WESTMINCOM: Troops intensify military ops in Central Mindanao

Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Facebook Page (Mar 3, 2020): Troops intensify military ops in Central Mindanao

While conducting combat clearing operation, troops of the 57th Infantry Battalion recovered enemy cadaver in Barangay Salman, Ampatuan, Maguindanao at noon on March 3, 2020.

Troops continue to scour the area.

Meanwhile, troops of the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade launched pursuit operation in Sitio Talpok, Barangay Tuayan, Datu Hoffer, Maguindanao at 3pm of the same day.

Said operation resulted in a firefight between the military troops and more or less 5 members of the Daesh-Inspired terrorist group/Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter.

The exchange of fires lasted for 20 minutes after which enemies withdrew to unknown direction.

While scouring the area, troops recovered cadavers of two slain enemies.

Also recovered were one Garand rifle and one Caliber 45 with magazines and ammunitions.

"We are pursuing the enemies to disallow their treacherous plots in the peaceful communities of Maguindanao," said Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

"Let us continue to pray for the safety of our troops and the people in the area," Lt. Gen. Sobejana added.

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6th Infantry Division - Kampilan 601 Infantry - Unifier Brigade 602nd "Liberator" Brigade 603 Persuader Brigade 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade Unang Marinong Brigada Team Tabak Joint Taskforce Basilan Team Igsoon 103Rd Bde Haribon Pa Campo Ranao, Marawi City Magbalantay Cmo 11 Infantry Division "Alakdan Troopers" Gagandilan Siete 1102 Infantry "ganarul" Brigade 1st BCT Aegis Kwatromarinobrigada Sulu Jtf Tawi Tawi Indomalphi Joint Task Force Zamboanga Joint Task Force Zamboanga Virtual Center Unbeatable Ranger Battalion 29th Infantry "Matatag" Battalion, Philippine Army Tow Westmin Cmo Tow Westmin Pio Naval Forces Western Mindanao Cmou Western Mindanao Katapatan Pangkatihan-Dagatan 33rd Infantry Makabayan Battalion 57th Infantry Masikap Battalion 1st Mechanized Lakan Battalion 90th Infantry Bigkis Lahi Battalion 7th Infantry - TAPAT Battalion Reliablecmo R Section 6IB Redskin 37IB - Conqueror Battalion 40 Infantry "Magiting" Battalion 2nd Mechanized Infantry-MAKASAGBattalion Onlyourbest MbltFive 38th Infantry We Clear Battalion Arvin John Gullos Encinas Breathe Heart Ruel Casanes Ar-ar Galvez Afman Rosales Jr. Antriosanjh Espenida Nenea Sancus Princy Necessitas La Independencia Filipinas




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CPP: Dangadang | Espesyal nga Isyu

Regional propaganda publication posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Mar 3, 2020): Dangadang | Espesyal nga Isyu

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https://cpp.ph/2020/03/03/dangadang-espesyal-nga-isyu/

CPP/NPA-Ilocos: Itaguyod ang rebolusyonaryong katapangan at matatag na kapursigehan ng tatlong martir ng Ilocos!

NPA-Ilocos propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Mar 3, 2020): Itaguyod ang rebolusyonaryong katapangan at matatag na kapursigehan ng tatlong martir ng Ilocos!

COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES

NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY 

REGIONAL COMMITTEE ILOCOS-CORDILLERA REGION

REGIONAL OPERATIONAL COMMAND ILOCOS-CORDILLERA REGION

MARCH 03, 2020

Minamahal na mga kapamilya, kamag-anak, kababayan, kaibigan, mga alyado at ang masang malugod na pinagsilbihan nila Ka Goyo, Ka Lea at Ka Riki:

Kami ay nakikidalamhati at nagpipighati sa brutal na pagpaslang sa minamahal nating mga kasamang sina Julius ‘Ka Goyo’ Marquez, Enniabel ‘Ka Lea’ Balunos at Maria Finela ‘Ka Riki’ Mejia sa duguang kamay ng mga pasistang kaaway. Kasama ninyo, umaagos ang aming mga luha ng pagmamahal at hinagpis para sa pagkamartir ng tatlong lider ng rebolusyonaryong kilusan. At tulad ninyo, nagpupuyos ang aming galit sa kahayupan at marahas na tipong-Tokhang na pamamaslang sa kanila, isang tipikal na barbarikong gawain ng makinarya sa pagpatay ng rehimeng Duterte.

Sila Ka Goyo, Ka Lea at Ka Riki ay namatay bilang bayani sa gitna ng konsentrado at sustinidong atake ng kaaway sa larangang gerilya ng Ilocos Sur mula pa huling kwarto ng 2018. Habang nagpapatupad ng gawaing masa, sila ay dinukot at patraydor at walang-awang pinaslang ng mga kriminal na operatiba ng 81st IB a 7th MIB bandang 10:30 ng gabi ng Pebrero 13, 2020 sa barangay Namatican, Santa Lucia, Ilocos Sur. Pinabulaanan ng mga saksi mula sa komunidad ang ibinalita ng militar at media na siya ay namatay sa isang enkwentro. Walang labanang naganap sa Namatican nang gabing iyon ng Pebrero 13. Ang ating mga kasama ay agarang pinagbabaril ng mga hayok-sa-dugong mga pasistang tropa!

Ibinibigay ng Komiteng Rehiyon ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas (PKP) at ang Panrehiyong Pamatnugutan sa Operasyon (Chadli Molintas Command) ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan (BHB) sa rehiyong Ilocos-Cordillera ang pinakamataas na pagpupugay sa tatlong kasamang nag-alay ng kanilang mga buhay para sa masang lubos nilang minahal. Sinasaludohan namin sila para sa matatag at buong pusong paninilbihan nila sa armadong rebolusyon ng mamamayan na ipinamalas nila hanggang sa kahuli-hulihang hininga nila. Inialay nila ang pinakamahuhusay na taon ng kanilang mga buhay sa rebolusyonaryong pakikibaka ng sambayanang Pilipino laban sa imperyalismo, pyudalismo at burukrata kapitalismo. Pinili nilang magsilbi sa mga maralita at kapos palad, sa mga inaapi at pinagsasamantalahang masa.

Sa deka-dekadang di makasariling paglingkod nila sa sambayanan, ipinamalas nila ang katapangan, pagiging mapagpakumbaba, matatag na pamumuno, kasigasigan sa gawain at rebolusyonaryong optimismo. Sila ay mga modelo ng matatag na kapursigehan sa harap ng mga pagsubok at sakripisyo at sa pangingibabaw sa mga kahirapan at limitasyon upang patuloy na makapag-ambag sa pagsusulong ng rebolusyonaryong kilusan na magpapalaya sa masang anakpawis at sa bayan mula sa tanikala ng pagsasamantala at pang-aapi.

