which supports him but specializes in revising Philippine history, worshipping the unlamented fascist dictator Marcos and damning his opponents. He has payola for radio and TV broadcasters either to support him or keep quiet about his crimes. He manages to have a major portion of the electronic and print media and threatens to take over those that are not under his complete control.
Most important of all, a corporation owned by his dummy has acquired the TIM, the local company counterpart of Smartmatic since 2018. This enabled Duterte to rig the mid-term elections in May 2019 in favor of his senatorial candidates and party list groups. With control of the Comelec and its electronic counting system, he can decide the results of any election or referendum.
Duterte won the presidential election of 2016 with a plurality vote of only 39 percent, with the help of his oligarchic allies in Luzon like the families of Marcos, Arroyo, Ramos, Estrada, Enrile and other plunderers of past regimes. Since then, he has been enjoying a fake popularity rating in the stratosphere despite his colossal crimes of treason, tyranny, mass murder and plunder. And now he practically owns the Comelec and its vote counting system for rigging the results of any election or referendum.
Unless he is overpowered by the sovereign people in unarmed mass uprisings as Marcos was overthrown in 1986, the traitor, tyrant, mass murderer and plunderer Duterte and a series of dynastic or fascist successors will continue to oppress and exploit the people. But then of course, the people are more than ever compelled to rely on their armed revolutionary movement as the more effective weapon for overthrowing not only Duterte and his successors but the entire semicolonial and semifeudal ruling system. ###
https://ndfp.org/on-the-duterte-legacy/
By Jose Maria Sison
NDFP Chief Political Consultant
February 1, 2020
By his own policies and actions, Duterte has defined his legacy. It is a malignant one characterized by treason, tyranny, butchery, corruption and deception.
1. Treason and Double Puppetry
Contrary to his lie that he has an independent foreign policy, he is a steadfast puppet of US imperialism subject to US direction and logistical requirements and surrounded by pro-US military stooges in his so-called security cluster. He has maintained all unequal treaties, agreements and arrangements that make the US the most dominant imperialist power in the Philippines economically, politically and militarily.
But what endears him most to US imperialism (especially its so-called deep state) is his pledge to destroy the revolutionary movement of the Filipino people in the name of anti-communism through state terrorism and to remove through charter change the national restrictions in the 1987 Constitution on foreign ownership of land, natural resources and all businesses.
As the chief representative of the Philippine oligarchy of big comprador-landlords and corrupt bureaucrats, he benefits materially and politically from his role as a marionette and is mindful of the capability of the US to remove him from power. But so far the US has allowed him to rule the people mainly because of his pledge to destroy the revolutionary movement even as the US displays a certain measure of concern over the extrajudicial killings in the so-called war on illegal drugs.
However, on his own initiative and for the benefit of his dynasty and his cronies, Duterte has vocally and practically waived the sovereign rights of the Filipino people over the West Philippine Sea and the marine and mineral resources in the exclusive economic zone and extended continental shelf of the Philippines. He has allowed China to build and militarize artificial islands in the West Philippine Sea.
Duterte and his cronies get commissions and subcontracts from China in the exploitation of natural resources in the entire Philippine archipelago and from high interest Chinese loans and overpriced infrastructure projects. The involvement of close relatives and cronies of Duterte in the smuggling of illegal drugs and other commodities from China has been exposed. Duterte has engaged in the mass murder of suspected drug users and pushers in urban poor communities but he has protected the drug lords that pay obeisance to him.
2. Tyranny and Human Rights Violations
The Philippines is under the tyrannical rule of Duterte. Under various pretexts, such as a bogus war on illegal drugs and anti-communist campaigns of suppression, he has unleashed a wide range of human rights violations in order to terrorize the people and intimidate his political opponents. There is now a de facto fascist dictatorship of Duterte which may or may not be formalized by the transitory or regular provisions of a new constitution.
He has made presidential issuances (proclamations, executive orders and memorandum orders) that allow him and his armed minions to engage in campaigns of state terrorism against his critics and political opponents. Since becoming president, he has always waged an all-out war against the Filipino people and their revolutionary forces. He has issued Proclamation No. 55 to declare a state of national emergency over the entire Philippines since September 4, 2016. With or without proclaiming martial law, he can unleash acts of state terrorism against the people and his political opponents.
After pretending to be for peace negotiations with the revolutionary forces of the people, he has systematically prevented peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines by issuing Proclamation No. 360 to terminate said peace negotiations), Proclamation No. 374 to designate the CPP and NPA as terrorists and Executive Order No. 70 to militarize and make fascist the reactionary government and society in the name of anti-communism under the National Task Force-ELCAC.
Duterte’s aversion to peace negotiations and demonization of the revolutionary forces are calculated to give him and his armed minions the license to engage in acts of state terrorism and human rights violations and to entrench his tyranny and realize a fascist dictatorship similar to that of Marcos whom he has glorified and emulated.
Duterte has ordered the mass murder of tens of thousands of poor drug suspects and the wanton destruction of lives and property in Marawi City in order to make himself appear as a strong man, to criminalize and corrupt his military and police and to spread a climate of fear among the people and his political opponents.
Subsequently, he has tried in vain to suppress the revolutionary movement by murdering suspected revolutionaries and legal social activists and bombing rural communities suspected of being loyal to the people’s democratic government. He has thus aided the plantation, logging and mining corporations to grab the land and natural resources from the indigenous people and poor peasants.
3. Plunder and Aggravation of Economic and Social Ills
Contrary to his claims of being against the oligarchy, Duterte is now the chief oligarch in the Philippines and has released the imprisoned plunderers allied to him. Among his fellow oligarchs, he is the one with the absolute political power to engage in absolute corruption. But he is bound by the semi-feudal character of the Philippine economy and the class character of its oligarchy which is big comprador-landlord and bureaucrat capitalist. He heads his own pack of upstart oligarchs enjoying political power and seeking to shake down the earlier oligarchs who are not allied to him.
By pursuing the neoliberal policy of unbridled greed, Duterte has perpetuated and aggravated the exploitation and oppression of the people by foreign monopoly capitalism, feudalism and bureaucrat capitalism. The foreign monopoly firms and the big comprador-landlords take the superprofits and make the toiling masses of workers and peasants and even the middle social strata suffer the pre-industrial underdevelopment, unemployment, low income, soaring costs of subsistence, inequality and widespread poverty.
The Philippine economy is now more than ever dependent on the importation of fuel, capital equipment and components for reassembly and fringe processing; and on highly exploitative foreign investments, loans and the export of raw materials and cheap English-speaking labor. Of the labor force of 45 million, 10 million of them stay unemployed in the Philippines and the deployment of another 10 to 12 million signifies the lack of employment for them in their own country.
Under the Duterte regime, the GDP shares of agriculture and industry as basic productive sectors have shrunk in relation to the rapid bloating of the service sector. While the toiling masses suffer decreasing incomes for their subsistence, the big comprador-landlords and high bureaucrats accumulate wealth and engage in conspicuous consumption. The twenty richest comprador-landlords are estimated to own more wealth than the poorest 62 million Filipinos.
The trade deficit keeps on widening and needs to be covered by bigger amounts of foreign loans. The budgetary deficit is also widening and the Duterte regime is compelled to increase revenues by imposing excise taxes on basic commodities at the expense of the toiling masses in accordance with neoliberal policy. Budgetary allocations for public education, health, disaster relief and other social services have been reduced but those for the pay and perks of high officials, for intelligence and discretionary funds and for military and police compensation, equipment and operations have greatly and rapidly increased.
The public debt has risen rapidly as result of accelerated profit and capital remittances by foreign corporations, importation of manufactures and even food staples, debt service payments, big comprador-landlord incomes, bureaucratic corruption and military expenditures. The neoliberals and fascists in the Duterte regime are bankrupting and wrecking the economy and their own reactionary government. And yet they claim in their propaganda that the communists and revolutionary movement of the people are responsible for the underdevelopment and poverty in the Philippines.
4. The Fascist Line and System of Deception
Duterte and his propagandists use the fascist line of glorifying the leader, making him appear as the faultless messiah despite his broken promises and failures, and at the same time demonizing all his critics and opponents and subjecting them to red-tagging, personal insults and slander, physical threats and actual physical attacks, especially murder by car-riding or motorcycle-riding assassins.
The glorification of Duterte and demonization of his critics and opponents are complementary in generating both mass admiration from the ill-informed and the climate of fear among those concerned with mere survival. But even some academics are so dumbfounded that they call Duterte euphemistically a “populist” rather than a demagogue or a ruffian as he very well exposes himself through his public behavior and vulgar statements.
Duterte uses an entire system of propaganda to glorify himself and put down his critics and opponents, He has a centralized propaganda agency that sets the line for all propaganda agencies of the civil bureaucracy and the military. He monopolizes the poll survey firms to produce soaring rates of satisfaction and trustworthiness.
He has in social media an army of paid influencers, trolls and bots several times bigger than the similar army of the Marcos family which supports him but specializes in revising Philippine history, worshipping the unlamented fascist dictator Marcos and damning his opponents. He has payola for radio and TV broadcasters either to support him or keep quiet about his crimes. He manages to have a major portion of the electronic and print media and threatens to take over those that are not under his complete control.
Most important of all, a corporation owned by his dummy has acquired the TIM, the local company counterpart of Smartmatic since 2018. This enabled Duterte to rig the mid-term elections in May 2019 in favor of his senatorial candidates and party list groups. With control of the Comelec and its electronic counting system, he can decide the results of any election or referendum.
Duterte won the presidential election of 2016 with a plurality vote of only 39 percent, with the help of his oligarchic allies in Luzon like the families of Marcos, Arroyo, Ramos, Estrada, Enrile and other plunderers of past regimes. Since then, he has been enjoying a fake popularity rating in the stratosphere despite his colossal crimes of treason, tyranny, mass murder and plunder. And now he practically owns the Comelec and its vote counting system for rigging the results of any election or referendum.
Unless he is overpowered by the sovereign people in unarmed mass uprisings as Marcos was overthrown in 1986, the traitor, tyrant, mass murderer and plunderer Duterte and a series of dynastic or fascist successors will continue to oppress and exploit the people. But then of course, the people are more than ever compelled to rely on their armed revolutionary movement as the more effective weapon for overthrowing not only Duterte and his successors but the entire semicolonial and semifeudal ruling system. ###
https://ndfp.org/on-the-duterte-legacy/
CPP: Scrap VFA for national sovereignty
CPP propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jan 31, 2020): Scrap VFA for national sovereignty
The Communist Party of the Philippines challenges GRP President Rodrigo Duterte to walk his talk and actualize the termination of the 1999 Visiting Forces Agreement. For decades, the Filipino people have demanded the abrogation of the VFA which has allowed for the trampling of Philippine sovereignty by US military forces, as well as numerous human rights violations including rape and murder.
However, the Filipino people are keenly aware of Duterte’s tirades against the US government while playing up China and Russia with the aim of being prized with economic and military aid. Now, Duterte traitorously dangles Philippine sovereignty as a bargaining chip for more US weapons and military funding to be used in his counterinsurgency and fake drug war. His recent histrionics are aimed at securing these funds currently being held off amid widespread condemnation of his regime’s gross human rights violations.
For many decades, US military forces have dominated the country through unequal pacts as the Mutual Defense Treaty, the VFA, the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement and Operation Pacific Eagle-Philippines. These have allowed the US military to exercise operational control over the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and maintain secret facilities and stockpile weapons within military camps which are off-limits even to the top brass of the AFP.
Duterte has for several times now, declared his intention to abrogate the EDCA or the VFA only to recant soon afterward. The Filipino people must vigorously push Rodrigo Duterte to finally scrap the VFA and other unequal military treaties. They must also call for the pullout of all foreign troops from Philippine territory. The Filipino people must express outrage at another Duterte backtrack.
https://cpp.ph/2020/01/31/scrap-vfa-for-national-sovereignty/
The Communist Party of the Philippines challenges GRP President Rodrigo Duterte to walk his talk and actualize the termination of the 1999 Visiting Forces Agreement. For decades, the Filipino people have demanded the abrogation of the VFA which has allowed for the trampling of Philippine sovereignty by US military forces, as well as numerous human rights violations including rape and murder.
However, the Filipino people are keenly aware of Duterte’s tirades against the US government while playing up China and Russia with the aim of being prized with economic and military aid. Now, Duterte traitorously dangles Philippine sovereignty as a bargaining chip for more US weapons and military funding to be used in his counterinsurgency and fake drug war. His recent histrionics are aimed at securing these funds currently being held off amid widespread condemnation of his regime’s gross human rights violations.
For many decades, US military forces have dominated the country through unequal pacts as the Mutual Defense Treaty, the VFA, the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement and Operation Pacific Eagle-Philippines. These have allowed the US military to exercise operational control over the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and maintain secret facilities and stockpile weapons within military camps which are off-limits even to the top brass of the AFP.
Duterte has for several times now, declared his intention to abrogate the EDCA or the VFA only to recant soon afterward. The Filipino people must vigorously push Rodrigo Duterte to finally scrap the VFA and other unequal military treaties. They must also call for the pullout of all foreign troops from Philippine territory. The Filipino people must express outrage at another Duterte backtrack.
https://cpp.ph/2020/01/31/scrap-vfa-for-national-sovereignty/
NPA extortionist killed in Mindoro clash
From Kalinaw News (Feb 1, 2020): NPA extortionist killed in Mindoro clash (By 2nd Infantry Division)
CAMP CAPINPIN, Tanay, Rizal — An NPA terrorist died after a 15-minute armed encounter against combined soldiers and police forces at Brgy Happy Valley of Oriental Mindoro’s Socorro town on Friday.
