Authorities probe ambush-slay of Basilan village exec, 3 others

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 11, 2021): Authorities probe ambush-slay of Basilan village exec, 3 others (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)

Authorities are conducting an in-depth probe to identify and arrest the culprits behind the ambush-slay of a barangay official and three companions in Basilan province, military officials said Monday.

Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), identified the fatalities as Barangay chairperson Bin Saudi Sarakil of Matata, Ungkaya Pukan, Basilan; Usop Abdul Majid; Kain Manisan; and Ibrahim Abdulkarim.

Vinluan said Sarakil and his three companions were aboard a car traversing along Sitio Bacud, Barangay Banah, Tipo-Tipo when ambushed Saturday afternoon by a group of unidentified gunmen.

Vinluan said the victims were on the way home to Barangay Matata from Lamitan City.

He said the gunmen were already gone when responding troops arrived at the ambush site.

“Our troops from the 18th Infantry Battalion immediately responded to the area and went after the fleeing lawless elements,” Vinluan said.

Col. Domingo Gobway, commander of the Joint Task Force Basilan, said the victims succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds.

“We are still conducting the in-depth investigation in coordination with our police counterparts from the Lamitan City and Tipo-Tipo stations to identify the perpetrators and the motive of the incident,” Gobway said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1126951

Maguindanao exec to yield more loose guns from civilians

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 11, 2021): Maguindanao exec to yield more loose guns from civilians (By Edwin Fernandez)

SURRENDERED GUNS. The loose firearms turned over on Sunday (Jan. 10, 2021) by local officials and residents of Talitay, Maguindanao in support of the government’s campaign against illegal possession of guns. The town officials vowed to surrender more loose firearms from illegal gun holders in the coming days. (Photo courtesy of 6ID)

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – More guns from civilians would be turned over to the military soon following the surrender of eight assorted high-powered guns over the weekend, Mayor Montasir Sabal of Talitay, Maguindanao said Monday.

Sabal said civilians in his town of about 15,000 have already expressed their desire to support the Army’s disarmament program in the province.

“We already have received words from them, they will voluntarily surrender unlicensed guns,” Sabal said. “This is a good development.”

On Sunday, the mayor led the turnover of guns to the Army’s 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion as part of the town’s contributions to the government.

Illegal gun possession in Talitay was among the reasons for violence and criminalities in the town.

Lt. Colonel Omar Orozco, 2nd Mechanized IB commander, lauded Talitay local officials for the support and urged them to gather more loose firearms to help bring about peace in the troubled town.

Among the surrendered firearms were two .50-caliber sniper rifle, an M16 rifle, homemade firearms, and ammunition.

Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, Army's 6th Infantry Division commander, urged other local government executives in Maguindanao to continue supporting the campaign against loose firearms in response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s desire for peace in Maguindanao.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1126955

NPA member yields firearm, ammo in Aurora

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 11, 2021): NPA member yields firearm, ammo in Aurora (By Jason De Asis)

BACK IN MAINSTREAM. A former member of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to the 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion, Philippine Army (91IB) in Aurora province on Sunday (Jan. 10, 2021). The rebel likewise yielded to the government troops one M16 rifle, one short magazine for M16 with 13 rounds of ammunition, and one Icom two-way radio. (Photo by Army's 91st IB)

BALER, Aurora – A former member of the New People's Army (NPA) has voluntarily surrendered to the 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion, Philippine Army (91IB) in this province on Sunday afternoon.

Lt. Col. Reandrew P. Rubio, 91IB commander, on Monday said the surrenderer was identified as alias "Ka Gi", a former member/courier of Central Front, Komiteng Rehiyon (KR) Cagayan Valley, who is now a resident of Barangay Dimaseset, Dilasag town, this province.

Rubio said that Ka Gi is also a former president of Kabataang Makabayan (KM) before being recruited as NPA member in Barangay Cadsalan, San Mariano, Isabela province.

The former rebel likewise surrendered one M16 rifle, one short magazine for M16 with 13 rounds of ammunition, and one Icom radio to the Bravo Company, 91IB in Barangay Dibaraybay, Dinalungan town, this province.

Rubio said combined elements of Bravo Company, 7ID (lead unit) led by 1st Lt. Bobby A. Ferrer, Bravo Company commander, and Aurora Police Provincial Office facilitated the voluntary surrender of Ka Gi.