Ang mataas na diwa ng pagsasakripisyo at patriotismo nila ay nagsisilbing insipirasyon sa masa. Sa kanilang kabataan, determinado nilang tinalikuran ang buhay ng kaginhawaan upang magsilbi sa masa at sa rebolusyon. Silang tatlo ay nakapagtapos sa kolehiyo (si Ka Goyo ay nagtapos ng BS Math, Ka Lea ay BS Nursing at Ka Riki ay BA Language and Literature), at maaring nagkaroon ng magandang kabuhayan. Pero imbes ay pinili nila ang makipamuhay sa mga masang magsasaka sa kanayunan at gamitin ang napag-aralan sa kolehiyo sa pagtuturo, pag-organisa at pagpapakilos sa kanila upang baguhin ang kanilang kalunoslunos na kalagayan. Ginamit nila ang pinakamahuhusay na taon at dekada ng kanilang buhay upang kumilos at makibaka kasama ng mga magsasaka sa mga probinsya ng Ilocos na hindi nila kailanman iniwan kahit sa ilalim ng pinaka-brutal at walang tigil na pasistang atake ng pasistang makinarya ng reaksyunaryong estado. Ang mga pakikibakang ito ay nakapagkamit ng mga konkretong pampulitika at pangekonomyang benepisyo at tagumpay na nagresulta sa pag-unlad ng kalagayan ng mga magsasaka. Kung kaya’t ang kanilang tauspusong paninilbihan sa interes ng mga masang anakpawis ay umani ng paghanga, respeto at pagmamahal ng mga magsasaka.

Totoo, ang pagkamatay nila Ka Goyo, Ka Lea at Ka Riki ay napakasakit para sa ating lahat. Pero natutunan na nating ibaling ang kalungkutan sa rebolusyonaryong katapangan. Habambuhay na mananatili ang kanilang mga alaala at adhikain. Sila ay mga rebolusyonaryong bayani at martir na dapat nating tularan. Ang maninging na ehemplo nila ng walang kamatayang pagmamahal sa masa, masigasig na pakikibaka, katapangan sa labanan, at di makasariling pagsasakripisyo ay patuloy na yayabong sa hanay ng daandaang libong rebolusyonaryo at magsisilbing insipirasyon sa lahat ng mga kasama at masa.

Habambuhay natin silang maaalala sa bawat nakikibakang magsasaka, sa mga rebolusyonaryong nagga-gawaing masa, at sa mga Pulang mandirigma at kumander na nagsusulong ng armadong rebolusyon ng mamamayan.

Mabuhay ang maningning na alaala ng tatlong bayani ng Ilocos!

https://cpp.ph/statement/itaguyod-ang-rebolusyonaryong-katapangan-at-matatag-na-kapursigehan-ng-tatlong-martir-ng-ilocos/

CPP/NPA-Ilocos: Itag-ay ti rebolusyonaryo a tured ken kinatibker nga agpursige dagiti tallo a martir ti Ilocos

NPA-Ilocos propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Mar 3, 2020): Itag-ay ti rebolusyonaryo a tured ken kinatibker nga agpursige dagiti tallo a martir ti Ilocos

COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES

NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY REGIONAL COMMITTEE

ILOCOS-CORDILLERA REGION

REGIONAL OPERATIONAL COMMAND

ILOCOS-CORDILLERA REGION

MARCH 03, 2020

Ing-ingungoten ken ipatpateg a kapamilya, kakabagyan, kailian, gagayyem, alyado ken dagiti masa a napinget a nagserbiyan da Ka Goyo, Ka Lea ken Ka Riki:

Makipagladingit kami ken naliday tayo amin iti nakaam-ames nga ipupusay dagiti ipatpateg tayo a kakadua a da Julius ‘Ka Goyo’ Marquez, Enniabel ‘Ka Lea’ Balunos ken Maria Finela ‘Ka Riki’ Mejia iti dara-dara nga ima dagiti pasista a kabusor. Amin tayo ket agarubos ti lua ti panagayat ken ladingit na iti pannakamartir dagiti tallo a lider ti rebolusyonaryo a tignayan. Kas kadakayo, makapungtot kami iti saan a makatao ken brutal a pammapatay a kasla “Tokhang”, a gagangay nga aramid dagiti narungsot a makinarya ti pammapatay ti rehimen a Duterte.

Da Ka Goyo, Ka Lea ken Ka Riki ket natay iti tengnga ti konsentrado ken sustenido nga atake ti kabusor iti larangan a gerilya ti Ilocos Sur manipud pay maudi a kwarto ti 2018. Kabayatan nga agipatpatungpal ti trabaho a masa, tiniliw ken patraydor nga awanan-asi a pinaltogan dagiti kriminal nga operatiba ti 81st IB ken 7th MIB iti agarup 10:30 ti rabii idi Pebrero 13, 2020 idiay Barangay Namatican, Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur. Segun kadagiti nakaimatang, inuulbod ti pablaak ti militar ken mass media a napapatay da iti engkwentro. Awan ti napasamak a labanan iti daydiay a rabii ti Pebrero 13 sadiay Namatican. Dagitoy a kakadua tayo ket dagus a pinapatay dagiti agbibisin-ti-dara a pasista a tropa!

Ti Rehiyunal a Komite ti Partido Komunista ti Pilipinas (PKP) ken ti Rehiyunal a Kuman ti Operasyon (Chadli Molintas Command) ti New People’s Army (NPA) iti Rehiyon nga Ilocos-Cordillera ket ited na ti kangatuan a panangsaludo kadagiti tallo a kakadua a nangidaton ti biag da para iti masa a dungdongoen ken ipatpateg da. Saludoan mi ida iti natibker a kinapudno ken naimpusoan a panagserbi iti gannuat ti armado a rebolusyon ti umili nga inpakita da agingga iti maudi nga anges da. Insagut da ti kapatgan a paset ti biag da iti rebolusyonaryo a pannakidangadang ti umili a Pilipino kontra iti imperialismo, pyudalismo ken burukrata kapitalismo. Pinili da a pagserbiyan dagiti nakurapay ken awanan, dagiti maidadanes ken magungundawayan a masa.

Iti mano a dekada nga awanan panagimbubukod a panagserbi da iti umili, inpakita da ti kinatured, kinapakumbaba, natibker a panangidaulo, kinapasnek nga agtrabaho ken rebolusyonaryo nga optimismo. Modelo da iti kinatibker nga agpursige iti sango ti adu a pannubok ken sakripisyo ken panangrimbaw kadagiti parikut ken limitasyon tapno agtultuloy nga agserbi iti panangiyabante ti rebolusyonaryo a tignayan tapno naan-anay a waya-wayaan dagiti masa nga anak-ling-et ken ti pagilian manipud iti kawar ti pannakagungundaway ken pannakaidadanes.

Ti nangato a pangngeddeng iti sakripisyo ken patriotismo ket pagwadan kadagiti masa. Iti kina-agkabannuag da, sipupuso a pinanawan da ti nanam-ay a biag tapno agserbi kadagiti umili ken rebolusyon. Amin da a tallo ket nagleppas iti kolehiyo (Ka Goyo nagturpos iti BS Math, Ka Lea iti BS Nursing ken Ka Riki iti BA Language ken Literature), ken mabalin a sumrek koma iti nasayaat a pagtrabahuan. Ketdi, pinili da ti makipagbiag iti masa a mannalon iti kaaw-awayan ken inusar ti inadal da iti kolehiyo iti panangisuro, panagorganisa ken panangpatignay kadakuada tapno baliwan ti narigat a kasasaad da. Inaramat da ti kapapatgan a tawen ken mano dekada a biag da nga agtignay ken makidangadang a kakuyog dagiti mannalon kadagiti probinsya ti Ilocos a saan da a pulos pinanawan uray iti panawen ti narungsot ken awan-sarday nga atake dagiti pasista a makinarya ti reaksyonaryo nga estado. Dagitoy a pannakidangadang ket nagresulta kadagiti konkreto a pangpulitika ken pangekonomya a balligi ken benepisyo a nangpadur-as iti kasasaad dagiti mannalon. Ti kinapudno ken kinapasnek da nga agserbi iti pagimbagan ti masa nga anak-ling-et ket nakagun-odan da ti pammadayaw, respeto ken pammateg dagiti mannalon.

