Palace to CPP: Shun violence before we start talks

From the Manila Bulletin (Jan 5, 2020): Palace to CPP: Shun violence before we start talks (By Genalyn Kabiling)

The communist rebels must lay down their arms and shun violence before the government resumes the peace negotiations with them, a Palace official said recently.



Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panel (OPS / MANILA BULLETIN)

According to Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo, the government has walked an “extra mile” on the peace process and that the rebel group must also show its sincerity. He said the rebels must stop committing “murder, rape, extortion and destruction of public infrastructure and private properties.”

“The Duterte administration is sincere in ending the long-standing insurgency in the country by remaining open to the resumption of peace talks with the CPP-NPA-NDFP (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army- National Democratic Front of the Philippines). It has walked the extra mile in the peace process,” he said in a recent interview with the Manila Bulletin.

“The only condition the government wants is for the CPP-NPA-NDFP to demonstrate genuine sincerity by laying down their arms and shun its acts of violence, which include murder, rape, extortion, and destruction of public infrastructure and private properties,” he said.

The President recently raised the possible revival of peace talks with the communist group after deploying Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III to talk with communist leader Jose Maria Sison, currently living in exile in the Netherlands.

He then challenged Sison to come home for a one-on-one talk with him. The Palace assured that Sison would not be arrested if he returns home.

The communist leader reportedly said he was ready to hold talks with Duterte only in a country near the Philippines after the approval of the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms.

The two sides earlier agreed to implement a ceasefire during the holiday season.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/01/05/palace-to-cpp-shun-violence-before-we-start-talks/

‘Good governance, services delivery key to curbing insurgency’

From the Business Mirror (Jan 6, 2020): ‘Good governance, services delivery key to curbing insurgency’ (By Rene Acosta)

THE top commander of the military acknowledged that good governance is the best weapon the government could use in its internal security operations, vowing that soldiers would work more with local officials in the concerted effort of ending the country’s threat groups.

“Good governance practices” and the “efficient delivery of basic services” create communities that are resilient to recruitment and other activities by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), said Lt. Gen. Felimon T. Santos, who assumed as the new chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Santos, who had headed the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command based in President Duterte’s home city of Davao, was installed on Saturday by the Commander in Chief as the new top military commander, succeeding retired chief of staff Gen. Noel S. Clement.

Santos noted how good governance had been successful in the campaign against communist rebels in Davao provinces and even in the President’s home city, which was practiced and implemented through a task force that was created through the Commander in Chief’s order.

“Executive Order 70 created the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict and institutionalized a ‘whole-of-nation’ approach in attaining exclusive and sustainable peace,” Santos said during his assumption speech.

“Under Executive Order 70, all government agencies from the national, regional, provincial, cities, municipalities, all the way down to the barangay level are now involved and have delineated roles and responsibilities in this whole-of-nation approach,” he added.

In the past, the military commander said that the campaign against rebels had rested solely upon the shoulders of soldiers, with local chief executives leaving the insurgency problem alone to the AFP and the Philippine National Police to deal with.

“This multipronged approach addresses the motivation for insurgency, and will hopefully put an end to its treacherous life cycle. Government agencies and their corresponding units at all levels cooperate, interact support, provide practical solution, and solve problems and issues on the ground that are being exploited” by rebels,” Santos said.

“By doing so, there will be no reason for the CPP-NPA-NDF to agitate, organize and mobilize these vulnerable sectors and communities,” he added, noting how good governance that encompassed the whole approach had been potent in dealing with communists and their propaganda in Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental and Davao del Norte, and even in Davao City.

With local officials and government units taking shares in the anti-insurgency campaign, Santos said the military can now train its resources, manpower, and firepower to rebels and even members of other threat groups who chooses to fight the government.

