Saturday, June 6, 2020

NTF-ELCAC: Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020

Posted to the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) Facebook Page (Jun 4, 2020): Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020

LOOK ‼️ Amid snowballing concerns on social media about the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, one thing is clear -- this act was crafted to comply with the constitutional freedoms of the people while increasing the means to strengthen our national security by legally fighting terrorists whose main agenda is to overthrow the government by any means possible.

Only persons involved in the act of terrorism are threatened. They will be strongly opposing this bill. It will be more difficult for them to continue their relentless and cruel recruitment of young citizens to be used as pawns in their terrorist actions.

Understand the bill and be assured that the government is doing its best to protect the nation and Filipinos.

#AntiTerrorismBill
#YesToAntiTerrorBill
#EndTerrorism
#EndCPPNPANDF
#NTFELCAC
#EO70

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Image may contain: text that says 'TERRORISM SHALL NOT INCLUDE ADVOCACY, PROTEST, DISSENT, STOPPAGE OF WORK, INDUSTRIAL OR MASS ACTION, AND OTHER SIMILAR EXERCISES OF CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS, WHICH ARE NOT INTENDED TO CAUSE DEATH OR SERIOUS PHYSICAL HARM TO A PERSON, TO ENDANGER A PERSON'S LIFE, OR TO CREATE A SERIOUS RISK TO PUBLIC SAFETY. GOODGOVERNANCE fo @ntfelcac @ntf.elcac NTF- NTF-ELCAC'

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NDF/NDF-Northeast Mindanao Region (NEMR): Their deaths makes us more resolute to attain further victories

Propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Philippines (NDFP or NDF) Website (Jun 3, 2020): Their deaths makes us more resolute to attain further victories

In their desire to annihilate the revolutionaries in NorthEastern Mindanao Region (NEMR), the mercenary US-Duterte regime/AFP/PNP spent about 25.5 million pesos of military equipment in a single day, that killed five (5) revolutionaries. This was done in the midst of insufficiency/lack of funds for victims of COVID 19 in the country. After squandering millions of pesos in military operations, the regime immediately spread massive lies proclaiming the annihilation of the leadership of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and New People’s Army (NPA) in NEMR. Army officials rejoiced and several were promoted based on their so-called massive victories against the revolutionary forces in NEMR.

According to reports, at around 4 o’clock early morning last May 14, 2020 the tranquility of the temporary guerilla camp in the mountain areas of Sitio Hayon, Libas Sud, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur, was broken by the rumbling sound of a FA-50 bomber aircraft closely followed by two (2) very loud explosions of 230 kilo bombs dropped. Immediately after another two (2) big explosions happened, followed by the firing of a “Gatling Gun” from a FA-50 jet fighter (aircraft). This scenario ended at around 4:30 in the morning. Aerial drone monitoring then started.

It was during this time that the Comrades knew that four (4) lives were lost, one was still able to utter a message for his/her father. The Comrades carried another Red fighter who lost his precious life as they withdrew (from the area). Five (5) revolutionaries lost their lives in that bombing which used the FA-50 jet fighter (aircraft).

Ka Momay, whose voice resonates during study sessions, is gone. Ka Momoy, who never fails to catch wild pigs, is gone. Ka Yangyang, who despite her being a newcomerpersisted to master her tasks, is gone. Ka Gohan the “rapper” of squad uno, is gone. Ka Tisyo, the constantly motivated Comrade, is also gone. The lives they offered to the struggle, makes me and the rest of the Comrades, more resolute to continue to carry out the tasks to serve the people by waging revolution.

In April 20, 2020, Ka Banjo, member of an NPA unit in Agusan del Norte lost his life in a gun battle against the 29th IB PA in the mountain area of Jaliobong, Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte.

In May 12, 2020, Ka Blue, a member of a unit of the NPA-Surigao del Sur, also lost his life in an ambush by the 36th IB PA forces during a military operation in Brgy. Cabangahan, Cantilan, Surigao del Sur.

In May 18, 2020, Ka Jorge and Ka Gil, members of another unit of the NPA-Surigao del Sur, also lost their lives in a 45 minute gun battle against the 36th IB PA forces in the mountains of Kiskis, Brgy. Siagao, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur.

Let us transform their deaths into more courage, to achieve further victories. Let us learn lessons from their passing.

In the May 14 bombing, the bodies of Comrades who were killed by the 230 kilos or 500 pound bombs were heavily mutilated. The bombing of the FA-50 jet fighter (aircraft) was not publicized by the AFP, they simply said that it was an encounter. But they spent millions of the people’s money.

The following is the estimated cost of the single day attack of the AFP/PNP. They used four (4) Huey helicopters to deploy AFP forces near the camp which was bombed, and flew three times: 

8 bombs from the FA-50,  deployed twice19,200,000 at 2, 400,000 per bomb
Cost for every FA-50 flight940,000 at 470,000 per flight
6 canon projectiles 300,000 (estimate)
2 flights of 2 Agusta (helicopter)448,200  at 112,050 per flight
2 flights of 2  MG-520 (helicopter)448,200 at 112,050 per flight
3 flights  of 4 Huey helicopters1,344,600 at 112,050 per flight
24 rockets  of the Agusta and MG-5201,869,864 at 77,911 per rocket
Ammunitions of the Gatling Gun Cal.501,000,000 amount for the bullets fired on that day 
TOTAL25,550,864 MILLION PESOS spent on that single day attack
The military operation launched in the mountain areas of the five (5) municipalities of Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Sur lasted for 20 days. It is estimated that around 600 AFP and PNP troops were deployed by the 401st Brigade and the EastMinCom. Around not less than another 19.8 million pesos was used for salaries, food and hazard pay for the 600 soldiers for the 20 day military operations at 1,650 pesos spent for each soldier per day.

The AFP amplified the spreading of lies across the country that the NPA forces planned to seize and disrupt the distribution of assistance of the AFP/PNP to the victims of COVID 19 prompting them to launch military operations.

The 25.5 million pesos spent in a single day for the use of military equipment could have been utilized to help the people of Caraga who are unable to make a living because of COVID 19. An estimated 5,100 ka families could have been given 5,000 pesos assistance if such amount was allocated to them. But the 25.5 million pesos was used to kill five (5) revolutionary Comrades. These Comrades met recently with farmers in the area to discuss measures to prevent the transmission of COVID 19 and improve their farms.

The AFP/PNP continue to launch their military operations in a large portion of the mountain areas of the four (4) provinces of NEMR. Instead of acceding to the calls of the United Nations (UN) to silence the guns to face COVID 19, the US-Duterte regime prioritizes spending for military attacks against revolutionaries.

Stop massive spending for military operations!
Help the victims of COVID 19!
Provide assistance to those who lost jobs because of COVID 19!

Ka Maria Malaya
Spokesperson
NDFP -NEMR

https://ndfp.org/their-deaths-makes-us-more-resolute-to-attain-further-victories/

NDF/Sison: On Duterte’s scheme of state terrorism and fascist dictatorship worse than the Marcos type

Jose Maria Sison interview posted to the National Democratic Front Philippines (NDFP or NDF) Website (Jun 5, 2020): On Duterte’s scheme of state terrorism and fascist dictatorship worse than the Marcos type




Full text of interview with Prof. Jose Maria Sison
NDFP Chief Political Consultant
Q1. Why is the Duterte regime railroading the passage of this new anti-terror bill? What urgency does it see in the passage of this bill?
JMS: Following the Duterte regime ‘s certification of the so-called anti-terrorism bill as urgent, the Lower House has approved it like the Senate has already done. The regime is railroading the passage of the draconian bill in order to reinforce and aggravate state terrorism.

