Key Philippine Military and Insurgency-Related Events: 01/22/20

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

CPP: Magpalihok aron maghatag og hinabang sa Batangas

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jan 22, 2020): Magpalihok aron maghatag og hinabang sa Batangas

Atubangan sa kaylap nga ekonomikanhong pagkapapha ug kaguliyang sa kinabuhi nga gimugna sa pagbuto sa bulkang Taal, nagapanawagan ang Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas (PKP) sa katawhang Pilipino ug tanang rebolusyonaryong pwersa nga palihukon ang pinakalapad nga tinubdan aron mohatag og hinabang alang sa gatusan ka libong katawhan sa Batangas ug mga kasikbit nga probinsya.

Nakighiusa ang Partido sa pinakalapad nga masa sa mangingisda, mag-uuma ug mamumuong-panguma nga napugos mobakwit sa luwas nga mga lugar. Giantos nila ang pagkaguba sa mga balay ug pananom, pagkawala sa mga umahan ug mananap ug pagpugong nga mangisda nga tinubdan sa ilang panginabuhian. Ginaksabo nila ang kawalay simpatiya o konsiderasyon sa gubyerno luyo sa ilang kawala’y kita ug kawala’y insurance gikan sa estado. Nagpatigbabaw ang kalamidad sa malahutayong ekonomikanhong problema sama sa ubos nga presyo sa mga tanom ug isda, grabeng pagka-dili patas sa kasabutan sa pagbuhi og manok, baboy ug baka, ug uban pa.

Giawhag sa Partido ang tanang demokratikong pwersa nga maghiusa ug magpalihok aron ipaabot ang tanang hinabang ngadto sa mga naluwas sa kalamidad. Mahimong motabang ang mga rebolusyonaryong pwersa sa Batangas ug sa rehiyon sa Southern Tagalog, nga kabahin sa National Democratic Front of the Philippines, sa pagkoordina sa mga paningkamot aron ,masiguro nga direktang ang tanang hinabang sa katawhan. Mahimong magtukod og mga tim ang New People’s Army (NPA) aron imagpahigayon og mgamedikal ug psycho-social nga pagpanambal nanginahanglan .

https://cpp.ph/2020/01/22/magpalihok-aron-maghatag-og-hinabang-sa-batangas/

CPP: Mobilize to extend relief for Batangas

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jan 22, 2020): Mobilize to extend relief for Batangas

In the face of widespread economic displacement and disruption of lives brought
about by explosions of the Taal volcano, the Communist Party of the Philippines
(CPP) calls on the Filipino people and all revolutionary forces to mobilize the
widest possible resources to extend relief assistance for the hundreds of
thousands of people in Batangas and nearby provinces.

The Party empathizes with the broad masses of fisherfolk, peasants and farm
workers who have been forced to evacuate to safer areas. They suffer from
damaged homes and crops, loss of farm and work animals and prohibition from
fishing which are their sources of livelihood. They bemoan the government’s
lack of sympathy or consideration over their loss of income and lack of state
insurance. The calamity comes on top of long-standing economic problems such as low prices of crops and fish catch, highly unequal terms in raising poultry,
hogs and cattle, and others.

The Party urges all democratic forces to unite and mobilize to extend all-out
assistance to the survivors of the calamity. Revolutionary forces in Batangas
and in the Southern Tagalog region affiliated with the National Democratic
Front of the Philippines can help coordinate efforts to ensure that all relief
assistance will go directly to the people. Units of the New People’s Army (NPA)
can form teams to extend medical and psycho-social treatment to those in need.

https://cpp.ph/2020/01/22/mobilize-to-extend-relief-for-batangas/

Kalinaw News: Communist rebel surrenders anew

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jan 22, 2020): Communist rebel surrenders anew (By 6th Infantry Division)

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – A member of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to 7th Infantry Battalion on January 17, 2020 in Brgy Bagumbayan, Magpet town of North Cotabato.

The communist rebel was identified as alias Raprap, head of Militia ng Bayan (MB) under LGU-one (1), Guerilla Front 53 of Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC) operating in Matalam, North Cotabato. His group was led by a certain Eduardo Arnado.

Raprap brought with him one M14 rifle with magazine and ammunitions during his surrender.

Raprap said that he decided to surrender because of the hardships he was experiencing together with the NPA fighting the government troops.

He also wanted to live a life free of armed struggle as he realized that they are fighting for a wrong cause.

“The former rebel had asked permission for a medical leave from the leadership of the LGU-one and he was assigned as head of the MB at Barangay Bagumbayan while on medical leave,” said Lt. Col. Neil Alfonso R. Roldan, Commanding Officer of 7th IB.

“His decision to surrender was when he learned that more members of Guerilla Front 53 have surrendered to the government. He immediately sought the help of the military where he was brought to 7th IB Headquarters for his security,” Lt. Col. Roldan added.

The Commander of Joint Task Force Central, Maj. Gen. Diosdado C. Carreon, encouraged other members of the rebel group as the government is ready to give them livelihood and financial assistance to live a normal life.

Currently, the former rebel is at the custody of 7th IB while the unit is preparing his necessary documents for him to avail the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/communist-rebel-surrenders-anew/

Kalinaw News: JTFC troops diffused IED in President Quirino town

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jan 22, 2020): JTFC troops diffused IED in President Quirino town (By 6th Infantry Division)

Camp Siongco, Maguindanao – An improvised explosive device (IED) was discovered yesterday afternoon (January 20) by the Army’s 40th Infantry Battalion of Joint Task Force Central (JTFC) at Barangay Bagumbayan, President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat.

The 40th IB acted on a report from a concerned civilian citing a suspicious object placed at a roadside in Barangay Bagumbayan.

The 40th IB troops together with the 3rd Explosive Ordnance Disposal team scoured the area carefully and found an object wrapped in packaging tape. Troops immediately cordoned the area for the safety of the commuters and passers-by.

After the IED was safely disarmed, it was brought at 3rd EOD Coy Headquarters in Tacurong City for proper disposition and further investigation.

It was found out that the IED was made of flash powder placed inside a 1-liter plastic container.

“I commend our Joint Task Force Central troops for continuously securing the community against threat of terror and prevented another bombing attempt in Central Mindanao,” JTFC Commander Maj. Gen. Diosdado C. Carreon said.

https://www.kalinawnews.com/jtfc-troops-diffused-ied-in-president-quirino-town/

Kalinaw News: 3ID Commander lauds launching of the Retooled Community Support Program in Negros Occidental

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jan 22, 2020): 3ID Commander lauds launching of the Retooled Community Support Program in Negros Occidental (By 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division)

CAMP PERALTA, Jamindan, Capiz – Brigadier General Eric Vinoya, the Commander of the Army’s 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division, lauded the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF ELCAC) of the Province of Negros Occidental headed by Governor Eugenio Lacson for launching the Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) in Isabela, Negros Occidental yesterday, January 21, 2020.

“The launching of the RCSP can be considered as a milestone to the Regional and the Provincial ELCAC’s peace drive, with the Local Government taking the lead role in ending the decades-long local Communist armed conflict”, said Brigadier General Vinoya.

“Peace is everybody’s concern. This is the essence of the Whole-of-Nation Approach of the Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict. With the LGU taking the lead role, the RCSP converges the efforts of all government instrumentalities to ensure that basic services will be delivered to the communities and that social issues being exploited by the communist-terrorists are properly addressed.” Brigadier General Vinoya added.

The launching of the RCSP was graced by DILG Assistant Secretary for Peace and Order Manuel B Felix.

It was highlighted by an outreach program dubbed as “Serbisyo Negrosanon”, wherein various National and Local Government Agencies offered their services to more or less 1,200 beneficiaries.

With the launching of the RCSP in Isabela, Negros Occidental, Brigadier General Vinoya called upon the other LGUs to step-up and take the lead role in ending insurgency, as what Negros Occidental Provincial Government and the Isabela Municipal Government is doing. “With the support of the people, we can say that we are nearing the attainment of our peace objectives, hence, I am urging other LGUs to step-up the fight against insurgency, rally behind the support of the people, and lead them in taking the path towards the attainment of genuine peace and progress,” said Vinoya

Kalinaw News: "Anti-insurgency efforts pay-off in Negros Occidental"

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jan 22, 2020): "Anti-insurgency efforts pay-off in Negros Occidental" (By 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division)

CAMP PERALTA, Jamindan, Capiz – The full force of the anti-insurgency efforts of the Cauayanons and the Army’s 15th Infantry Battalion is significantly hitting the CPP-NPA Terrorists in Cauayan, Negros Occidental.