“Likewise, the AFP will continue to be proactive against the local terrorist groups, such as the Abu Sayyaf and those groups who pledge allegiance to the Isis. We shall effectively counter their narratives through good governance, build community trust and earn the people’s respect,” Santos also said.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/01/06/good-governance-services-delivery-key-to-curbing-insurgency

New AFP Chief keen on crushing CPP-NPA

From the Manila Bulletin (Jan 5, 2020): New AFP Chief keen on crushing CPP-NPA (By Martin Sadongdong)

Lieutenant General Felimon Santos Jr., newly designated Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), is determined to finish off the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA) before the end of President Duterte’s term in 2022.



Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Felimon Santos Jr.
(AFP-EastMinCom / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

Santos pointed out that crushing the CPP-NPA will be his priority as the 53rd AFP Chief, and the seventh under Duterte’s administration since 2016.

“Our first plan is to continue our campaign plan to end local armed conflict because it is gaining grounds,” Santos said after the change of command ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Saturday afternoon.

He said he sees an end of the five-decade old insurgency before Duterte steps down from his office.

“We will end that before the end of the President’s term,” Santos underscored.

To do that, Santos bared in his acceptance speech that he will use all the resources, manpower and firepower of the military on the remaining Communist rebels “who insist on not giving up the armed struggle inspite of the goodwill shown to them by the administration.”

“We will immediately neutralize those who insist on seizing political power through armed struggle,” he said.

The Philippine government (GRP) has been dealing with communist rebellion for 51 years already, the longest-running insurgency in Asia.

But towards the end of 2019, President Duterte opened the doors for the possible revival of the peace talks with the CPP-NPA and its legal front, the National Democratic Front (NDF).

At present, the GRP and the CPP-NPA-NDF (National Demoractic Front) have been engaged in a series of informal talks prior to the start of the formal peace negotiations.

The GRP has declared a unilateral and reciprocal ceasefire with the CPP-NPA-NDF from December 23, 2019 to January 7, 2020 in the spirit of the holiday season, and to build a conducive environment for the resumption of the talks.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/01/05/new-afp-chief-keen-on-crushing-cpp-npa/

MNLF (Misuari): Photos -- Meeting with the President DU30 at the Testimonial Review in honor of AFP Chief Of Staff General Noel Clement AFP (2)

Posted to the Moro National Liberation Front (Misuari) Members of OIC, PUIC Facebook Page (Jan 4, 2020): Photos: Meeting with the President DU30 at the Testimonial Review in honor of AFP Chief Of Staff General Noel Clement AFP (2)



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https://www.facebook.com/MNLFMISUARI/

MNLF (Misuar): Photos -- Meeting with the President DU30 at the Testimonial Review in honor of AFP Chief Of Staff General Noel Clement AFP

Posted to the Moro National Liberation Front (Misuari) Members of OIC, PUIC Facebook Page (Jan 4, 2020): Photos: Meeting with the President DU30 at the Testimonial Review in honor of AFP Chief Of Staff General Noel Clement AFP



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https://www.facebook.com/MNLFMISUARI/

LOOK: MNLF chair Nur Misuari attends AFP’s change of command ceremony

From CNN Philippines (Jan 5, 2020): LOOK: MNLF chair Nur Misuari attends AFP’s change of command ceremony



Misuari was seen socializing with military officials, as well as with President Rodrigo Duterte during the event at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

Despite having a bloody history with the military, Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairperson Nur Misuari was present during the change of command ceremony at the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Saturday.

Misuari was seen mingling with military officials, as well as with President Rodrigo Duterte during the event at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

In 2013, the Misuari-led MNLF stormed into the Zamboanga City intending to thwart the peace process then between the government and another separatist group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

The standoff between government forces and Misurai's group led to the death of 189 guerrillas, 23 soldiers and police, and 12 civilians.

In 2018, the Pasig City Regional Trial Court released 96 members of the MNLF involved in the Zamboanga City siege. The court ruled that they have served all penalties for sedition. They were fined P5,000 each.

READ: Pasig court releases over 90 MNLF members

Moreover, Misuari also remains a staunch advocate of a federal system. He had been in past discussions with Duterte regarding federalism.

