Sunday, February 9, 2020

3 BIFF gunmen hurt in clash with gov’t troops in Cotabato

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Feb 9, 2020): 3 BIFF gunmen hurt in clash with gov’t troops in Cotabato (By: Edwin O. Fernandez)



The clash happened in Pikit town in Cotabato province. (Image from Google Maps)

CAMP SIONGCO, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, Philippines –At least, three gunmen of the Islamic State (IS)-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) were hurt in a clash with government forces in Cotabato province on Saturday.

The clash also led to the discovery of bomb-making components and “already-made” improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the area
, said Brig. Gen. Roberto Capulong, 602nd Infantry Brigade commander.

Capulong said troops of the 7th Infantry Battalion, led by Lt. Colonel Niel Roldan, clashed with the group of BIFF bomb makers known only as Daurin Manampan and his brother Katato while on combat operations in Barangay Manaulanan, Pikit town in Cotabato about 6 a.m. Saturday.

He said the soldiers first spotted the armed men in Sitio Blah of Barangay Manaulanan that triggered a brief firefight.


“Some of the gunmen scampered to different directions, leaving behind personal belongings, bullets, mobile phones and bomb-making components,” Roldan said in a report to Capulong.

“No casualty (was reported) on the government side,” Roldan added.

The Army official said the local Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) took part in the operation.

Groups demand release of Tacloban 5

From the Sun Star-Tacloban (Feb 8, 2020): Groups demand release of Tacloban 5



Photo courtesy of CIDG-Eastern Visayas



Photo courtesy of CIDG-Eastern Visayas



Photo courtesy of CIDG-Eastern Visayas



Photo courtesy of CIDG-Eastern Visayas



Photo courtesy of CIDG-Eastern Visayas

VARIOUS groups have called for the immediate release of the five young activists in Tacloban City following their arrest on Friday, February 7, for the alleged violation of Republic Act (RA) 10591 or the “Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act."

The suspects were identified as Marissa Cabaljao, leader of the Coalition of Typhoon Yolanda victims People Surge; Frenchie Cumpio, community journalist from Eastern Vista; Alexander Abinguna of rights group Katungod-Sinirangan Bisayas; Mira Legion of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Eastern Visayas; and Marielle Domequil of Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP).


The five activists, who all are members of progressive organizations, were arrested in two simultaneous operations by police and army operatives at around 2:30 a.m. Friday by virtue of search warrants dated February 3, 2020 and issued by Judge Eligio Petilla of Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 44 in Tacloban.

“We are calling on all advocates and communities to defend the rights of defenders against these attacks,” said human rights group Karapatan.

“How can high profile and visible people working in open legal organizations doing perfectly legal and constitutionally-protected advocacy commit or be committing patently criminal acts and yet not be in hiding? This is illegalizing otherwise legal acts, behavior, and individuals,” added National Union of People’s Lawyers (Nupl) in a statement.

However, Major General Pio Diñoso III, commander of 8th Infantry Division in the region, said the arrest of the five suspects “was the result of the cooperation from the community and security forces...to neutralize the members of communist terrorist group and end local communist armed conflict in the Eastern Visayas.”

Recovered and confiscated from Cumpio alyas “Pen”, alleged secretary of Regional White Area Committee (Rwac-Evrpc) and Domequil alyas “Maye”, alleged member of Rwac-Evrpc were one unit Taurus Caliber .45 pistol, one unit Colt Caliber .45 pistol, two magazine assembly for Caliber .45, 14 live ammunition for Caliber .45, two fragmentation grenades, one piece red flag with Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) symbol, and cash amounting to P557,360.00.

Also recovered and confiscated from Legion, Cabaljo, and Abinguna were two Caliber .45 pistols, one KG9 rifle, one improvised claymore mine, two magazine assembly for Caliber .45, one magazine assembly for KG9, fifteen rounds live ammunition for Caliber .45 and 17 rounds live ammunitions for 9mm, police said.


