Key Philippine Military and Insurgency-Related Events: 02/15/20

Saturday, February 15, 2020

Military exec slams CHR for siding with Reds

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Feb 15, 2020): Military exec slams CHR for siding with Reds (By Delfin T. Mallari Jr.)

Maj. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. (Photo from PNA)

The spokesperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac) has accused the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) of siding with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its front organizations.

“Why would CHR listen to the lies of CPP front organizations and ask for the cancellation of Executive Order [No.] 70?” Maj. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr., also commander of the military’s Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) asked in a letter to CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia.

Parlade said the task force had been “providing avenues for the delivery of basic services and the promotion of good governance, especially at the most isolated and depressed communities of the country.”

“But the CHR has chosen to see these sincere efforts of government as aggression and harassment of radical groups critical of the government,” he said.

‘Lies of CPP’

Signed by President Duterte in December 2018, EO 70 formed the NTF-Elcac and tapped government agencies and the private sector to bring basic services to the countryside and address the root causes of rebellion.

Parlade said the CHR “continuously parrots the lies” of CPP front organizations, “in synch with the United Nations Commission on Human Rights investigation” of alleged crimes of the government under Mr. Duterte.

“Maybe we should educate CHR about the CPP’s design in order to enlighten them about how the CPP exploits us all—the CHR included,” he said.

‘Rescind EO 70’

He added: “If there is anyone who is adept at weaponizing the law and using government resources against government, that would be the CPP.”

Parlade asked De Guia: “Shall government abdicate its sacred duty to protect and defend its citizens and continue to allow these critics and dissenters to recruit and kill our children?”

On Sunday, the CHR renewed its call to the government to rescind EO 70, which formed a task force to end “local communist armed conflict,” following several attacks against human rights activists this year.

The appeal was made days after the arrest of a journalist and four activists in Tacloban City on charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

“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 human rights and welfare of various marginalized, disadvantaged and vulnerable sectors of society,” De Guia said in a statement.

The CHR also called on the government to “immediately end all forms of violations against human rights defenders and recognize the legitimacy and importance of their work.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1228552/military-exec-slams-chr-for-siding-with-reds

Norway promoting peace in the Sulu Archipelago

Posted to ScandAsia (Feb 13, 2020): Norway promoting peace in the Sulu Archipelago (By Kevin Kristofer Magtalas)

Norway is a consistent partner for peace efforts in the Philippines.

Norway’s Ambassador to the Philippines Bjørn Jahnsen recently visited the provinces of Sulu and Basilan to support a project with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), promoting sustainable peace in the island provinces. The three-year project will address the main drivers of instability in some of the fragile communities in Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

“Inclusive governance and social cohesion at the community level are important measures to prevent radicalization and violent extremism,” says Ambassador Bjørn Jahnsen.

From L to R: Royal Norwegian Embassy in Manila Political Adviser Nikki Delfin, Second Secretary Stian Hegland, Basilan Governor Jim Salliman, Ambassador Bjørn Jahnsen, IOM Chief of Mission Kristin Dadey and IMO’s South Cotabato Regional Office Head, Marco Chime (Photo from the Provincial Information Office of Basilan)

Basilan Governor Hataman warmly welcomed Norway’s Ambassador to the Philippines by presenting the traditional clothing of the Yakan people, the ethnic group of Basilan (Photo from the Provincial Information Office of Basilan)

“I was therefore very pleased that the local government of Basilan and Sulu, organised peace seminars in their respective provinces that were very inclusive,” said the Ambassador.

The events entitled ‘Sustaining the Gains of Peace’, organised in co-operation with IOM and the Embassy, provided a platform for different sectors of the community, such as indigenous people, the religious sector, former combatants of separatist movements, women, the youth, and government line agencies, to come together to discuss peace and development in their communities.

Local officials and mayors from the provinces also attended the dialogue, recognising the importance of sustaining peace to boost economic development and promote education in their respective municipalities.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines provided crucial and excellent support for the visit both to Basilan and to Sulu, and Ambassador Jahnsen and his party had an engaging meeting with Commander of Western Mindanao Command, Lt. Gen. Cirilito E. Sobejana.

During the visit to the Sulu Archipelago, Ambassador Jahnsen promised to revisit the islands to review the progress of the project.

Ambassador Bjørn Jahnsen and Sulu Governor Sakur Tan (6th from R) together with the Mayors of the province of Sulu.

Norway is a consistent partner for peace in the Philippines. Since 2001, Norway has been the third-party facilitator in negotiations between in the Philippine Government (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

Norway also supports the Bangsamoro peace process since 2010, initially as member of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) during the ceasefire operations between the MILF and the Philippine Government, and now through the Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB).

Norway has several international representatives on the ground in Cotabato today and is the current Vice Chairman of IDB that oversees the decommissioning of former combatants from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Last year, Norway launched its Fourth Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security 2019 – 2021 that details Norway’s systematic focus on the gender perspective in implementing crosscutting peace and security initiatives. The Philippines is one of the priority countries for this Action Plan.

Norway is a candidate for the UN Security Council 2021-2022 and aims to defend a humanitarian and rules-based global order.

https://scandasia.com/norway-promoting-peace-in-the-sulu-archipelago/

CPP/NPA-NCMR: Maraming salamat po! Mahal kayo ng NPA.

NPA-NCMR propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Feb 14, 2020): Maraming salamat po! Mahal kayo ng NPA.

NPA-NCMR

NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY

FEBRUARY 14, 2020

Ngayong Araw ng mga Puso, nais ilahad ng NPA-NCMR ang aming taus-pusong pasasalamat sa masang magsasaka, manggagawa, maralita, kabataan, kababaihan at iba pang demokratikong pwersa sa inyong patuloy na pagsuporta at pagtaguyod sa inyong hukbo.

Ang patuloy ninyong pagmamahal ang aming inspirasyon at motibasyon sa harap ng mga kahirapan at sakripisyong dulot ng umiigting na pasistang atake ng rehimeng US-Duterte sa ating rehiyon. Dito kami humuhugot ng lakas at determinasyon upang puspusang isulong ang demokratikong rebolusyon ng bayan hanggang tagumpay.

“Kung wala ang hukbong bayan, walang kahit na ano ang mamamayan.” Napatunayan na ito sa 51-taong paglilingkod ng NPA sa sambayanang Pilipino. Dahil sa suporta ng masa, nananatiling makatwiran ang paglaban ng hukbong bayan. Patuloy itong makakakamit ng mga tagumpay at pagsulong ng digmang bayan sa lahat ng larangan. Nakapananatili at lumalakas ito at hindi magapi ng kaaway.

Dahil sa inyong walang-patid na pagkalinga at pagmamahal, nananatili pa ring hindi matalo-talo ang NPA. Maraming, maraming salamat po!

Bilang ganting alay ng NPA sa masang anakpawis at inaapi, nananatili kaming tunay na hukbo at tagapagsilbi ng mamamayan. Sa harap ng walang-habas na pasistang mga atake ng rehimeng US-Duterte at papalubhang kalagayang panlipunan, maasahan ninyong patuloy naming ipagtatanggol ang inyong mga karapatan at kagalingan. Laging nangingibabaw ang inyong interes sa aming mga ipinaglalaban, kaakibat na ang pagsusulong ng tunay na reporma sa lupa, pagpawi sa kahirapan at kagutuman, pagdepensa laban sa militarisasyon at dayuhang panghihimasok at iba pang isinusulong na mga pakikibaka ng mamamayan. Kaisa ninyo ang NPA sa pagsusulong at pagpupundar para sa hangad nating makamit ang isang tunay na gobyerno ng mamamayan.

Sa kabila ng mga tangka ng rehimeng US-Duterte na pigilan ang pagpapalaganap ng mensahe at katwiran ng armadong pakikibaka, nananatili kayong matatag at hindi nagpapalinlang. Hindi matupad ni Duterte ang kanyang pangarap na maging diktador dahil sa inyong mariing pagtutol at paglaban. Buong giting ninyong kinundena ang martial law sa Mindanao, ang pagsaklaw nito sa buong bansa at ang malawakang kampanya ng karahasan ng rehimen. Dahil sa inyong walang-takot na paglaban at pagkakaisa, nananatiling bigo ang rehimen sa anumang bantang pasukuin ang NPA at rebolusyonaryong kilusan.