Duterte intends to use the projected law to suppress the broadest range of social activists, critics and opponents of the regime. It is a key element in his scheme to impose a full-scale fascist dictatorship on the people. Even without the formal declaration of martial law, the bill lays down the provision for a fascist dictatorship worse than that of Marcos.
Q2. What does this so-called anti-terrorism bill mean to the ordinary people? How will this affect their lives?

JMS: The so-called anti-terrorism bill seeks to replace the Bill of Rights with the Bill of State Terrorism. Upon the whimsy of Duterte and an Anti-Terrorism Council, any ordinary person who makes any legitimate demand or criticism of those in power is liable to be red-tagged, put on surveillance and framed up, accused by the police and military of engaging in acts of terrorism, arrested without any judicial warrant and detained without any charge for as long as 24 days.

Under these conditions, abductions, torture, confiscation of property and murders will be done by those in power and their armed minions. The broad masses of the people will be deprived of the basic democratic rights of due process, free speech and assembly. They need to exercise their rights, especially because of the worsening economic and political crisis and the escalating conditions of oppression and exploitation.
Q3. Who are the real targets of this bill?

JMS: The rising legal opposition forces, the critics, the human rights defenders, opponents of treason and corruption and other social activists are the most accessible and easiest targets of the draconian law. Duterte is merely using the anti-communist and anti-terrorist rhetoric in order to give him the license to use state terrorism against any organization or person deemed as opposed to his scheme to perpetuate himself and his dynasty in power.

In effect, the broad masses of the people are the target of Duterte for mass intimidation. He is practically saying that anyone who complains about his acts of treason, brutality and plunder will be immediately arrested and killed.
Q4. Many are saying that this is a move similar to the emergency powers of Marcos prior to the declaration of martial law, do you see it that way, entrenching himself and his followers in the Senate and Congress in power?

JMS: Duterte has always arrogantly presented himself as a Marcos wannabe. He is using the Marcos play book in grabbing more emergency powers, like suspending the writ of habeas corpus in 1971, in order to prepare for the formal declaration of martial in 1972.

Like Marcos, Duterte has gained full control over the Comelec and the TIM company as counterpart of Smartmatic in order to fake the count in any voting exercise, as he did in the mid-term election of 2019 in order to have full control of both the Senate and the Lower House.

It is the common view of all defenders of human rights that the so-called anti-terrorism bill is the key to the complete realization of his scheme of state terrorism and fascist dictatorship even without having to declare martial law formally. In that sense, he is worse than Marcos, more greedy and more brutal although less intelligent and very short-sighted.
Q5. By its very definition, for instance of causing death and destruction, of a terrorist act, can apply to anyone including state forces. The bill does not make a clear definition on which side the supposed terrorist acts are coming from. What do you make of this?

JMS: The vague and arbitrary provisions of Duterte’s terrorist law will certainly apply to anyone opposed to him or critical of his regime. Anyone who makes a complaint or demand is liable to be arrested as being in league with terrorists.

The police and military officers loyal to him will be the ones abducting, torturing, robbing and murdering the victims who are misrepresented as terrorists. They have no liability whatsoever for illegal arrests and detention.

There will be no need to use Duterte’s terrorist law against him and his bloody agents, except as evidence of their gross criminality and butchery, when the time will arrive to prosecute, try and punish them for their heinous crimes.
Q6. Possession and use of weapons of mass destruction, for instance, as spelled out in the bill, is a terrorist act, but it is the Duterte regime, and those governments that supplied it these WMDs that manufacture, possess and use these. Can you comment?

JMS: It is absurd and perverse for Duterte and his gang mates to presume that weapons of mass destruction are in the hands of the legal opposition, social activists and even those engaged in armed revolution who get their weapons from the field units of the AFP and PNP.

The stockpiles of WMDs are in major camps under the control and supervision of US military forces under the terms of the Visiting Forces Agreement and Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement in violation of the provisions of the 1987 Constitution against foreign military bases and troops and WMDs. The US imperialists are the manufacturers and users of WMDs.
Q7. Some observers have said and believe that without a formal declaration of martial rule, the country is now being ruled ruled by a junta. would you concur, and who might be in this junta, with Duterte at the helm?

JMS: Duterte has fully created his military junta in the form of the National Task Force to Eliminate the Communist Armed Conflict under Executive Order No. 70, with him as the chairman and the national security adviser as vice chairman. The task force is dominated by retired and active military and police officers. It has 21 members belonging to the Duterte cabinet, with the exception of two representatives of the private sector.

It has gained more power and resources as a result of the Covid-19 crisis through the Inter-Agency Task Force which is practically a replication of the NTF-ELCAC. For the purpose of carrying out the so-called anti-terrorism law, the Ant-Terrorism Council will decide who are terrorists or not and shall have the combined powers of the executive and the court to issues orders of surveillance, arrest and detention. It will be a compact board of inquisition and state terrorism.
Q8. A fascist dictator can only rule effectively for a certain period if that rule is also supported by a firm economic and financial infrastructure. Marcos initially had the economic and financial resources to prop up his fascist regime, but when those resources dried up, the Marcos fascist regime began to deteriorate. Considering that the Duterte regime is far more indebted and the economic is facing a serious crisis unprecedented since the Marcos regime, would the Duterte junta be able to sustain its terrorist rule?

JMS: It is true that even if there is a relatively stable economic and financial infrastructure, a fascist dictator can rule effectively only for a certain period because the people wish to enjoy their democratic rights, allow martial rule only for a certain period and thereafter have a better economic and social situation. But as proven in the past, the Marcos fascist regime wasted tax revenues and foreign loans through unbridled corruption.

As of now, the Duterte tyrannical regime has already wasted public resources through plunder and rising military expenditures. The regime is bankrupt and has brought about a serious economic and political crisis of the ruling system. The people are already fed up with the escalating conditions of oppression and exploitation. They are outraged and wish to oust the Duterte regime. The perfect storm is rapidly gathering in the Philippines.
Q9. Do you know about the sentiment of patriotic soldiers in the AFP, in the midst of the pandemic and Duterte’s move for open fascist rule?

JMS: I have relatives, fellow Ilocanos and friends among officers and enlisted men in the AFP. I have learned from them that an increasing number of AFP officers and men are disgusted with the favoritism of Duterte for the so-called Davao clique of AFP and PNP officers and their own gang mates, with the criminality and corruption conceded to them by Duterte in order to keep their loyalty and with the veritable conversion of the AFP and PNP into his private army. They are outraged by Duterte’s drive for fascist dictatorship amidst the Covid-19 crisis.
Q10. What about the sentiment of the international community? After the fall of many US-supported fascist dictators, it doesn’t seem to be the norm to support or extend support to a wannabe fascist dictator like Duterte. can you comment.

JMS: The peoples of the world are strongly against authoritarian figures like Trump, Bolsonaro, Erdogan, Modi and Duterte who turn out to be scums floated by the rule of unbridled greed under neoliberalism and by the currents of state terrorism and fascism.

The huge mass protests that emerged last year on a world scale are certain to resurge this year because of the much worsened economic and political crisis of the world capitalist system as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the plunge of economic activity and the exposure of the anti-social character, corrupt and brutal character of the authoritarian regimes.

Look at what is happening in the US against the Trump regime and the US ruling system. This is a signal for the resurgence of various forms of resistance at a new and higher level on a world scale.
Q11. What can the people do to defend themselves from the terrorism bill?

