Longer, fixed term for AFP chief sought

From the Manila Bulletin (Aug 2, 2020): Longer, fixed term for AFP chief sought (y Ellson Quismorio)

A longer, fixed tenure for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff would be better for the country, said House Deputy Speaker Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel Sunday.

House Deputy Speaker Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel
(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

Pimentel said his proposed three-year tour of duty for the AFP chief of staff would help shore up the military’s overall readiness against potential foreign aggression, amid Manila’s protracted and bitter dispute with Beijing over maritime claims.

“The longer tour of duty for the AFP’s chief operational officer would be a big advantage in terms of steady preparedness, considering the persistent threat of a possible flashpoint in the West Philippine Sea,” he said.

“We are convinced that a 36-month term would allow greater stability and constancy in the execution of plans, including the AFP’s modernization program,” Pimentel noted.

President Duterte recently named Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay as the next AFP chief of staff. Gapay takes over Monday from Gen. Felimon Santos Jr.

Gapay is Duterte’s eight AFP chief of staff in his four years in office, implying a turnover every seven months.

Santos will reach the mandatory retirement age of 56 on Tuesday. Gapay himself is expected to serve as AFP head honcho for only seven months. He is due to retire on Feb. 4, 2021.

Pimentel is the author of House Bill (HB) no.4050, which provides for a fixed 36-month term for the country’s highest-ranking military officer.

Under the bill, when the AFP chief of staff reaches 56 before completing the three-year term, his or her statutory forced retirement may be deferred by the President.

“Our bill affirms the President’s absolute power – as commander-in-chief of all armed forces – to remove the chief of staff any time before the end of 36 months for loss of trust and confidence,” Pimentel said.

The 1987 Constitution does not specify a minimum or fixed tour of duty for the AFP chief of staff, other than it “shall not exceed three years,” except when extended by the President in times of war or other national emergency.

The AFP chief of staff — the most senior Filipino soldier with the rank of four-star general or admiral — has operational control over all armed service branches – the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force, and the Philippine Marine Corps.

https://mb.com.ph/2020/08/02/longer-fixed-term-for-afp-chief-sought/

Duterte to 'likely skip' AFP change of command rites

From CNN Philippines (Aug 2, 2020): Duterte to 'likely skip' AFP change of command rites (By CNN Philippines Staff)


FILE PHOTO

President Rodrigo Duterte may not attend the change of command ceremony of the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Monday, according to the military.

On Sunday, AFP spokesperson Edgard Arevalo said this was due to a "prior commitment".

"Ang information that I got from the secretary (of the AFP) Joint Staff, meron daw prior commitment ang ating Pangulo kaya hindi siya personal na makakaattend. But we're not sure yet. He may be sending his (taped) message," he said.

[Translation: The information that I got from the secretary of the AFP Joint Staff, is the President has a prior commitment so he will be unable to attend. But we're not sure yet. He may be sending his (taped) message.]

If Duterte misses the event, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana will ipreside over the ceremony, the announcement also said.

Army Chief LtGen Gilbert Gapay will take his post as the 54th AFP Chief of Staff, replacing Gen Felimon Santos Jr., who has reached his mandatory retirement age of 56.

In a statement, the AFP also said it was scaling down Monday's ceremonies due to health protocols amid rising COVID-19 cases in the country.

The President also missed last year's change of command ceremony because he has a slight fever, according to then spokesperson Salvador Panelo.

Lorenzana took the reins for Duterte last year.

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/8/2/duterte-afp-change-of-command-2020.html

Army special forces, engineers extend assistance to communities

From the Manila Bulletin (Aug 1, 2020): Army special forces, engineers extend assistance to communities (By Mike Crismundo)

BUTUAN CITY – Amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the combined forces of the Army’s Third Special Forces Battalion (3rd SFBn) and 544th Engineers Battalion (544th EBn) conducted a community outreach program (COP) in far-flung Simuwao area (Kilometer 9), Barangay Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur on Thursday.

Shown in photo are the female Army soldiers assisting the far-flung villagers during the “Serbisyo Caravan” and Community Outreach Program in far-flung community of Simuwao area, Barangay Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur on Thursday. (Photo courtesy of 3rd SFBn-CMO via Mike U. Crismundo/Manila Bulletin)
Civil Military Operations (CMO) Officer First Lt. Krisjuper Andreo J. Punsalan of the 3rd SFBn told The Manila Bulletin on Friday that the 544th EBn deployed skilled personnel, dump trucks, backhoe, and bulldozers during the COP to the highland communities.

“Our government is really concerned of the needs of our far-flung communities, especially our native farmers,” the 3rd SFBn CMO officer said.

The 544th EBn and 3rd SFBn helped each other in responding to the needs of the far-flung communities despite the threat of COVID-19 crisis, according to Punsalan.

Aside from skilled personnel and equipments, the 544th and 3rd SFBn also assisted the Municipal Health Office (MHO) during the “Serbisyo Caravan”, also in relation to COP in the Simuwao area on Thursday, he said.

He said 300 families benefited from the activity.

The government provided free services such as blood pressure check up, medical and dental services, distribution of vitamins and medicines for the adult and children and free haircut.

“Our services to our brothers and sisters in far-flung communities will continue without let up despite this health crisis,” Punsalan added. 

https://mb.com.ph/2020/08/01/army-special-forces-engineers-extend-assistance-to-communities/

Curfew in ESSZone extended until Aug 18

Posted to the Malay Mail (Aug 2, 2020): Curfew in ESSZone extended until Aug 18

Semporna is one of the seven districts affected by the curfew. — Picture by Julia Chan

The curfew in the waters of seven districts in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone), which is supposed to end at 6pm tomorrow, is extended for another two weeks until August 18.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Zaini Jass said with the extension, residents in the areas involved were not allowed to enter the waters and must stay home between 6pm and 6am during the curfew period.

“Others are also not allowed to enter or be in these areas during the stated period and time,” he said in a statement, here, adding the districts affected are Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Sandakan and Beluran.

He said the curfew period was extended to ensure these waters were not infiltrated by militants that threatened the safety of international researchers conducting studies in the area, as well as tourists at the resort islands.

Zaini said based on information, the Abu Sayyaf militant group and those involved in kidnapping for ransom from the southern Philippines were still trying to infiltrate these waters to carry out kidnapping and trans-border crime.

