Kalinaw News: 2 NPA remnants of Gingoog running gun battle surrender to 23IB

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jun 17, 2020): 2 NPA remnants of Gingoog running gun battle surrender to 23IB (By 4th Infantry Division)



BANCASI, Butuan City – Two (2) CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs) who are survivors of the running gun battle against the government troops in Sitio Kalipay, Gingoog City surrendered to the 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion under the operational control of the 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade last June 10, 2020 at Headquarters 23IB Jamboree Site, P-6 Brgy Alubihid, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte.

The surrenderers were identified as alias Michael and alias Niko (true name withheld), former members of Sandatahang Yunit Propaganda (SYP) Kingdom, Guerilla Front (GF) 4A, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC).

Since said clashes, government troops conducted combat operations and relentlessly pursued the remnants who survived the gun battles. These operations were complemented with constant dialogues and information campaign awareness with the Brgy officials, IP leaders, local residents and relatives of NPA members to entice them to surrender.

It can be recalled that troops of the 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion under the 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade spearheaded the series of skirmishes on May 10 – 12, 2020 against more or less seventy (70) CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs) belonging to the Guerrilla Front (GF) 4A of the North Central Mindanao Committee after responding to reports from the local residents of the CNT’s presence and extortion activities in the area. Said skirmishes resulted to the killing of sixteen (16) CNTs to include four (4) top ranking communist NPA leaders that brought them to the brink of collapse.

Said CNTs revealed that they were devastated after recalling said incident where they fled towards different directions, disoriented and running away for their lives. “We’re in chaos”, this was the very short confession of alias Michael after an IP leader brought them to the 23IB Headquarters. He added that due to their defeat in said firefight that killed their top leaders, other remaining CNTs were dislocated and decided to lay low without any idea on how to rebuild their group as their masses have already ceased giving support.

Believing that there is no hope for them and embracing the fate they took when they surrender to the troops, alias Michael and alias Niko revealed an arm cache hidden along their escape route and led the 23IB troopers to its location at the mountainous area near the encounter site in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental.

The troops successfully recovered four (4) high-powered firearms namely: one (1) AK47 rifle, one (1) M14 rifle, one (1) M16 rifle, and one (1) M1 Garand rifle; numerous magazines and ammunitions; assorted medicines; subversive documents; and, other personal belongings.

Since January 2020, a total of forty-four (44) CNTs and eight (8) members of UGMO and its supporters have surrendered and returned to the folds of the law while nineteen (19) were killed and nineteen (19) apprehended during combat operations and support to law enforcement operations, respectively.

In his statement, Brigadier General Maurito L Licudine AFP, Commander of the 402nd Brigade said, “The CNTs operating in the boundary of Agusan del Norte and Misamis Oriental is in the brink of collapse. Presently they are leaderless and in disarray. We will relentlessly pursue them to either decimate them or force them to surrender.”

[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/2-npa-remnants-of-gingoog-running-gun-battle-surrender-to-23ib/

NPAs set heavy equipment on fire in T’boli town

From the Manila Bulletin (Jun 16, 2020): NPAs set heavy equipment on fire in T’boli town (By Joseph Jubelag)

Suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels torched a fleet of heavy equipment owned by a private contractor in a hinterland village in T’boli town last Monday, June 15.



Photo via Joseph Jubelag / MANILA BULLETIN

South Cotabato Police Director Col. Jemuel Siason said four armed suspects believed to be members of NPA-Guerilla Front 72 set on fire heavy equipment consisting of a pay loader, back hoe and dump truck owned by Gemma Construction Corporation at a quarry site in Barangay Edwards in T’boli town at about 3 p.m. Monday.

Police said the suspects reportedly ordered the heavy equipment operators to leave before they poured gasoline and set the equipment on fire.

Authorities placed the damage at P20 million.

Police said the suspects told the operators that they will not be harmed as they only wanted to burn the equipment because the contractor was indebted to them.

Police said the contractor could have earned the ire of the rebel group for failing to pay revolutionary taxes.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/06/16/npas-set-heavy-equipment-on-fire-in-tboli-town/

A reprieve for the US–Philippines military alliance

Posted to the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) Strategist (Jun 16, 2020): A reprieve for the US–Philippines military alliance (By Malcolm Cook)

Long waits can let cooler heads prevail and reverse hot-headed decisions.

In January, President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines threatened to terminate the 1998 Philippine–US Visiting Forces Agreement—a treaty-level pact that provides the operational framework for the alliance between the two countries—unless the White House reversed the cancellation of Philippine Senator Ronald dela Rosa’s visitor visa. Dela Rosa is a close confidant of Duterte and the chief architect of his signature ‘war on drugs’.

On 11 February, the Philippine government informed the US embassy in Manila that it planned to withdraw from the VFA. That move triggered the agreement’s 180-day cooling off period before termination.

Fifteen weeks later, on 1 June, the Philippine government sent a letter to the US embassy in Manila freezing the countdown to termination until at least 1 December 2020. Fortunately, the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty and 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the two countries offer even longer periods for reconsideration. Both stipulate a one-year cooling off period in their termination clauses.

The 1 June temporary suspension came about despite the US side disappointing Duterte over his friend’s cancelled visa. The VFA, and by extension the US–Philippine alliance, will be safer from 1 December onwards if Duterte is disappointed again. He could be stripped of his power of termination. On 9 March, a majority of senators filed a petition with the country’s supreme court arguing that concurrence of the senate is required for terminating the VFA. The court has yet to hear this petition. If the court rules in favour of the senators, the VFA may well be taken off its suspended death clock.

It’s hard to envision a majority of senators supporting termination of the agreement, particularly given the depth of Philippine public opinion in favour of the US and against China. Duterte cannot run for re-election in 2022. Despite a super-majority of senators being aligned with the president, the Senate hasn’t done as he would wish before. Unlike the more pliant House of Representatives, the Senate has repeatedly blocked the president’s push for a federalist constitution and for reinstating the death penalty.