Pudno, ti ipupusay da Ka Goyo, Ka Lea ken Ka Riki ket nasakit. Ngem, nasursuro tayon a pagbalinen ti ladingit iti rebolusyonaryo a kinatured. Dagiti lagip ken arapaap da ket agtalinaed nga agnanayon. Isuda ket rebolusyonaryo a banuar ken martir a rumbeng a tuladen. Dagiti naraniag nga ehemplo da iti awan patingga a panagayat iti masa, napinget a pannakidangadang, tured iti labanan, ken kinasagana nga agsakripisyo ket agtultuloy a rumangpaya iti mano gasut a ribu a rebolusyonaryo ken agbalin nga inspirasyon ti amin a kakadua ken masa.

Kanayon a malaglagip tayo ida iti tunggal lumablaban a mannalon, kadagiti rebolusyonaryo nga agipatpatungpal ti trabaho a masa, ken kadagiti Nalabbaga a mannakigubat ken kumander a mangiyab-abante iti armado a rebolusyon.

Agbiag dagiti naraniag a lagip dagiti tallo a banuar ti Ilocos!

https://cpp.ph/statement/itag-ay-ti-rebolusyonaryo-a-tured-ken-kinatibker-nga-agpursige-dagiti-tallo-a-martir-ti-ilocos/

CPP/NPA-Ilocos: Hold high the revolutionary courage and steadfast perseverance of the three Ilocos martyrs!

NPA-Ilocos propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Mar 3, 2020): Hold high the revolutionary courage and steadfast perseverance of the three Ilocos martyrs!

ILOCOS-CORDILLERA REGION

REGIONAL OPERATIONAL COMMAND

ILOCOS-CORDILLERA REGION

COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES

NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY REGIONAL COMMITTEE

MARCH 03, 2020

Cherished and beloved family members, relatives, town mates, friends, allies and the masses whom Ka Goyo, Ka Lea and Ka Riki earnestly served:

We join your grief as we all deeply mourn the unfortunate death of beloved comrades Julius ‘Ka Goyo’ Marquez, Enniabel ‘Ka Lea’ Balunos and Maria Finela ‘Ka Riki’ Mejia in the bloodied hands of the fascist enemy. With you, our tears of love and sorrow poured out with the martyrdom of the three leaders of the revolutionary movement. And like you, we are outraged by their inhuman and brutal murder carried out Tokhang style, a typical barbaric act of the Duterte regime’s killing machine.

Ka Goyo, Ka Lea and Ka Riki died heroic deaths amidst the focused and sustained enemy attack on the Ilocos Sur guerilla front since the last quarter of 2018. While performing mass work, they were abducted and treacherously and mercilessly executed pointblank by criminal operatives of the 81st IB and 7th MIB at around 10:30 PM of February 13, 2020 in barangay Namatican, Santa Lucia, Ilocos Sur. Witnesses from the neighborhood belied military and media reports that they were killed in an encounter. No firefight ever occurred in Namatican that night of February 13. Our comrades were summarily executed by the blood-thirsty fascist troops!

The Regional Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the Regional Operational Command (Chadli Molintas Command) of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the Ilocos-Cordillera Region give our highest salutation to the three comrades who offered their lives for the masses they so loved and cherished. We salute them for the unwavering commitment and wholehearted devotion to the cause of the people’s armed revolution that they demonstrated until their final breath. They dedicated the prime years of their lives to the Filipino people’s revolutionary struggle against imperialism, feudalism and bureaucrat capitalism. They opted to serve the downtrodden and deprived, the oppressed and exploited masses.

In their decades of selfless service to the people, they displayed courage, humility, strong leadership, diligence in work and revolutionary optimism. They are models of steadfast perseverance in the face of trials and sacrifices and of overcoming difficulties and limitations so as to continue contributing in advancing the revolutionary movement to finally liberate the toiling masses and the country from the bonds of exploitation and oppression.

Their high sense of sacrifice and patriotism are beacons to the masses. In their youth, they willingly left behind lives of comfort to serve the people and the revolution. All three being college graduates (Ka Goyo finished BS Math, Ka Lea BS Nursing and Ka Riki BA Language & Literature), they could have pursued promising careers. Instead, they chose to live with the peasant masses in the countryside and to use their college education in teaching, organizing and mobilizing them to change their dire situation. They spent the best years and decades of their lives working and struggling with the peasants of the Ilocos provinces whom they never left even under the most brutal and incessant fascist attacks by the reactionary state’s military apparatus.. These struggles have resulted in concrete political and economic gains & benefits that have improved the welfare of the peasants. Thus, their commitment and devotion to the interests of the toiling masses earned the admiration, respect and love of the peasants.

Indeed, the deaths of Ka Goyo, Ka Lea and Ka Riki are extremely painful for us. But as ever, we have learned to turn our grief into revolutionary courage. Their memories and ideals shall always live forever. They are revolutionary heroes and martyrs worthy of our emulation. Their shining example of undying love for the masses, arduous struggle, courage in battle, and selfless sacrifice shall continue to flourish among hundreds of thousands of revolutionaries and serve as inspiration to all comrades and the masses.

We shall always remember them in every struggling peasant, in revolutionaries engaged in mass work, and in Red fighters and commanders advancing the people’s armed revolution.

Long live the shining memory of the three Ilocos heroes!

https://cpp.ph/statement/hold-high-the-revolutionary-courage-and-steadfast-perseverance-of-the-three-ilocos-martyrs/

‘Unconstitutional’ anti-terrorism bill targets dissenters, not terrorists – Colmenares

From Rappler (Mar 3, 2020): ‘Unconstitutional’ anti-terrorism bill targets dissenters, not terrorists – Colmenares (By Mara Cepeda)

'Hindi talaga para ito sa mga Abu Sayyaf or terrorista o sino pa mang tinatawag na terorista… Kailangan ito para doon sa dissenters, sa oposisyon,' says NUPL chair Neri Colmenares



REPEAL HUMAN SECURITY ACT. Activists gather outside the House of Representatives to protest against the proposed anti-terrorism bill on March 3, 2020. Photo courtesy of Saka, Sinag Bayan, and UMA

National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers chair Neri Colmenares said the controversial anti-terrorism bill being pushed in the House of Representatives was essentially designed to target dissenters, not terrorists.

In a joint House hearing on Tuesday, March 3, Colmenares said the “vague” provisions in the still-unnumbered bill consolidating all measures seeking to amend the Human Security Act (HSA) of 2007 are “unconstitutional” and trample on the rights of those who are critical of the government.

“Hindi talaga para ito sa mga Abu Sayyaf or terrorista o sino pa mang tinatawag na terorista… Ang akin pong pagtingin, actually kaya nila kailangan ito para doon sa dissenters, sa oposisyon,” Colmenares said. (This isn't really to go after the Abu Sayyaf or terrorists, or whoever they call as terrorists... I think the reason they actually need this bill is for the dissenters, the opposition.)