Brigadier General Eric Vinoya, Commander of the Army’s 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division, made this remark following the armed engagement between 15IB and CPP-NPA Terrorists, wherein a female member terrorist is believed to have died as a result of the clash, in Barangay Camalandaan in Cauayan town, Province of Negros Occidental on January 21, 2020.

“The overwhelming support of the Cauayanons to our anti-insurgency drive, especially by providing our troops vital information on the whereabouts of the enemy, boosted our relentless combat operations against these anti-people, anti-peace, and anti-progress communist-terrorists. We will continue to fulfill the Negrenses’ desire for an insurgency-free Negros as I renew my order to our troops to be relentless in hunting down these terrorists.” Brigadier General Vinoya said.

Brigadier General Vinoya also commended the dauntless troops of the 15IB especially those who were wounded and shed their blood in protecting the people from the menace of the communist-terrorists. “Wounds only motivate our soldiers to fight harder against oppressors of the Filipino people. Thus, the CPP-NPA Terrorists should consider our long-time call for them to surrender. Otherwise, they will suffer the same fate as that of their dead comrades.” Vinoya emphasized.

https://www.kalinawnews.com/anti-insurgency-efforts-pay-off-in-negros-occidental/

Kalinaw News: LBP on the Essence of the RCSP

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jan 22, 2020): LBP on the Essence of the RCSP (By 97th Kalasaglahi Battalion "Defender of the People"0

LEON B POSTIGO, Brgy.Poblacion— The Municipality of Leon B Postigo conducted Municipal Peace and Order and Municipal Development Council meeting held at the Municipal hall of Leon B Postigo, Bry. Poblacion, Zamboanga del Norte, January 16, 2019.

The meeting was attended by various Local Government Units of the Municipality and the 97th Infantry (Kalasaglahi) Battalion and presided by Hon. Hemorgenes B. Cordova, Muncipal Mayor of Leon B Postigo. The purpose of the meeting is to thoroughly understand the essence of the Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP).

1st Lt. Edrian O Resueño, Civil- Military OperationsOfficer of this unit gave a lecture with regards to the RCSP and its main purpose in resolving insurgency in the Municipality of Leon B Postigo. The Local Government Units were tentatively paying attention and very active during the said lecture as they are very willing to cooperate as per the Executive Order No. 70 mandates.

Four barangays was categorized to be less influenced and also four barangays was categorized to be influenced by the CPP-NPA-NDF of the Municipality of Leon B Postigo. Before the end of the meeting 1stLt.Resueño raised to the council the activation of the RCSP team, RCSP core team and subsequently seconded by Mr. Eduardo B. Hipulan, Municipality Information Officer of Leon B Postigo.

Kalinaw News: NPA destroyed family reunite

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jan 22, 2020): NPA destroyed family reunite (By 4th Infantry Division)

Bancasi, Butuan City – The Mandag family in Agusan del Norte was happily reunited when their parents who are CPP-NPA Terrorist (CNT) members together with other siblings surrendered to the Community Support Team (CST) of 29th Infantry (Matatag) Battalion under the 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade on January 16, 2020 at Brgy San Antonio, Remedios T Romualdez, Agusan del Norte.

Bringing along with them one (1) M16 rifle with one (1) magazine and medical equipment, seven (7) out of the nine (9) members of the Mandag family to include three (3) minors surrendered to the CSP team of 29IB after a month of negotiations. They were identified as Rommel E Mandag alias Yeni, 39 yrs old; Roberto E Mandag alias Vic, 43 yrs old; and Liza M Mandag alias Rina, 40 yrs old, all members of Squad “Bobee”-3, Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda (SYP) 21C, Guerilla Front (GF) 21 of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) together with Penilin B Mandag, 33 yrs old and minors: Marco, 12 yrs old; Marlon, 14 yrs old and Roy, 12 yrs old (not their true name) who were CNT mass supporters and couriers.

The NPA destroyed the Mandag family when it recruited its members separately. Three (3) members of the family to include the father and mother, Roberto and Liza, became regular NPA members leaving their children for almost two (2) years yielding to the false promises of the NPA that they will give support to their family. Their children were left behind with only their aunt taking care of them who were in turn became as CNT couriers.

During the interview with Liza, she revealed that she was forced to follow suit and join the NPA in order to encourage his husband to return to their family as she is unable to raise their children alone. Sadly, it took her more than six (6) months of misery and sacrifice as she left her children to survive on their own. The emotionally filled reunion of the whole Mandag family happened after Roberto and Liza’s two (2) children, CNT Underground Movement Organization (UGMO) members, identified as Ricky Mandag, 18 yrs old and Lina (not her true name), 14 yrs old, who earlier surrendered to government troops last September 14, 2019 pleaded to their parents to stop supporting the NPA and surrender so that they will be together again.

“Kami sa akong manghud miundang sa pagsuporta sa kalihukan kay nalamdagan kami sa unsa ang tinood nga tumong sa NPA. Busa amo gyud gihangyo ang amo ginikanan og uban nga kaparentehan nga musurender na pud kay daghan plano og programa ang gobyerno alang sa mga sama namo nga kabos. Kini sukwahi sa mga gilinya nga propaganda sa amo sa mga NPA”. Ricky and her sister Lina are now active members of the Youth Leadership Summit (YLS), a group of youth volunteers who advocate and act as conduit of peace and development in their locality.

According to Roberto, who was teary eyed during the initial interview, they were attracted to support and join the NPA because of poverty. They were made to believe that their lives will be better by joining the NPA. He further said that because of the brainwashing and false promises given to them by the CNTs, their family was destroyed and their lives even became more difficult. “Lisod kaayo nga magbulag bulag ang pamilya. Tungod aning pagsulod og pagsuporta namo sa NPA, nabiyaan namo ang amo mga anak. Naghulat mig higayon nga makalinya sa tropa arun makasurender. Nangayo kog pasaylo sa akong mga anak sa mga tuig nga nasayang og napasagdan nako sila. Pasalamat mig dako nga sa among mga duha ka anak nga nauna nga mitahan sa tropa ug nag-giya kanamo nga mubalik sa sabakan sa balaod og mamuhig normal og hapsay kauban ang matag myembro sa among pamilya”.

Meanwhile, Brigadier General Maurito L Licudine, Commander of the 402nd Brigade in his statement said, “We congratulate the Mandag family for heeding the call to surrender and finally be reunited with their children and other relatives. They can now start rebuilding their family and rest assured that your Army and the Local Government Unit will hand in hand help them to start their life anew. “This is the strategy of the CPP-NPA-NDF, disintegrate the basic unit of our society, the family, and establish a different sector such as youth sector for the children, women’s sector for the mothers and fisher folks/farmer sector for the fathers in order to advance their self-vested interest to conduct propaganda and recruit members as NPA fighters”.

“We call on to all families to be alert and on guard on the CNT recruitment strategy using issues not to solve the problem but only to agitate and eventually recruit prospected members. Let us deny the NPAs from destroying the basic fiber of our society, the family. Let’s decry the CNTs lies and deceit and call out, HANDS OFF OUR FAMILIES!”, Brigadier General Licudine added.

Diplomats: 1st line of defense in countering extremism

From the Business Mirror (Jan 23, 2020): Diplomats: 1st line of defense in countering extremism

About 63 participants from select foreign-service posts, Department of Foreign Affairs home office, Foreign Service Institute and other government intelligence agencies such as the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, the National Security Council, Philippine National Police and the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines complete the course.

THE Foreign Service Institute (FSI) conducted the Training Course on Counterterrorism for Foreign Service Officers (FSOs) in the Department of Foreign Affairs’ home office, embassies and consulates general from December 9 to 13, 2019.

The course was organized by FSI through the training services offered by the Global Risk Mitigation Foundation (GRMF), a nonprofit organization based in Honolulu focused on the development of holistic, comprehensive risk assessments and innovative education-based solutions.

The training course is one of the innovations being introduced by FSI to elevate the quality and breadth of its modules by focusing on specialized areas highly relevant to the work of foreign service personnel as it taps the expertise of resource persons from other countries.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. expresses confidence that the training course could further enhance the Philippines’s counterterrorism efforts through its diplomats.