READ: Despite favoring federalism, Nur Misuari has 'no choice' but to support BOL – Panelo

https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/1/5/MNLF-chair-Nur-Misuari-attends-AFP-event-.html

MDT does not oblige PH to send troops to Iraq in case of war — Lorenzana

From the Manila Bulletin (Jan 5, 2020): MDT does not oblige PH to send troops to Iraq in case of war — Lorenzana (By Martin Sadongdong)

Despite the existence of the 67-year-old Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), the Philippines is not obliged to send soldiers as support force to the United States in case it engages in a war with Iran due to the killing of the latter’s top general upon the orders of US President Donald Trump, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana disclosed Sunday.



Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (CZAR DANCEL / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

Lorenzana, in a message to the Manila Bulletin, said the Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and US only covers conflict in areas within the Asia-Pacific region.

“I believe that the MDT covers only conflicts here in our region,” Lorenzana said.

Signed on August 30, 1951 in Washington, D.C. the MDT states that both the Philippines and US would support each other if either nations were to be attacked by a third-party country. The provisions of the accord were detailed in eight articles.

Under Article IV, it was stated that: “Each Party recognizes that an armed attack in the Pacific area on either of the Parties would be dangerous to its own peace and safety and declare that it would act to meet the common dangers in accordance with its constitutional processes.”

Meanwhile, Article V states that “an armed attack on either of the Parties is deemed to include an armed attack on the metropolitan territory of either of the Parties, or on the island territories under its jurisdiction in the Pacific Ocean, its armed forces, public vessels or aircraft in the Pacific.”

Lieutenant General Felimon Santos Jr., newly-designated Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), said the military will adhere to the policies of the national government if so it decides to send troops to help US.

“Whatever the policy of the government, we will do it,” Santos said.

“That will be reviewed by the national government and, of course, the Armed Forces,” he stated.

Despite this, the Defense department is continuously monitoring the escalating tension between Washington and Tehran especially since there are over 1,100 Filipinos in Iran as of its record in 2017 — most of them are overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Lorenzana said that they will wait for the recommendations of the concerned agencies if there is a need to fetch the OFWs in the conflict zone.

“On our OFWs, let us await the recommendations of the DFA [Department of Foreign Affairs] and the DOLE [Department of Labor and Employment],” he said.

Talks of an impending war between the US and Iran surfaced when Qassem Soleimani, Iran’s top general, was killed in a drone airstrikes at the Baghdad International Airport in Iraq last Friday.

Also killed was Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, an Iraqi-Iranian military commander who headed the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), an Iraqi state-sponsored umbrella organization that fought major battles against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

The Pentagon confirmed the attack was ordered by Trump to neutralize Soleimani, who commanded the Quds Force, a division that is responsible for extraterritorial military and clandestine operations of Iran, and said to be the brains behind the death of thousands of Americans in the Middle East.

Iran President Hassan Rouhani said that they “will take revenge for this heinous crime.”

https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/01/05/mdt-does-not-oblige-ph-to-send-troops-to-iraq-in-case-of-war-lorenzana/

CPP/Sison: Fascism and neoliberalism against the Filipino people

Jose Maria Sison propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Philippines (NDFP or NDF) Website (Jan 5, 2020): Fascism and neoliberalism against the Filipino people



Comment by Jose Maria Sison

The de facto fascist dictatorship is “legally” based on the persistence of Proclamation No. 55 declaring a state of national emergency and Executive Order No. 70 aimed at militarizing government and society and making them fascist.

Under the pretext of federalizing the state, charter change is being pushed in order to constitutionalize the fascist dictatorship and remove the restrictions on foreign ownership of land and all businesses.

The Duterte regime rigged the May 2019 mid-term elections to produce a supermajority in the Senate to ensure the constitutionalization of fascist dictatorship and the removal of restrictions on foreign ownership of land and all businesses.

The reign of unbridled terror and greed, the combination of fascism and neoliberalism, will inflict more intolerable suffering on the Filipino people and will surely drive them to intensify the new democratic revolution.