“The five strongly denied the accusations and regarded the raid as part of the coordinated attacks to silence progressive groups in the Philippines under Duterte administration,” said the UP Vista, official student publication of the University of the Philippines-Visayas Tacloban College.

“Cumpio’s arrest is clearly part of government’s crackdown against not only these supposed communist fronts but the critical media, mainstream and alternative, as well,” added the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (Nujp). (SunStar Philippines)

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1843497

Military receives donation of biohazard suits

From the Philippine Star (Feb 9, 2020): Military receives donation of biohazard suits (By Michael Punongbayan)


Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Friday received an initial 200 biohazard suits donated to the government by the Lucio Tan-led LT Group and its affiliate PMFTC Inc. Presidential Photo

Emergency teams of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) responding to cases involving hazardous materials now have biohazard suits that would protect them from harm.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Friday received an initial 200 biohazard suits donated to the government by the Lucio Tan-led LT Group and its affiliate PMFTC Inc.

Department of National Defense (DND) public affairs service chief Director Arsenio Andolong said the protective gear will be turned over to the AFP.


The biohazard suits, which also included protective footwear, goggles and other equipment, will be used by military emergency responders and medical teams who will be tasked with handling hazardous and contaminated materials.

Andolong said the donation will enhance the DND’s efforts to continuously strengthen the readiness of the AFP as first responders during disaster and crisis situations.


He noted that the DND, as part of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) with Lorenzana as chair, provides first responders and logistical support to the government’s disaster and emergency response operations.
nCoV response

After holding an emergency full council meeting, the NDRRMC on Friday assured the Inter-Agency Task Force of its full support for the management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) in the response actions on the 2019-Novel Coronavirus Acute Respiratory Disease (nCoV ARD) threat.

All member-agencies of the government, including local disaster response units, were also enjoined to help implement agreements on the assistance to be extended to the task force.

NDRRMC executive director and Office of Civil Defense administrator Undersecretary Ricardo Jalad of the DND said the NDRRMC will specifically assist the IATF-EID on information dissemination campaigns, risk communication plans, conduct of contact tracing and field validation, repatriation operations of Filipinos and coordination with local government units (LGUs) and partners.

The NDRRMC also pledged to help in the mobilization of logistics and conduct of biochemical interventions, management of quarantine areas and other tasks that may be directed by the health cluster, executive director and chair of the NDRRMC to ensure an effective, efficient, timely and well-coordinated response.

Jalad said the NDRRMC will also secure the full participation of the local DRRM councils in the response actions by cascading infection control initiatives.

He noted that all NDRRMC response clusters have now been directed to collaborate with their counterparts at the national and local levels and work closely with the Department of Health as the lead agency of both the IATF-IED and NDRRMC health cluster.

“Let us support the efforts of the IATF-EID. We need to have a unified response to identify, track, control and prevent the rise of nCoV cases in our country,” Lorenzana said.

The full NDRRMC council meeting was presided over by Lorenzana as chair and was attended by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, as well as the heads and top officials of all NDRRMC member-agencies.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/02/09/1991572/military-receives-donation-biohazard-suits

Soldier wounded in BIFF attack

From the Philippine Star (Feb 9, 2020): Soldier wounded in BIFF attack (By John Unson)

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines – A personnel of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division was wounded in a gun attack by suspected members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters or Dawla Islamiya on Friday.

S/Sgt. Rex Maleficiado, 38, was on his way home from duty at Camp Gonzalo Siongco in Datu Odin Sinsuat when he was shot near a Catholic church less than a kilometer away from the Army camp.


Maleficiado was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Police said the BIFF is known for attacking off-duty soldiers and bombing non-military targets to avenge the deaths of their cohorts in clashes with government troopers.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2020/02/09/1991521/soldier-wounded-biff-attack

New maneuver battalion in Panay to add zeal in fight vs insurgency

From Panay News (Feb 9, 2020): New maneuver battalion in Panay to add zeal in fight vs insurgency (By Panay News)


Major General Eric Vinoya (right), commander of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, rallies the troops of the 12th Infantry Battalion (12IB) during the start of their organizational training on Feb. 3. The 12IB will be converted to a maneuver battalion, which will provide Panay Island with more foot soldiers to fight insurgency. 3ID PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE

The Philippine Army in Panay Island will soon have fresh legs to step up its fight against insurgency as the 501-strong 12th Infantry Battalion (12IB) undergoes organizational and Community Support Program (CSP) training.

