Sunday, January 10, 2021

CPP/Sison: The Perfect Storm Swirls in the Philippines

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jan 9, 2021): The Perfect Storm Swirls in the Philippines

JOSE MARIA SISON
CHIEF POLITICAL CONSULTANT
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT OF THE PHILIPPINES

JANUARY 09, 2021



The perfect storm swirls in the Philippines. The political and socioeconomic crisis of the semicolonial and semifeudal ruling system has become extreme and has made the reactionary state and the ruling classes of big compradors, landlords and corrupt bureaucrats once more incapable of ruling in the old bourgeois-democratic way.

Reminiscent of the period of the Marcos fascist dictatorship from 1972 to 1986, once more an incumbent president, an openly brutal and corrupt reactionary politician, is hellbent on imposing a fascist dictatorship on the people.

Taking advantage of his rigging of the 2019 mid-term elections and the Covid-19 pandemic, Duterte has used his compliant Congress to grab emergency powers to steal enormous public funds for himself and his clique, railroad a fascist law of state terrorism and is now pushing charter change in the style of Marcos.

The reemergence of fascism even before charter change and the formal declaration of martial law nationwide through the fascist law of state terrorism manifests the rottenness of the ruling system and its ripeness for revolutionary change.

At present, Duterte stands as the most detestable representative of the ruling system and is exceedingly vulnerable to ouster. Extremely greedy for power and plunder, he has surpassed already in a few years the brutality and other despicable features of the fascist regime of his idol Marcos.

He has a cunning criminal mind, proud of manipulating the reactionary government and law to commit crimes of treason, tyranny, butchery and plunder but stupid enough not to discern that a fascist dictator like him cannot last long because of his frail health and under current circumstances.

Despite the adulation conjured by paid poll surveys and troll armies in the social media, he has already become isolated from the people by escalating his crimes against them and by devastating the Philippine economy and bankrupting his own government.

He uses in vain the revolutionary movement of the people as pretext for seizing absolute power for the purpose of absolute corruption and he overestimates his ability and chances of destroying the revolutionary movement of the people and satisfying further the US and other foreign monopolies in order to retain their support for his fascist scheme.

Recently, his fascist running dogs in the National Task Force-ELCAC have invented the lie that I have ordered the New People’s to deploy armed propaganda teams to punish the worst human rights violators and most corrupt officials in their urban lairs in order to have a pretext for escalating acts of state terrorism in both urban and rural areas
I have repeatedly denied the lie and declared that I am not in any position to make such order ascribed to me. But I acknowledge the fact that the escalating murder of unarmed urban poor and peasants, social activists, critics, human rights activists and other people have generated a public clamor for the people’s army to punish the criminals in authority.

Like the many peace advocates, I look forward to the ouster of the tyranmt and fascist Duterte or stepping down in 2022 so that the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations can be resumed if the succeding regime is willing to negotiate. It has been absolutely clear that Duterte has been responsible for the termination of the peace negotiations.

In trying to enrich his own family, his business cronies and top military minions, Duterte has bankrupted his own government through bureaucratic corruption and military overspending on top of the devastating consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic and the rapidly worsening crisis of both Philippine economy and the world capitalist system.

The global depression, which has been aggravated by the Covid-19 pandemic, has drastically reduced the foreign exchange income from the export of raw materials and semimanufactures and from the remittances of overseas Filipino workers who are now returning to the Philippines by the millions and rejoining the ranks of the socially restive unemployed.

The growing trade and budgetary deficits, the mounting debt burden and heavy debt service payments have constricted the importation of consumer goods upon which the regime has made the underdeveloped Philippines dependent. The scarcity of imported and locally produced consumer goods has begun to generate a spiral of inflation.

Food production has been sabotaged by the Duterte regime by pursuing import liberalization at the expense of the local farmers and allowing the agricultural land to be reduced by landgrabbing and real estate speculation and chemical pollution from mines and monocrop plantations, the typhoons and floods. The Philippines has become the world’s No. 1 rice importer. It has also become a big importer of sugar.

Under the present conditions of rapidly worsening political and socioeconomic crisis, the tyrant Duterte is out of his depths for thinking that his fascist dictatorship would last long like that of Marcos.

The Filipino people are fed up with the brutal and corrupt Duterte regime and are highly desirous of revolutionary change. And the revolutionary party of the proletariat, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), has proven its strength in leading the revolutionary movement in more than 52 years. It is far stronger than when Marcos started his fascist dictatorship in 1972.

Precisely because of the Marcos fascist dictatorship, the CPP, the New People’s Army (NPA) , the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) , the revolutionary mass organizations, the antifascist alliance and the local organs of political power constituting the people’s democratic government grew from small and weak to big and strong by leaps and bounds.

The fascist dictatorship of Duterte will only serve to arouse the people to wage all forms of resistance and will certainly result in the further strengthening and rapid advance of the revolutionary movement not only against such dictatorship but against the entire unjust semicolonial and semifeudal ruling system. ###

https://cpp.ph/statements/the-perfect-storm-swirls-in-the-philippines/

CPP/NPA-Abra: Tunay na Teroristang 24th IB at 72nd DRC PA, pinarusahan ng yunit ng NPA-Abra!