Samu’t sari na ang mga pakana ng gobyerno at AFP para lamang palabasing wala nang suportang masa ang armadong rebolusyon. Pero gaya ng dati, naiiwan lamang itong luhaan at sawi. Lalong higit na malinaw na hindi kailanman maiibsan ng tiraniko, hibang at walang pusong rehimeng US-Duterte ang patuloy na dinaranas na kahirapan ng sambayanang Pilipino.

Sa halip, dahil sa patuloy ninyong pagmamahal sa NPA, lalong napagtitibay na tanging ang armadong pakikibaka ang landas laban sa estadong nangangayupapa sa dikta ng imperyalista at mga militarista. Lalo lamang nitong itinutulak ang laksa-laksang mamamayan upang ipagtanggol ang kanilang mga karapatan. Higit lang na napalalapit ang kanilang puso at isipan sa kawastuhan ng armadong rebolusyon.

Kaya naman nag-uumapaw at walang-hanggan ang pasasalamat ng NPA-NCMR sa lahat ng minamahal naming masa. Hanggat may inaapi at pinagsasamantalahan at sa diwa ng pagmamahal ng masa sa tunay na hukbo ng mamamayan, nananatili ang aming panawagang “Paglingkuran ang sambayanan!”, buhay man namin ay ialay.

Happy Valentine’s Day! Maraming salamat po! Mahal kayo ng NPA.

https://cpp.ph/statement/maraming-salamat-po-mahal-kayo-ng-npa/

Kalinaw News: Mindoro Pursues Localized Peacetalks with NPAs

Posted to Kalinaw News (Feb 15, 2020): Mindoro Pursues Localized Peacetalks with NPAs (By 4th Infantry Battalion)

CAMP CAPINPIN, Tanay, Rizal – Through a resolution of the Provincial Peace and Order Council that was approved by Gov Humerlito Dolor on Feb 4, Oriental Mindoro has taken the first major step in forging a peace deal which will end insurgency in the province.

The council members, voting unanimously, resolved to express their collective “desire to pursue localized peacetalks through the creation of an expanded sub-committee on Anti-Insurgency”, read the document that was released on Friday.

The resolution cited the council’s mandate to strengthen the capacities of governance actors ‘to effectively address socio-economic divides, create modalities and strengthen capacities of communities to resist violence and participate in peace-building and development.”

Major General Arnulfo Marcelo B Burgos Jr, Commander of the Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry Division which covers Southern Tagalog, welcomed the resolution and lauded the people of Oriental Mindoro for taking “an admirable stand in attaining the much coveted peace, prosperity and progress which every Filipino truly deserves.”

He described the provincial government’s action as “crucial and necessary” in finally ending communist armed conflict which has hampered the country since “localized peacetalks will directly address the distinct social issues prevailing in every area,” something that negotiations in the national level cannot “because communist leaders in that level are not attuned to the real sentiments on the ground, thus, making their position irrelevant to their fighters and supporters.”

For the longest time, peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front failed to gain headways due to impossible and unattainable demands which the government negotiating panel cannot agree because of conflict with the Philippine Constitution and the Filipino people’s moral foundation.

The Local Peace Panel of Oriental Mindoro is chaired by BGen Antonio R Lastimado, Commander of the 203rd Brigade which has operational jurisdiction over the island, with six other members coming from the provincial council, DILG Regional Office, Philippine National Police, Provincial DSWD, civilian sector and a municipal mayor.

BGen Lastimado expressed his optimism that “the initiative will lead to cessation of hostilities which will further boost the bullish economic and tourism potentials of MIMAROPA Region thereby uplifting the lives of our constituents.”

“The government has taken the first step and we hope that the NPAs will follow our lead. The panel is looking forward to meeting with our counterparts from their side so that, together, we can finally write the closing paragraphs of this dark chapter in Philippine history”, ended BGen Lastimado.

MGen Burgos ended his statement by declaring the resolution as “the first step toward the irreversible collapse of insurgency not only in this part of the country but also across the entire nation.”

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has been pushing for a localized peacetalks ever since the negotiations between the GRP and NDF was terminated on January 2017.

This was supported by Gen Felimon T Santos Jr, the AFP Chief of Staff, saying that “localized peacetalks is the best way to end insurgency because it will bring faster gains since the Local Chief Executives will be directly talking with the local NPA commanders.”

https://www.kalinawnews.com/mindoro-pursues-localized-peacetalks-with-npas/

Kalinaw News: NPA Regional Head killed in a Law Enforcement Operations (Graphic Photos)

Posted to Kalinaw News (Feb 15, 2020): NPA Regional Head killed in a Law Enforcement Operations

NSFA, Panacan, Davao City – The Regional Head of the Far South Mindanao of the communist New People’s Army was killed in an inter-agency Law Enforcement Operations in her hideout at So. Lacobe, Brgy. Malabuan, Makilala, North Cotabato, noon of February 14, 2020.

In a report rendered by BGen. Adonis Bajao, Commander of 1002nd Infantry Brigade to Eastern Mindanao Command, the terrorist leader, identified as Juanita Gore Tacadao alias Isay/Maring who was also the logistics and finance head of the said group, was killed in a shoot out when her security exchanged fires with the inter-agency team from 39th Infantry Battalion under Ltc. Geofrey Carandang and Makilala Police Office who were about to serve the following warrants of arrest: CC Nr 236, 237, 238 and 239 issued by Judge Magnolia C. Velez of 11th Judicial Region, RTC Branch 20, Digos City, Davao del Sur for murder; and CC Nr ‎568-2017 issued by Judge Jose T. Tabosares of 12th Judicial Region, RTC Branch 23, Kidapawan City, North Cotabato for Robbery with Violence Against Intimidation of Person.

Accordingly, alias Maring’s NPA security scampered to an unidentified direction after a five-minute skirmish leaving her dead body, one M14 rifle, one caliber .38 pistols, one International Humanitarian Law banned landmine, two blasting caps, and a detonating cord.

Alias Maring’s neutralization came after the community provided the information on their whereabouts.

In a related incident another hideout of alias Maring’s group was discovered by patrolling troops of 1002nd Bde and 39th Infantry Battalion along Sitio Blazan, Malawanit, Magsaysay, Davao Del Sur afternoon of February 14, 2020. Clearing of the area yielded one
1M16 Rifle, one Home made 12 gauge shot gun, one Hand grenade and 40mm ammunition, Food supplies, personal belongings and subversive documents.

[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/npa-regional-head-killed-in-a-law-enforcement-operations/

Kalinaw News: 4ID gains tactically against CNTs in Northern Mindanao and Caraga

Posted to Kalinaw News (Feb 14, 2020): 4ID gains tactically against CNTs in Northern Mindanao and Caraga (By 4th Infantry Division)

CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City – The 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division, Philippine Army has gain tactically on its successful focus military operations against the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army terrorists (CNTs) members in Northern Mindanao and Caraga from 11-13 February 2020.

The focus military operations conducted by the brigades and battalions under 4ID successively hit the CNTs in the two regions. Three encounters were recorded in the three-day span where the CNTs suffered losses while no casualties on our security forces.

On Tuesday, at around 11:25 in the morning of February 11, troops of 29th Infantry Battalion was able to hit the CNTs in the vicinity of Barangay Puting Bato, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte. Another two encounters transpired on Wednesday, February 12, wherein troops belonging to 30th Infantry Battalion hit the CNTs in the hinterlands of Barangay Tolingon, Mainit, Surigao del Sur around 11:10 o’clock in the morning, while the troops of 65th Infantry Battalion hit the CNTs in KM17, Barangay Besigan, Cagayan de Oro City around 3:20 o’clock in the afternoon.

The three encounters resulted in one CNT member killed and the recovery of four high powered firearms (2-M16 rifles, 1-M4 carbine rifle, 1-AK47), one shot gun, one anti-personnel mine, bandoliers, magazines of M16 and AK47, assorted ammunitions and various personal belongings owned by the CNTs.