He also lauded the decision of the former rebel to return to mainstream society.

“This only shows that our collaborative efforts are effective. The armed struggle has only brought sufferings, death and misery to our people. Let us stop using violence for the sake of non-sense revolution,” Rubio said in an interview.

He also urged other rebels to lay down their arms and return to the comfort of their families and friends.

“Live peacefully and take advantage of the government’s integration program because it will provide you with an opportunity to have a peaceful life in the communities and together we will solve our problems in a peaceful way,” he added.

The former rebel can avail of benefits through the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1126966

Caraga cops nab 3 'notorious’ NPA siblings

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 11, 2021): Caraga cops nab 3 'notorious’ NPA siblings (By Alexander Lopez)

Three “notorious" siblings who are communist New People’s Army (NPA) combatants from Surigao del Norte were arrested in series of police operations in neighboring Misamis Oriental Saturday afternoon (January 9).

In a press statement Monday, the Police Regional Office-13 (PRO-13), identified the siblings as Jolly D. Ejos, 45; Reneboy D. Ejos, 40; and Nelson D. Ejos, 32, all residents of Purok 1, Barangay Tinago in Malimono town, Surigao del Norte.

“The three notorious brothers are members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) involved in the killing of a certain Rogie M. Malig-on, 43, last December 18, 2018, in Purok-4, Barangay Hanagdong, Malimono, Surigao del Norte,” Brig. Gen. Romeo M. Caramat Jr., PRO-13 director, was quoted in the statement as saying.

Caramat said the Ejos brothers are members of Guerilla Front 16 of the NPA's North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee and are on the list of top 10 wanted persons in Surigao del Norte.

Jolly Ejos was arrested in Barangay Sinaloc, El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental at around 2:40 p.m. Saturday, while his brothers Reneboy and Nelson were nabbed on the same day in Barangay Loguilo, Alubijid, Misamis Oriental.

The police operations were conducted by the Malimono Municipal Police Station (MPS) and Alubijid MPS with the support of the intelligence operatives of the provincial police offices of Surigao del Norte and Misamis Oriental.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1126981

Another NPA member surrenders in Tarlac

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 11, 2021): Another NPA member surrenders in Tarlac (By Zorayda Tecson)

SURRENDER. Another former member of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army in Tarlac voluntarily surrendered to authorities on Sunday (Jan. 10, 2021) and yielded one .30-caliber M1 US Carbine rifle with a magazine and ammunition. Last Jan. 5, seven rebels also voluntarily surrendered to authorities in Mayantoc, Tarlac. (Photo by PRO-3)

Another former member of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in Tarlac voluntarily surrendered to authorities on Sunday.

Brig. Gen. Valeriano T. De Leon, regional director of the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO-3), said on Monday that 50-year-old "Ka Gringo", a former member of the Sangay sa Yunit Propaganda Komite Larangan Gerilya 1 (KLG1) operating in the towns of Capas and San Jose, surrendered to the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company and Tarlac Police Provincial Office.

De Leon also said Ka Gringo yielded one .30-caliber M1 US Carbine rifle with one magazine and ammunition.

He said the series of surrenders of the former communist rebels resulted from the relentless campaign of the Central Luzon police and military troops against terrorism in support of President Duterte’s Executive Order No. 70 to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC).

“The PRO-3, together with all member agencies of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC)- 3, continues this whole of sector approach against communist terrorists to achieve peace and national unity which is also in line with directives of PNP Chief, General Debold M. Sinas,” de Leon said in a statement.

Last Jan. 5, seven rebels composed of three former members of Milisyang Bayan (MBs), three former members of Mesina Command under Komiteng Larangang Guerilla (KLG)- Tarlac-Zambales, and a former member of Milisyang Bayan of the former KLG Tarlac PCOM voluntarily surrendered to authorities in Mayantoc, Tarlac.