The training of the 12IB, composed of 19 officers and 482 enlisted personnel, has formally started on Monday.

Captain Cenon Pancito III, the spokesperson of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, said in an interview Thursday that the 12IB troopers are seen to boost the fight against
the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in Panay Island.


The 12IB used to be a “cadre” battalion, or the one handling administrative requirements of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit.

Pancito said they will be converted to maneuver battalion that will now include foot soldiers.

“We have seen the lack of troops here in Panay. We have a deadline to beat (to end insurgency) that is supposed to happen this year. If not, hopefully at the end of the term of the President,” Pancito said.

Panay Island and the island province of Guimaras are covered by only one maneuver battalion which is the 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB) with its headquarters in Miagao town, Iloilo. The 61st IB is composed of almost 500 troops.

“One of the constraints that we cannot solve, the Panay part is we really lack the strength, the operations to do so,” he said.

The 12IB will have six weeks of training at the Battalion Retraining Facilities (BRF) in Camp Peralta, Jamindan, Capiz.

The troops will dedicate four weeks for operational training and two weeks of Community Support Program (CSP) training.

Lieutenant Colonel Sisenando Magbalot, a former commander of the 61st IB, will lead the 12IB, Pancito said.

Major General Eric Vinoya, commander of the Army’s 3ID, said the 12IB is expected to be at the top shape after the training.

In the meantime, the 12IB will be faced with “low equipment readiness” as the process of converting them into a maneuver battalion is quite similar to creating a new infantry battalion.

“Your equipment also came from other existing battalions; this is why you can expect low equipment readiness for the meantime. But the point is, you can look at this as a problem, a challenge, or an opportunity,” Vinoya said, adding that the 12IB can be creative and get away from established norms that have been leading the army to mediocrity.

He encouraged the troops to give their best during the said training as they are expected to enhance their operational capability and conduct CSP in the grassroots communities.

“Give your best shot during the training for you are doing this to prepare yourselves and your unit in performing and bringing your mandate to the next level. This time, you will not only serve the Visayans but will fulfill their fervent desire for an insurgency-free community,” Vinoya said. (With a report from PNA/PN)

CHR: Anti-insurgency drive being used to justify threats, attacks on activists

From the Philippine Star (Feb 9, 2020): CHR: Anti-insurgency drive being used to justify threats, attacks on activists (Franco Luna)

The Commission of Human Rights in a statement on Sunday morning once again called for the Duterte administration to repeal Executive Order No. 70, which orders the whole-of-nation approach against communist rebels, saying it has been used to justify continued attacks on human rights defenders and on activists.

A little over a month into 2020, human rights defenders and members of activist organizations have been experiencing attacks that have been linked to the government, the commission said.

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"With the intensified implementation of Executive Order No. 70 to combat counterinsurgency in the country, we petition the government to rescind the policy as it has been consistently used to justify threats and intimidation of individuals and organizations working for the improvement of the human rights and welfare of various marginalised, disadvantaged, and vulnerable sectors of society," the commission said.

President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order No. 70 on December 4, 2018, which institutionalized a "whole-of-nation approach" and created a task force to end local communist armed conflict.

Since then, rights groups have said that situation in the Philippines is akin to a de facto martial law.

"We cannot further reiterate that the State should develop protection mechanisms that support and safeguard our human rights defenders, particularly those who are facing high risks such as individuals working for indigenous people’s rights, land, and environmental concerns; journalists; and women human rights defenders," CHR spokesperson Jacqueline De Guia said in a statement over the weekend.