The successful focus military operations were attributed to the gains of our unit’s Community Support Program immersion in the 4ID’s area of responsibility wherein the civilian populace voluntarily gave information and tip-off the CNTs locations. Likewise, contributory to our tactical gains were the declaration of Persona-Non Grata and the continuous delivery of basic social services through the regional, provincial and city task forces to end local communist armed conflict in Northern Mindanao and Caraga.

Meanwhile, MGen Franco Nemesio Gacal, the Commander of 4ID said, “We are successful in hitting the CNTs because of the convergence efforts of the local populace and the security forces to locate the armed group and address the root causes of insurgency. Hence, your diamond troopers will continue to conduct peace and development activities in the conflict affected and geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas for the CNTs to abandon their armed struggle.

“Once again, I am calling on the remaining members of the CNTs to return to the folds of law. The door is widely open for you to return to the mainstream society and live peacefully with your families and love ones. The security forces together with the local leaders and the government agencies are ready to help you.” Gacal ended.

[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/4id-gains-tactically-against-cnts-in-northern-mindanao-and-caraga/

Kalinaw News: Army Commander who Neutralized Notorious NPA Leader is now Operations Officer of Southern Tagalog

Posted to Kalinaw News (Feb 14, 2020): Army Commander who Neutralized Notorious NPA Leader is now Operations Officer of Southern Tagalog (By 2nd Infantry Division)

Major General Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr, Commander of the 2nd Infantry Division, Phil Army hands-over the unit symbol to Lt Col Rimrad Feraer as he assumed command of the 80th Infantry (Steadfast) Battalion on Thursday.

CAMP CAPINPIN, Tanay, Rizal – The battalion commander of the Army unit which neutralized one of the most notorious NPA leaders in Southern Tagalog has relinquished his command on Thursday following his designation as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations of the 2nd Infantry Division.

Lt Col Christopher Diaz, who completed his tour of duty as Commanding Officer of the 80th Infantry (Steadfast) Battalion, expressed his “heartfelt gratitude to the people of Rizal, Laguna and Quezon for the collaboration” during a ceremony presided by Major General Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr, Commander of the 2nd Infantry Division, held at Baras, Rizal.

In his speech, MGen Burgos congratulated Lt Col Diaz for “being steadfast in accomplishing every Jungle Fighter’s mandate as advocates of peace, servants of the people and defenders of Southern Tagalog.”

He added that “his designation as G3 is a testament to the amount of trust that I have in his capabilities to deliver the decisive blows to finally end communist insurgency in this part of the country.”

According to military records, 80IB was organized in 2003 and was initially designated as the AFP’s Quick Reaction Force in NCR. It was then transferred to Mindoro where it played a crucial role in the government’s counterinsurgency campaign before it was deployed as the country’s peacekeeping unit in Golan Heights that defended the United Nation’s Position 68 in the contested border against the attacks of Syrian Rebel Forces in 2013.

Upon its return to the country, the battalion was deployed in the Province of Rizal where it neutralized key NPA personalities like Armando Lazarte alias Pat Romano in Antipolo City on December 2019.

“Those accomplishments have put 2ID in the position of dismantling the few remaining NPA Fronts, thus, we can say that you played a critical role when peace was finally won, development has been achieved and prosperity became a way of life in Southern Tagalog”, said MGen Burgos as he lauds his troops for a job well done.

A military medal was conferred to Lt Col Diaz “for his exemplary performance of duty in a position of major responsibility” which was highlighted by “the neutralization of NPA leaders, forging of strategic partnerships with the civilian sector and active involvement in the President’s directive to end local communist armed conflict thereby pushing insurgency in this part of the country on the brink of irreversible collapse”, read the award’s citation.

In his speech, Lt Col Diaz expressed his gratitude to the 2nd Infantry Division’s leadership for the trust and confidence that they have bestowed upon him.

“My time as a battalion commander is, by far, the best tour of duty that I had in my years of service” added Lt Col Diaz before rendering his final report of “mission accomplished” to the presiding officer.

Change of Command Ceremony is a time-honored military tradition that mandates the formal transfer of authority to ensure continuity of efforts as responsibility and accountability is passed from one officer to another.

MGen Burgos assured the people of Rizal and Quezon as well as the troops of the 80th IB that their former commander is being replaced by “an equally capable officer in the person of Lt Col Rimrad Feraer.”

“Rimrad, I hope that you will be able to make a difference in the lives of the people of Rizal and Quezon. I am expecting so much from you, we are expecting so much from you”, ended MGen Burgos.

For his part, Lt Col Feraer pledged to do everything to live up to the standards of his predecessors and retain the tradition of excellence that the 80th Infantry Battalion is very much known for.

The newly designated battalion commander is a member of Philippine Military Academy Class of 1996 and has recently completed the Command and General Staff Course from the AFP Education, Training and Doctrine Command in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

80IB is the third unit of 2ID to welcome a new commander in three days.

MGen Burgos was the fourth Commanding Officer of the 80th Infantry Battalion. The unit was deployed in Occidental Mindoro when he was at its helm.

[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/army-commander-who-neutralized-notorious-npa-leader-is-now-operations-officer-of-southern-tagalog/

Kalinaw News: Tired BIFF members yield to JTF Central

Posted to Kalinaw News (Feb 14, 2020): Tired BIFF members yield to JTF Central

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao–Three members of terror group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) also surrendered to Joint Task Force Central (JTFC) yesterday morning (February 11) in Barangay Ladtingan,Pikit, North Cotabato.

The former BIFF members belonged to the group of Gani Saligan who surrendered to JTFC last February 3, 2019.

Continuing community dialogues by the personnel of 7th Infantry Battalion, Barangay Chairman of Barongis in Pikit town and former BIFF members who earlier surrendered have led to the recent surrender.

At 3:00 p.m., the surrenderers were formally presented to 7th IB Commanding Officer Lt. Col. NielRoldan and Pikit Mayor HonorableSumulong Sultan at 7th IB Headquarters, Lower Paatan, Kabacan, NorthCotabato.

The surrenderers brought along with them one homemade M79 grenade launcher with 40mm high explosive ammo, one homemade 9mm sub-machine gun, and two complete sets of improvised explosive devices made of black powder.

“We were left demoralized and leaderless that we opted to surrender to the government,” said one the surrenderers.

JTFC Commander Maj. Gen. Diosdado C. Carreon has expressed his gratitude to the former BIFF rebels who helped them convince their other comrades to surrender to the government.

Kalinaw News: IEDs recovered in continuing military operation

Posted to Kalinaw News (Feb 14, 2020): IEDs recovered in continuing military operation (By 6th Infantry Division)

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – A cache of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) was recovered yesterday (February 11) in the continuing military operation against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF) by the troops of 7th Infantry Battalion at the marshland area in the boundaries of Pikit, North Cotabato and Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao.

The operation targeted bomb-makers Katato Samad and Daurin Manampan, who escaped from the military troops in an operation last February 7 in Barangay Manaulanan of Pikit town.

Troops were able to recover a cache that contained 2 complete IED sets with electrical detonators and blasting caps and one unexploded 81mm mortar round at Barangay Dasawao in Shariff Saydona Mustapha while thoroughly scouring the area for remnants of the BIFF terrorists.

“The on-going operation of the Joint Task Force Central targeting the BIFF bomb-makers is meant to contain the terrorists who are hiding in the marshland areas to evade our pursing troops,” said JTFC Commander Maj. Gen. Diosdado C. Carreon.

“Our troops will hunt them down to thwart them from doing their terroristic plans in Central Mindanao,” the Commander added.

The recovered items were brought at 7th IB Headquarters in Kabacan, North Cotabato and are currently being evaluated by the Army’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team.

2 rookie cops survive ambush in Quezon province

From Rappler (Feb 14, 2020): 2 rookie cops survive ambush in Quezon province (By Tina Ganzon Ozaeta)

An incident report says the two patrolmen were in a mobile car when they were waylaid

SURVIVORS. Patrolmen Millan Kenn Parco and Kennedy O Piamonte in the hospital after they were ambushed Friday, February 14. Photo courtesy of Quezon Police Provincial Office

CAMP GUILLERMO NAKAR, Lucena City – A pair of rookie police officers survived an ambush allegedly perpetrated by the rebel New People’s Army (NPA) in San Narciso town, Quezon, Friday morning, February 14.

