Army exhumes remains of NPA commander in Carigara, Leyte

 From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Apr 4, 2021): Army exhumes remains of NPA commander in Carigara, Leyte (By: Joey Gabieta)

The remains of an alleged high-ranking member of the New People’s Army (NPA) were retrieved by government troopers in a remote village in Carigara town, Leyte last Saturday, April 3.

Eleazar Sabidalas was reportedly buried by his comrades six years ago, according to a former rebel who provided the information to the army.

Based on the information, Sabidalas was buried in Sitio Kapitungan of Barangay Libo, Carigara last July 18,2015.

Sabidalas, who was known as “Sangay,” reportedly died after his group engaged government forces in an encounter in Barangay Caghalo in the same town.

Sabidalas reportedly served as a commander of the front committee of the Eastern Visayas Revolutionary Party Committee.

Captain Kaharudin Cadil, information officer of the 802nd Infantry Brigade (IB) based in Ormoc City, said they have yet to contact the family members of the former NPA leader before he would be buried in a public cemetery in Carigara town.

At present, the skeletal remains of Sabidalas were placed in a funeral parlor in the town.

In a statement, Brigadier Gen. Zosimo Oliveros, the commanding officer of the 802nd IB, said the recovery of the skeletal remains of the former NPA leader is an indication that the rebel group does not give value to human life.

“It is clear to us how the terror group, the NPA, does not value the life of their own comrade. They do not care how their loved ones feel,” he said.

“We are calling the loved ones of Eleazar Sabidalas to help us so we can give him a decent and proper burial,” Oliveros added.

The problem of insurgency continues to affect some parts of Leyte and the provinces of Samar.

During his March 18 visit to the region, President Duterte reiterated his desire to completely quell the insurgency problem of the country.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1414709/army-exhumes-remains-of-npa-commander-in-carigara-leyte

2 soldiers killed in ambush

From the Philippine Star (Apr 5, 2021): 2 soldiers killed in ambush (Gilbert Bayoran)

Two Army soldiers were killed in an ambush by suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas in Cauayan, Negros Occidental on Saturday.

Maj. Cenon Pancito, spokesman for the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, yesterday confirmed the death of the soldiers, who were members of the 15th Infantry Battalion.

The fatalities were on their way to a community support group when the rebels waylaid them in Sitio Cambaga in Barangay Yaoyao.

The soldiers were in civilian clothes, Pancito said.

A day earlier, police officers belonging to the Special Action Force and Regional Mobile Force Battalion 7 rescued a wounded rebel left behind by his comrades following an encounter in Santa Catalina, Negros Oriental.


The firefight lasted 10 minutes before the guerrillas fled, leaving behind their wounded comrade as well as several war materials, firearms, a grenade and personal belongings.

The rebel, whose name was not immediately available, was brought to a medical facility for treatment before he was turned over to authorities.

Over 360 rebels surrender

A total of 364 NPA rebels surrendered to authorities in Northern Luzon during the first quarter of this year.

The surrenderees turned over 34 firearms, Northern Luzon Command chief Lt.Gen. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr. said on Saturday.

Last year, 396 rebels from Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and the Cordilleras returned to the fold of the law and were given assistance provided under the enhanced comprehensive localized integration program (E-CLIP) of the government.

“Those who surrendered in January and February are waiting for the release of their E-CLIP grants. The grant for those who surrendered last month are being processed,” Burgos said. – Ric Sapnu

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2021/04/05/2088882/2-soldiers-killed-ambush

Black Saturday blast injures 2 in Albay

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 4, 2021): Black Saturday blast injures 2 in Albay

CTG TERRORISM. Jesus Posiquit, a 34-year-old civilian, receives medical attention in a hospital after he and a minor were injured when Communist Terrorist Group members detonated an anti-personnel mine in Barangay Allang, Ligao City, Albay on Saturday morning (April 3, 2021). Lt. Col. Benjamin Tapnio, commander of the 49th Infantry Battalion (49IB), lambasted the CTG for carrying out another attack endangering the lives of the civilians. (Photo courtesy of Team SPEAR)

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur – Two civilians, including a minor were badly hurt, after members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) detonated an anti-personnel mine in Barangay Allang, Ligao City, Albay on Saturday.