CHR notes attacks on activists, rights defenders

In the statement, the commission again called for an end to what they said was state-sponsored "violations against human rights defenders, including extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances." De Guia also outlined a number of cases since the start of the year that she said back up the commission's claim, including:

  • January 19, 2020: Peasant organizers Emerito Pinza and Romy Candor went missing in Brgy. San Antonio, Kalayaan, Laguna. Rights groups reported that suspected elements of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Mobile Force Battalion 4A were involved in the killing.
  • February 3, 2020: Indigenous people leader-organizer Jay-ar Mercado of Oriental Mindoro was violently killed by alleged members of the 4th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army. "His remains were found buried in Bulalacao without the consent and knowledge of his family," the statement said.
  • February 5, 2020: Engineer Jennifer Agohob, Oroquieta resident and member of both the Union of People’s Lawyers in Mindanao (UPLM) and rights group Karapatan was arrested in Western Mindanao with a warrant of arrest for murder issued on July 26, 2019 by Judge Victoriano Lacaya, Jr. of Regional Trial Court Branch in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte. Agohob was supposedly not made aware of any of these complaints at the time.
  • February 7, 2020: Five activists were arrested in simultaneous raids in Tacaloban City including staff of political party Bayan and peasants’ organisation SAGUPA; spokesperson of People’s Surge Network; a member of Rural Missionaries of the Philippines; and the Executive Director of Eastern Vista, in raids by Philippine National Police (PNP) officers led by Lt. Col. Pedere over charges of “illegal possession of firearms." They remain detained at the Palo PNP station.
According to data from rights watchdog Karapatan, itself tagged by the government as a supposed communist front organization, at least 293 political killings have been recorded during the Duterte administration.

Among those killed, 167 were human rights defenders. They also said that at least 204 have been tortured, 429 fell victims to frustrated extrajudicial killings, 11 were forcibly disappeared, and 94,075 were threatened and harassed.

In late October and early November, the offices of known progressive organizations in the country were raided for what they all said were trumped-up charges aimed at stifling dissent. The same groups have also been consistently redtagged by government arms, or accused of being communist elements linked to the Communist Party of the Philippines.

"The judicial harassment, arbitrary arrest and criminalization of human rights defenders should be a key area of concern of the people and should never be tolerated," De Guia said.

"Some government officials have tried to connect human rights defenders with communist groups and terrorist organizations among others to pursue a politically motivated defamation campaign against them."

CHR itself has long spoken out about the dangers of red-tagging. De Guia, who is a lawyer, said in a statement in April that accusations of communist involvement must be proven in court.

“Labelling groups before an objective judgment violates the constitutional guarantee of presumption of innocence and may have serious implications on the security and movement of individuals and groups involved,” she said.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/02/09/1991651/chr-anti-insurgency-drive-being-used-justify-threats-attacks-activists

Send notice to US ending defence treaty: Duterte

From the Gulf Today (Feb 8, 2020): Send notice to US ending defence treaty: Duterte (By Manolo B. Jara)



Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte. File

President Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte ordered the country’s top diplomat to send a formal notice to the US aimed at ending a defence agreement that allows, among others, the holding of annual “war games” between Filipino and American military forces, according to his spokesman.

Salvador Panelo reported that Duterte told Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea to relay his order to Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin who earlier warned of adverse consequences to the country’s economy and national security with the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the US.

Panelo revealed Duterte told him he would talk with US President Trump, thus: “President Duterte is also scheduled to talk with President Trump anytime. The agenda is not clear. It’s also not clear who initiated the impending talk.”

In his testimony before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations hearing on the VFA on Thursday, Locsin urged a “vigorous review” of the treaty because its termination would not only affect the country’s economy and national security but also regional stability.

He did not elaborate but he was apparently referring to the unresolved territorial disputes between some members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) particularly the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam and China in the South China Sea that has worsened regional tensions. However, Locsin defended Duterte’s stand for revocation, pointing out that as the sitting president and the commander in chief of the military, as well as the chief architect he has the sole prerogative to do so.