He zeroed in on Section 4 of the bill, which would consider the following as terrorist acts:

Attacks that cause death or serious injury to any person, or endanger a person’s life;

Attacks that cause extensive damage or destruction to a government or public facility, critical infrastructure, public place or private property likely to endanger human life or result in major economic loss;

Manufacture, possession, acquisition, transport, supply or use of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive materials (CBRNE) or weapons, as well as research into CBRNE or weapons;
Release of dangerous substances, or causing fires, floods or explosions, the effect of which is to endanger human lives;

Threat to commit any of the acts listed above.

Colmenares said threatening to commit an act is not synonymous to actually doing it.

“[The] threat to commit all of the above can be declared unconstitutional because it’s vague and does not provide a standard,” the lawyer and former Bayan Muna congressman said.

He also said Section 27 of the anti-terrorism bill would give law enforcement agencies up to 30 days to deliver a suspected person to court. But under the Constitution, a person arrested even during the suspension of the privilege of the writ or the protection from warrantless arrests must already be judicially charged within 3 days.

“How can a law allow something which the Constitution prohibits?” asked Colmenares

Section 31 of the anti-terrorism bill would also “upon application by the prosecutor… limit the right to travel of the accused to within the municipality or city where he resides or where the case is pending.

But Colmenares said the way this provision was phrased removes the discretion on the judge whether or not to limit the travel of the accused.

Muntinlupa Representative Ruffy Biazon, a primary author of the anti-terrorism bill, is unfazed. He said only the Supreme Court gets to say whether the proposed measure is legal.

"Coming from both sides, proponents may say that one item is not unconstitutional and another side would say it is unconstitutional. But the bottomline is, it is only the Supreme Court that can declare anything as unconstititonal," Biazon said.

"So I don’t think we should be bogged down by discisssions if whether a point is uncsontititonal or not because it is not in our hands to determine that. We can all put up our own positions, but ultimately it is only the Supreme Court [that decides on that]," he added.

The Senate already approved its version of the anti-terrorism bill on February 26. Unlike the House version that only wants to amend HSA, Senate Bill No. 1083 wants to repeal the HSA and replace it with a new law.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/253318-unconstitutional-anti-terrorism-bill-targets-dissenters-not-terrorists-colmenares

Chinese vessels likely to stay near Pag-asa Island, says Esperon

From Rappler (Mar 3, 2020): Chinese vessels likely to stay near Pag-asa Island, says Esperon (By JC Gotinga)

Since China has already turned Zamora Reef into a military base, it will likely keep deploying boats – believed to be militias – just 'to deny us some space,' says the Philippines' national security adviser



ZAMORA REEF. This satellite image shows Zamora (Subi) Reef, which China has reclaimed and built into a military base. Photo courtesy of CSIS/AMTI and DigitalGlobe

China will likely continue "occupying space" in the West Philippine Sea by deploying what appear to be fishing vessels near Pag-asa (Thitu) Island, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr said on Tuesday, March 3.

This comes a day after the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command reported that some 136 Chinese vessels were spotted in January and February near the Philippines' largest island in the Kalayaan Island Group, part of what is known internationally as the Spratlys.

The vessels were likely deployed from Zamora (Subi) Reef, just beyond the horizon from Pag-asa Island. China has reclaimed the formerly submerged reef and turned it into a military base, complete with a 3-kilometer airstrip worthy of fighter jets, and a harbor for vessels.

At 586 hectares, China's military base on Zamora Reef – a feature claimed by the Philippines as sovereign territory – is twice the size of the Bonifacio Global City business district in Taguig City.

"That's only 14 nautical miles from Pag-asa, so we would expect that they will continue to deploy there, but not for confrontational activities but for fishing and simply to occupy some space, to deny us some space probably," Esperon told reporters on the sidelines of an executive session with members of the House committee on the West Philippine Sea at the House of Representatives.

"They're still there," Esperon added, referring to about 30 to 60 Chinese vessels lingering near Pag-asa, which is inhabited by around 250 Filipino civilians.

No longer surprised at reports of the vessels' presence, Esperon said there were as many as 146 of them prowling the waters around the island in July 2019. The Department of National Defense (DND) had, in fact, reported a total of 322 such vessels seen in the area in 2018, and again in 2019.

Does the government consider this a concern? "It is. That is why we have written the Chinese embassy our notes verbales. There are positive reactions. Kung minsan nagre-reduce naman sila (Sometimes they do reduce their presence)," Esperon said.

But because they have a "big base" in the area, there are always Chinese vessels in the vicinity, he added.

'They simply occupy space'

Although appearing to be fishing boats, the vessels are believed to be militias, or a paramilitary force, of the Chinese government.

"When they are fishing boats and they are capable of bringing with them defense or offensive weapons, then they could be treated as militias. But as we see it, there are no mounted guns. They're simply fishing boats that do not do a lot of fishing. So what is that? They simply occupy space," Esperon said.

But the boats could be doing more than just stay adrift.

"We have been saying this even before. China has proxies...swarming our territorial waters with Chinese foreign vessels," said Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Zarate, a member of the House committee who attended the executive session, which was off-limits to media.

"We suspect, and it's really confirmed by several other reports, that these Chinese foreign vessels are actually Chinese militias doing not just fishing but also intelligence gathering for China," Zarate added.

Besides, the waters around Pag-asa Island don't make for good fishing in the first place, the lawmaker pointed out.

"So what are they doing there? What are they preparing?"

Diplomatic action
Esperon said the government has consistently registered its opposition to the vessels' presence through notes verbales sent to the Chinese embassy in Manila, although none has been issued yet to protest the recent presence of vessels near Pag-asa Island.

In 2019, Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr said he "fired off" one diplomatic protest after another as instances of Chinese vessels' incursions were reported by security officials and the military.

At least 389 Chinese vessels of different types were spotted in Philippine waters from January to August 2019, the DND reported in September 2019. Among those were China Coast Guard vessels and warships of China's People's Liberation Army-Navy.

"Even as we speak now, the claimants in the West Philippine Sea are still very much active, in fact aggressive, especially China," Zarate told reporters.

Besides the Philippines and China, other parties that lay claim over parts of the South China Sea are Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam. The West Philippine Sea is the Philippines' exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea.

In July 2016, an international arbitral tribunal sanctioned by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea affirmed the Philippines' sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea, and debunked China's spurious claim of ownership over nearly the entire body of water.

President Rodrigo Duterte has not strongly insisted that China comply with the ruling, and instead broadened political and economic ties in the hope that friendlier bilateral relations would make China less assertive of its claims.

Despite this, Chinese vessels have continued to ply Philippine waters unchecked, restricting Filipinos' access to their own maritime resources.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/253297-chinese-vessels-likely-stay-near-pagasa-island-esperon

3 pro-ISIS militants killed in Maguindanao clashes – military

From Rappler (Mar 3, 2020): 3 pro-ISIS militants killed in Maguindanao clashes – military (JC Gotinga)

Separatist terror groups pose a challenge to the newly established regional government of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which marks its first anniversary this month



VIOLENCE LINGERS. Firearms and ammunition recovered from fleeing members of an ISIS-linked group in Maguindanao. Photo from the AFP Western Mindanao Command

Three members of a pro-Islamic State (ISIS) terror group were killed in clashes with the military on Tuesday, March 3, said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom).