The anti-national and anti-democratic scheme of the Duterte regime casts doubts on its avowed interest in peace negotiations with the NDFP for the purpose of making agreements on social, economic and political reforms to lay the basis for a just peace in a truly independent and democratic Philippines.

https://ndfp.org/fascism-and-neoliberalism-against-the-filipino-people/

Kalinaw News: Tribal Leader killed by NPA amid ceasefire in Bukidnon

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jan 5, 2020): Tribal Leader killed by NPA amid ceasefire in Bukidnon
(By 8th Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Division)



Impasugong, January 4- A certain Tribal Leader Datu Sammy Diwangan, 45 y.o, IP Mandatory Representative was shot dead while his son John, 9 y.o. flee the attack of the NPA members of Guerilla Front Malayag at Barangay Canangaan, Cabanglasan, Bukidnon, 9:15 am yesterday.

Residents reported that while the two are busy doing their work in the said area, 4 NPA members carrying firearms stopped them and immediately shot Mr. Sammy at his forehead and multiple gunshots into his body which caused his untimely death while his son John manage to flee the attack.

IPMR Sammy Diwangan is a strong leader in his community and he is against the NPA infiltration and recruitment. A former rebel a.k.a Cardo who recently surrendered to the Army revealed everything of their plans to the said IPMR, “when I was still the NPA commander of the Sentro De Grabidad Thunder of Guerilla front 6, it’s been our plan to neutralize Sammy because we can not execute our mission in expanding our group in Barangay Canangaan because of him.”

John in his revelation said, (translated) “when I got to deliver a gallon of fuel to my father, I see 4 persons and hear gunshots killing him so I ran away immediately going back to our house, I was so afraid!”

Likewise, Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Illana, the commanding officer of the 8th Infantry Battalion condemned the attack done by the members of the NPA of guerilla front Malayag, “we condemn this barbaric act of the NPAs against a helpless civilian who works for his family and community, this act is a clear manifestation of their evolution into a terrorist organization.”

The 8th Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army is always on the right track in following the declaration of ceasefire between the government of the Republic of the Philippines and the CPP-NPA but the members of NPA terrorists are taking advantage of it to execute their plans in neutralizing their target personalities. The local PNP, Philippine Army with the help of the former rebels and Local Government unit will file appropriate cases and proper actions to the identified NPA perpetrators to give justice.

On the other hand, John was referred to the Local Social and Welfare Development of Cabanglasan, Bukidnon for his trauma recovery to what he just witnessed on his father’s death.

https://www.kalinawnews.com/tribal-leader-killed-by-npa-amid-ceasefire-in-bukidnon/

12 Communist Terrorists yielded while on ceasefire

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 5, 2020): 12 Communist Terrorists yielded while on ceasefire (By EMC)

DAVAO CITY- Localized Peace Initiatives in eastern Mindanao continuously take their gains after 12 members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) and six Miltiang Bayan in Eastern Mindanao surrendered in different instances while ceasefire is in effect.

Fourteen hours after the ceasefire was effected on December 23, 2019 three CTG personalities being monitored in San Fernando, Bukidnon voluntarily surrendered to a local Negotiating Team composed of local officials, tribal leaders and representative from the business sector.

They yielded in Matupi, San Fernando, Bukidnon and were turned over to 88IB for the conduct of custodial debriefing. The Negotiating Team identified the surrenderees as: Alias SAM known to be a Team Leader of a vertical unit in Bukidnon; Alias EN-EN a Supply Officer and the wife of Alias SAM; Alias DANNY another Team Leader of the same vertical unit.

On the other hand six Milisya ng Bayan (MB) members from Sitio Tambo, Brgy Binicalan San Luis, Agusan del Sur voluntarily surrendered to 26th Infantry Battalion, San Luis PNP and Municipal Task Force-ELCAC San Luis late afternoon of December 23, 2019. A CTG Medic in Panabo City identified as ANGEL surrendered in the morning of December 24, 2019 through the initiative of Congressman Allan Dujali and Governor Edwin Jubahib of Davao Norte.