Locsin likewise admitted that initially on orders of Duterte, he already prepared a formal notice of termination of the VFA to the US which he would send to Washington solely on the president’s orders.

“He (Duterte) has the constitutional power and authnority,” Locsin pointed out, “to abrogate any treaty for any reason especially an insult to our sovereignty.”

Aside from the war games, the VFA also allows American military forces to train and advise their Filipino counterparts in disaster response and anti-terrorist operation like the campaign against the Daesh-linked Abu Sayyaf terrorists in Mindanao.

But the treaty, which the Senate ratified in 1999, bans US soldiers from participating in actual combat.

Recently, Duterte ordered the treaty’s abrogation apparently in retaliation to Washington’s decision to cancel the visa of freshmen Senator Ronald dela Rosa, a close ally and former chief of the Philippine National Police which spearheaded the government bloody and violent war on illegal drugs.

https://www.gulftoday.ae/news/2020/02/08/send-notice-to-us-ending-defence-treaty-duterte

2 Abus killed, 4 soldiers wounded in Surigao Sur clash

From the Philippine Star (Feb 9, 2020): 2 Abus killed, 4 soldiers wounded in Surigao Sur clash (By Roel Pareño)

Two Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed while four soldiers were wounded in an encounter in Surigao del Sur on Friday.

The slain suspects are said to be with the group of Almujer Yadah.

Personnel of the Military Intelligence Group, Air Intelligence Battalion and 401st tracked down the bandits after receiving reports that they were planning kidnappings in the province.

Soldiers of the Light Reaction Company of the Joint Special Operation Unit 2 raided a hideout of Abu Sayyaf bandits in Barangay Unidos in Tago town.


Prior to the military operation, one of the suspects traveled from Sulu to Caraga last September to conduct casing and spotting of target victims, according to a security official who asked not to be named.

The suspect reportedly returned to Sulu in November and returned to Caraga with some of his cohorts to set up an encampment and plot the kidnappings.


Surigao del Sur is among the areas in Mindanao frequented by both local and foreign tourists due to its scenic spots.

WESTMINCOM: NPA officer nabbed by gov’t forces in Oroquieta City

Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Facebook Page (Feb 6, 2020): NPA officer nabbed by gov’t forces in Oroquieta City

AFP and PNP operatives conducted joint law enforcement operation which led to the apprehension of an NPA officer in her residence in Oroquieta City at 12:30pm on February 5, 2020.

“Jenefer Aguhob, a.k.a. Ace/Jen/Joy, 40, single, and a resident of Purok 3, Barangay Buenavista, Oroquieta City was arrested by virtue of a Warrant of Arrest with CC number 22655 for murder issued by Hon. Victoriano Lacaya Jr., the presiding judge of RTC 9th Judicial Region, Branch 9, Dipolog City and with no bail recommended,” said Brig. Gen. Gene Ponio, commander of the JTF ZamPeLan.

Aguhob is the Finance, Liaison Officer of Sub-Regional Military Area II (Monterosa) and Chairman of Karapatan and Makabayan bloc.

She is also a contact of the following Western Mindanao Regional Committee (WMRPC) officers: Ma. Luz Ranan, a.k.a. Ynez/Bonsai of Guerilla Front Sendong and wife of former Deputy Secretary of the Region, Rommel Salinas, a.k.a. Vencio/Beto/Carlos/Domeng/Artem/Mark; former Finance Officer Rowena Rosario Delambaca Tabanao, a.k.a. Wena/Weng/Pasing/Lourdes/Rowena/Doris; and former Logistics Officer Leonardo Jacotin, a.k.a Jess/Mario/Jasper. All are now incarcerated.

Additionally, she was sighted visiting a.k.a. Beto at Ozamis City Jail and attending his court hearing.

“Our troops, together with our partners from the PNP continuously conduct operations against the communist terrorists to prevent them from instigating hostilities in the communities,” said Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

“With the weakened leadership, I now call on the members of the WMRPC to lay down their arms, return to the folds of the law, and be one with us in our peace building mechanisms,” Lt. Gen. Sobejana added.