He said the curfew order was also to ease enforcement and monitoring on the movements of boats and for the chalet operators and fishermen to feel safe with the presence of the security force vessels in the vicinity.

“I have also authorised the district police chiefs in the ESSZone to issue permits to eligible applicants for fishery activities or those with an urgent need to pass through the curfew areas,” he added. — Bernama

https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/08/02/curfew-in-esszone-extended-until-aug-18/1890286

SOLCOM: Hands Off Our Children!

Posted to the Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) Facebook Page (Jul 29, 2020): Hands Off Our Children!

Let's take care of the activists, they are the target of the UGMO that is inside the legal prentes



https://www.facebook.com/SouthernLuzonCommandAFP/photos/a.1503968379863230/2632885043638219/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/SouthernLuzonCommandAFP/

The Falsification, Simplification and Obfuscation of History

Posted to the Pinoy Expose (Aug 2, 2020): The Falsification, Simplification and Obfuscation of History

Report on the Second Congress of the CPP (Part 2)

An old foto showing Bernabe ‘Kumander Dante’ Buscayno (left) with then Kilusang Mayo Uno chairman, Rolando Olalia and CPP founder, Jose Maria Sison, during the founding Congress of Partido ng Bayan in 1987. Suddenly, the CPP has erased from its official history the role of Buscayno in the formation of the New People’s Army in 1969.

Editor’s Note:

In the first part of this special report Pinoy Exposé published last week, we bared that the CPP’s Second Congress is actually a “coup d’ etat’ for its founder, Jose Maria ‘Joma’ Sison—despite his absence.

Joma’s successful “re-takeover” of the party’s affairs was with the full support, wittingly or unwittingly, of elected party chairman, Julius ‘Ka Nars’ Giron. For all practical purposes, Sison is back as the CPP’s “top boss” and not just the “chief political consultant” in the communists’ peace talks with the government.

The CPP’s Second Congress, held in the hinterlands of Surigao del Sur, came 48 years after its founding congress on December 26, 1968 in Tarlac province. It was attended by “120 delegates” representing “nearly 70,000” party members all over the country, according to communique released four months later by the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.

The date of the Surigao Congress was deliberately chosen; it coincided with the centennial of the 1917 ‘October Revolution’ in Russia that swept into power the Bolshevik Party of Vladimir Lenin, founder of the Soviet Union.

In the first part of this report, we also discussed how Sison is now aiming for the one thing that is dear to the heart of all tyrants: a “cult of personality.”

The drive for a personality cult around him is part of the CPP’s continuing effort to corrupt the minds of the young generations of Filipinos who now comprise the bulk of its recruits, the “cannon fodders” for its “armed struggle.”

Under the theme, ‘Greater Unity, Greater Victory,’ the CPP approved several amendments to its Party Constitution and also adopted a revised a ’10-Point Program’ whose heady banner, ‘Accomplish National Liberation and Pave the Way for a Bright Socialist Future,’ gives all of us a warning on what is going to happen in the event of a CPP victory.

Both documents were among those recovered by government forces in Baguio City last March 13, 2020, from Giron.

Giron and two of his companions were killed after they allegedly resisted the serving of an arrest warrant against him.

In this second installment, we discuss the CPP program. We start by giving a critique of the party’s “version” of world events and Philippine history.

Introduction.

THE four thing that would immediately catch the eyes of any reader who has gone over the 27-page document containing the CPP’s ‘10-Point Program’ are the four things common in all its published articles since its “re-establishment” in 1968:

Consistency in the falsification, simplification and obfuscation of historical facts thru a one-sided view of events thereby resulting to many contradictions;

Deepening Philippine society’s division by emphasizing the role of the working class and the peasants as the main social forces for change;

“Armed struggle” as the only method to be used in order for the party to capture and maintain political power; and,

Self-adulation to convince itself and its members that the CPP is the “leading force” in its self-described “people’s democratic revolution” and in the “remolding” of the Philippines towards “a bright socialist future.”

Taken together, all these things point to the conscious effort by the CPP to revise history to suit its own “world view” and to a single conclusion: the establishment of a CPP dictatorship under the control of one man: Jose Maria Sison (if he lives long enough to see the day NPA forces clowning inside Malacañang after victory).

But to be fair, in only one “basic problem” of the country can Pinoy Exposé, agree with the CPP:

On the overbearing, domineering influence and interference of US Imperialism in our country’s internal and external affairs.

After its successful conquest of the Philippines right after the 1898 Spanish- American War, the Americans have never treated the Philippines and the Filipinos with respect—until Pres. Duterte came along.

A history based on simplification, obfuscation and contradiction

THE first “revision” the CPP made in its “official version” of history is the simplification of its ideological mooring, from ‘Marxism-Leninism-Mao Zedong Thought’ to simply, Marxism-Leninism-Maoism.

But suddenly, the “works” of Lenin’s successor, Josef Stalin and that of Ho Chi Minh, leader of the Vietnamese people in its war of independence against French and American aggressions, “and other great communist thinkers and leaders” are now compulsory for CPP members to be “ceaselessly” studied.

We find this amusing considering that when Joma and his gangmates “reestablished” the party in 1968, among the things he repudiated immediately was the Soviet system (represented by ‘Stalinism’).

Indeed, it was the old, Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas’ (PKP) “loyalty” to the CPSU (Communist Party of the Soviet Union) that Joma used to slander his former party “superiors” (the Lava brothers) as “revisionist renegades” and the old party’s armed wing, the Hukbong Mapagpalaya ng Bayan (HMB/People’s Liberation Army) as a “gangster clique”.

In short, only by savaging Stalinism that Joma succeeded in convincing the younger generation of PKP members to stage a “coup” against their party thru the creation of another, the CPP. But this time, “switching” their “loyalty” from the Soviet Union to Chairman Mao’s ‘Red China.’

The CPP, by way of maintaining its “revolutionary line,” claimed it is always ready to repudiate, among others, manifestations of “subjectivism” and “opportunism of the Right and ‘Left’ varieties.”

But was not the secession of the CPP in 1968 from the PKP and its transfer of allegiance from Stalinism to Maoism a clear show of “opportunism” on a grand scale?

Was this not a case of opportunism of the “Right” and “Left” variety?

Significantly too, in tracing the “victories” of the CPP, absolutely nothing was mentioned about the creation of the New People’s Army on March 29, 1969, some three months after the founding of the CPP.