According to the military, the government forces were able to track and engage the NPA’s Main Regional Guerrilla Unit which was sent by the communists’ Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee to reinforce and avert the terrorists’ impending collapse in the island province.
Lt Col Mario Lito Retirva, Commanding Officer of 76IB which operates in the province, said that his troops “immediately responded after receiving information from disgruntled citizens about the presence of NPA extortionists in the area”.
He added that they were able to recover from the encounter site the body of a still unidentified terrorist, a Cal .45 pistol, numerous ammunition, magazines for various calibers of firearms, improvised explosive devices and voluminous enemy documents after the enemies-of-the-state were forced to retreat and escape the government forces’ overwhelming military might.
Brigadier General Antonio Lastimado, Commander of 203rd Brigade which has operational jurisdiction over MIMARO Provinces, said that “this successful military operation is among the many indicators that the NPA terrorists are no longer welcome in the region.”
According to him, the incident is the second encounter in a week that was recorded in the province, the first being in Bulalacao, wherein an NPA leader known as alias Sander was killed after a five-minute firefight.
BGen Lastimado ended his statement by assuring the public that his troops “are exerting our best to put an end to terroristic activities in Mindoro and that we will continue to be active partners of the LGUs and the people in attaining the aspirations of our Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict or PTF ELCAC.”
Major General Arnulfo Marcelo B Burgos Jr, Commander of the Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry (Jungle Fighter) Division, lauded his troops for being steadfast in accomplishing their mission as advocates of peace, servants of the people and defenders of Southern Tagalog.
“I am asking the few remaining NPA terrorists to lay down your arms, live peacefully with your families, avail grants of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-CLIP and be part of the solution to the problems that our country is facing,” said MGen Burgos.
He also expressed his sympathies and condolences to the family of the dead terrorist saying that “although we do not rejoice in seeing a fellow Filipino die, I hope that his unfortunate fate shall serve as a notice that the soldiers will never hesitate to use our full might and resources against any individual or group whose intentions are to harm our people, thwart progress and spoil the peace in our communities.”
Joint AFP-PNP checkpoints have been established in the area to support the ongoing pursuit operations against the fleeing NPA terrorists.
All available military assets have been placed on high alert.
CAMP CAPINPIN, Tanay, Rizal — An NPA terrorist died after a 15-minute armed encounter against combined soldiers and police forces at Brgy Happy Valley of Oriental Mindoro’s Socorro town on Friday.
According to the military, the government forces were able to track and engage the NPA’s Main Regional Guerrilla Unit which was sent by the communists’ Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee to reinforce and avert the terrorists’ impending collapse in the island province.
Lt Col Mario Lito Retirva, Commanding Officer of 76IB which operates in the province, said that his troops “immediately responded after receiving information from disgruntled citizens about the presence of NPA extortionists in the area”.
He added that they were able to recover from the encounter site the body of a still unidentified terrorist, a Cal .45 pistol, numerous ammunition, magazines for various calibers of firearms, improvised explosive devices and voluminous enemy documents after the enemies-of-the-state were forced to retreat and escape the government forces’ overwhelming military might.
Brigadier General Antonio Lastimado, Commander of 203rd Brigade which has operational jurisdiction over MIMARO Provinces, said that “this successful military operation is among the many indicators that the NPA terrorists are no longer welcome in the region.”
According to him, the incident is the second encounter in a week that was recorded in the province, the first being in Bulalacao, wherein an NPA leader known as alias Sander was killed after a five-minute firefight.
BGen Lastimado ended his statement by assuring the public that his troops “are exerting our best to put an end to terroristic activities in Mindoro and that we will continue to be active partners of the LGUs and the people in attaining the aspirations of our Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict or PTF ELCAC.”
Major General Arnulfo Marcelo B Burgos Jr, Commander of the Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry (Jungle Fighter) Division, lauded his troops for being steadfast in accomplishing their mission as advocates of peace, servants of the people and defenders of Southern Tagalog.
“I am asking the few remaining NPA terrorists to lay down your arms, live peacefully with your families, avail grants of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-CLIP and be part of the solution to the problems that our country is facing,” said MGen Burgos.
He also expressed his sympathies and condolences to the family of the dead terrorist saying that “although we do not rejoice in seeing a fellow Filipino die, I hope that his unfortunate fate shall serve as a notice that the soldiers will never hesitate to use our full might and resources against any individual or group whose intentions are to harm our people, thwart progress and spoil the peace in our communities.”
Joint AFP-PNP checkpoints have been established in the area to support the ongoing pursuit operations against the fleeing NPA terrorists.
All available military assets have been placed on high alert.
AFP-PNP joint peace and security meeting held in Cotabato
From Kalinaw News (Jan 31, 2020): AFP-PNP joint peace and security meeting held in Cotabato (By Western Mindanao Command)
Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City- January 31, 2020
The Regional Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Council of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region held its first meeting for calendar year 2020 at the Alnor Convention Center, Alnor Mall, Cotabato City at 9am of January 31, 2020.
The meeting was presided by Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Western Mindanao Command, and was attended by Attorney Naguib Sinarimbo of the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) BARMM; Police Brig. Gen. Joselito Vera Cruz, the acting Director for Integrated Police Operations (TADIPO) Western Mindanao; and the top AFP and PNP officers from the different units/joint task forces in the BAR.
Presented during the meeting are the operational updates on the different campaigns launched by the AFP and PNP in the area. Also tackled are the best practices that the RJPSCC adopted which resulted in significant accomplishments.
“In 2019, there were a lot of accomplishments jointly achieved by the PNP and the Armed Forces, so let us sustain our efforts,” said Lt. Gen. Sobejana.
“All these successes can be attributed to our very good convergence, very good coordination, and the synchronization of efforts,” he added.
“I understand that our level of understanding on the dynamics of conflict and peace is exceptional, so having that understanding there is no doubt that we are able to come up with our very comprehensive security template,” Lt. Gen. Sobejana continued.
Lt. Gen. Sobejana urged the security officials to support the Bangsamoro Organic Law and the Bangsamoro government in all of its endeavors.
“I would like to congratulate each and every one for the job well done and I am looking forward that we will achieved more successes as we continue our journey in bringing lasting peace and progress in this region,” Lt. Gen. Sobejana concluded.
Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City- January 31, 2020
The Regional Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Council of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region held its first meeting for calendar year 2020 at the Alnor Convention Center, Alnor Mall, Cotabato City at 9am of January 31, 2020.
The meeting was presided by Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Western Mindanao Command, and was attended by Attorney Naguib Sinarimbo of the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) BARMM; Police Brig. Gen. Joselito Vera Cruz, the acting Director for Integrated Police Operations (TADIPO) Western Mindanao; and the top AFP and PNP officers from the different units/joint task forces in the BAR.
Presented during the meeting are the operational updates on the different campaigns launched by the AFP and PNP in the area. Also tackled are the best practices that the RJPSCC adopted which resulted in significant accomplishments.
“In 2019, there were a lot of accomplishments jointly achieved by the PNP and the Armed Forces, so let us sustain our efforts,” said Lt. Gen. Sobejana.
“All these successes can be attributed to our very good convergence, very good coordination, and the synchronization of efforts,” he added.
“I understand that our level of understanding on the dynamics of conflict and peace is exceptional, so having that understanding there is no doubt that we are able to come up with our very comprehensive security template,” Lt. Gen. Sobejana continued.
Lt. Gen. Sobejana urged the security officials to support the Bangsamoro Organic Law and the Bangsamoro government in all of its endeavors.
“I would like to congratulate each and every one for the job well done and I am looking forward that we will achieved more successes as we continue our journey in bringing lasting peace and progress in this region,” Lt. Gen. Sobejana concluded.
Philippine Fleet commander Giovanni Carlo Bacordo is new Navy chief
From Rappler (Jan 31, 2020): Philippine Fleet commander Giovanni Carlo Bacordo is new Navy chief (By JC Gotinga)
A magna cum laude of his Philippine Military Academy class, Bacordo will replace Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad as the Navy's Flag Officer-in-Command on February 3, 2020
NEW NAVY CHIEF. Philippine Fleet commander Rear Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo will take over the Philippine Navy as its Flag Officer-in-Command on February 3, 2020. Photo from the Philippine Fleet
A magna cum laude of his Philippine Military Academy class, Bacordo will replace Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad as the Navy's Flag Officer-in-Command on February 3, 2020
NEW NAVY CHIEF. Philippine Fleet commander Rear Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo will take over the Philippine Navy as its Flag Officer-in-Command on February 3, 2020. Photo from the Philippine Fleet
The commander of the Philippine Fleet, Rear Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo, has been appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as the new chief or Flag Officer-in-Command of the Philippine Navy, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana confirmed to reporters on Friday, January 31.
Bacordo will replace Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad in a change-of-command ceremony at the Navy headquarters in Manila on Monday, February 3, when Empedrad reaches the military's mandatory age of retirement of 56.
A native of La Paz, Iloilo, Bacordo graduated magna cum laude as a member of the Philippine Military Academy Hinirang Class of 1987.
As Philippine Fleet commander, Bacordo was in charge of the Navy's assets and sailors. The Philippine Fleet is one of the Navy's two branches, the other being the Philippine Marine Corps.
Before his appointment as Philippine Fleet commander in April 2019, Bacordo led the following units:
Naval Sea System Command
Naval Forces Southern Luzon
Joint Task Force Kingfisher (Southern Luzon Command)
Naval Task Force ZAMBASULTA
Naval Task Force 61 (Western Mindanao Command)
Naval Task Force 41 (Western Command)
Bacordo also served as Naval Staff for Operations, N3, from 2013 to 2014, during which he planned and oversaw the Navy's operations in the Sabah crisis; encounters with Chinese vessels in Ayungin and Panatag shoals in the West Philippine Sea; the deadly sinking of the passenger ferry MV St Thomas Aquinas; the siege of Zamboanga City by Moro rebels; the earthquake in Bohol; and Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).
In 2006, as the first director of the Center for Naval Leadership and Excellence, Bacordo led the drafting of the Navy's Strategic Sail Plan 2020.
As the new Navy chief, Bacordo will lead the drafting of a new sail plan as the Navy sets about acquiring new warships and other assets as part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP) Modernization Program.
The Navy will be the focus of the AFP's upgrades in the next several years, as the Philippines faces the challenge of securing its maritime borders from extremists entering through Sulu Sea in the south, and Chinese vessels occupying the West Philippine Sea.
The Department of National Defense (DND) welcomed Bacordo's appointment.
"We are confident that Rear Admiral Bacordo's extensive experience, impeccable service record, and proven expertise will propel our navy forward as it continues to modernize, improve its capabilities, and face maritime security challenges of our country," the DND said in a statement on Friday.
https://www.rappler.com/nation/250705-giovanni-carlo-bacordo-new-navy-chief-january-2020
Bacordo will replace Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad in a change-of-command ceremony at the Navy headquarters in Manila on Monday, February 3, when Empedrad reaches the military's mandatory age of retirement of 56.
A native of La Paz, Iloilo, Bacordo graduated magna cum laude as a member of the Philippine Military Academy Hinirang Class of 1987.
As Philippine Fleet commander, Bacordo was in charge of the Navy's assets and sailors. The Philippine Fleet is one of the Navy's two branches, the other being the Philippine Marine Corps.
Before his appointment as Philippine Fleet commander in April 2019, Bacordo led the following units:
Naval Sea System Command
Naval Forces Southern Luzon
Joint Task Force Kingfisher (Southern Luzon Command)
Naval Task Force ZAMBASULTA
Naval Task Force 61 (Western Mindanao Command)
Naval Task Force 41 (Western Command)
Bacordo also served as Naval Staff for Operations, N3, from 2013 to 2014, during which he planned and oversaw the Navy's operations in the Sabah crisis; encounters with Chinese vessels in Ayungin and Panatag shoals in the West Philippine Sea; the deadly sinking of the passenger ferry MV St Thomas Aquinas; the siege of Zamboanga City by Moro rebels; the earthquake in Bohol; and Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).
In 2006, as the first director of the Center for Naval Leadership and Excellence, Bacordo led the drafting of the Navy's Strategic Sail Plan 2020.
As the new Navy chief, Bacordo will lead the drafting of a new sail plan as the Navy sets about acquiring new warships and other assets as part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP) Modernization Program.
The Navy will be the focus of the AFP's upgrades in the next several years, as the Philippines faces the challenge of securing its maritime borders from extremists entering through Sulu Sea in the south, and Chinese vessels occupying the West Philippine Sea.
The Department of National Defense (DND) welcomed Bacordo's appointment.
"We are confident that Rear Admiral Bacordo's extensive experience, impeccable service record, and proven expertise will propel our navy forward as it continues to modernize, improve its capabilities, and face maritime security challenges of our country," the DND said in a statement on Friday.
https://www.rappler.com/nation/250705-giovanni-carlo-bacordo-new-navy-chief-january-2020
Rebel nabbed
From the Mindanao Times (Jan 31, 2020): Rebel nabbed (BY RHODA GRACE SARON)
A rebel, said to have multiple criminal charges, was arrested in Mabini, Davao de Oro on Sunday.
2nd Lt. Kim Carlos, the civil-military operation officer of the 71st Infantry Battalion, identified the suspect as Gary Dumaungan alias Sales, 48, a member of the Milisya ng Bayan under Guerilla Front 2 (GF2) of the New People’s Army (NPA).