Aguhob is placed under the custody of Misamis Occidental Provincial Police Office for proper disposition.

“I attribute this achievement to the strong collaboration among officers and men of the Joint Task Force ZamPeLan and the Philippine National Police. My snappy salute to all of them. With your selfless service, our people will certainly live peacefully and happily,” Lt. Gen. Sobejana concluded.

#DefeatingTheNPA
#ForPeace
#ForProgress
#OneMindanao
#OneFlag
#AFPYouCanTrust

1st Infantry TABAK Division, Philippine Army 6th Infantry Division - Kampilan 601 Infantry - Unifier Brigade 602nd "Liberator" Brigade 603 Persuader Brigade 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade 1st Mechanized Lakan Battalion Seventh Infantry Tapat Battalion Fourth Mechanized Infantry Battalion SecondMechanized MakasagBattalion Seventy-Seven Infantry Battalion 33rd Infantry Makabayan Battalion Ge Seven 6IB Redskin 62nd Infantry Unifier Batallion Six Cmo Battalion Bigkislahi Cmo 40 Infantry "Magiting" Battalion Conquer Infantry Battalion Unang Marinong Brigada Striking Battalion 90th Infantry Bigkis Lahi Battalion 57th Infantry Masikap Battalion Sixfab Battalion 34TH Infantry "RELIABLE" Battalion Onlyourbest MbltFive Seven Field Artillery Battalion Breathe Heart Ruel Casanes Ar-ar Galvez Oscar Charlie Westmincom Afman Rosales Jr. Fhour IV Ciargi Eyten Aybee Jointask Forcesulu Jtf Basilan Joint Task Force Sulu Joint Task Force Zamboanga Joint Task Force Zamboanga Virtual Center Jtf Tawi Tawi Indomalphi Tow Westmin Pio TOW Western Mindanao "Our Air Warriors in Mindanao" Matatag Battalion La Independencia Filipinas


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WESTMINCOM: ELCAC StratCom cluster 9 discusses feats, plans for 2020

Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Facebook Page (Feb 6, 2020): ELCAC StratCom cluster 9 discusses feats, plans for 2020

Members of the Strategic Communications cluster under the Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict crafted Thursday afternoon plans to bolster the campaign and sustain the gains against insurgency in Region IX.

The StratCom cluster convened at Cityinn Hotel in Zamboanga City to deliberate on the programs, activities, and plans presented by involved agencies and delineate the respective roles of the various sectors in the current counterinsurgency thrust in Zamboanga Peninsula.

Col. Clarence Abellera, assistant chief of unified command staff for plans of Western Mindanao Command, joined representatives of the different agencies and the security, labor, academe, and private sectors.

The StratCom members likewise presented their unit’s accomplishments and designated their officers.

The Philippine Information Agency IX spearheaded the StratCom cluster meeting attended by officials and personnel of Task Force Zamboanga, Commission on Human Rights, Department of Agriculture, National Commission on Indigenous People, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Justice, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Social Welfare and Development, National Housing Authority, Office of the Civil Defense, Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process, and local government units of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Peninsula.

#tfelcac
#counterinsurgency
#kontraterorismo
#afpinternalsecuritycampaign
#afpyoucantrust
#teamwmc
#teamkapayapaan
#yourprotector
#yourpartner
#yourfriend