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jan 10, 2021): Tunay na Teroristang 24th IB at 72nd DRC PA, pinarusahan ng yunit ng NPA-Abra!

FLORENCIO BALUGA
SPOKESPERSON
NPA-ABRA (AGUSTIN BEGNALEN COMMAND)
ILOCOS-CORDILLERA REGIONAL OPERATIONAL COMMAND (CHADLI MOLINTAS COMMAND)
NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY

JANUARY 10, 2021



Matagumpay na inilunsad ng yunit ng Agustin Begnalen Command, NPA-Abra ang taktikal na opensiba laban sa mga nag-ooperasyong mersenaryong sundalo ng 24th IB at 2 platun ng 72nd DRC Phil. Army na pumasok sa mismong erya ng labanan, sa kagubatan ng Bgy. Pacgued, Malibcong Abra, noong ika-4 ng Enero 2021.

Buong sikhay at tapang na hinarap ng mga pulang madirigma ang combat operation ng kaaway magmula ng ika-22 ng Disyembre 2020. Ginamit ang bilis, pagsisikreto at sorpresang atake upang madikitan ang pagod-pagod na yunit ng kaaway. Noong Enero 4 bandang alas-8:40 ng umaga ng pinutukan ng mga pulang mandirigma ang platun ng DRC. Mahusay na nakapagmaniobra ang mga kasama nang walang anumang kaswalti. Sa labanang ito nagtamo ng 9 na KIA at iba pang sugatan ang kaaway kabilang na ang platun lider ng 72nd DRC na si 2nd Lt. Zaldy D. Lapis Jr. Ikinubli nila ang tunay na datos ng kanilang kaswalti at tanging ang opisyal lamang na nabanggit ang kanilang inanunsiyo sa mass media. Bandang 2:30 ng hapon, dumating ang helikopter kaaway upang mag istraping sa tantya nilang kinaroonan ng NPA,ngunit ito’y muling inisnayp ng yunit ng NPA.

Ang taktikal na opensibang ito ay bilang tugon sa matagal ng kahilingan ng mamamayan sa Abra. Ito ay pagpaparusa sa mga tunay na teroristang AFP na matagal nang naghahasik ng mararahas na operasyon na sumasagasa sa mga demokratikong karapatan ng mamamayan sa Abra at nagpapakana ng iba’t ibang maruruming saywar propaganda laban sa mga lehitimong lider at organisasyon ng masa. Nilalapastangan ng rehimeng Duterte ang mga panuntunan sa pagrespeto sa karapatan ng mga sibilyan sa pamamagitan ng anti-mamamayang OPLAN KAPANATAGAN NTF-ELCAC. Ito ang nagiging dahilan sa mga hakbangin ng AFP-PNP kasabwat ang DILG sa pagwawasiwas ng anti-komunista, anti-nasyunal at anti-mamamayang patakaran.

Sa layuning papasukin ang mga malalaking kumpanya ng pagmimina sa Abra ipinakat at pinaigting ng rehimen US-Duterte sa mga estratehikong lupain ang mga combat operations upang magsilbing gwardya at panunupil sa mga paglaban ng mamamayang Abrenio na tumututol sa Large Scale Mining at iba pang programa tulad ng malalaking dam sa Binongan River, Tineg River hanggang sa Abra River na lubhang mapanira at mapanggamgam sa kanilang lupaing ninuno. Sa pag-aakalang madudurog nila ang rebolusyong kilusan sa Abra, tuloy tuloy na Focus Military Operations ang kanilang isinasagawa upang sindakin ang masa at pawiin ang pakikilahok ng mamamayan sa digmang bayan.

Hindi mapapatawad ng mamamayan ang paulit-ulit na paglabag ng rehimen at ng tropa nito sa karapatang pantao. Matapos ang labanan ay tuloy-tuloy ang mga aerial bombings at airlift ng mga pwersa ng kaaway. Mula Enero 5 hanggang 7, tuloy-tuloy nilang binomba ang mga lugar ng pinagpoproduksyonan ng masa sa bandang Mapitli, Patay, Gaang at Bolawat (boundary ng Lacub at Malibcong). Umabot sa 23 bomba ang ibinagsak ng Super Tucano Bomber Plane na sumira sa nabanggit na mga lugar. Ang nais nilang kamtin na terror-effect sa rebolusyonaryong kilusan at mamamayan ay lalo lamang nagpapasidhi sa galit ng taong bayan. Ang bilyong pisong inilaan nila para sa kagamitan at operasyong militar ay lantarang pagwawaldas ng pondo ng bayan na na kinakailangan para sa pagharap sa pandemya ng COVID 19. Habang nagdarahop at gutom ang taong bayan, naaatim ng rehimen na ipatupad ang mga naghihingalong pamamaraan upang sindakin ang mamamayan.

