‘Insurgency an ‘immediate’ political security threat’, says Esperon; ‘pork barrel’ tag debunked

From the Manila Bulletin (Sep 11, 2020): ‘Insurgency an ‘immediate’ political security threat’, says Esperon; ‘pork barrel’ tag debunked (By Argyll Cyrus Geducos)

The communist insurgency in the country is an “immediate” political security threat that must be resolved in the last two years of President Duterte’s term.

PCOO / MANILA BULLETIN

This was disclosed by National Security Adviser (NSA) Hermogenes Esperon Jr. Friday as he defended the P16.44-billion budget allocation of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) for its “support operations” to the Barangay Development Program in 2021.

According to Esperon, while the COVID-19 pandemic remains to be the “most urgent” threat that the country currently faces other concerns, such as the Commmunist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing New People’s Army (NPA), should not be taken for granted.

“The most urgent threat we are facing right now is the COVID-19. We really are spending a lot to address this because it is our priority,” said Esperon, who also serves as the vice chairman of the NTF-ELCAC, in a virtual presser.

“But we still have other concerns. Number one is the political security threat, it is actually the CPP-NPA because they seek to overthrow the democractic form of government and change it to what they call democratic centralism or dictatorship,” he added.

“This is not at all (a) lump sum allocation,” he said.

“That is just to signify that they all fall under the Barangay Development Program,” he added.

Esperon said the P16.44 billion worth of funds is not pork barrel and added that they are just implementing programs that will help put an end to the armed conflict in Mindanao.

“Hindi ko alam yung pork barrel na sinasabi niyo. Kami po ay nagpapatupad lang ng programa (I don’t even know anything about that pork barrel stuff. We are just implementing programs),” he said.

“Kung meron mang isang tao na gustong wakasan ang communist armed conflict, isa po ako doon (If there is one person who really wants to end the communist armed conflict, it’s me. I’m one of those people),” he added.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Bayan Muna Representative Ferdinand Gaite earlier questioned the NTF-ELCAC’s allocated budget for the Barangay Development Program, saying that other government agencies directly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic have been given lower budgets.

Accordingly, these agencies include the Department of Labor and Employment (P15.9 billion), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (P7.5 billion), Department of Tourism (P3.5 billion), and Department of Trade and Industry (P5.5 billion).

In his webinar, Esperon invited lawmakers — particularly Bayan Muna Representative Ferdinand Gaite — who have expressed reservations about the NTF-ELCAC’s budget — to witness the implementation of the said projects.

Esperon questioned the motives behind Gaite’s comments on the budget allocation and accused him of objecting to the empowerment and development of vulnerable communities.

Esperon said that the Barangay Development Program seeks to deliver development programs in conflicted and geographically-isolated areas as part of counter-measures against communist insurgency.

Esperon argued that eliminating communist insurgency is one of the priorities of Duterte which, according to the security adviser, was made clear during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July.

“Sabi ni Presidente noong SONA, we must end now the communist armed conflict. Kailangan mawala na ito para maka-takeoff tayo lalo sa non-urban areas na napakalaki ng assets natin na nandyan (The President said in his SONA that we must end now the communist armed conflict. We need to eradicate it so that we can takeoff especially in non-urban areas where we have big assets),” he said.

From 2016 to 2019, Esperon said a total of 822 barangay were already cleared of communist insurgency by joint government forces.

In support to the Barangay Development Program, each cleared barangay will be given P20 million for the construction of various infrastructures including a concrete farm-to market road (P12 million), a school building with four classrooms (P3 million), water and sanitation systems (P2 million), national greening or forest protection program (P1.5 million), and health stations (P1.5 million).

“What they (lawmakers) do not know is that this fund, P20 million per barangay, comes from the different agencies but are converts or coordinated by NF-ELCAC. This will be released to the regions where the barangays are located,” Esperon said.

Meanwhile, about 609 barangays were also cleared but a validation from NTF-ELCAC is still pending while 2,739 barangays are classified as “threatened” by communist insurgency.

Each barangay that are still being validated will also be given P20 million while threatened barangays will receive P1.5 million.

The implementation of the development projects will then be jointly supervised by the local government units and Regional Task Force-ELCAC.

“This is a reflection of good governance by way of converging our projects. Sa isang lugar dinadala ang projects na hindi paisa-isa (We bring all the projects in a particular area, not one by one),” Esperon said.

If this is implemented, Esperon believes that the threat of communist insurgency will be greatly diminished, if not totally crushed.

“Hindi ko masabi na matatapos ito (I personally cannot say that it will be done) in two years’ time but I am very confident that with the leadership of the President, siya ang nag-approve ng (he is the one who approved the) Barangay Development Program. Talagang sinusuportahan niya ito (he really supports it),” he said.

https://mb.com.ph/2020/09/11/esperon-debunks-pork-barrel-tag-on-p16-4-b-budget-for-barangay-devt-program/

NPA bombing plot foiled in South

From the Philippine Star (Sep 10, 2020): NPA bombing plot foiled in South Cotabato (John Unson)

The home-made explosives recovered from slain rebel siblings Jeoffrey and Amen Nilong.
Philstar.com/John Unson

 A joint Army-police team killed Wednesday two New People’s Army guerillas carrying four home-made bombs they were to set off somewhere in South Cotabato province.

The slain siblings Jeoffrey and Amen Nilong were killed in an encounter with police personnel and members of the Army’s 5th Special Forces Battalion in Barangay Lamsugod in Surallah, South Cotabato on Wednesday morning.

The joint police-Army operation that resulted in the deaths of the duo was launched after local authorities learned of their plot to carry out bomb attacks in South Cotabato.

Major Gen. Juvymax Uy of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division said the Nilong brothers were tagged in recent bombings and burning of equipment of private firms involved in infrastructure projects in South Cotabato that refused to shell out “protection money” to the NPA.

The team that intercepted and neutralized the Nilongs recovered from their possession four powerful IEDs and materials for roadside bombs and firearms.

“We are grateful to the local communities for providing information pertaining to their bombing plots, enabling us to prevent them from forging ahead with their terror plots,” Uy said.

Local officials and traditional leaders in Surallah said they have learned from tipsters that the Nilongs were to bomb business establishments to intimidate owners for them to pay the NPA protection money. 

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2020/09/10/2041519/npa-bombing-plot-foiled-south-cotabato

ReCAAP ISC releases August 2020 Report on Piracy

Posted to Sea News (Sep 11, 2020): ReCAAP ISC releases August 2020 Report on Piracy
(By Baibhav Mishra)

Image Courtesy: IMO

ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre today released the August 2020 Report on the situation of piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia.

Overall Situation

§ In August 2020, six incidents of armed robbery against ships were reported in Asia

§ No piracy incident was reported

§ There was no report of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah, Malaysia in August 2020

§ However, the abduction of crew for ransom remains a serious concern as demonstrated by the Warning issued by ReCAAP ISC on 2 July 20 that five Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members were planning to conduct abduction of crew from ships passing by the TawiTawi and Sabah waters

§ ReCAAP ISC is concerned about the continued occurrence of incidents on board ships while underway in the Singapore Strait

o Two incidents were reported in the Singapore Strait in August 2020

o With these, a total of 21 incidents were reported in the Singapore Strait during January-August 2020 comprising 17 incidents occurred in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS), two incidents in the precautionary area, one incident in the westbound lane of the TSS and one incident just outside (south) of the TSS

January to August Year-on-Year Comparison

§ During January-August 2020, a total of 65 incidents (comprising 63 actual incidents and two attempted incidents) of piracy and armed robbery against ships were reported in Asia

o Of the 65 incidents, three were incidents of piracy and 62 were incidents of armed robbery against ships

§ Compared to January-August 2019, the total number of incidents reported during January-August 2020 had increased by 38%

o A total of 47 incidents (comprising 43 actual incidents and four attempted incidents) were reported during January-August 2019

§ The number of incidents reported during January-August 2020 was the highest compared to the same period of 2016-2019.

Sea News, September 11

https://seanews.co.uk/security/piracy/recaap-isc-releases-august-2020-report-on-piracy/

NOLCOM: AFP Turns-Over Engineering Projects to Cagayan Province

Posted to the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) Facebook Page (Sep 10, 2020): AFP Turns-Over Engineering Projects to Cagayan Province



https://www.facebook.com/crgnolcom/photos/a.1813617812020579/3440006829381661/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/NOLCOM/

NOLCOM: 3 NPA Members in Cordillera Surrender with Firearms for Quiet and Peaceful Life

Posted to the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) Facebook Page (Sep 11, 2020): 3 NPA Members in Cordillera Surrender with Firearms for Quiet and Peaceful Life



https://www.facebook.com/crgnolcom/photos/a.1813617812020579/3448703638511980/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/NOLCOM/

NOLCOM: IN PHOTO: The 11 Sovereign Markers in the uninhabited Islands in Northern Philippines.

Posted to the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) Facebook Page (Sep 11, 2020): IN PHOTO: The 11 Sovereign Markers in the uninhabited Islands in Northern Philippines.

https://www.facebook.com/hnfnl/photos/a.1446645548905222/2913334638902965/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/NOLCOM/

CPP/CIO: No acceptable justification for Pemberton pardon

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Sep 11, 2020): No acceptable justification for Pemberton pardon

MARCO VALBUENA

CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER 

COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES

SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

Roque tried to justify Duterte’s granting of presidential pardon to US marine Pemberton by claiming it means “all Filipinos will have vaccines being developed by America.”