JMS: It is fine that the national democratic movement and the broad united front of opposition forces are growing in strength. The people must become well-informed about the terror bill of Duterte. And they must organize and mobilize themselves to speak out and act to oppose the bill. They must fight ever more resolutely and militantly against the the unjust and anti-democratic law that proceeds from it.

They must go to the full extent of causing the ouster of the tyrant Duterte from power. Concerning the forces of the armed revolution, I do not have to urge them to fullfill their task of fighting the tyrannical regime. I think that they know what they are doing in serving the people and fighting for a just cause.###

https://ndfp.org/on-dutertes-scheme-of-state-terrorism-and-fascist-dictatorship-worse-than-the-marcos-type/

CPP/NPA-Negros: Ang kakinahanglanon sang armadong paghimakas sa pag-atubang sa halit tuga sang rehimeng US-Duterte — NPA-Negros

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 5, 2020): Ang kakinahanglanon sang armadong paghimakas sa pag-atubang sa halit tuga sang rehimeng US-Duterte — NPA-Negros

JUANITO MAGBANUA
NPA-NEGROS ISLAND
APOLINARIO GATMAITAN COMMAND
NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY

JUNE 05, 2020



Tuman kadasig nga ginpasa kag na-aprobahan sa kongreso sa third and final reading ang anti-terrorism bill kag inugpasa na sa Malacañang para pirmahan ni Duterte agud mangin laye. Wala sa mga probisyon sang laye nga nagapabor sa interes sang pumuluyo, gani ginapa-abot ang lapnagon nga paglapas sang tawhanon nga kinamatarung sa porma sang EJK, red-tagging, death threats sa mga aktibista kag mga kritiko sang gobyerno, illegal nga pagpang-aresto nga wala sang warrant of arrest kag pagdetini sa mga ginsuspetsahan nga mga nagasuporta o ginakilala nga terorista kag madamu pa nga porma sang pagpanglapas sang tawhanon nga kinamatarung. Ini nagtuga lang sang tuman nga kakugmat kag pag-antus sang pumuluyo samtang naga-atubang sang makamamatay nga Covid-19.

Wala sang lauman ang pumuluyo sa subong nga rehimen. Sa baylo nga tutukan ang pagsulbar sang makamamatay nga pandemya, ginpili ang militarista nga pamaagi gamit ang polis kag militar sa pagsulbar. Wala-huya nga pagpangawat sang pundo nga natalana para diri, indi na makita kon pila ang nagasto kag pila ang nabilin sang P275 ka bilyon nga Covid-19 Emergency fund kag sa mga dugang pang binilyon nga utang sa dumuluong nga segurado ara na sa bulsa sang hakugan nga Duterte kag serkulo sini.

Lapnagon nga gutom kag kapigaduhon ang ginabatas sang pumuluyo sa adlaw-adlaw ilabi na ang mga mangunguma kag mamumugon. Naga-antus sang tuman ka mahal nga presyo sang nagapanguna nga balaklon, manubo nga sweldo, wala sang trabaho kag naga-antus sa sayop nga pamaagi sa pagsulbar sang problema sang Covid-19 ang tiraniko nga rehimen Duterte, ang pagkurong sang bug-os nga pumuluyo gamit ang rason sang Covid-19 nga isyu.

Bangud sang sobra nga pagpanghimulos kag pagpamigos kag pagpamahog kontra sa demokratiko nga pwersa, ang mga masang pigos, kabataan, kababainhan kag mga inteliktwal ginatulod nga magpasakop sa NPA. Ang anti-terrorism law mapaslawan sa pagpa-untat sa pagtubo sang armadong reboluyonayong armadong paghimakas sa baylo naga-abono sa matambok nga duta agud mas pa nga pagtubo sang NPA.

Gindali-dali nga ginpasa ang anti-terrorism bill nga klaro nga ginaderiher sang National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict ukon NTF-ELCAC kag ang Malacañang mismo. Si Duterte kag kapareho nya nga mga militarista nga opisyal sa pagpanguna ni Delfin Lorenzana, Eduardo Año kag Hermogenes Esperon gusto mabutang sa ila duguon nga mga kamot ang anti-terrorism law kag mas nga konsolidahon ang pasista nga rehimen kag lupigon ang mga nagapamatok sa ila maitum nga plano.

Ang anti-terrorism law, katapusan nga bahin agud makompleto sang rehimen Duterte ang pagdihon sang martial law, ginapaseguro nga mabutang sa lugar ang malain kag mapintas nga plano ni Duterte-Lorenzana-Año-Esperon nga junta nga madugay na nga ginaplano nga ipatuman para sa pagterorisa kag pagpahipos sa pumuluyo kag pagtukod sang absuluto nga gahum.

Indi kapatihan ang ginhambal ni Pasaporte nga indi angay kahadlokan ang ATB. Gani, sini lang nga adlaw may 7 nga iligal nga gindakop sa Cebu nga linong nga nagaprotesta batok sa indi makatarunganon nga laye. Si Duterte kag ang AFP-PNP upod sa mga kontra-pumuluyo nga patakaran mismo ang nagatulod sa pumuluyo nga magkapot sang armas agud tapuson ang malawig nga pag-antos. Indi malikawan ang pagdamo sa magintra sa NPA agud manindugan kag makigbato para sa tuod nga kahilwayan.

Sa sini nga kahimtangan, wala sang iban pa nga lauman ang pumuluyo magluwas sa paghiliusa nga mapatukan ang pag-imposar sang martial law, militante nga paglunsar sang koliktibo nga pagpamatok bisan naga-atubang sang pandemya agud iduso ang demokratiko nga kinamatarung kag protiktahan ang interes sang pumuluyo kontra sa korap, pasista kag kontra pumuluyo nga rehimen. Mag-upod kag magpasakop sa armadong rebolusyon bilang solo nga solusyon sa problima sang pumuluyo tuga sang malakolonyal kag malapyudal nga sistima sang pungsod Pilipinas. ###

Mabuhay ang masang Pigos!
Magpasakop sa NPA!
Isulong ang armadong rebolusyon tubtob sa kadalag-an!

https://cpp.ph/statement/ang-kakinahanglanon-sang-armadong-paghimakas-sa-pag-atubang-sa-halit-tuga-sang-rehimeng-us-duterte-npa-negros/

Bulatlat: Debunking government’s defense of the anti-terror bill

Posted to the pro-CPP/NDF/NPA online propaganda publication Bulatlat (Jun 6, 2020): Debunking government’s defense of the anti-terror bill (By Ronalyn V. Olea)


Authors of the anti-terror bill have been trying to defend the proposed measure amid wide condemnation from various groups and individuals.

A senator quipped, “Terrorists or their supporters are the only ones who will be afraid of the bill.”

Do we have the reason to believe the senator accused of plagiarism and apparently oblivious to facts?

In 2018, the Department of Justice filed a petition seeking to declare as terrorists over 600 alleged members of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and New People’s Army. The list included four former and present United Nations officials, four Catholic priests, a former party-list lawmaker, 36 peace consultants, 17 detained political prisoners, 83 women activists, nine dead, two victims of enforced disappearance, one journalist, and dozens of aliases.

Due to local protests and international pressure, the DOJ later reduced the list to eight.