Ang ABC-NPA Abra kasama ng lahat ng rebolusyonaryong organisasyon ay mahigpit na nagkakaisa at nakahandang ipagtanggol ang mga tagumpay sa nakaraang mga dekada ng pakikipaglaban para sa buhay, lupain at karapatan ng Abrenio. Naninindigan ang lahat ng rebolusyonaryong armadong yunit ng NPA sa tungkulin nitong palawakin at paigtingin pa ang armadong pagtatanggol ng karapatan at pagtataguyod ng makatarungang adhikain ng mga manggagawa, magsasaka, pambansang minorya at iba pang demokratikong uri sa buong probinsya para sa tunay na kalayaan at demokrasya.

Mabuhay ang Bagong Hukbong Bayan!

Mabuhay ang mamamayan ng Abra!

Magpursigi at labanan ang terorismo ng rehimeng US-Duterte!

Paigtingin ang mga Taktikal na Opensiba upang tuluyang Durugin ang Kaaway!

Sumampa sa NPA!

https://cpp.ph/statements/tunay-na-teroristang-24th-ib-at-72nd-drc-pa-pinarusahan-ng-yunit-ng-npa-abra/

1,300 families flee as BIFF men attack Maguindanao

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jan 7, 2021): 1,300 families flee as BIFF men attack Maguindanao (By: Bong S. Sarmiento)

Military says land conflict root of latest violence that displaced Teduray tribe members in 2 towns



Attacks launched by the Islamic State-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in at least two towns in Maguindanao province since last month have displaced at least 1,300 families, military reports said.

The latest incursion on Dec. 31, 2020, forced almost 600 families to leave their homes and communities in South Upi town. While no one was reported hurt, the armed men burned 13 houses of indigenous peoples (IPs) in the village of Itaw.

Land conflict has been blamed for the violence that mostly displaced members of the Teduray tribe in South Upi.


Harassment

“The BIFF wanted to grab the ancestral lands of IPs there, especially in Barangay Itaw,” said Lt. Col. Anhouvic Atilano, spokesperson for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) 6th Infantry Division.

As of Tuesday, at least 1,343 families, or 6,715 people, had been displaced, mostly from South Upi and some from neighboring Talayan town, according to a report from the Ministry of Social Services and Development in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) which was obtained by the Inquirer.

The BIFF has been blocking the flow of humanitarian relief items into the villages by harassing disaster relief workers, the military said.

On Sunday, the group ambushed a convoy of relief workers returning from Itaw, killing a certain Thelmo Sasi who had hitched a ride, and injuring three from the municipal disaster risk reduction and management office.

The convoy included South Upi Mayor Reynalbert Insular, who was unhurt.

The Army launched air and ground assaults on the BIFF gunmen to rescue the relief workers.

On Wednesday, personnel of the Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence (Readi) under the BARMM interior ministry was finally able to reach Itaw, with clearance from the Army.

Task force

Myrna Jo Henry, the Readi executive assistant for operations, said relief packs were given to 600 families (2,970 people) who were displaced by the New Year’s Eve attack.

The Bangsamoro Information Office (BIO) said the regional government had formed a special task force to look into the problem in South Upi. The group is composed of the ministries of indigenous peoples’ affairs and public order and safety, the Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission and the Bangsamoro Attorney General’s Office.

The regional government is closely coordinating with the South Upi local government, the Philippine National Police and the AFP to secure the areas, the BIO said.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1380498/1300-families-flee-as-biff-men-attack-maguindanao

AFP-CRS: AFP: CPP-NPA behind 532 incidents of private property destruction

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Jan 10, 2021): AFP: CPP-NPA behind 532 incidents of private property destruction

DESTRUCTION | The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported a total of 532 incidents of destruction of civilian-owned property committed by Communist Terrorist Groups in armed violence since 2010.

The AFP Human Rights Office (AFPHRO) submitted to the Commission on Human Rights, for appropriate action, the list of incidents on Thursday, January 7. These were mostly by arson perpetrated by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).



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

https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/3984979831520711/

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

AFP-CRS: Ranking NPA leader falls in Quezon City

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Jan 10, 2021): Ranking NPA leader falls in Quezon City

RANKING NPA LEADER | Authorities arrested a ranking official of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) in Quezon City.



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

https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/3984980814853946/

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

AFP-CRS: 204 former rebels and supporters withdrew allegience to CPP-NPA

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Jan 10, 2021): 204 former rebels and supporters withdrew allegience to CPP-NPA

SUPPORT TO THE GOVERNMENT. A total of 204 former rebels and supporters of the communist terrorist group (CTG) from Tapaz, Capiz and Calinog, Iloilo take their oath of allegiance to the government during the “VOLTing in for Peace” facilitated by the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict in Calinog, Iloilo on Friday (Jan. 8. 2021). The activity was held to cater to members and supporters of the CTG who voluntarily surrendered to the government after the simultaneous serving of search warrants on Dec. 30, 2020. 