Carlos said Dumaungan is facing charges for murder, illegal possession of firearm and illegal possession of explosive, all pending before the Regional Trial Court in Davao de Oro.
The team led by Lt. Col. Sonny Gonzales, the 71st IB commander, launched an intensified focused military operation in the hinterlands of Sitio Mascareg in Anitapan that led to the apprehension of the suspect.
Dumaungan did not resisted arrest.
Operatives seized from position the possession of the suspect a .45 caliber pistol, bearing serial number 614423 with two magazines and 10 live bullets.
Dumaungan was turned over to the Laak Municipal Station in Davao de Oro.
A rebel, said to have multiple criminal charges, was arrested in Mabini, Davao de Oro on Sunday.
2nd Lt. Kim Carlos, the civil-military operation officer of the 71st Infantry Battalion, identified the suspect as Gary Dumaungan alias Sales, 48, a member of the Milisya ng Bayan under Guerilla Front 2 (GF2) of the New People’s Army (NPA).
Carlos said Dumaungan is facing charges for murder, illegal possession of firearm and illegal possession of explosive, all pending before the Regional Trial Court in Davao de Oro.
The team led by Lt. Col. Sonny Gonzales, the 71st IB commander, launched an intensified focused military operation in the hinterlands of Sitio Mascareg in Anitapan that led to the apprehension of the suspect.
Dumaungan did not resisted arrest.
Operatives seized from position the possession of the suspect a .45 caliber pistol, bearing serial number 614423 with two magazines and 10 live bullets.
Dumaungan was turned over to the Laak Municipal Station in Davao de Oro.
Malaysian terrorists, Abu Sayyaf tagged in Sabah kidnappings
From the Mindanao Examiner (Jan 31, 2020): Malaysian terrorists, Abu Sayyaf tagged in Sabah kidnappings
MALAYSIAN TERRORISTS have joined forces with the pro-ISIS group Abu Sayyaf and are believed to be involved in the spate of ransom kidnappings off Sabah near the Philippine border of Tawi-Tawi province.
Sabah Deputy Home Minister Azis Jamman has confirmed the reports and said members of a Malaysian terror group are in cahoots with the Abu Sayyaf, according to Free Malaysia Today.
Jamman said police had first established this in 2018 after the capture of 7 Abu Sayyaf fighters and a Malaysian national in separate areas in Putrajaya City, south of Kuala Lumpur, and in Tenom, Ranau and Kinarut in Sabah.
“The authorities are aware of this link after these suspects were detained. The police had then issued a statement that the terrorists were in contact with their partners who are active in Sabah,” he told Free Malaysia Today.
Late last month, Filipino troops killed 5 Abu Sayyaf militants in separate clashes in Tawi-Tawi and Sulu where security operations against the pro-ISIS group continue.
Officials said four gunmen were killed in the fighting that also injured a soldier in the village of Lakit-Lakit in Tawi-Tawi’s Sapa-Sapa town after Marine soldiers tracked down the gang. The slain militants were linked by the military to ransom kidnappings off Sabah and Indonesia and had been in the list of notorious drug dealers.
“The group is also known as conduits of Sulu-based Abu Sayyaf group conducting kidnapping operations in the tri-boundary of Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. The neutralized enemies are notorious drug personalities positively identified by the local government of Sapa-Sapa,” said Brig. Gen. Camilo Balutan, commander of the anti-terror Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi.
He said troops from the Marine Battalion Landing Team 6 and 64th Marine Company clashed with about 10 gunmen. The others managed to escape during the fighting that killed Oyong Maulana, Datu Solon Maulana, Rashida Maulana, and Nhadz Omar.
MALAYSIAN TERRORISTS have joined forces with the pro-ISIS group Abu Sayyaf and are believed to be involved in the spate of ransom kidnappings off Sabah near the Philippine border of Tawi-Tawi province.
Sabah Deputy Home Minister Azis Jamman has confirmed the reports and said members of a Malaysian terror group are in cahoots with the Abu Sayyaf, according to Free Malaysia Today.
Jamman said police had first established this in 2018 after the capture of 7 Abu Sayyaf fighters and a Malaysian national in separate areas in Putrajaya City, south of Kuala Lumpur, and in Tenom, Ranau and Kinarut in Sabah.
“The authorities are aware of this link after these suspects were detained. The police had then issued a statement that the terrorists were in contact with their partners who are active in Sabah,” he told Free Malaysia Today.
Malaysian policemen arresting a suspected terrorist in 2018. Locals are believed to be working with Abu Sayyaf terrorists in abducting people from Sabah to demand ransom. (Photo by Bernama)
The report said Bukit Aman Special Branch’s counter-terrorism division had arrested eight men between in November 2018. The first to be captured was a 38-year-old man in Putrajaya, who was accused of channelling funds to Malaysian Islamic State militant Akel Zainal in Syria.
The second round of arrests involved 3 Abu Sayyaf members and a 60-year-old trader who harbored a wanted militant four days earlier. All the suspects are now being held under the Security Offences Special Measures Act 2012.
“We are now monitoring them and our intelligence units have also redoubled their efforts to identify others still operating in Sabah,” Jamman said.
Just recently, Abu Sayyaf militants kidnapped 5 Indonesian fishermen off Tambisan Island near Sabah’s Lahad Datu town and were believed taken to Sulu, one of 5 provinces under the restive Muslim autonomous region in southern Philippines.
The fishermen have been identified as skipper Arsyad Abdullah, and crew members 41; La Baa, 32; Riswanto Hayano, 27; Edi Lawalopo, 53; and Syarizal Kastamiran, 29, - all based in Sandakan. They were snatched from the same area where the Abu Sayyaf captured 3 Indonesian fishermen in September last year and brought to Sulu. The trio - Muhammad Farhan, 27, Samiun Maneu, 26, and Maharudin Lunani, 26, were all rescued separately by Filipino troops in Sulu.
Jakarta accused Malaysian authorities of failing to protect its citizens in Sabah. “We truly regret that this sort of incident keeps repeating. It seems to have been caused by ineffective coordination among Malaysian authorities, among other things,” Deputy Foreign Minister Mahendra Siregar was reported as saying by The Jakarta Post.
Anti-Sayyaf ops
The report said Bukit Aman Special Branch’s counter-terrorism division had arrested eight men between in November 2018. The first to be captured was a 38-year-old man in Putrajaya, who was accused of channelling funds to Malaysian Islamic State militant Akel Zainal in Syria.
The second round of arrests involved 3 Abu Sayyaf members and a 60-year-old trader who harbored a wanted militant four days earlier. All the suspects are now being held under the Security Offences Special Measures Act 2012.
“We are now monitoring them and our intelligence units have also redoubled their efforts to identify others still operating in Sabah,” Jamman said.
Just recently, Abu Sayyaf militants kidnapped 5 Indonesian fishermen off Tambisan Island near Sabah’s Lahad Datu town and were believed taken to Sulu, one of 5 provinces under the restive Muslim autonomous region in southern Philippines.
The fishermen have been identified as skipper Arsyad Abdullah, and crew members 41; La Baa, 32; Riswanto Hayano, 27; Edi Lawalopo, 53; and Syarizal Kastamiran, 29, - all based in Sandakan. They were snatched from the same area where the Abu Sayyaf captured 3 Indonesian fishermen in September last year and brought to Sulu. The trio - Muhammad Farhan, 27, Samiun Maneu, 26, and Maharudin Lunani, 26, were all rescued separately by Filipino troops in Sulu.
Jakarta accused Malaysian authorities of failing to protect its citizens in Sabah. “We truly regret that this sort of incident keeps repeating. It seems to have been caused by ineffective coordination among Malaysian authorities, among other things,” Deputy Foreign Minister Mahendra Siregar was reported as saying by The Jakarta Post.
Anti-Sayyaf ops
Late last month, Filipino troops killed 5 Abu Sayyaf militants in separate clashes in Tawi-Tawi and Sulu where security operations against the pro-ISIS group continue.
Officials said four gunmen were killed in the fighting that also injured a soldier in the village of Lakit-Lakit in Tawi-Tawi’s Sapa-Sapa town after Marine soldiers tracked down the gang. The slain militants were linked by the military to ransom kidnappings off Sabah and Indonesia and had been in the list of notorious drug dealers.
“The group is also known as conduits of Sulu-based Abu Sayyaf group conducting kidnapping operations in the tri-boundary of Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. The neutralized enemies are notorious drug personalities positively identified by the local government of Sapa-Sapa,” said Brig. Gen. Camilo Balutan, commander of the anti-terror Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi.
He said troops from the Marine Battalion Landing Team 6 and 64th Marine Company clashed with about 10 gunmen. The others managed to escape during the fighting that killed Oyong Maulana, Datu Solon Maulana, Rashida Maulana, and Nhadz Omar.
Balutan said soldiers recovered two packets of suspected crystal meth and a rifle, including ammunition and two cell phones.
In neighboring Sulu, one Abu Sayyaf fighter was also killed after helicopter gunships pounded a terrorist hideout on Sulare Island off the town of Parang after civilians tipped off the military on the location of the militants.
Members of the US-trained elite Army Light Reaction Company and Naval Special Operations Group recovered the body of the gunman after the air assaults, according to Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr, commander of anti-terror Joint Task Force Sulu.
“Once again, the Abu Sayyaf group has no safe place here in Sulu now that Tausugs are working actively hand in hand in promoting peace in this area,” he said, adding, “this operation was successfully achieved in collaboration with the local government of Sulu.”
Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, lauded the soldiers for their “very remarkable accomplishments” in Tawi-Tawi and Sulu. He said the operations against the Abu Sayyaf continue in the South. “Our troops are in pursuit of the remaining members of the group who managed to escape. We are working round-the-clock to ensure the safety and security of the people in our area of operations,” Sobejana said. (Mindanao Examiner)
https://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2020/01/malaysian-terrorists-abu-sayyaf-tagged.html
In neighboring Sulu, one Abu Sayyaf fighter was also killed after helicopter gunships pounded a terrorist hideout on Sulare Island off the town of Parang after civilians tipped off the military on the location of the militants.
Members of the US-trained elite Army Light Reaction Company and Naval Special Operations Group recovered the body of the gunman after the air assaults, according to Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr, commander of anti-terror Joint Task Force Sulu.
“Once again, the Abu Sayyaf group has no safe place here in Sulu now that Tausugs are working actively hand in hand in promoting peace in this area,” he said, adding, “this operation was successfully achieved in collaboration with the local government of Sulu.”
Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, lauded the soldiers for their “very remarkable accomplishments” in Tawi-Tawi and Sulu. He said the operations against the Abu Sayyaf continue in the South. “Our troops are in pursuit of the remaining members of the group who managed to escape. We are working round-the-clock to ensure the safety and security of the people in our area of operations,” Sobejana said. (Mindanao Examiner)
https://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2020/01/malaysian-terrorists-abu-sayyaf-tagged.html
Army continues facilitating assistance to IP students in Bukidnon
From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 31, 2020): Army continues facilitating assistance to IP students in Bukidnon (By 8th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army)
IMPASUGONG, Bukidnon, Jan. 29 (PIA) -- Assistance to Indigenous Peoples (IP) students continues with the peacekeeping efforts of the 8th Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Division (8IB, 4ID), Philippine Army.
The 8IB troopers again facilitated the delivery and distribution of packs of rice, canned goods, and sanitary pads to 198 IP students of Luyungan IP High School in Malaybalay City on Wednesday, January 29.
Under Department of Education (DepEd) Order No. 62, IP Education (IPEd) Program recognizes the school as a beneficiary of various support projects from government and private organizations.
Having learned that the BukLOD (Bukidnon Lateral Organized for Development) has been helping the students of Luyungan IP High School, 8IB Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Ronald Illana coordinated smoothly with the group by proposing some ingenuity that could help the students sustain their daily healthy meal provision.
BukLOD is a group of business companies operating in Bukidnon province. A non-government organization (NGO) committed to help the students in said school thru its corporate social responsibility in order to contribute to the nation’s shared goals related to President Duterte’s Executive Order No. 70 (EO70).
Lt. Col. Ronald Illana looked into this situation and realized that intervention from this NGO is needed prompting him to tap the BUKLOD organization for more help.
Thus, in one of the meetings with 8IB, BukLOD committed through a Memorandum of Agreement to give monthly assistance to students.
It is the reason why the 8th IB army is collecting and transporting said aid—from its source to the IP school.
IMPASUGONG, Bukidnon, Jan. 29 (PIA) -- Assistance to Indigenous Peoples (IP) students continues with the peacekeeping efforts of the 8th Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Division (8IB, 4ID), Philippine Army.
The 8IB troopers again facilitated the delivery and distribution of packs of rice, canned goods, and sanitary pads to 198 IP students of Luyungan IP High School in Malaybalay City on Wednesday, January 29.
Under Department of Education (DepEd) Order No. 62, IP Education (IPEd) Program recognizes the school as a beneficiary of various support projects from government and private organizations.
Having learned that the BukLOD (Bukidnon Lateral Organized for Development) has been helping the students of Luyungan IP High School, 8IB Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Ronald Illana coordinated smoothly with the group by proposing some ingenuity that could help the students sustain their daily healthy meal provision.
BukLOD is a group of business companies operating in Bukidnon province. A non-government organization (NGO) committed to help the students in said school thru its corporate social responsibility in order to contribute to the nation’s shared goals related to President Duterte’s Executive Order No. 70 (EO70).
Lt. Col. Ronald Illana looked into this situation and realized that intervention from this NGO is needed prompting him to tap the BUKLOD organization for more help.
Thus, in one of the meetings with 8IB, BukLOD committed through a Memorandum of Agreement to give monthly assistance to students.
