Kalinaw News: 200 Former NPA Mass Supporters Take Oath of Allegiance To Country, Government

Posted to Kalinaw News (Dec 20, 2020): 200 Former NPA Mass Supporters Take Oath of Allegiance To Country, Government



BRGY. TAMBO, Ayungon, Negros Oriental – Some 200 former NPA mass supporters from Brgy. Mahalang, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental made their oath of allegiance to the Government on December 19, 2020 at Mahalang National High School with Brgy. Mahalang Chairperson Hon. Aileen Vasquez as the presiding official. Barangay Officials also made a resolution declaring the NPA as persona non grata in the said barangay.

The 200 former CNN mass supporters are from the villages of Canluki, Dobol Yarding, Yunit 1, Florido, Dao, Baclayan and 500IB, all of Brgy. Mahalang. According to 94IB Commander LTC ANGELO S GUZMAN, key to the surrender is the active participation and support of Brgy. Mahalang’s Chairperson and Council Members to the Army’s Community Support Program (CSP), conducted by 94IB and 11IB CSP Teams, immersed in the said barangay since October 2020. Also present to witness the activity were Dr. Jose Rey Tamparong of the City Veterinarian Office, Himamaylan City Chief of Police PMAJ ROMEO M VARGAS, and 94IB Charlie Company Commander 1LT JOVIREY E TAÑO.
Hon. Vasquez said, the CSP made her constituents realize the sincerity of the government in its peace and development efforts.

For the past decades, Brgy. Mahalang has been a traditional area for the CNTs movement, logistics, and recruitment.

COL LEONARDO I PEÑA, Commander, 302nd Infantry Brigade, stated that when hundreds of former NPA Supporters take a stand against the terrorist group, it is an indication that the government’s concerted efforts to achieve peace, security, and progress are effectively felt even by those in the hinterlands.

On that fateful afternoon of December 19, 2020, Christmas came early to the residents of the said barangay as hundreds of Philippine flags were waived triumphantly to mark this event. From here onwards, “three stars and a sun”; is the only flag that will be raised in these villages – nothing else.

[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/200-former-npa-mass-supporters-take-oath-of-allegiance-to-country-government/

Kalinaw News: Continuous debacles plague CPP-NPA Terrorists in CARAGA

Posted to Kalinaw News (Dec 20, 2020): Continuous debacles plague CPP-NPA Terrorists in CARAGA



Prosperidad, Agusan Del Sur – Another CPP-NPA Terrorist dies and five (5) high-powered firearms were seized in an hour-long encounter between the 3rd Special Forces “Arrowhead” Battalion (3SFBn) troops under the 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division and more or less 30 CNTs under Sub-Regional Sentro De Grabidad (SRSDG) Southland, Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee led by Rizaldy Sumonod alias “Mansoy” in Sitio Paradise,Barangay Magsaysay, Agusan del Sur on December 18 at about 12:18 noon. Five (5) firearms were captured consisting of four (4) M16 cal 5.56 rifles and one (1) AK-47 rifle.

Other war materials seized were; one (1) IHL-banned anti-personnel land mine, nine (9) rounds 40mm M203 grenade launcher ammos, fifty (50) rounds 7.62mm M60 ammos, two (2) sets of commercial radios, fifteen (15) backpacks and personal belongings, medical supplies and equipment, three (3) keypad cellular phones, one (1) touch screen android phone, and twenty (20) meters electrical wire.

The CNT’s hideout is about 200 square meters (10mx20m) which can accommodate more or less 30 CNTs and had fifteen (15) makeshift tents and kitchen paraphernalia.

With the recent efforts of the National Task Force in Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) in exposing the deceptive scheme and the grand conspiracy of the CPP-NPA-NDF within various sectors of society, the people in CARAGA, particularly the Indigenous Peoples (IPs), vowed to track down the CPP-NPA Terrorists and their front group leaders such as the Malahutayong Pakigbisog Alang sa Sumusunod (MAPASU) to put an end to their countless atrocities and crimes against the people.

It can be recalled that CNT Jevilyn Cullamat, daughter of Bayan Muna Representative Eufemia Campos Cullamat, and top CNT leader and spokesperson of the National Democratic Front (NDF) Mindanao, and Komisyun Mindanao (KOMMID) Spokesperson Alvin Loque, suffered the same tragic fate last November 28 and December 10 sequentially in Surigao Del Sur as a result of the vigilance and information gathering of the IP communities.

CNT personalities and their front groups were already declared persona-non-grata in the whole Province of Surigao del Sur and in the municipality of Prosperidad, Agusan Del Sur where the recent clash between government forces and CNTs ensued.