What Roque is essentially saying, Duterte threw out the demand for Pemberton to properly serve his sentence in line with the desire of Jennifer Laude’s family, gave up the country’s sovereign right to mete out just punishment for violations of the country’s penal laws, basically set aside the country’s national dignity and displayed outright subservience to curry favors with the US government in the hope that the US government will give the Philippines access to vaccines made by US companies.

Roque’s justification is utterly unacceptable. It reveals how the lack of economic capacity, severe dependence on imports and debt and inability to produce necessities (from vaccines to steel), places the country at the mercy of foreign powers through collusion of their agents in control of the Philippine state.

The Duterte government has failed to align resources to invest in research and development and support Filipino scientists develop a vaccine, has chosen simply to wait, spread false hopes of an impending vaccine, and fawn to the big capitalist powers and monopoly capitalist pharmaceutical companies.

The worse thing under Duterte is that he is willing to give up every inch of the country’s sovereignty in exchange for economic and personal favors through such downright treacherous acts as pardoning a convicted killer even before he could properly serve his sentence.

https://cpp.ph/statements/no-acceptable-justification-for-pemberton-pardon/

CPP/NDF-KM-Southern Tagalog: Pinakamataas na Pagpupugay para kay Rona Jane “Ka Ren” Manalo, Mabuting Anak ng Bayan at Martir ng Sambayanan

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Sep 11, 2020): Pinakamataas na Pagpupugay para kay Rona Jane “Ka Ren” Manalo, Mabuting Anak ng Bayan at Martir ng Sambayanan

KARINA MABINI

SPOKESPERSON

KM-SOUTHERN TAGALOG

KABATAANG MAKABAYAN

NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT OF THE PHILIPPINES

SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

Likas sa tao ang paghahangad ng isang maalwang buhay para sa sarili at sa pamilya. Sa proseso ng pag-abot nito, unti-unti tayong namumulat sa katotohanang ang pagkamit ng marangal na pamumuhay ay nakasalalay sa pagbubuo ng isang lipunang may pagkakapantay-pantay at sa pagwawaksi ng pagsasamantala. Bagamat masalimuot ang landas na kailangang tahakin, ang nag-uumapaw na pag-ibig sa pamilya at sa bayan ang humihimok sa kabataan na gumawa ng mga desisyong hindi pangkaraniwan.

Isinabuhay ni kasamang Rona Jane Manalo ang kwento ng bawat kabataang nananalig na sa pamamagitan ng pakikibakang nilalahukan ng pinakamalawak na pwersa ng sambayanan matatamasa ng bawat tao ang isang buhay na marangal at makabuluhan.

Mula sa uring magsasaka sa Sariaya, Quezon, dama ni Rjei ang pasakit na dulot ng buhay sa kanayunan na pinapalala ng militarisasyon. Ang karanasan ng kanyang pamilya ang nagsilbing batayan upang magagap niya ang pangangailangan para sa tunay na panlipunang pagbabago.

Kasagsagan ng kampanya laban sa 300% tuition and other fees increase nang pumasok si Rjei sa UP Los Baños taong 2006. Sa ilalim ng administrasyon ni dating UP President Emerlinda Roman, tumindi ang kumersiyalisasyon ng edukasyong UP na nagbunsod ng mga anti-estudyante at anti-mamamayang polisiya tulad ng Socialized Tuition and Financial Assistance Program (STFAP), jeepney rerouting, at pagpapaalis sa mga ambulant vendors sa campus. Sa pambansang antas, naging malakas ang kilusang-talsik laban sa pasistang rehimen ni Gloria Arroyo na binatbat ng kabi-kabilang isyu ng pandaraya at kurapsyon tulad ng “Hello, Garci” at NBN- ZTE deal scandal. Sa aktibong pakikilahok ni Rjei sa mga usaping ito, unti-unti siyang nahubog bilang lider-estudyante at mass leader.

Naging tagapamuno si Rjei ng Samahan ng Kabataan para sa Bayan (SAKBAYAN) sa College of Forestry and Natural Resources. Minsan din niyang pinangarap na kasama niyang magmamartsa ang laksa-laksang estudyante mula sa Forestry pababa sa tarangkahan ng pamantasan upang isanib ang lakas ng kabataan sa mga manggagawa at magsasaka. Punong-puno ng emosyon ang kanyang mga talumpati at sadyang nakapagpapataas ng diwa ang pananalig niya sa kakayahan ng kabataang ibuhos ang panahon para sa paglilingkod sa sambayanang Pilipino.

Bilang tagapamandila ng karapatan ng kababaihan, naging chairperson si Rjei ng Gabriela Youth UPLB. Bukod sa pangunguna sa mga aktibidad ng Women Against Repression, inalalayan niya ang mga kasama sa tamang pakikitungo sa mga kababaihan at may piniling kasarian. Malaki ang naging ambag niya sa pagsasapraktika ng mga prinsipyo at wastong aktitud na gumagabay sa kilusang kababaihan bilang kabahagi sa pakikibaka laban sa mas masaklaw na pagsasamantalang nakabatay sa uri.

Naging matalas si Rjei sa pagsipat sa kalagayang panlipunan. Makikita ito sa mahigpit na pagkapit niya sa mga rebolusyunaryong prinsipyong gumagabay sa pakikibaka para sa mga demokratikong karapatan at sa pagpapasya niyang maging full time na aktibista. Sa panahon ng lumalalang isyu ng militarisasyon sa unibersidad sa pangunguna ni OSA Director Vivian V. Gonzalez at sa sistematikong pandarahas sa mamamayan ng Timog Katagalugan sa ilalim ng pasistang rehimen ni Arroyo, nahanap ni Rjei ang pangangailangang sumapi sa Kabataang Makabayan (KM). Kinakitaan siya ng masikhay na pagpapalaganap ng ideolohiya ng pambansang demokratikong rebolusyon.

Kasabay ng kanyang pagkilos sa pamantasan, inihanda na ni Rjei ang kanyang sarili na tugunan ang higit pang pangangailangan para sa mga organisador na mag-aalay ng kanilang oras at talento upang isulong ang kagalingan ng iba’t ibang sektor ng lipunan. Masigasig niyang inunawa ang kalagayan ng mas malawak na hanay ng mamamayan sa pamamagitan ng pakikilahok sa mga kampanyang masa, tulad ng mga malakihang strike ng mga manggagawa sa Timog Katagalugan, pagpapatigil sa mga tangkang demolisyon sa mga maralitang komunidad, at partisipasyon sa gawaing elektoral noong 2010. Sa panahong ito, nagsilbi siya bilang Secretary-General ng Gabriela-Southern Tagalog habang tinitiyak na makapagtatapos sa pag-aaral.

Sa mahabang panahon, buong-buong niyakap ni Rjei ang salalayang prinsipyo ng Marxismo-Leninismo-Maoismo ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas at mariin siyang tumalima dito sa abot ng kanyang makakaya. Bilang isang kadre, naging pasensyosa si Rjei sa pagpapaliwanag sa mga kakilala at maging sa mga kasapi. Kinakitaan siya ng natural na karisma na kinagiliwan ng mga taong nakasalamuha niya. Sa tuwing kasama siya sa pagkilos, napapagaan ang bigat ng mga gawain ng nakahahawang pagmamahal at pagkalinga niya sa mga kasama at sa sambayanan.

Sa kabila ng bigat ng gampanin sa Partido, hindi isinantabi ni Rjei ang kanyang tungkulin bilang isang kapatid at anak. Batid ng mga kasama na may mga pagkakataong dumarating siya sa sangandaan ngunit hindi natinag ang kanyang pagsisikap na magpatuloy nang hindi binibitiwan ang kanyang mga personal na responsibilidad. Bilang patunay, nagabayan niya ang kanyang kapatid na estudyante hanggang ito ay makapagtapos sa pag-aaral, sa tulong na rin ng mga kasama.

Hanggang sa kanyang mga huling araw, minarapat ni Rjei na isapraktika ang pagiging makabayang siyentista bilang isang masikhay na tagapagtanggol ng kalikasan at tagapagtaguyod ng karapatan ng mga katutubo at magsasaka. Sinikap niyang itawid ang kanyang kaalaman mula sa toreng garing ng pamantasan patungo sa masalimuot na reyalidad ng kanayunan. Tumulak siya sa Mindoro upang makipamuhay sa uring magsasaka at katutubong Mangyan na kumakaharap sa militarisasyon, pandarambong sa likas-yaman, at pagsira sa kalikasan dulot ng mga anti-mamamayang proyektong pangkaunlaran tulad ng Mindoro Nickel Project ng kumpanyang Intex Resources. Dahil sa masigasig na kampanya ng masa doon, napigilan ang panunumbalik ng operasyon ng Intex Resources noong 2015.