Suddenly, the name of Bernabe ‘Kumander Dante’ Buscayno, the first “Supremo” of the NPA, was erased from the CPP’s official history, but why?

Kumander Dante with Pres. Ferdinand Marcos after his arrest in 1976

Was it because Buscayno was a member of the ‘Taruc-Sumulong’ branch of the HMB whom Sison had described as a “gangster clique?”

Was it because Buscayno too was part of the “private army” of then Senator Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino, Jr., one of the known “warlords” in Central Luzon?

Or was it because Buscayno “failed” to live the ideal life of a “revolutionary” when he decided to “capitulate” to the government of Pres. Corazon Aquino by deciding to become a farmers’ cooperative leader in their province of Tarlac?

In other words, was the CPP conscious that giving due credit to Buscayno, expounding on its coup against the PKP and by not “glossing over” its earlier “repudiation of Stalinism, “contradictions” would be unmasked?

That questions would be raised by its young generation of recruits leading to doubts and eventually, their decision to leave the party? (end of second part).

https://www.pinoyexpose.net/news/national/the-falsification-simplification-and-obfuscation-of-history

Joma Sison and His 'Personality Cult'

Posted to Pinoy Expose (Jul 25, 2020): Joma Sison and His 'Personality Cult'

Report on the Second Congress of the CPP (Part 1)

Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder, Jose Maria Sison, while enjoying the good life as an "exile" in Utrecht, Netherlands (photo credit: Portland Independent Media Center, in the article, 'Jose Maria Sison: Party Animal By Night,' May 23, 2010)

Editor’s Note:

LAST March 13, 2020, the government announced the death in Baguio City of Julius ‘Ka Nars’ Giron. The government claimed that Giron and his two companions had resisted arrest while being served an arrest warrant.

As it turned out, Giron, 70, was no ordinary member of the highest organs of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)— the Politburo, the Central Committee and the Executive Committee—but was in fact the CPP’s chairman.

As CPP chairman, Giron is also the head of its National Military Commission, which has control over the CPP’s armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA).

Among the documents seized by government agents are a complete copy of the CPP’s new ‘Constitution and Program,’ which the party discussed and approved during its ‘Second Congress’ held from October 24 to November 7, 2016, in the hinterlands of Surigao del Sur.

It was also claimed the government also seized other “documents of high intelligence value,” especially, the list of businesses silently paying off the CPP-NPA over the years.

Before we proceed to the discussion of the new CPP Constitution and Program, we start with a discussion, by way of a ‘backgrounder,’ on how CPP founder, Prof. Jose Maria ‘Joma’ Sison, has regained his position as the “party’s top boss”– with the support of Giron. We also discuss here Joma’s final ambition: his narcissistic effort to create, like other tyrants, a ‘personality cult’ around him.

THE continuing influence and control of CPP founder, Jose Maria Sison, in the affairs of the party, the operations of the NPA and the activities of their front organizations here and abroad sometimes pose a question to a lot of observers.

Why does he continue to “act” like the CPP “chairman” up to now, decades after he left the country after EDSA 1 (1986) for the comforts of Europe? As the CPP and Joma have insisted since then, he is now just “chief political consultant” in the CPP’s peace talks with the government.

The answer lies not in the CPP’s new Constitution but rather, in the ‘communique’ released by the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) on March 29, 2017, on the 48th anniversary of the NPA, pertaining to the party Congress held several months before.

Aside from summarizing the result of the Congress for party and NPA members, the communiqué also mentioned that among the “resolutions” passed and read in the congress proper was one which “resolved to give the highest honors to Comrade Jose Maria Sison.”

In a paean that would have brought tears in his eyes, Sison was praised as a “great communist thinker, leader, teacher and guide of the Filipino proletariat.”

Further, Sison, in a description that would have turned Josef Stalin or Mao Zedong in their graves in envy– or anger– was also described as the “torch bearer of the international communist movement.”

That Sison has re-established his complete control of the CPP after the Second Congress—even minus his presence back home—is thus no longer in doubt.

The CPP Congress, indeed, could be described as a sort of “coup d’ etat” by Joma with the willing participation of Giron and all the others who labored to ensure the success of their Congress.

But as if this is not enough, Joma now also appears to be striving, like other tyrants before him, for a “personality cult.” This is shown in the messages of adulations sent by his minions from the boondocks of Surigao del Sur.

It cannot be doubted that Joma owed a lot on his resurgence to power and prominence in the CPP to Julius Giron, who, according to the NDFP, was instrumental in bringing together, during the Congress, “120 delegates” representing “close to seventy thousand members” of the CPP all over the country.

And while rightfully “rewarded” for his efforts as the “new” party chairman, the present reality of power in the CPP-NPA made him Joma’s “altar boy.”

But observers wonder. Would Sison be successful in his coup and venerated in God-like fashion by the local communists, had Benito Tiamzon not been arrested in 2014 by the government?

Tiamzon succeeded Sison as CPP chairman after Sison decided to abandon his comrades in 1986 for the safety and comfort of an “exile” in Utrecht, Netherlands.

After Tiamzon and his wife, Wilma, CPP secretary, were arrested in Cebu in 2014, the void was temporarily filled up by Edilberto Silva, the head of the CPP’ National Organizing Department (NOD).

Silva, however, was also arrested just several months later, paving the way for Giron, who, it turned out, was no more than a rabid follower of Sison.

Tiamzon, also a product of the University of the Philippines, is not known to be beholden to Sison.

And why should he be, considering that it was on the back of his efforts—and at great risk to his own life– that the CPP-NPA has managed to grow while Sison was comfortably styling himself abroad as “the torch bearer of the international communist movement.”

Critics also proffered: What has Sison “contributed,” actually, to the “deepening” of Marxism-Leninism that even European communists should pay homage to him?

Was not except for academic discussion in universities, Marxism-Leninism has been totally rejected by the working classes of Europe as just another “thing of the past?”

Did he not also know that Lenin never wanted to be “glorified” when he is dead; it was the decision of his successor, Josef Stalin, that he be treated the way the Romans treated their dead (and living) emperors: as “human Gods.” Stalin decided on this in order to justify the Soviet system.

The drive for a “personality cult” among tyrants is only necessary on the basis of keeping and consolidating political power.