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

https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/3984981478187213

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

AFP-CRS: Giving up the armed struggle 20 former rebels acquire new skills

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Jan 10, 2021): Giving up the armed struggle 20 former rebels acquire new skills

SKILLS TRAINING | Twenty (20) former rebels from Davao de Oro and Davao del Norte are undergoing training, not with arms, but with livelihood skills training from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

After giving up the armed struggle and rebel-influenced principle, these FRs will acquire technical skills in Automotive NC II which will be a month long training.



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

https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/3984982198187141/

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

AFP-CRS: Member of the terrorist CPP-NPA voluntarily surrendered

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Jan 10, 2021): Member of the terrorist CPP-NPA voluntarily surrendered

VOLUNTARY SURRENDER | Another dissatisfied member of the Terrorist New People’s Army (NPA) voluntarily surrendered with his firearms to the troops of 16th Scout Ranger Company (16SRC) under 302nd Infantry (Achiever) Brigade at Barangay Carabalan, Himalayan City, Negros Occidental on Friday, January 08, 2021.

#AFPyoucanTRUST| www.afpcrs.com



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

https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/3984983191520375/

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

Kalinaw News: Army Troops Discovered IED in Maguindana

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jan 9, 2021): Army Troops Discovered IED in Maguindanao



CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – Operating Troops from 1st Mechanized Battalion discovered an improvised explosive device (IED) cache in Brgy Salman, Ampatuan, Maguindanao on January 4, 2021.

According to Major General Juvymax R. Uy, Commander of Joint Task Force Central and 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division around 8:35 a.m. while the 1st Mechanized Platoon conducting a clearing operation in the said village they discovered one IED made of 105 projectile.

Immediately, the troops secured the area and requested the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team (EODT) to dispose the explosives properly.

“The ongoing clearing operations of our ground forces led to the successful discovery and disruption of this war materials that could be used by the extremists group to terrorize the people of Maguindanao” Maj. Gen. Uy, said.

Major General Uy added that while we welcome 2021 the Joint Task Force Central will never cease to pursue these lawless groups in the area and prevent them from conducting terroristic attacks.

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

https://www.kalinawnews.com/army-troops-discovered-ied-in-maguindanao/

Kalinaw News: Former CPP-NPA-NDF Members and Supporters Junk Armed Revolution before the RTF ELCAC 6

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jan 9, 2021): Former CPP-NPA-NDF Members and Supporters Junk Armed Revolution before the RTF ELCAC 6



CAMP CARREON, Calinog – A total of two hundred thirty-three (233) CPP-NPA-NDF members and mass supporters formally surrendered to the The Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict Region 6 and withdrew their support to the communist organization during a formal ceremony on 08 January 2021 at Calinog, Iloilo.

The 233 former members and supporters of CPP-NPA-NDF came from Calinog, Iloilo and Tapaz, Capiz and surrendered earlier to the 12th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army.

During the ceremony, former members and supporters also took an oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines that they will no longer support the CPP-NPA-NDF and signed a wall of commitment to display their sincerity in junking the communist organization and to give full support to the government instead.

Members of RTF-ELCAC 6 who were present during the activity were PRO6 Regional Director PBGEN MIRANDA, 3ID Commander MGen Eric C Vinoya represented by Lt. Col. Joseph Jason L Estrada of 12th Infantry Battalion, Representative of Iloilo Governor Arthur R Defensor Jr, representative of Capiz Governor Evan B Contreras, Calinog Mayor Francisco L Calvo, Fiscal Chris Gonzales, representative of RTF-ELCAC 6 Chairman Juan Ingeniero. Each member have delivered their messages that expressed their gratitude to the participants for taking a stand against the CPP-NPA-NDF. Others have also encouraged them to convince the members of the CPP-NPA to surrender and go back to the folds of the law in order to live a normal life.

Lt. Col. Estrada of 12th Infantry Battalion relayed the message of MGen Eric C Vinoya, Commander of 3rd Infantry Division in which he conveyed to the participants that the Army is happy that they have returned to society and embraced the true essence of freedom and that their surrender and withdrawal of support will save people from harm especially the youth, many families will remain intact and united, and the communities that will be saved from the hostile activities brought by the CPP-NPA-NDF.



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

https://www.kalinawnews.com/former-cpp-npa-ndf-members-and-supporters-junk-armed-revolution-before-the-rtf-elcac-6/

Military installs new brigade commander in Sulu

From the Philippine Star (Jan 9, 2020): Military installs new brigade commander in Sulu (Roel Pareño)

The military installed a new army commander to lead a brigade in eliminating the remaining Abu Sayyaf Group in Patikul town, Sulu, a military official said.

Maj. Gen. William Gonzales, commander of Joint Task Force Sulu (JTFS) and 11th Infantry Division, officiated Wednesday the change of command between Brig. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio and Col. Benjamin Batara Jr. as the new commander of the 1102nd Brigade based in Camp Bud Datu, BarangayTagbak, Indanan town.

The 1102nd Infantry Ganarul Brigade is in charged with the security operation of Patikul town, formerly known as the hotbed of the Abu Sayyaf group in the island province.