Army troops on Monday, March 2, launched offensives against the Dawlah Islamiyah (Arabic for "Islamic State") branch of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in parts of Maguindanao province. The initial target was the faction led by sub-leader Salahudin Hassan Karialan, said AFP Westmincom spokesperson Major Arvin Encinas.

Combat clearing operations went on until Tuesday, when troops from the Army's 57th Infantry Brigade recovered the body of a militant in Barangay Salman, Ampatuan municipality, at around noon.

Later at about 3 pm, the Army's 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade launched pursuit operations against militants from the same group in Sitio Talpok, Barangay Tuayan, Datu Hoffer municipality.

Soldiers exchanged fire with more or less 5 militants for about 20 minutes, after which the militants "withdrew toward an unknown direction," Encinas said.

Army troops afterwards recovered the bodies of two of the militants, along with a Garand rifle, a caliber 45 pistol, magazines, and ammunition.

The BIFF is a separatist group that splintered from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the former rebel group that now governs the nascent Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). A branch of the BIFF led by Esmael Abdulmalik, also known as Abu Torayfie, has pledged allegiance to ISIS – the Dawlah Islamiyah Torayfie Group (DITG).

The DITG has claimed responsibility for several bombings in Central Mindanao over the last few years. Along with the Sulu-based Abu Sayyaf Group, the DITG is one of the more insidious terror groups in the Philippines with links to foreign extremists.

Armed groups that linger despite the establishment of the more substantially autonomous Moro region pose a challenge to the MILF and the BARMM – the Philippines' main answer to generations of restiveness in Mindanao.

The military, meanwhile, are under orders to stamp out these groups by the end of the Duterte administration in mid-2022.

"We are pursuing the enemies to disallow their treacherous plots in the peaceful communities of Maguindanao," said AFP Westmincom chief Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/253339-military-says-pro-isis-militants-killed-maguindanao-clashes-march-2020

Leonardia to attend PNP, AFP conference

From the Visayan Daily Star (Mar 3, 2020): Leonardia to attend PNP, AFP conference

Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia, as national president of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP), will attend the monthly Joint Command Conference of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Malacañang Palace, today.

President Rodrigo Duterte will preside over the joint conference that will also be attended by high-ranking officers of the AFP and PNP in the national and regional levels, a press release from the city, said.

Joining them is League of Provinces of the Philippines national president and Marinduque Gov. Presbitero Velasco Jr.

Leonardia said their agenda will also tackle the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

“The command conference is always an enlightening experience because you get the wider and deeper picture of the security and peace and order situation in our country, that we can also use for our own evaluation and assessment of what could be implemented in Bacolod City,” the mayor added.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2020/March/03/topstory13.htm

NDF slams more troops in Negros

From the Visayan Daily Star (Mar 3, 2020): NDF slams more troops in Negros (By BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN)

The National Democratic Front and the Christians for National Liberation-Negros expressed vehement opposition to the deployment of more Army troops in Negros, to support the implementation of EO 70 issued by President Rodrigo Duterte.

The group claimed that the sole motive of what they called state-sponsored military response is to heighten the atmosphere of fear in Negros island.

EO 70 seeks to institute a "whole of government" approach in addressing the communist insurgency, and the creation of a Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict in every province.

“It is never ethical to use war as an instrument of peace,” NDF and CNL-Negros said in a joint statement, stressing also that President Rodrigo Duterte and the military want bloodshed more than peace.

Ka Juanito Magbanua, spokesman of the Apolinario Gatmaitan Command in Negros, issued a statement earlier criticizing the Task Force to End Local Armed Communist Conflict and disapproving of localized peace talks.

Maj. Gen. Eric Vinoya, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, said that Magbanua needs enlightenment about ELCAC and localized peace talks, as his press statement showed ignorance about the real purpose of these peace efforts.

Vinoya added that Magbanua is unaware that his comrades, family, relatives, and even he, can benefit from these drives that aim to address the root-causes of insurgency.

Condemning and rejecting the drive for peace and progress of Negrenses is equivalent to hampering their fervent desire for peaceful and progressive communities, he also said.

The NDF and CNL-Negros, meanwhile, called on the provincial officials of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental to withdraw support for the total war approach of the Duterte administration, and not to endorse the ELCAC.

“As church people, we believe in social transformation as a way to achieve just peace, not in the name of a pseudo Martial Law,” CNL-Negros said.
Col. Inocencio Psaporte, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said earlier that that the arrival of the 33rd DRC will help them in the conduct of focused military operations against the remaining NPA rebels in Negros, while the 14th CMOB is expected to boost the implementation of their Retooled Community Support Programs (RCSP) in conflict-affected areas.

Negros island is a priority area for clearing of armed local insurgents and dismantling of the existing four NPA guerilla fronts by the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division.*

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2020/March/03/topstory7.htm

Surigao town residents secure NPA landmine

From the Mindanao Times (Mar 3, 2020): Surigao town residents secure NPA landmine (BY RHODA GRACE SARON)

An anti-personnel mine was discovered by vigilant civilians in the mountainous portion of Barangay Budlingin, Alegria, Surigao del Norte on Monday.

The military said the improvised explosive device belonged to the New People’s Army (NPA). Residents took the item to make sure it would not endanger anyone else.

Last Nov. 18, 2019, communist rebels murdered Mamanwa brothers, Roy and Jimboy Biog, while they were hunting for wild boars in a forested area at the tri-boundary of the municipalities of Alegria, Kitcharao, and Gigaquit.

Rino Colaste, alias Oto, spokesman of Guerrilla Front 16, confirmed the attack during an interview with different media outfits in Surigao City.

Until now, the family and the Mamanwa community are still waiting to recover the remains of Jimboy Biog.

In his statement, Lt. Col. Jeffrey A Villarosa, commanding officer of the 30th IB said, “Once again we commend the civilian residents, this time of Budlingin, for their vigilance. Despite the danger, the civilians took and brought the APM to a place far from the reach of its NPA owners, so as to deny them from using it in their terrorist activities.”

“I would like to once again call on our misguided brother NPAs that the use of landmines in warfare is a violation of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL),” Villarosa said.

Barangay Budlingin of Alegria, declared the NPAs as persona non grata or unwelcome personalities in their barangay through Resolution No. 06-2019 dated April 3, 2019.

https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2020/03/04/surigao-town-residents-secure-npa-landmine/

Mayor Sara leads commemoration of Davao Airport blast

From MindaNews (Mar 3, 2020): Mayor Sara leads commemoration of Davao Airport blast

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 3 Mar) – Mayor Sara Duterte led on Tuesday the commemoration of the 17th anniversary of the Davao International Airport bombing incident in 2003 that killed 22 people and wounded 155 others.

“Seventeen years after the incident here at the old airport, we come together to remember the lives of our friends and family members who were taken from us. For some of you, this is the site of an incident that has forever changed the lives of your families,” she said.

The mayor told the families of the slain victims that “nothing can ever make up for your loss,” but assured them that “the City Government of Davao, together with our security forces, remains vigilant and committed to protecting the city from all forms of terrorism.”

“While we are here at ground zero, we are here not just to remember the incident but to remember the lives of your loved ones and honor their memory,” Duterte said.

She also asked for the support of the Dabawenyos to ensure that such atrocities would not happen again.