In the case of the CPP-NPA, which cannot hold even a barangay without being driven out the next day by the military, Joma’s effort to create a personality cult can only be explained in two ways:

To satisfy his own vanity and remove his own insecurities and second, as a tool for the continued corruption of the young generation of Filipinos who are now cannon fodders in the CPP’s armed struggle to create a communist Philippines (end of first part).

https://www.pinoyexpose.net/special-report/joma-sison-and-his-personality-cult?fbclid=IwAR1m8u6QrBQz7aiysbwYHWIZcidSDyd8WbKOY_rMPvyZk3A6AJEcTBQhwuo

SOLCOM: Photos: Most Wanted CPP/NPA/NDF Terrorists in the Southern Tagalog Region (STR)

Posted to the Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) Facebook Page (Jul 30, 2020): Photos--Most Wanted CPP/NPA/NDF Terrorists in the Southern Tagalog Region (STR)



https://www.facebook.com/SouthernLuzonCommandAFP/photos/pcb.2633454646914592/2633454370247953/?type=3&theater



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https://www.facebook.com/SouthernLuzonCommandAFP/

SOLCOM: CPP/NPA/NDF Most Wanted Northeast Mindanao Region (NEMR)

Posted to the Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) Facebook Page (Jul 30, 2020): Photos--CPP/NPA/NDF Most Wanted Terrorist in the Northeast Mindanao Region (NEMR)



https://www.facebook.com/SouthernLuzonCommandAFP/photos/pcb.2633582186901838/2633581730235217/?type=3&theater



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https://www.facebook.com/SouthernLuzonCommandAFP/

SOLCOM: Stop recruiting innocent children

Posted to the Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) Facebook Page (Jul 30, 2020): Stop recruiting innocent children



https://www.facebook.com/SouthernLuzonCommandAFP/photos/pcb.2633584660234924/2633584436901613/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/SouthernLuzonCommandAFP/

SOLCOM: Itigil ang Karahasan at magbalik -loob sa pamahalaan

Posted to the Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) Facebook Page (Jul 31, 2020): Itigil ang Karahasan at magbalik -loob sa pamahalaan



https://www.facebook.com/SouthernLuzonCommandAFP/photos/a.1503968379863230/2634760580117332/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/SouthernLuzonCommandAFP/

SOLCOM: NPA killed, weapons and IED seized in Sorsogon

Posted to the Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) Facebook Page (Jul 31, 2020): NPA killed, weapons and IED seized in Sorsogon

AN NPA KILLED, A MACHINE GUN, AN AUTOMATIC RIFLE AND IED SEIZED IN SORSOGON

A 45-minute gunfight broke-out between the government troops and the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in Barangay Daganas, Bulan town in Sorsogon province around 5:28 in the afternoon, July 30.

At least 40 communist NPA terrorists (CNTs) from Komiteng Probinsya 3 of Bicol Regional Party Committee (BRPC) under Arnel Estiller AKA Mando were encountered by the joint elements of 22nd Infantry Battalion (22IB) and 31st Infantry Battalion (31IB) while conducting security operations after receiving a tip-off from the residents about the presence of CTG in the area.


Killed during the firefight was a female Communist NPA Terrorist (CNT) who was left behind by her comrades alone until she died after the government troops overran their hideout.

Captured from the fleeing NPA terrorists at the encounter site were M60 machine gun, M16 rifle, anti-personnel mine, cellphone, assorted ammunitions, roll of electric wire, propaganda materials and other personal belongings.

Joint Task Force Bicolandia (JTFB) under MGEN HENRY A ROBINSON JR PA directed the troops to continue the extensive and intensified military operations in the area and hunt down the fleeing terrorists.

MGen. Robinson extended his gratitude and commendation to the people who gave the information about the presence of the CNTs.

"The encounter was another success for the military and the Bicolano people. Your continuous support even by way of simple sharing of information about the presence of the terrorists, contributes a lot in our fight against insurgency. Our fight against this terrorist group will soon be over, as the enemy armed elements are now on continuous declining strength," MGen. Robinson enunciated.

The JTFB will continue to extend its hand for those CTG members who will choose to reunite with their families and loved ones peacefully; however, it will persistently hunt and crash those CNTs who are insisting to sow terrorism in the region.

"Kami po ay patuloy pa ring umaasa at magbubukas ng pinto sa mga kapatid nating NPA na magbabalik-loob sa ngalan ng kapayapaan at kaunlaran ng rehiyon. Para maiwasan ang mga ganitong sitwasyon na kung saan ay basta na lamang nilang iniiwan ang kanilang kasamahan sa bakbakan at hayaan na lamang mamatay. Gayunpaman kami po ay hindi hihinto na hanapin at puksain ang mga myembro ng Communist Terrorist Group na patuloy na maghahasik ng karahasan at sisira sa kinabukasan ng ating mga kababayan," MGen. Robinson further said.

https://www.facebook.com/SouthernLuzonCommandAFP/posts/2635659523360771?__tn__=K-R

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https://www.facebook.com/SouthernLuzonCommandAFP/

CENTCOM: 3 Rebel Returnees in Central Negros received 200K cash assistance

Posted to the Central Command (CENTCOM) Facebook Page (Jul 31, 2020): 3 Rebel Returnees in Central Negros received 200K cash assistance

BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental – Another milestone for the 3 former rebels who returned to the folds of the law received financial assistance through the Provincial Task Force Balik-Loob of the Province of Negros Occidental at the Governors’ Office, Provincial Capitol Building, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental on July 27, 2020.

Alias “Ka Roy”, a full time party member of Local Guerrilla Unit (LGU) and Chairman of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) in Central Negros who voluntarily surrendered on April 16, 2020 bringing with him an M16 Rifle and Caliber .45 pistol received an amount with a total of One Hundred Ten Thousand Pesos (PhP110,000.00), alias “Ka Dodong”, a Political Instructor of SDG Platoon, Central Negros 2 who voluntarily surrendered on June 14, 2020 with his Caliber .45 received a total amount of Sixty Thousand Pesos (PhP60,000.00), while alias ”Ka Lara” wife of Ka Dodong and a former NPA Medical Officer has received Thirty Thousand Pesos (PhP30,000.00) with an over-all total amount of Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (PhP200,000.00) as their immediate and livelihood cash assistance and firearms remuneration. Source of fund for subsidy of former rebels comes from the 2020 Provincial Peace and Order Fund under the Office of the Governor facilitated by the Office of the Provincial Administrator. These 3 former rebels personally surrendered to 62nd Infantry (Unifier) Battalion, Philippine Army under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Melvin N Flores, Commanding Officer.