According to Quezon Police Provincial Director Colonel Audie L Madrideo, Patrolman Millan Kenn Parco and Patrolman Kennedy O Piamonte were wounded during the attack staged by suspected communist rebels at Barangay San Juan, San Narciso, Quezon at about 8:40 in the morning.

An incident report said, the police officers were aboard a Philippine National Police mobile car patroling barangays San Juan and Binay in San Narciso, Quezon when an unknown number of rebels fired at them.
The cops were able to return fire and in the ensuing gunfight moved out of the ambush zone. Concerned citizens who were in the area helped Parco and Piamonte move to safety.

Both sustained gunshot wounds and were brought to a local hospital where they are now recovering.

Madrideo coordinated with their counterparts in the military. He ordered nearby poilice units to join the military in pursuit operations.

On Thursday, February 13, the Philippine Army activated the 59th Infantry Battallion as an addition and a tactical maneuver unit under the 2nd Infantry Division to beef up its forces in preparation for “the final push” of the military campaign designed to defeat the insurgency in Southern Tagalog.

Army Commander Major General Arnulfo Burgos Jr addressed the troops, expressing his confidence in their transition to a tactical unit as a proactive response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to end the local communist armed conflict before the close of his term.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/251862-rookie-cops-survive-ambush-in-quezon

‘STAY RESOLUTE VS LAWLESSNESS’: PNP Chief Gamboa wants intensified, focused offensive against Reds

From Panay News (Feb 16, 2020): ‘STAY RESOLUTE VS LAWLESSNESS’: PNP Chief Gamboa wants intensified, focused offensive against Reds (By Ruby Silubrico)

ILOILO City – The Philippine National Police (PNP) is raring to launch intensified and focused operations against the New People’s Army (NPA).

No less than, PNP chief himself, Police General Archie Gamboa, gave the order following an encounter between government forces and communist rebels in Barangay Aglobong, Janiuay, Iloilo, tragically ending the life of Police Captain Efren Espanto Jr.

Gamboa was in this city yesterday to visit Espanto’s wake in the chapel of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6).

The country’s top cop personally bestowed posthumous medal to slain cop. He also gave financial support to Espanto’s family through his wife Patrolman Ivy Rose who is assigned in Negros Occidental Police Office.

Gamboa encouraged all police personnel stay resolute in the battle against lawlessness and terrorism and make Espanto’s death as inspiration as he offered his life for to the country to attain peace.

“Talaga ang police ay nag aalay ng kanilang buhay para ma-attain natin ang mission natin na mapaya na bansa,” said Gamboa.

He said that Espanto was the 58th casualty who fought against terrorist and illegal drugs since last year.

Gamboa directed PRO-6 director, Police Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan, to promote Espanto’s wife from Patrolman to Police Corporal because when she applied for a promotion she was pregnant for their first child.

On Wednesday, NPA rebels and troops of the PRO-6 Regional Mobile Force Battalion 6 – Reconnaissance Company clashed in the remote barangay of Aglobong.

The Reconnaissance Company team leader, 29-year-old Espanto of La Carlota City, Negros Occidental, died.

The encounter happened at around 5:45 p.m. on Some 20 policemen were attacked while on their way back to the town proper on foot after three days of anti-insurgency offensive operations.

The encounter lasted for some 30 minutes, according to Police Captain Dadjie Delima, Janiuay police chief. He was unsure of the number of rebels.

Espanto, a graduate of the Philippine National Police Academy, Batch 2015, died in the encounter site but his body was still taken to the Federico Roman Tirador Sr. Memorial District Hospital in Janiuay. He sustained a fatal gunshot wound on the right eye.

Delima said the NPA rebels belonged to the Jose Percival Estocada Command. He did not discount the possibility that Espanto’s troops may have wounded or even killed some rebels, too, citing trails of blood along the withdrawal path of the insurgents.

Espanto was the lone police casualty.

Prior to his Reconnaissance Company assignment, Espanto served as police chief of San Remigio, Antique.

The PRO-6 deployed more troops to Janiuay following the encounter to run after the rebels.

Delima said there had been frequent sightings of rebels in Barangay Aglobong which is geographically near Barangay Atimonan, Janiuay, an identified NPA-influenced area./\

https://www.panaynews.net/stay-resolute-vs-lawlessness-pnp-chief-gamboa-wants-intensified-focused-offensive-against-reds/

Alleged NPA rebel slain in NorthCot

From MindaNews (Feb 15, 2020): Alleged NPA rebel slain in NorthCot (By MALU CADELINA-MANAR)

KIDAPAWAN CITY (MindaNews / 15 February) – An alleged top female leader of the New Peoples’ Army (NPA) was killed in an encounter with the Philippine Army and police in Makilala, North Cotabato on Friday, a police official said.

Makilala police chief Major Arniel Melocotones identified the suspected rebel as Juanita Gore Tacadao, also known as “Commander Ysay” and “Commander Mareng”.

She reportedly belonged to Guerrilla Front 51 of the NPA Southern Mindanao Regional Committee and operated in the mountains of North Cotabato and Davao del Sur.

Melocotones said the operatives went to Sitio Lacobe in Barangay Malabuan, Makilala after receiving information of Tacadao’s presence in the area.

Around 10:50am on February 14, personnel from the Makilala police, together with some elements of the 39th Infantry Battalion under 2nd Lieutenant Alejandro Baliaga, went to Tacadao’s hideout to serve the warrants for her arrest for murder cases that happened in Matan-ao, Davao del Sur, sometime in 2015, he said.

The warrants were issued by Judge Magnolia Velez of Regional Trial Court Branch 20 in Digos City for Criminal Case Numbers 236, 237, 238, and 239 filed under NPS-XI-04-INV-14F-00202.

Melocotones said Tacadao and three of her companions attempted to escape upon seeing the raiding team. She allegedly fired at the raiding team while trying to flee.

The police official said Tacadao was hit in several parts of her body.

The operatives recovered from the scene a Smith and Wesson .38 caliber revolver, spent ammunition, a backpack containing several bomb-making materials and mines, a Winchester 7.62MM shotgun and an M14 Armalite rifle with serial number 1280702 with several rounds of ammunition.

Around 12:30 noon of February 14, police investigators arrived at the scene and later brought Tacadao’s body to the Collado Funeral Homes in Poblacion, Makilala where it underwent post-mortem examination.

Melocotones said a relative had claimed her body from the funeral parlor on Saturday.

He said Tacadao was the wife of a top NPA commander who also died in an encounter with government troops in Makilala sometime in 2017. (Malu Cadeliña-Manar/MindaNews)

https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2020/02/alleged-npa-rebel-slain-in-northcot/

Top NPA leader slain in North Cotabato (Graphic photos)

From the Mindanao Examiner (Feb 15, 2020): Top NPA leader slain in North Cotabato

Security forces shot dead a female senior communist rebel leader after a gunfight erupted while policemen and soldiers were trying to arrest her in North Cotabato’s Makilala town, an army spokesman said Saturday.

Lt. Col. Ezra Balagtey, of the Eastern Mindanao Command, said Juanita Gore Tacadao was killed in the Friday clash in the village of Malabuan where security forces tracked down her hideout.

Military photos released to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner show the body of the slain NPA leader Juanita Gore Tacadao.

Tacadao was the regional logistic head and finance chief of the New People’s Army which has been fighting for many decades now for the establishment of a Maoist state. She was facing a string of criminal charges, mostly murder and robbery cases, in Davao del Sur province.

Balagtey said other rebels managed to escaped, but troops were pursuing them. “Tacadao’s NPA security scampered after a five-minute skirmish leaving her dead body behind. Troops recovered an M14 rifle, one .38-caliber pistol and an improvised explosive device, including a pair of blasting caps, and a roll of detonating cord,” he said.

Balagtey said civilian informants tipped off soldiers on Tacadao’s hideout. “Tacadao’s neutralization came about after the community provided information on their whereabouts,” he said without further elaborating.