The supreme court, belying criticisms of being beholden to the president, also has issued rulings not favoured by the executive. In April 2019, it ruled against the solicitor-general and ordered the release of police files on thousands of alleged victims of the war on drugs.

It’s unlikely that US President Donald Trump’s administration or its successor will strengthen Manila’s support for the VFA by addressing a deeper Philippine disappointment with the alliance. The 2012 loss of control of Scarborough Shoal within the Philippine exclusive economic zone to China, and Beijing’s subsequent building of an artificial island and military base on the Philippine continental shelf at Mischief Reef, undercut the Philippine government’s belief in the bilateral alliance.

Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana expressed this alliance angst at his 2018 end-of-year press conference when he called for a review of the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty and pondered its possible cancellation. Manila wants a clearer and broader US commitment to support the Philippines in its territorial and maritime rights disputes with China in the South China Sea. It’s not clear what the Philippines is willing to offer the US in return, beyond not threatening to walk away from the alliance. Eighteen months on from Lorenzana’s call for a review, none has been announced.

The fate of the VFA and the US–Philippine alliance matters to Australia, the only other country with a status-of-forces agreement with the Philippines. Australia’s defence relationship with the Philippines works best when US–Philippine defence relations are strong. In 2017, Australia, under its agreement with the Philippines, provided vital aid to the country’s armed forces during the terrorist siege of Marawi City. Australian support complemented the much greater support provided by American forces under the VFA that no other country could have provided. Japan is currently negotiating a status-of-forces agreement with the Philippines; termination of the VFA could certainly dampen Tokyo’s interest.

Duterte’s disappointments with the US and the bilateral alliance were behind his January threats and his February decision to withdraw from the VFA. Disappointing Duterte again with a supreme court ruling in favour of the Senate may be the best way to ensure that the temporary suspension is transformed into a reversal of this ill-considered decision. Cooler heads then will have prevailed to the benefit of the Philippines, the US, Australia, Japan and Southeast Asia.

The author spoke at ASPI’s webinar on 16 June on the changing nature of Philippines–US defence relations, along with ASPI senior analyst Huong Le Thu; Jingdong Yuan, associate professor at the University of Sydney; John Powers, executive director of Intel Dynamics; and John Coyne, head of ASPI’s Strategic Policing and Law Enforcement and the North and Australia’s Security programs.

[Malcolm Cook is a visiting senior fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore. Image: US Indo-Pacific Command/Flickr.]

https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/a-reprieve-for-the-us-philippines-military-alliance/

The U.S. Must Maintain Its Defense Agreement with the Philippines

Posted to the National Review (Jun 15, 2020): The U.S. Must Maintain Its Defense Agreement with the Philippines (By MICHAEL FUMENTO)

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte salutes while passing the honour guards during the 120th Philippine Navy anniversary in Metro Manila, Philippines, May 22, 2018. (Romeo Ranoco/Reuters)Washington needs its allies in the region as China seeks to expand.

Filipino president Rodrigo Duterte has just breathed new life into his nation’s Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States. That’s excellent news, because you don’t have to believe that China designed the COVID-19 virus to see that it’s been taking advantage of it — and showing us the future if the U.S. and its allies don’t stand strong. That includes the Philippines, America’s oldest ally in the region.

We all know that China took advantage of the world’s pandemic to declare an end to the more than two decades of what was essentially Hong Kong autonomy. Beijing has been flexing its muscles elsewhere as well during that time. Specifically with the Philippines, it just edged further into the disputed Spratly Islands, by creating two new districts on artificial islands as well as by designating an administration center.”

That’s why it was strange that Duterte in February announced that within six months the Philippines would abrogate the treaty with the United States unless the two countries renegotiated it — and just as strange that President Trump responded by saying that would be “fine” because “we’ll save a lot of money.”

Under the VFA, U.S. military aircraft and vessels are allowed free entry into the Philippines. U.S. military personnel are subject to relaxed visa and passport policies. Abrogating the agreement would put at risk roughly 300 joint military exercises and engagements, says R. Clarke Cooper, U.S. assistant secretary of state for political-military affairs.

The VFA is not the entire Mutual Defense Treaty, signed in 1951, but it’s the “nuts and bolts,” Derek Grossman, senior defense analyst with the RAND Corporation told Voice of America. The Mutual Defense Treaty would be severely weakened, and the Chinese regime would be delighted.

China has been fairly open about its aim to take over the world within a generation. Economically, that is. But it sees staking a military claim to anything nearby as a step toward that goal — especially in the South China Sea, where the Philippines lie.

That’s where the regime has been aggressively seeking to expand against not only the Philippines but many other countries, including Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei. Indeed, those islands that China has just pushed further into were awarded to the Philippines four years ago by an intergovernmental arbitration panel.

Without allies, the U.S. cannot contain the fast-growing nation of 1.4 billion. Yet relations with South Korea have cooled so much that last year it signed a defense agreement with China — ironic given that the U.S. is technically at war with China because of Korea. Guam with its naval and airbases is vital, but also vulnerable. Of eleven U.S. supercarriers, only three or four are available at any one time and may be called on to defend Taiwan.

Further, the Philippines’ 7,000 islands covered with thick jungle canopies have long been refuges for terrorists and other subversives, now including ISIS. U.S. troops aren’t allowed to engage them directly, but noncombat aid is necessary to keeping them in check. ISIS anywhere is a threat to the U.S. and the world.

Duterte first announced his intention to abrogate the treaty under President Obama, who did nothing about it. But it was Duterte’s 2018 trip to China — during which he received promises of aid for building infrastructure (possible) and sharing the disputed islands (highly doubtful) — that really led to this. Again, taking advantage of COVID-19, China is sending goodies to the Philippines such as medical equipment and supplies.

Given events in Syria and Ukraine, Duterte could also be worried about the strength of the U.S. commitment. When America gives some allies reasons to mistrust it, the others notice.

But this sudden Duterte turnaround, even though it’s just a suspension of what’s technically a still-intended move, indicates that the Filipino president is rethinking the whole thing. There’s no other explanation. He knows the Chinese government never does anything out of the goodness of a heart it doesn’t have.