Under the anti-terror bill, the DOJ, with the authority of the Anti-Terror Council and upon the recommendation of National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), may file an application to designate any group as terrorist. The Court of Appeals only needs to establish probable cause before issuing preliminary order of proscription within 72 hours from the filing of the said application. This means that an individual or group may initially be declared terrorist without being afforded due process. Human rights lawyers pointed out that probable cause is a relatively low standard of proof considering the grave implications of such a judicial order.

Worse, the summary hearing accorded to the respondent group may be held as far back as six months later. In a span of six months, the suspected terrorist may be subjected to surveillance, arrested and detained, and his or her assets frozen.

Who have been declared “communist-terrorists” by state security forces and the National Task Force to End the Local Communist Armed Conflict? Practically all sectoral organizations advocating for reforms and genuine change. They did not spread terror or cause panic among the public but called on the government to act on legitimate demands of ordinary citizens.

The massive arrests of so-called “quarantine violators” gave us a picture of what might be interpreted as terrorist act. The social media posts of public school teacher Ronnel Mas and of Cebu-based artist Maria Victoria Beltran, for example, may qualify as “terrorist.”

This brings us to the statement of Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque that critics are “over-interpreting.” Roque said that the Bill of Rights will remain protected by the Constitution.

Again, the last time we checked, free press and free expression are among the rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Still, netizens who posted their criticisms via social media were harassed, intimidated and slapped with ridiculous charges. Just recently, six jeepney drivers were arrested for simply wanting to resume operations so they could feed their families. Yesterday, students and activists who voiced out their opposition to the bill were hounded by heavily armed police forces inside UP Cebu. Seven of them were arrested and detained.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson, main author of Senate Bill No. 1083, or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, claimed that there’s enough safeguards in the law so no one could misuse it.

Lacson said that they’re “duty-bound” to make laws that would meet “international standards” and “fulfill state obligations with the United Nations.”

In the recent report on the Philippines, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights described as “worrying” the proposed measure.

“The proposed 2020 Anti-Terrorism Act, slated to replace the already problematic Human Security Act, dilutes human rights safeguards, broadens the definition of terrorism and expands the period of detention without warrant from three to 14 days, extendable by another 10 days. The vague definitions in the Anti-Terrorism Act may violate the principle of legality,” the UN report read.

Contrary to Lacson’s claims, the bill deletes in entirety the strongest deterrent for abuses stated in the Human Security Act of 2007. Section 50 of the HSA states, “A person acquitted of charges of terrorism is entitled to damages in the amount of P500,000 for every day of detention without a warrant.”

Two indigenous peoples and one farmer were proven to be wrongfully charged with violation of the HSA, according to the monitoring of human rights alliance Karapatan. Aeta peasant Edgar Candule was detained for more than two years before the court dismissed the charges against him in October 2010. Lumad leader Jomorito Goaynon and peasant organizer Ireneo Udarbe, meanwhile, were arrested on January 28, 2019 and charged with violations of the HSA, among other fabricated cases. The charges were dismissed in August of the same year but Goaynon, remains in detention for trumped-up charges of kidnapping, robbery and arson.

No. We are not “epal” (attention-seeker) and “misinformed” for calling for the junking of the bill that would authorize state-sponsored terrorism.

In the context of growing discontent over how the Duterte administration handles the COVID-19 crisis, it is clear that the tyrant in Malacañang and his minions are afraid of the people’s rage.

https://www.bulatlat.com/2020/06/06/debunking-governments-defense-of-the-anti-terror-bill/

AFP-CRS: Anti-terror bill to speed up neutralization of threats

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Jun 6, 2020): Anti-terror bill to speed up neutralization of threats

MANILA – The Philippine Army (PA) said it is optimistic that the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 will allow them to neutralize terrorists before they can conduct deadly attacks.

"We are optimistic that the Anti-Terror Bill (ATB) will enable us to go after terrorists before they seize opportunities to endanger public safety," Army commander Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay said in a statement late Thursday.

READ MORE: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1104990


Image may contain: 1 person, text


[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]

https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/

AFP-CRS: One of "Morong 43" dies after 2nd Mindoro encounter in four days

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Jun 6, 2020): One of "Morong 43" dies after 2nd Mindoro encounter in four days

CAMP CAPINPIN, Tanay, Rizal — One female NPA terrorist died after a 10-minute encounter against soldiers at Brgy Mangangan Uno of Baco, Oriental Mindoro on Thursday afternoon.

The military identified the dead terrorist as Lorelyn Saligumba alias Fara, the Political Instructor of KLG ICM’s Platoon Dos and a member of “Morong 43” whom left-leaning organisations branded as “plain health workers” when they were apprehended in 2010.

READ MORE: https://www.kalinawnews.com/one-of-morong-43-dies-after-2nd-mindoro-encounter-in-four-days/

#AFPyoucanTRUST



[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]

AFP-CRS: One of “Morong 43” dies After 2nd Mindoro encounter in four days

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Jun 6, 2020): One of “Morong 43” dies After 2nd Mindoro encounter in four days

CAMP CAPINPIN, Tanay, Rizal — One female NPA terrorist died after a 10-minute encounter against soldiers at Brgy Mangangan Uno of Baco, Oriental Mindoro on Thursday afternoon.

The military identified the dead terrorist as Lorelyn Saligumba alias Fara, the Political Instructor of KLG ICM’s Platoon Dos and a member of “Morong 43” whom left-leaning organisations branded as “plain health workers” when they were apprehended in 2010.

READ MORE: https://www.kalinawnews.com/one-of-morong-43-dies-after-2nd-mindoro-encounter-in-four-days/

#AFPyoucanTRUST



[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]

AFP-CRS: Armed lawless group leader neutralized in Sultan Kudarat

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Jun 6, 2020): Armed lawless group leader neutralized in Sultan Kudarat

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[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]

Kalinaw News: Landmines Recovered, Assorted War Materiel Seized in Clash against NPA Terrorists in Surigao Norte

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jun 6, 2020): Landmines Recovered, Assorted War Materiel Seized in Clash against NPA Terrorists in Surigao Norte (By 4th Infantry Battalion)



Bancasi, Butuan City – The 30th Infantry (Python) Battalion under the operational control of the 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade once again recovered several landmines and seized war materiel in a clash against CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNT) in the mountainous area of Brgy Camp Edward, Alegria, Surigao del Norte at around 7:35 morning, June 03, 2020.

Troops of 30IB figured in a forty-five (45) minute firefight against more or less fifteen (15) CNTs believed to be members of Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda (SYP) 16C under Guerilla Front (GF) 16 of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC), and successfully overrun a CNTs hideout recovering one (1) M16 riffle with attached M203GL and two (2) Anti-Personnel Mines (APM) that are strictly prohibited under International Humanitarian Law and the International Convention on Geneva Protocols.

Said clash is the 2nd for this week after troops of 30IB also encountered CNTs last June 1, 2020 in Brgy Biyadid, Sison of same province wherein one (1) APM, laid along the trail frequently used by the local residents in the said area was also recovered.

Troops also recovered at the encounter site CNT’s assorted war materiel that includes five (5) rounds of Cal. 50; sixteen (16) M203 ammunitions; one (1) AK47 magazine; one (1) M14 magazine; one (1) Icom handheld radio; three (3) cellular phones; eight (8) backpacks; assorted personal belongings; and, subversive documents.

Brigadier General Maurito L Licudine, the 402nd Brigade Commander lamented the CNTs continuous use of APMs that is a clear violation to the International Humanitarian Law that also endangers the lives of innocent civilians.