The objective of the course was to sensitize diplomats to the extremists’ interpretation of Islamic history and the events that serve as the basis for their thoughts and actions. It, likewise, aimed to demonstrate with clarity and demystify the ideological differences between devout fundamentalists and violent extremists.

Said course also provided diplomats not only the knowledge to better appreciate the historical and ideological roots of extremist groups, but also the analytical tools to help identify potential national security threats to the Philippines.
International, local experts

THE course ran under the guidance of three resource persons who provided lectures and facilitated discussions during the five-day training course: former Federal Bureau of Investigation Chief Counterterrorism Center instructor Kim Jensen, retired FBI Special Agent Ripley McGuinn and retired Philippine National Police officer Gen. David Ombao.

Jensen was the legal liaison officer for the governments of Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon during his tenure with the FBI. He was instrumental in developing the highly successful United States counterterrorism response that paralleled the techniques deployed against extremists by the governments of Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

McGuinn has gained significant depth and experience working on counterterrorism measures with his career particularly focused on efforts to counter violent extremism in Southeast Asia. He is a recognized subject-matter expert on the Abu Sayyaf Group, and has worked, as well as conducted investigations about the ASG since its inception.

Retired General Ombao has acquired an extensive experience in terrorism prevention in the Philippines and international counterterrorism activity coordination, including with the FBI. He is a native of Mindanao who has spent many years investigating money laundering and terrorist-financing activities.

Adding value, depth
ACCORDING to FSI Officer in Charge Celeste Vinzon-Balatbat, the course can potentially add value to the work of FSOs through basic knowledge, skills and new perspectives that will enable them to better evaluate visa applications at posts, revisit the Philippines’s visa policy vis-à-vis national security and economic considerations, and become more attuned to political and security developments at post.

Vinzon-Balatbat said the training course adds depth to the FSO’s political reports and enrich their interaction with host government officials, including those from intelligence agencies.

The course was, likewise, attended by new FSOs and more experienced officers directly responsible for analyzing political matters, including counterterrorism issues. Attendees assess the impact on the Philippines of political developments abroad, as well as submit policy recommendations on political and visa-related issues.

Representatives of other government intelligence and security agencies also participated in the course that, in the process, not only enhanced their expertise in counterterrorism, but also strengthened the linkages and networking between Filipino diplomats and their intelligence counterparts in the Philippine government. DFA

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/01/23/diplomats-1st-line-of-defense-in-countering-extremism/

Army officer slain in clash with NPA in Camarines Norte town

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jan 22, 2020): Army officer slain in clash with NPA in Camarines Norte town (By Ma. April Mier-Manjares)

An Army officer was killed in a clash with members of New People’s Army in the town of Labo, Camarines Norte province on Wednesday (Jan. 22).

Col. Marlon Tejada, Camarines Norte police chief, said the officer, identified only by his surname, Nopueto, with a rank of second lieutenant, was hit in the first volley of fire at the village of Malaya, an isolated mountainous area in Labo.

Nopueto, according to Tejada, was leading a patrol around 8;a.m. in the area with members of the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Co of the police.

The clash with at least 30 rebels lasted for about 30 minutes.

Tejada said an undetermined number of rebels were wounded.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1218102/army-officer-slain-in-clash-with-npa-in-camarines-norte-town

3 armed NPAs, 4 couriers yield to Army in Agusan

From the Manila Bulletin (Jan 22, 2020): 3 armed NPAs, 4 couriers yield to Army in Agusan (By Mike Crismundo)

REMEDIOS TRINIDAD ROMUALDEZ, Agusan del Norte – Three armed New People’s Army (NPA) rebels and four couriers of the Communist movement voluntarily surrendered to the Community Support Teams (CSTs) of the Army’s 29th Infantry (Matatag) Battalion (29th IB) in Barangay San Antonio, Remedios Trinidad Romualdez (RTR), Agusan del Norte province.

New People’s Army (MANILA BULLETIN)

First Lt. Miguel O. Borromeo, Civil Military Operations (CMO) officer of the 29th IB, told the local newsmen on Wednesday that the three former NPAs brought along with them their M-16 rifles, live ammunition and medical supplies when they gave themselves up to the command group of the 29th IB led by its commander Lt. Col. Isagani O. Criste.

“The surrenderers belong to one clan,” said the CMO officer of the 29th IB.

The surrenderers, whose identities were temporarily withheld for their safety, were former members of SYP 21-C of the Weakened Guerilla Front 21 (GFC 21) of the CPP-NPA North Eastern Mindanao Regional Command (NEMRC), 1st Lt. Borromeo said.

“Extreme fatigue, hunger and hardships in the mountains made them decide to surrender,” the 29th IB CMO officer said, adding “besides they wanted to live now a normal and peaceful life with their respective families and be productive in their communities”.

The relentless efforts of the CSTs deployed in the area of operations of the 29th IB also forced them to surrender.

Lt. Col. Criste said that he was glad that these NPA rebels were enlightened and decided to surrender and return to the folds of law where they can be given the opportunity to avail of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program of the government.

“With this, they can start a new life and can look forward to a better future with their families,” he said.

“To those who are having second thoughts about surrendering, come down now. Trust your Army and the government for we are here to truly help you to have a better life compared to the life which you have right now,” Criste added.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/01/22/3-armed-npas-4-couriers-yield-to-army-in-agusan/

NPA couple, 5 other commanders yield to gov’t forces

From the Manila Bulletin (Jan 22, 2020): NPA couple, 5 other commanders yield to gov’t forces (By Mike Crismundo)

CAMP BANCASI, Butuan City – A couple holding key positions in the Communist movement, along with five other New People’s Army (NPA) commanders, surrendered to local officials and government security forces in Bukidnon province, Maj. Regie H. Go, chief of Public Affairs Office (PAO) of the Army’s 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division (4th ID) said.

New People’s Army (MANILA BULLETIN)

In an exclusive interview with The Manila Bulletin on Wednesday, the PAO chief of the 4th ID said Commander Jigger, 37, commanding officer of Guerilla Front 6 (GF6) of Front Operation Command (FOC) and his wife Ka Jamby, 28, secretary and strategist who was involved in radicalizing new members of the same command, were the first ones to give themselves up to Valencia City Mayor Azucena Huervas and Bukidnon fourth district Rep. Rogelio Neil Roque, thru barangay Banlag councilor Saliezer Dejos, last week.

After learning of the couple’s, five other field NPA commanders of the Sentro de Grabidad and Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda 5 (SYP5) North Central Mindanao Regional Committee also turned themselves in to local officials and government forces in Valencia City, Bukidnon province.

The couple and the NPA commanders were officially presented yesterday to the command group of the Army’s 403rd Infantry (Peacemaker) Brigade through the 88th Infantry Battalion (88th IB).

The couple, along with their five comrades, were also presented by Valencia City officials to Bukidnon Gov. Jose Ma. Zubiri, Jr. who is provincial chairman of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) Committee.

The true names of the surrenderees were temporarily withheld for their safety and security.

Go said the initial tactical information given by the couple and the NPA commanders said the Communist movement was already losing ground because people started to notice the progress of projects that President Duterte put in place in the different barangays in the province.

“Setting up of various health centers in remote areas, construction of roads and bridges, road widening and expansion, among all other government programs where the poorest of the poor are all counted in are main factors in giving up themselves back to the fold of the government, the 4th ID PAO officer said.

They (surrendrers) said that with the Executive Order 70 and the full implementation of End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) program, the barrio folks felt the government is getting closer to them, he said.

“Newly paved highways eased the farm-to-market deliveries of their harvests. Our supporters, therefore, started to fall off. Eventually, they [mass base] withdrew their support to our group,” Maj. Go said, quoting the statement of “Commander Jamby”.

Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Edgardo De Leon, commanding general of the Army’s 403rd Infantry (Peacemaker) Brigade said the surrender of the Front Secretary was a very significant breakthrough of the Task Force ELCAC in Bukidnon province.

He said Guerrilla Front 6 in Bukidnon was on the brink of collapse, pointing to the continued surrender of top-ranking NPA leaders and the fall of several members as indicators.