Ang kabuuan ng kanyang karanasan simula sa pagkamulat hanggang sa pagiging full-time na organisador ang nagtulak kay Rjei upang tanganan ang pinakamataas na porma ng pakikibaka bilang Pulang Mandirigma, kasama ng magsasaka at katutubo laban sa mga mapaminsalang proyekto at pasismo ng estado. Mula sa Kabataang Makabayan Timog Katagalugan, pinakamataas na pagpupugay para kay kasamang Rjei Manalo sa kanyang buhay na inaalay para sa sambayanan. Ang panahon at lakas na kanyang inilaan para sa pakikibaka ay isang dakilang ambag para sa tiyak na pagtatagumpay ng digmang bayan. Kabataan, paghalawan ng aral ang buhay ni kasamang Rjei.

Paglingkuran ang sambayanan!
Tumungo sa kanayunan!
Sumapi sa Bagong Hukbong Bayan!

https://cpp.ph/statements/pinakamataas-na-pagpupugay-para-kay-rona-jane-ka-ren-manalo-mabuting-anak-ng-bayan-at-martir-ng-sambayanan/

CPP/NDF-CPDF-Mountain Province: Duterte’s RCSP is militarization

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Sep 11, 2020): Duterte’s RCSP is militarization

CPDF-MT. PROVINCE

CORDILLERA PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC FRONT

NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT OF THE PHILIPPINES

SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

The 54th Infantry Battalion’s encampment in the communities of Mt. Province is militarization, and part of Duterte’s anti-people war of suppression. Like Duterte, the 54th IB intends to fool the people when it says otherwise. War on drugs, anti-terrorism, and now COVID control – Duterte has many names to the same anti-people war built upon the suppression of the people and the democratic and revolutionary forces at the forefront of the struggle against his dictatorial rule.

The fascist US-Duterte regime makes use of one thoroughly suppressive hand and another one, “softer,” “civil,” and “people-oriented,” but similarly anti-democratic. The 54th IB can only go so far in concealing this duplicity:

1. On one hand, focused and sustained combat operations from two weeks to a month, with intervals of around a month, with deployed troops combining forces of the infantry, DRC, PNP SAF and RMFB, and CAFGU numbering from a hundred to a thousand, and with costs amounting to a million pesos per day.

2. On the other hand, retooled community support program operations (RCSP) are shoved down to people’s throats. Its primary objectives are a.) widespread intelligence operations, surveillance, and psychological warfare against barrio activists and mass leaders; b.) surrender campaign with forced and fake surrenderees; and c.) recruitment of the impoverished masses to the intelligence network, CAFGU, and eventually PNP and AFP.

Bloated as it already is, the military budget allocation is further squandered on the deceptive RCSP operations, whose operatives conduct clearing and reconnaisance as well, and are ready to launch combat operations within the vicinity of the civilian communities anytime.

Since October 2019, the 54th IB has encamped in various parts of Besao and Sagada, and has recently established a detachment not far from the pasturelands, production areas and tourist sites of Sagada. All these as it forced barangay councils to issue copy-pasted persona-non-grata resolutions against the revolutionary forced led by the Communist Party of the Philippines.

Concurrent with RCSP operations, such detachments, checkpoints, and impositions of curfew hinder the movement of the people within and around their own community and work places. Encampment in the ili itself is a blatant violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) between the GRP and the NDFP.

Furthermore, it results in human rights violations and other disturbances characteristic of the fascist troops: theft, vices such as gambling and drinking, drugs, physical assault, harassment, and rape. How, then, is the RCSP any different from militarization when the people are vulnerable and made human shields of the fascist troops in its anti-people war? How, then, is the RCSP any different from militarization, when the people are made to bear the brunt of military presence, its economic, cultural, and social disturbances, its fascist rule?

Duterte has not concealed his aims at imposing a dictatorial rule. He has issued executive orders, and passed the draconian Anti-Terrorism Act Law to silence opposition and legitimize his attacks on the people’s rights. The bloodthirsty, US-trained military officials he placed in positions of authority are over willing to unleash fascist attacks on the people and secure the regime’s hold, as the bureaucracy is further militarized with the formation of Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC) down to the barangay levels.

While the anti-people war surges, the umili of Mt. Province must be resolute in waging the legitimate struggle for democratic rights against a fascist dictatorial rule. We must employ all means in demanding the pull-out of the encamped 54th IB troops and other forces, for the dismantlement of its detachments, and for the revocation of suppressive orders and laws.

https://cpp.ph/statements/dutertes-rcsp-is-militarization/

CPP/NDF-CPDF: The Filipino People Will Never Glorify a Dictator

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Sep 11, 2020): The Filipino People Will Never Glorify a Dictator

SIMON 'KA FILIW' NAOGSAN

SPOKESPERSON

CORDILLERA PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC FRONT

NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT OF THE PHILIPPINES

SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

The CPDF and the entire revolutionary forces in the Cordillera join the entire Filipino people’s cry of indignation over the passing of House Bill 7137, declaring Sept 11, the birthdate of the fascist dictator Marcos a holiday in Ilocos Norte. Through this bill, the regime has only shown its contempt to the struggling peoples and its subservience to the whims and caprices of the dictator’s family.

More than forty years have passed but the Marcoses are still shameless in exalting their father’s atrocious legacy. While the regime futilely tries to revise history to cover up the dictator’s crimes, the people who have suffered under the fascism of Martial Law still bears the scars of its barbarity. Victims of Martial Law in the Cordillera, especially those who were at the forefront of the struggles against the Chico River Hydro Electric Power Dams and Cellophil Resources Corporation logging project and the accompanying militarization will never forget the sufferings that they have endured and survived. Tinggians of Abra still remember how military officials such as Major Alfredo Cuyupan, Col. Constancio Lasaten among others imposed the dictator’s iron-fisted rule in the province through usurping executive functions from local politicians. The murder and frustrated murder respectively of tribal leaders Macliing Dulag and Pedro Dungoc, both from the Butbut tribe of Kalinga, perpetrated by military troops under Lt. Leodegario Adalem in April 24, 1980 was one of the flashpoints in further inflaming the people’s resistance. The Beew massacre in Tubo, Abra which was carried out by military troops under Capt. Beredo in 1985, still brings tears and infuriation to those who have survived that fateful incident. Mr. Isidoro Chammag, the media reporter who exposed the said massacre was viciously and maliciously slapped with a Php5 million libel suit by the military in the same manner that journalists are subjected today with harassment up to cold blooded murder by the implementers of Duterte’s tyrannical martial rule.

This declaration is not surprising, as Duterte himself has been implementing an undeclared martial law in the entire country through Oplan Kapanatagan and its component counter-insurgency schemes directed by the NTF-ELCAC. It deviously avoids declaring an open martial law, knowing that in doing so will further inflame the boiling anger of the people and spur worldwide condemnation. But actually, the brazen terroristic attacks against the poor, opposition leaders and activists, together with the implementation of neoliberal policies and projects are acts of tyranny against the people.

Like his idol, Duterte is already widely despised by the Filipino people for his terrorism, corruption and shameless subservience to imperialism. Only a narcissist tyrant rejoices in praising a dictator of his type. The Filipinos have already sealed the fate of the dictator Marcos. Throughout the years of his fascist rule, the militarist brutality accelerated the rapid increase of the New People’s Army. No amount of historical revisionism can erase the pain that the people have endured during his bloody rule. Along with the rapid advance of armed struggle in the whole country, the seething rage of the suppressed citizenry erupted in a formidable strength of people’s uprising that swept the abhorred dictator down the garbage heap of history.

Until the whole semifeudal and semicolonial system is thoroughly smashed, the oppressed and exploited Filipino people shall persistently carry forward the revolutionary armed struggle until final victory.

Aye! Aya ka et chi! Rebolusyon kayet inggana ipangafak taku tay siya nan sumya! (Enough is enough! Advance the national democratic revolution till victory to end our sufferings!)

https://cpp.ph/statements/the-filipino-people-will-never-glorify-a-dictator/

CPP/NDF-CPDF-Mountain Province: CPDF-Mt. Province on declaring September 11 as Marcos day

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Sep 11, 2020): CPDF-Mt. Province on declaring September 11 as Marcos day

CORDILLERA PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC FRONT

CPDF-MT. PROVINCE

SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

The people of Mt. Province condemn any further attempt of the Congress to deem Ferdinand Marcos a national hero. Recently, legislators passed a bill proclaiming Marcos’s birthday (September 11) as a holiday. The said bill is utterly senseless and anti-people, particularly in the middle of the health and economic crises.

Throughout history, it was Marcos that had permitted the swift and violent entry of foreign and greedy companies of dams, mining, and logging in Mt. Province and the Cordillera. Alongside these was the heavy military deployments to protect the aforementioned projects which only serve the interests of Marcos, his cronies, and US imperialism. The national minorities were subjected to violations of their welfare and right to self-determination.

What must be always recalled and celebrated is the people’s brave, committed, and honorable defense of their ancestral lands and human rights – including economic, political, and cultural rights. Such feats were achieved through the people’s collective action, the exponential development of revolutionary organizations, and the advance of the people’s democratic revolution.

We must remember and hold high the elders and the people’s heroes who did not waver from the collective duty to uphold the people’s interests and against the fascist and dictator Marcos and Duterte, and the ruling classes who oppress and exploit the masses. The masses are the motive force that shall change this rotten system. The masses are the real heroes.