There was no immediate statement from the rebel group. (Rhoderick Beñez)

https://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2020/02/top-npa-leader-slain-in-north-cotabato.html

Army activates additional batallion in Southern Tagalog, ready for the ‘final push’

From the Philippine Information Agency (Feb 14, 2020): Army activates additional battalion in Southern Tagalog, ready for the ‘final push’ (By 2nd Infantry Division)

CAMP CAPINPIN, Tanay Rizal, Feb 14 (PIA) – The Philippine Army has activated an additional infantry battalion Wednesday, February 12 to beef-up its forces in preparation for the final push of military campaign designed to defeat insurgency in Southern Tagalog.

The 59th Infantry Battalion was officially designated as a tactical maneuver unit under the 2nd Infantry Division during a ceremony here presided by Major General Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr who also designated a new battalion commander to be at the helm of the fighting unit.

Addressing the troops, MGen Burgos expressed his confidence that “your transition to a tactical unit is our proactive response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to end local communist armed conflict before the end of his term.”

He added that the unit “has the potential to be the game-changer in our quest to finally eradicate the menace of insurgency” in this part of the country so that “peace can be won, development can be achieved and prosperity will become our people’s way of life.”

Prior to its activation as a combat unit, 59IB was 2ID’s administrator of its auxiliary forces for 16 years. Since its organization and activation in 1986, it has etched an indelible mark in combat, international engagements and in defending Malacañang against any form of threat.

Lt Col Edward Canlas, the newly designated battalion commander, said his unit will be combat ready after the organizational training and will be “prepared to locate, engage and deliver the coup de grace against the few remaining NPAs who are now on the verge of irreversible collapse.”

The two-week organizational training, a standard Army program for new units, is designed to develop the soldiers’ cohesion with each other, establish the unit’s sense of identity and capacitate it to raise its readiness to accomplish any given mission.

MGen Burgos ended his statement by calling on the enemies-of-the-state to “give up your armed struggle while you still have time because additional forces, with its full military might, will hunt you down until you run out of space to hide.”

It can be recalled that the Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry Division has recently dealt decisive blows against the communist terrorists after neutralizing top NPA leaders such as Jaime Padilla who used to be a Central Committee member operating in Mindoro, Armando Lazarte who was the erstwhile leader of NPA in Rizal as well as in Quezon prior to his death and numerous platoon and squad-level leaders of the movement.

Per the military’s assessment, those accomplishments led to massive demoralization among the terrorists’ ranks which led to mass surrenders that drastically depleted the NPA’s manpower.

As of the moment, 466 former rebels have already surrendered in Southern Tagalog and are now either enrolled or undergoing enrollment process to the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-CLIP which provide grants to those will turn their backs from the terrorist movement. (Army 2ID)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1034542

Army beefs up strength, trains more aspiring soldiers

From the Philippine Information Agency (Feb 14, 2020): Army beefs up strength, trains more aspiring soldiers (By 3ID DPAO-Philippine Army)

CAMP PERALTA, Jamindan, Capiz, Feb. 14 – A total of 279 aspirants took their oath as Candidate Soldiers during the Opening Ceremony for the Candidate Soldier Course training here, February 10.

The training was formally opened by Major General Eric C Vinoya, Commander of the Army’s 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division.

Major General Eric C Vinoya, Commander of the Army’s 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division, during the Opening Ceremony for the Candidate Soldier Course training at Camp Gen. Macario Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz, February 10, thanks the 279 Candidate Soldiers for taking the challenge and the risks of soldiery. (DPAO-3ID, Phil. Army photo/PIA)

During the ceremony, Vinoya expressed his gratitude to the 279 Candidate Soldiers for taking the challenge and the risks of soldiery.

He also thanked the candidates’ families and relatives for supporting the aspirants in their decision to join the noble profession of arms.

“Tanggapin ninyo ang aking taos-pusong pasasalamat sa inyong pagtugon sa hamon at tawag ng tungkulin sa larangan ng pagsusundalo, na kung saan ay maraming nag-aalinlangang tumanggap, dahil na rin sa mga panganib na kaagapay ng marangal na propesyon na ito (Please accept my heartfelt gratitude for accepting the challenge and for answering the call of soldiery wherein many people are intimidated because of the risks that come with this noble profession),” he said.

“Sa mga pamilya at mga kaanak ng ating mga Candidate Soldiers, maraming salamat po sa suportang ipinakita ninyo lalong-lalo na sa naging pasya ng inyong mga mahal sa buhay na tahakin ang landas ng pagiging isang sundalo (To the families and relatives of our Candidate Soldiers, thank you so much for your support, especially on the decision of your loved ones to join the profession of arms),” Vinoya added.

The aspiring soldiers, who successfully passed the strict and meticulous selection processing standard set by the Philippine Army, will undergo rigid training under the Candidate Soldier Course and Jungle Warfare and Mountain Operations Course. The courses, which will be handled by the training staff of the 3rd Division Training School, are expected to be finished within six months. (JBG/DPAO-3ID, Phil. Army)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1034576

Wounded rebel salutes AFP for a spared life,vents rage over NPA’s abandonment

From the Philippine Information Agency (Feb 14, 2020): Wounded rebel salutes AFP for a spared life,vents rage over NPA’s abandonment (By 58th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army

Misamis Oriental, Feb. 13 (PIA) -- “I would have been killed by now if the soldiers had not rescued me after a gunfight,” said Gabriel Hilogon alias Patrick, a former rebel who was wounded in an encounter with the government troops in September last year at Gingoog hinterlands in Misamis Oriental.

Patrick recounts that soldiers of 58IB could have easily finished him off, but chose not to, even though one of the soldiers lost his life while in a gunfight. With shattered bones in his left thigh, Patrick wishes for the entire New People’s Army (NPA) be utterly destroyed.

With shattered bones in his left thigh, Patrick said his wish at that instant is for the entire New People’s Army (NPA) be utterly destroyed. He cares not a bit about the punishment of his NPA comrades who abandoned him to suffer alone.

“Gibiya-an ko sa akong mga kaubang NPA bisan samaran ko. Dili na ko makalakaw tungod sa samad sa akong tiil atol sa engkwentro. Sige ko ug sangpit ug tabang sa ila adtong tungora pero wala gyod sila malu-oy. (They abandoned me. My colleagues left me while I was wounded. I could no longer walk with my injuries after the gunfight. I cried for help but nobody came forward to assist me),” he said.

Patrick recounted that the soldiers of 58IB could have easily finished him off, but chose not to, even though one of the soldiers lost his life while in a gunfight.

"Atong tungora, pwede na gyud unta ko tiwasan sa mga sundalo sa 58IB, pero wala gyod kini nila buhata sa ako, bisan nga namatyan sila ug usa adto. Ila pa gyod ko’ng gipatambalan sa hospital.” (At that point, the 58IB soldiers could have quickly killed me at gunpoint. But they never did it to me even though they lost one of their colleagues. They brought me to the hospital),” Patrick said.

Upon knowing from various news sources about the NPA’s plans to recover their lost mass bases and the planned recruitment of students, youths, and indigenous peoples (IPs), Patrick said his disappointments turned into fury as he recalled the horrible experience while he was in the mountains.

He said he wants to help the government in stopping the recruitment of students, youth exploitation, and NPA atrocities by ‘coming out and speaking out.’

"Makaingon gyud ko nga bakakon ang mga NPA. Gihimo nila nga dautan ang kamatuoran. Gipasalig nila sa ilang mga gipang-recruit nga mga Lumad nga sila ang pamaagi aron maayo ang kinabuhi pero bakak, puro sila bakak. Dili ko mahadlok mo estorya aning mga butanga. Wala koy sala sa ila. (The NPAs are all liars. I was deceived by their lies and propaganda. They are agitating and deceiving several IPs with false promises by encouraging them to leave their ancestral domain for better lives in the cities. I am not afraid to divulge these things because I did nothing wrong to them),” he said.

Patrick thanked MGen. Nemesio F. Gacal, 4ID commander, for accommodating him at Camp Evangelista Station Hospital for his thigh surgery, and to Misamis oriental provincial government for his titanium implant.

The former rebel likewise thanked Col. Roy Anthony O. Derilo, 58IB commander, for sparing his life.