It is the reason why the 8th IB army is collecting and transporting said aid—from its source to the IP school.
8th Infantry Battalion troopers prepare planting materials and all other pieces of stuff to be used in planting abaca seedlings in tLuyungan IP High School in Malaybalay City. (8IB,PA)
It was further proposed that the BUKLOD family would help students to have their own farm of Abaca, Dragon Fruit, and Adlai grains inside the campus for sustenance.
Taking in the proposal to be realized, the 8IB has prepared the planting materials and all other pieces of stuff to be used in planting abaca seedlings in the school campus this February.
With a thankful heart, school principal Edsel James Quemado commended the 8IB for their efforts and fortitude.
“The 8th IB army never ceased in helping this school. They evolved into a healthy helping organization. The students remained as strong as 198. There were no dropouts because they felt the love and support from other people. If aid did not come here, some students may have quitted school because almost all of them came from needy families of Bukidnon’s seven tribes,” Quemado said.
He said the students live inside the campus since classes started last year. They chanced to go home sometimes on weekend for food supplies and allowances, but in many cases, some of them could not come back to school on time due to scarcity.
“If we do not bring aid to these IP students, the CPP-NPA-NDF organizers may take up school infiltration using some issues to recruit more members. We believe that prevention is better than cure. So I’m urging all of us to act at once,” LtCol. Illana said.
With this condition, Luyungan IP High School—the sole IP High School in Southeast Asia located at Barangay Bangcud, Malaybalay City—is still open for those who want to extend some help to 198 IP students and let them pursue their dreams, he added. (8IB, PA/PIA Bukidnon)
It was further proposed that the BUKLOD family would help students to have their own farm of Abaca, Dragon Fruit, and Adlai grains inside the campus for sustenance.
Taking in the proposal to be realized, the 8IB has prepared the planting materials and all other pieces of stuff to be used in planting abaca seedlings in the school campus this February.
With a thankful heart, school principal Edsel James Quemado commended the 8IB for their efforts and fortitude.
“The 8th IB army never ceased in helping this school. They evolved into a healthy helping organization. The students remained as strong as 198. There were no dropouts because they felt the love and support from other people. If aid did not come here, some students may have quitted school because almost all of them came from needy families of Bukidnon’s seven tribes,” Quemado said.
He said the students live inside the campus since classes started last year. They chanced to go home sometimes on weekend for food supplies and allowances, but in many cases, some of them could not come back to school on time due to scarcity.
“If we do not bring aid to these IP students, the CPP-NPA-NDF organizers may take up school infiltration using some issues to recruit more members. We believe that prevention is better than cure. So I’m urging all of us to act at once,” LtCol. Illana said.
With this condition, Luyungan IP High School—the sole IP High School in Southeast Asia located at Barangay Bangcud, Malaybalay City—is still open for those who want to extend some help to 198 IP students and let them pursue their dreams, he added. (8IB, PA/PIA Bukidnon)
Rebel returnees in NegOr start new life thru E-CLIP
From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 31, 2020): Rebel returnees in NegOr start new life thru E-CLIP (By Jennifer C. Tilos and Roi Anthoni Lomotan)
Four ex-NPA rebels in Negros Oriental were given financial assistance under the government’s E-CLIP led by Gov. Roel Degamo (4th from left) with Usec. Reynaldo Mapagu, chair of the Task Force Balik Loob of the Department of National Defense (DND) in a turnover ceremony held at the Provincial Convention Center, Dumaguete City on March 5, 2019. (File photo/JCT/PIA7-NegOr)
George (not his real name), was recruited at age 15 by members of the Communist New People’s Army in the hinterland town of Mabinay, Negros Oriental.
“Ang ingon nila namon, tagaan mig trabaho, may libreng pabalay, wala ra miy bayran (We were told that we would be employed and there would be free housing that we would not pay),” he says.
George was one of at least four former young rebels from the municipalities of Mabinay and Zamboanguita who surrendered to authorities last year after being heavily exploited by the communist group. The four surrenderees received financial assistance totaling to P78,000 each under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
Now 17, George along with his male comrades aged 21 and 24 years old including a young mother, 26, who has two kids share their ordeals during the time they lived in the mountains. The three male recruits confirmed they were each provided with M4 rifles and ordered to burn heavy equipment owned by a road contractor. They were also made to go house to house asking for rice.
The local government officials here recognized the former rebels’ decision to return to mainstream society and formally welcomed them back to mainstream society.
After coming back to the folds of the government, each of the four rebel returnees received P78,000 representing P15,000 cash and check of P50,000 livelihood aid plus an additional P10,000 as the personal support of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and P3,000 from the province's assistance to individuals in crisis situation (AICS).
Aside from this, the recipients were oriented on various socio-economic skills as part of their re-integration to the community. They also received poultry and livestock from the provincial government as livelihood assistance so they can start their lives anew.
Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office Officer in Charge Rosa Emilia Banquerigo, who leads a team with officers from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to monitor the status of the former rebels after they received the assistance, says the ex-rebels’ lives have have improved with the assistance given to them. The four former rebels used a portion of the assistance they received from the government to improve their homes.
They also chose to raise cattle as a new form of livelihood after each of them bought one carabao and one cow with the money given to them. Moreover, some of them also used a portion of the financial assistance they received to send their younger siblings to elementary and high school. But more importantly, the four rebel returnees now have a deeper appreciation of the government.
“Nag-expect man gyud sila na dili motagad (ang gobyerno) pero opposite diay. Matabangan pa gyud sila financially so happy na sila (They were expecting that the government does not look after the welfare of its citizens but they realized it was the opposite. They also learned that the government can provide financial assistance to them. They are happy),” Banquerigo shares.
“Among dakong pasalamat sa gobyerno pagtabang kanamo kay pigado gid mi ang amon pamilya mao na napugos mi pag kuyog sang grupo ng NPA (We are very grateful to the government for helping us. Our families are so poor that we’re forced to join the group of NPA),” says Job, 24 (not his real name).
According to Banquerigo, one of the E-CLIP beneficiaries who goes by the alias “Happy”, is now being processed for enrollment in the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). This will help Happy augment his income and send his children to school.
Former Commander of Central command of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Lt. Gen. Noel Clement says the former rebels were victims of the Communist Terrorist Groups’ (CTGs) "deceptive strategy. "Instead of being in school and taking care of their family, they were tricked to join the combat in the mountains," he says.
The governor has called on other NPA members to surrender to the authorities and take advantage of the government's programs. E-CLIP is one of the flagship programs of the Duterte administration that seeks to address social healing and national unity towards the higher objective of having just and lasting peace.
It aims to provide social equity to former members of the NPA, CPP, National Democratic Front of the Philippines, and the Militia ng Bayan to reintegrate them into mainstream society. (jct/ral/PIA NegOr)
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1033749
George (not his real name), was recruited at age 15 by members of the Communist New People’s Army in the hinterland town of Mabinay, Negros Oriental.
“Ang ingon nila namon, tagaan mig trabaho, may libreng pabalay, wala ra miy bayran (We were told that we would be employed and there would be free housing that we would not pay),” he says.
George was one of at least four former young rebels from the municipalities of Mabinay and Zamboanguita who surrendered to authorities last year after being heavily exploited by the communist group. The four surrenderees received financial assistance totaling to P78,000 each under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
Now 17, George along with his male comrades aged 21 and 24 years old including a young mother, 26, who has two kids share their ordeals during the time they lived in the mountains. The three male recruits confirmed they were each provided with M4 rifles and ordered to burn heavy equipment owned by a road contractor. They were also made to go house to house asking for rice.
The local government officials here recognized the former rebels’ decision to return to mainstream society and formally welcomed them back to mainstream society.
After coming back to the folds of the government, each of the four rebel returnees received P78,000 representing P15,000 cash and check of P50,000 livelihood aid plus an additional P10,000 as the personal support of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and P3,000 from the province's assistance to individuals in crisis situation (AICS).
Aside from this, the recipients were oriented on various socio-economic skills as part of their re-integration to the community. They also received poultry and livestock from the provincial government as livelihood assistance so they can start their lives anew.
Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office Officer in Charge Rosa Emilia Banquerigo, who leads a team with officers from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to monitor the status of the former rebels after they received the assistance, says the ex-rebels’ lives have have improved with the assistance given to them. The four former rebels used a portion of the assistance they received from the government to improve their homes.
They also chose to raise cattle as a new form of livelihood after each of them bought one carabao and one cow with the money given to them. Moreover, some of them also used a portion of the financial assistance they received to send their younger siblings to elementary and high school. But more importantly, the four rebel returnees now have a deeper appreciation of the government.
“Nag-expect man gyud sila na dili motagad (ang gobyerno) pero opposite diay. Matabangan pa gyud sila financially so happy na sila (They were expecting that the government does not look after the welfare of its citizens but they realized it was the opposite. They also learned that the government can provide financial assistance to them. They are happy),” Banquerigo shares.
“Among dakong pasalamat sa gobyerno pagtabang kanamo kay pigado gid mi ang amon pamilya mao na napugos mi pag kuyog sang grupo ng NPA (We are very grateful to the government for helping us. Our families are so poor that we’re forced to join the group of NPA),” says Job, 24 (not his real name).
According to Banquerigo, one of the E-CLIP beneficiaries who goes by the alias “Happy”, is now being processed for enrollment in the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). This will help Happy augment his income and send his children to school.
Former Commander of Central command of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Lt. Gen. Noel Clement says the former rebels were victims of the Communist Terrorist Groups’ (CTGs) "deceptive strategy. "Instead of being in school and taking care of their family, they were tricked to join the combat in the mountains," he says.
The governor has called on other NPA members to surrender to the authorities and take advantage of the government's programs. E-CLIP is one of the flagship programs of the Duterte administration that seeks to address social healing and national unity towards the higher objective of having just and lasting peace.
It aims to provide social equity to former members of the NPA, CPP, National Democratic Front of the Philippines, and the Militia ng Bayan to reintegrate them into mainstream society. (jct/ral/PIA NegOr)
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1033749
Army lauds Igbaras town for declaring NPA Persona Non Grata
From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 31, 2020): Army lauds Igbaras town for declaring NPA Persona Non Grata (By 61IB CMO-Philippine Army)
CAMP MONTECLARO, Miagao, Iloilo, Jan. 31 --The Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion lauded the bold action of Igbaras town in Iloilo against the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) Terrorist after passing a resolution declaring the group as persona-non-grata.
“Igbaras is the first town in the province of Iloilo this year that declares communist-terrorists as persona non- grata, said 61st IB Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Joel Benedict Batara.
CAMP MONTECLARO, Miagao, Iloilo, Jan. 31 --The Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion lauded the bold action of Igbaras town in Iloilo against the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) Terrorist after passing a resolution declaring the group as persona-non-grata.
“Igbaras is the first town in the province of Iloilo this year that declares communist-terrorists as persona non- grata, said 61st IB Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Joel Benedict Batara.
Batara also assured the local government of Igbaras of the Army’s support in its quest to end local communist armed conflict.
“I am also encouraging other LGUs in the province to take a bold step against this group now, and don’t let them enter your peaceful community,” he said.
The resolution was passed by Igbaras Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) led by mayor Jaime Esmeralda, January 30.
Members of the MPOC agreed to pass the said resolution in support to the Executive Order (EO) 70 that institutionalizes the whole-of-nation approach in ending local communist armed conflict.
Batara likewise encouraged the council to continue helping the government in its battle against insurgency.
“Let us start our 2020 right. The terrorists are no longer significant and we do not want our children and the children of our children to become the next victims of their selfish and bloody armed struggle. Let’s do our share in making them forever irrelevant,’’ he stressed. (JBG/1Lt. Hazel Joy Durotan)
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1033752
“I am also encouraging other LGUs in the province to take a bold step against this group now, and don’t let them enter your peaceful community,” he said.
The resolution was passed by Igbaras Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) led by mayor Jaime Esmeralda, January 30.
Members of the MPOC agreed to pass the said resolution in support to the Executive Order (EO) 70 that institutionalizes the whole-of-nation approach in ending local communist armed conflict.
Batara likewise encouraged the council to continue helping the government in its battle against insurgency.
“Let us start our 2020 right. The terrorists are no longer significant and we do not want our children and the children of our children to become the next victims of their selfish and bloody armed struggle. Let’s do our share in making them forever irrelevant,’’ he stressed. (JBG/1Lt. Hazel Joy Durotan)
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1033752
CTF-ELCAC launched in Surigao City village
From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 31, 2020): CTF-ELCAC launched in Surigao City village (By Susil D. Ragas)
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Jan. 31 (PIA) -- After the fall of Guerilla Front (GF) 16B due to the mass surrender of key leaders and supporters, the city government of Surigao launched the City Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (CTF-ELCAC) on January 22, 2020 at Sitio Brazil, Barangay Mat-i, this city.
Sitio Brazil was formerly known as the Communist New People's Army Terrorist (CNT) stronghold.
It can be recalled that GF16B, which is led by Pablo Alcansar Logatiman aka Lukas, a native of Sitio Tugunan, Mabini, Surigao City, celebrated the CPP anniversary in the said area on December 2016.
The relentless efforts of Team Surigao del Note led by the provincial government, municipal and barangay level local government units, regional line agencies, civil society organizations, 30th Infantry (Python) Battalion and the whole police force in the province led by the Provincial Police Office, key leaders of GF16B like Commander RD and Commander NO NAME, and their Political Officer alias Wella, surrendered last year.
Their surrender further led to the surrender of other NPA regulars as well as members of the underground mass organizations of GF16B.