In New Bataan, Davao De Oro, a member of an Organizing Committee in Davao City identified as alias BOBBY yielded to 66th Infantry Battalion in the morning of December 25, 2019 bringing along with him his 9mm pistol. In the morning of December 26, 2019, three members of the CTG being monitored in Surigao Del Sur were surrendered by Local Officials in Bislig, Surigao Del Sur to 75th Infantry Battalion.

They were identified as: Alias EJ a Political Guide in the CTG; Alias AZAD and Alias Mylyn both elements of the CTG in the said area. The three surrendered with them the following firearms: two AK47 rifles and one M16A1 rifle.

In a separate instance on December 26, 2019 Community leaders yielded another four CTG members being monitored in Sta Cruz, Davao Del Sur to the joint elements of the Davao Sur Police Office and 39th Infantry Battalion in Sitio Mainit, Brgy Sibulan, Sta Cruz, Davao Del Sur. They were identified as Alias ABETH, a Medical Staff of the CTG previously being monitored in the said area; Aliases JHAZEN, RAMBO, and GOCO all elements of the same group.

They brought with them one M14 Rifle; one M1 Garand Rifle and one M16 Rifle; and Medical paraphernalias. Meanwhile, Lt. General Felimon T. Santos Jr., Commander of Eastern Mindanao Command attributed the cascade of surrender to the effectiveness of the Local Peace Initiatives of the different Local Government Units.

"With this cascade of surrender we see the effectiveness of the local peace initiatives being pursued by the different LGUs. We hope that the academe, the religious sector and other members of the community will channel their initiatives and support these peace endeavors of the different LGUs so that we can all together work for a peaceful environment," Lt Gen. Santos Jr. said. (PR-EMC PA)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1032284

NPA kills tribal leader amid ceasefire in Bukidnon

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 5, 2020): NPA kills tribal leader amid ceasefire in Bukidnon (By 8th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army)

IMPASUGONG, Bukidnon, Jan. 5 -- An Indigenous People Mandatory Representative (IPMR) was shot dead by members of the New People's Army (NPA) Guerilla Front Malayag at Barangay Canangaan, Cabanglasan town, 9:15 am, January 4.

The shooting was witnessed by his 9-year old son who fled after the attack.

The victim was identified as Sammy Diwangan, 45 years old, a strong leader in his community who was against NPA infiltration and recruitment.

Residents reported that while the two are busy doing their work in the said area, four NPA members carrying firearms stopped them and immediately shot Diwangan at his forehead and multiple gunshots into his body which caused his untimely death while his son John manage to flee the attack.

In his revelation, John said, (translated) “I was delivering a gallon of fuel to my father, I saw four persons and heard gunshots killing him so I ran immediately back to our house, I was so afraid!”

A former rebel known as "Cardo "who recently surrendered to the Army revealed their plan to the IPMR. “When I was still the NPA commander of the Sentro De Grabidad Thunder of Guerilla front 6, we planned to neutralize Sammy because we cannot execute our mission in expanding our group in Barangay Canangaan because of him.”

Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Illana, the commanding officer of the 8th Infantry Battalion condemned the attack emphasizing that such barbaric act of the NPA against a helpless civilian who is working for his family and community is a clear manifestation of their evolution into a terrorist organization.

The 8th Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army is always on the right track in following the declaration of ceasefire between the government of the Republic of the Philippines and the CPP-NPA but the members of NPA terrorists are taking advantage of it to execute their plans in neutralizing their target personalities.

The local police, Philippine Army with the help of the former rebels and the Local Government Unit will file appropriate cases and proper actions to the identified NPA perpetrators to give justice to Diwangan.

On the other hand, John was referred to the Cabanglasan Municipal Social and Welfare Development to help him recover from the trauma of what he witnessed. (8IB, PA)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1032298

Gov’t help sought to find IP villager seized by NPA in Surigao

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 5, 2020): Gov’t help sought to find IP villager seized by NPA in Surigao (By Alexander Lopez) 



Courtesy of Google map

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur – The Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) of the municipality of San Miguel in the province of Surigao del Sur appealed for help from the government to locate a Manobo tribe member abducted by the New People’s Army (NPA) in the area.