The mayor assured them that the City Social Services and Development Office and Educational Benefit System Unit would continue the educational assistance for the children of the victims. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2020/03/mayor-sara-leads-commemoration-of-davao-airport-blast/

Military holds RSM militant in Zamboanga

From the Mindanao Examiner (Mar 3, 2020): Military holds RSM militant in Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Security forces are holding a wanted member of a radical group allied with the terrorist Abu Sayyaf group after surrendering in the southern Philippine port city of Zamboanga.

Rommel Aguirre, a member of the Rajah Solaiman Movement (RSM), yielded to the military after long years in hiding, saying he wanted to clear his name of all charges against him.

Aguirre is facing charges of illegal possession of explosives and went into hiding after security forces arrested other RSM members, including their leader Ahmed Santos, who was captured in Zamboanga in October 2005.

Army Colonel Antonio John Divinagracia, commander of the Task Forces Zamboanga, said Aguirre was convinced by his father to surrender peacefully and clear his name.

Aguirre denied all the allegations against him and said he is not a member of the RSM. “I want to clear my name. I am not a member of Rajah Solaiman Movement,” he said, adding, “I surrendered because I believe in this new (Duterte) government.”

RSM – founded by Santos in 1991 - is also being linked to the Jemaah Islamiya. In April 2016, security forces also captured two RSM militants Johan Jaalam and Melquiades Abrera in separate operations in Zamboanga City. 

 
Santos, whose real name is Hilarion del Rosario III Santos, is a Christian who converted to Islam and sought to establish an Islamic state in the Philippines. He had been implicated in numerous bombings in the country and was charged with rebellion.

In June 2008, Washington designated Santos and seven other senior RSM members - Angelo Trinidad, Pio de Vera, Redendo Dellosa, Feliciano de los Reyes, Dino Amor Pareja, Ricardo Ayeras and Reuben Lavilla - as Specially Designated Global Terrorists.

They were all captured separately in the Philippines and had been implicated in ransom kidnappings and many bombings and deadly attacks on civilian targets, including the February 2005 Valentine's Day bombings that left dozens of civilians dead and injured, the August 2005 twin bombings in Zamboanga City that wounded 26 people; the Super Ferry bombing in February 2004 that killed over 100 people, and February 2003 bombing of the Awang airport in Maguindanao.

Its members were involved in several plots to bomb high-profile targets, as well, including Manila public utilities, tourist areas, and the U.S. Embassy in Manila. It received training, funds, and operational assistance from the Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah, and received funding from private Saudi sources that channeled funds through charitable nongovernmental organizations in the Philippines. (Zamboanga Post)

https://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2020/03/military-holds-rsm-militant-in-zamboanga.html

126 LGUs in CV declare NPA as 'persona non-grata'

From the Philippine Information Agency (Mar 3, 2020): 126 LGUs in CV declare NPA as 'persona non-grata' (By Fayette C. Riñen)

SIGNING FOR PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT. Members of the Peace, Law Enforcement and Development Support Cluster of the RTF7 on ELCAC sign its Implementation Plan to support Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s EO No. 70 on ending insurgency. (PIA7)

CEBU, March 2 (PIA) -- Over 100 local government units (LGUs) in Central Visayas slammed the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), declaring the branded communist terrorist group as “persona non-grata.”

Out of 136 LGUs in the region, around 126 or an equivalent of 92.6 percent passed resolutions denouncing the atrocities of the CPP-NPA, making them unwelcome in most parts of the region, said Regional Director Leocadio Trovela of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG-7) during the recent 1st Quarter Regional Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Center 7 and Peace, Law Enforcement and Development Support (PLEDS) Cluster Meeting.

In Central Visayas, the province of Negros Oriental remains affected by insurgency as all local legislative councils in the 19 municipalities and six cities each passed a resolution condemning the attacks and killings committed by the rebels.

One of the most unforgettable attacks in the region by the CPP-NPA was the brutal murder of four cops who were tortured in an ambush on July 25, 2019 in Ayungon town, Negros Oriental, which drew public outrage.

Bohol and Siquijor provinces also had 100 percent output, with all LGUs passing respective declarations denouncing the CPP-NPA.

“There all still 10 LGUs in Cebu that need to pass a resolution to declare the CPP-NPA persona non-grata,” said Trovela.

These include the municipalities of Aloguinsan, Argao, Barili, Consolacion, Madridejos, San Remigio, Tabuelan and the cities of Talisay and Danao in Cebu.

Police Regional Office (PRO-7) Regional Director BGen. Albert Ignatius Ferro said he will direct his chiefs of police to personally coordinate with the said LGUs to fast track the passage of their respective resolutions.

Trovela, however, said he is optimistic that by the end of the first semester, all the LGUs would have passed a resolution by then, to make the declaration of persona non-grata 100 percent absolute in Central Visayas against the terrorist organization.

Meanwhile, in response to Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order No. 70 in ending insurgency by the end of his term in 2022, the DILG-7 chief said Negros Oriental, Bohol, and Siquijor have already created their own Provincial Task Force on Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) while Cebu is now up for signing by Gov. Gwen Garcia.

Major Gen. Eric Vinoya, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army based in Capiz, Iloilo, suggested that one significant measurement of commitment by the LGUs is to place a huge tarp in every barangay denouncing the atrocities of the CPP-NPA.

“This is a big impact in our advocacy campaign as the tarp is a visual aid to really denounce the NPA. This will also show us how committed they (LGUs) are,” said Vinoya.

Regional Director Augusto Marquez Jr. of the National Intelligence and Coordinating Agency (NICA-7), on the other hand, concurred to the idea and added that NICA-7 is also monitoring the active support of the LGUs on ending local communist armed conflict.

The body agreed to come up with effective tarp messaging that could be used by all the barangays.

A major highlight of the meeting was the joint signing of the Regional Task Force-ELCAC PLEDS-7 Cluster Implementation Plan. (fcr/PIA7)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1035593

PN holds Western Pacific Naval Symposium International Fleet Review Final Planning Conference

From the Philippine Information Agency (Mar 3, 2020): PN holds Western Pacific Naval Symposium International Fleet Review Final Planning Conference (By PN)



ROXAS BOULEVARD, Manila, March 2 -- The Philippine Navy (PN) concluded the two-day Western Pacific Naval Symposium International Fleet Review (WPNS-IFR) Final Planning Conference held Thursday, February 27 at the Diamond Hotel in Manila.

The planning conference led by the Fleet-Marine Warfare Center (FMWC) of the Naval Education, Training, and Doctrine Command (NETDC0 was attended by representatives coming from 17 participating countries, different Philippine government agencies and non-government partners.

It aimed to finalize the planning for the WPNS-IFR, confirm the concept of the IFR Plan and related activities, synchronize the planning of the different Phases of Execution, and resolve issues and concerns of all parties related to the conduct of WPNS IFR scheduled this May 2020 to be hosted by the Philippines.

NETDC commander, Rear Adm. Loumer Bernabe urged attendees active involvement and participation addint that the PN is proud to host the Fleet Review that serves as a testament to the cooperation and camaraderie inspired by the shared aspiration of a free and safe Western Pacific. He also underscorded the theme for this year’s WPNS which focuses on shared ocean governance. 

During the two day meeting the participants discussed the Finalized Working Group Outbrief where questions were answered by Fleet-Marine Ready Force commander and Naval Task Group-IFR head Commo. Toribio Adaci and FMWC director, Capt. Richard David presented the PN-level Task Organization for the WPNS-IFR.