“This is an indication of a growing desperation on the part of the CNTs. They still employ the use of landmines despite the ban as a strategy to inflict casualty against government troops even if it endangers the lives of innocent civilians. Even this is internationally considered inhumane, the CNTs continued use of remote detonated landmines is a display of their true nature as terrorists”.

“The series of clashes in just a few days is a testament that the people of Surigao del Norte have realized that the CNTs undermined their value and safety as they wantonly use landmines. Hence, the people are tipping off the CNTs whereabouts. While we laud the residents for the courageous act they have shown against the CNTs, we urge the remaining CNTs to return to the folds of the law and choose the path of peace as the Army will relentlessly pursue them with the TF ELCAC intensifying its efforts to end insurgency in Caraga region”, Brigadier General Licudine added.

[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]

Kalinaw News: Former NPA Rebels from ‘Discovered’ Ata Manobo Village in Davao del Norte receive Livelihood, Cash Assistance under Government Program

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jun 6, 2020): Former NPA Rebels from ‘Discovered’ Ata Manobo Village in Davao del Norte receive Livelihood, Cash Assistance under Government Program (By 10th Infantry Division)



Asuncion, DDN – Over a year since the ‘discovery’ of Sitio Tapayanon in the northernmost boundary of Kapalong, Davao del Norte and the consequent, painstaking effort of both local and national government agencies to recover the villagers from the communist-terrorist ideology that has gripped them tight for years, 28 former CPP-NPA members of the said Sitio received on Thursday (June 4) yet another ‘blessing’ from the government: their livelihood cash assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.

Four (4) NPA regulars and 24 Milisya ng Bayan received their respective cash assistances amounting to a total of P620,000.00 from the E-CLIP through the facilitation of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Provincial Government of Davao del Norte, and the 60th Infantry (MEDIATOR) Battalion.

The ceremonial turning over of cheques were spearheaded by no less than Davao del Norte guv Edwin Jubahib who reassured the 28 former rebels, including Sitio Tapayanon’s tribal chieftain Datu Bansing Balanban, that the services and projects promised to them are mostly underway and will be implemented through this year and beyond. Jubahib particularly stressed the continuation of Tawinian-Tapayanon road opening project among other priority programs of the Province.

Meanwhile, the Kapalong Municipal Government under Mayor Maria Theresa Timbol has also committed to continue its support for Sitio Tapayanon. It has recently been providing the Sitio with food and other basic provisions in line with the persisting threat of the COVID-19. It also continues to collaborate with 60IB and other government agencies to push through with the projects and programs intended for the Sitio.

As of date, the Sitio has already received over 3 million pesos worth of aid not including the ongoing 300 million pesos road project of the DPWH which will soon connect Kapalong, Davao del Norte directly to its neighbor Cabanglasan, Bukidnon through Sitio Tapayanon.

On behalf of his village and the 28 former rebels, Datu Bansing expressed his gratitude and optimism during the ceremony. “There is no way [that] we will return to the deceitful and evil ways of the CPP-NPA. We have been enlightened. We have seen the truth and the bright future awaiting us. And we rest assured that the government and our neighbors will help us build this future. We will forever be thankful for this chance you have all given us,” Datu Bansing said in the vernacular.

CPP-NPA Hits Back, ELCAC Gains Better Ground

Despite progresses made in Sitio Tapayanon, CPP-NPA terrorists continue to harass the village most recently with two attacks the said communist-terrorist group perpetrated last March and April, respectively. Fortunately, no government soldier or civilian were hurt during these attacks.

“This can only mean that our government is on the right track. The only reason they [CPP-NPA] are reacting this way is because they are being hurt. They are being exposed and discredited. I hereby reiterate our call for every concerned citizen, whether you are in government or in the private sector, to continue supporting our campaign to immediately end the local communist armed conflict (ELCAC) and take advantage of the gains we have accumulated over the year.” Lt. Col. Ronaldo Sarmiento said in his press statement.

[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/former-npa-rebels-from-discovered-ata-manobo-village-in-davao-del-norte-receive-livelihood-cash-assistance-under-government-program/

Kalinaw News: 2 local terrorists yield in Maguindanao

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jun 6, 2020): 2 local terrorists yield in Maguindanao (By 602nd Infantry Brigade)



Two members of the local terrorist group yielded following an operation launched by the military in Barangay Indatuan, Northern Kabuntalan, Maguindanao on June 5, 2020.

“Our troops from the 34th Infantry Battalion conducted a law enforcement operation targeting Razul Dubpaleg and his cohorts,”
said Brig. Gen. Roberto Capulong, Commander, 602nd Infantry Brigade.

“Said operation resulted in the withdrawal of support of his cohorts identified as Tawali Puaya, a.k.a. Ryan Tumagantang, and Puaya Tumagantang, both of BIFF-Karialan Faction,”
the commander added.

The two handed over one locally made 7.62mm Sniper Rifle and one IED made of 105mm projectile with secondary charge of five 40mm HE projectile.


“Our troops remain steadfast in ending terrorism in Central Mindanao for our future generations,” said Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon, JTF Central Commander.

The two were presented to the municipal government officials after which they were brought to 34IB headquarters for custodial debriefing.

“More pressure will be instigated by the military to force the enemies to yield rather than be neutralized in armed confrontations,” said Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, WestMinCom Commander.

“It is better to end terrorism in a peaceful way and without a single bloodshed,” Lt. Gen. Sobejana added.

Kalinaw News: Army Unit hosts Provincial Task Force ELCAC Cluster Meeting under new normal

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jun 6, 2020): Army Unit hosts Provincial Task Force ELCAC Cluster Meeting under new normal (By 10th Infantry Division)



MAGPET, COTABATO – Philippine Army’s 72nd Infantry Battalion (72IB) hosted the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) of the Provincial Task Force on Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) conducted meeting under the new normal on Thursday, June 4, 2020.

The meeting was held at Headquarters 72IB, Barangay Pangao-an, Magpet, Cotabato. Heads and Representatives of Agencies were present during the meeting. Among the agencies present are Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) Cotabato, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department Of Education (DEPED), Landbank of the Philippines (LBP), National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Provincial Office, Department of Agriculture (DA), Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Army’s 72nd Infantry Battalion, 19th Infantry Battalion and 27th Infantry Battalion.

During the meeting, Lt. Col. Rey Alvarado, Commanding Officer of 72IB, presented the current Community Support Program Deployment of the Unit. He also stressed out the sustainment efforts of the unit with regard to the People’s Organization within the unit’s Area of Operation. On the other hand, Mr. Rafael Y. Abrogar II, Regional Director, TESDA 12 presided the meeting and discussed the TESDA’s I-PEACE Program. I-PEACE is a project of TESDA where convergence of of different government agencies to help indigenous people especially former rebels who returned back into the folds of the law. This convergence will help them sustain their livelihood keeping them away from Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) influence.

Lt. Col. Rey Alvarado, Commanding Officer 72IB, expressed his heartfelt gratitude for choosing the Headquarters of the Army unit as a venue for the meeting the PTF-ELCAC Cluster. “We are in full support to the advocacy of the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood, and Employment Cluster of the PTF-ELCAC especially the I-PEACE Program of TESDA,” he said.



[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-unit-hosts-provincial-task-force-elcac-cluster-meeting-under-new-normal/

Kalinaw News: Two Dawlah Islamiyah Terrorist members arrested in South Cotabato

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jun 6, 2020): Two Dawlah Islamiyah Terrorist members arrested in South Cotabato (By 6th Infantry Division)



CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – Two members of Dawlah Islamiyah Terrorist Group were apprehended by the troops of 5th Special Forces Battalion on June 2, in Barangay Basag, T’boli, South Cotabato. Recovered from the suspects were; Springfield rifle, a caliber .45 pistol, and a 9mm Ingram.