Marcos, not a hero! Resist dictatorship and tyranny!
Long live the the memory of the true people’s heroes!
Overthrow the fascist US-Duterte regime!

https://cpp.ph/statements/cpdf-mt-province-on-declaring-september-11-as-marcos-day/

Kalinaw News: Stakeholders’ forum held in Suriago del Sur

Posted to Kalinaw News (Sep 11, 2020): Stakeholders’ forum held in Suriago del Sur

Madrid, Surigao del Sur- The Department of the Interior and Local Government in the province of Surigao del Sur together with Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster holds forum with other stakeholders yesterday September 10, 2020 around 9:00 am at Grand Ballroom, Shacene Pension House and Restaurant, Tandag City.

The said forum aims to update plans, programs and activities to be implemented in the province particularly in the areas under the implementation of EO-70 in coordination with PRLEC.The objective of the activity is to help uplift the economic condition of the communities identified as less privilege, isolated and conflict affected areas and reduce the poverty level thru introducing innovative livelihood programs in which every agencies will respond to the needs of the communities by committing their support to the programs.
A total of seven Barangay beneficiaries from the three Municipalities of this province namely: the Municipality of Cantilan, Carmen and San Miguel have benefited thru the government programs.

The activity was actively participated by the head of the agencies spearheaded by Dir. Pedrito Alacaba, PD, DILG, Dir. Sol Jamero of PD,TESDA, representative of Gov. Pimentel Mr. Esmeraldo Raymundo of PGO, 67IB, 75IB, Brgy Captains and officials, Municipal planning Engineers ,members of the Media and other provincial and national government agencies.

In his statement, Lt. Col. Diagmel requested the commitment of the different agencies in responding to the call of the local community in helping the fast delivery of basic services to the conflict affected areas so that issues among the communities can now be address even in this trying times of pandemic. He stressed out that putting our acts together will be of great advantage to put an end to this insurgency.

“Military is not only the solution in ending the local communist armed conflict but rather by the convergence efforts of every one, the convergence of all line agencies working in unity and commitment to serve the Filipino people.,” LtCol Diagmel said.

He further added that the program given by the government must be fully accepted and supported by the local government. The commitment of the community towards the services given by government is one of the key factors to end the armed struggle. The Stakeholder forum was orchestrated by the provincial DILG with the PRLEC as one of the frontrunners of the government in ending the local communist armed conflict anchored on President Duterte EO-70 or the institutionalization of Whole of Nation Approach.







[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/stakeholders-forum-held-in-suriago-del-sur/

Kalinaw News:Seasoned AFP’s Intelligence Officer is new Southern Tagalog Army Commander

Posted to Kalinaw News (Sep 11, 2020): Seasoned AFP’s Intelligence Officer is new Southern Tagalog Army Commander

CAMP CAPINPIN, Tanay, Rizal – A seasoned AFP’s intelligence officer assumed command over Army’s 2nd Infantry Division which covers CALABARZON Region and MIMARO provinces in a simple change of command ceremony here on Friday.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte designated Major General Greg T. Almerol as the new Jungle Fighter’s Chief vice Major General Arnulfo Marcelo B. Burgos Jr. who took over as Commander, Northern Luzon Command on September 7.
Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana, Commanding General of the Philippine Army presided the formal transfer of authority, responsibility and accountability from MGen Burgos Jr to MGen Almerol.

Lt.Gen. Sobejana in his speech congratulated MGen Burgos for a “job well done in accomplishing your unit’s mission in making Southern Tagalog a peaceful and livable place in this part of the country,” while encouraging him “to carry on the good deeds in sweeping off the remaining NPA terrorists in the northern part of Luzon.”

It ca be recalled that under the sterling leadership of MGen Burgos, 2ID has pushed insurgency in Southern Tagalog on the verge of irrecoverable defeat and is just awaiting for the formal declaration of dismantling of the Guerilla Front Cesar, the second NPA front under the STRPC to be dismantled in two years following GF Honda which 202nd Infantry Brigade dismantled in 2019 when MGen Burgos was then its Brigade Commander.

Lt.Gen. Sobejana urged the new Jungle Fighter Commander to “make a final push in winning over our enemies which keeps on hampering our potential as a nation while ensuring iron-clad relationship between and among the different partner agencies in implementing PRRDs directive so that much coveted peace will soon have its place to every Filipino whom we have sworn to serve.”

He ended his remarks by wishing MGen Almerol “all the best as you continue to lead the Jungle Fighters in fulfilling its mandate as advocates of peace, servants of the people and defenders of Southern Tagalog.”

A “Distinguished Service Star interim to Philippine Legion of Honor” was conferred to MGen Burgos Jr for valuable and meritorious achievements in a position of major responsibility.

MGen Burgos in his relinquishment speech expressed his “utmost gratitude to the Jungle Fighters as well as to our stakeholders for the unwavering dedication to duty and unparalleled support which they extended upon him during his stint as the Division Commander.”

He attributed his success as Commander to his “hardworking and brave officers and men as well as to the people of Southern Tagalog’s collective desire to end insurgency and poverty which made things happen for the government, for the people and for the regions under my command as a whole.”

Meanwhile, MGen Almerol, a native of Cagayan De Oro and a graduate of Philippine Military Academy “Makatao” Class of 1989, was the AFP’s assistant chief of staff for intelligence prior his designation as the 40th Commander of the 2nd Infantry (Jungle Fighter) Division.

MGen Almerol is committed to “sustain what the 2nd Infantry Division has achieved and will further increase our operational tempo in an urgent manner so that peace may finally be won and our constituents will begin living the prosperous life that every Filipino truly deserves.”

He was a graduate of Masters in Public Management Major in Development Security and a recipient of various awards such as military merit medals with bronze spearhead device, bronze cross medals, military civic action medals, long service medal and distinguished service star among others.

He vowed that his “soldiers will always here to protect as a friend, sibling and partner of our constituents, government agencies and the general public as we pursue the goals of every peace-loving citizen” while addressing the few remaining NPAs to “speak with the government and cooperate to the nation’s call for unity and reconciliation or choose to suffer tragic ends which peace spoilers are destined to meet.”

Per military records, MGen Almerol spent most of his 31 years of service as an intelligence officer and was involved in some of the recent high-profile accomplishments in the Army and the AFP as a whole.











[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/seasoned-afps-intelligence-officer-is-new-southern-tagalog-army-commander/

Kalinaw News: Snowballing of surrenderees Continue as another ASG returned to the mainstream

Posted to Kalinaw News (Sep 11, 2020): Snowballing of surrenderees Continue as another ASG returned to the mainstream

Indanan , Sulu – Brigadier General Ignatius N. Patrimonio Philippine Army, Commander 1102nd Brigade programs continue to bear fruits . Abu Sayyaf Group ranks reduction continue to face a snowball of surrenders as another of their member yield to the government last 10 September 2020 at Brgy Buhanginan, Patikul Sulu.

Lieutenant Colonel Rafael P. Caido PA, Commander , 6th Special Forces Battalion welcome the voluntary surrender of @Amah Adin with one M16 rifle under the ASG Sub Leader Juhurim Hussein who was directly supervise by Radulan Sahiron. He was then presented to Brig. Gen. Patrimonio at Camp Bud Datu, Brgy Tagbak, Indanan, Sulu for initial interview and assistance.
@ Amah Adin is already the second ASG returnee for the week following the surender of @ Tong last 07 September to this unit through the efforts of 6SF Battalion. Just like the others, @ Amah Adin decided to return to the folds of the law for he can’t no longer bear the terroristic activities of the ASG which he witnessed as the one causing the sufferings of his fellow Tausugs.

“Indeed, the snowballing of surrender is a manifestation that our peace initiaves with the LGU of Patikul is effective. And, we expect more as the programs of Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC) Patikul continue to reach them out. This positive response however , will not make us rest on our laurels but rather push ourselves further until we trully bring the ASG on the brink of collapse,” stated by Brig. Gen. Patrimonio PA, under Joint Task Force Sulu.



[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/snowballing-of-surrenderees-continue-as-another-asg-returned-to-the-mainstream/

Kalinaw News: 2 NPA members dead, another arrested in Calinan clash

Posted to Kalinaw News (Sep 11, 2020): 2 NPA members dead, another arrested in Calinan clash

NSFA, Panacan, Davao City – Two members of the New People’s Army died while another was arrested after a clash with the government troops at a forested area of Sitio Kanacan, Barangay Saloy, Calinan District, Davao City on September 9, 2020.

The gun battle ensued after troops from the 27th Infantry Battalion responded to the report of concerned residents about the presence of an armed group in the area.
While conducting a clearing operation at the site of encounter, the troops also captured a wounded female member who was immediately given first-aid intervention and was immediately referred to Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) for further treatment.

Troops were able to recover from the scene one M4 rifle, three M16 rifles, and one M14 rifle belonging to the NPA after the incident.

Meanwhile, Lt. Gen Jose C. Faustino Jr., Commander of Eastern Mindanao Command, lauded the efforts of the 27th Infantry Battalion in securing the community in Davao City from possible atrocities. He also commended the support of the community for informing the troops on the presence of the NPA.