It gives more time for him and Trump (or possibly Trump’s successor, depending on the outcome of the November election) to negotiate a deal to preserve the VFA. And a lot of people are urging them to use what Trump has called “a great relationship” between them to get the job done.

Current and former officials in both countries want to keep the VFA. U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper called abrogating the agreement “a move in the wrong direction.” Albert del Rosario, a former foreign-affairs secretary for the Philippines, says that abrogation would be a “national tragedy.” The Philippines shouldn’t be “casting aside a long time reliable ally in favor of an aggressive neighbor that has been blatantly demonstrating its lack of respect for international law,” he said in a statement.

Del Rosario isn’t the only Filipino who feels this way. After all, Americans and Filipinos have strong historic ties: They fought side by side from 1941 to 1945, shedding blood and losing lives to throw out brutal Japanese invaders. Filipinos haven’t forgotten. Indeed, the nation to which they still feel closest couldn’t be farther away geographically, and English is one of the two official languages of the country.

Neither Duterte nor Trump may intend to end this needed relationship. But if they’re not careful, those hard-won ties can unravel. Today the Philippines, those 7,000 islands, and its over 100 million people are still vital to American interests. And this time, if we lose them, to paraphrase General Douglas MacArthur, we shall not return.

[MICHAEL FUMENTO is an attorney, author, and journalist who writes frequently on military issues and is a current resident of the Philippines. His Website is WWW.FUMENTO.COM.]

https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/06/united-states-philippines-defense-agreement-vital-containing-china/

AFP assures adequate pay, benefits for personnel

From the Manila Bulletin (Jun 15, 2020): AFP assures adequate pay, benefits for personnel (By Martin Sadongdong)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) to ensure that its 193,000-strong personnel are provided with sufficient remuneration.



Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) (MANILA BULLETIN)

General Felimon Santos Jr., AFP Chief of Staff, spearheaded the signing of the pact with ECC representatives, led by Stella Zipagan-Banawis, executive director, and lawyer Jonathan Villasoto, deputy executive director, at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

Under the agreement, Santos said that continuous dialogues with AFP units, offices, and commands will be facilitated by the ECC for the implementation of programs and services that the military and civilian employees need.

The ECC will also conduct seminars on the Employees’ Compensation Program (ECP), a package of benefits given to employees and their dependents in the event of work-connected contingencies such as sickness, injury, disability or death.

“Through this memorandum of agreement, both the AFP and ECC will ascertain that AFP personnel are well-informed of their rights, privileges, and benefits, which they are entitled to,” Santos said.

“The initiated policies and guidelines in this program ensure that privileges and benefits are received by everyone who deserves it. This is a great advantage for our soldiers that their welfare is being promoted through the ECC’s advocacies,” he added.

ECC is a government corporation attached to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for policy coordination and guidance.

It is mandated to ensure that every Filipino employee is well-compensated whether they work for public or private sector.

Santos said the agreement will take effect upon the approval and signing of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/06/15/afp-assures-adequate-pay-benefits-for-personnel/

Philippines Hunting Suspected Militants in Deadly Attack on Sulu Police Station

From BenarNews (Jun 15, 2020): Philippines Hunting Suspected Militants in Deadly Attack on Sulu Police Station (Jeoffrey Maitem)

Soldiers and policemen keep watch near white bags holding the bodies of people killed in a bomb blast outside a church in Jolo, the capital of Sulu province in the southern Philippines, Jan. 27, 2020.  AFP

Two Filipino policemen and a suspected militant with links to Islamic State extremists were killed in separate incidents in the southern Philippines over the weekend, and a manhunt was under way, officials said Monday.

Men believed to be members of the Abu Sayyaf Group opened fire at a police station in Parang, a town on Jolo Island in Sulu province on Saturday, leading to casualties on the police side, said Col. Michael Bawayan, the provincial police chief.

“We dispatched our men to track down the perpetrators who were seen retreating to nearby Indanan town,” Bawayan said. Three officers were wounded apart from the two slain policemen, who were identified as Patrolman Arjun Putalan and Corp. Mudar Salamat, he said.

National police chief Gen. Archie Gamboa deployed police commandos to Sulu as he ordered a manhunt against the suspects.

“I directed my men to launch hot pursuit operations and an investigation in coordination with our counterparts from the Armed Forces of the Philippines to bring the suspects to justice,” Gamboa said in a statement.

Also on Saturday, a member of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters militant group under the command of commander Imam Bungos was killed and five other BIFF suspects were captured during a clash with soldiers in Midsayap town in North Cotabato province, according to regional military commander Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon.

“The soldiers were responding to reports about the presence of gunmen in Lomopog village when fired upon by the BIFF, triggering a 30-minute running gun battle,” Carreon said.

BIFF is a splinter faction of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front group, a former rebel group that signed a peace deal with Manila and now administers an autonomous Muslim region in the southern Philippines. BIFF is one of several Philippine groups that have pledged allegiance to Islamic State (IS).

The weekend’s violence occurred amid a heated debate in the Philippines over a strengthened anti-terror law, which is awaiting President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature after Congress passed a related bill earlier this month. Human rights groups and members of the opposition warn that his administration could use provisions in the proposed law to go after the president’s critics, although government officials have assured the public this would not be the case.

The Abu Sayyaf is the smallest of several armed groups operating in the Philippine south. Abu Sayyaf figures allied with IS and foreign militants led a takeover of the southern city of Marawi in 2017. They were defeated five months later after a battle with Philippine forces that killed an estimated 1,200 militants, soldiers and civilians.

In January 2019, an Abu Sayyaf unit helped two Indonesian suicide bombers attack a church on Jolo in twin bombings that killed 23 people during a Sunday Mass service.

https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/philippine/southern-violence-06152020070424.html

350 PMA plebes test negative for Covid-19

From the Sun Star-Baguio (Jun 16, 2020): 350 PMA plebes test negative for Covid-19 (By LAUREN ALIMONDO)



WELCOME. The 350 cadets of PMA Class 2024 on Monday undergo traditional reception rites which deviated from the usual ceremony with the upperclassmen as facilitators in view of the new normal. Selected PMA officers and a few upperclassmen were designated to facilitate on the ground and record the performance of the incoming cadets. (PMA photo)

THE 350 newly commissioned members of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 2024 arrived at the Fort Gregorio Del Pilar in Baguio City and tested negative for Covid-19, PMA said.