Batara switched position with Patrimonio following the successful stint in degrading the ranks of the Abu Sayyaf group in Patikul, Sulu.

Patrimonio will head the 1st Brigade Combat Team (BCT), formerly occupied by Batara.


Under Patrimonio’s leadership in the 1102nd Brigade, a number of key leaders of the Abu Sayyaf group were killed, including sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan who was the designated leader of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria in Sulu.

Gonzales said Patrimonio's command enabled the local government to bring home the internally displaced people of Barangays Maligay and Kabbon Takas, both in Patikul.

Batara, on the other hand, headed the 1st BCT based in Indanan town. He also led the neutralization of nine Abu Sayyaf members and prevented suicide bombers from sneaking in Jolo, capital town of Sulu.

Gonzales emphasized to the two ground commanders to continue the "whole of the nation" approach in defeating the Abu Sayyaf group and accomplish the security mission in helping the provincial government bring stability and development in the island province.

"As the Division Commander, I will pour in the support and resources for the 1102nd Brigade to accomplish its mission. Also, I am hopeful that our partnership with the local government will continue to flourish for a strengthened community - for the benefit of the future generations of this province," Gonzales said. 

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2021/01/09/2069312/military-installs-new-brigade-commander-sulu

21-year-old NPA squad leader yields

From the Manila Bulletin (Jan 9, 2021): 21-year-old NPA squad leader yields (By Martin Sadongdong)

A 21-year-old squad leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to authorities in Himalayan City, Negros Occidental last Friday.


Photos from 302nd IB/ MANILA BULLETIN

Col. Leonardo Pena, commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade, identified the rebel returnee as Jerryd Gargoles, also known in the underground movement as “Sargent” and “Ka Angel.”

Pena said Gargoles was the team leader of Squad 1, Regional Strike Force (RSF) of an NPA Regional Committee operating in Negros provinces, Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor.

As a squad leader, Gargoles allegedly led his team’s assault against various government troops and installations.


Last August, the military said that the NPA regional committee in which Gargoles was a part of was already facing collapse following the arrest of its six leaders.

Pena said Gargoles voluntarily submitted himself to the troops of the 302nd IB 16th Scout Ranger Company (16SRC).

He turned over a caliber .45 pistol, a KG-9 caliber 9mm pistol, two magazines with 28 rounds of ammunition, and various documents with “essential value” supposedly to determine the plans of the NPAs in the area.

Pena welcomed Gargoles in a simple ceremony at the 302nd IB camp in Barangay Carabalan.

He said he was glad that the young combatant realized that there are better opportunities for him outside the communist movement where he would “only go astray.”

“I thank Mr. Jerryd Gargoles for his decision to lay down his arms and move out from the deceitful belief that the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines)-NPA imparts to their recruits and their members,” Pena said.

“We will help Jerryd restore a normal life with his loved ones. This is a clear manifestation that members of the CPP-NPA are losing their will to fight and the confidence with their movement because of their false ideology,” he added.The military commander commended the 16th Scout Ranger Company for convincing the young NPA squad leader to give up his armed struggle.

“We encourage the remaining members of the terrorist group to heed the government’s call for peace. Our relentless effort to hunt you down will surely give you a miserable life,” Pena said.

https://mb.com.ph/2021/01/09/21-year-old-npa-squad-leader-yields/

Military cites significant gains in bid to crush NPA in W. Mindanao

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jan 10, 2021): Military cites significant gains in bid to crush NPA in W. Mindanao (By: Leah D. Agonoy)



PAGADIAN CITY – The military says it is on track in the campaign to destroy the strongholds of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) in Western Mindanao, citing anti-insurgency gains in 2020.

Maj. Gen. Generoso Ponio, commander of the Philippine Army’s 1st Infantry Division, said
NPA’s influence and strength in the region has been reduced to half due to its intensified campaign in 2020.

“Due to the dismantling of NPA units, the military is hopeful the rebel group can be fully eliminated or reduced to insignificant manpower by 2022,”
Ponio told the Inquirer.


Brig. Gen. Leonel Nicolas, commander of the Philippine Army’s 102nd Infantry Brigade, said the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), through its Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee, controls seven guerrilla fronts and two region-wide units of the NPA.

These are spread across the provinces of Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte and Misamis Occidental, the same areas covered by the Army brigade’s troops.

In 2019, according to Nicolas, the NPA in the region had 192 fighters with 168 firearms. By the end of 2020, this was down to only 84 fighters with 78 firearms, he said.

Nicolas added that of the nine guerrilla units, only two that operate in Misamis Occidental and parts of Zamboanga del Norte have remained active, holding out in the adjoining forested mountains in the two provinces.

The Army’s estimate of the NPA strength is based on intelligence and post-battle reports as well as the number of rebels who surrendered.

Nicolas attributed the successful military operations against the NPA to former rebels who shared information about guerrilla hideouts and places where arms caches and ammunition were kept.

The military particularly hailed the dismantling of the regional guerrilla units which, Nicolas said, were responsible for imposing the NPA’s so-called revolutionary taxation among target firms and individuals.