They were identified as Hamidin Alab, 32 years old, and Faizal Alab, 24 years old, both are residents of Purok, Mainog, Barangay Magsaysay, Polomolok, South Cotabato. Initial investigation revealed that they were the brothers of Ben Jack Alab, a member of Dawlah Islamiyah-Maguindanao group (Nilong sub-group), who was involved in an encounter with the PNP Special Action Force last March 2018 wile while being served with warrant of arrest for violations of Republic Acts 10591, 9165 and 9516.

Prior to the arrest, concerned citizens reported that the suspects are recruiting and intimidating the residents in the area.

“I commend the 5th Special Forces Battalion led by Ltc Randy Banaag for the arrest of Dawlah Islamiyah terrorist members thereby making evident the commitment of Joint Task Force Central to protect the civilians from being recruited and harassed by any terror groups.” said JTFC Commander Maj. Gen. Diosdado C. Carreon.

The suspects were brought to T’boli Municipal Police Station for proper filing of charges.



[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/two-dawlah-islamiyah-terrorist-members-arrested-in-south-cotabato/

NPA Negros liaison officer arrested in Metro Manila

From the Visayan Daily Star (Jun 5, 2020): NPA Negros liaison officer arrested in Metro Manila

An alleged liaison officer of the South West Front Committee of the Komiteng Rehiyonal-Negros was captured by the police at Brgy. Merville in Paranaque, Metro Manila, Wednesday.

PLt. Col. Necerato Sabando, Sipalay City police chief, yesterday said that
the alleged NPA liaison officer, identified as Roger Lumanog, alias Jijie Lumanog, has a pending arrest warrant issued by Kabankalan Regional Trial Court Judge Rodney Magbanua for the crime of murder with no bail recommended.


Lumanog, 36, and a resident of Brgy. Camindangan, Sipalay City, was apprehended by intelligence operatives of the Southern Police District of National Capital Region Police Office, in coordination with the Sipalay City Police Station.

Initial police investigation showed that Lumanog is the liaison officer of the NPA South West Front-KR Negros, with another accused person identified by the police as Rex Vargas, for logistical requirements of the NPA in southern Negros.

Sabando said that Lumanog was accused for killing his former comrade who had left their group.

Lumanog is now detained at the Taguig City Police Station jail, pending his transfer to Negros Occidental, Sabando said.

https://www.visayandailystar.com/2020/June/05/topstory10.htm

US provides P201-M more to PH vs. virus

From the Mindanao Times (Jun 6, 2020): US provides P201-M more to PH vs. virus (BY RHODA GRACE SARON)

The American Embassy in the Philippines announced that it is providing an additional P201 million ($4 million) to help support the vulnerable individuals in Mindanao amid the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing its help to the country about P978 million ($19.5 million).

In a press statement on Friday, the US embassy said that Ambassador Sung Kim met online with Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) officials, led by Chief Minister Ahod ‘Al Haj Murad’ Ebrahim, chair the BARMM Inter-Agency Task Force on COVID-19, and reiterated US commitment to partnering with the Philippines to address COVID-19 in the region.

The meeting provided an opportunity for BARMM leadership to discuss challenges and present its COVID-19 contingency plan, while Ambassador Kim and US Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director Lawrence Hardy provided updates on the COVID-19 assistance of his country to the Philippines.

“In these trying times, I am inspired by the resilience and courage of the Filipino people,” said Kim. “The United States and the Philippines have met and overcome many challenges together, and I am confident that working together we will overcome this challenge as well.”

With the additional $4 million in humanitarian assistance, USAID will protect the vulnerable – those displaced by conflict and the recent earthquakes in Mindanao – from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

USAID and its partners will work with local governments, local health authorities, and communities so that vulnerable populations have access to the most accurate and up-to-date health messages.

USAID partners will reach over 100,000 persons with distributions of essential hygiene supplies, handwashing stations, hygiene promotion to reduce transmission risk and help communities re-open.

USAID will also continue to provide vital water supply in transitory sites in Lanao del Sur for families displaced by the Marawi Siege and in North Cotabato for earthquake-affected communities.

The United States has provided more than P228 billion ($4.5 billion) in development assistance to the Philippines over the past 20 years, including over P29 billion ($582 million) in health assistance.

291 rebels yielded in 5 months

From the Mindanao Times (Jun 6, 2020): 291 rebels yielded in 5 months (BY RHODA GRACE SARON)

The military has bared that 291 members of the New People’s Army surrendered to the different units of the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) during the last five months.

Lt. Col. Ezra Balagtey, EastMinCom spokesperson, said the surrender came about as the military “did not let down the guard especially in protecting the community against terror.”

Others who surrendered were 161 members of Militia ng Bayan, 562 who withdrew their support from National Democratic Front, and 25 party members of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

The units also recovered 179 firearms through operations, 177 surrendered firearms.


The operations also resulted in the death of 53 rebels.

The military unit, Balagtey said, has continued to support the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) program and the initiatives in the communities.

“With COVID-19 the units are active in supporting the local government units and during the distribution of Social Amelioration Program the units coordinated with the (Department of) Social and Welfare and Development in the distribution (process),” he added as he pointed out that the command has remained COVID-19 Free.

“We are happy to know that our soldiers, airman, sailors and marines deployed in Eastern Mindanao command are still COVID-free despite that many of our troops are deployed in the frontlines to help fight against pandemic,” Balagtey said

He added that in the camps there are measures that are adopted to prevent the spread of virus.

“We are doing all the necessary measures to prevent the spread of the virus in our area,” he further added.

Farmers carry brunt of conflict, pandemic

Posted to the Mindanao Examiner (Jun 4, 2020): Farmers carry brunt of conflict, pandemic

PEOPLE IN conflict-affected areas faced risky and limited access to their farms even before the outbreak of the coronavirus disease or Covid-19, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross or ICRC.

It said with the movement restrictions, farming activities shrank considerably while agricultural inputs became harder and more expensive to get. ICRC anticipates food insecurity to increase, particularly in volatile areas of Mindanao where agricultural activities are the main source of livelihood.

The ICRC is now calling for social protection programs to be maintained or extended, and that they include the most vulnerable. Existing humanitarian activities focused on food security, nutrition and livelihoods must also be reinforced, it said.

It noted that the typical coping mechanism that families use to overcome lean times -- asking for loans from neighbors or family, reducing purchases, using savings -- have been exhausted for many. The hardest-hit households were already food insecure, with physical and financial access to food markets restricted due to Covid-19

It said worryingly, chronic hunger and malnutrition and Covid-19 are mutually reinforcing, as previous outbreaks — Ebola, SARS, MERS — have negatively impacted food security, increasing malnutrition rates. Improving health systems in conflict zones offers positive returns locally and globally.

“In the near term, strengthening health, water and sanitation systems in conflict zones, to prevent and manage infectious disease transmission, must become a priority,” said Esperanza Martinez, ICRC’s head of health.

Additionally, she said income shortages could hit families at a time when countries struggle to provide essential services, deepening food insecurity for people already at risk. When movement restrictions are imposed, people face a dire choice between earning a living and protecting their health.