In an interview with the Philippine News Agency on Sunday, Datu Rico Maca said Taloy Aguilo Astudillo and another Manobo identified only by his family name ‘Bibat’ were seized by the NPA from their village in Sitio Inadan, Magroyong, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur on Dec. 3, 2019.
Maca said the NPA only released Bibat on the same day but the tribe has no knowledge of the whereabouts of Astudillo until now.

“They were abducted by the NPA for suspicion of being assets of the Philippine Army,” Maca added.

He said the family of Astudillo is also appealing to the government for help, including his children who are now worried about his situation.

“Astudillo is 30 years of age, married with three children. His wife is also pregnant,” he added.

He also asked the NPA to return the remains of Astudillo if ever they already killed the victim.

“It is sad to note that people are kidnapped by the NPA because they are suspected of being assets or supporters of the military,” Maca added.

He said the abduction was already reported to the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Army in the area but until now, no positive findings were achieved in the efforts to find Astudillo.

“The Army has already launched operations in the area but failed to locate the victim,” Maca added.

On Sunday, Captain Jonald Romorosa, civil-military operations officer of the Army's 36th Infantry Battalion, told the PNA that they have already conducted operations to find the victim.

He said they also received information of a newly-found grave in the area but turned out negative after an actual verification by the government troops.

Romorosa said the Army has also been coordinating with the local officials, community leaders, and the PNP to determine the condition of Astudillo and find his location.

NPA is an armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1090033

Suspected NPA rebels gun down IP leader

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 5, 2020): Suspected NPA rebels gun down IP leader (By Eldie Aguirre and Jigger Jerusalem)



TRIBAL LEADER SHOT DEAD. The bloodied remains of Datu Sammy Diwangan lies in a grassy area after he was gunned down by four men believed to be members of the New People’s Army in Barangay Canangaan, Cabanglasan town in Bukidnon on Saturday (Jan. 4, 2020). Diwangan is an Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative in the village council. (Photo courtesy of Army’s 8th IB, 4th ID)

IMPASUGONG, Bukidnon – Some four suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) shot dead a tribal leader in Barangay Canangaan, Cabanglasan, Bukidnon on Saturday, a military report said.

First Lieutenant Ken T. Cabbigat, civil-military operations officer of the Army’s 8th Infantry Battalion (8IB), 4th Infantry Division (4ID), said the victim was identified as Datu Sammy Diwangan, 45, an Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative in the village council.
Cabiggat said Diwangan and his nine-year-old son, John, was busy doing some work chores when the four armed men emerged and asked them to stop and “immediately” shot the tribal leader on his forehead and other parts of the body.

Diwangan’s son managed to flee and told investigators that he was about to bring a gallon of fuel to his father when he saw four men approaching and fired their guns, prompting him to run back to their house.

Cabiggat said Diwangan was a strong community leader and he is known to be against NPA infiltration and recruitment in the area.

Reports said that a certain Cardo (not his real name), who recently surrendered to the Army, was quoted as saying that when he was still the NPA commander of the Sentro De Grabidad Thunder of Guerilla Front 6, there were plans to neutralize Diwangan since they cannot pursue their mission to expand in Barangay Canangaan due to his resistance against the NPA group.
Lt. Colonel Ronald Illana, commanding officer of the 8th Infantry Battalion, condemned the attack against the tribal leader.

“We condemn this barbaric act of the NPAs against helpless civilian who work for his family and the community. This act is a clear manifestation of their evolution into a terrorist organization," he said.

Cabiggat said their unit always adheres to the declaration of a ceasefire between the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines, but the NPA terrorists are taking advantage of it to execute their plans in neutralizing their target personalities.