The commander of the Main Regional Guerrilla Unit, known as Jotham, was arrested while that of the Headquarters Kalaw, known as Peewee, surrendered along with his wife.

The biggest setback for the NPA in the region was the death of Leonido Nabong in an encounter with soldiers last November in Tampilisan, Zamboanga del Norte.

Nabong was considered a pillar of the communist rebellion in Western Mindanao who was acknowledged for his war planning skills.


In its 52nd anniversary statement, the CPP cited several setbacks in various NPA guerrilla fronts due to intensified operations by government forces.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1381734/military-cites-significant-gains-in-bid-to-crush-npa-in-w-mindanao

CPP claims NPA attack in Abra that killed Army officer

From the Manila Bulletin (Jan 10, 2021): CPP claims NPA attack in Abra that killed Army officer (By Martin Sadongdong)

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) claimed responsibility for the Jan. 4 armed encounter between the New People’s Army (NPA) and the Philippine Army (PA) in Malibcong, Abra where a ranking military officer was killed.

In a statement Sunday, Jan. 10, the CPP said that members of the Agustin Begnalen Command of the NPA-Abra were the ones involved in the firefight with the Army’s 72nd Division Reconnaissance Company (DRC) and 24th Infantry Battallion in Barangay Pacqued.

“Noong Enero 4, bandang alas-8:40 ng umaga nang pinutukan ng mga pulang mandirigma ang platun ng DRC (Last Jan. 4, around 8:40 a.m., the Red combatants fired shots at the DRC platoon),” it said.


The encounter resulted in the death of 2nd Lt. Zaldy Lapis, the platoon leader of the 72nd DRC.

The 7th Infantry Division (7ID), which has jurisdiction over the involved military unit, earlier condemned the CPP-NPA over Lapis’ killing.

Lapis was the first casualty of the military in its tactical offensives against the communist insurgents this year.

According to an initial military report, the troops were conducting combat operations in the area when they were fired upon by the rebels.

“Your ultimate sacrifice will not be forgotten. It will be our inspiration to fight until we have achieved peace that we all long for,” the 7th ID said in a statement.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) earlier refused to recommend to President Duterte the implementation of a holiday ceasefire with the CPP-NPA over their supposed “insincerity.”

AFP Chief, General Gilbert Gapay had said that the CPP-NPA only uses the holiday ceasefire to replenish their resources and recruit new members.

In return, the CPP ordered the NPA, its armed wing, to continue their attacks against government troops during the holiday season.

It also recently announced plans to revive its Special Partisan Units (Sparus) in the cities. Sparus are the special hit squads of the CPP which gained notoriety in the 1980s for several high-profile killings.

https://mb.com.ph/2021/01/10/cpp-claims-npa-attack-in-abra-that-killed-army-officer/

AFP record of 532 NPA property attacks ‘highly dubious’ – CPP

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jan 9, 2021): AFP record of 532 NPA property attacks ‘highly dubious’ – CPP (By: Consuelo Marquez)

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) on Saturday called “highly dubious” the report of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) showing 532 property attacks launched since 2010 by the New People’s Army (NPA), the communist armed wing.

“We would not be surprised if their report is dotted with false information or ‘fake news’ which the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] is notorious for,” Mark Valbuena, information officer of CPP, said in a statement.


According to Valbuena, the NPA “gives primordial concern to the protection of the interests and welfare of the oppressed masses.”

He also pointed out that the report was an attempt to show that CPP and NPA as terrorists, as already labeled by the Anti-Terrorism Council.

“However, by holding the NPA to high standards of human rights and international humanitarian law (HR/IHL), the AFP is actually unintentionally recognizing the NPA as being revolutionary and having a status of belligerency that should be made to account to standards HR/IHL. If the NPA were terrorists, you do not demand it be accountable to HR/IHL,” Valbuena said.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1381641/highly-dubious-cpp-disputes-afp-records-of-532-rebel-attacks

‘NPA leader’ nabbed

From the Visayan Daily Star (Jan 9, 2021): ‘NPA leader’ nabbed

Authorities arrested a ranking official of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in Quezon City, Philippine National Police chief, Gen. Debold Sinas, said yesterday.

In a statement, Sinas said
the suspect, Allan Morales a.k.a. Joseph Erwin Rimando, Alvin Advincula, Budlat, and Dante Morales, was arrested by members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, National Capital Region Police Office, and the Joint Task Force-NCR along Sapphire Street in Barangay Payatas B, around noon on Wednesday.


Sinas said the arrest of Morales is pursuant to the “intensified implementation of court processes against communist terrorist personalities wanted by the law for criminal cases”, in support to Executive Order No. 70 that created the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

Morales has a standing arrest warrant for murder, issued by the Tagbilaran City Regional Trial Court Branch 4.

Citing reports from CIDG director, Maj. Gen. Joel Napoleon Coronel, Sinas said the operatives confiscated from the suspect eight barrel assemblies for an M4 assault rifle, one fragmentation hand grenade, one submachine gun with one magazine and 22 pieces of ammunition, and one .45-caliber pistol with one magazine assembly loaded with seven rounds of ammunition.