On Monday morning, the plebes formally took their oath as new members of the Cadet Corps of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (CCAFP).

The traditional reception rites for the incoming cadets were closed to the public including parents, relatives and media due to Covid-19 protocols.

"The 350 incoming cadets are all aboard Fort del Pilar now, all accounted for and all Covid-19 free. Today at 9:30 am, we will do the traditional reception rites to mark the start of their journey as cadets. There will be no live streaming," PMA added.

On Sunday, PMA Superintendent Vice Admiral Allan Ferdinand Cusi disclosed before the travel of 350 cadets to the Summer Capital from their respective areas, they were subsequently tested for Covid-19 via swab test and were only allowed to travel if they tested negative.

He said on June 15, the cadets were formally received and will start formal military training with an oath-taking as new members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

He added that a simple reception ceremony was designed to test and gauge basic physical strength before the start of the training.

"This will also be the start of their regimented military life and their gradual transformation as professional and disciplined young military leaders,” Cusi said.

Cusi assured PMA will continue to strive to ensure that every member of the CCAFP and the whole team of the military academy will be safe, healthy and be free from Covid-19 following the strict observance of public health safety and quarantine protocols.

More than 33,000 took the entrance exams with more than 1,600 passing the initial tests and completing the physical examination and physical fitness test.

Out of the 1,600, 350 made it to the final list.

The cadets will graduate in 2024 where they will be joining one of the three main branches of service of AFP, the Army, the Navy and the Air Force.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1860257/Baguio/Local-News/350-PMA-plebes-test-negative-for-Covid-19

Opinion: The risk of downplaying Chinese gray zone operations against the Philippines

Opinion piece posted to the Business World (Jun 16, 2020): The risk of downplaying Chinese gray zone operations against the Philippines (By Dr. Renato De Castro)


PHILSTAR/EPA


One year ago, at midnight of June 9, 2019, a Chinese fishing vessel suddenly rammed and sank a wooden Filipino fishing boat, the F/B Gim Vir 1, which was anchored at the Reed Bank. The captain of the ill-fated Gim Vir 1 claimed that the incident was deliberate since the crew of the Chinese vessel saw his fishing vessel before the collision. Ship captain Jonnel Insigne observed that the Chinese vessel turned its lights on seconds before it rammed the Gim Vir 1. It fled the scene with its lights off after the smaller and wooden Filipino boat began to sink with all its catch and equipment.

He told reporters that they expected the Chinese crew would pick them out of the water after their boat sank. The Chinese vessel, however, immediately left the Filipinos alone in the dark, cold, and dangerous waters of the South China Sea. The 22 Filipino fishermen abandoned their boat and struggled to keep themselves afloat and alive for more than six hours. Fortunately, a Vietnamese fishing vessel rescued all the Filipino fishermen.

SPOOKING THE PHILIPPINE NAVY

On Aug. 15, 2019, Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana announced the incursion of several People’s Liberation Army’s Navy (PLAN) warships into the country’s territorial waters without prior coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Based on an AFP report written after a routine Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) operation in the southern Philippine island of Tawi-Tawi, the four Chinese warships passed through the country’s porous southern backdoor. It was then observed that the ships’ sailing pattern appeared to be highly suspicious as they were zigzagging and not sailing straight as civilian ships should do when performing the rights of innocent passage. Thus, these warships’ transit in Philippine waters could not be considered innocent passage because they followed a curved course. Secretary Lorenzana opined that China was taunting the Philippines because the Chinese warships’ Automatic Identification System (AIS) was switched off and ignored the radio communications from the AFP units that were observing their passage in Sibutu Straits in Tawi-Tawi.

On Feb. 17 this year, a PLAN corvette directed its Gun Control Director (GCD) against the Philippine Navy’s (PN) newly acquired anti-submarine corvette the BRP Conrado Yap (PS-39) in the Spratlys. While it was on its way to Rizal (Commodore Reef) Reef Detachment, the BRP Conrad Yap established radar contact with another gray ship, a PLAN corvette with bow number 514. The PS-39 visually observed that PLAN ship’s GCD was pointed on it. The GCD is a mechanical or electronic computer that continuously calculates trigonometric firing solutions used to designate and to track potential targets and transmits targeting data to direct the weapon firing crew. The BRP Conrado Yap’s crew members claimed that the Chinese ship’s gun-firing mechanism was aimed at them. If the corvette’s GCD was indeed pointed at the PS-39, then this is the first time that a PLAN warship directly threatened a Philippine public vessel in the South China Sea.

CHINESE GRAY ZONE OPERATIONS

These maritime incidents are examples of Chinese gray operations conducted against the Philippines. Gray zone operations are “actions in the sea that often blur the between military and non-military platforms, actions, and attribution for events, and are often, but not always, undertaken to advance China’s territorial claims.” They are conducted to keep Chinese aggression at sea below the level of actual naval operation and are performed hidden behind the cloak of deniability. These complicate the littoral states’ ability to effectively respond to China’s expansion in the South China Sea.

Unfortunately, the country’s political leaders have down-played these gray operations conducted against Filipino fishing boats and naval vessels. In the aftermath of the June 9 F/B Gim Vir 1 incident, President Rodrigo Duterte adopted and even parroted the Chinese foreign ministry’s position that “it was an ordinary maritime traffic incident.” Secretary Lorenzana dismissed the Feb. 17 PN-PLAN incident in the West Philippine Sea as a routine matter given that the Chinese navy has no intention of hurting Filipinos even after its corvette directed its GCD against the BRP Conrado Yap. He even asserted his view that China would never attack Philippine vessels and aircraft passing through the disputed waters.