The military and the local police with the assistance of former rebels and the local government unit will file charges and initiate proper actions against the perpetrators so that justice for the death of Diwangan will be served.

Meanwhile, John was brought to the local social welfare and development office in Cabanglasan, Bukidnon for psychological first aid brought by the traumatic incident he had experienced, the military said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1090037

Prepare air, naval assets for MidEast evacuations, AFP ordered

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 5, 2020): Prepare air, naval assets for MidEast evacuations, AFP ordered (By Priam Nepomuceno)



Department of National Defense (DND) spokesperson Arsenio Andolong (PNA File photo)

In the wake of rising tension between the United States and Iran, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has been ordered by President Rodrigo R. Duterte to prepare it's air and naval assets which could be used in the evacuation of overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East should hostilities erupt in the region.

This, according to Department of National Defense (DND) spokesperson Arsenio Andolong in a message to reporters Sunday night.

"The President has tasked the AFP to prepare its air and naval assets to evacuate and bring home our countrymen if and when open hostilities erupt in the Middle East that may endanger their lives," Andolong said.

He said this order came after the Chief Executive called for an emergency meeting with DND Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, newly-appointed AFP chief-of-staff, Lt. Gen. Filemon T. Santos, commanders of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, Philippine National Police chief, and their principal staffs on Sunday afternoon.

The meeting, he said, was conducted to ensure the safety of Filipinos working in the Middle East especially those deployed in Iran and Iraq whose well-being could be endangered in the event of open hostilities.

"The sole agenda was how to ensure the safety of our countrymen in the Middle East especially those in Iraq and Iran as the tension between the US and Iran rises. There are 1,600 and 6,000 Filipinos in Iran and Iraq, respectively," Andolong said.

Tensions escalated in the Middle East after top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani was killed in a drone strike in Baghdad, Iraq on January 3 which was reportedly ordered by US President Donald Trump.

Tehran vowed a fierce retaliation against those responsible for the death of Soleimani.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1090042

Clarify some issues in CASER before peace talks: NTF ELCAC exec

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 5, 2020): Clarify some issues in CASER before peace talks: NTF ELCAC exec (By Gigie Arcilla)



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

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will support another round of peace talks provided some issues in the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER) are clarified.

Major General Antonio Parlade, Jr., of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC), expressed his concern Sunday night, two days before the holiday ceasefire between the government and Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) expires midnight of Jan. 7.

“If the government decides to extend the truce, the AFP will comply. It will even support another round of peace talks. But first, the following needs to be clarified, especially on CASER,” he said referring to the CPP’s NDFP’s version of the CASER dated October 23, 2017.

International repercussions

Parlade said under CASER’s National Industrialization and Economic Development, Article VII Financing National Industrialization, Section 1. a calls for the confiscation and expropriation of assets of foreign monopoly capitalists, big compradors, and bureaucrat capitalists.

“This sounds interesting but we are almost certain there will be international repercussions, if not foreign military intervention, in order for foreign governments to protect their interests in the Philippines.,” he added.

He said the AFP cannot defend national interest because CASER also calls for the demobilization of the AFP (Article X: Role of Demobilized GRP Military Personnel).
“What's left of the AFP in the event CASER is implemented are the Engineering Brigades tasked to undertake civil works and infrastructure for industrial development,” said Parlade, who is also AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil-MIlitary Operations.

He added that on Page 74 of CASER’s Article IX -- Role of the NPA and the Progressive and Revolutionary Mass Organizations, it is the NPA that will not be demobilized.
Treachery
“Treachery has always been in the DNA of these terrorist CPP – NPA (New People’s Army) – NDF (National Democratic Front), especially Sison, which brings us to the issue on peace talks and CASER, one of the substantive agenda that the NDFP has been pushing, along with Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG), CAPCR, and Comprehensive Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities and Disposition of Forces (CACHDF),” he said.

He said on the eve of the termination of the ceasefire, he can almost predict that the terrorist group CPP NPA will most likely attack again AFP and Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel.