Based on a recent PNP periodic status report, Morales is the deputy secretary of the CPP-NPA-NDF’s Negros-Cebu-Bohol-Siquijor (NCBS) Regional Committee and formerly the secretary of Regional Peasant Sugar Workers Bureau (RPSWB) of Negros.

He was also a former secretary of the communist movement’s Regional Committee for Central Visayas and a former secretary of its National Youth Student Bureau. The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://news.visayandailystar.com/npa-leader-nabbed/

Misuari meets anew with Duterte

From the Mindanao Examiner (Jan 9, 2021): Misuari meets anew with Duterte

DAVAO CITY – Former rebel chieftain Nur Misuari has recently met with President Rodrigo here, but details of the talks were not made public by both sides.



President Rodrigo Roa Duterte speaks with Moro National Liberation Front chairman Nur Misuari during a meeting at the Active Lifestyle Center in Matina, Davao City on January 4, 2021. (Simeon Seli)

Misuari, chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front, was accompanied by his wife Tarhata and Rolando Olamit, chairman of the MNLF’s Davao City State Revolutionary Committee, when he met with Duterte at the Active Lifestyle Center in Matina.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque also did not any details of the meeting, but photos released by the government showed Misuari - former governor of the Muslim autonomous region - presenting Duterte with documents. The president briefly read the documents.

Duterte’s Peace Adviser, Carlito Galvez, and Senator Bong Go were also present during the meeting.

Go said the former Libyan firebrand raised some concerns in Tawi-Tawi, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region now being run by rival Moro Islamic Liberation Front with its chieftain Murad Ebrahim as Chief Minister.

It was the nth time that Misuari held talks with Duterte since winning the presidency in 2016. Duterte, a former mayor of Davao City, and Misuari are good friends.

Duterte appointed Misuari in December 2019 as Special Economic Envoy on Islamic Affairs to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. He also sought Misuari’s help in campaigning for the proposed shift to federalism. (Mindanao Examiner)

http://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2021/01/misuari-meets-anew-with-duterte.html

Troops hunt mayor’s ambushers

From the Mindanao Examiner (Jan 9, 2021): Troops hunt mayor’s ambushers

SECURITY FORCES continue to hunt down the ambushers of Mayor Reynalbert Insular of South Upi town whose convoy was attacked in the restive province of Maguindanao.

Insular survived the recent attack, but it killed a 22-year old man, Thelmo Sase, and wounded four other civilians - John Andrew Tumbaga, 30; Ernesto Bebang, 50; Christian King Sase, 22; and Leonard Betita, 23.

Major General Juvymax Uy, commander of the 6th Infantry Division, blamed the pro-ISIS group called Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) for the ambush and ordered a massive operation against the attackers.

Insular came from the village of Itaw where he distributed food aid to civilians harassed and displaced by the BIFF. His group was returning home when an improvised bomb exploded and followed by automatic gunfire. Troops responding from the attack rescued the mayor and members of his group. (Rhoderick Beñez)

http://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2021/01/troops-hunt-mayors-ambushers.html

Basilan ambush kills 4

 From the Mindanao Examiner (Jan 10, 2021): Basilan ambush kills 4

Gunmen ambushed a car and killing four people inside the vehicle in a daring attack Saturday afternoon in the southern Philippine province of Basilan, reports said.

It said the car was travelling on a village in Tipo-Tipo town when armed men sprayed the vehicle with automatic gunfire killing the passengers. The vehicle was peppered with bullets and crashed on a motorcycle taxi.

It was unclear if any civilians were injured or killed in the ambush.

The identities of the victims or the motive of the attack were not immediately known, and government officials and the police have not release any statement into the killing.

No individual or group claimed responsibility for the attack, but violent political rivalries, family feud and clan war are not uncommon in Basilan, one of 5 provinces under the restive Muslim autonomous region. (Zamboanga Post)

http://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2021/01/basilan-ambush-kills-4.html

Some 27 Leyte Former Rebels receive E-CLIP benefits

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 10, 2021): Some 27 Leyte Former Rebels receive E-CLIP benefits (By Olive P. Tiu)

PALO, Leyte, Jan. 9 (PIA) -- Some 27 Former Rebels (FRs) from the Province of Leyte received their benefits during the Distribution of E-CLIP Benefits on December 29, 2020 at the Carigara, Leyte Municipal Hall.

The benefits will be of help to the 27 FRs, 23 of who are from Carigara town, three are from San Isidro and one from Hilongos, as they go back to their families and to mainstream society.



Ms. Vivian Claros, head of the Leyte Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office told the Philippine Information Agency that some 18 beneficiaries who were Militia ng Bayan, received P25,000 each; P10,000 from the Province of Leyte and P15,000 from the DILG.



Nine Former Rebels who were Regular NPA members, meanwhile, received P75,000 each; P10,000 from PLGU Leyte, P15,000 basic assistance from DILG and P50,000 livelihood assistance.