“The culture of security in the City of Davao is indeed present. With the help of concerned residents, inhumane acts and possible atrocities to be committed by the NPA against this peaceful city have been prevented,” he said.

“We call on the remaining members of the NPA to surrender and lay down their arms and avail the government services through Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program. What had transpired in Calinan that killed your comrades is a clear manifestation that the military is now working hand-in-hand with the communities in fighting against Communist Terrorist Group”, Lt. Gen Faustino Jr added.

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/2-npa-members-dead-another-arrested-in-calinan-clash/

‘Better safe than sorry’: Recto wants no Dito cell sites in military bases

From Rappler (Sep 10, 2020): ‘Better safe than sorry’: Recto wants no Dito cell sites in military bases (By JC GOTINGA)

Whether or not Dito Telecommunity's cell sites would be an 'electronic Trojan horse,' Senator Ralph Recto says military bases should be off-limits to the China-backed telco

For the sake of national security, the country’s China-backed 3rd telco should just build its cell sites in places other than military bases, Senator Ralph Recto said on Thursday, September 10.

Dito Telecommunity, a consortium that includes Beijing-run China Telecom, recently got Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana’s approval to put up cell sites in military camps and properties alongside existing equipment by the other two telcos, Globe and Smart.

The arrangement may leave the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) vulnerable to spying by China, as its own risk analysis found. However, the AFP said it can put “safeguards” to avert security breaches.

“I am not yet ready to fully subscribe to suspicions that having [Dito] inside these national security compounds is like letting in an electronic Trojan horse. But it is better to be safe than sorry,” Recto, the Senate president pro tempore, said in a statement.

Military installations occupy a minuscule fraction of the Philippines’ 30-million-hectare landmass, he pointed out.

“Dito can build their sites anywhere in this wide expanse of land – and government should help them – except in the 25 Navy bases and stations, 53 Army bases, and 17 Air Force bases and stations, which should be declared as no-go zones for this company,” he said.

“The military is not that big a landlord whose holdings are crucial in a telco’s operations. Why insist on building on military real estate?” Recto added.

The lawmaker suggested letting Dito build cell sites in the country’s nearly 50,000 public school and state university campuses, following health and environmental laws. Dito could then pay rent in cash or in kind – such as free broadband connections for students.

The AFP does not need a “land lease sideline business” anyway, because it has enjoyed a “most favored agency status” in terms of its share of the national budget over the last 50 years, Recto noted.

The military’s “co-location” deals with telcos are not a matter of necessity, “more so if the tenant is 40% owned by a state-owned foreign company whose principal allegiance, under the laws of that country, is to its government,” he added.

The AFP earlier said Dito sought a similar arrangement to what Globe and Smart has with the military for security, especially in critical areas. The military would then benefit from equipment, training, and better internet connection gained from having telcos within their properties.

What happened before?

Recto was one of several lawmakers who flagged the AFP’s cell site co-location deal with Dito when it was initially signed in September 2019.

They said the arrangement exposes the military to possible espionage by Beijing because China Telecom, as a state-run entity, is mandated by Chinese law to provide intelligence to their government.

Acknowledging the risks, Lorenzana held off signing the agreement after the Senate asked to review it. On September 8, nearly a year since Dito and the AFP made the agreement, Lorenzana told a House panel that he had given the deal his final approval, since he received no further complaint from the Senate.

The AFP Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Communication, Electronics, and Information Systems (J6) ran a risk analysis of the deal with Dito, and found that it exposes the military to electronic and radio frequency eavesdropping, interception, and signal jamming.

Although these risks were deemed mostly “highly likely” to occur, the military study concluded that the net risks were low because of control measures the AFP already had or was planning to acquire.

MUST READ
Military report confirms spying risks in deal with China-backed telco

Experts who studied the agreement and the AFP’s risk analysis told Rappler last December that the military’s analysis was insufficient and the “control measures” it specified in the study were entry-level. The deal with Dito, they said, would leave the military an “open gate” to cyber attacks.

China itself has a history of cyber espionage, which the AFP appeared to have discounted, the experts said.

Dito Telecommunity also includes Filipino businessman Dennis Uy’s Udenna Corporation and Chelsea Logistics. Uy was one of President Rodrigo Duterte’s major campaign contributors in the 2016 elections.

Dito has denied it would present national security threats, and emphasized it would be investing P250 billion to improve the country’s telco industry, along with jobs for many Filipinos.

https://rappler.com/nation/better-safe-sorry-recto-wants-no-dito-cell-sites-military-bases

Bloody encounter: 2 NPA rebels killed, amazon captured in Calinan clash

From the Mindanao Times (Sep 11, 2020): Bloody encounter: 2 NPA rebels killed, amazon captured in Calinan clash (BY RHODA GRACE SARON)

TWO COMMUNIST guerrillas were killed in a clash with the troops from the 27th Infantry Battalion on the morning of Wednesday, Sept. 9, in Sitio Kanacan, Barangay Saloy, Calinan District.

Meanwhile, the soldiers also caught one female New People’s Army rebel and confiscated five high-powered firearms at the scene.

Brig. Gen. Nolasco Mempin identified the slain rebels as alias Alvin and alias Danny while the female guerrilla was identified only as alias Kylie, 33, from Bukidnon.

Mempin said they were all members of Guerilla Front 55, Sub-Regional Committee 5, Southern Mindanao Revolutionary Committee under Ka Marikit.

According to the report, the soldiers responded to the information given by the residents in the area on the presence of a heavily armed group in Barangay Saloy. Around 11:30 a.m., they chanced upon the rebels, which resulted in a firefight.

They seized one M4 rifle, three M16 rifles, and one M14 rifle from the scene during the clearing operations. The soldiers also gave chase to the escaping rebels.

Aside from the firearms, they also found one rifle grenade, 10 kilos of improvised explosive devices; two-way radios; two cellular phones; an external hard drive; a USB; a pair of binoculars; two solar panels; 15 backpacks, subversive documents, and cooking utensils.

The firefight occurred in a remote area away from the civilian population.

Meanwhile, the Army is working with the barangay officials and the police to handle the bodies and locate their relatives. The unit has also coordinated with the Scene of the Crime Operatives to process the encounter site.

Mempin extended his gratitude to the residents for cooperating with the government. He also sympathized with the family of the slain rebels.

“As for those who still do not cease to give up arms, we will continue to use the government’s might to protect the people in our area of responsibility until the peace in all communities is finally established,” he said.

https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2020/09/11/bloody-encounter-2-npa-rebels-killed-amazon-captured-in-calinan-clash/

3 CTG members surrender in CAR

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 11, 2020): 3 CTG members surrender in CAR (By Redjie Melvic M. Cawis)

LA TRINDAD, Benguet, Sept. 10(PIA) -- The Police Regional Office-Cordillera presented three communist terrorist group(CTG) members who surrendered to the folds of the law at the Camp Bado Dangwa here on Sept. 7.

PRO-Cor Regional Intelligence Division Chief PCol. Reynaldo Pasiwen identified the former rebels thru their aliases as Ka Alice, Ka Benjie and Ka Jimmy.

Ka Benjie and Ka Alice turned over their M1 US Cal. 30 Carbine rifles and PRO-Cor Deputy Regional Director for Administration PCol. Lawrence Coop and witnessed by Regional Director BGen. R'winPagkalinawan and the rest of the command group.

PRO-Cor officials inspect the firearms turned over by the three CTGs who surrendered to government authorities recently. RMC PIA-CAR

The three who decided to leave the underground movement due to severe pressure from focused operations and the hardship of always being on the run, shared their experiences .

Ka Alice said she was enticed by the Mountain Province Youth Alliance while studying at the Mountain Province State Polytechnic College in 2018. She joined the armed revolution and served as Assistant Medic and Logistic Officer under the Kilusang Larangang Guerilla (KLG) AMPIS operating in the tri-boundaries of Mountain Province, Ilocos Sur and Abra. Due to the hardships she experienced in the movement,
She decided to surrender to pursue a quiet life in the province.

Ka Benjie said that he was recruited by the Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA), a front organization, to join the NPA in 2007. He met CPA members who enticed him to join the movement and acquire free education. when heattended a “Cordillera Day” celebration in Tucucan, Mountain Province.

As a political instructor of KLG MARCO operating in Mt Province and Kalinga particularly in Sagada, Bontoc and Tinglayan, his function was to entice young people in the far-flung communities who are drop outs to join the NPA to get free education.

As he engaged the community, however, he learned about the programs of the government which help people like him to return to the folds of the law. This made him realize that there is still hope of having a bright future in mainstream society.

Ka Jimmy also shared that he was recruited and indoctrinated into the communist front under the KLG BAGGAS at the age of 12 in 2012. He later became a full time NPA member and completed the NPA advance course “Batayang Kursong Pangmilitar” especially trained on explosives by an instructor from Mindanao.

At a young age, he said he was exposed in the battlefield and have witnessed the killing of men from both sides. Realizing that the revolution would lead to nowhere, he decided to surrender to live peacefully and attend to the needs of his family.

The surrender of the CTG members is the outcome of the intensified operations by the PNP and concerted efforts of the intelligence operatives of PRO-Cor, the Benguet Provincial Police Office with the support and intercession of their relatives.