Jesus Posiquit, 39, and a 15-year-old minor were immediately brought to the nearest hospital after suffering injuries from the 8:22 a.m. explosion.

Lt. Col. Benjamin Tapnio, commander of the 49th Infantry Battalion (49IB), denounced the CTG for carrying out another ruthless act endangering the lives of civilians.

"This attack on the civilians proved that the CTG is desperate because of the effective implementation of the Community Support Program (CSP) and the whole-of-nation approach which brought significant damages against their useless cause," Tapnio said.

Col. Jaime Abawag Jr., head of the 902nd Infantry Brigade, already directed his troops to hunt down the communist terrorists responsible for the attack.

"We are now in close coordination with our counterpart in the PNP for the immediate arrest of the perpetrators including those who were involved in the planning of this crime. We will not allow them to go unpunished, for this was a treacherous attack against the Bicolanos," Abawag said.

The Joint Task Force Bicolandia (JTFB) under Army Maj. Gen. Henry A. Robinson Jr. strongly condemned the terroristic attack amid the observance of the Holy Week.

"Sibilyan na nga ang biniktima ng mga komunistang teroristang ito, ginawa pa nila ang pang-aatake sa mismong araw ng paggunita natin ng (The victims of these communist terrorists are civilians, and they did it during our observance of) Lenten season. This is an attack against our faith and against Christianity -- a total disrespect to our faith. They only proved us, especially to the Bicolanos, that they have lost their direction and purpose. They know nothing except to spread terror, violence and terrorism," Robinson said.

The CPP-NPA, which has been waging a more than a five-decade armed struggle against the government, 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/1135680

CPP-NPA has no respect for human life: Army official

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 4, 2021): CPP-NPA has no respect for human life: Army official

RETRIEVED CADAVER. Members of the Army’s 93rd Infantry Battalion and the Eastern Visayas Scene of the Crime Operatives exhume the cadaver of former New People’s Army (NPA) leader Eleazar Sabidalas in Barangay Caghalo, Carigara, Leyte on Saturday (April 3, 2021). Sabidalas, according to former NPA members, died due to the wounds he sustained in an encounter with military on July 18, 2015. (Photo courtesy of PA)

The Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) and its political wing, National Democratic Front (NDF), have no respect for human life, a Philippine Army (PA) official said.

Brig. Gen. Zosimo A. Oliveros, commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade, made this statement after members of the 93rd Infantry Battalion (93IB) and local police exhumed the cadaver of an NPA leader who was buried by his comrades in Barangay Caghalo, Carigara, Leyte six years ago.

“Malinaw sa ating lahat na ang teroristang NPA ay walang pagpahalaga sa kanilang mga kasapi. Balewala sa kanila ang maaaring mararamdaman ng mga naulila, mga magulang na nawalan ng anak, mga kabataang nasira ang kinabukasan at mga pamilyang kanilang winasak. Sa kabila ng lahat, bilang mga Pilipino na may paniniwala sa Panginoon, bigyan po natin ng halaga ang bawat buhay (It is clear to everyone that the terrorist NPA has no respect for their fellow members. They do not care what the bereaved, the parents who have lost a child, the youth whose future has been ruined and the families they have destroyed may feel. After all, as Filipinos who have faith in God, let us value every life),” Oliveros said in a news release on Sunday.

Oliveros said 93IB members received information from former NPA rebels that Eleazar Sabidalas alias Sangay, former commander of Front Committee Leyte in Eastern Visayas Revolutionary Party Committee, was wounded in an encounter with military on July 18, 2015.