Downplaying or ignoring these incidents enables China to advance its agenda of maritime expansion through distinctly subtle aggressive actions that do not generate serious and effective responses from targeted states like the Philippines. Thus, China finds no more need to embark on a major naval operation to control the disputed waters because it has no need for it. China will eventually gain virtual control over the fishing grounds and strategic waterways in the South China Sea without sparking open conflicts with the littoral states of Southeast Asia.

[Dr. Renato de Castro is a trustee and convenor of the National Security and East Asian Affairs Program of the Stratbase ADR Institute.]

https://www.bworldonline.com/the-risk-of-downplaying-chinese-gray-zone-operations-against-the-philippines/

NPA rebels kill cop in Iloilo town

From the Manila Bulletin (Jun 16, 2020): NPA rebels kill cop in Iloilo town (By Tara Yap)

A police officer was killed in Tubungan town, Iloilo province June 15 by armed men, who identified themselves as members of the New People’s Army (NPA).

The victim was identified as Master Sergeant Arnel Paurillo, who was assigned at the Tubungan Municipal Police Station (Tubungan MPS), and detached service with the Provincial Drugs Enforcement Unit (PDEU) of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO).

Tubungan MPS Chief Lieutenant Jose Romel Samson said Paurillo was killed by four armed men in Teniente Benito village while waiting for an intelligence operative to arrest a wanted person.

Citing witnesses, Samson said the four NPA rebels shot Paurillo several times without any provocation. The policeman died on the spot.

Police Regional Office (PRO-6) Director Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan ordered for an in-depth investigation on Paurillo’s death.

Meanwhile, the IPPO hierarchy has condemned Paurillo’s killing under the hands of NPA rebels.

“We are deeply saddened by the death of Master Sergeant Paurillo in the course of fulfilling his duty to enforce the law and fight criminality,” said IPPO Director Colonel Paul Kenneth Lucas.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/06/16/npa-rebels-kill-cop-in-iloilo-town/

After setbacks, PH Navy completes Middle East, India, Sri Lanka mission

From Rappler (Jun 16, 2020): After setbacks, PH Navy completes Middle East, India, Sri Lanka mission (By JC Gotinga)

Naval Task Force 82 set out to evacuate Filipinos from impending war in the Middle East but ended up facing a pandemic, a super cyclone, and engine fire. Now, they're finally home.



SAFELY HOME. The Navy's BRP Davao del Sur and BRP Ramon Alcaraz are back in the Philippines after a 5-month deployment to the Middle East, India, and Sri Lanka. Photo from the Philippine Navy

Originally meant to save Filipinos from impending war in the Middle East, the sailors, marines, and reservists of Naval Task Force 82 instead dealt with a pandemic, a super cyclone, and fire in the engine room.

Five months since their mission began, the task force aboard the landing dock ship BRP Davao del Sur and the patrol ship BRP Ramon Alcaraz finally pulled into Manila Bay on Independence Day, June 12. On Tuesday, June 16, they were given the official welcome home at the Manila South Harbor by the military top brass and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

The sailors brought home 31 Filipinos who were stranded in India and Sri Lanka, and some 200,000 face masks from India donated by businessman Paul Dantes.

The task force headed by Colonel Noel Beleran left the Philippines in January and sailed for Oman. The January 3 US drone attack on the airport in Baghdad that killed Iranian military general Qasem Soleimani had threatened to plunge the Middle East into war, and the Philippine government sent the two ships to help repatriate Filipinos in the region.

Tensions in the Middle East cooled and evacuating Filipinos became unnecessary – until the coronavirus pandemic crept in. The naval task force remained in Oman for weeks awaiting orders.

The Davao del Sur and the Ramon Alcaraz then set sail for India, arriving in the Port of Cochin on May 6. They collected the 200,000 face masks in 59 cargo boxes, and 19 Filipino tourists who got stranded when international travel was restricted because of the pandemic.

Both ships pulled out of Cochin the following day, May 7, to head home to Manila. A few hours into the voyage, fire broke out briefly in the main engine room of the Ramon Alcaraz, forcing it to head back to Cochin. Two sailors suffered burns, and had to be hospitalized.



TOP BRASS. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, military chief General Felimon Santos Jr, and Navy chief Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo welcomed Naval Task Force 82 at the Manila South Harbor on June 16, 2020. Photo from the Philippine Navy

Although it was not ideal to sail without an escort, the Davao del Sur, which carried the repatriates and the cargo, continued the voyage to Manila while the Ramon Alcaraz stayed in India for repairs.

But while the Davao del Sur was sailing through the Bay of Bengal in mid-May, Super Cyclone Amphan began to form and shaped up to become one of the most devastating storms the region has seen in years. The Davao del Sur, too, had to turn back to Cochin.

Back in tandem, the two ships finally left Cochin under clear skies on May 27. They stopped by the Port of Colombo in Sri Lanka on May 29 to pick up 12 more stranded Filipino tourists and workers.

The 31 repatriates were accommodated in separate cabins on the Davao del Sur, where they were monitored for COVID-19 by the Navy’s medical crew. They had completed the 14-day mandatory quarantine by the time they reached Manila Bay, and none of them showed symptoms of the disease, the Navy said.

Upon docking in Manila, the sailors, marines, and reservists of the task force were swab-tested for the coronavirus. The Navy said it would coordinate with local governments to send the 31 repatriates home.

The voyage was “an all-time first for the Philippine Navy,” Beleran said. The Davao del Sur and the Ramon Alcaraz are among the Philippine Fleet’s newer vessels – products of the military’s modernization program – and the mission could not have been done without them.

At Tuesday’s ceremony, Lorenzana commended the task force’s members “for a job well done.”

Meanwhile, in Subic, Zambales, the Navy’s brand new, first-ever missile-capable frigate, the BRP Jose Rizal, was scheduled to begin technical and acceptance inspections on Tuesday or Wednesday, June 17, according to Navy chief Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/264000-philippine-navy-completes-middle-east-india-sri-lanka-mission

TF Davao gives out leaflets to vendors

From the Mindanao Times (Jun 16, 2020): TF Davao gives out leaflets to vendors (BY RHODA GRACE SARON)

The Task Force Davao continues its mandate to fight terrorism by distributing information materials in the different wet markets in the city.