Naval Inspector General and concurrent Chief of Naval Staff in acting capacity, Rear Adm. Sean Anthony Villa, lauded the attendees for meeting the objectives of the event. He reminded all attendees of having the “4Cs” – Cooperation, Coordination, Collaboration, and Commitment – that ensured the success of this event and the smooth conduct of the WPNS-IFR proper. (PN)



https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1035589

CORDS-8 issues guidance in charting EV peace and development plan

From the Philippine Information Agency (Mar 3, 2020): CORDS-8 issues guidance in charting EV peace and development plan (By PIA-8)

PALO, Leyte, Mar. 3 (PIA) -- Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) for Eastern Visayas, Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, issued guidance to the Region 8 Regional Task Force-ELCAC in the charting of the 2020 action plan towards the realization of the collective aspiration of the people of Region 8 to attain inclusive and sustainable peace and development.

Meeting with the RTF8 Cluster leads on February 19 at NEDA 8 Regional Office, Del Rosario who is also the Secretary of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, as he went over the initial implementation plan of the various clusters and gave his comments for the improvement of the plan, showed the Cluster leads that he has full gasp of the mission and that he can lead and guide the Regional Task Forces to the right path in order to get to the vision of lasting peace and development in the region.

Among the guidance of CORDS Del Rosario is the full operationalization of the RTF8 Operations Center which is located at the DILG 8 Compound.

The second floor of the building has a conference room, a radio and communications room, a work area for those on duty, and a dormitory for ladies and another for men.

Another guidance is the establishment of a multi-advisory body for RTF8-ELCAC.

Recently, SIPPAD, the Samar Island Partnership for Peace and Development, agreed to become an NGO member of RTF8-ELCAC.

To recall, EO 70 mandates that in the creation of Task Forces-ELCAC, the private sector, not only the government sector must be included to really attain the whole-of-nation approach.

The RTF8-ELCAC shall accomplish its goals in two years by clearing CPP-NPA by phases with all RTF clusters’ programs focused on priority areas until all areas shall have been cleared.

One important positive development is that the CORDs was able to convince the three bishops in Samar Island to lead their respective province’s Local Peace Engagement Cluster.

Another guidance of CORDS Del Rosario is for RTF8-ELCAC to speed up the organization of Task Forces-ELCAC up to the barangay level. Secretary Del Rosario said he is happy with the accomplishment of RTF8-ELCAC but more TF must be organized at the barangay level.

So far, all the six provinces and all the sever cities in the Region have organized their Task Forces-ELCAC. Some 120 out of 136 municipalities have organized their task forces- ELCAC. Only 312 out of 4,390, barely 7 percent of the barangays in the region, however, have organized their ELCAC Task Forces.

CORDS 8 also observed that many LGUs on their own volition, have declared the CPP-NPA persona non-grata.

“Task Forces must organize and operationalize their respective clusters and their sub clusters that are still inactive to perform their roles per EO70,” Secretary Del Rosario added.

Moreover, the Regional Cluster, in consultation with the PLEDS Cluster, must review and finalize the list of barangays for funding in 2021.

RTF8- ELCAC TWG has adopted the Retooled Community Service Program as its umbrella program in operationalizing EO70 in Eastern Visayas. (opt/PIA8)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1035627

Tagalog News: ELCAC Serbisyo Caravan, isinagawa sa 3 barangay ng OccMin

From the Philippine Information Agency (Mar 3, 2020): Tagalog News: ELCAC Serbisyo Caravan, isinagawa sa 3 barangay ng OccMin (By Voltaire N. Dequina)

Isa sa mga aktibidad ng PTF-MTF ELCAC ang pagdadala ng Serbisyo Caravan sa mga kanayunan. (File photo)

SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro, Mar 3 (PIA) -- Nagsagawa ng Serbisyo Caravan at Medical Dental Mission ang Joint Provincial and Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-MTF ELCAC) sa mga barangay ng Batasan at Murtha sa bayang ito, gayundin sa Malpalon sa Calintaan, kamakailan.

Ayon kay LTC Alexander Arbolado, Battalion Commander ng 4th Infantry Battalion-AFP, na nagbibigay-seguridad sa SaMaRiCa (San Jose, Magsaysay, Rizal, Calintaan), ang nasabing mga aktibidad ay bahagi ng programa ng PTF-MTF ELCAC, bilang pagtalima sa Executive Order 70.

“Layon ng EO70 na maipaabot sa kanayunan ang mga programa ng pamahalaang nasyonal sa pamamagitan ng whole-of-nation approach o ang pagsasama-sama ng iba’t ibang ahensya dala ang kani-kanilang programa para sa bayan,” paliwanag ni Arbolado. Aniya, prayoridad na benepisyaryo ng mga proyekto ng PTF-MTF ELCAC ang mga barangay na may napapaulat na sightings o pinupuntahan ng mga makakaliwang grupo.

Kabilang sa mga serbisyong dinala sa mga nabanggit na barangay ay libreng konsultasyon, mga gamot, at libreng bunot ng ngipin. Tinulungan din ang mga residente na mairehistro ang kapanganakan, makapag-apply sa Solo Parent, at magpatala bilang botante sa Commission on Elections (COMELEC). Namahagi rin ang Task Force ng mga relief goods at mga pananim at gamit pang-agrikultura.

Kaugnay nito, sinabi ni Lt. Col. Arbolado na isa sa pangunahing bunga ng ganitong serbisyo caravan ay nabubuksan ang komunikasyon sa pagitan ng pamahalaan at komunidad. “Katulad nitong tatlong huling barangay, nalaman natin mula sa mga mismong sitio-leader ang kanilang mga pangangailangan, na nangangahulugan ng pagbabalik ng tiwala nila sa pamahalaan,” ayon pa kay Arbolado. Binanggit din ng opisyal na makatitiyak ang mga benepisyaryong ito na ang kanilang mga idinulog ay agarang aaksyunan ng PTF-MTF ELCAC.

Samantala, pinasalamatan naman ni Arbolado ang mga opisyal ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Philhealth, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of the Interior and Local Government, at iba pang mga ahensya ng pamahalaan gayundin ang Mano-A-Mano Philippines Medical Mission, at mga bumubuo ng PTF-MTF ELCAC, sa pangunguna nina Governor Eduardo Gadiano, Calintaan Mayor Eric Labrador at San Jose Mayor Romuo Festin. (VND/PIAMIMAROPA)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1035528

Tagalog News: Bagong headquarters ng 7ID, target matapos sa Disyembre 2020

From the Philippine Information Agency (Mar 3, 2020): Tagalog News: Bagong headquarters ng 7ID, target matapos sa Disyembre 2020 (By Camille C. Nagaño)

FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija, Marso 3 (PIA) -- Target matapos ng Department of Public Works and Highways o DPWH ang pagpapatayo ng bagong headquarters ng 7th Infantry Division o 7ID ngayong Disyembre 2020.

Ito ang ipinahayag mismo ni DPWH Secretary Mark Villar sa kamakailang groundbreaking ceremony ng naturang proyekto.

Aniya, sakop ito ng TIKAS o Tatag ng Imprastruktura para sa Kapayapaan at Seguridad Program ng pamahalaan katuwang ang Department of National Defense bilang nakikitang agapay sa mga pangangailangang pasilidad ng Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas na karamihan sa mga kampo ay luma at kulang sa gusali.