Pagkalinawan said the three will be processed under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) in order to receive welfare assistance, livelihood assistance, and incentives for the surrendered firearms. (JDP/RMC- PIA CAR)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1052700

LGU Kalayaan assumes custody of civilians coerced by NPA leader

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 11, 2020): LGU Kalayaan assumes custody of civilians coerced by NPA leader (By PA 2ID DPAO)

Kalayaan Mayor Sandy Laganapan received the three individuals who requested for military custody after coerced to hide a fleeing notorious NPA leader. Also present during the handover were Maricar Palacol of Laguna Peace and Order Council, Brigadier General Alex Rillera of 202nd Infantry Brigade and Lt Col Jesus Diocton of the 1st Infantry Battalion. (Photo: PA 2ID DPAO)

CAMP CAPINPIN, Tanay, Rizal, Sept 11 (PIA) – Three individuals who requested for military custody after coerced to hide a fleeing notorious NPA leader were received on Thursday by the local government of Kalayaan, Laguna.

It can be recalled that the Army’s 202nd Brigade granted the request for custody of the three individuals expressed through their Aug 11 affidavit endorsed by Mayor Sandy Laganapan the following day.

Aside from the Municipal Mayor, present during the handover were Maricar Palacol of Laguna Peace and Order Council, Brigadier General Alex Rillera of 202nd Infantry Brigade and Lt Col Jesus Diocton of the 1st Infantry Battalion.

During the undertaking, Mayor Laganapan expressed the “people of Kalayaan’s heartfelt appreciation to the military for always living up to their mandate of securing the citizens from possible terroristic actions by the enemies of the state.”

BGen Rillera responded by “reaffirming their readiness to help the constituents and respond to their requests to the best of their abilities regardless whether those are in times of conflict, disaster or peace.”

“The fact that these civilians requested for military custody is a manifestation, and a tangible proof, of our people’s growing degree of trust and confidence to the AFP”, added BGen Rillera.

He ended his statement by saying that prior to the handover to the LGU, “these civilians received psycho-social intervention from social workers and health professionals to ensure they are no longer suffering from trauma and ready to return to their normal lives.”

On an earlier press release, the military said the trio admitted to being forced to hide and support Mario Caraig alias Jethro, the Secretary of the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee’s SRMA 4C, from pursuing AFP-PNP elements who were then closing in to the location of the now deceased terrorist commander.

“Under duress, these civilians took in alias Jethro who was then fleeing from the Aug 4 encounter site wherein RTF ELCAC 4A’s PLEDS Team neutralised alias Termo, the NPA Commander of the Main Regional Guerilla Unit which operates across Southern Tagalog”, the press release read.

The three civilians have been previously identified as Virgillo Asedillo, Chloe Anne Asedillo and Marknel Iwarat.

Major General Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr, Commander of the AFP’s Northern Luzon Command who is concurrently serving as the Commander of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division, reassured the public that “the soldiers will always protect informants as well as their families from any retaliatory acts of the terrorists.”

He added that granting protective custody to those under terrorist threat is part of their responsibility to every Filipino citizen.

“The Jungle Fighter Division will remain steadfast in living up to our most solemn oath of being advocates of peace, servants of the people and defenders of Southern Tagalog”, ended Maj Gen Burgos. (PIA-4A/PA 2ID DPAO)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1052772

AFP's seasoned intelligence officer is new Southern Tagalog Army Commander

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 11, 2020): AFP's seasoned intelligence officer is new Southern Tagalog Army Commander (By PA 2ID DPAO)

Change of Command, MGen Greg T Almerol was designated as the new Jungle Fighter's Chief vice MGen Arnulfo Marcelo B Burgos Jr who took over as Commander of the Northern Luzon Command on September 7. (Photo: PA 2ID DPAO)

CAMP CAPINPIN, Tanay, Rizal, Sept 13 (PIA) – A seasoned intelligence officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) assumed command over Army’s 2nd Infantry Division covering CALABARZON Region and MIMARO provinces in a simple change of command ceremony here on Friday.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte designated MGen Greg T Almerol as the new Jungle Fighter's Chief vice MGen Arnulfo Marcelo B Burgos Jr who took over as Commander of the Northern Luzon Command on September 7.

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Commanding General of the Philippine Army presided the formal transfer of authority, responsibility and accountability from MGen Burgos Jr to MGen Almerol.

Lt.Gen. Sobejana in his speech congratulated MGen Burgos for a "job well done in accomplishing your unit's mission in making Southern Tagalog a peaceful and livable place in this part of the country," while encouraging him "to carry on the good deeds in sweeping off the remaining NPA terrorists in the northern part of Luzon."

It ca be recalled that under the sterling leadership of MGen Burgos, 2ID has pushed insurgency in Southern Tagalog on the verge of irrecoverable defeat and is just awaiting for the formal declaration of dismantling of the Guerilla Front Cesar, the second NPA front under the STRPC to be dismantled in two years following GF Honda which 202nd Infantry Brigade dismantled in 2019 when MGen Burgos was then its Brigade Commander.

Lt.Gen. Sobejana urged the new Jungle Fighter Commander to “make a final push in winning over our enemies which keeps on hampering our potential as a nation while ensuring iron-clad relationship between and among the different partner agencies in implementing PRRDs directive so that much coveted peace will soon have its place to every Filipino whom we have sworn to serve.”

MGen Greg T Almerol newly-designated Jungle Fighter's Chief vice MGen Arnulfo Marcelo B Burgos Jr who took over as Commander of the Northern Luzon Command in a walk thru of the troops in formation during the change of command ceremony in Camp Capinpin, Tanay, Rizal September 7. (Photo: PA 2ID PDAO)

He ended his remarks by wishing MGen Almerol “all the best as you continue to lead the Jungle Fighters in fulfilling its mandate as advocates of peace, servants of the people and defenders of Southern Tagalog.”

A “Distinguished Service Star interim to Philippine Legion of Honor” was conferred to MGen Burgos Jr for valuable and meritorious achievements in a position of major responsibility.

MGen Burgos in his relinquishment speech expressed his “utmost gratitude to the Jungle Fighters as well as to our stakeholders for the unwavering dedication to duty and unparalleled support which they extended upon him during his stint as the Division Commander."

He attributed his success as Commander to his “hardworking and brave officers and men as well as to the people of Southern Tagalog's collective desire to end insurgency and poverty which made things happen for the government, for the people and for the regions under my command as a whole.”

Meanwhile, MGen Almerol, a native of Cagayan De Oro and a graduate of Philippine Military Academy “Makatao” Class of 1989, was the AFP’s assistant chief of staff for intelligence prior his designation as the 40th Commander of the 2nd Infantry (Jungle Fighter) Division.

MGen Almerol is committed to “sustain what the 2nd Infantry Division has achieved and will further increase our operational tempo in an urgent manner so that peace may finally be won and our constituents will begin living the prosperous life that every Filipino truly deserves.”

He was a graduate of Masters in Public Management Major in Development Security and a recipient of various awards such as military merit medals with bronze spearhead device, bronze cross medals, military civic action medals, long service medal and distinguished service star among others.

He vowed that his “soldiers will always here to protect as a friend, sibling and partner of our constituents, government agencies and the general public as we pursue the goals of every peace-loving citizen” while addressing the few remaining NPAs to “speak with the government and cooperate to the nation’s call for unity and reconciliation or choose to suffer tragic ends which peace spoilers are destined to meet.”

Per military records, MGen Almerol spent most of his 31 years of service as an intelligence officer and was involved in some of the recent high-profile accomplishments in the Army and the AFP as a whole. (PIA-4A/PA 2ID DPAO)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1052866

Tagumpay ng kampanyang ELCAC sa Silangang Bisayas, pag-iibayuhin pa

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 11, 2020): Tagumpay ng kampanyang ELCAC sa Silangang Bisayas, pag-iibayuhin pa (By Olive P. Tiu)

TACLOBAN CITY, Setyembre 10 (PIA) -- Tagumpay nang kampanyang ELCAC sa Silangang Bisayas, pag-iibayuhin pa upang makamtan ang lubos na kapayapaan at kaunlaran. Ito ang isiniwalat ni MGen Pio Diñoso, commander ng 8th Infantry Division sa pakikipanayam ng Philippine Information Agency kamakailan.

Ayon kay MGen. Diñoso, TWG Chair ng RTF8- ELCAC, nabuwag na ang dalawa sa target na limang guerilla fronts sa Eastern Visayas ngayong taon.

“Ito yong sa central Samar area at ang pangalawa ay yong sa north portion ng Samar province,” ani Diñoso.

Tiwala si Diñoso na mas pag-iibayuhin pa ang kampanya para mapagtagumpayan ang layuning lima sa siyam na guerilla fronts na nag-ooperate sa tatlong probinsiya ang madidismantle ngayong taong ito.

Una nang nabuwag ang dalawang guerilla fronts sa Leyte, Southern Leyte at Biliran noong 2019.

“Ibig sabihin po niyan ay ang mga residente, mga Samarnon ay hindi na mapepeste ng mga NPA...Pwede na silang mabuhay with normal lives.”