"The CPP-NPA-NDF should stop exploiting the vulnerable youth and IPs. They [NPAs] will certainly pay for this," Derilo said. (58IB/PIA 10)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1034594

Tagalog News: 31 kabataan sa Caraga, sumuko sa militar

From the Philippine Information Agency (Feb 14, 2020): Tagalog News: 31 kabataan sa Caraga, sumuko sa militar (By Jennifer P. Gaitano)

LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Pebrero 14 (PIA) - Tatlumput-isang (31) kabataan mula sa ibat-ibang probinsya sa Caraga region ang sumuko sa militar para magbalik-loob sa gobyerno, at ngayon ay handa ng mamuhay ng normal kasama ang kanilang pamilya.

Sa isinagawang Coordination and Processing of Children Involved in Armed Conflict (CIAC) ng militar kasama ang pambansang pulisya, inalam ng kabataang-former rebels ang kanilang matatanggap na tulong mula sa pamahalaan sa ilalim ng Enhanced - Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CIP).

Sa mga sumukong rebelde, dalawa dito ay menor de edad at ang iba ay ilang taon nang nagsilbi sa New People's Army (NPA).

Ayon kay Jason Ryan Lam ng Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Caraga, handa ang gobyerno na tumulong sa mga dating rebelde.

“Sa ilalim ng E-CLIP, sininugarado ng pamahalaan na mabibigyan ng tama at naaayon na tulong, assistance at iba pang interbensyon ang ating mga former rebels. Lahat ay makikinabang sa mga programa’t serbisyo ng gobyerno, walang maiiwan,” ani ni Lam.

Ayon naman kay 402nd Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Maurito Licudine, patuloy ang kanilang koordinasyon at pakikipagtulungan sa mga magulang at kapamilya ng mga sumukong kabataan.

Hinimok din niya ang mga ito na maging responsable at iwasan ang masasamang gawain.

“Huwag ninyong sayangin ang oportunidad na binigay sa inyo. Simula ngayon, ayusin ninyo ang inyong buhay at handa naman ang ating gobyerno para kayo ay tulungan at gabayan,” sabi ni Licudine.

Pagrespeto sa mga magulang at nakakatanda naman ang paalala ni regional director Police Brigadier General Joselito Esquivel, Jr. ng Philippine National Police (PNP), sa mga ito.

“Palaging magbigay respeto sa mga magulang at nakakatanda dahil iyan ang gawain ng mabubuting kabataan sa lipunan. Tandaan din na iisa lang ang gobyerno natin kaya magkaisa at magtulungan tayong lahat para sa ikauunlad ng bansa,” banggit ni Esquivel.

Samantala, binigyang-diin naman ni Regional Director Manuel Orduña ng National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) ang malaking papel ng mga kabataan sa pagkamit ng pangmatagalang kapayapaan at kaunlaran sa bansa.

Ang pagsuko ng mga kabataan ay parte rin aniya sa ginagawang hakbang ng gobyerno na mabigyang lunas ang problema sa insurgency. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1034592

Army cites residents’ support on neutralization of NPAs in Ilocos Sur

From the Philippine Information Agency (Feb 14, 2020): Army cites residents’ support on neutralization of NPAs in Ilocos Sur (By Freddie G. Lazaro)

STA. CRUZ, Ilocos Sur, Feb. 14 (PIA) - A ranking army official cited the utmost support of the residents to the government troops on the latest neutralization of the three suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) operating in Ilocos Sur on Thursday.

Lieutenant Colonel Rodrigo Mariñas, Jr., the commander of the army’s 81st Infantry Battalion, said the residents of Barangay Namatican, Sta. Lucia town have tipped-off the presence of at least five fully-armed suspected NPA rebels, who were reportedly having a meeting in one of the houses in the village. But, they were caught in a brief firefight with the responding joint army and police operatives.

“The manifestation of support of the villagers in Sta. Lucia town to the government troops is an off-shoot of the massive advocacy campaign on the concepts of the Executive Order (EO) 70 or the whole of nation approach to end the local communist armed conflict,” said Mariñas as he expressed his gratitude to the cooperating residents.

Mariñas disclosed that at around 10:30 PM of February 13, 2020, when his troops received a report from the residents informing about the presence of at least five fully-armed suspected NPA rebels in the house of a certain Henry Dumag of Barangay Namatican, Sta. Lucia town.

Upon learning the report, the joint elements of the army's 81st Infantry Battalion and the police proceeded immediately to the area to verify the veracity of the reports.

However, when government troops reached the area, they were fired upon by the suspected NPA rebels followed by the exchange of gunfires that resulted to the death of three persons. The three persons were later identified as Ka Goyo, the reported secretary of the Kilusang Larangang Guerilya Southern Ilocos Sur (KLG SIS) of the NPA rebels operating in the southern part of Ilocos Sur; Ka Aunor, the reported deputy secretary of KLG SIS, and one Maria Finela Cavero y Mejia alias Ka Ricky.

The responding policemen, who were members of the Scene of the Crime Operative (SOCO), recovered from the encounter site two (2) caliber .45 pistols (American classic II bearing serial number 4386060 and COLT MK IV bearing serial number 06892E), one (1) sling bag colored pink containing one (1) hand grenade wrapped with black electric tape, one (1) live ammo for caliber .45, eight (8) fired cartridge shell of caliber .45, two (2) deformed fired bullets, one (1) magazine assembly for caliber .45 and other subversive documents.

The cadavers of the suspected NPA rebels were immediately brought to the Acosta Funeral Homes for paraffin test and other examination for future references.

He said that hot pursuit operation to the other members of the suspected NPA rebels, who escaped during the encounter, is ongoing.

Mariñas was deeply saddened due to the death of the three suspected NPA rebels during the encounter. This prompted him to reiterate again his call for the remaining NPA rebels all over the country to peacefully surrender to the fold of the government to avoid this kind of tragic incident for the sake of lasting peace and development. (JCR/FGL, PIA1)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1034596

DILG highlights community’s role in implementing EO 70

From the Philippine Information Agency (Feb 14, 2020): DILG highlights community’s role in implementing EO 70 (By Frances Mae G. Macapagat)

DAVAO CITY, Feb. 14 (PIA) – Instead of pouring in a community just any project that the government could think of, the whole of nation approach as embodied in the Executive Order 70 or Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) changes the approach on how government provides services to communities.

Department of Interior and Local Government XI (DILG) regional director Alex Roldan emphasized during the Kapihan sa PIA held today at the Royal Mandaya Hotel that people’s participation in consultation and assessment activities are ensured before the projects are approved to be implemented in communities.

“We are establishing a partnership between the local government units, the national government, and the community. This is now the approach we use in our intervention in 61 barangays as prioritized in the ELCAC”, Roldan said.

Before the EO 70 was issued, the Community Support Program (CSP) was carried out by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and dubbed as “Kapayapaan”. It was a multi-stakeholder and community-based peace and development effort aimed to establish and protect a conflict-affected community.

However, the CSP was not sustained due to limited resources in addressing issues and gaps as well as participation of other national government agencies.

This led to the birth of the Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) which was formulated to strengthen the CSP initiative of the military and making efforts driven mainly by the local government.

“The community appreciate when they are being involved and when they are asked how they would want their community to be. The government through the DILG and the LGU hold group discussions and we expanded it to include other necessary NGAs”, Roldan added.

Instead of a military-driven community support program, the RCSP allows the local government unit as champions by ensuring that programs, projects, and activities that they decide to pour in the communities are geared towards institutionalizing sustainable peace and development.

Roldan stressed that the LGUs were made aware on which barangays in their locality need immediate government intervention. Thus, in proposing for projects for Year 2021, LGUs and NGAs converged and involved community participation in identifying needed programs and projects.

The DILG also emphasized that red tagging is not in any way practiced through the EO 70.

“In fact, we have opened our doors for former rebels programs under the EO 70 are all geared towards helping them start a new life. Before, rebel returnees go to the military camps to surrender their arms. This time, they are now going to local government units as another option.”

The government’s RCSP is a convergence mechanism for LGUs particularly in the barangay for the identification of issues and needed government interventions. Its intention is to develop people’s capabilities to organize themselves and own development by bringing about value-chain intervention to uplift their current condition.