To sustain these gains, Team Surigao del Norte further institutionalized its whole-of-nation convergence through the launching of the Task Force ELCAC of Surigao City at Sitio Brazil, Mat-i.
This simple but very symbolic event was led by City Mayor Ernesto "Estong" Matugas Jr, together with the Surigao City Council, Barangay Local Government of Mat-I, national line agencies, Surigao City Police Office, and the 30th IB.
The activity was highlighted with the ceremonial turn-over of livelihood assistance (Cattle Dispersal) to five beneficiaries, distribution of hygiene kits to 120 households from Surigao Metropolitan Water District-Prime Waters and distribution of seedlings.
After the launching program, a “Serbisyo Caravan” immediately commenced providing basic services to the residents.
Said services included dental and medical services, free haircut, supplemental feeding, distribution of slippers and "Lice Alis" packs to the pupils of Lope R. Ruiz Memorial Elementary School, vaccination and deworming, issuance of appointment schedules for the filing of NBI clearance, and the extension of free legal consultation/services.
In his message, Mayor Matugas expressed his utmost gratitude to the partner stakeholders who supported the CTF-ELCAC launching.
“Everyone desires for peace, let us support the EO 70 or Whole-of-Nation Approach of our beloved President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for his action to End Local Communist Armed Conflict in Surigao City,” Mayor Matugas said.
Meanwhile, 30IB Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Jeffrey A. Villarosa congratulated the Team Surigao City for bringing government services to Sitio Brazil, a Conflict-Affected Area (ConAA).
He said the Python Troopers will always be an active partner of Team Surigao City, Team Surigao del Norte, and the peace-loving residents of Sitio Brazil, the most important member of the team.
Villarosa enjoined the residents to be active participants towards their efforts to attain peace and development to their community and insulate their children, their families and their community from the deception and lies of the NPAs.
CTF-ELCAC was institutionalized during the joint City Development Council (CDC) and City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) meeting through the approved joint Resolution No.4, s. 2019 dated September 16, 2019. (30IB, Philippine Army/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1033506
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Jan. 31 (PIA) -- After the fall of Guerilla Front (GF) 16B due to the mass surrender of key leaders and supporters, the city government of Surigao launched the City Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (CTF-ELCAC) on January 22, 2020 at Sitio Brazil, Barangay Mat-i, this city.
Sitio Brazil was formerly known as the Communist New People's Army Terrorist (CNT) stronghold.
It can be recalled that GF16B, which is led by Pablo Alcansar Logatiman aka Lukas, a native of Sitio Tugunan, Mabini, Surigao City, celebrated the CPP anniversary in the said area on December 2016.
The relentless efforts of Team Surigao del Note led by the provincial government, municipal and barangay level local government units, regional line agencies, civil society organizations, 30th Infantry (Python) Battalion and the whole police force in the province led by the Provincial Police Office, key leaders of GF16B like Commander RD and Commander NO NAME, and their Political Officer alias Wella, surrendered last year.
Their surrender further led to the surrender of other NPA regulars as well as members of the underground mass organizations of GF16B.
To sustain these gains, Team Surigao del Norte further institutionalized its whole-of-nation convergence through the launching of the Task Force ELCAC of Surigao City at Sitio Brazil, Mat-i.
This simple but very symbolic event was led by City Mayor Ernesto "Estong" Matugas Jr, together with the Surigao City Council, Barangay Local Government of Mat-I, national line agencies, Surigao City Police Office, and the 30th IB.
The activity was highlighted with the ceremonial turn-over of livelihood assistance (Cattle Dispersal) to five beneficiaries, distribution of hygiene kits to 120 households from Surigao Metropolitan Water District-Prime Waters and distribution of seedlings.
After the launching program, a “Serbisyo Caravan” immediately commenced providing basic services to the residents.
Said services included dental and medical services, free haircut, supplemental feeding, distribution of slippers and "Lice Alis" packs to the pupils of Lope R. Ruiz Memorial Elementary School, vaccination and deworming, issuance of appointment schedules for the filing of NBI clearance, and the extension of free legal consultation/services.
In his message, Mayor Matugas expressed his utmost gratitude to the partner stakeholders who supported the CTF-ELCAC launching.
“Everyone desires for peace, let us support the EO 70 or Whole-of-Nation Approach of our beloved President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for his action to End Local Communist Armed Conflict in Surigao City,” Mayor Matugas said.
Meanwhile, 30IB Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Jeffrey A. Villarosa congratulated the Team Surigao City for bringing government services to Sitio Brazil, a Conflict-Affected Area (ConAA).
He said the Python Troopers will always be an active partner of Team Surigao City, Team Surigao del Norte, and the peace-loving residents of Sitio Brazil, the most important member of the team.
Villarosa enjoined the residents to be active participants towards their efforts to attain peace and development to their community and insulate their children, their families and their community from the deception and lies of the NPAs.
CTF-ELCAC was institutionalized during the joint City Development Council (CDC) and City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) meeting through the approved joint Resolution No.4, s. 2019 dated September 16, 2019. (30IB, Philippine Army/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1033506
Tagalog News: Dalawang rebelde patay sa engkwentro sa Malapatan, Sarangani
From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 31, 2020): Tagalog News: Dalawang rebelde patay sa engkwentro sa Malapatan, Sarangani (By Nirvana Alpha Vita G. Fruylan)
GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Enero 31 (PIA)-- Dalawang myembro ng New People’s Army (NPA) ang napatay sa isang sagupaan sa pagitan ng tropa ng 73rd Infantry Battalion at Guerilla Front Tala nitong Myerkules sa Barangay Kinam, Malapatan, Sarangani.
Ayon sa panayam ng Philippine Information Agency-SarGen kay Civil Military Operations (CMO) Officer, 1Lt Jessie Hinampas, nakatanggap umano ang Alpha Company ng batalyon sa pamumuno ni 1Lt. Orestes Fausto, na may nangyayaring “extortion” o pangingikil ng mga pagkain mula sa mga residente ng barangay.
Agad naman umanong umaksyon at pumunta sa lugar ang tropa ng militar at “nagkagulatan” sila ng may humigit-kumulang sampung myembro ng naturang rebeldeng grupo at nagkaroon nga ng mahigit isang oras na sagupaan.
Pinuri ni Lt. Col. Ronaldo Valdez, battalion commander ng 73rd IB ang agarang pagresponde ng kanyang mga tauhan at sa kanilang patuloy na hakbang upang masugpo ang terorismong mga gawain ng mga komunistang grupo sa naturang komunidad.
Ayon pa kay Valdez ang tagumpay ng kanilang mga operasyong pang military ay dahil sa pagpupursige ng Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict o (TF-ELCAC) na maisaayos ang kalagayan ng ordinaryong mga mamamayan sa mga munisipyo at probinsya.
Hinikayat naman ni Valdez ang mga mamamayan na ipagbigay alam sa mga otoridad kung mayroong mga aktibidad ang naturang rebeldeng grupo sa kanilang mga komunidad at binigyang diin nito na magpapatuloy ang kasundalohan sa kanilang opensiba laban sa nasabing teroristang grupo.
Samantala, nagsagawa naman ang tropa ni Hinampas ng isang Quick Reaction Team sa pakikipagtulongan ng tanggapan ni Malapatan Mayor Salway Sumbo kung saan nagbigay sila ng tulong upang mabigyan ng marangal na lamay ang mga namatay na rebelde. (PIA SarGen)
GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Enero 31 (PIA)-- Dalawang myembro ng New People’s Army (NPA) ang napatay sa isang sagupaan sa pagitan ng tropa ng 73rd Infantry Battalion at Guerilla Front Tala nitong Myerkules sa Barangay Kinam, Malapatan, Sarangani.
Ayon sa panayam ng Philippine Information Agency-SarGen kay Civil Military Operations (CMO) Officer, 1Lt Jessie Hinampas, nakatanggap umano ang Alpha Company ng batalyon sa pamumuno ni 1Lt. Orestes Fausto, na may nangyayaring “extortion” o pangingikil ng mga pagkain mula sa mga residente ng barangay.
Agad naman umanong umaksyon at pumunta sa lugar ang tropa ng militar at “nagkagulatan” sila ng may humigit-kumulang sampung myembro ng naturang rebeldeng grupo at nagkaroon nga ng mahigit isang oras na sagupaan.
Pinuri ni Lt. Col. Ronaldo Valdez, battalion commander ng 73rd IB ang agarang pagresponde ng kanyang mga tauhan at sa kanilang patuloy na hakbang upang masugpo ang terorismong mga gawain ng mga komunistang grupo sa naturang komunidad.
Ayon pa kay Valdez ang tagumpay ng kanilang mga operasyong pang military ay dahil sa pagpupursige ng Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict o (TF-ELCAC) na maisaayos ang kalagayan ng ordinaryong mga mamamayan sa mga munisipyo at probinsya.
Hinikayat naman ni Valdez ang mga mamamayan na ipagbigay alam sa mga otoridad kung mayroong mga aktibidad ang naturang rebeldeng grupo sa kanilang mga komunidad at binigyang diin nito na magpapatuloy ang kasundalohan sa kanilang opensiba laban sa nasabing teroristang grupo.
Samantala, nagsagawa naman ang tropa ni Hinampas ng isang Quick Reaction Team sa pakikipagtulongan ng tanggapan ni Malapatan Mayor Salway Sumbo kung saan nagbigay sila ng tulong upang mabigyan ng marangal na lamay ang mga namatay na rebelde. (PIA SarGen)
NPA member surrenders in La Trinidad
From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 31, 2020): NPA member surrenders in La Trinidad (By Redjie Melvic M. Cawis)
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, Jan. 31 (PIA) -- A former rebel surrendered to government authorities in this capital town on Thursday, (Jan.30).
“Ka Wilang,” a member of the New People Army from Sadanga, Mountain Province, surrendered to La Trinidad Mayor Romeo Salda and Police Regional Office – Cordillera Regional Director PBGen. Israel Ephraim Dickson. It was witnessed by Benguet Provincial Police Office Director Col. Elmer Ragay and PRO-Cor Regional Intelligence Division Chief Col. Reynaldo Pasiwen.
He also turned over a M1 Carbine firearm with a magazine loaded with 21 live ammunition and a hand fragmented grenade during the simple ceremonies at the municipal hall.
La Trinidad Mayor Romeo Salda and Police Regional Office – Cordillera Regional Director PBGen. Israel Ephraim Dickson recieve a firearm from a rebel returnee during his surrender at the La Trinidad Municipal Hall on Thursday, Jan 30, witnessed by Benguet Provincial Police Office Director Col. Elmer Ragay and PRO-Cor Regional Intelligence Division Chief Col. Reynaldo Pasiwen. (RMC- PIA CAR)
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, Jan. 31 (PIA) -- A former rebel surrendered to government authorities in this capital town on Thursday, (Jan.30).
“Ka Wilang,” a member of the New People Army from Sadanga, Mountain Province, surrendered to La Trinidad Mayor Romeo Salda and Police Regional Office – Cordillera Regional Director PBGen. Israel Ephraim Dickson. It was witnessed by Benguet Provincial Police Office Director Col. Elmer Ragay and PRO-Cor Regional Intelligence Division Chief Col. Reynaldo Pasiwen.
He also turned over a M1 Carbine firearm with a magazine loaded with 21 live ammunition and a hand fragmented grenade during the simple ceremonies at the municipal hall.
La Trinidad Mayor Romeo Salda and Police Regional Office – Cordillera Regional Director PBGen. Israel Ephraim Dickson recieve a firearm from a rebel returnee during his surrender at the La Trinidad Municipal Hall on Thursday, Jan 30, witnessed by Benguet Provincial Police Office Director Col. Elmer Ragay and PRO-Cor Regional Intelligence Division Chief Col. Reynaldo Pasiwen. (RMC- PIA CAR)
The surrender was facilitated by La Trinidad Municipal Police Station OIC, PMaj. Cleff Vencio and some relatives of the surenderee.
Vencio said Ka Wilang was a member of the KLG Marco who started as a courier of goods and supplies when he was 15 years old. He operated in the tri-boundaries of Kalinga, Mountain Province and Abra provinces.
“We are delighted that the NPA rebel has decided to surrender and yield back to the fold of law and be given the opportunity to avail benefits from the government where he can start a new life for better future with his family,” said Salda as he thanked the 51-year old man for trusting to surrender at La Trinidad LGU.
Ka Wilang is the third communist terrorist group member who surrendered in Benguet this month. Two former rebels earlier surrendered in Itogon town, Ragay said.
He will be processed and profiled for the availment of the Enhanced - Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) and other benefits such as livelihood assistance from the government thru the different line agencies and the LGUs.
Dickson said the government is very sincere to accept the rebels who surrender and go back to the society to live peaceful life. The government is very much willing to help them thru the Whole of a nation approach to end communist armed conflict in the country under the Executive Order 70 of President Rodrigo Road Duterte.
“It is not only the police and military working against insurgency now but the entire government from the government agencies, law enforcement agencies and the local government units working together to ensure a peaceful community and nation,” he said. (JDP/RMC- PIA CAR)
Vencio said Ka Wilang was a member of the KLG Marco who started as a courier of goods and supplies when he was 15 years old. He operated in the tri-boundaries of Kalinga, Mountain Province and Abra provinces.
“We are delighted that the NPA rebel has decided to surrender and yield back to the fold of law and be given the opportunity to avail benefits from the government where he can start a new life for better future with his family,” said Salda as he thanked the 51-year old man for trusting to surrender at La Trinidad LGU.