The awarding of financial assistance was attended by Colonel Inocencio Pasaporte, Commander, 303rd Infantry (Brown Eagle) Brigade, Philippine Army and Lieutenant Colonel Flores is an initiative of the local government officials of the Province of Negros Occidental under Gov. Hon. Eugenio Jose V. Lacson with the approval of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC). This is a tangible implementation of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s Executive Order Number 70: Institutionalizing the Whole-of-Nation Approach in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace, creating a National Task force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, and directing the adoption of a National Peace Framework.

“Kami sa Gobyerno padayonon namon ang commitment nga gin hatag sang gobyerno para buligan kamo, so I hope ina nga kantidad nga nabaton nyo mapuslan nyo gid para sa inyo nga padayon nga pag bag-o (We at the Government will continue the commitment given by the government to help you, so I hope that the amount you get will be very useful for your normal living),” said Gov. Lacson who wholeheartedly welcomed the former rebels.

“Nagapasalamat gid kami kay Governor Lacson kag sa iban pa nga mga lokal nga opisyal sa probinsya sang Negros Occidental kag sa mga kasuldadohan sa ila nga tudo nga suporta sa pariha namon nga nag balik sa sabak sa gobyerno, ug sa iban nga mga LGU nga nag tabang namo naga pasalamat kami ug dako. Sa mga kauban nako nga active pa nga nakig-away sa gobyerno maayo nga magbalik na mo sa sabak sa gobyerno kay klaro ug tataw (We are very grateful to Governor Lacson and other local officials in the province of Negros Occidental, to the military for their full support to us who have returned to the government, and to other LGUs who extended their support we thank you very much. To our comrades who are still actively fighting the government, it is good for you to go back in the mainstream society beacuse the government program is true and they are sincere of helping us),” cried “Ka Dodong” who was overwhelmed on the blessings they received.

“We are very grateful to Negros Occidental Provincial Task force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) for this wholistic efforts, and to the NPAs who are still in the mountains, it is now the right time for you to stop fighting against our government, especially to NPA Leaders here in Negros encourage your armed group and supporters, return to your respective families, our government can give you a lot of help, beside of this effort of the Local Government Units you still have benefits from the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-CLIP. Let's work together for more development in the island of Negros in a peaceful way,“ appealed by Lieutenant Colonel Flores to active NPA members and its mass supporters.

#AFPyouCanTrust
#Team303rdBrigade
#62IBTransformation
#62IBPartnerforDevelopmentandTransformation
#SupportNegrosOccidentalPTF-ELCAC
#SupportEO70WholeofNationApproach
#TaskForceBalikLoobAvailE-CLIP

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https://www.facebook.com/CentralCommandAFP/

EASTMINCOM: Former NPA rebel reveals location of ammo cache

Posted to the Eastern Mindanao Command (EASTMINCOM) Facebook Page (Aug 1, 2020): Former NPA rebel reveals location of ammo cache

A Former Rebel who recently surrendered to the 71st Infantry Kaibigan Battalion revelead the location of an ammo cache and anti-personnel mine (APM) at Brgy. Cabuyoan, Mabini, Davao de Oro on July 27, 2020.

The surge of surrenderees has significantly helped the Eastern Mindanao Command and its ground units recover various arms/ammo caches during the year, which resulted to the gradual weaking of the firepower of Communist Terrorist Groups in Eastern Mindanao.

FULL STORY: https://www.facebook.com/229342703769109/posts/3115004991869518/

#AFPYouCanTrust

https://www.facebook.com/eastmincom/photos/a.912869452106626/3278302198896661/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/eastmincom/

EASTMINCOM: Notorious CPP extortionist arrested

Posted to the Eastern Mindanao Command (EASTMINCOM) Facebook Page (Aug 1, 2020): Notorious CPP extortionist arrested

LOOK | A notorious extortionist of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in Cabanglasan, Bukidnon fell into the hands of the law after a Joint Law Enforcement Operation was conducted by the PNP Units in Bukidnon and the 88th Infantry "Maringal" Battalion, Philippine Army on July 28, 2020, at Purok 7, Sitio Miaray, Brgy. Mandahikan same Municipality.

The arrested person known as Jean Pacino was identified as a member of an underground organization of the CTG involved in extortion activities to construction companies that operate in the Cabanglasan and neighboring municipalities

She is also a live-in partner of a wanted murderer who escaped from Davao Penal Colony (DAPICOL) on December 16, 2016.

During the arrest, various firearms and ammo were also confiscated from Pacino's possession.

FULL STORY: https://www.facebook.com/586564668527667/posts/946816152502515/

#AFPYouCanTRUST

https://www.facebook.com/eastmincom/photos/pcb.3278357125557835/3278357008891180/?type=3&theater

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https://www.facebook.com/eastmincom/

CPP/NDF-Negros: The tactical solution to the worsening crisis is Duterte’s stepping down from power

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Aug 1, 2020): The tactical solution to the worsening crisis is Duterte’s stepping down from power

BAYANI OBRERO

SPOKESPERSON

NDF-NEGROS

NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT OF THE PHILIPPINES

AUGUST 01, 2020

The tactical solution to the worsening crisis is Duterte’s stepping down from power For reference: Ka Bayani Obrero Spokesperson National Democratic Front – Negros The Covid-19 pandemic has revealed the chronic crisis of the semicolonial and semifeudal system in the sectors of public health, education, labor, agriculture, and other in Negros. Instead of solving such through scientific pro-people policies, Duterte’s incessant implementation of military-centric solutions have proven to be ineffective, as the country is nowhere near in solving the public health emergency’s repercussions in the 5-month long lockdown.

Various local government units in Negros are already bearing the brunt of the pandemic. Healthcare workers and other frontliners are grossly overworked and underpaid. The country’s hospitals are in danger zones and the Department of Health’s data maneuvering only worsen the situation. So far, the only solution Duterte has seriously offered is a gasoline disinfectant, much to the disapproval of the scientific community.

Duterte’s reliance on a yet non-existent vaccine and telling of the people to ‘suffer in wait’ for it while Covid-19 cases soar will only worsen the critical state of medical care. Without mass testing, waiting until December is a death wish for the majority of the population.

Education Secretary Briones’ hardheaded railroading of the resumption of classes through blended learning is also anti-people. Negrosanon students are faced with additional burden of procuring for gadgets to accommodate such, on top of the high price of education. Teachers and staff are also clamoring due to the lack of a concrete plan and aid to the logistical concerns brought upon by DepEd’s policy.