“The succeeding debacles of the CPP-NPA Terrorists in CARAGA only show that people had enough of them. They no longer have a safe haven in the IP communities because for sure they will be reported and tracked down,” Lieutenant Colonel Joey B Baybayan INF GSC PA, 3SFBn Commanding Officer, said.

“We are saddened with the fact that another victim of the CPP-NPA-NDF died in vain. We do not want this that is why we need to support the NTF-ELCAC to put an end to the CNTs’ useless struggle by peacefully addressing the root causes of NPA terrorism-that of peace and development program implementation for the conflict-affected and geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas where the CNTs recruit and conduct Ideological, Political and Organizing works (IPOW),” Brigadier General Allan D Hambala, 401st Infantry Brigade Commander, said.

“We call on the remaining CNTs to bring their firearms and go down to surrender and return to the folds of law. The door towards a peaceful life is always open for those who wish to peacefully surrender. Having said that, we will remain focused and enthusiastic on our mission to end local communist armed conflict in the soonest time possible in the CARAGA region,” Major General Andres C. Centino, Commander of 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, added.

Meanwhile, the identification of the killed CPP-NPA Terrorist is yet to be verified.

[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/continuous-debacles-plague-cpp-npa-terrorists-in-caraga/

Cagayan PLGU distributes 40 patrol vehicles to cops, military

Posted to the Philippine Information Agency (Dec 20, 2020): Cagayan PLGU distributes 40 patrol vehicles to cops, military (By Oliver T. Baccay) 

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan, Dec. 18 (PIA) - - The different police stations, military and marine battalions have received new units of patrol vehicles as part of "No Town Left Behind" program of Governor Manuel Mamba.

Of the 40 newly acquired patrol vehicles, 36 were distributed to police stations while the other four were given to the military and the marines.

Governor Manuel Mamba said the vehicles will strengthen police visibility in every corner of the province to ensure peace and security of the Cagayanos.

Present during the distribution of the vehicles are the chief executives of the recipient towns, chiefs of police and army officials whom the governor urged to join him in his advocacy versus illegal logging, jueteng, drugs and other illegalities in the province.

The governor also envisioned to provide one patrol vehicle for every 10,000 populace to ensure peace and security in the province.

On their part, League of Municipalities President Vicente Pagurayan and Mayor Jefferson Soriano of this city thanked the governor for the patrol vehicles which are surely helpful in the performance of the cops and the othe uniformed authorities.

Provincial Director Colonel Ariel Quilang also assured the governor to further improve police service and sustain the good standing of the province in terms of peace and security. (MDCT/OTB/PIA 2-Cagayan)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1062182

P300-K financial aid released to ex-NPA rebels in Agusan Norte

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 20, 2020): P300-K financial aid released to ex-NPA rebels in Agusan Norte (By Alexander Lopez)

AID TO EX-REBELS. Thirty former NPA rebels get PHP10,000 each and food packs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development in a distribution activity on Saturday (Dec. 19, 2020) at the headquarters of the 23rd Infantry Battalion in Barangay Alubihid, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte. Alias “Judy”, one of the recipients, thanked the government for the support she got while processing her ECLIP benefits. (Photo courtesy of 23IB)

BUTUAN CITY – Former combatants of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) in Agusan del Norte recently received financial assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

1Lt. Roel T. Maglalang, civil-military operation (CMO) officer of the 23rd Infantry Battalion (23IB), told the Philippine News Agency on Sunday that a total of PHP300,000 financial aid were given to 30 former rebels (FRs) who are presently seeking temporary refuge at the halfway house in the unit’s headquarters in Alubihid, Buenavista town.

The distribution was conducted by the personnel of the DSWD at the 23IB headquarters on Saturday.

“These former rebels surrendered to the unit on different dates during the third and fourth quarter of this year. While processing their benefits under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), the PHP10,000 aid they got will help them in their personal needs,” Maglalang said.

The former rebels also received hygiene kits, sleeping kits, and food packs.

In a phone interview on Sunday, alias “Judy”, one of the recipients of the assistance, thanked the government for the support she got while processing her E-CLIP benefits.

“I have no regrets about my decision to surrender and go back to my family. I am now reunited with my children,” Judy said.

She emphasized that the government and the Army are true to their promise of support to NPA combatants who go back to the fold of the law.

“I was already tired of fighting, what the NPA leaders told me before were all false. Nothing will happen with their armed revolution. It will only result in more suffering of the masses,” Judy said.

She also plans to open up a small business in their community once her E-CLIP benefits are released.

“I will focus my time and attention on my children. They have been longing for my care while I was in the communist movement for more than two years,” Judy said.

Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo, commander of the 23IB, thanked the DSWD for the release of the financial assistance for the rebels.