“Joma [Jose Maria Sison] is singing his own praises. The rising number of Guerilla Fronts that Joma boastfully claimed is now waning. Jamby revealed that 18 KRBs (Kilusang Rebolusyonaryong Barangay or CPP ‘shadow government’) that she personally established in Bukidnon were dismantled due to the people’s withdrawal of membership in their “KalMas (Kalihokang Masa)” and “Sanga sa Partido sa Lokalidad (SPL),” claimed Brig. Gen. De Leon, in a statement.

Maj. Gen. Franco Nemesio M. Gacal, commanding general of the Army’s Northeastern and Northern Mindanao 4th ID commended the 403rd Brigade, the 88IB, and the local government unit of Bukidnon for winning the peaceful war in that part of Mindanao.

“Our war is not focused on winning battles through the barrel of guns. Ours is a peaceful war involving communities in conflict-affected areas. We, together with local leaders and our constituents, join hands and commit to battle land issues, poverty, and other problems through dialogue with the right people, organization, and agency,” said the 4th ID chief, in the same statement sent to The Manila Bulletin on Wednesday.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/01/22/npa-couple-5-other-commanders-yield-to-govt-forces/

Rifles, guns owned by NPAs recovered

From the Mindanao Times (Jan 22, 2020): Rifles, guns owned by NPAs recovered (By Rhoda Grace Saron)

Four high-powered firearms and two low-powered firearms of the New People’s Army were recovered by soldiers of the 89th Infantry Battalion in Sitio Kalinawan, Barangay Kibongkog, San Fernando, Bukidnon last week.

Lt Col. Silas Trasmontero, the 89th IB commander, said the troops recovered the arms cache on the information given by the former rebels.

Trasmontero identified the surrenderees as Ellezer Alquiza Gonzaga alias Dodong, commanding officer of the Basil Platoon, Guerilla Front 55, followed by the surrender of seven members under his leadership last Dec. 23 and 29.

They surrendered after the military dismantled the Komiteng Rebolusyonaryo sa Munisipalidad operating in four barangays in San Fernando and three barangays in Kitaotao, all in Bukidnon.
“The unit had initiated a new negotiating team composed of barangay officials, tribal leaders, close friends and relatives of NPA regular members and intelligence operatives who are tasked to engage the families of the active members of GF55 to facilitate the surrender of remaining Communist terrorist group members,” he added.

“It also shows a clear manifestation that the community no longer supports the NPA in the area for they wanted to attain a peaceful and progressive community,” he further added.

Meanwhile, 15 former rebels underwent ideological reorientation conducted by the 89th Infantry Battalion at its headquarters in Barangay New Visayas, Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte from Jan. 13 to 17, 2020.

Lt. Col. Silas Trasmontero, the commander of the 89th Infantry Battalion, said some of them were members of Militia ng Bayan in Paquibato District, the majority are from Bukidnon, who surrendered last December.

“The other eight returnees also surrendered a few months ago,” Trasmontero said.

The former members of Guerilla Front 55 of the New People’s Army benefited from the program to help ease the transition into mainstream society.

“They must be geared with proper understanding of what the government has been doing, its aspirations and programs designed to benefit its people,” he added.

For now, he also said the former rebels have already returned to their community in Bukidnon while their application for job is ongoing. The others remained in the headquarters for security reasons.

The flagship program of the government is the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) to help the surrenderees start a new life.

https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2020/01/23/rifles-guns-owned-by-npas-recovered/

5 former rebels surrender, get gov’t assistance

From Panay News (Jan 23, 2020): 5 former rebels surrender, get gov’t assistance

ILOILO – Five former rebels from Calinog and Lambunao towns received financial aid after returning to the fold of the law and surrendering their firearms.

Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. assisted Philippine Army’s 301st Brigade commander Colonel Marion Sision and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG-Iloilo) provincial director Teodora Sumagaysay in distributing the checks on Jan. 16 at the Governor’s Office.

Each returnee received P15,000 immediate assistance and P60,000 livelihood assistance under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

Each also received a maximum of P70,000 for their surrendered firearm.

The firearms, which included two .38 caliber, one .45 caliber, one shotgun, and an M1 garand rifle, were also presented to Defensor.

Sison said the returnees were formerly connected with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) and among the 10 total rebels who surrendered last year.

“We want to let them know that the government has programs in helping them start anew,” Sison said.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development is in-charge of monitoring the progress of their livelihood projects.

A remaining 184 rebels in Iloilo Province are being monitored by the army, according to Sison. (LHC, Capitol News/PN)

https://www.panaynews.net/5-former-rebels-surrender-get-govt-assistance/

20 cops suspended, 1 demoted over NPA raid of Maasin police station

From Panay News (Jan 23, 2020): 20 cops suspended, 1 demoted over NPA raid of Maasin police station (By Ruby Silubrico)

ILOILO City – Over two years after New People’s Army (NPA) rebels successfully raided the police station of Maasin, Iloilo in June 2017, the town’s policemen finally got punished for negligence.

Twenty cops were suspended while their police chief was demoted one rank as recommended by the Regional Internal Affairs Service of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6).

“It took us two years to resolve this matter because we considered all their appeals and the evidences. Now, we have reached a final decision. Their suspension already started,” said Police Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan, regional police director.

Of the 20 suspended policemen, 13 got 60-day suspension for gross incompetence. Three were suspended for 30 days for simple neglect of duty.

Some started serving their suspension last month, December 2019, while others started theirs on Jan. 1 this year.

NPA rebels raided the Maasin police station on June 18, 2017. Without firing a shot, they effectively immobilized the policemen, took at least 15 firearms, ammunition, handheld radios, police uniforms and even used the police patrol car as getaway vehicle.

They also took the policemen’s personal belongings, including wallets, a laptop, mobile phones, watches and money.

Following the embarrassing raid, the PRO-6 sacked the entire Maasin police force.

Then Maasin police chief Captain Ray Cordero was demoted one rank. He is now assigned as deputy station commander of the Sipalay police station in Negros Occidental.

“This year expect stricter policies and internal cleansing in the PRO-6,” said Pamuspusan.

‘SURPRISE’ RAID
The daring, broad daylight incursion on the Maasin police station was swift. Within 15 minutes beginning around 10:30 a.m., the rebels shanghaied eight M16 rifles, four Glock .9mm pistols, five handheld radios and their base, two laptops, P29,000 cash, and jewelry.

The rebels did not harm the nine police officers present at the police station but handcuffed them. They also used the police station’s patrol car to flee.

The other policemen of the station were not around during the raid.

Before leaving the police station, the rebels – numbering between 40 to 50 – distributed statements to residents explaining the raid.

Maasin is some 25 kilometers from Iloilo City. The rebels were long gone when troops from the Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) of the PRO-6 reached the police station together with Senior Superintendent Christopher Tambungan, then the deputy regional director for operations.

Witnesses said the rebels fled toward the town of Alimodian.

Minutes after the raid, Ka Julio Montana, spokesperson of the NPA-Panay (Coronacion Chiva “Waling-Waling” Command) issued a statement praising the NPA-Napoleon Tumagtang Command for the successful operation.

The RPSB was ordered to take over the Maasin police station after the NPA raid. Chief Superintendent Jose Hawthorne Binag, then the Western Visayas police director, sacked all of Maasin’s police force, including the police station chief, Senior Inspector Ray Cordero who was not around during the raid.

NPA’S REASONS

Ka Julio Montana enumerated several reasons for the raid. He accused Maasin policemen of extortion, with poor vendors as their primary victims.

Montana also claimed the Maasin police tolerated the proliferation of illegal drugs and illegal gambling in the town.

The raid was NPA-Panay’s answer, too, to Oplan Kapayapaan all-out war campaign of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police against the revolutionary movement, Montana added.

Oplan Kapayapaan has resulted to rampant human rights violations such as illegal arrests, bombings of communities, forced evacuation of villagers, and killings of suspected rebels, among others, said Montana.

HOW IT HAPPENED

From what the PRO-6 gathered, the rebels, armed with long firearms, arrived in a truck (a Canter) and quickly surrounded the Maasin police station.

One of those who witnessed what happened was then Vice Mayor Francis Amboy (now the mayor). He quickly rushed to the area after receiving information about the rebels’ presence.

According Amboy, the rebels told him to back off.

“They told me to move away and that they won’t harm civilians. They also said they were only targeting the police station and municipal hall,” said Amboy.

Some of the rebels were women and two were seen entering the police station.

The two women rebels pretending to be civilians asked the police to have something recorded in the police blotter Then all of a sudden more rebels barged into the police station through the back door and handcuffed the nine stunned police officers on duty.