“They did this in Iloilo and Camarines Norte nine hours after the declaration on Dec. 23,” he said referring to the NPA attacks on a police patrol in Tubungan, Iloilo., and on troopers of the Army’s 92nd Division Reconnaissance Company in Labo town, Camarines on the first day of the holiday ceasefire.

The NPA attacks left at least two policemen wounded in the improvised explosive device (IED) ambush in Iloilo while a soldier was killed and six others were injured in Camarines Norte.

“We are almost certain as a next move that the NDFP will again demand the extension of the Ceasefire, as a confidence-building initiative, despite the fact that the security sector has never felt confident with the truce. What’s with the pattern of treacherous attacks these terrorists commit during the truce,” he added.

The once pale, emaciated, and very weak red fighters of Joma, he said, has regained some strength because of the holiday truce.

“Let’s deal with those issues first and then maybe we can convince the people that these peace talks are worth a try,” Parlade added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1090043

EO 70 to end insurgency’s ‘treacherous life cycle’: new AFP Chief

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 5, 2020): EO 70 to end insurgency’s ‘treacherous life cycle’: new AFP Chief (By Gigie Arcilla)



NEW AFP CHIEF. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (right) hands over the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Command Saber to newly-installed AFP Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Felimon Santos during the AFP Change of Command ceremony at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Jan. 4. (Rey Baniquet/Presidential Photo)

Lauding the significant gains of the National Task Force to End Local Communist (lNTF ELCAC), the newly-installed Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is confident that the multi-pronged approach of Executive Order 70 will put an end to the treacherous life cycle of the more than five decades of insurgency.

Speaking during the AFP Change of Command ceremony on Jan. 4, Lt. General Felimon Santos, said unlike in the past when local chief executives left the insurgency problem solely to the AFP and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to deal with, EO involves all government agencies from the national to the barangay level with delineated roles and responsibilities in the whole-of-nation approach.

“Government agencies and their corresponding units at all levels cooperate, interact, support, provide practical solutions and solve problems and issues on the ground that are being exploited by these communist terrorists in order to stir-up our countrymen to fight against our government through armed struggle,” Santos said.

He added that EO 70, which was signed by President R. Duterte in December 2018, created NTF ELCAC that institutionalized a whole-of-nation approach in obtaining exclusive and sustainable peace-giving us an effective solution against communist-terrorists.

“This multi-pronged approach addresses the motivation for insurgency and will hopefully put an end to its treacherous life cycle,” he said, adding that by doing so, there will be no reason for the Communist Party of the Philippines, its armed wing the New People's Army, and the National Democratic Front to agitate, organize and mobilize the vulnerable sectors and communities.

Good governance
Santos, who headed the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command based in Davao City, said he witnessed what EO provides for as it is being actually done in the provinces of Davao Oriental by Governor Nelson Dayanghirang, Davao de Oro by Governor Tyron Uy, Davao del Norte by Governor Edwin Jubahib, and Davao City by Mayor Sara Duterte.

“Good governance practices and the efficient delivery of basic services for their constituents create resilient communities that thwart the return of the communist terrorist groups in their respective provinces and city,” he added.

The AFP, he said, can now focus its resources, manpower, and firepower on the remaining communists who persist with armed struggle despite the government’s goodwill through cash assistance, livelihood training, and housing.

Santos, who is the 53rd AFP Chief of Staff taking the top military post from retired General Noel Clement, vowed to immediately neutralize groups that insist on seizing political power through armed struggle and other local terrorist groups like Abu Sayyaf.

“We shall effectively counter their narratives through good governance, build community trust and earn the people’s respect, he said.

He added that vigilance, support, and cooperation in the local populace are needed in order to suppress and prevent any future terroristic plans from occurring and avoiding the unnecessary loss of human lives and damage to property.

“The AFP should always be battle-ready to counteract any threat that confronts our desire for peace,” he said, adding that the AFP remains committed to supporting and working towards a successful implementation of the agreements for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and the peace accord with the Moro National Liberation Front.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1090045