The activity was led by Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla, chair of Leyte PTF-ELCAC and Chair of EV Regional Development Council, and witnessed by Carigara Mayor Eduardo Ong, members of the Leyte Provincial Board, Heads of Government Agencies/Offices, Leyte PPO, Carigara MPS, 93rd Infantry Battalion, 14th Infantry Battalion, 802nd Bde and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).



Once again, Governor Petilla called on the Leyteños and Eastern Visayans to unite and work hand in hand with the government to put an end to the more than 50-year-old insurgency problem in this part of the country and attain peaceful and sustainable development in the communities.

Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) ensures that formel rebels can avail of a holistic package of benefits such as livelihood, medical, education, housing, and even legal assistance. (PIA-8)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1063450

NegOr town councilor shot dead

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 10, 2021): NegOr town councilor shot dead (By Mary Judaline Partlow)



Google Map of Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental

A councilor of the municipality of Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental was shot by motorcycle-riding suspects and died hours later at a hospital on Sunday.

An initial police report from the Sta. Catalina Police Station said Rhode Anthony Vulfa Melodia was washing his car around 7:10 a.m. at his residence in Purok 3, Barangay Poblacion when three suspects on board two motorcycles suddenly appeared and fired at him.

Melodia, 29, was shot several times in different parts of his body. He was rushed to the Bayawan City District Hospital where he expired later.

Recovered from the crime scene were four empty shells of .45-caliber

The motive and identity of the suspects are still unknown.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1126908

Caraga police official lauds arrest of NPA rebel in Agusan Norte

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 10, 2021): Caraga police official lauds arrest of NPA rebel in Agusan Norte (By Alexander Lopez)



BUTUAN CITY – A ranking police official here commended the personnel of the local police station in Kitcharao town in Agusan del Norte for the arrest of a member of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the area.

Brig. Gen. Romeo M. Caramat Jr., Police Regional Office in Caraga Region (PRO-13) director, identified the NPA member as Sherwin Balangay Labrador, 20, also known as “Wingwing” inside the communist movement.

Labrador is a member of Guerrilla Front (GF) 16 of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) of the NPA.

He was arrested on Jan. 4 in a manhunt operation conducted in Purok 8, Barangay Mahayahay, Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte.


“Labrador is in the list of the top 10 most wanted persons in Agusan del Norte Police Provincial Office (ADNPPO),” Caramat said in a statement Sunday (Jan. 10).

He added that the NPA members have a standing warrant of arrest for charges of multiple murder issued by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 34 in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte.

“Aside from our aggressive anti-criminality campaign, the PNP Caraga also continues to strengthen our anti-insurgency drive to ensure public safety and internal security in the region,” Caramat said.

He also made an appeal to the people in the region to help the police in their efforts to attain long and lasting peace.

“Report immediately to the nearest police station any criminal activities and the presence of criminals and terrorists in your locality,” Caramat said.

Labrador is the second NPA member or supporter arrested in the region in the last three days of manhunt operations conducted by PRO-13.

Last Jan. 7, operatives of Butuan City Police Office, particularly Station 5 and Butuan City Mobile Force Company nabbed Nabe M. Caseñares, 44, a member of the Militia ng Bayan (MB) of GF-4A in an operation conducted in Barangay Tungao here.

Caseñares is the subject of a warrant of arrest issued by the RTC Branch 3 in Butuan City for charges of multiple attempted murder.

The suspect was involved in an armed encounter with government forces last July 7, 2020 in Sitio Landing, Barangay Tungao, the PRO-13 reported.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1126909

2 Samar villages declare CPP-NPA persona non grata

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 10, 2021): 2 Samar villages declare CPP-NPA persona non grata (By Sarwell Meniano)



DENOUNCING TERROR. Officials and residents of Logero village in Marabut, Samar during its declaration of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, New People’s Army (NPA) as persona non-grata on Jan. 5, 2021. The Philippine Army on Saturday (Jan. 9, 2021) said the people condemned the rebel group's treacherous attacks and other human rights violations, including the ambush-slay of a cop on Dec 10, 2020. (Photo courtesy of the Philippine Army)
TACLOBAN CITY – Two villages in Marabut, Samar have declared the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, New People’s Army (NPA), persona non-grata after a recent attack that killed a town cop.

The 63rd Infantry Battalion (63IB) of the Army's 8th Infantry Division on Saturday said residents and officials of Canyoyo and Logero villages formally rejected the ideology and activities of the terrorist communist group in their areas through a resolution unanimously approved on Jan. 5.

Lt. Col. Edgar Allan Orbito, 63IB commander, said the people also condemned the rebel group's treacherous attacks and other human rights violations, including the ambush in Logero village on Dec 10, 2020.

Killed in the attack was Cpl. Earl Hembra, while detainee Nestor Lumagpas Jr., was injured.

According to a police report, the victims on board a patrol car were heading back to the police station after a court appearance in nearby Basey town when waylaid by several gunmen.

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1126897