Kinilala naman ng Heneral ang epektibong pagtutulungan ng lahat ng ahensiya ng pamahalaan at ng mga mamamayan para mapagtagumpayan ang kampanyang magkaroon ng kapayapaan at kaunlaran sa dakong ito ng Pilipinas. (PIA-8)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1052812

4 schools in Bicol to start using USAID learning tools

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 11, 2020): 4 schools in Bicol to start using USAID learning tools (By Connie Calipay)



AID FOR LEARNERS. USAID Philippines launches its ABC+project for Bicol on Friday (Sept. 11, 2020). Under the program, four schools in the region will start to explore and model different learning modalities as part of the implementation of the DepEd's Basic Education–Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP) for the early grades. (Photo courtesy of USAID Philippines)

Four schools in Bicol will explore different learning modalities for the early grades through the United States Agency for International Development's (USAID) Advancing Basic Education or ABC+project as part of the implementation of the Department of Education's (DepEd) Basic Education–Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP).

Tom LeBlanc, director of Office of Education, USAID Philippines, in his message on Friday during the virtual launch of the project, said the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) crisis is a transformative challenge that needs the support of everyone to work together and ensure learning continuity.

“With a gap of about 29 weeks between now and the previous school year, we expect to see substantial learning losses, especially among kindergarten to Grade 3 students. It will be a challenging work ahead of us but we remain hopeful and willing to do our very best for the children of the Philippines,” he said.

LeBlanc said based on studies, distance learning works for students with more time for parental engagement, and better access to books and materials.

“We aimed to have all these elements and our support to DepEd and make remote learning work for our early grade learners in Regions 5 and 6. To support learning, readers practice, supplemental learning materials will be made available,” he added.

LeBlanc said that through the ABC+project in the Philippines, the USAID would be able to contribute efforts to tackle specific challenges of home-based learning by developing learning delivery modality options for Kindergarten to Grade 3 pupils.

Ina Aquino, Chief of Party for the ABC+ project, said they support the DepEd "to mitigate learning loss in the area of literacy and help school heads in making decisions on appropriate learning delivery modalities".

The pilot schools for the ABC+project in Bicol region include Albay Central School and Lamba Central School in Legaspi City and the Villa Aurora Elementary School and Parang Elementary School in Camarines Norte.

As part of the intervention, the schools will administer a rapid assessment to determine the literacy level of incoming Kindergarten to Grade 3 pupils and help teachers determine the level of support each child needs. To address the results of the assessment, each student will receive level appropriate reading materials.

Teachers and home learning partners can use the booklets to develop word recognition, comprehension, and fluency skills while also fostering a love of reading among children.

Crestito M. Morcilla, Schools Division Superintendent of Legazpi City, sthanked the ABC+ project for their assistance "to our teachers and our Kindergarten to Grade 3 learners and the support of our barangay officials and Sangguniang Kabataan volunteers”.

“The literacy assessment tools offered by ABC+ is a helpful tool for teachers to identify specific needs and reading levels of learners so that the teachers will give appropriate interventions. It is also crucial that the teachers and home learning partners are capacitated on beginning reading,” said Lourdes Non, principal of Parang Elementary School in Camarines Norte.

In his message, Gilbert Sadsad, DepEd-Bicol regional director, extended his appreciation to the efforts of the teachers, parents, LGUs and other stakeholders in embracing the new ways of learning amid the pandemic. "We will succeed because you are with us," he added.

USAID’s ABC+ project, in partnership with the DepEd, is improving the basic life skills of early grade students in Regions 5 and 6 and in the province of Maguindanao in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1115117

SC junks Reds' release plea

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 10, 2020): SC junks Reds' release plea (By Benjamin Pulta)

The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday said it has remanded to the lower courts a petition filed by several prisoners who alleged that they are among the elderly, sick, and pregnant population of inmates exposed to the danger of contracting coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

In a statement, the SC Public Information Office confirmed that the high court issued the decision on July 28 regarding the petition filed by suspected communist rebels seeking temporary liberty based on humanitarian grounds and either on recognizance or bail.

"These proceedings are within the competence of the trial courts. The Supreme Court reiterated the doctrine that it is not the proper forum to ventilate factual questions especially if they are presented for adjudication on the first instance. Instead, the proper venue are the trial courts," the SC said.

It added that after the deliberations by the court, it was determined that the petition presented several complex issues making the interaction of applicable principles ridden with far-reaching implications.

The court was unanimous in treating the petition as an application by the petitioners for bail or recognizance, as well as motions for other practicable and suitable confinement arrangements, in connection with the purported threats to their health and lives.

It noted that the petitioners have all been charged with offenses punishable by reclusion perpetual (up to 40 years imprisonment). As such, they are not entitled to bail as a matter of right under the Constitution, and that in order for them to be granted bail, it is imperative to conduct hearings and receive evidence in order to weigh the strength of the prosecution’s evidence as to the guilt of the petitioners.

"Thus, the Supreme Court in treating the Petition as an application for bail or recognizance as well as petitioners’ motions for other confinement arrangements, referred the same to the trial courts, where the respective criminal cases of the petitioners remain pending, and directed them to conduct the necessary proceedings and resolve the incidents immediately. The Supreme Court also considered the proceedings before it closed and terminated," the SC said.

Solicitor General Jose Calida in April asked the SC to dismiss a petition seeking the release of detained communist rebels saying that “to grant the petition would result in grave injustice not only to the people of the Philippines but also to the surviving relatives of petitioners’ victims who are still waiting for justice to be finally served.”

The petition, he said, “is one that involves perception and deception”, noting that while the petitioners in the suit claim to be political prisoners, they are actually under detention for non-bailable offenses.

Some five of the 22 petitioners are charged before the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 32 with 15 counts of murder for their involvement in the Inopacan massacre, which came to light after 68 skeletal remains were discovered in Inopacan, Leyte in 1992.

They were the victims of the inhumane Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) internal cleansing dubbed project 'Venereal Disease', Calida said.

“One must call a spade a spade. The petitioners are all valuable members of the terrorist organization,” he said.

He added that “without a doubt, this petition is a ruse” to remove them from the confines of jail.

“Contrary to their claim, there are no humanitarian considerations involved but merely opportunistic legalism to distort established judicial processes,” Calida said.

He said the petitioners’ continued detention affords them “ready access to government resources if and when the dreaded virus reaches the doors of their cells, no less different outside their cells.”

The petition filed on April 8 by the Public Interest Law Center and the National Union of People’s Lawyers was on behalf of 22 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs). They said the petition also covers prisoners who are similarly situated “but cannot be included in this petition due to the difficult circumstances”.

It also asked the high court to compel the government to create a Prisoner Release Committee, “similar to those set up in other countries, to urgently study and implement the release of all other prisoners in various congested prisons” throughout the country.

Among those listed as petitioners at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and at the Manila City jail were Dionisio S. Almonte, 62; Ireneo O. Atadero Jr., 57; Alexander Ramonita K. Birondo, 68; Winona Marie O. Birondo, 61;Rey Claro C. Casambre, 68; Ferdinand T. Castillo, 60; Francisco O. Fernandez Jr, 71; Renante Gamara, 62; Vicente P. Ladlad, 70;Cleofe S. Lagtapon, 66; Ediesel R. Legaspi, 62; Adelberto Silva, 72; Alberto L. Villamor, 63;Virginia B. Villamor, 65; Emmanuel Bacarra, 55; Oliver Rosales, 48; Oscar Belleza, 63; Norberto A. Murillo, 66; and Dario Tomada, 60.

Meanwhile, detained at the Bureau of Corrections is Lilia Bucatcat, 73.

Ge-ann Perez, 21, is detained at the Taguig City Jail Female Dormitory while Reina Mae Nasino, 22, is detained at the Manila City Jail Female Dormitory.

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

In a statement, Assistant Solicitor General Angelita Miranda welcomed the court's decision.

"The highest tribunal rejected their plea and instead adopted in toto one of our strongest arguments that this is a great ploy to deceive the SC riding on the pandemic to release them when it is a motion for bail that must be heard in the courts where their non- bailable cases are pending," she said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1115058

Cops with Covid-19 now 4.8K

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 11, 2020): Cops with Covid-19 now 4.8K (By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan)


File photo

The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported that 31 more police officers contracted the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), bringing the total number of cases among its ranks to 4,868.

As of Thursday evening, the PNP Health Service said of the 31 new infections, 20 were from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) followed by National Administrative Support Unit with four, three from Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 (Western Visayas) and one each from the National Headquarters, PRO 1 (Ilocos Region), 2 (Cagayan Valley) and 13 (Caraga).

Meanwhile, 3,396 PNP personnel have already recovered from the disease while the death toll stands at 16.

The PNP Health Service is also monitoring 735 probable cases and 3,146 suspected cases.

Cops tested for Covid-19 observe a 14-day quarantine and undergo another test.

Once cleared, they have to rest for seven to 10 more days before going back to duty.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1115087

Navy chief cites security issues over Sangley base removal

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 11, 2020): Navy chief cites security issues over Sangley base removal (By Priam Nepomuceno)



Navy chief Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo. (File photo)

The removal of the Philippine Navy's (PN) Naval Base Cavite Complex (NBC) in Sangley Point in Cavite for the construction of the Sangley Point International Airport (SPIA) could have massive security and logistical implications for the PN and the country as a whole.