The contingent distributed Tapat ko, Bantay ko leaflets to the vendors and stall owners on June 11 in support of its anti-terrorism directive.

According to the press statement, the soldiers distributed 1,100 pieces of leaflets. They also reached out to 185 stall owners in Bankerohan, Piapi, Lasang, Tibungco, Bunawan, and Agdao public markets.

The objectives of Tapat ko Bantay ko is to encourage vendors and stall owners to practice and observe the culture of security to help Davao City in its anti-terrorism campaign. They will serve as the eyes and ears of the authorities, thereby contributing to the safety of the public markets.

They were asked to be vigilant of suspicious persons, illegally parked vehicles, and unattended packages or bags. The vendors are then asked to report to the authorities for appropriate action.

https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2020/06/16/tf-davao-gives-out-leaflets-to-vendors/

By yearend 2019, terrorists in Mindanao had been “weakened” and could “no longer do a Marawi-type operation”

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 16, 2020): By yearend 2019, terrorists in Mindanao had been “weakened” and could “no longer do a Marawi-type operation” (By CAROLYN O. ARGUILLAS)

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 15 June) – In November last year, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, then the concurrent martial law administrator, declared he was not in favor of a fourth extension of martial law in Mindanao beyond December 31, 2019 because “matagal na masyado” (it has taken so long) and because terrorists “can no longer do a Marawi-type operation.”

On December 10, then Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo told Malacanang reporters that President Rodrigo Duterte was not going to ask Congress to extend martial law because based on the assessment of security forces and defense advisers “the terrorists and extremist rebellion have been weakened as a result of the capture or neutralization of their leaders; as well as there has been a decrease in the index crime.”

Martial law over Mindanao’s 27 provinces and 33 cities, supposedly imposed for a period of 60 days only, indeed took so long: 952 days when it ended on December 31, 2019 after three extensions. President Duterte declared martial law while in Moscow, on Day 1 of the Marawi Siege on May 23, 2017.



Within the 952 days of martial law in Mindanao, the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao – the enabling act of the 2014 peace agreement between government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) – the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro — was passed and signed into law in July 2018. It was ratified in January 2019 and by February, the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, the body that would govern the BARMM until the first elected officials shall have taken their oath by noon of June 30, 2022, were sworn into office by President Duterte.

The establishment of the BARMM also paved the way for the decommissioning, by phases, of a total of 40,000 combatants and 7,000 weapons of the MILF’s armed wing, the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces.

By February 2020, local government units in Mindanao had started preparing their respective areas to prevent the entry and spread of the highly contagious coronavirus disease – COVID-19 – and by mid-March, Mindanao’s provinces and cities were all placed under different types of community quarantines.

While everyone’s attention was focused on COVID-19, reports circulated that President Duterte certified as urgent the passage of House Bill 6875 or the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020. To avoid going into a bicameral conference and further delaying the passage of the bill, the House leadership adopted the Senate version and allowed no amendments.

Why the urgency in passing an anti-terrorism bill in the midst of a COVID-19 pandemic when terrorists in Mindanao had been “weakened” and incapable of doing another “Marawi-type” of operation as of late last year and their movements have also been restricted by the community quarantines this year?

Basilan Rep. and House Deputy Speaker Mujiv Hatmaan, who was locked down in Basilan and attended sessions via Zoom, said they were also surprised. Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate said there were other urgent measures in relation to COVID-19 that were not certified as urgent when they should have been given priority.

The President sent a letter to House Speaker Allan Peter Cayetano on June 1 to expedite the passage of the bill to “address the urgent need to strengthen the law on anti-terrorism in order to adequately and effectively contain the menace of terrorist acts for the preservation of national security and the promotion of general welfare.”

MindaNews asked National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon on Monday what is the biggest terror threat given that martial law in Mindanao had in fact been lifted because terrorists “can no longer do a Marawi-type operation” and have been “weakened as a result of the capture or neutralization of their leaders.”

He sent no reply.

Lanao del Norte Rep. Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo, a staunch supporter of President Duterte’s fight against terrorism, abstained from voting on HB 6875 because he wanted to ask, among others, “how important House Bill 6875 is for our country.”

“First, I wanted to know, what is the status now? We just went through how many
years of martial law and I have reports from the Regional Peace and order Council, Provincial Peace and order Council that in the Lanao Region we have eradicated the terrorists. So what’s the status now? Why is it so urgent we have an Anti-Terrorism law? Akala ko tapos na tayo dito? (I thought we’re done with this?)

“What is the purpose and why is it so urgent to have an Anti Terrorism law?” he asked, and recalled a discussion with Lorenzana during one of the deliberations on the extension of martial on how he was going to capture terrorists outside Mindanao without the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus?

Lorenzana, he said, told him cases have been fired against the terrorists and they have standing warrants of arrest.

“If we were able to do it that way, why do we need House Bill 6875 when we have the capability and the manpower and the ability to file cases (against) terrorists at large. I wanted that answered in the plenary so that at least I have a clean conscience in voting and supporting House Bill 6875,” Dimaporo said.

Eight Mindanawon representatives voted “No” to HB 6875, citing various reasons.

But a Mindanawon who explained his “Yes” vote, also expressed apprehensions about the proposed law’s implementation.

Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said putting terrorists in custody for long periods – up to maximum of 24 days without charges as proposed by the bill — to extract valuable information from them is ideal “but for those hapless individuals who may be victimized for the flimsiest reason by abusive individuals, how will they be treated?”

“We all know from our rich political history how abusive law enforcers who are backed up by local and national politicians can arrest people on trumped up charges and destroy their lives and future and their families as well. This is the heart of the decades old rebellion that we are fighting until now, without an end in sight still,” Barbers said.