De Leon said they are ready to help work out the surrender of other members of communist terrorist groups wishing to avail of the government’s reconciliation program.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1127000

Dismissed cops in Jolo shooting released to families

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 11, 2021): Dismissed cops in Jolo shooting released to families (By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan) 

CHARGED. The nine police officers charged by the National Bureau of Investigation for shooting to death four Army intelligence officers in Jolo, Sulu in June last year take their oath during the Senate investigation looking into the incident on Aug. 19, 2020. Philippine National Police chief, Gen. Debold sinas, on Monday (Jan. 11, 2021) said the dismissed police officers were released to the custody of their families and lawyers as the courts have yet to issue arrest warrants against them. (Photo courtesy of Senate PRIB)

The nine dismissed Jolo police officers who were linked in the fatal shooting of four Army intelligence officers in June 29 last year were released to the custody of their families and lawyers as the courts have yet to issue an arrest warrant against them, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Debold Sinas said on Monday.

"Sila ay narelease na kasi walang arrest warrant na binigay sa amin. Coordinating with DOJ, hanggang ngayon wala (They were released because there are no arrest warrants given to us. We are coordinating with the Department of Justice but until now there is still no update yet)," he said in a press briefing at Camp Crame.

Sinas said the PNP was forced to release the nine cops last week as they do not want to be charged with arbitrary detention.

Last week, a panel of prosecutors of the DOJ found probable cause to indict the nine police officers -- Senior M/Sgt. Abdelzhimar Padjiri; M/Sgt. Hanie Baddiri; S/Sgt. Iskandar Susulan; S/Sgt. Ernisar Sappal; Cpl. Sulki Andaki; Pat. Moh Nur Pasani; S/Sgt. Almudzrin Hadjaruddin; Pat. Alkajal Mandangan; and Pat. Rajiv Putalan for four counts of murder and planting of evidence.

The panel also did not recommend bail for the accused.

Sinas earlier approved the dismissal from service of the nine police officers.

Killed in the June 29, 2020 incident were Maj. Marvin A. Indammog, 39; Capt. Irwin B. Managuelod, 33; Sgt. Jaime M. Velasco, 38, and Cpl. Abdal Asula, 33.

The four soldiers were conducting intelligence and monitoring operations against two suspected suicide bombers when gunned down by the nine Jolo police officers.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1126991

AFP disappointed over release of cops involved in Jolo shooting

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 11, 2021): AFP disappointed over release of cops involved in Jolo shooting (By Priam Nepomuceno)

PNA file photo)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday expressed disappointment with the release from custody of nine dismissed members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) who were implicated in the fatal shooting of four Army intelligence operatives in Sulu last June 29.

"The AFP Chief-of-Staff General Gilbert Gapay is extremely disappointed with the release from custody of nine members (of) the PNP who are respondents to the murder of four Army Intelligence personnel who were on an anti-terrorism mission when they were gunned down in downtown Jolo," AFP spokesperson Marine Major Gen. Edgard Arevalo said in a statement forwarded to reporters Monday night.

Earlier, PNP chief Gen. Debold Sinas said they are releasing the nine former police officers to the custody of their families and lawyers as they are still to get a warrant of arrest from the courts.

Sinas said they were forced to release the nine to their relatives and lawyers last week as they do not want to be charged with arbitrary detention.

"It is only unfortunate that despite the (Department of Justice) DOJ’s filing online of a multiple murder case before the Regional Trial Court in Jolo last 04 January 2021, no warrants of arrest have been issued by the court," Arevalo said.

Despite this development, the AFP spokesperson said they are assuring AFP personnel and relatives of the four slain troopers that the AFP "will continue with our persistent coordination with relevant government agencies for the issuance of the arrest warrants."

"Once issued, we will help in the immediate and unimpeded service of said warrants to the named police personnel," he added.

Last week, a panel of prosecutors of the DOJ found probable cause to indict the nine police officers -- Senior M/Sgt. Abdelzhimar Padjiri; M/Sgt. Hanie Baddiri; S/Sgt. Iskandar Susulan; S/Sgt. Ernisar Sappal; Cpl. Sulki Andaki; Pat. Moh Nur Pasani; S/Sgt. Almudzrin Hadjaruddin; Pat. Alkajal Mandangan; and Pat. Rajiv Putalan for four counts of murder and planting of evidence.

The panel also did not recommend bail for the accused.

Sinas has earlier approved the dismissal from service of the nine police officers. Killed in the June 29, 2020 incident were Maj. Marvin A. Indammog, 39; Capt. Irwin B. Managuelod, 33; Sgt. Jaime M. Velasco, 38, and Cpl. Abdal Asula, 33.