“They were disarmed, handcuffed then made to lie on the floor,” said Binag in a press conference hours after the raid. “Ang dami nila. Pinaligiran nila ang police station.”

One woman witness said the rebels used a megaphone to warn people not to go near the Maasin police station.

After 15 minutes of ransacking the police station, the rebels left.

The Maasin police patrol car was recovered in Barangay Cagay, Alimodian while the rebels abandoned their truck in Barangay Ingwan also in Alimodian.

https://www.panaynews.net/20-cops-suspended-1-demoted-over-npa-raid-of-maasin-police-station/

ACLED Regional Overview – Southeast Asia (12 - 18 January 2020)

Posted to the Relief Web (Jan 22, 2020): ACLED Regional Overview – Southeast Asia (12 - 18 January 2020)

REPORTfrom Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project
Published on 22 Jan 2020 —View Original

Download PDF (136.26 KB)

In Southeast Asia, key developments from last week include: continued fighting in Myanmar’s Rakhine state; increased separatist violence targeting civilians in Thailand; continued clashes between state forces and Papuan rebels in Indonesia; and fighting between state forces and both Islamist and communist rebels in the Philippines.

As Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Myanmar to shore-up economic agreements between the two countries, a protest was held in Yangon calling for an end to the Chinese-run Myitsone Dam project. During Xi’s visit, on 17 January, the military reportedly attacked the Myanmar National Truth and Justice Party/Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNTJP/MNDAA) in Muse township in northern Shan state (Kachin News Group, 17 January 2020). Fighting between the military and the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) continued in Rakhine state throughout last week prior to Xi’s visit.

Two clashes were reported in Narathiwat in Thailand between state forces and suspected separatists. Further, separatists targeted civilians in Yala and Pattani, leading to four reported deaths. Meanwhile, earlier in the week, in Bangkok and other provinces around the country, several thousand people participated in a “Run Against Dictatorship” aimed at the current military-backed Palang Pracharat party government. A smaller “Walk to Cheer Uncle” was also held in support of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. The anti-military gathering follows a protest in December by the Future Forward Party which has gained popular support for its opposition to the military, despite attempts by the government to have the party banned (Reuters, 21 January 2020).

In Indonesia, the separatist West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) targeted a bus carrying employees of a mine in Papua. This led to a clash between state forces and the group the following day. Unrest in the region has intensified since the end of 2018.

While attempting to rescue an Indonesian hostage, the Philippine military and the Islamist group, Abu Sayyaf, clashed in the Mindanao region of the Philippines. As well, in addition to clashes between the communist New People’s Army (NPA) and state forces, the NPA and the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB) also clashed last week in Western Visayas. The RPA-ABB is a splinter group of the NPA and has aided the military in fighting the NPA after a peace agreement was reached in 2000 (Panay News, 16 January 2020). Last year, former members of the group were reportedly killed by the NPA.

Finally, in Malaysia, a protest was held regarding the Sabah Temporary Pass (PSS) legislation. The legislation would replace old immigration documents that allow migrants to live and work in Sabah. There are many Filipinos living in Sabah who in previous decades fled the conflict in Mindanao. The new legislation was politicized in the run-up to local by-elections in the region (The Rakyat Post, 17 January 2020).

https://reliefweb.int/report/myanmar/acled-regional-overview-southeast-asia-12-18-january-2020

Army says NPA rebel killed in Cauayan encounter

From the Sun Star-Bacolod (Jan 22, 2020): Army says NPA rebel killed in Cauayan encounter

THE Philippine Army claimed that a suspected member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed after the rebels engaged in an encounter against the elements of the 15th Infantry Battalion (IB) of the Philippine Army at Barangay Camalandaan, Cauayan town Wednesday morning, January 22.

Lieutenant Colonel Patricio Tomales, commander of the 15th IB, said they were implementing the Retooled Community Support Program in the area when they received numerous reports and sightings from local residents.

A 25-minute gun battle erupted between the two forces until the rebels were forced to retreat upon spotting the government forces advancing to their position.

Following the clash, several residents reported to the soldiers that they’ve seen the insurgents carry one of their members, a woman, whom they believe was already dead.

Government forces, meanwhile, recovered several belongings of the rebels in the area.

Among the recoveries were four rifle grenades and subversive documents. Several medical kits were also discovered in the encounter site.

Tomales added they believe the group they clashed with were led by NPA commanders Rennel “Kumpol” Cellon and Nilda “Gia” Bertullano, both members of the NPA’s Southwest Front.

The 15IB is currently conducting hot pursuit operations against the fleeing rebels.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1841123

Ex-NPA officer admits infiltrating IP communities in Bukidnon

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 22, 2020): Ex-NPA officer admits infiltrating IP communities in Bukidnon

LEAVING THE REBELLION. Resylin Pardo, a former officer of the communist New People's Army in Bukidnon, speaks at a press conference in Valencia City on Thursday, January 16, days after she and six others surrendered to local authorities. Pardo says the government should provide hinterland villages with more access to basic services to keep locals away from rebel influence. (Photo courtesy of 403rd Bde, 4ID)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Infiltrating the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) communities had been one of the key factors why the communist New People’s Army (NPA) enjoyed relatively strong support in the hinterlands, a former communist rebel officer who surrendered early this year said.

Resylin Pardo, a former secretary and political officer of the NPA's Guerilla Front Committee 6 (GFC-6), said that in Bukidnon province alone, the communist rebels managed to manipulate various IP communities to act as its "mass base."

Lack of access to basic government services was among the primary reasons why the NPA managed to sway IP communities to work for them, Pardo said.

"But during the time of President (Rodrigo) Duterte, there are now roads that reached far-flung villages, and basic services, health centers, are already present," Pardo said during a press conference in Valencia City last Thursday.

Pardo, her live-in partner, and five other rebels surrendered to local officials in Valencia City on January 6 this year.

Pardo's live-in partner, Renante Tumbalang, 37, was the former commander of GFC-6, which operates in Valencia City and six adjoining towns in Bukidnon.

Tumbalang bared that the loss of their mass base and the military’s nonstop offensive operations had trapped them in their mountain lairs.

Pardo said losing the community’s support meant that they no longer can count on the hinterland villages for vital logistics and supplies.

“We were running out of stocks. Our food supplies and other necessities were running very low because villagers won’t help us facilitate the freights anymore. We even gave them money to help us buy our provisions in bulk but they refused. These difficulties and various obstacles forced us to give up and decide to leave the communist movement,” she said.

In their desperation, Tumbalang said they decided to return to the fold of the law after working for the NPA for 16 years.

“We are all set for a peaceful life with our families from this day on,” he said.

Authorities identified the other five surrenderers as squad leader Shairyl Pardo, platoon leaders Roger Gonzales and Regine Pardo, vice commanding officer Angelito Tundag, and platoon officer Mark Jason Pardo.

Brig. Gen. Edgardo de Leon, commander of the Army's 403rd Brigade, said the surrender of the five GFC-6 officers was "a very significant breakthrough" for the Task Force End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC).

Following their surrender, de Leon said the military was able to dismantle the NPA's "shadow government" in Bukidnon.

“Guerrilla Front 6 in Bukidnon is on the brink of collapse. The guerilla fronts that Joma (Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison) used to brag about are actually shrinking," de Leon said.

Meanwhile, de Leon acknowledged the importance of the surrenderers' "vast knowledge" about the source of NPA's strengths in the hinterlands, saying local officials and government agencies should address them properly.

There are "socio-political-economic issues that need to be addressed by local government units and regional line agencies, so the communities cleared by the Community Support Program (CSP) teams will be conflict-resilient; its people’s recovered trust and confidence in the government is sustained, and their decision to reject the NPA will not change,” de Leon said.

Maj. Gen. Franco Nemesio Gacal, the Army's 4th Infantry Division commander, commended the 403rd Brigade and its units, including the local governments in Bukidnon, for "winning the peaceful war."

"Our war is not focused on winning battles through the barrel of guns. Ours is a peaceful war involving communities in conflict-affected areas,” Gacal said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1091632

Army reports female NPA slain in Negros Occidental clash but body not found

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jan 22, 2020): Army reports female NPA slain in Negros Occidental clash but body not found (By Carla Gomez)

A suspected female New People’s Army (NPA) rebel was reportedly killed in an encounter in Cauayan, Negros Occidental at 2:20 p.m. on Tuesday.