Families that depend on remittances from migrant relatives are also at risk, as income opportunities even in wealthier countries deteriorate. Global remittances are projected to decline 20 percent in 2020 due to the Covid-induced economic crisis, according to the World Bank. (With a report from the Mindanao Examiner.)

http://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2020/06/farmers-carry-brunt-of-conflict-pandemic.html

Sulu praises U.S. donations

Posted to the Mindanao Examiner (Jun 6, 2020): Sulu praises U.S. donations

Sulu Governor Sakur lauded the efforts of the U.S. military in assisting this southern Filipino province in fighting the spread of the novel coronavirus or Covid-19.







Sulu Governor Sakur Tan with U.S. military officials headed by  Captain Weston Bartkowski. (Sulu Task Force Covid-19)

Tan, chairman of the local task force on Covid-19, thanked the members of the Special Operations Task Force headed by Captain Weston Bartkoski, who recently donated protective suits for the Sulu Integrated Provincial Hospital or IPHO.

The protective suits were purchased by the Department of Defense and turned over by Bartkoski to Tan and Doctor Farah Omar, head of the IPHO. “The personal protective equipment for Sulu Provincial Hospital was procured by the U.S. Department of Defense as support to those risking so much to provide care for the citizens of Sulu,” Tan said.

Senior government and military and police officials also witnessed the handover of the donations which were airlifted by two helicopters to the capital town of Jolo.

“We thanked the U.S. government and the American people, and the U.S. forces for coming all the way to Sulu and turned over the donations despite United States is also addressing the pandemic back home,” Tan said.

The U.S. Embassy in Manila said Washington is providing an additional P201 million ($4 million) to help support vulnerable populations in Mindanao in the fight against Covid-19, bringing the total amount of U.S. pandemic assistance to the Philippines to over P978 million ($19.5 million).

U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim also had a virtual meeting recently with Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) officials, led by Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim, who also chairs the BARMM Inter-Agency Task Force on Covid-19, and reiterated U.S. commitment to partnering with the Philippines to address the pandemic in the region.

The meeting provided an opportunity for BARMM leadership to discuss challenges and present its Covid-19 contingency plan, while Kim and U.S. Agency for International Development or USAID Mission Director Lawrence Hardy provided updates on U.S. Covid-19 assistance.

“In these trying times, I am inspired by the resilience and courage of the Filipino people. The United States and the Philippines have met and overcome many challenges together, and I am confident that working together we will overcome this challenge as well,” Kim said.

He said with the additional $4 million in humanitarian assistance, USAID will protect vulnerable populations – those displaced by conflict and the recent earthquakes in Mindanao – from the on-going health crisis. USAID and its partners will work with local governments, local health authorities, and communities so that vulnerable populations have access to the most accurate and up-to-date health messages.

USAID partners will reach over 100,000 persons with distributions of essential hygiene supplies, hand-washing stations, and hygiene promotion to reduce transmission risk and help communities re-open. USAID will also continue to provide vital water supply in transitory sites in Lanao del Sur for families displaced by the Marawi siege and in North Cotabato for earthquake-affected communities.

The U.S. has provided more than P228 billion ($4.5 billion) in development assistance to the Philippines over the past 20 years, including over P29 billion ($582 million) in health assistance. (Zamboanga Post)

Fierce fighting in Sulu leaves 6 people dead, 17 others injured

Posted to the Mindanao Examiner (Jun 6, 2020): Fierce fighting in Sulu leaves 6 people dead, 17 others injured

At least 2 Abu Sayyaf militants and four soldiers were reported killed in fierce clashes that left over a dozen infantrymen wounded in the southern Philippine province of Sulu.

The fighting broke out Friday in Patikul town’s Kan Ague village, but it was only reported by the military late Saturday, saying troops clashed with dozens of pro-ISIS gunmen.

At least 17 soldiers were wounded in the fighting and brought to a military hospital in the capital town of Jolo.

Most of the casualties are members of the 6th Special Forces sent to hunt down the Abu Sayyaf, blamed for the spate of terror attacks in Sulu, one of 5 provinces under the restive Muslim autonomous region.


Regional military commander Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana has confirmed the report late Saturday and said the operation against the Abu Sayyaf continues. 

"Troops relentlessly hunt down and constrict the movement of terrorists with their purposive offensives. We buckle up our campaign to defeat bandits and seize their strongholds in Sulu," 

Sobejana said. "We, however, mourn the deaths of four more comrades-in-arms. They died, serving our country and paying the ultimate sacrifice for peace and progress."

The battle occurred just a week after eight dozen villagers displaced by the violence in Patikul returned to their homes. They were among 6,000 people who fled the town since 2017 because of the clashes between security and rebel forces, and atrocities perpetrated by the Abu Sayyaf. (Zamboanga Post)

Basey MTF-ELCAC sends off RCSP teams to 8 barangays

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 6, 2020): Basey MTF-ELCAC sends off RCSP teams to 8 barangays (By PIA-8)


TACLOBAN CITY, June 6 (PIA) -- Municipal Task Force -ELCAC’s Retooled Community Service Program is welcomed by the eight barangay chairpersons in Basey, Samar namely, Barangays Loog, Mabini, Cogon, Cancaiyas, Guirang, Burgos, Bulao and Manlilinab.

In a simple send-off rites held on June 1, the barangay chairpersons warmly welcomed the RCSP teams from the 63rd Infantry Battalion assigned in their respective barangays.

Mr. Balbino Estorninos, the Municipal Administrator who represented Mayor Luz Ponferrada, delivered the message in her behalf.



He highlighted the positive impact of the program to the locals and communities as he experienced and seen from other recipient municipalities like Calbiga, Samar.

In his message, Estorninos reiterated the need to unite the efforts of all stakeholders in addressing the root causes of the of the long-drawn insurgency problem.

He then enjoined the Punong Barangays to support the program and continue to collaborate with other government agencies for the development of Basey.

Lt. Col. Edgar Allan Orbito, the Commanding Officer, extended his appreciation for the presence of and for signing the Certificate of Acceptance by the barangay chairpersons.

He gave them the assurance of the support of 63IB in bridging their concerns to the different government agencies of the province for the program’s implementation success.

He added that MTF-ELCAC through the RCSP Teams will play an important role in finally ending the communist armed conflict.

By immersing in the conflict-affected areas (CAAs), it is hoped that the people’s sentiments and issues will be addressed through the RCSP, with the LGU as lead, Orbito said.

As part of President Rodrigo Duterte’s Whole-of-Nation Approach, RCSP aims to address the identified issues of the community by closing the governance and development gaps, providing the community their needs, and ensuring that development is sustained and peace is promoted. (PIA-8)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1044047

UN report is 'damning indictment of human rights situation in the Philippines,' say advocates

From GMA News Online (Jun 6, 2020): UN report is 'damning indictment of human rights situation in the Philippines,' say advocates (By MARISSE PANALIGAN)

Human rights advocates welcomed the recently released United Nations report as a "damning indictment of the human rights situation in the Philippines."

In a webinar organized by the Europe Network for Justice and Peace in the Philippines on Friday, Atty. Edre Olalia, chairperson of the National Union of People's Lawyers (NUPL), said the document validates the concerns over human rights violations in the country.

One of the findings include a "pattern" in reports suggesting that police officers planted evidence in the anti-drug operations.

"The report yesterday is certainly a damning repudiation or rebuff of the false narrative that there are no serious human rights violations in the Philippines," Olalia said.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has repeatedly justified killings in anti-drug operations, saying that officers had to use force because the suspects resisted arrest.

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The report casts doubt on this "nanlaban [fought back]" narrative, citing that police "repeatedly recovered guns bearing the same serial numbers from different victims in different locations."