The RCSP is but one of the strategies employed by the government in ending insurgency by strengthening government’s role in establishing peace and development in every community. (PIA/FGM)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1034630

PS17 arrives after days of troop rotation, reprovision at Kalayaan Island, West PH Sea

From the Philippine Information Agency (Feb 14, 2020): PS17 arrives after days of troop rotation, reprovision at Kalayaan Island, West PH Sea (By PN)

OYSTER BAY DETACHMENT, Ulugan Bay, Puerto Princesa City, Feb. 14 -- The Naval Forces West's Troop Rotation and Reprovisioning (RORE) Mission Team with BRP Andres Bonifacio (PS17) as the platform, was welcomed here on February 14, after more than a week of traversing the vast waters of the West Philippine Sea to reach the respective Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) detachments.

The welcoming party, consists of the NFW organic personnel, was headed by Captain Francisco G Tagamolila Jr, the Deputy Commander for Fleet Operations with Colonel Antonio G Mangoroban Jr, the Deputy Commander for Marine Operations who gave his remarks as the Commander, Naval Task Force 42 in charged of the KIG detachments.

"Your long stay in the islands is truly a personal sacrifice in your part that no monetary reward can compensate. Every hour you spent in the island is an hour lost to your loved ones or family," he stressed.

The Head of Mission for the said RORE is the Commanding Officer of PS17, Captain Lorenzo H Bolor PN(GSC), who together with his crew, successfully brought the NFW Mission Team led by Lt Gerry D Miguel PN on the Ph-held island features in KIG, WPS to rotate troops and re-provisions for next months.

The event was highlighted by the awarding of medals for the outgoing KIG security personnel as command's recognition for their selfless duty performed during their stint in the far-flung islands. The NFW mission team was also awarded as an appreciation of their accomplished mission.

The Naval Forces West regularly conducts troop rotation and reprovisioning in order to sustain the operational mandate of the Command and to uplift the morale of the personnel deployed at KIG and ensure their humane living condition in the areas as they play a vital role in defending the country's western frontier. (PN)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1034582

475 candidate soldiers start military training

From the Philippine Information Agency (Feb 15, 2020): 475 candidate soldiers start military training (By Merlito G. Edale, Jr.)

CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela, Feb. 14 (PIA) – At least 475 candidate soldiers have started their military training inside the 5th Infantry Division, Philippine Army based in Gamu town.

Maj. Noriel Tayaban, Division Public Affairs Office chief, said there will be three batches of the new candidate soldiers namely Classes 628, 629, and 630-2020.

Tayaban said the candidate soldiers will undergo four months of rigid military training on cross-training with Jungle Warfare and Mountain Operation Course (JWMOC) inside the camp's training school.

He said the candidate soldiers are composed of 249 from Cagayan Valley, 203 from Cordllera Administrative Region, and 23 from other regions in the country.

The formal start of military training of the candidate soldiers was witnessed by military officials and soldiers of the army division held at the camp's gransdstand.

Meanwhile, 5ID, PA commnader Maj. Gen. Pablo Lorenzo challenged the candidate soldiers to take the military training seriously as he said that they will turn them into good soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

The candidate soldiers have went through regular application process before they were chosen to proceed with the military training inside the military camp's training school. (BME/MGE – PIA-2/Isabela)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1034465

Leyte PTF-ELCAC continues to make government care felt in the barangays

From the Philippine Information Agency (Feb 15, 2020): Leyte PTF-ELCAC continues to make government care felt in the barangays (By PIA8)

ABUYOG, Leyte, Feb 15 (PIA) - A day before Valentines Day, the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communists Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) Leyte headed by Hon. Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla, Chairman, brought a Valentines gift to the students and teachers of Gabaldon Central School, Brgy Buntay, Abuyog, Leyte.

PTF-ELCAC Chair, Governor Petilla turned over a two-storey building with eight classroom to the delight of the grateful students and teaching force who have been wishing and in dire need of additional classrooms.

SCHOOLBUILDING. Leyte Gov. Leopoldo Dominico Petilla, VGov. Carlo P. Loreto, the Leyte Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF ELCAC)in collaboration with the Municipal (MTF-ELCAC) Abuyog, Leyte headed by Hon. Lemuel Gin K. Traya, Municipal Mayor; and 78th Infantry (Warrior) Battalion led by Lieutenant Colonel Roberto B. Obaob, Commanding Officer, witness the blessing of the new scholbuilding in Abuyog. (PIA 8)

In the blessing and turnover, Gov. Petilla was accompanied by members of the Leyte PTF-ELCAC Carlo P. Loreto, Vice Governor, Province of Leyte in collaboration of Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC) Abuyog, Leyte headed by Hon. Lemuel Gin K. Traya, Municipal Mayor; and 78th Infantry (Warrior) Battalion led by Lieutenant Colonel Roberto B. Obaob, Commanding Officer.

This active collaboration and synergy efforts of PTF-ELCAC and MTF-ELCAC Abuyog, Leyte have provided the students and teachers of the said school with basic social services, improve the quality of education and capacitate them to become conflict-resilient communities. (PIA8/78th IB/RTF-ELCAC8 Stratcom Cluster)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1034654

3 BIFF fighters surrender in NoCot

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 15, 2020): 3 BIFF fighters surrender in NoCot (By Noel Punzalan)

NEW LIFE. One of the three fighters of the radical group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters – Karialan faction, shakes hands with Lt. Col. Neil Roldan, commander of the Army's 7th Infantry Battalion, during a surrender on Thursday (Feb. 13, 2020). The surrenderers, all of Barangay Barungis, Pikit, North Cotabato, yielded firearms and an explosive. (Photo courtesy of 7IB)

Three members of the Islamic State-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) yielded to the Army’s 7th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Pikit, North Cotabato, a military official said Thursday.

Lt. Col. Neil Roldan, commander of the 7IB, identified the surrenderers as Terek Nao, Tato Bantas, and Tatuan Gandawali, all of Barangay Barungis, Pikit and members of the notorious BIFF-Karialan faction operating in the border of North Cotabato and Maguindanao provinces.

“They grew tired of always running away from pursuing military forces, prompting them to rethink their future and their families,” Roldan said in a statement.

The surrenderers also yielded a homemade .50-caliber sniper rifle, an M79 grenade launcher, a 40-mm. grenade explosive, and a homemade 9-mm. machinegun.

The surrender ceremony was held at the 7IB headquarters in nearby Barangay Lower Paatan, Kabacan, North Cotabato in the presence of local officials led by Pikit Mayor Sumulong Sultan.

Sultan extended an undetermined amount of “immediate cash assistance” to the three surrenderers during the ceremony. In the same event, the surrenderers vowed to never return to their life as rebels.

“We will be law-abiding citizens from now on,” Nao, one of the surrenderers, said in the vernacular.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1093821

Antique top cop condemns NPA ambush in Janiuay, Iloilo

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 15, 2020): Antique top cop condemns NPA ambush in Janiuay, Iloilo (By Annabel Consuelo)

INTENSIFY INTEL. Antique Police Provincial Office Deputy Director for Operations Lt. Col. Norby Escobar says on Friday (Feb. 14, 2020) they condemn the New People's Army (NPA) ambush in Janiuay, Iloilo. Antique policemen are instructed to intensify intelligence monitoring to thwart similar incidents. (PNA photo by Annabel Consuelo J. Petinglay)

SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique -- The Antique Police Provincial Office (APPO) has condemned the New People’s Army (NPA) for an ambush on February 13 which led to the death of a police official in Janiuay, Iloilo.

“We condemn to the highest degree the treacherous deed of the NPA,” APPO Deputy Director for Operations Lt. Col. Norby Escobar said in a press conference at their headquarters on Friday.

Killed in the ambush was Police Capt. Efren Espanto Jr., team leader of the 6th Reconnaissance Company of the Regional Mobile Force.

Escobar said Espanto was a very promising police officer who could have risen to a general position if not for the fatal ambush.

He said Espanto served for two years until 2019 in Antique province as chief of police of the Municipality of San Remigio before his assignment to Janiuay town.

“As chief of police of San Remigio town his colleagues had nothing to say but praises,” he said.

Escobar added that the death of Espanto had deprived his wife of a good husband and a good father to their 11-month-old child.

“The Antique police condole with the family of Captain Espanto,” he said.