The body of the alleged slain woman rebel was not found, however, according to Captain Cenon Pancito, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs Office chief.

Two Army soldiers and a government militiaman were injured in the clash, Pancito said

He said15th Infantry Battalion troops were on patrol when they encountered 15 NPA rebels led by a certain Reniel Cellon, alias Kumpol, and Nilda Bertulano, alias Gia, in Sitio Pamay-an, Barangay Camalandaan, Cauayan.

A gun battle lasted for 25 minutes, after which the rebels fled carrying their slain female comrade, Pancito said.

Pancito said the fleeing rebels left behind four rifle grenades, two backpacks containing medical supplies, a solar panel, and anti-government documents.

Major Lowell Garinganao, Cauayan police chief, said two Army soldiers and a member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit, were also slightly injured.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1218183/army-reports-female-npa-slain-in-negros-occidental-clash-but-body-not-found

A review of Walden Bello’s 'Counterrevolution'

From Rappler (Jan 22, 2020): A review of Walden Bello’s 'Counterrevolution' (By Carmel V. Abao)

'I don’t think this kind of book can be written by just any sociologist (or political scientist). Intellectual discipline and clarity of this kind come only with a particular depth of political involvement and experience.'

Dr. Walden Bello’s latest book Counterrevolution can be compared to a leisurely and fulfilling 9-course degustacion dinner. The book is laid out in exactly the same manner: one small, signature dish after another; one short, exemplary chapter after another.

In fact, after reading the book, I couldn’t decide which chapter was my favorite. Much like how one feels after a degustacion dinner: parang masarap lahat, from the appetizer to the dessert. Ganoon ang pakiramdam ko sa libro ni Walden: parang ang galing ng lahat ng chapters. From the introductory chapter to the chapters on Italy, Indonesia, Chile, Thailand, India, Philippines, and the North (US and Europe), to the concluding chapter – the narratives were very clear and thought-provoking. Even Dr. Jojo Abinales’ foreword at the beginning of the book was thought-provoking and inviting.

Walden's focus on “Right-Left” configurations across country experiences and throughout recent history gives the book its distinct flavor. A number of books about the Far Right and authoritarian populism have surfaced lately but I don’t think I’ve read a book about the Right quite like this one – with this kind of focus (i.e class-based politics) and this kind of approach (i.e historical and comparative).

That the book has been nominated for the 2020 Barrington Moore, Jr, award for Best Book in Comparative and Historical Sociology is not at all suprising.

Perhaps the most important chapter in the book – especially for students and observers of global politics – is Chapter 9, the concluding chapter on the “origins, dynamics and consequences of Counterrevolution.” I think this chapter drives home the point that there is a connection between class-based politics and the rise of the Far Right but that some nuancing has to be made between a counterrevolution against an insurgent underclass (as in the cases of Italy, Indonesia, Chile, and Thailand) and a counterrevolution against liberal democratic arrangements (as in the cases of the Philippines, India, and the US and Europe).

The concluding chapter is very interesting also because it talks about possible ways forward – on how to counter counterrevolutions. I believe this is the most important question in many readers’ minds: how do we stop this madness?

Walden offers 6 propositions and a sort of concluding statement: “The times, in short, call for a progressive politics that goes beyond calling for a return to the old discredited elite democracy, where equality was purely formal, and mobilizes the citizenry behind a national popular program that has at its centerpiece the achievement of genuine economic and social equality, whether one calls this socialism or post-capitalism.”

I agree totally with Walden’s normative propositions. What I think may be lacking is a discussion of realpolitik. Because even as Walden is correct in saying that elite democracy has been discredited, the fact of the matter is, the institutions of this discredited elite democracy are really still the only tools that we have to challenge the fascists and populists: elections, courts, Parliaments, Parliaments of the street, political parties, trade unions, peasant movements, youth movements, feminist movements, civil society organizations, mainstream media, social media. (READ: Constitution making as a revolutionary process)

Perhaps the only other tool would be an armed revolution that would bypass all these liberal democratic institutions, but that would mean even more violence – in addition to the already violent environment created by counterrevolutions. Do progressives really want more violence? Can our nations really afford more violence?

As for Walden’s take on Duterte and the counterrevolution in the Philippines, here are my comments. I agree with practically all of his propositions in this chapter, except perhaps for two things. Firstly, on Duterte as a “fascist original.” While Duterte ticks all the boxes of what it means to be a fascist, I honestly don’t believe that there is an originality to his fascism. I agree with Walden that Duterte does not simply seek to reproduce the Marcosian past or preserve the liberal democratic status quo and that his trajectory is an authoritarian future, but I think Walden may have failed to mention that what Duterte may actually want is just a reproduction of his governance of Davao City. (READ: Bello: Philippines in 'brave new world' of politics under Duterte)

I honestly don’t believe that Duterte has a political project or a development project. I do not see any evidence that he has such a project. I think he just wants to make a mark or leave a legacy behind – never mind if that legacy involves killing 27,000 people in 3 years. To say that there is a rationality to Duterte’s fascism other than his quest to carve a distinctive place in history may be an overestimation of Duterte.

Secondly, I need to point out that Walden could have elaborated on Duterte’s misogyny. Especially since he has a section on Duterte’s carino brutal in his chapter on the Philippines, and in the concluding chapter, he claims that “right wing parties and personalities are strongly misogynistic.” Duterte’s misogyny needs to be described because it could explain a sub-phenomenon within the Duterte phenomenon, i.e that Duterte does not hate all women, he only hates the likes of Leila de Lima and Leni Robredo and Risa Hontiveros, and that is exactly what misogyny is. Only the women who dare break the patriarchal code or challenge the sexist script will be punished. Had Walden elaborated on this, he may also have arrived at the conclusion that gender-based movements and not just class-based movements may be crucial in countering counterrevolutions.

I have to say, though, that I really like Walden’s last sentence in his chapter on the Philippines: “Duterte has played geopolitics with skill, recognizing the shift in power in the East Asian region from China to the United States, while also using US-rhetoric to burnish his nationalist credentials. He may also see himself as part of an authoritarian regional alliance that is geared to deliver effective government.” It seems to me that this notion of an “authoritarian regional alliance” is another book waiting to be written. I hope Walden considers writing such a book. – Rappler.com

[The author teaches political science at the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU). She presented this review at the launch of Bello’s book on January 20, 2020 at the UP-CIDS, UP-Diliman. The Philippine edition of Bello’s book is published by the Ateneo University Press.]

https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/books/249843-review-walden-bello-book-counterrevolution

Guv to consult experts on localized peace talks

From the Sun Star-Bacolod (Jan 22, 2020): Guv to consult experts on localized peace talks (By TERESA D. ELLERA)

GOVERNOR Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Tuesday, January 21, that he will ask experts on how to go about the localized peace talks.

Maybe, we can now proceed with the localized peace talks, the governor said.

Lacson led the launching of Serbisyo Negrosanon- Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) in Isabela which is the pilot area all over Western Visayas.

"Anything that would mean lasting peace and order is welcome. It is also important that the government including the local government units and the private sector are initiating moves to end the insurgency problem," Lacson said.

He said the RCSP is a whole nation approach and it is appropriate that it was launched in Isabela because of the insurgency program that is still happening in some barangays.

During the launching on Tuesday, a Pledge of Commitment were made by the participants to actively support the institutionalization of the Whole-nation-approach in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace, creating an environment of inclusive peace for all and to support the programs relative to the move.

The governor said the Provincial Government will also initiate an RCSP in northern Negros.

As part of the government's efforts to address the local communist insurgency, the Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) caravan of services was launched on Tuesday.

Assistant Secretary for Peace and Order Manuel Felix of the Department of Interior and Local Government said the RCSP is the convergence of the local government unit, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police with the support of other national agencies to look into the problems, go to the barangay level and give solutions.

Felix said the aim is to finally solve the long 50-year insurgency in the Philippines.

Most of the studies showed that the cause of the insurgency is the lack of government services especially in the hinterland areas, he said, "leading them to be fooled by the communist terrorist groups."