“We all want peace. We all want to run after terrorists and prevent them from sowing terror and destruction in our lives and property, but if we use this bill against innocent individuals, we ourselves commit terrorism because we wantonly violate their constitutional rights and worse, we too destroy their lives and their future,” he said. (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)

https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2020/06/by-yearend-2019-terrorists-in-mindanao-had-been-weakened-and-could-no-longer-do-a-marawi-type-operation/

AFP, DA bring services closer to rural communities

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 16, 2020): AFP, DA bring services closer to rural communities (By 1LT ARGIE CLARENCE C TORRALBA PAF)

An AFP official during the distribution of relief packs. (Photo by AFP)

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan, June 16 (PIA) - - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) have recently brought government services and other interventions closer to interior communities particularly in Rizal, Cagayan.

Through the collaboration of the members of the 355th Aviation Engineer Wing, Tactical Operations Group 2, Tactical Operations Wing Northern Luzon of the Philippine Air Force and 17th Infantry Batallion, 5th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army and DA Region 2, at least 105 households at Barangay Sinicking, Rizal have benefitted from the outreach program.

Aside from relief packs, the household-beneficiaries received Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) from the AFP and vegetable seeds as part of the Ahon Lahat, Pagkain Sapat Kontra sa COVID-19 (ALPAS COVID-19) program of DA.

A DA personnel explaining the Ahon Lahat, Pagkain Sapat Kontra sa COVID-19 (ALPAS COVID-19) program of DA to some farmers at Barangay Sinicking, Rizal. (Photo by AFP)

Meanwhile, some DA personnel also provided orientations to farmers in the area to ensure the availability and sustainability of food and to provide an alternative livelihood during the duration of the community quarantine.

Profiling of farmers in the said barangay was also conducted in order to facilitate technical support to their agricultural and other related-livelihood activities.

This collaboration between AFP and DA is in support to the government's whole-of-nation-approach in ending local communist armed conflict and one of the key strategies to address the community’s concerns and liberate them from the communist-terrorist groups' (CTGs) exploitation and deception. (ALM/PIA-Region 2/1LT ARGIE CLARENCE C TORRALBA PAF, Civil-Military Operations Officer)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1044948

PH Navy contingent returns home from 5-month deployment in Middle East

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 16, 2020): PH Navy contingent returns home from 5-month deployment in Middle East (By PN)

A simplified yet fitting arrival and welcome ceremony was accorded at Pier 15 here today, June 16 for the returning sailors, marines and reservists after their five-month deployment in the Middle East for humanitarian missions. (Photo from PN)

SOUTH HARBOR, Manila, June 16 -- A simplified yet fitting arrival and welcome ceremony was accorded at Pier 15 here today, June 16 for the returning sailors, marines and reservists composing the Naval Task Force (NTF) 82 onboard BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS16) and BRP Davao Del Sur (LD602) after their five-month deployment in the Middle East for humanitarian missions.

Secretary of National Defense (SND), Delfin Lorenzana, graced the ceremony as guest of honor and joined by AFP chief of staff, Gen. Felimon Santos Jr., AFP vice chief and commander of Joint Task Force (JTF) Pagpauli, Vice Adm. Gaudencio Collado Jr., Navy flag officer in command, Vice Adm. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo and other AFP senior officers.

The return of the repatriates to their residences will be coordinated with respective local government units while boxes of face masks donated by Filipino donor, Mr. Paul Dantes of LegalZoc Co. will be coordinated with the Office of Civil Defense. The repatriation and hauling of face masks were made possible with the assistance of the Philippine Embassy in India headed by Amb. Ramon Bagatsing Jr.

In his remarks, Secretary Lorenzana welcomed home the troops and lauded them "for a job well done". He underscored that this deployment "has accomplished a lot" and it showed that the government "really cares for them [OFWs]".

NTF 82 headed by Col. Noel Beleran was deployed in January this year in support to JTF Pagpauli for the repatriation of Filipinos amid the looming conflict in the Middle East. Said tension had since eased off but the coronavirus disease began to sweep across the globe which prompted NTF 82 to another mission of transporting donated face masks and repatriation of stranded Filipinos due to travel restrictions. This deployment also paved the way for reinforcing diplomatic ties with Oman, Sri Lanka and India through counterpart visits and fostering national pride through engagements with Filipino communities there.

Giving a glimpse of their journey considered as "an all time first for the Philippine Navy", Colonel Beleran recalled that "it was through prayers and sound recommendations of my staff and the solid support of the two ship captains" that they were able to address the most challenging task of "managing the morale of troops and civilian passengers after having been in lockdown and confined within ship's limits for almost three months".

The two vessels’ arrival also manifests the competency of the NTF leadership who was able to accomplish the mission and bring home the contingent and stranded Filipinos safely and COVID-free in what is considered as the farthest and longest voyage that the
PN has ever covered and sustained.

Vice Admiral Bacordo regarded this mission as a tangible outcome of the Navy's vigorous pursuit of the modernization of assets and personnel mindsets in order to provide better, efficient and prompt assistance to our fellow Filipinos wherever they are in the world.

It also magnified the importance and usefulness of reservists who voluntarily augmented this mission as subject matter experts being seasoned seafarers who have honed their exceptional expertise particularly in navigation, piloting, and marine engineering. (PN)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1044947

4 gunmen kill Iloilo cop

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 16, 2020): 4 gunmen kill Iloilo cop (By Gail Momblan)



JUSTICE FOR PAURILLO. Master Sgt. Arnel Paurillo, 42, was shot to death in Tubungan town, Iloilo on Monday evening (June 15, 2020) by alleged members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA). Brig. Gen. Rene Pamuspusan, Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 (Western Visayas) regional director, ordered an in-depth investigation. (Photo courtesy of Iloilo Police Provincial Office)

A police officer was shot to death in Tubungan town, Iloilo on Monday evening by four gunmen who introduced themselves as members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

Master Sgt. Arnel Paurillo, 42, of Brgy Bongol, San Vicente, Guimbal, Iloilo, was assigned at Tubungan PNP and on detached service with the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit of Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO).

Police reports said Paurillo was at the house of a civilian when the shooting took place.

He was waiting for an intelligence operative to plan the arrest of a wanted person at Teniente Benito village, Tubungan, Iloilo, the report said.
The Tubungan police found Paurillo lying at the kitchen floor with gunshot wounds on different parts of his body.