The lockdowns are adversely affecting the economy. Businesses are either closing down or are in limited operations, forcing lay offs en masse. According to IBON Foundation’s estimates, over 20 million of the workforce has been displaced by the pandemic. The labor sector comprised mainly of workers and oddjobbers (farmers and farm workers) are in suffering even more due to lack of jobs and government aid during the pandemic, paralyzing the economy in the island.

Duterte’s kowtow to his imperialist masters have resulted to the surrender of sovereignty in exchange for debt that has amounted to Php 9 trillion. The huge bulk intended for Covid-19 response has disappeared into corruption while the masses are set to pay for the debt through heavier taxes including online businesses and education, while corporate taxes are lowered to consider capitalist loss.

The massive demonstrations that present the people’s calls are met with red-taggings, illegal arrests, militarization, killings and human rights violations.

Duterte has entrusted even the distribution of the vaccine to the incompetent military despite the job to be of the health sector.

It is clear that Duterte has no intent of addressing the situation but is instead utilizing the pandemic to forward his dictatorial ends to accommodate himself and his military regime. The military-centric approach of Duterte has proven to be a hindrance to the solving of the pandemic.

While he remains in power, the Negrosanon and the entire Filipino people will only be subjected to more hunger and suffering.

Thus, the collective call of different sectors for his ouster is only justified to ease the masses’ qualms. Voluntarily or not, Duterte needs to be removed from power. Tactically, this will pave way for a better possibility of addressing the pandemic through a more democratic regime.

The succession will have to be an answer to the people’s needs, not a mere replacement of another militarist crony that the monster Duterte will appoint.

Strategically, this will also ensure the increase membership in the Communist Party, the New People’s Army, and all the revolutionary organizations ready to wage the National Democratic Revolution through Protracted People’s War to the eventual seizing of political power to establish a society pillared on a just and lasting peace.

https://cpp.ph/statement/the-tactical-solution-to-the-worsening-crisis-is-dutertes-stepping-down-from-power/

CPP/NDF-Palawan: Pinakamataas na Pulang Pagsaludo kay Kasamang Fidel V. Agcaoili, Bayani sa Puso ng Sambayanang Inaapi at Huwarang Lider ng Rebolusyong Pilipino!

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Aug 2, 2020): Pinakamataas na Pulang Pagsaludo kay Kasamang Fidel V. Agcaoili, Bayani sa Puso ng Sambayanang Inaapi at Huwarang Lider ng Rebolusyong Pilipino!

LEONA PARAGUA

SPOKESPERSON

NDF-PALAWAN

NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT OF THE PHILIPPINES

AUGUST 02, 2020

Walang anumang salita ang makakapaglarawan kung paano kami lubusang nakikidalamhati sa biglaang pagpanaw ni Kasamang Fidel V. Agcaoili. Nararamdaman namin ang malaking kawalan ng isa sa pinakamahusay, huwarang lider, tapat at buong–buong naglilingkod sa masang api at pinagsasamantalahan. Ang buong NDFP- Isla ng Palawan kasama ang lahat ng alyadong organisasyon nito lalo na ang SUPOK (Rebolusyonaryong Organisasyon ng mga Katutubo ng Palawan) ay ipinaaabot ang pinakamataas na pagkilala sa kabayanihan ng kasama. Bunga ng massive internal bleeding due to pulmonary arterial rupture, pumanaw si Ka Fidel sa edad na 75 nuong Hulyo 23, 2020.

Lagi nating maaalala si Kasamang Fidel V. Agcaoili sa kanyang naging malaking ambag sa usapang pangkapayaan sa pagitan ng National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP)at ng Gubyerno ng Republika ng Pilipinas (GRP). Naging kabahagi siya sa mga matagumpay na kasunduang The Hague Declaration ng 1992 at ng Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights ang International Humanitarian Law o (CARHRIHL). Naging pinuno siya ng panel ng mga negosyador ng NDFP at matatag na itinaguyod ang linya at paninindigan ng rebolusyonaryong kilusan sa usapang pagkapayapaan nang hindi isinusuko ang anumang prinsipyo at matatag na nilabanan ang bawat pakana ng GRP upang pasukuin ang rebolusyonaryong kilusan.

Lagi nating maalala ang kanyang diwang hindi naigupo ng pasismo ng rehimeng US-Marcos. Gawin nating inspirasyon ang kanyang buhay at pakikibaka sa pagharap ngayon sa pasismo at tiraniya ng rehimeng US-Duterte na nag-iidolo kay Marcos. Dapat na alalahanin ang katulad ni Kasamang Fidel na kailanman ay hindi natakot, hindi sumuko sa pasismo kahit pa sukdulang ibilanggo at pahirapan ng mga pasista. Tulad ni kasamang Fidel dapat nating pag-ibayuhin ang lahatang panig ng ating gawain saanman hanggang sa huling hininga ng ating buhay.

Dakilang inspirasyon at puno ng mga aral ang buhay ni kasamang Fidel. Walang maliw na pagmamahal ang inukit niya para sa bayan. Sa gitna ng matinding panggigipit ng rehimeng Duterte sa mamamayang api at pinagsasamantalahan, ang iyong kamatayan Ka Fidel ay nagsisilbing paalala, na sa panahon ng matinding pasismo ng rehimeng US-Marcos ay naigiit mo ang kalayaan sa pamamagitan ng mahigpit na pakikipagkaisa at pagsusulong ng interes ng mamamayan na humantong sa malaking pag-aalsang bayan – ang Edsa Revolution nuong 1986 na nagpatalsik sa kampon ng kasamaan na si Marcos. Inspirasyon namin ito sa ngayon na ang taumbayan ay naghahangad ng kalayaan mula sa isang papet, inutil at teroristang rehimeng US-Duterte. Hindi ka namin malilimutan kasama!

Para sa pamilya ni Kasamang Fidel, lubos kaming nakikiramay!

Mabuhay ang National Democratic Front of the Philippines!

Mabuhay ang CPP-NPA-NDFP!

Mabuhay ang Rebolusyong Pilipino

https://cpp.ph/statement/pinakamataas-na-pulang-pagsaludo-kay-kasamang-fidel-v-agcaoili-bayani-sa-puso-ng-sambayanang-inaapi-at-huwarang-lider-ng-rebolusyong-pilipino/

NPA accused as behind ambush that killed Rescue 165 nurse

From Palawan News (Aug 2, 2020): NPA accused as behind ambush that killed Rescue 165 nurse 

The NPA has yet to issue a statement on the incident.