Pahayag ng kalihim, ito ay munting pasasalamat lamang sa kabayanihan ng mga kasundaluhan ng bansa upang tiyaking sila ay magkaroon ng maayos na pasilidad na kapakipakinabang sa pagtupad ng tungkulin.

Ang two-storey building na bagong headquarters ng 7ID ay isa lamang sa anim na isasakatuparang proyekto ngayong taon sa loob ng Fort Magsaysay na nagkakahalaga ng 40.9 milyong piso.

Dito matatagpuan ang magiging bagong Tactical Operation Center ng tanggapan. 

Pinangasiwaan mismo ni Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar (gitna) ang groundbreaking ceremony para sa itatayong bagong headquarters ng 7th Infantry Division sa Fort Magsaysay sa lungsod ng Palayan. (Camille C. Nagaño/PIA 3)

Kabilang pa din sa TIKAS program ang itinatayong dalawang gusali para sa Light Reaction Regiment na isa sa mga tenant units sa Fort Magsaysay na pinagkalooban ng four-storey transient facility at two-storey administration building project na nagkakahalaga ng 58.2 milyong piso.

Bukod pa rito ang pagpapatayo ng hangar para sa Army Aviation Battalion sa halagang 62.5 milyong piso at dalawang yunit ng barracks na nagkakahalagang 19.4 milyong piso para sa Special Forces Regiment.

81.2 milyong pisong pondo naman ang inilaan para sa road concreting project sa loob pa din ng kampo Magsaysay.

Paglilinaw ni Villar, ang mga naturang proyekto ay bahagi pa din ng Build Build Build program na isa sa mga komprehensibong programa ng pamahalaang nasyonal para sa turismo, kalakalan at maging sa pagtataguyod ng seguridad ng bansa.

Lubos naman ang pasasalamat ng pamunuan ng 7ID sa pangunguna ni Major General Lenard Agustin sa mga panibagong proyekto sa loob ng kampo gayundin ang pagbibigay halaga sa mga sakripisyo at serbisyo ng mga kasundaluhan. (CLJD/CCN-PIA 3)

Nagpaabot ng pasasalamat si 7th Infantry Division Commander Major General Lenard Agustin sa Department of Public Works and Highways sa natanggap ng proyektong pagpapatayo ng bagong headquarters ng dibisyon. (Camille C. Nagaño/PIA 3)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1035594

Dev’t projects, service delivery assured for RCSP target villages

From the Philippine Information Agency (Mar 3, 2020): Dev’t projects, service delivery assured for RCSP target villages (By Danilo E. Doguiles)

CORDS 12 and TESDA Secretary convenes the SOCCSKSARGEN's Regional Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) every last Friday of the month for closer and more regular updating of the accomplishments line of efforts in the target barangays. The 6th monthly meeting of the task force was held in Kidapawan City and was hosted by the Provincial Government of Cotabato. 

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Mar. 3 (PIA) — Barangays identified for the government’s Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) are guaranteed projects that would boost economic development and ensure delivery of basic services, SOCCSKSARGEN’S cabinet official for regional development and security (CORDS) announced last week.

TESDA Secretary Isidro Lapeña, CORDS 12, made the announcement in a meeting with the technical working group of the Regional Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) XII and local government unit officials in General Santos City on Thursday and in the 6th monthly meeting of the RTF-ELCAC XII in Kidapawan City on Friday.

“In a recent Cabinet meeting, the Department of Budget and Management announced that there are available funds to fast-track interventions in priority barangays,” Lapeña said.

Among the projected support for the RCSP priority barangays include farm-to-market roads from the Department of Agriculture and Department of Public Works and Highways, four-classroom school buildings from the Department of Education, potable water and sanitation projects from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and health stations from the Department of Health, he said.

Although funds are assured, he emphasized, regional government agencies and the LGUs should not wait for actual downloading of the allotment but should already step up convergent initiatives in target villages such as agricultural production assistance from DA, livelihood support from the Department of Labor and Employment and Department of Trade and Industry, and skills training from Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

In response, Dr. Fatima Emban, assistant regional director of DOH XII, informed Sec. Lapeña that the health department is committed to provide health station with birthing facility as well as midwives and nurses to every RCSP priority barangays.

Officials from DA XII and other agencies present also assured Sec. Lapeña that development efforts are ongoing in barangays identified for implementation of the RCSP.

RCSP is a convergence mechanism for local government units for identification of issues and concerns in target barangay and the provision of needed government interventions and services in a whole-of-nation approach in line with the efforts to end local armed conflict as mandated in President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s Executive Order No. 70.

Programs and projects to be implemented by concerned agencies are those identified and proposed by the barangays.

In SOCCSKSARGEN Region, 62 barangays are being considered for the convergence program this year. These barangays have been cleared of communist terrorist group presence by the Armed Forces through their Community Support Programn (CSP).

During the RTF-ELCAC meeting in Kidapawan City, Sec, Lapeña directed the regions’s four provincial governors to identify a pilot site from the list of RCSP barangays in their respective jurisdictions.

“Under the leadership of the governors, all national government agencies – in a whole-of-nation approach – will deliver the projects and basic services needed. Once the initial projects are put in place in the pilot barangays, the focus will be expanded to other barangays,” he said.

The government needs to expedite interventions in these villages to attain the objectives of the Executive Order No. 70 within the administration of President Duterte, Lapeña said. (DED-PIA XII)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1035626

Soldier, 3 BIFF rebels slain in Maguindanao clash

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 3, 2020): Soldier, 3 BIFF rebels slain in Maguindanao clash (By Edwin Fernandez)



ARMAMENTS OF TERROR. The homemade .50-caliber sniper rifle and M-14 rifle recovered from two of the three slain Islamic State-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters following an encounter Monday (Mar. 2) in Ampatuan, Maguindanao. The slain extremists reportedly belonged to the group of radical preacher Ustadz Karialan that is linked to the series of past bombings in Central Mindanao. (Photo courtesy of 601Bde)

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – Three Islamic State-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) rebels and an Army soldier were killed during an encounter in the Maguindanao town of Ampatuan on Monday, a military official said.

Col. Jose Narciso, Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade (Bde) commander, said on Tuesday the encounter happened in Barangay Tuayan, Ampatuan while the soldiers were verifying reports about the presence of BIFF radicals in the area.

The slain soldier, Sgt. Irvin Alberastine of the Army's 57th Infantry Battalion, was hit by sniper fire from the BIFF whose combatants ambushed the government troopers while on their way to Barangay Tuayan.

Another soldier was also hurt but is now out of danger.

“Alberastine and his companions were on their way to check the reported presence of gunmen in the upland village of Tuayan when attacked,” Narciso said in a report.

Local residents identified the slain BIFF extremists as Ustadz Kamaruh, a preacher, and his companions identified only as Samin and Rida.

Recovered from them were a homemade .50-caliber sniper rifle, an M-14 rifle, an improvised bomb, and bomb-making components.

“The remains of Kamaruh were taken by his fleeing comrades while the remains of two others were left behind,” Narciso said.

Soldiers turned over the remains of the two slain BIFF men to village officials of Tuayan.

The military said the slain gunmen were followers of radical preacher Ustadz Karialan who was linked to the series of bombings in Region 12 (Central Mindanao).

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1095369