Felix was formerly assigned as provincial police director of Negros Occidental.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1840967

The ties that bind: Duterte hails PMA 'mistah' culture

From ABS-CBN (Jan 21, 2020): The ties that bind: Duterte hails PMA 'mistah' culture (Arianne Merez)

President Rodrigo Duterte waves to graduates of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) ‘Mabalasik’ Class of 2019 during their commencement exercises at Fort General Gregorio Del Pilar in Baguio City on May 26, 2019. Ace Morandante, Presidential Photo/File

President Rodrigo Duterte praised Tuesday the close-knit ties that bind graduates of the Philippine Military Academy as he hailed the military school's "mistah" culture.

"Mistah" is military slang for "batchmate" among graduates of the PMA- a word that entails a deep sense of camaraderie that they carry throughout life.

"There is much mystique hidden in that word. It is more than friendship. It is more than camaraderie. It is a feeling and a sense of pride that only a PMA graduate can fully comprehend and appreciate," the President said when he read his prepared speech before PMA alumni in Pasay City.

"It is said that to be called Mistah is the highest compliment that can ever be extended to a PMAer by his peers," he added.

Among those present in the audience were PMA alumni Defense Chief Delfin Lorenzana, Sen. Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Felimon Santos Jr., and Philippine National Police Chief Archie Gamboa.

For PMA alumni, Duterte said mistah is a sacred word while for outsiders, the word represents values ideal of a soldier.

"Its sanctity cannot be challenged," he said.

The President urged graduates of the top military school to police its own ranks as he warned them that the prestige tied to the academy is only as good as the graduates' reputation.

"One scalawag among you can destroy or dent the image and reputation of every PMAer, your Alma Mater and your association included," he said.

"It takes only one fly to spoil a feast. It takes only one scandal to ruin your avowed moral and ethical standards," he added.

Reports of abuse are fairly common in the PMA, which figured in a controversy last September over the hazing death of one of its plebes.

The incident prompted the resignation of Lt. Gen. Ronnie Evangelista as head of the top military school.

Read: At the PMA, a thin line between instilling discipline and inflicting abuse

Several of its graduates have also been tagged in wrongdoing, including former police chief Oscar Albayalde of the PMA Sinagtala Class of 1986, who was recently indicted for allegedly protecting police officers linked to the sale of seized drugs in 2013.

He has denied the allegations.

Read: DOJ indicts Albayalde, 12 'ninja' cops for graft over 2013 Pampanga drug raid

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/21/20/the-ties-that-bind-duterte-hails-pma-mistah-culture

New AFP Chief admits there is a need to catch up with the latest technology

From CNN Philippines (Jan 21, 2020): New AFP Chief admits there is a need to catch up with the latest technology (By Vince Ferreras)

AFP Chief-of-Staff Lt. Gen. Felimon Santos, Jr.

In hopes of being a credible line of defense, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief-of-Staff Lt. Gen. Felimon Santos, Jr. admitted that the military still needs to catch-up with the latest technology.

“Magkakaroon tayo ng lahat ng...with the advanced technology, we are trying to catch up,” Santos told Politics as Usual on Tuesday.

[Translation: We will have all of the equipment with the advanced technology, we are trying to catch up.]

“We have to be a credible Armed Forces,” said Santos. “With all of this modernization program. Hopefully, we’ll attain that objective.”

The AFP Modernization Act or the Republic Act No. 7898 aims to modernize all the branches of the Armed Forces, namely: Philippine Air Force, Philippine Navy, and the Philippine Army.

The revised modernization program is divided into three horizons. The first horizon was first implemented from 2013 to 2017, the second runs from 2018 until 2022, and the third horizon is from 2023 to 2028.

President Rodrigo Duterte has approved a budget of around P300 billion for the second phase of military modernization.
What to expect?

Santos shared that the military is expecting the arrival of two frigates this year.

“What to expect to arrive: this year we will have the two frigates,” he said.

On the other hand, the Philippine Air Force ordered 16 Black Hawk combat choppers, wherein five units are expected to arrive soon.

“We are ordering 16. But this year, we are expecting five units of the Black Hawk,” said Santos.

To recall, the Black Hawk choppers were the replacement for the cancelled helicopter deal with Canada in 2018.

Further, the AFP chief also said that procurement of tanks is also in the process.

“Yung light armor ang naka-program sa atin. We have programmed 30 units initially. But, still, yung mga requirements nailalatag natin for bidding,” said Santos.

[Translation: A light armor tank is programmed with us. We ... programmed 30 units initially. But, still, requirements are being laid down for the bidding.]

Another modernization project underway is the Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Information/Intelligence, Surveillance, Targeting Acquisition and Reconnaissance system or the C4ISTAR.

C4ISTAR is a telecommunication system that would help planes of the Air Force to connect with those in the ground.

“C4ISTAR is the command and control. We will control yung interoperability of all what we have. The airplane can communicate with the ground troops, magkakaroon ng common communication, pati computers, intelligence,” said Santos.

[Translation: C4ISTAR is the command and control. We will control the interoperability of all what we have. The airplane can communicate with the ground troops, we will have a common communication, as well as with computers, intelligence.]

The said telecommunications system is expected to be part of the third phase of the modernization program.

The AFP said that the modernization program is very important in protecting the country’s territory.

“Yung ginagawa ng kabila, they can just easily bully us kasi wala tayong panlaban,” said Santos.

[Translation: The other party could just easily bully us because we have nothing against them.]

He added that it would be easy for other countries to invade our territories at any moment if they knew of the Philippine military’s incapability.

“We have to be equipped,” he said.
https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/1/21/afp-felimon-santos-jr-military-new-technology.html

AFP chief seeks an end to local armed conflict before shift to territorial defense

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jan 21, 2020): AFP chief seeks an end to local armed conflict before shift to territorial defense (By Frances Mangosing)

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Lt. Gen. Felimon Santos Jr. / Photo from AFP PAO

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Lt. Gen. Felimon Santos Jr. said he would prioritize on ending local armed conflict during his term before they can finally shift their full focus on a territorial defense role.

“Lagi nating sinasabi natin tapusin ang local terrorist armed conflict. Business and economy will boom, lahat nagkakaisa para sa sa bansa natin. Then we could focus on the real threat against sa territory,” Santos said in an interview with CNN Philippines on Tuesday night. (We’ve always said that we need to end the local terrorist armed conflict. Business and economy will boom, all of us will be united for our country. Then we could focus on the real threat against our territory.)

Communist insurgency and the neutralization of terrorists in Mindanao continue to be a hindrance to the military’s total shift to external defense.

“My priority as AFP chief is ending local armed conflict. Pag natapos natin ‘yan, mawawala yung mga groups na nag-e-establish ng hatred sa government. Hopefully, we will be one as Filipinos. If we have done that, ‘yong territorial defense madali na lang ’yon,” said Santos, who will serve as AFP chief of staff until his retirement in early August. (My priority is ending local armed conflict. If we finally end it, the groups that establish hate against the government will go away. Hopefully, we will be one as Filipinos. If we have done that, the territorial defense role would be easy.)

Even with the current focus on internal security challenges, the military has started to develop its capabilities for territorial defense through the AFP modernization program.

Santos said they are aiming “to be a credible armed forces” before the decade ends. The modernization program is divided into three phases called “horizon,” and the last phase is from 2023 to 2028.

“Hopefully, we’ll attain that objective,” he said.

The AFP chief said some of the military equipment expected to be delivered this year include two frigates for the Philippine Navy, which are currently being built in South Korea.

The first batch of the Black Hawk helicopters are also expected this year. Santos said the first five out of the 16 will be delivered this 2020.

He also mentioned their plans of command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (C4ISTAR) capability.

“It’s for command and control. We’ll control the interoperability of all what we have. The airplane can communicate with the ground troops. Magkakaroon ng common communication…parang pinaka-control center.) (It’s for command and control. We’ll control the interoperability of all what we have. The airplane can communicate with ground toops. We’ll have common communication, like our main control center.)

“We’re trying to catch up,” he said.

The need to shift to territorial defense is highlighted by China’s continued aggression in the West Philippine Sea. But Santos would not say what they are specifically preparing for in terms of territorial defense.

“It’s for a potential threat. ‘Di natin masabi ang alignment of the superpowers. Basta what we’ll have is not for offensive but to protect our country,” he said.

(It’s for a potential threat. We can’t predict the alignment of the superpowers. Our (modernization) goal is not for offensive but to protect our country.)