He was declared dead on the spot by Dr. Antonio Recodo, rural health physician of Tubungan.

In a statement on Tuesday, Brig. Gen. Rene Pamuspusan, Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 (Western Visayas) regional director, condemned the cop’s killing.

Pamuspusan ordered an in-depth investigation to identify and arrest the suspects.

He assured that witnesses will be given due protection.

"Let us continue to unite and stand against terrorism in Western Visayas so that these ruthless criminals would finally meet their end,” he said.

Paurillo entered the police service on Sept. 30, 2004.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1106025

Small exercises between US, PH troops to continue: Esperon

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 16, 2020): Small exercises between US, PH troops to continue: Esperon (By Priam Nepomuceno)



National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. (PNA photo by Joey Razon)

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., said Filipino and American forces can conduct small scale exercises even with the suspension of the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States.

"Anong epekto? Eh di meron pa ring exercises, small maneuvers, exercises on disaster relief, we will have exercises on (anti) terrorism (What will be the effects? then we will still have small maneuver exercises on disaster relief and counter-terrorism)," Esperon said in a media briefing at the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) building in Quezon City on Monday.

Even with the suspension of the VFA abrogation, he said the Philippines still has close ties with the United States.

"Malapit masyado sa atin ang Amerika (America is very close to us). People-to-people, cultural, economics, trade, marami tayong relasyon sa kanila at itong (we have a lot of relations with them and this) MDT (Mutual Defense Treaty) is just one of them and because we have long been allies, you need not forget long-time allies when you start getting more friends. We get more friends and maintain the good relations with our long-time allies," Esperon said.

The decision to suspend the abrogation of the VFA was officially communicated by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to the United States Embassy in Manila on June 1.

The VFA, established in 1999, provides a framework for a defense forces cooperation that allows joint exercises between the Philippines and the US.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte initially threatened to terminate the accord after Washington revoked the US visa of Senator Ronald dela Rosa, the former Philippine National Police chief who implemented the administration's crackdown on illegal drugs.

The campaign against illegal narcotics had been criticized by the US, with some American lawmakers introducing a Senate resolution criticizing the administration for the deaths related to the measure.

On February 11, the Philippine government officially sent the notice of VFA termination to the US Embassy in Manila.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1106010

NTF 82 lauded for successful, 'farthest' PH Navy mission

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 16, 2020): NTF 82 lauded for successful, 'farthest' PH Navy mission (By Priam Nepomuceno)



SUCCESSFUL MISSION. Defense and military officials pose for a photo during the welcome ceremony for the contingent of the Naval Task Force (NTF) 82 at the Manila South Harbor in Manila on Tuesday (June 16, 2020). The NTF 82, composed of the BRP Davao del Sur and BRP Ramon Alcaraz, transported to the country face masks donated by a Filipino businessman based in India and repatriated Filipino tourists who were stranded in India and Sri Lanka due to the Covid-19 pandemic. (Photo courtesy of Naval Public Affairs Office)

Ranking defense and military officials on Tuesday feted the contingent aboard Naval Task Force 82 for accomplishing their humanitarian mission and conducting the farthest and longest voyage of any Philippine Navy (PN) vessel in history.

The welcome ceremony for NTF 82, which consists of landing dock BRP Davao Del Sur (LD-602) and offshore patrol vessel BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS-16), took place at Pier 15, Manila South Harbor.

"The two vessels’ arrival also manifests the competency of the NTF leadership who was able to accomplish the mission and bring home the contingent and stranded Filipinos safely and coronavirus disease 2019-free (Covid-19) in what is considered as the farthest and longest voyage that the PN has ever covered and sustained," said PN public affairs office chief, Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas, in a statement.

NTF 82 arrived in Manila Bay on June 12 and joined the celebration of the country's 122nd Independence Day.

It repatriated 18 Filipino tourists and workers in India and another 12 in Sri Lanka who were stranded due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

NTF 82 also picked up face masks in India donated by Paul Dantes of LegalZoc Co.

Roxas said the return of the repatriates to their residences will be communicated with their respective local government units while the face mask donations will be coordinated with the Office of Civil Defense.

These efforts were made possible with the assistance of the Philippine Embassy in India headed by Ambassador Ramon Bagatsing, Jr., she added.

In his speech, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana welcomed the NTF 82 contingent and lauded them "for a job well done".

He added that this deployment "has accomplished a lot" and it showed that the government "really cares for them (OFWs)".

The two ships are under Joint Task Force “Pagpauli” and were deployed to Oman last January as a contingency measure should a large evacuation of OFWs be needed following tensions between the United States and Iran.

While tensions between the two countries eased, the Covid-19 pandemic prompted NTF 82 to go on another mission of transporting donated face masks and repatriation of stranded Filipinos due to travel restrictions.

Roxas said this deployment also paved the way for reinforcing diplomatic ties with Oman, Sri Lanka, and India through counterpart visits and fostering national pride through engagements with Filipino communities there.

Meanwhile, PN flag-officer-in-command, Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo regarded this mission as a tangible outcome of the Navy's vigorous pursuit of the modernization of assets and personnel mindsets in order to provide better, efficient and prompt assistance to our fellow Filipinos wherever they are in the world.

It also magnified the importance and usefulness of reservists who voluntarily augmented this mission as subject matter experts being seasoned seafarers who have honed their exceptional expertise particularly in navigation, piloting, and marine engineering.

The two ships departed from Sultan Qaboos, Oman last April 21 and arrived in India on April 29 to fetch a donation of 200,000 pieces of face masks from a Filipino businessman based in that country, as well as 18 Filipino tourists and workers stranded due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The vessels sailed from Cochin, India on May 7 but an engine room fire aboard the BRP Ramon Alcaraz and Cyclone Amphan forced the two ships to suspend their passage home.

They left Cochin on May 27 and arrived in Colombo, Sri Lanka on May 29 to pick up 12 stranded Filipino overseas workers and tourists. The ships left the Port of Colombo midnight of May 31 for their voyage back to the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1106040