Ka Wilang is the third communist terrorist group member who surrendered in Benguet this month. Two former rebels earlier surrendered in Itogon town, Ragay said.
He will be processed and profiled for the availment of the Enhanced - Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) and other benefits such as livelihood assistance from the government thru the different line agencies and the LGUs.
Dickson said the government is very sincere to accept the rebels who surrender and go back to the society to live peaceful life. The government is very much willing to help them thru the Whole of a nation approach to end communist armed conflict in the country under the Executive Order 70 of President Rodrigo Road Duterte.
“It is not only the police and military working against insurgency now but the entire government from the government agencies, law enforcement agencies and the local government units working together to ensure a peaceful community and nation,” he said. (JDP/RMC- PIA CAR)
Region 1 Peace and Order Council declares Pangasinan 'insurgency-free'
From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 31, 2020): Region 1 Peace and Order Council declares Pangasinan 'insurgency-free' (By Anne Hazel Fajardo-Flores)
SAN FERNANDO CITY, Jan. 31 (PIA) -- The Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC-1) approved on Wednesday a resolution declaring the Province of Pangasinan cleared of CPP/NPA/NDF affectation, thus insurgency-free.
In an excerpt of the minutes of the meeting of the council, the resolution’s approval was based on a Joint Letter Directive No. 3 amended in 2016, on parameters achieved by the province in order for the priority area to be considered cleared.
Further, it was evaluated by the Area Clearing Evaluation Board (ACEB) and validated by the Area Clearing Validation Committee (ACVC).
SAN FERNANDO CITY, Jan. 31 (PIA) -- The Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC-1) approved on Wednesday a resolution declaring the Province of Pangasinan cleared of CPP/NPA/NDF affectation, thus insurgency-free.
In an excerpt of the minutes of the meeting of the council, the resolution’s approval was based on a Joint Letter Directive No. 3 amended in 2016, on parameters achieved by the province in order for the priority area to be considered cleared.
Further, it was evaluated by the Area Clearing Evaluation Board (ACEB) and validated by the Area Clearing Validation Committee (ACVC).
PANGASINAN IS INSURGENCY-FREE: RPOC-1 Head Secretariat and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regional Director James F. Fadrilan reads the text of Resolution No. 1, Series of 2020 declaring the Province of Pangasinan Insurgency- Free on January 29, 2020 at the Diego Silang Hall of the Provincial Capitol in San Fernando City, La Union. (RMN/PIA1)
“Based on the ACEB meeting in September 2018 which was presided by Board Chairperson and assistant division commander of 71D BGen. Lenard T. Agustin, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the evaluation resulted to a positive response that there are no CPP/NPA/NDF established in the area,” read RPOC-1 head secretariat and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regional Director James F. Fadrilan.
He added, “In the same discussion in a meeting of the ACVC held at the DILG Region 1 Office in June 2019 to validate the results, the committee approved of the motion to declare the province as insurgency-free. The assembly was presided by Col. Doroteo Jose M Jalandoni, Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) with DILG and RPOC-1 members as attendees."
The ACVC resolution was also jointly approved by NOLCOM Commander LtGen. Ramiro Manuel A Rey, AFP and Directorate for Police Operations-Northern Luzon (DIPO-NL).
On a joint motion by MGen. Agustin and League of Municipalities of the Philippines – Pangasinan Chapter President Leopoldo N. Bataoil and unanimously seconded by the body, the matter was elevated to the RPOC-1 for approval of a resolution.
With the matters been discussed and approved by the body, Dir. Fadrilan certified and signed RPOC Resolution No. 1, Series of 2020 which was attested by RPOC-1 Chairperson and La Union Governor Emmanuel Francisco R. Ortega III at the Diego Silang Hall of the Provincial Capitol.
“As long as we unite our hands together to fight insurgency, I, as the chairperson of the committee, will fully support the programs of President Rodrigo Duterte on peace and order to provide a better and safer place to live for our constituents here in the Ilocos region,” said Governor Ortega.
The declaration of Pangasinan province as insurgency-dree is only one of the confirmations of the whole-of-the-nation approach in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace by means of ending local communist armed conflict in the communities. (JCR/JNPD/AHFF/PIA1)
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1033790
“Based on the ACEB meeting in September 2018 which was presided by Board Chairperson and assistant division commander of 71D BGen. Lenard T. Agustin, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the evaluation resulted to a positive response that there are no CPP/NPA/NDF established in the area,” read RPOC-1 head secretariat and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regional Director James F. Fadrilan.
He added, “In the same discussion in a meeting of the ACVC held at the DILG Region 1 Office in June 2019 to validate the results, the committee approved of the motion to declare the province as insurgency-free. The assembly was presided by Col. Doroteo Jose M Jalandoni, Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) with DILG and RPOC-1 members as attendees."
The ACVC resolution was also jointly approved by NOLCOM Commander LtGen. Ramiro Manuel A Rey, AFP and Directorate for Police Operations-Northern Luzon (DIPO-NL).
On a joint motion by MGen. Agustin and League of Municipalities of the Philippines – Pangasinan Chapter President Leopoldo N. Bataoil and unanimously seconded by the body, the matter was elevated to the RPOC-1 for approval of a resolution.
With the matters been discussed and approved by the body, Dir. Fadrilan certified and signed RPOC Resolution No. 1, Series of 2020 which was attested by RPOC-1 Chairperson and La Union Governor Emmanuel Francisco R. Ortega III at the Diego Silang Hall of the Provincial Capitol.
“As long as we unite our hands together to fight insurgency, I, as the chairperson of the committee, will fully support the programs of President Rodrigo Duterte on peace and order to provide a better and safer place to live for our constituents here in the Ilocos region,” said Governor Ortega.
The declaration of Pangasinan province as insurgency-dree is only one of the confirmations of the whole-of-the-nation approach in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace by means of ending local communist armed conflict in the communities. (JCR/JNPD/AHFF/PIA1)
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1033790
NPA war materials seized after Surigao Sur clash
From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 31, 2020): NPA war materials seized after Surigao Sur clash (By Alexander Lopez)
Google map of Tandag City, Surigao del Sur.
Google map of Tandag City, Surigao del Sur.
Government troops recovered war materials belonging to communist rebels after a firefight Thursday in the hinterlands of Tandag City, Surigao del Sur, an official said.
Capt. Jonald Romorosa, civil-military operations of the Army's 36th Infantry Battalion, said the rebel water materials consisting of high-powered firearms, ammunition, and landmine components were recovered after the 15-minute clash in Barangay Buenavista around 12:30 p.m.
In a statement, Romorosa said the firefight broke out after government troops on combat operations encountered around 15 armed New People’s Army (NPA) rebels belonging to the Guerrilla Front 30 (GF30) of the Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) led by a certain Joel Mahinay.
Romorosa said the operation was launched in response to the reports of the presence of armed men in the area.
After the encounter, the NPA rebels withdrew from their position and retreated toward the northeastern portion of Barangay Buenavista, he said, adding the guerillas suffered an undetermined number of casualties based on the bloodstained found in the area.
The government suffered no casualty, he said, adding the troops recovered an M16 rifle, a Garand rifle, ammunition, landmine components, personal belongings, and documents with high intelligence value following the clash.
In the same statement, Lt. Col. Jezreel Diagmel, 36IB commander, took note of the growing support for the Army within the community.
Diagmel attributed the support to the "effective implementation of the whole-of-nation approach to end local communist armed conflict" in the countryside."
“It is my commitment to respond to the call of the peace-loving people of Surigao del Sur to preserve the peace and security in the province,” Diagmel said.
He also called on the remaining NPA rebels to lay down their arms and avail of the support services being offered by the government.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1092523
Capt. Jonald Romorosa, civil-military operations of the Army's 36th Infantry Battalion, said the rebel water materials consisting of high-powered firearms, ammunition, and landmine components were recovered after the 15-minute clash in Barangay Buenavista around 12:30 p.m.
In a statement, Romorosa said the firefight broke out after government troops on combat operations encountered around 15 armed New People’s Army (NPA) rebels belonging to the Guerrilla Front 30 (GF30) of the Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) led by a certain Joel Mahinay.
Romorosa said the operation was launched in response to the reports of the presence of armed men in the area.
After the encounter, the NPA rebels withdrew from their position and retreated toward the northeastern portion of Barangay Buenavista, he said, adding the guerillas suffered an undetermined number of casualties based on the bloodstained found in the area.
The government suffered no casualty, he said, adding the troops recovered an M16 rifle, a Garand rifle, ammunition, landmine components, personal belongings, and documents with high intelligence value following the clash.
In the same statement, Lt. Col. Jezreel Diagmel, 36IB commander, took note of the growing support for the Army within the community.
Diagmel attributed the support to the "effective implementation of the whole-of-nation approach to end local communist armed conflict" in the countryside."
“It is my commitment to respond to the call of the peace-loving people of Surigao del Sur to preserve the peace and security in the province,” Diagmel said.
He also called on the remaining NPA rebels to lay down their arms and avail of the support services being offered by the government.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1092523
Reds unwelcome in Iloilo town
From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 31, 2020): Reds unwelcome in Iloilo town (By Gail Momblan)
COMMITTED TO END INSURGENCY. Igbaras Mayor Jaime Esmeralda (extreme right, standing) holds high the resolution declaring the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) persona non-grata on Thursday (Jan. 30, 2020). Such declaration shows the local government's commitment to end insurgency, the Philippine Army said. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army's 61st Infantry Battalion)
ILOILO CITY -- Igbaras town in Iloilo province has started this year's fight against insurgency right by declaring the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) persona non-grata, an official of the Philippine Army has said.
Members of the Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) of Igbaras town, headed by Mayor Jaime Esmeralda, convened on Thursday and passed a resolution declaring the rebels unwelcome.
"The MPOC has shown their commitment to the government in the war against insurgency by passing the resolution," said Lt. Col. Joel Benedict Batara, commander of the Army's 61st Infantry Battalion, in a phone interview Friday.
Such declaration reflects the thirst of Igbaras locals for genuine peace and progress, he said, as there were atrocities committed by the rebel group in Igbaras in the previous years.
"There were burning of equipment, extortion to big businessmen and contractors, recruitment of minors, and many other treacherous moves of the rebels. The people of Igbaras are already tired of these," he said.
He cited an encounter between the government troops and the rebels led by Melgar Besmanos alias Mar of Sibat (SYP) Platoon, Southern Front Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay under Nahum Camariosa alias Bebong last year.
Batara said the CPP-NPA has planned to sabotage Century Peak Energy Corporation (CPEC) and the company's Hydropower Plant in the mountainous area of Igbaras town.
The Army was able to foil the attack and recovered from the rebels three Molotov bombs, a rifle grenade, hand grenade, blasting cap, two packs ammonium nitrate, two dynamites and a terrorist shirt.
"They planned to ambush the employees of the CPEC and the civilians there. This is just a proof that the rebels are against development in Igbaras town," he said.
The declaration of the rebels as unwelcome in Igbaras does not only end on paper, he said.
The bold action of the local government unit will encourage the locals in the village level, especially the village officials, to also do their share in the fight against insurgency.
"This will drive the village officials to act because they are being led by a strong local chief executive," he said.
Batara also noted that the declaration will leave an impact on the side of the rebels.
This is also one way to encourage members of the CPP-NPA to return to the government fold.
The towns of Bingawan, Maasin, Tubungan, Janiuay, among others have already declared communist members as unwelcome.
The Army commander said Leon and Alimodian towns are set to replicate the declaration this year.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1092605
COMMITTED TO END INSURGENCY. Igbaras Mayor Jaime Esmeralda (extreme right, standing) holds high the resolution declaring the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) persona non-grata on Thursday (Jan. 30, 2020). Such declaration shows the local government's commitment to end insurgency, the Philippine Army said. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army's 61st Infantry Battalion)
ILOILO CITY -- Igbaras town in Iloilo province has started this year's fight against insurgency right by declaring the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) persona non-grata, an official of the Philippine Army has said.
Members of the Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) of Igbaras town, headed by Mayor Jaime Esmeralda, convened on Thursday and passed a resolution declaring the rebels unwelcome.
"The MPOC has shown their commitment to the government in the war against insurgency by passing the resolution," said Lt. Col. Joel Benedict Batara, commander of the Army's 61st Infantry Battalion, in a phone interview Friday.
Such declaration reflects the thirst of Igbaras locals for genuine peace and progress, he said, as there were atrocities committed by the rebel group in Igbaras in the previous years.
"There were burning of equipment, extortion to big businessmen and contractors, recruitment of minors, and many other treacherous moves of the rebels. The people of Igbaras are already tired of these," he said.
He cited an encounter between the government troops and the rebels led by Melgar Besmanos alias Mar of Sibat (SYP) Platoon, Southern Front Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay under Nahum Camariosa alias Bebong last year.
Batara said the CPP-NPA has planned to sabotage Century Peak Energy Corporation (CPEC) and the company's Hydropower Plant in the mountainous area of Igbaras town.
The Army was able to foil the attack and recovered from the rebels three Molotov bombs, a rifle grenade, hand grenade, blasting cap, two packs ammonium nitrate, two dynamites and a terrorist shirt.
"They planned to ambush the employees of the CPEC and the civilians there. This is just a proof that the rebels are against development in Igbaras town," he said.
The declaration of the rebels as unwelcome in Igbaras does not only end on paper, he said.
The bold action of the local government unit will encourage the locals in the village level, especially the village officials, to also do their share in the fight against insurgency.
"This will drive the village officials to act because they are being led by a strong local chief executive," he said.