“Sa kadahilanang hindi siya binigyan ng agarang at karampatang lunas, siya ay namatay at minadaling inilibing lingid sa kaalaman ng kanyang mga mahal sa buhay (Because he was not given immediate medical attention, he died and immediately buried without informing his relatives),” he said.

On April 3, he said the Scene of the Crime Operatives in Region 8 (Eastern Visayas) conducted retrieval operation with the help of Carigara, Leyte police and 93IB.

He said former NPA members have positively identified the cadaver of Sabidalas.

“Kasalukuyang hinahanap ang pamilya o kamag-anak ni alyas Sangay upang ipabatid ang kanyang kalunos-lunos na sinapit at maihatid na rin siya sa huling hantungan. Ang naturang bangkay ay dinala sa Carigara Funeral Homes upang paghandaan ang isang maayos at marangal na libing (We are currently looking for relatives of alias Sangay to inform them about the tragedy that happen to him and to take him to his final destination. The corpse was brought to Carigara Funeral Homes to prepare for an orderly and dignified burial),” Oliveros said.

Oliveros said former NPA members told the military that the organization’s lack of respect for human life had led to the untimely demise of Sabidalas.

“Sa halip na gamutin ang natamong sugat, siya ay sinadyang pinabayaan na siyang naging sanhi ng hindi pa napapanahong kamatayan (Instead of treating the wound, he was deliberately abandoned which caused his untimely death),” he said.

He said the terrorist communist group deliberately conceals the experiences of its members to their families to prevent demoralization in its ranks and that government forces will not know the identity of the slain NPA members.

The CPP-NPA, which has been waging a more than five-decade armed struggle against the government, 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/1135701

Army condemns NPA ambush that killed 2 soldiers in NegOcc

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 4, 2021): Army condemns NPA ambush that killed 2 soldiers in NegOcc (By Nanette Guadalquiver)

FALLEN TROOPS. The two soldiers of the Philippine Army’s 15th Infantry Battalion killed in an ambush perpetrated by suspected communist-terrorists in Cauayan, Negros Occidental on Saturday (April 3, 2021). They were given departure honors at Bacolod-Silay Airport on Sunday. (Image courtesy of 3rd Infantry Division, Philippine Army)

Two intelligence operatives of the Philippine Army’s 15th Infantry Battalion (15IB) died in an ambush perpetrated by suspected communist-terrorist group members in Cauayan, Negros Occidental on Saturday afternoon.

The fatalities were identified as Pfc. Alaster Balboa, 37, of San Jose Road, Zone 2, Zamboanga City; and Cpl. Jhoem Meguillo, 32, of Barangay Malamote, Midsayap, North Cotabato.

The slain soldiers were given departure honors during a send-off ceremony held at the Bacolod-Silay Airport on Sunday morning.

Maj. Cenon Pancito III, public affairs chief of the 3rd Infantry Division (ID), condemned what he described as a “cowardly and deceptive act” of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

“Our soldiers were not in combat mode. They were in civilian attire onboard a motorcycle after being tasked to visit our Community Support Program (CSP) teams in the area,” Pancito said in a statement.

A report of the Cauayan Municipal Police Station said that Balboa and Meguillo were fired upon by some 30 fully-armed communist-terrorists at around 12:50 p.m. in Sitio Cambaga in Barangay Yao-yao after visiting the CSP teams in Sitio Lu-oy.

The soldiers’ standard issue .45 caliber pistols and four hand grenades were found missing during the retrieval operation, it added.

“The NPA terrorists have proven once again how coward they are in waging a fight against government troops. They cannot face us in battle thus, they resort to ambush of soldiers even in civilian clothes, a clear violation of human rights and accepted rules of engagement,” Pancito said.

He added that as the 3ID mourns every Spearhead trooper’s death, they vow to bring the communist-terrorists to justice.

According to the 15IB, which has headquarters in Barangay Tiling, Cauayan, Barangay Yao-yao is one of the areas in Negros Occidental where the NPA has thrived, and the Army’s CSP operations have lessened their influence in the community.