The Palawan Rescue 165 vehicle after it was ambushed Saturday in Roxas by armed men believed to be members of the New People's Army. // Image courtesy of Rescue 165

The provincial government has accused the New People’s Army (NPA) as behind the ambush Saturday afternoon of a vehicle carrying frontline workers in Roxas town resulting in the death of one government nurse.

The NPA has yet to issue a statement on the incident.

Governor Jose Alvarez condemned the ambush in a statement issued as chair of the Palawan Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF ELCAC).

“Nakakalungkot isipin na sa gitna ng pandemya ay nagagawa pa ng mga teroristang NPA ang paghahasik ng kaharasan. Wala nang pinipili ang mga teroristang ito, pati ambulansiya at mga sibilyan ay pinapatulan na,” Gov. Alvarez said.

“Ipinapakita lamang nito ang kanilang totoong kulay at layunin na sirain ang katahimikan ng Palawan. Pati mga sibilyan ay pinapatos na nila na walang ibang layunin kundi ang magbigay takot at pangamba. Malinaw na sila ay walang respeto sa Karapatang Pangtao at Pangdaigdigang Batas sa Karapatang Pangtao (International Humanitarian Law) taliwas sa kanilang mga sinasabi at ipinapangako sa tao,” he added.

The t-shirt of Palawan Rescue 165 nurse Algerome Bernardo with bullet holes. // Image courtesy of Palawan PDRRMO

A Rescue 165 nurse of the province was killed in the ambush carried out Sunday afternoon by armed members of the NPA in Barangay Dumarao, Roxas.
The fatality in the ambush was Rescue 165 nurse Algerome Bernardo, 51.

Rescue 165 program manager Richristoper Magbanua told Palawan News also Saturday that the vehicle was en route to Dumaran when it was fired upon by armed men.

“Dumaran Rescue 165 ito mga around 3 p.m. [nangyari] ang sakay ng ambulance yong driver, yong nurse at dalawang responders. Galing sila ng Puerto [Princesa City,] papunta na sila sa Dumaran pabalik ng duty,” Magbanua said.

The driver of the rescue vehicle identified as Alex dela Peña, 51, was also hurt and was brought to a medical facility for treatment, according to a spot report of the Roxas municipal police.

The other two passengers were Christopher Tamolin, 39, and Armando Carbajosa, 49, who have no life-threatening injuries.

Based on their accounts, they were on their way back to Dumaran from Puerto Princesa City aboard a white Toyota Hi-Lux when the ambush was carried out by a group of armed rebels.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Nurses Association-Palawan Chapter, in a public post shared Saturday on Facebook, called for justice on their slain comrade.

“Our deepest sympathy and condolence to the bereaved family of our fallen comrade in Dumaran. #JusticeForNurseAl,” the post said.

https://palawan-news.com/npa-accused-as-behind-ambush-that-killed-rescue-165-nurse/

18 soldiers recover from virus

From the Visayan Daily Star (Aug 2, 2020): 18 soldiers recover from virus

Eighteen Army soldiers assigned in Negros Oriental are now being prepared for their reintegration to active duty status after they were tested negative of COVID-19, Army regional spokesman Maj. Cenon Pancito III said last night.

The 18 troopers of the 32nd Division Reconnaissance Company were among the 21 soldiers who were earlier tested positive for the virus, after their return in June from Cebu to Negros Oriental.

Pancito said the three remaining Army soldiers are still being isolated at a COVID-19 facility of the provincial government of Negros Oriental, pending the arrival of the latest results on swabbing from Cebu.

He expects that results will be known next week.

The 18 DRC troopers are now back at Camp Leon Kilat headquarters in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental, after staying almost a month at government isolation facility.

Newly-promoted Brig. Gen. Noel Baluyan, 302nd Infantry Brigade commander, who supervises the 32nd DRC unit, thanked the Provincial Health Office of Negros Oriental for taking care of the soldiers.

A platoon-size unit of 32nd DRC that was deployed in Cebu on March to help enforced the community quarantine, returned to Negros Oriental on June 23, where 21 of them were later tested positive of the virus.

The 32nd DRC is assisting the 302nd Infantry Brigade in the campaign against local insurgents in Negros Oriental.

https://www.visayandailystar.com/2020/August/01/topstory8.htm

PNP SAYS: NPA cadres, hitman nabbed

From the Visayan Daily Star (Aug 2, 2020): PNP SAYS: NPA cadres, hitman nabbed

Three suspected New People’s Army women cadres and an alleged member of the Special Partisan Unit were separately arrested on Thursday in Calatrava and San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, that also yielded guns and explosives.

Nabbed by the combined forces of the PNP Special Action Force and the 79th Infantry Battalion were identified by Maj. Cenon Pancito, Innfantry Division spokesman, as Mary Jane Nombre, who is a courier of the Komiteng Rehiyonal-Negros, Liezel Grace Cortez, a political instructor and intelligence operatives of KR-Negros, and a certain alias Limay/ Digna, platoon medic of the Central Negros Front 1.

Maj. Roberto Indiape, Calatrava police chief, however, said that the three arrested rebels suspects are not cooperating with them in their investigation as they did not divulge their identities, although they recovered identification cards from their possession.

Also recovered during their arrests were an M-14 assault rifle with a magazine containing nine ammunition, three .38 caliber revolvers, four rifle grenades, eight cellular phones, assorted medicines and subversive documents with high intelligence value, according to Indiape.

Prior to their arrests, he added the three rebel suspects were already tailed by authorities.

Despite their non-cooperation, Indiape said that they will be pursuing the filing of charges against them for illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

Col. Gilbert Gorero, spokesman of the Police Regional Office 6, reported yesterday that an alleged NPA hitman he identified as Rodem Berangberang, alias Toto,was also apprehended by police intelligence operatives of PRO 6, assisted by the local police and SAF troopers, in Brgy. Palampas, San Carlos City, also on Thursday.

Berangberang has a pending arrest warrant for murder, which was issued by Judge Reymar Lacaya of Zamboanga del Norte Regional Trial Court, who also denied him bail, Gorero said.

https://www.visayandailystar.com/2020/August/01/topstory6.htm

‘Sabah is not Malaysia’

Posted to the Mindanao Examiner (Aug 2, 2020): ‘Sabah is not Malaysia’

FOREIGN AFFAIRS Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr said Sabah – which is being claimed by the Sultanate of Sulu – is not Malaysia.