Batara also noted that the declaration will leave an impact on the side of the rebels.
This is also one way to encourage members of the CPP-NPA to return to the government fold.
The towns of Bingawan, Maasin, Tubungan, Janiuay, among others have already declared communist members as unwelcome.
The Army commander said Leon and Alimodian towns are set to replicate the declaration this year.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1092605
Marines, Coast Guard seize P2.6-M contraband in Zamboanga
From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 31, 2020): Marines, Coast Guard seize P2.6-M contraband in Zamboanga (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)
DESTROYED. Customs Commissioner Leonardo Rey Guerrero leads the destruction of confiscated PHP2.6 million worth of smuggled cigarettes intercepted by Marines and Coast Guard personnel at the port of Zamboanga City on Thursday (Jan. 30. 2020). Authorities say the contraband, which also consisted of sugar, came from Jolo, Sulu. (Photo courtesy of Mirasol Montesa)
ZAMBOANGA CITY--A team of marines and Coast Guard personnel have intercepted a shipment of more than PHP2.6 million worth of smuggled goods at the local port on Thursday.
Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Leonardo Rey Guerrero said the smuggled goods consisting of cigarettes and sugar were intercepted around 6:30 a.m. aboard M/V Rebecca that had just arrived from Jolo, Sulu.
Guerrero said the seized cargo consisted of 95 master cases of smuggled cigarettes with an estimated worth of PHP2.6 million and 10 sacks of sugar valued at PHP20,000.
He said the contraband was intercepted after the joint marine and Coast Guard operatives received information that smuggled goods were scheduled to arrive at the local port Thursday.
The seized contraband was turned over to the BOC-Zamboanga District Office for proper disposition.
Local customs officials presented the confiscated goods to Guerrero during his stopover here en route to Manila coming from Bongao, Tawi-Tawi. Guerrero visited Tawi-Tawi Thursday and met with concerned stakeholders in the province.
The Joint Task Force Zamboanga has recently deployed marine troops at the local port as security measures had been tightened in this city.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1092594
ZAMBOANGA CITY--A team of marines and Coast Guard personnel have intercepted a shipment of more than PHP2.6 million worth of smuggled goods at the local port on Thursday.
Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Leonardo Rey Guerrero said the smuggled goods consisting of cigarettes and sugar were intercepted around 6:30 a.m. aboard M/V Rebecca that had just arrived from Jolo, Sulu.
Guerrero said the seized cargo consisted of 95 master cases of smuggled cigarettes with an estimated worth of PHP2.6 million and 10 sacks of sugar valued at PHP20,000.
He said the contraband was intercepted after the joint marine and Coast Guard operatives received information that smuggled goods were scheduled to arrive at the local port Thursday.
The seized contraband was turned over to the BOC-Zamboanga District Office for proper disposition.
Local customs officials presented the confiscated goods to Guerrero during his stopover here en route to Manila coming from Bongao, Tawi-Tawi. Guerrero visited Tawi-Tawi Thursday and met with concerned stakeholders in the province.
The Joint Task Force Zamboanga has recently deployed marine troops at the local port as security measures had been tightened in this city.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1092594
28 NPA rebels surrender in Zambo Sibugay
From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 31, 2020): 28 NPA rebels surrender in Zambo Sibugay (By Leah Agonoy)
MASS SURRENDER. Brig. Gen. Generoso Ponio, the Army's 1st Infantry Division commander, welcomes a female former member of the New People's Army in a surrender ceremony Thursday at the headquarters of the 102nd Infantry Brigade in Barangay Sanito, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay. A total of 28 NPA rebels surrendered during the ceremony. (Photo courtesy of the Army's 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs Office)
PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur -- At least 28 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels surrendered to military authorities in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay, officials said Friday.
Capt. Clint Antipala, the Army’s 1st Infantry Division information officer, said the NPA rebels surrendered around 10 a.m. Thursday at the headquarters of the 102nd Infantry Brigade in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.
Antipala said the NPA surrenderers, under the NPA’s Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee (WMRPC), used to operate in Zamboanga Peninsula provinces and Misamis Occidental. They turned over seven firearms and explosives.
The surrenderers were presented to the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict-9 (RTF-ELCAC-9), represented by Interior and Local Government Zamboanga Sibugay provincial director Mario Baterna together with Brig. Gen. Generoso Ponio, Army’s 1st Infantry Division commander and other officials.
Col. Leonel Nicolas, the Army’s 102nd Infantry Brigade commander, promised to enroll the 28 NPA surrenderers to the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP).
ECLIP is one of the flagship programs of the Duterte administration that aims to provide social equity to former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) and its militia components to reintegrate them into mainstream society.
Meanwhile, Ponio reiterated that the government remains "serious in the implementation" of President Rodrigo Duterte's E.O. 70, which seeks to employ the "whole-of-nation approach" in ending communist rebel armed conflicts in the countryside.
“Convergence among government agencies, local government units and other stakeholders is the key to end the decades-long communist armed conflict in Mindanao,” Ponio said.
Diane (not her real name), one of the surrenderers, said she was deceived by his NPA recruiter who assured her that her family would receive financial support while she fought in the mountains.
"But the finances they’ve promised were not able to reach our family,” Diane said in the dialect.
The surrender ceremony was also attended by Zamboanga del Norte Vice Gov. Senen Angeles, Dennis Baguio, a representative of Zamboanga Sibugay Gov. Wilter Yap Palma, and officials of the Department of Labor and Employment, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, police, and battalion commanders under the Army's 102nd Infantry Brigade.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1092534
PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur -- At least 28 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels surrendered to military authorities in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay, officials said Friday.
Capt. Clint Antipala, the Army’s 1st Infantry Division information officer, said the NPA rebels surrendered around 10 a.m. Thursday at the headquarters of the 102nd Infantry Brigade in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.
Antipala said the NPA surrenderers, under the NPA’s Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee (WMRPC), used to operate in Zamboanga Peninsula provinces and Misamis Occidental. They turned over seven firearms and explosives.
The surrenderers were presented to the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict-9 (RTF-ELCAC-9), represented by Interior and Local Government Zamboanga Sibugay provincial director Mario Baterna together with Brig. Gen. Generoso Ponio, Army’s 1st Infantry Division commander and other officials.
Col. Leonel Nicolas, the Army’s 102nd Infantry Brigade commander, promised to enroll the 28 NPA surrenderers to the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP).
ECLIP is one of the flagship programs of the Duterte administration that aims to provide social equity to former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) and its militia components to reintegrate them into mainstream society.
Meanwhile, Ponio reiterated that the government remains "serious in the implementation" of President Rodrigo Duterte's E.O. 70, which seeks to employ the "whole-of-nation approach" in ending communist rebel armed conflicts in the countryside.
“Convergence among government agencies, local government units and other stakeholders is the key to end the decades-long communist armed conflict in Mindanao,” Ponio said.
Diane (not her real name), one of the surrenderers, said she was deceived by his NPA recruiter who assured her that her family would receive financial support while she fought in the mountains.
"But the finances they’ve promised were not able to reach our family,” Diane said in the dialect.
The surrender ceremony was also attended by Zamboanga del Norte Vice Gov. Senen Angeles, Dennis Baguio, a representative of Zamboanga Sibugay Gov. Wilter Yap Palma, and officials of the Department of Labor and Employment, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, police, and battalion commanders under the Army's 102nd Infantry Brigade.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1092534
Navy ships Oman-bound after Sri Lanka visit
From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 31, 2020): 2 Navy ships Oman-bound after Sri Lanka visit (By Priam Nepomuceno)
OMAN-BOUND. Photo shows BRP Ramon Alcaraz (center) leaving the East Container Terminal in Sri Lanka on Wednesday (Jan. 29, 2020) after a three-day refueling stop. The Oman-bound ship is one of the two vessels tasked to repatriate overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East. (Photo courtesy of the Navy Public Affairs Office)
OMAN-BOUND. Photo shows BRP Ramon Alcaraz (center) leaving the East Container Terminal in Sri Lanka on Wednesday (Jan. 29, 2020) after a three-day refueling stop. The Oman-bound ship is one of the two vessels tasked to repatriate overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East. (Photo courtesy of the Navy Public Affairs Office)
The two Philippine Navy (PN) ships, which were tasked to repatriate overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East, are headed for Muscat, Oman after a three-day stop to refuel at the East Container Terminal in Sri Lanka.
In a statement on Friday, Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas, PN public affairs office chief, said the landing dock BRP Davao Del Sur (LD-602) and offshore patrol vessel, BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS-16) left Sri Lanka on Wednesday.
Aside from refueling, the ships also restocked their supplies, she said.
She added the vessels are expected to reach Muscat in five days.
The PN ships are part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Joint Task Force 82 "Pagpauli", government's effort to bring back OFWs in the Middle East due to the tension brought about by the conflict between Iran and the US.
The ships are carrying Naval Task Force 82 contingent led by Marine Col. Noel Beleran.
Roxas said a send-off ceremony was given by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) to the departing PN vessels.
PN also hosted a reception dinner to show the contingent’s appreciation for the hospitality given to them by their SLN counterpart.
Beleran said the visit to Sri Lanka is a milestone for PN as it bridges the friendship and camaraderie between the two navies.
Rear SA Weerasinghe, SLN Western Naval Area commander, thanked the PN contingent for visiting their country.
The two ships left the country last January 13.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1092522
In a statement on Friday, Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas, PN public affairs office chief, said the landing dock BRP Davao Del Sur (LD-602) and offshore patrol vessel, BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS-16) left Sri Lanka on Wednesday.
Aside from refueling, the ships also restocked their supplies, she said.
She added the vessels are expected to reach Muscat in five days.
The PN ships are part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Joint Task Force 82 "Pagpauli", government's effort to bring back OFWs in the Middle East due to the tension brought about by the conflict between Iran and the US.
The ships are carrying Naval Task Force 82 contingent led by Marine Col. Noel Beleran.
Roxas said a send-off ceremony was given by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) to the departing PN vessels.
PN also hosted a reception dinner to show the contingent’s appreciation for the hospitality given to them by their SLN counterpart.
Beleran said the visit to Sri Lanka is a milestone for PN as it bridges the friendship and camaraderie between the two navies.
Rear SA Weerasinghe, SLN Western Naval Area commander, thanked the PN contingent for visiting their country.
The two ships left the country last January 13.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1092522
Thursday, January 30, 2020
CPP/NPA-Negros Island: Pasingkion ang Inaway Banwa Para sa Pangmalawigon nga Kalinong, Matuod nga Kahilwayan kag Demokrasya…Magbato kag Paslawon ang Tiraniya kag Pasismo sang Rehimen US-Duterte!
NPA-Negros Island propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jan 31, 2020): Pasingkion ang Inaway Banwa Para sa Pangmalawigon nga Kalinong, Matuod nga Kahilwayan kag Demokrasya…Magbato kag Paslawon ang Tiraniya kag Pasismo sang Rehimen US-Duterte!
DIONESIO MAGBUELAS
NPA-NEGROS ISLAND
MT. CANSERMON COMMAND
NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY
JANUARY 31, 2020
Signipikante kag bulawanon nga adlaw ang Disyembre 26 para sa tanan nga mga rebolusyonaryo ilabi na sa mga katapo sang New People’s Army (NPA) kag bug-os nga rebolusyonaryong masa diin kumpiyansado kag wala paghupas nga nagasalig sa 51 ka tuig nga pagpamuno sang Marxismo-Leninismo-Maoismo nga Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
Kadungan sa pagsaulog sang mga kadalag-an sa ideolohiya, pulitika kag organisasyon sa ika-51 ka tuig nga pagsukat sang CPP ang paghatag man sang rebolusyonaryo nga pagpasidungog sa tanan nga mga martir sa rebolusyon kaangay kay “Ka MG” nga lubos nagsakripisyo sang ila kinaalam, ikasarang ilabi na ang ila kabuhi sa ila lubos nga pag-alagad sa pigos kag ginahimuslan nga pumuluyong Pilipino.
Sa pihak sang todo-gyera nga kampanya “kontra-insurhensiya” sang pasistang rehimen US-Duterte idalum sa Memo Order 32 (de facto Martial Law) kag Executive Order 70 (NTF-ELCAC); ang NPA-Mount Cansermon Command komprehensibo nga nagbato kag nakapangibabaw sa wala-untat nga pagpang-atake sang AFP/PNP sa bug-os nga rebolusyonaryong hublag kaangay sang red tagging, pagpapriso paagi sa mga patu-pato nga kaso, ilegal nga pagpang-aresto, pagpamatay (EJK) kag iban pa.
Sulod sa isa ka tuig (Disyembre 26, 2018-Disyembre 26, 2019), ang CPP-MLM nga amo ang abanse nga destakamento sang sahing proletaryado lubos nagagiya kag nagapamuno sa bug-os nga rebolusyonaryong kahublagan. Sa organisasyon, nakonsolida kag nagdako sang 10-15% ang isip sang mga katapuan sang Partido. Padayon nga nakonsolida ang mga kadre sang Partido kag nakapatuhaw pa sang mga sumusunod nga mga kadre sang Partido halin sa hanay sang isganan nga mga pamatan-on. Bangud sini madasig nga nakonsolida kag natukod ang mga sub-seksyon kag seksyon sang Partido, sanga sang Partido sa lokalidad, grupo sang Partido kag iban pa nga yunit sini sa tunga sang rebolusyonaryong organisasyon masa kag New People’s Army (NPA).