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1217825/afp-chief-seeks-an-end-to-local-armed-conflict-before-shift-to-territorial-defense

16 clan members leave NPA, yield in Agusan Norte

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 21, 2020): 16 clan members leave NPA, yield in Agusan Norte (By Alexander Lopez)

NPA CLAN NO MORE. Alias Rina, Vic, and Yeni are senior members of a clan consisting of 16 members who surrendered to the military on January 16 in Remedios Trinidad Romualdez town in Agusan del Norte. The senior members of the clan decided to return to the fold of the law to give their younger members normal lives. (Photo courtesy of 29IB)

They left just as they joined--as a family.

A total of 16 clan members consisting of two families have fled the communist New People's Army (NPA) and surrendered to military authorities in Agusan del Norte, military officials said Tuesday.

“The clan formally surrendered to the Army on January 16. We processed them first as some of their family members are still minors,” 1st Lt. Miguel Borromeo, the civil-military operations officer of the Army's 29th Infantry Battalion told Philippine News Agency.

Borromeo said the heads of the two families were recruited by the NPA two years ago, and brought their children as well into the service of the communist guerillas.

The Army official characterized the clan's membership with the NPA as a "family business," with their members occupying various roles.

For instance, some of the members acted as couriers and supply officers for the NPA cadres.

Borromeo said the clan decided to return to the fold of the law at the behest of their senior member, alias “Vic”, 43, who wanted to carve a different future for the younger members of the clan.

Another factor that convinced the clan members to flee from the NPA, Borromeo said, was starvation and other hardships that rebels must endure while being chased by government forces in the hinterlands.

Lt. Col. Isagani O. Criste, 29IB commander, welcomed the surrender of the clan members and assured them of the government’s support.

Criste identified the senior members of the clan only in their aliases: Vic's wife, Rina, 40, and his younger brother, Yeni. They are residents of Remedios Trinidad Romualdez town in Agusan del Norte.

He said the surrenderers handed over an M-16 rifle, ammunition, and medical supplies to authorities.

Criste said Vic and Rina surrendered along with their eight children, three of whom served as couriers for the NPA.

Yeni also brought with him his six children during the surrender, including his wife who was not identified by the Army.

Criste said ages of the two couples' children range from 12 to 33.

Criste said both families have received financial assistance and livelihood training that would help them live comfortable lives under the law.

Borromeo said the clan members worked either as regulars or militiamen for Guerrilla Front Committee 21 (GFC-21) under the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Command (NEMRC) of the NPA.

Some of the family members even served as members of Squad Bobee-3, Sandatahang Yunit Pangpropaganda (SYP) of GFC-21, he added.

“With the support of the other government agencies and other stakeholders, we are now processing their enrolment to the ECLIP (ECLIP stands for Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program) of the government,” Borromeo said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1091530

Baguio declares communist rebels persona non grata

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 22, 2020): Baguio declares communist rebels persona non grata

TRAINING A New People’s Army rebel trains in the Cordillera mountains. —EV ESPIRITU

BAGUIO CITY—The New People’s Army (NPA) and other extremist groups are no longer welcome here after the city council on Monday passed a resolution declaring them persona non grata.

But the resolution also urged the government to continue negotiating peace with communist rebels.

“This resolution should not be a barrier to reopening peace talks between the government and [the rebels],” it said.Prodded by the councilors, Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan removed a provision that would have included groups and people who support the NPA.

Olowan said no mechanism allowed the city government to justify a persona non grata declaration against peoples’ and civic groups or nongovernmental organizations accused of sympathizing with the NPA.

If a court makes that determination against any of these groups, the council would pass the subsequent resolution that would make them unwelcome, he said.
Debates

The measure has been the subject of debates since December last year owing to concerns over its impact on Baguio activists.

In a Dec. 19 letter to Mayor Benjamin Magalong, leaders of the militant Cordillera Peoples Alliance urged him to protect activists from “political vilification” after they were identified in military-sponsored forums as members of organizations sympathetic to the NPA or as rebel combatants.

The groups also protested the “Red-tagging” of student activists, saying it had put them in harm’s way.

Baguio joins 43 other Cordillera towns where the NPA is not welcome, based on the latest tally of Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

Of the 1,177 villages, however, only 19 village councils have declared the NPA as persona non grata. —VINCENT CABREZA

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1217762/baguio-declares-communist-rebels-persona-non-grata

Army asks for help to stop NPA financing

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 22, 2020): Army asks for help to stop NPA financing (By Sarwell Meniano)

CUT THE CASH FLOW. Brig. Gen. Ramil Bitong, assistant division commander of the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division (8ID) based in Catbalogan City, Samar. The official on Tuesday (Jan. 21, 2020) reiterated its call to government agencies to help disrupt the flow of financial resources to the New People’s Army. (Photo courtesy of Eastern Samar provincial government)

The Philippine Army in Eastern Visayas on Tuesday reiterated its call to government agencies to help stop the flow of financial resources to the New People’s Army (NPA).

Brig. Gen. Ramil Bitong, assistant division commander of the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division (8ID) said the NPA will never exist in Samar and Leyte province without any funding support.

“Our effort is to stop the NPA finances. They have many sources. For instance, in Northern Samar they have been earning from sand and gravel, land grabbing, and collection from government projects,” Bitong told reporters.

Citing the military’s recent research, the NPA has generated about PHP160 million in the past few years through collections from sand and gravel extractors in areas between Palapag and Lapinig towns in Northern Samar.

“We also have a letter from a mayor telling us that about 10 percent to 20 percent of internal revenue allotment shares of some NPA-influenced villages are given to the NPA. The combined amount is huge,” Bitong added.

The Philippine Army has asked the Commission on Audit to provide reports on fund utilization of some remote villages in Northern Samar for scrutiny.

Another strategy of the NPA, said Bitong, is to force landowners to abandon their farms. The rebels then turn over this land to NPA supporters for cultivation. The income from farming goes to the NPA.

“Through our operations, we’re able to reduce the NPA-controlled farm area in Northern Samar from 3,000 hectares to 1,200 hectares in 2019," Bitong added.

He also condemned the NPA for asking revolutionary taxes from government contractors, causing the delay of infrastructure project completion.

At the start of a negotiation, the rebels ask for 10 percent of the project cost. Through bargaining, the rebels agree to collect 1 to 3 percent, Bitong said.
“Even if it is only 1 percent, that it is still a huge amount of money since these government projects cost billions of pesos,” he said.

Northern Samar province is considered as a stronghold of NPA due to poor road networks, high poverty incidence, and thick forest cover.

The NPA, which has been waging a five-decade armed struggle against the government, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

As of October 2019, the NPA in Eastern Visayas has 506 active members and 447 firearms, infiltrating the region's 144 remote villages, the Philippine Army reported.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1091461

Samar mayor gives NPA 3 months to surrender

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jan 22, 2020): Samar mayor gives NPA 3 months to surrender (By Joey Gabieta)

TACLOBAN CITY –– A town mayor in Samar has issued an ultimatum for members of the New People’s Army (NPA) to give up their illegal activities and return to the folds of the law.

Mayor Aran Boller of Matuguinao town said he was giving the rebels in the town up to three months to surrender, or the full force of the law would be implemented against them.

Because of the presence of the rebels, the town’s peace and order are affected and development is derailed, Boller said.

“I am giving you only three months to return to the fold of the law and don’t wait for the government to run after you. And those who will continue to support them, you will have your place,” he said during a peace advocacy forum held at the town’s covered court on Monday.

Matuguinao, which has a population of more than 7,200, is considered to be among the towns in Samar where insurgency remains active.

A military detachment has been put up in the town as a deterrent against the activities of the rebels who are said to be recruiting some residents.

Boller said that of the 20 barangays of Matuguinao, rebels could be seen in the villages of Carolina, San Roque, Ligaya, Inubod, Del Rosario, and Rizal.

He said he was willing to help those who would give up their armed activities by providing them livelihood and cash assistance of P50,000.

His administration will give P5,000 to each of the town’s villages as seed money for any livelihood activities so they would be discouraged from joining the armed movement.

“We want Matuguinao to be safe, orderly, and developed. But how can we achieve all of these if we have a problem with insurgency and criminality?” Boller asked.

Matuguinao, more than 43 km from the provincial capital of Catbalogan City, is a fifth class town with more than P55 million annual income, most of which are from its share of the internal revenue allotment.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1217973/samar-mayor-gives-npa-3-months-to-surrender