“The government and the Army’s 23IB will always adhere to its promises of helping the FRs transform their lives, from combatants to productive and progressive members of communities,” Paulo said in a statement released on Sunday.

He is hopeful that the assistance given by the government will help the FRs in their daily needs while processing their benefits from the ECLIP program of the government.

“Through the implementation of the Executive Order No. 70 and the ECLIP program, we can assure that the lives of our FRs will be improved through the different socio-economic programs and financial assistance provided by the government. What is important is for the FRs to obtain sustainable livelihoods that they can use to supply the daily needs of their families,” Paulo said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1125287

Army scores ‘big’ vs. Reds amid TD Vicky in Agusan Sur

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 20, 2020): Army scores ‘big’ vs. Reds amid TD Vicky in Agusan Sur (By Alexander Lopez)

BIG HAUL. The firearms, war materiel and subversive documents seized by troopers from the 3rd Special Forces Battalion of the Philippine Army after a one-hour encounter with New People's Army members on Friday (Dec. 18, 2020) in a remote area of Sitio Paradise, Barangay Magsaysay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur. A rebel was killed during the gun battle. (Photo courtesy of 3SFBn)

Through the support of Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities, the Army’s 3rd Special Forces Battalion (3SFBn) scored big against the communist New People’s Army (NPA) in a one-hour encounter that took place in a remote area of Sitio Paradise, Barangay Magsaysay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur on Friday (Dec. 18).

A rebel died in the firefight while various firearms and belongings of the communist group were seized in the incident.

1Lt. Krisjuper Andreo J. Punsalan, the civil-military operation (CMO) officer of 3SFBn, told the Philippine News Agency on Sunday that IP communities reported the threats they faced due to the presence of more than 30 armed NPA rebels planning to conduct extortion activities among residents in the area at the height of the onslaught of Tropical Depression (TD) Vicky.

“Upon receiving the report, our troops, despite the rescue operations they are conducting while in the midst of TD Vicky, immediately responded to the distress call of the IPs and engaged the NPA rebels,” Punsalan said.

After an hour of intense fighting, the rebels retreated to different directions, leaving behind a dead companion and the recovery of five high-powered firearms consisting of four M16 caliber rifles and one AK-47 rifle.

The Army troopers also recovered one anti-personnel land mine, nine rounds 40mm M203 grenade launcher ammunition, 50 rounds 7.62mm M60 ammunition, two sets of commercial radios, 15 backpacks and personal belongings, medical supplies and equipment, three keypad cellular phones, one cellphone, and a 20-meter electrical wire.

“We believe that the NPA rebels were already in the area for days as we discovered a 200-square meter hideout that can accommodate more or less 30 persons with 15 makeshift tents and kitchen paraphernalia,” Punsalan said.

The NPA rebels were led by a certain Rizaldy Sumonod alias “Mansoy” of the Sub-Regional Sentro De Grabidad (SRSDG) Southland of Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) of the NPA, he added.

The authorities are still verifying the identity of the NPA rebel killed during the encounter, Punsalan said.

In a statement on Sunday, Lt. Col. Joey B. Baybayan, the commander of 3SFBn, said the NPA rebels have no safe place in Agusan del Sur and the rest of the Caraga Region.

“The succeeding debacles of the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippine) – NPA Terrorists in Caraga only show that people had enough of them. They no longer have a safe haven in the IP communities because for sure they will be reported and tracked down,” Baybayan said.

He also noted that this year, a number of towns and barangays in the Caraga Region have already declared the NPA as persona non grata in their respective communities.

In a separate statement, Brig. Gen. Allan D. Hambala, the commander of 401st Infantry Brigade, expressed sadness over the death of an NPA rebel.

“We are saddened with the fact that another victim of the CPP-NPA-NDF (National Democratic Front) died in vain. We do not want this, that is why we need to support the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) to put an end to the CNTs’ (Communist NPA Terrorists) useless struggle by peacefully addressing the root causes of NPA terrorism by implementing peace and development program in the conflict-affected and geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas where they recruit and conduct ideological, political and organizing works,” Hambala said.

Maj. Gen. Andres C. Centino, commander of the 4th Infantry Division, lauded the success of the 3SFBn.

He also urged the remaining NPA rebels in Agusan del Sur and the rest of Caraga Region to surrender and return to their families and communities.

“We call on the remaining CNTs to bring their firearms and go down to surrender and return to the folds of the law. The door towards a peaceful life is always open for those who wish to peacefully surrender. Having said that, we will remain focused and enthusiastic on our mission to end local communist armed conflict in the soonest time possible in the Caraga region,” Centino said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1125282