The four soldiers were conducting intelligence and monitoring operations against two suspected suicide bombers when gunned down by the nine Jolo police officers.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1127051

‘Vlogger’ slams Reds for leaving dead comrades behind

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 11, 2021): ‘Vlogger’ slams Reds for leaving dead comrades behind (By Lade Jean Kabagani)

Social media personality Jam Magno (Contributed photo)

Social media personality Jam Magno has trended online after expressing sentiments on the issues of the New People's Army (NPA) that neglected their comrades and child warriors who died in armed encounters against government forces.

Magno, who is a native of Butuan City in Mindanao and a staunch supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte, gained popularity online for posting various minuter-videos on societal issues.

Some of her TikTok video clips that have trended online denounced the atrocities and other illegal activities of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing NPA.

Magno's video clips were also fueled by issues on the CPP-NPA’s recruitment of the youth and indigenous peoples (IPs) into the armed movement, particularly in far-flung communities.

She said even the solid members of the CPP-NPA are being neglected, once they were shot and killed on the battlefield.

"Did you know that if you support the communist and become a member of the CPP-NPA terrorist and fight in the mountains, but once you get shot and die, did you know that your comrades will leave you alone? You are gonna be left alone by the people who recruited you," Magno said in her popular TikTok video clip posted on Nov. 26, 2020, that were shared and went viral on various social media platforms.

In the same video clip, she said the military forces who defend themselves against the attacks committed by the CPP-NPA, would be the ones who will pick-up the rebels' dead bodies and bring them back to their families.

"Isn't it great? They recruit you and take you away from your family but they don't even have the decency to return your dead body. Just in case you didn't know that," Magno said.

Magno has been very vocal and relentless in condemning the violence of the CPP-NPA and its political arm, the National Democratic Front (NDF).

"Just in case you decide to take up arms and decided to go to the mountains, remember the face of who recruited you because that won't be the face who will return you back to your mother when you die," she added.

In another video clip uploaded on Youtube, she railed against the CPP-NPA-NDF's recruitment and exploitation of minors to join the armed struggle perpetrated by the CPP-NPA and its allied front-organizations.

"It is a basic right to live a long life, but then again the CPP-NPA-NDF uses young rebel warriors to fight their war without proper training and to fight the actual combatants that need to protect the land," she said.

Magno said the communist insurgency should be blamed for why the country has lost many opportunities to push tourism activities. Due to the NPA infiltration in communities wherein favorable chances of economic growth can be eyed, she said, it has threatened the economic development in some rural areas.

"There are other places that are just beautiful that you can come and visit it, but because it is being infested by CPP-NPA-NDF terrorists here in the area, we cannot fully unleash its beauty, its capacity to become a tourism hub and we cannot improve economically because our human rights to live in peace is being impeded by the real terrorists," she said

She added that the CPP-NPA-NDF's perpetrated lies, wrongdoings, and violent attacks continue to derail the economic improvement of the country.

The CPP-NPA-NDF's inhumane and illegal activities, she said, are clearly violations of human rights.

Magno, meanwhile, defended security forces against the communist rebels' claims of militarization and abuse of powers.

"The real offenders and violators are those people who disturb the peace. The Army does not offend them, the army should take them [NPAs] out to maintain the peace in the areas where they are, [the] cancer and the problem," she said, adding that the country's security forces including the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) are "doing more than what their jobs required them to do."

A peaceful and progressive society, she said, could be attained by supporting the government's efforts to halt the expansion of terrorism in the country.

She has been relentless in calling out the CPP-NPA for killing innocents, neglecting comrades during firefights, exploitation of IPs, and recruitment of youth as child warriors in the far-flung communities.

Unfazed

Apart from videos condemning the CPP-NPA, Magno also advocates various government programs through online platforms. Despite good intentions, Magno's social media accounts were subjected to temporary suspension.

Sometime in December 2020, Magno's TikTok account was permanently banned but was reactivated a week after.

Her Facebook account was suspended twice by the social media giant for allegedly violating its policy against coordinated inauthentic behavior (CIB).

Despite all these suspensions, Magno is unfazed and continues her advocacies online and outside the digital world, as she urged more Filipinos to do the same.

"Always remember to love the Philippines the right way, that true patriotism starts at home, we must always remember to be grateful, to be kind and to always hold on to the notion that real change, is real work and it happens in real life—not just on social media, I TikToker slams Reds' neglecting comrades died in battlefields

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/1127060