1st Infantry TABAK Division, Philippine Army 6th Infantry Division - Kampilan 601 Infantry - Unifier Brigade 602nd "Liberator" Brigade 603 Persuader Brigade 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade 1st Mechanized Lakan Battalion Seventh Infantry Tapat Battalion Fourth Mechanized Infantry Battalion SecondMechanized MakasagBattalion Seventy-Seven Infantry Battalion 33rd Infantry Makabayan Battalion Ge Seven 6IB Redskin 62nd Infantry Unifier Batallion Six Cmo Battalion Bigkislahi Cmo 40 Infantry "Magiting" Battalion Conquer Infantry Battalion Unang Marinong Brigada Striking Battalion 90th Infantry Bigkis Lahi Battalion 57th Infantry Masikap Battalion Sixfab Battalion 34th Reliable Battalion Onlyourbest MbltFive Seven Field Artillery Battalion Breathe Heart Ruel Casanes Ar-ar Galvez Oscar Charlie Westmincom Afman Rosales Jr. Fhour IV Ciargi Eyten Aybee Jointask Forcesulu Jtf Basilan Joint Task Force Sulu Joint Task Force Zamboanga Joint Task Force Zamboanga Virtual Center Jtf Basilan Jtf Tawi Tawi Indomalphi Tow Westmin Pio Tow Westmin Cmo Matatag Battalion La Independencia Filipinas

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WESTMINCOM: Demoralized NPA members surrender in Sultan Kudarat

Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Facebook Page (Feb 8, 2020): Demoralized NPA members surrender in Sultan Kudarat

Military troops presented 16 former communist rebels to local officials in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat on February 6.

Soldiers of the 603rd Infantry Brigade turned over said surrendered rebels at the Municipal Hall in Poblacion, Palimbang on Thursday morning.

The former rebels surrendered to Lt. Col. Roberto Go, Jr., 37th Infantry Battalion commanding officer, in Baranayan, Palimbang on January 31.

They also yielded one M14 rifle, one Cal .30 M1 Garand rifle, two Cal .45 pistols, one Smg 9mm, and one Cal. 38 revolver.

“We surrendered due to anxiety and uncertainty of the safety of our family.”

“We are also demoralized by the relentless pursuit operations conducted by government forces,” said a.k.a Kunga.

The surrendered rebels are currently at Sultan Kudarat Province Halfway House for E-CLIP processing.

Col. Jovencio Gonzales, 603rd Bde’s deputy commander, joined Palimbang Mayor Joenime Kapina, Vice Mayor Amil Pangansayan, and representatives of Palimbang Municipal Police Station, Indigenous People’s Mandatory Representative, and Municipal Fire Marshal during the turnover.

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Western Mindanao Command, said ground forces sustain their counterinsurgency campaign through combat operations and cooperation with local officials.

“While operational gains are maintained through the intensive campaign, our forces synergize with local officials in facilitating the capitulation and reintegration of former rebels in Mindanao,” added Lt. Gen. Sobejana.

#Demoralized
#StopTerrorism
#YesforPEACE
#AFPyoucanTRUST

6th Infantry Division - Kampilan 601 Infantry - Unifier Brigade 602nd "Liberator" Brigade 603 Persuader Brigade 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade 1st Mechanized Lakan Battalion Seventh Infantry Tapat Battalion 40 Infantry "Magiting" Battalion Onlyourbest MbltFive Sixfab Battalion Seven Field Artillery Battalion 33rd Infantry Makabayan Battalion 57th Infantry Masikap Battalion SecondMechanized MakasagBattalion Six Cmo Battalion Bigkislahi Cmo 90th Infantry Bigkis Lahi Battalion 34th Reliable Battalion Ge Seven Seventy-Seven Infantry Battalion Conquer Infantry Battalion 1st Infantry TABAK Division, Philippine Army Team Tabak Fourth Mechanized Infantry Battalion 6IB Redskin Jointask Forcesulu Unang Marinong Brigada Striking Battalion Jtf Tawi Tawi Indomalphi Jtf Basilan Eyten Aybee Joint Task Force Zamboanga Joint Task Force Zamboanga Virtual Center Matatag Battalion Naval Forces Western Mindanao Civil Military Operations Unit Western Mindanao- Phil Navy Tow Westmin Pio Tow Westmin Cmo Oscar Charlie WestmincomFhour IV Ciargi 62nd Infantry Unifier Batallion Arvin John Gullos Encinas Breathe Heart Ruel CasanesAr-ar Galvez Afman Rosales Jr. Aben M Sidlak

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