PN chief Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo made this remark when asked on the implications should SPIA's construction pushes through and their presence in Sangley Point is removed.

"The removal of the Navy from Sangley will mean the following: removal of a sentinel guarding the entrance to Manila, removal of a logistics and operations hub for PN ships, displacement of PN families, uniformed personnel, PN office buildings, elementary and high school, weather station, small arms ammunition depot, fuel depot, training centers," Bacordo said in a message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA) Friday.

SPIA is a Cavite-initiated joint venture between the China Communications Construction Corporation and MacroAsia Corp and is planned to ease congestion at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

"It is okay for the Navy to co-exist with SPIA. While SPIA will contribute to the economic development and the easing of traffic in Metro Manila, the Navy's presence in Sangley has national security implications. Economic development and national security should go hand-in-hand," Bacordo added.

In a radio interview on Thursday, Bacordo expressed hope that the Navy will remain at Sangley Point even if the SPIA's construction pushes through.

Based on engineering drawings, Bacordo said SPIA will occupy the whole of Sangley plus about 75 percent of Cañacao Bay once reclaimed.

"If we will base it on drawings there will be no location for the transfer of PN’s Sangley (Point) facilities," he added.

Bacordo said the PN will discuss these things with the Cavite local government unit to come out with a win-win solution.

The NBC Complex is composed of Naval Base Heracleo Alano and Naval Station Pascual Ledesma at Sangley Point and Fort San Felipe, respectively.

It is designed to address challenges and security threats at-sea against the seat of the central government in Manila in view of its proximity to the seat of power.

NBC's location makes it a staging point for security forces protecting Manila Bay, and as an alternative Command Center once pre-designated command-and-control facilities in Manila are damaged and unserviceable.

Currently, it serves as the PN’s main repair and maintenance facility for ships and aircraft, as a logistics hub, as a loading and off-loading point for logistics, troops, and equipment to and from various parts of the archipelago.

It is also a training site for ship and aircraft crew and hosts the biggest on-base housing for PN personnel and their families.

Sangley Point is a 143-hectare Armed Forces of the Philippines-administered property where the PN and Philippine Air Force occupy 66 hectares on the east side and 77 hectares on the west side, respectively.

The PN currently depends on its facilities at NBC in order to sustain its mission all over the archipelago.

With these characteristics and being the nearest existing major naval base within the center of the maritime domain, NBC has already been identified as one of the PN’s main naval bases.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1115094

BRP Ramon Alcaraz ready for deployment after sea trials: Navy

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 11, 2020): BRP Ramon Alcaraz ready for deployment after sea trials: Navy (By Priam Nepomuceno)



BRP Ramon Alcaraz. (Philippine Navy photo)

The offshore patrol vessel, BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS-16), is ready for deployment following its successful sea trials off the waters of Zambales, the Philippine Navy (PN) said on Friday.

"PS-16 (conducted) sea trials from September 8 to 9, 2020 within the vicinity of the Zambales area. The sea trial conducted all the systems and machinery tests that were probably affected during the fire incident," Navy public affairs officer, Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas, said in a message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

Roxas was referring to the fire that hit the ship's main engine room on May 7 while it was in Cochin, India on its way home to the Philippines.

"The sea trials of BRP Ramon Alcaraz (were) conducted successfully with satisfactory results. She is now (on) Level 2 status, ready for deployment," she said.

Sea trials are the last part of the construction or the repair process, which determines if the vessel is seaworthy or operational again.

Roxas added that the repairs were conducted by US Naval Sea Systems Command personnel, local contractors, and crewmembers aboard the BRP Ramon Alcaraz.

"This repair will also prepare the ship for her next mission," she said.

The BRP Ramon Alcaraz along with the landing dock BRP Davao Del Sur (LD-602) are the two ship-components of Naval Task Force 82 (NTF 82), which was deployed to Oman for the repatriation of overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East in February following tensions between the United States and Iran early this year.

When tensions between the two countries eased, the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic prompted NTF 82 to go on another mission of transporting donated face masks and repatriating stranded Filipinos due to travel restrictions in India and Sri Lanka.

The two ships departed from Sultan Qaboos, Oman on April 21 and arrived in India on April 29 to fetch a donation of 200,000 pieces of face mask from a Filipino businessman based in that country, as well as 18 Filipino tourists and workers stranded due to the 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, with BRP Ramon Alcaraz undergoing temporary repairs at the Indian port.

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, arriving in the country on June 12.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1115119

Yu named new PNP spokesperson

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 11, 2020): Yu named new PNP spokesperson (By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan)



PNP spokesperson, Col. Ysmael Yu. (Photo from PNP Public Information Office)

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has a new spokesperson.

Col. Ysmael Yu formally assumed on Friday as the PNP spokesperson and acting chief of the PNP Public Information Office.

Yu, a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Tanglaw Diwa Class of 1992, replaced Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac who was reassigned as director of the PNP Training Service.

Before his reassignment to the National Headquarters, Yu was deputy regional director for operations of the Police Regional Office-1 (Ilocos Region) since October 2019.

Yu obtained his Master in Public Management degree from the Development Academy of the Philippines in 2017.

He also underwent various training and programs such as counter-terrorism management course, criminal undercover operation course, police intelligence advance course, finance officer basic course, supervisory development course, Special Forces operations course, and others.

He also served as chief of the Special Service Unit of Headquarters Support Service in Camp Crame and chief of Finance Service Office 1 and 3 in 2017.

In 2012, he was a company commander of Bulacan Mobile Force Battalion Company and served as a senior executive assistant at the Office of the Deputy Chief for Operations in 2019.

Based on the existing PNP policy, the spokesperson is the official mouthpiece and publicist of the PNP on public information matters involving internal security and general peace and order and accomplishments of the PNP.

The PNP spokesperson is a personal staff officer of the Chief PNP and holds the concurrent capacity as Chief of the Public Information Office, the lead implementer of the PNP Media Relations Policy at the national headquarters level.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1115133

No 'exchange' deal between Duterte, US over Pemberton pardon

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 11, 2020): No 'exchange' deal between Duterte, US over Pemberton pardon (By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora)



US Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton. (File photo)

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. on Friday reiterated that no exchange deal happened between Manila and Washington over the absolute pardon granted by President Rodrigo Duterte to US Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton, who was convicted of killing Filipino transgender Jennifer Laude.

"I already said it was the President’s unilateral decision. What is it about 'I already said' that’s so hard to understand? I was with the President. Just me and Secretary (Menardo) Guevarra and ES (Salvador Medialdea) and Senator Bong Go," he said in a Twitter post.

The statement came a day after Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque surmised that Duterte's decision to pardon Pemberton might be linked to the government's bid to secure access to coronavirus vaccines the US is developing.

"There is no exchange. I clinched that purely on my charm with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. I insisted that it (vaccine procurement) be a private sector venture," Locsin wrote in a prior tweet. "It is what it was: the President's sense of fairness in a particular case. And it's impeccable law and morals."

Duterte said he granted Pemberton absolute pardon as he believed the latter was not treated "fairly" while detained because his good conduct time allowance (GCTA) credits were not recorded by Philippine authorities.

The granting of pardon to Pemberton extinguished the issue of whether or not he is entitled to GCTA.

Pemberton was convicted of homicide on Dec. 1, 2015, for killing Laude in October 2014.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1115166

PH, China defense execs commit to maintain peace in SCS

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 11, 2020): PH, China defense execs commit to maintain peace in SCS (By Priam Nepomuceno)



COMMITTED TO PEACE. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (right) and Chinese Defense Minister, Gen. Wei Fenghe (left), show a copy of the implementing guidelines for the implementation of a 130-million Chinese renminbi grant from China to the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the form of equipment, especially for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Friday (Sept. 11, 2020). The two defense officials also committed to maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea. (Photo courtesy of DND Public Affairs Service)

The Philippines and China have committed to maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea (SCS).

This came after Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and his counterpart, Chinese Minister of National Defense, Gen. Wei Fenghe, had a meeting at DND headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Friday.

The two officials discussed a range of issues affecting the defense relations of both countries. Also discussed were the issues on the SCS and how to avoid misunderstanding, and to resolve differences amicably.

"Both agreed that peace and stability in the SCS should be maintained. Both also talked about the early conclusion of the Code of Conduct in the SCS," the DND said in a statement.

Lorenzana also expressed hope that his meeting with Wei will foster collaboration between both countries’ defense establishments, and advance mutual trust and interests for future exchanges on matters of security and mutual concern.

After the bilateral meeting, both Lorenzana and Wei signed the implementing guidelines for the implementation of a 130-million renminbi grant that China is giving to the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the form of equipment, especially for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

In May, the Chinese Defense Ministry donated medical supplies and personal protective equipment worth 2 million renminbi to the DND.

Both have expressed the desire to continue this form of dialogue in the future.

"Today marks the most recent visit of China’s Minister of National Defense to the Philippines following similar visits in 2002, 2007, 2011 and 2017,” Lorenzana said.

Both defense leaders also exchanged best practices in responding to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

They also agreed to continue working on revisiting the 2004 Philippines-China Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Defense Cooperation that will be more responsive to current situations.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1115179