Agud mapaseguro ang husto nga aplikasyon sang unibersal nga teorya sang Marxismo-Leninismo-Maoismo sa kongkreto nga kahimtangan sa sakop sang MCC, madinalag-on nga nakonsolida ang mga katapuan sini sa tatlo ka halintang nga mga kurso sang Partido. Nakalunsar sang mga intermedyang kurso pampartido, sandigan nga kurso sang Partido kag iban pa dira sa mga katapuan sang Partido sa lokalidad kag sulod sa organisasyon sang NPA. Asud-asod kag hapsay nga natigayon ini matapos ang mga paghanas sang mga instruktor gikan sa hanay sang hubines kag kabataan nga mga kadre sang Partido.
Malig-on nga gintib-ong ang demokratikong rebolusyon sang banwa paagi sa pangmalawigon nga inaway banwa nga may sosyalistang perspektiba. Padayon nga nakonsolida kag napalapad ang mga lugar para sa malapad nga maniobra sang NPA. Lig-on nga gingamit sini ang gerilya nga taktika kag paghulag pareho sang epektibo nga pagdispers, konsentrasyon kag pagsaylo lamang mapreserbar ang kusog sang Partido, NPA kag rebolusyonarayong organisasyon masa. Tuyo sini militante nga matungdan ang hilikuton masa agud ihatag ang sosyal nga serbisyo sa malapad nga masang gina-alagaran. Nakalunsar man sang mga paghimakas masa kag agraryong rebolusyon para sa minimum nga pagpatuman sang reporma sa duta kag maduso ang pagpatuman sang iban pa nga porma sang serbisyo sosyal sa masa. Wala paghubas nga mga aksyon masa kag mobilisasyon batok sa pasismo sang rehimen US-Duterte ilabi na sa pagpaslaw sang MO32 kag EO70 idalum sa NTF-ELCAC/JTF-Negros sa isla ilabi na sa Central Negros.
Ang NPA, mga milisya sang banwa kag iban pa nga mga yunit gerilya tungod sang hugot nga pag-uyat sang tatlo ka disiplina kag walo ka punto; nakalunsar sang mga madinalag-on nga taktikal nga opensiba nga nagresulta sang 51 ang kaswalti sa pasistang tropa sang PNP (704th RMFBn & SAF) kag AFP (94th IB & 62nd IBPA). Madinalag-on man nga nakalunsar sang mga paghanas pulitiko-militar sa paghatag sang dugang nga kaalam kag pag-armas sang mga sandigan nga prinsipyo sa mga pulang hangaway sa pagpalig-on sang disiplina sa pagpakig-away gerilya batok sa reaksyunaryong tropa sang mapintas nga rehimeng Duterte. Bangud sini nagdako man ang isip sang NPA diin nakatukod sang mga bag-ong platun nga kusog sang pulang hangaway nga mataas ang moral kag mataas man ang inisyatiba kag pleksibilidad sa pagpakig-away gerilya.
Lubos nagapati ang MCC-NPA sa sinsero kag liwat nga pagpakig-istoryahanay sa kalinong sa tunga sang NDFP kag GRP. Nagasigahum ang MCC nga ini ang alagyan sa pag-ugat sang gyera sibil sa pungsod. Paagi sini masugdan ang pagpatuman sang Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms kag Comprehensive Agreement on Political and Constitutional Reforms nga magserbi alagyan man sang madugay na nga handum sang pumuluyong Pilipino sa tunay nga reporma sa duta kag pungsodnon nga industriyalisayon diin mapaluntad ang makatarunganon, malawigon kag matuod nga kalinong nga nakabase sa hustisya sosyal.
Ang rehimen US-Duterte ang nagahuyango na. Isa ka rehimen nga mahuyang bangud nagapangatubang ini sang grabe nga iskandalo sa korapsyon, iligal nga droga kag lapnagon nga human rights violations. Magresulta man ini sang masingki nga kontradiksyon sa tunga sang nagahari nga sahi bunga sang padayon nga krisis kag pagkadunot sang malakolonyal kag mala-pyudal nga sosyedad Pilipino. Diin apektado man ini sang wala kasolbaran nga krisis sang sistemang kapitalismo.
Labi ka paborable ang sitwasyon sa aton komprehensibo nga pagsulong. Kaangot sini, ang MCC-NPA padayon nagahangkat sa pumuluyong Negrosanon nga maisog kag militante nga maghimakas kadungan sa malaparan nga paghimakas masa sa pungsodnon nga sakop agud itib-ong ang demokratikong interes sang malapad nga pumuluyo. Padayon nga magbato kag hublasan ang tanan nga mga pakana, patalang kag pasismo nga ginalunsar sang AFP kag PNP bilang mga mapintas nga makinaryas sang inutil kag pabaya nga tiranikong US-Duterte.
Nagapanawagan man ang NPA sa tanan nga muklat nga mga kabataan nga magpasakop sa New People’s Army. Magtuon kag magremulde sa kaugalingon samtang naga-upod sa paghimakas sang masang mangunguma dira sa pagtukod sang rebolusyonaryong gahum pulitika sa kaumahan, paglunsar sang agraryong rebolusyon kag pagsulong sang armadong paghimakas.
Mabuhay ang CPP/NPA/NDF!
Mabuhay ang Demokratikong Rebolusyon sang Banwa!
Mabuhay ang rebolusyonaryong masa!
Mabuhay ang ika-51 nga Anibersaryo sang CPP!
https://cpp.ph/statement/pasingkion-ang-inaway-banwa-para-sa-pangmalawigon-nga-kalinong-matuod-nga-kahilwayan-kag-demokrasyamagbato-kag-paslawon-ang-tiraniya-kag-pasismo-sang-rehimen-us-duterte/
Signipikante kag bulawanon nga adlaw ang Disyembre 26 para sa tanan nga mga rebolusyonaryo ilabi na sa mga katapo sang New People’s Army (NPA) kag bug-os nga rebolusyonaryong masa diin kumpiyansado kag wala paghupas nga nagasalig sa 51 ka tuig nga pagpamuno sang Marxismo-Leninismo-Maoismo nga Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
Kadungan sa pagsaulog sang mga kadalag-an sa ideolohiya, pulitika kag organisasyon sa ika-51 ka tuig nga pagsukat sang CPP ang paghatag man sang rebolusyonaryo nga pagpasidungog sa tanan nga mga martir sa rebolusyon kaangay kay “Ka MG” nga lubos nagsakripisyo sang ila kinaalam, ikasarang ilabi na ang ila kabuhi sa ila lubos nga pag-alagad sa pigos kag ginahimuslan nga pumuluyong Pilipino.
Sa pihak sang todo-gyera nga kampanya “kontra-insurhensiya” sang pasistang rehimen US-Duterte idalum sa Memo Order 32 (de facto Martial Law) kag Executive Order 70 (NTF-ELCAC); ang NPA-Mount Cansermon Command komprehensibo nga nagbato kag nakapangibabaw sa wala-untat nga pagpang-atake sang AFP/PNP sa bug-os nga rebolusyonaryong hublag kaangay sang red tagging, pagpapriso paagi sa mga patu-pato nga kaso, ilegal nga pagpang-aresto, pagpamatay (EJK) kag iban pa.
Sulod sa isa ka tuig (Disyembre 26, 2018-Disyembre 26, 2019), ang CPP-MLM nga amo ang abanse nga destakamento sang sahing proletaryado lubos nagagiya kag nagapamuno sa bug-os nga rebolusyonaryong kahublagan. Sa organisasyon, nakonsolida kag nagdako sang 10-15% ang isip sang mga katapuan sang Partido. Padayon nga nakonsolida ang mga kadre sang Partido kag nakapatuhaw pa sang mga sumusunod nga mga kadre sang Partido halin sa hanay sang isganan nga mga pamatan-on. Bangud sini madasig nga nakonsolida kag natukod ang mga sub-seksyon kag seksyon sang Partido, sanga sang Partido sa lokalidad, grupo sang Partido kag iban pa nga yunit sini sa tunga sang rebolusyonaryong organisasyon masa kag New People’s Army (NPA).
Agud mapaseguro ang husto nga aplikasyon sang unibersal nga teorya sang Marxismo-Leninismo-Maoismo sa kongkreto nga kahimtangan sa sakop sang MCC, madinalag-on nga nakonsolida ang mga katapuan sini sa tatlo ka halintang nga mga kurso sang Partido. Nakalunsar sang mga intermedyang kurso pampartido, sandigan nga kurso sang Partido kag iban pa dira sa mga katapuan sang Partido sa lokalidad kag sulod sa organisasyon sang NPA. Asud-asod kag hapsay nga natigayon ini matapos ang mga paghanas sang mga instruktor gikan sa hanay sang hubines kag kabataan nga mga kadre sang Partido.
Malig-on nga gintib-ong ang demokratikong rebolusyon sang banwa paagi sa pangmalawigon nga inaway banwa nga may sosyalistang perspektiba. Padayon nga nakonsolida kag napalapad ang mga lugar para sa malapad nga maniobra sang NPA. Lig-on nga gingamit sini ang gerilya nga taktika kag paghulag pareho sang epektibo nga pagdispers, konsentrasyon kag pagsaylo lamang mapreserbar ang kusog sang Partido, NPA kag rebolusyonarayong organisasyon masa. Tuyo sini militante nga matungdan ang hilikuton masa agud ihatag ang sosyal nga serbisyo sa malapad nga masang gina-alagaran. Nakalunsar man sang mga paghimakas masa kag agraryong rebolusyon para sa minimum nga pagpatuman sang reporma sa duta kag maduso ang pagpatuman sang iban pa nga porma sang serbisyo sosyal sa masa. Wala paghubas nga mga aksyon masa kag mobilisasyon batok sa pasismo sang rehimen US-Duterte ilabi na sa pagpaslaw sang MO32 kag EO70 idalum sa NTF-ELCAC/JTF-Negros sa isla ilabi na sa Central Negros.
Ang NPA, mga milisya sang banwa kag iban pa nga mga yunit gerilya tungod sang hugot nga pag-uyat sang tatlo ka disiplina kag walo ka punto; nakalunsar sang mga madinalag-on nga taktikal nga opensiba nga nagresulta sang 51 ang kaswalti sa pasistang tropa sang PNP (704th RMFBn & SAF) kag AFP (94th IB & 62nd IBPA). Madinalag-on man nga nakalunsar sang mga paghanas pulitiko-militar sa paghatag sang dugang nga kaalam kag pag-armas sang mga sandigan nga prinsipyo sa mga pulang hangaway sa pagpalig-on sang disiplina sa pagpakig-away gerilya batok sa reaksyunaryong tropa sang mapintas nga rehimeng Duterte. Bangud sini nagdako man ang isip sang NPA diin nakatukod sang mga bag-ong platun nga kusog sang pulang hangaway nga mataas ang moral kag mataas man ang inisyatiba kag pleksibilidad sa pagpakig-away gerilya.
Lubos nagapati ang MCC-NPA sa sinsero kag liwat nga pagpakig-istoryahanay sa kalinong sa tunga sang NDFP kag GRP. Nagasigahum ang MCC nga ini ang alagyan sa pag-ugat sang gyera sibil sa pungsod. Paagi sini masugdan ang pagpatuman sang Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms kag Comprehensive Agreement on Political and Constitutional Reforms nga magserbi alagyan man sang madugay na nga handum sang pumuluyong Pilipino sa tunay nga reporma sa duta kag pungsodnon nga industriyalisayon diin mapaluntad ang makatarunganon, malawigon kag matuod nga kalinong nga nakabase sa hustisya sosyal.
Ang rehimen US-Duterte ang nagahuyango na. Isa ka rehimen nga mahuyang bangud nagapangatubang ini sang grabe nga iskandalo sa korapsyon, iligal nga droga kag lapnagon nga human rights violations. Magresulta man ini sang masingki nga kontradiksyon sa tunga sang nagahari nga sahi bunga sang padayon nga krisis kag pagkadunot sang malakolonyal kag mala-pyudal nga sosyedad Pilipino. Diin apektado man ini sang wala kasolbaran nga krisis sang sistemang kapitalismo.
Labi ka paborable ang sitwasyon sa aton komprehensibo nga pagsulong. Kaangot sini, ang MCC-NPA padayon nagahangkat sa pumuluyong Negrosanon nga maisog kag militante nga maghimakas kadungan sa malaparan nga paghimakas masa sa pungsodnon nga sakop agud itib-ong ang demokratikong interes sang malapad nga pumuluyo. Padayon nga magbato kag hublasan ang tanan nga mga pakana, patalang kag pasismo nga ginalunsar sang AFP kag PNP bilang mga mapintas nga makinaryas sang inutil kag pabaya nga tiranikong US-Duterte.
Nagapanawagan man ang NPA sa tanan nga muklat nga mga kabataan nga magpasakop sa New People’s Army. Magtuon kag magremulde sa kaugalingon samtang naga-upod sa paghimakas sang masang mangunguma dira sa pagtukod sang rebolusyonaryong gahum pulitika sa kaumahan, paglunsar sang agraryong rebolusyon kag pagsulong sang armadong paghimakas.
Mabuhay ang CPP/NPA/NDF!
Mabuhay ang Demokratikong Rebolusyon sang Banwa!
Mabuhay ang rebolusyonaryong masa!
Mabuhay ang ika-51 nga Anibersaryo sang CPP!
https://cpp.ph/statement/pasingkion-ang-inaway-banwa-para-sa-pangmalawigon-nga-kalinong-matuod-nga-kahilwayan-kag-demokrasyamagbato-kag-paslawon-ang-tiraniya-kag-pasismo-sang-rehimen-us-duterte/
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