"It's quite a meticulous analysis of the evidence that can be properly verified by the Human Rights Council people and criticism of the defense of this program coming from the Duterte government people," said Peter Murphy, chairperson of the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) Global Council.

"Timely" report
Olalia said the report "could not have come at a better time" as the country is currently in the middle of the debate over the controversial anti-terrorism bill.

"It is a signal to the government that the international community is watching, that people all over the world are not going to take this sitting down, and that we will stand for our rights and we will push back," he said.

Jose Maria Sison, chief political consultant of the National Democratic Front (NDF) and founding chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), agreed.

"The report is highly significant, relevant, and timely for the Filipino people in relation to the ongoing situation and what needs to be done. It runs counter to Duterte's rail-roading of the so-called anti-terrorism bill," he said.


Critics said that the anti-terrorism bill will erode human rights and worsen the climate of impunity in the country.

Role of international community
The webinar panelists also welcomed the recommendation of the report to "consider options for international accountability measures" if there are no "clear and measurable outcomes from domestic mechanisms."

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is conducting a preliminary examination of the situation in the Philippines. A group has also called on the Human Rights Council to establish an independent investigation.

"It took an independent international body of the committee of nations to validate the fact that there is indeed a failure of domestic remedies," Olalia said.

"The report is very important in conforming that the authorities of the Philippine government have not provided the venue and have not given due attention to the human rights violations that the authorities themselves have perpetuated and condone," Sison said.

Murphy also said that the report has an impact in gaining more support for the Philippines from the international community.

"Clearly a report like this gives a lot of strength to the critics of Duterte and really weakens those people trying to defend him," he said.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/741436/un-report-is-damning-indictment-of-human-rights-situation-in-the-philippines-say-advocates/story/

Philippine Govt Forces Kill BIFF Militants in Southern Firefight

From BenarNews (Jun 5, 2020): Philippine Govt Forces Kill BIFF Militants in Southern Firefight



Abu Misry Mama (center), spokesman of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters militant group, speaks during an interview with selected members of the media in Maguindanao, Philippines, March 28, 2014.  AFP

At least five suspected militants linked with a pro-Islamic State group were killed, and an enemy commander and at least 13 others were captured, after a fierce gunbattle with government forces in the southern Philippines, the military said Friday.

Nine combatants from the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) were also wounded in the encounter
on Thursday in Lambayong, a town in Sultan Kudarat province, officials said.

The army initiated the fighting, which was
aimed at flushing out Tugali Guiamal Galmak, a leader of a BIFF faction, said Col. Joel Mamon, commander of the 601st Brigade.

“Tugali is an armed lawless group commander and a former member of the Pentagon kidnap for ransom group operating in central Mindanao,”
Mamon said.

Tugali was among the enemy fighters who surrendered.


“Five enemy combatants were KIA,” according to a military incident report on the gunbattle.

Composed of former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels who had turned to banditry, Pentagon was a gang of armed militants who once operated in Mindanao. It specialized in kidnappings-for-ransom, but had also lent fighters to other groups that would eventually form the nexus of a group allied with the IS, military intelligence said.

Mamon said the troops clashed with Tugali’s group Thursday, leading to the rebel casualties and the capture of the militant leader. There were no casualties on the government side.

The BIFF, a militant group that has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, is a breakaway faction of the MILF, the country’s former largest separatist group, which ceased to be a rebel group after it signed a peace deal with Manila several years ago.

Anti-terror bill

The fighting occurred against the backdrop of intense debates over an anti-terror law that the Philippine Congress passed earlier this week. As of late Friday, President Rodrigo Duterte had yet to sign the legislation, which amends the country’s Human Security Act to make it tougher for would-be terrorists.

The legislation, however, is opposed by human rights advocates who allege that Duterte may use the law to crack down on critics and opposition members questioning his administration’s war on drugs, which has left thousands dead since he assumed power.

On Friday, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon sought to allay widespread fears that the new law would be used against political opponents of the Duterte administration. He noted that many terror groups still operate in the south, despite the military routing pro-Islamic State militants who took over the southern city of Marawi for five months in 2017.

“Mindanao has been a victim of terrorism in various iterations,” Esperon, a former military chief, said. “Be it through suicide bombings or through the proliferation of Dawlah Islamiya and other extremist groups,” he said, using the local term for the IS.

The fact that foreign militants had managed to infiltrate the south “is proof that our present laws have failed to address the problems of modern terrorism,” he said.

https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/philippine/BIFF-militants-killed-06052020130218.html

4 killed, 17 wounded in Sulu clash

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 6, 2020): 4 killed, 17 wounded in Sulu clash (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)



Troops of the Joint Task Force Sulu are tracking down the group of Abu Sayyaf leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan as fresh clash broke out in the province of Sulu, an official disclosed Saturday.

Maj. Arvin John Encinas, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) spokesperson, said four soldiers were killed while 17 others wounded
in the firefight that broke out around 8:25 a.m. Friday in Sitio Lagaron, Barangay Kan-Ague, Patikul, Sulu.

Encinas said the firefight ensued when the troops encountered around 40 Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits led by Sawadjaan while in combat operation in the area.
He said two of the ASG bandits were killed based on the report the troops received from the villagers.

He said the firefight last
ed for about 40 minutes after which the ASG bandits fled toward the southeast direction.

Encinas did not release the identities of the slain and wounded soldiers except to say they belong to the Army’s 6th Special Forces Battalion.

Military operations continue in the province of Sulu to rescue the remaining hostages in the hands of the ASG bandits.

The Sulu-based ASG bandits are still holding captives five Indonesian fishermen they seized off the waters of Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia on January 17.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1105119

Covid-19 positive Army exec turns over reins

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 6, 2020): Covid-19 positive Army exec turns over reins (By Divina Suson)



An Army officer who survived the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) twice handed over his command responsibility on Friday through a televised change of command ceremony inside the headquarters of the 1st Infantry Division (1ID) in Camp Sang-an Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur.

Col. Froilan Labador turned over the reins of the 1ID's Service Support Battalion (SSBn) to Lt. Col. Abdelhalim Sakilan while he was inside a quarantine facility of the camp.

Captain Clint Antipala, 1ID Division Public Affairs Officer (DPAO), said Labador will occupy a higher position after his promotion during the quarantine.


Labador is on quarantine after testing positive for Covid-19 for the second time in May. He was subjected to a repeat confirmatory test that resulted in a negative finding on May 29. His third round of 14-day quarantine will be completed on June 12.

Labador first tested positive for the virus early in March and recovered, only to be infected two months later.

In his teleconference speech, Labador thanked the command for the "trust and confidence entrusted" in him “and the unparalleled support even on the downside of his health condition.”

"Despite my health status and even if we were not in the forefront, our unified efforts, with the best of our abilities, we've provided essential Logistic Service Support to the troops and units of the Command," Labador said in the DPAO statement.

“He also thanked his troops who remained loyal and professional on their sworn duties”, Antipala said.

Sakilan, meanwhile, assured commitment to accomplish the goals of the battalion.

Col. Pompeyo Jason Almagro, 1ID chief of staff, who represented the division commander, Maj. Gen. Gene Ponio, thanked Labador for his contributions to the unit.

"You have done your part and have immensely played a vital role in the attainment of the Division's mission. You remained strong and determined to beat the Covid-19 and professionally continued your responsibilities as the commanding officer of the SSBN", said Ponio in a message read by Almagro.

Ponio also directed the troops to support the new battalion commander "in all his undertakings."

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1105105