Locsin, in a Twitter post, said: “Sabah is not in Malaysia if you want to have anything to do with the Philippines.”

His tweet was in response to the U.S. Embassy in the Manila’s tweet on their donation of hygiene kits to the deported Filipinos from Sabah who arrived in Tawi-Tawi province and Zamboanga City recently.

The U.S. Embassy said: “USAID donated 500 hygiene kits to the @dswdserves Region IX for the 395 returning Filipino repatriates from Sabah, Malaysia who arrived in Zamboanga City and Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.”

Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein described Locsin’s tweet as irresponsible. “This is an irresponsible statement that affects bilateral ties (between Malaysia and the Philippines. I) will summon the Philippines Ambassador (Charles Jose) to explain. Sabah is, and will always be, part of Malaysia,” Hussein said in his Twitter account.

Locsin said until now the U.S. Embassy has not taken down its tweet. “It started with a US Embassy tweet that hasn't been taken down. When the country united around (Philippine President Ferdinand) Marcos, including his critics, the US discouraged an attempt on our part to concretely assert our claim. The US didn't want us to add to their growing problem in Vietnam. History,” he said, referring to the Philippines’ claim of Sabah.

Marcos said the Philippines “acquired sovereignty and dominion over the territory of Sabah in accordance with a series of events, acts, agreements and transactions, including the Deed of Cession from the Sultan of Sulu of 1962 to the Philippines.”

“I also wish to say that the Philippines will pursue its right to Sabah by peaceful means in accordance with the provisions of its Constitution, our Constitution, which renounces war as an instrument of national policy, and that our country is also committed to the principles of the United Nations binding member states to the pacific settlement of international disputes,” he said.

Sultanate of Sulu

The Sultanate of Sulu continues to lay claim to Sabah which it obtained from Brunei as a gift for helping put down a rebellion on Borneo Island. The British leased Sabah and transferred control over the territory to Malaysia after the end of World War II.

The Sulu Sultanate said it had merely leased North Borneo in 1878 to the British North Borneo Company for an annual payment of 5,000 Malayan dollars then, which was increased to 5,300 Malayan dollars in 1903.
The Sultanate of Sulu was founded in 1457 and is believed to exist as a sovereign nation for at least 442 years. It stretches from a part of the island of Mindanao in the east, to Sabah, in the west and south, and to Palawan, in the north.

North Borneo was annexed by Malaysia in 1963 following a referendum organised by the Cobbold Commission in 1962, the people of Sabah voted overwhelmingly to join Malaysia.

'Is Malaysia supporting terrorists in Southern Philippines?'
Former Senator JV Ejercito said he is supporting Locsin’s statement on Sabah. “I support Sec. Teddy Locsin on his statement regarding Sabah. It may anger the Malaysians, but Sabah historically belongs rightfully to the Philippines,” he said.

Ejercito also alleges that Sabah or Malaysia is secretly supporting terrorists in the South. “They also are allegedly secretly supporting the terrorists in the South. I suspect that a lot of funding and arms of these bandits coursed through Malaysia. So that the Philippine government will have its hands full to even think about the Sabah issue,” he said in a tweet to Locsin.

No More Cession Money

Hussein recently said that Malaysia has stopped paying cession money to the heirs of the Sultanate of Sulu and that Kuala Lumpur made an understanding with the Philippines that the claim by the Sultanate of Sulu over the mineral-rich state of Sabah will not be raised at any regional or international platform.

He said Malaysia also did not recognise and entertain any claim by any party over Sabah, as the state had been recognised as being part of Malaysia by the United Nations, as well as the international community.

“Malaysia and the Philippines have an understanding that the claim over Sabah will not be raised at any regional or international platform,” he said, adding, they also stopped paying annual cession money of RM5,300 (about P61,300) through lawyers representing the nine heirs of the Sulu Sultanate since 2013.

He said the payments were made based on a treaty signed on January 22, 1878, between the then Sultan of Sulu, Sultan Jamal Al Alam and Baron de Overbeck and Alfred Dent of the British North Borneo Company.

“Apart from the payments to the heirs of the Sulu Sultanate, Malaysia has never made any payment to the Philippine government,” Hussein said in a written reply to Chang Foon Hin (PH-Kota Kinabalu), uploaded on the Parliament website, according to a report by Bernama.

It said Chang wanted to know if the Malaysian government planned to stop paying the cession money to the Sulu Sultanate through the Philippine government as a measure to end foreign interference in Malaysia’s sovereignty, and instead utilise the money to solve the issue of illegal Filipino immigrants entering Sabah, just several hours by boat from the Philippine province of Tawi-Tawi. “Until now, the claim on Sabah has only been raised by those who claim to be descendants of the Sulu Sultanate,” he said.

The Royal Council of the Sulu Sultanate composed of Sultans Ibrahim Bahjin, Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram, Mohammad Venizar Julkarnain Jainal Abirin, Muizuddin Jainal Abirin Bahjin and Phugdalun Kiram II with Sulu Governor and Special Envoy, Dr Sakur Tan, also called now Datu Shabandar.  (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

But Sulu Governor Sakur Tan (also called Datu Shabandar), who is also the Special Envoy of the Royal Council of the Sulu Sultanate, said the cession money that Malaysia pays annually to the heirs of the Sultan of Sulu was insulting. “The amount is insulting anyway, you can never change history,” he said.

The Royal Council of the Sulu Sultanate is composed of Sultans Ibrahim Bahjin, Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram, Mohammad Venizar Julkarnain Jainal Abirin, Muizuddin Jainal Abirin Bahjin and Phugdalun Kiram II. 

Even Nur Misuari, chieftain of the Moro National Liberation Front, previously said that what Malaysia pays to the Sultanate of Sulu (and North Borneo) is but a pittance.

Manila has not abandoned its claim on Sabah, according to then President Rodrigo Duterte’s spokesman and now Chief Legal Counsel, Salvador Panelo.

Panelo reiterated Duterte’s position that he would pursue the Philippines’ claim to Sabah. “The position of the President, meron tayong claim. Eh totoo namang may claim tayo di ba? That has been a bone of contention ever since,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner)

http://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2020/08/sabah-is-not-malaysia.html