Col. Leonardo Peña, commander of 302nd Infantry Brigade, which covers southern Negros, also condemned the “barbaric act perpetrated by the CPP-NPA”, adding that the communist-terrorists are desperate to hamper the peace and progress brought by the presence of government troops in the communities.

“The senseless attack proves once again that these communist-terrorist groups are human rights violators,” he said.

Peña added that the slain soldiers’ ultimate sacrifice will “not be put in vain” as they will “legally seek justice and file appropriate criminal case against the culprits”.

Lt. Col. Erwin Cariño, commanding officer of 15IB, said the two soldiers risked their lives to protect and bring peace to the people of Negros.

“We honor the heroism and sacrifices of our fallen comrades and we will ensure that justice will be served,” he added.

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://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1135692

PNP reshuffle looms with retirement of top officers

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 4, 2021): PNP reshuffle looms with retirement of top officers (By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan)

PNA file photo

A reshuffle will take place in the Philippine National Police (PNP) this month as three ranking police officials will reach the mandatory retirement age of 56.

PNP comptroller Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Licup is set to retire from the service on April 9, spokesperson Brig. Gen. Ildebrandi Usana on April 20, and Lt. Gen. Cesar Hawthorne Binag, deputy chief for operations and concurrent commander of the Joint Task Force Covid Shield, on April 24.

On May 8, PNP chief Gen. Debold Sinas will turn 56, too, and Deputy Chief for Administration Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar on November 13.

Sinas, Eleazar, Binag and Licup belong to the Philippine Military Academy Hinirang Class of 1987.

Usana, a member of the Philippine National Police Academy Class of 1988, served as chief of the PNP Human Rights Affairs Office in Camp Crame and Deputy Regional Director of the Police Regional Office-7 (Central Visayas) before being assigned spokesperson in November.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1135674

China out to occupy other WPS features: Lorenzana

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 4, 2021): China out to occupy other WPS features: Lorenzana (By Priam Nepomuceno)

Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (PNA File photo)

MANILA – The continued presence of Chinese maritime militia ships in the West Philippine Sea shows China's intention to occupy other features in the area, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Sunday

"The continued presence of Chinese maritime militias in the area reveals their intent to further occupy features in the West Philippine Sea," he said in a statement forwarded to reporters.

Lorenzana was responding to the Chinese Embassy in Manila's statement justifying the presence of Chinese vessels off Julian Felipe Reef called Niu'e Jiao and part of their Nansha Islands.

The Chinese Embassy issued the statement after Lorenzana on Saturday called for the withdrawal of the remaining Chinese ships off Julian Felipe Reef saying there is no reason for them to stay there.

He said China has done this before at Panatag Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc, and at Panganiban Reef "brazenly violating Philippine sovereignty and sovereign rights under international law."

"As a party to the DOC (Declaration of Conduct), China should refrain from conducting activities that disturb regional and international peace and security," he added, referring to the 2002 DOC of Parties in South China which China and member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) which was signed in November of that year.

Parties to the DOC reaffirmed their respect and commitment to freedom of navigation and overflight at the South China Sea and to resolve their territorial and jurisdictional disputes through peaceful means.

Lorenzana also called the utter disregard by the Chinese Embassy in Manila of international law especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which China is a party, "appalling".

"Its nine-dash line claim is without any factual or legal basis. This, together with its so-called historical claim, was flatly and categorically rejected by the arbitral tribunal," he added.

Lorenzana said the Philippines’ claims stand on solid ground, while China’s does not.

"China should respect Philippine sovereignty over the Kalayaan Islands, and its sovereign rights over its exclusive economic zone as defined by UNCLOS and affirm by the arbitral award," he added.

The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF WPS) earlier expressed concern about a Philippine Coast Guard report that around 220 Chinese fishing vessels, believed to be manned by Chinese maritime militia personnel, were sighted in line formation at the Julian Felipe Reef on March 7

The reef is located approximately 175 nautical miles west of Bataraza, Palawan.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1135690