Meanwhile, Escobar said the APPO Mobile Force has been instructed to be extra careful in their operations and to intensify their intelligence to avoid similar misfortunes.

“The police are instructed to establish their defensive security posture" and also offensive operations against the NPA depending on the situation, he said.

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1093872

Iloilo town gives hope to former rebels

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 15, 2020): Iloilo town gives hope to former rebels (By Gail Momblan)

AID FOR EX-REBELS. Tubungan Mayor Roquito Tacsagon (3rd from right) and Lt. Col. Joel Benedict Batara, commander of the Philippines Army's 61st Infantry Battalion, lead the distribution of financial and livelihood aid to three former rebels on Feb. 9, 2020. The assistance to former Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army members is in line with the town's social project dubbed "ROKIT" Reintegration Oplan Kabalaka for Deserving Individuals in Tubungan. (PNA photo courtesy of Army's 61st Infantry Battalion)

To show its support to the government’s fight against insurgency, Tubungan town in Iloilo province implements a reintegration program to benefit former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

The local government unit led by Mayor Roquito Tacsagon carries out Project ROKIT or Reintegration Oplan Kabalaka for Deserving Individuals in Tubungan that will provide jobs to former rebels.

On Feb. 9, Project ROKIT benefitted three former members of the CPP-NPA from Tubungan town.

Emelyn Estando, head secretariat of Tubungan Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC), said on Friday the former rebels received PHP30,000 financial and livelihood assistance each.

The assistance is comprised of PHP5,000 cash and a cow and carabao worth PHP25,000.

“They have surrendered to the Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion (IB) on Dec. 26, 2019,” she said.

Before the three, the project earlier benefitted two former rebels last Dec. 10.

Tacsagon, in a statement on Feb. 10, said the help extended by the town proves the commitment of the local government to the end local communist armed conflict.

The aid to former rebels will also prevent them to return to the armed movement, he said.

“Tubungan is sincere in improving the lives of the former rebels by giving them financial assistance and sustainable source of livelihood for them to support their families. With this program, we are hoping that more rebels will return to the fold of law and seek a peaceful and productive life,” Tacsagon said.

Aside from the local government’s assistance, the three are processing their enrollment to the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program which entitles them to PHP15,000 in immediate assistance and PHP50,000 in livelihood aid.

Tacsagon said they will also undergo skills training and other employment opportunities will be facilitated by the Tubungan Public Employment Service Office.

Tubungan town welcomes other local government units to replicate the Project ROKIT.

Lt. Col. Joel Benedict Batara, 61st IB commander, said Tubungan is effective in addressing the root cause of insurgency.

He dubbed the Project ROKIT as one of the best practices of the town in implementing programs and services for the former rebels.

“With this project, I am renewing my call to the remaining members of the CPP-NPA especially Tubunganons who are still waging the armed struggle to avail of this program. Your local government is sincere in helping you to start a new and productive life. Come down, go back to the folds of the government, and be the next beneficiaries of this project,” he said.

Aside from former rebels, Estando said the local government’s program extends to former Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs).

Currently, she said 25 former PDLs undergo the process of availing the program.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1093931

Heavy equipment vehicles torched in Albay

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 15, 2020): Heavy equipment vehicles torched in Albay (By Mar Serrano)

An unidentified group burned two heavy equipment vehicles on a government road widening project in Daraga town in Albay on Friday night.

Lt.Col Rodelon Betita, Daraga's chief of police, said the torched road equipment vehicles were a dump truck and a backhoe of the Verzontal Builders Inc. reportedly owned by Dennis Macandog of Daraga town.

The sketchy report said the incident happened around 7:20 p.m. in the adjoining villages of Lacag and Pandan.

The attackers first set a dump truck parked on the side road of Barangay Lacag on fire then burned a backhoe truck in Barangay Pandan, some 300 meters away from where the dump truck was positioned.

In an interview, Betita said they are still determining the identities of the group, saying “we are not discounting the fact that the New People’s Army (NPA) could be behind the burning incident.”

He, however, said the initial investigation showed the owner of Verzontal has not received a threat or a demand for revolutionary tax from the NPA or from other groups.
Verzontal Builders had been commissioned by the government to implement the road widening project in said villages.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1093933

Military cites 'tactical gains' vs. NPA in NorMin, Caraga

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 15, 2020): Military cites 'tactical gains' vs. NPA in NorMin, Caraga

NPA LOSING GROUND. The cadaver of a suspected fighter of the New People's Army (NPA) is being blessed by a local clergyman as barangay and military officials look on. The fighter was killed in an encounter with the Army's 65th Infantry Battalion on Wednesday, February 12, in an upland village in Cagayan de Oro City. (Photo courtesy of 4ID)

The Army's 4th Infantry Division (4ID) claimed it has "tactically outclassed" the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), noting the successful operations against the guerillas in Northern Mindanao and Caraga regions.

In a statement Friday, the 4ID attributed its gains to its Community Support Program (CSP) immersion in its areas of responsibility, where it said locals have voluntarily provided information on the movements of communist rebels.

The 4ID said the recent operations against the NPA on February 11 and 12 in Cabadbaran, Agusan del Sur, and Cagayan de Oro City, resulted in the dismantling of two rebel hideouts and the killing of a rebel. The operations also led to the recovery of several firearms and ammunition.

In both instances, the 4ID said residents and village officials played crucial roles in terms of providing tipoffs. It also helped, it said, that local governments in most parts of the two regions have declared the CPP-NPA and its front organizations' persona non grata.

The Army division also credited the initiatives of the regional, provincial and city task forces to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) in Northern Mindanao and Caraga.

Maj. Gen. Franco Nemesio Gacal, 4ID commander, said the division's success against the "CPP-NPA terrorists' (CNTs)" can be attributed to the "convergence efforts of the local populace and the security forces to locate the armed group and address the root causes of insurgency."

Gacal also vowed government troops will continue to hold peace and development activities in "conflict-affected and geographically-isolated and disadvantaged areas that the rebels will abandon their armed struggle."

“Once again, I am calling on the remaining members of the CNTs to return to the fold of the law. The door is wide open for you to return to mainstream society and live peacefully with your families and loved ones. The security forces, together with the local leaders and the government agencies, are ready to help you,” he said.

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1093945

'Wall of peace' highlights NPA atrocities in Davao

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 15, 2020): 'Wall of peace' highlights NPA atrocities in Davao (By Che Palicte)

WALL OF PEACE. Brig. Gen. Filmore Escobal, Police Regional Office in Region 11 director (left) and Col. Kirby John Kraft, Davao City Police Office director (right), unveil the 'Wall of Peace' on Friday (February 14). The murals depict images showing the atrocities of the New People's Army. (PNA photo by Che Palicte)

DAVAO CITY -- Twelve concrete walls surrounding the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) headquarters became the canvass for murals depicting the atrocities of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

Painted by local artists, the murals were unveiled Friday led by Brig. Gen. Filmore Escobal, Police Regional Office in Region 11 (PRO-11) director, who said the murals symbolized the police's support to the desire of President Rodrigo Duterte to end the communist rebellion.

Dubbed as the "wall of peace," the murals aim to raise awareness--especially among the youth--of the government's "whole-of-nation" approach to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC).

“As you can see in the painting, families were harassed by the NPA. They recruited the vulnerable sectors which became the source of their combatants,” Escobal said.

He said it was important to emphasize the wrongdoings of the NPA and be known to the public for them to be aware and avoid their deception.

“Most of their victims are the indigenous people (IP). They easily get influenced because of the NPA’s false promises,” Escobal added.

Meanwhile, Col. Kirby John Kraft, DCPO director, underscored the importance of the murals, which he said were painted by local artists starting January 15.

"There's a larger issue than many people may be aware of, such as the extremism of the CPP-NPA-NDF and their recruitment of students," Kraft said.

"We are doing this because we want the public to be wary of the pattern of deception of this terrorist group. Likewise, I am asking the support of everybody to deny them a chance to regain strength. We want peace and order to prevail in this land, not hate, terror and inhumanity," he added.

Coinciding with the unveiling of the murals, a rally was held by some 300 protesters against NPA atrocities.

“This multi-sectoral movement wanted to tell the public that we need to unite and end their recruitment,” Escobal said.

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1093947