Anti-Terrorism Act foes ask SC: Stop Esperon testimony

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (May 16, 2021): Anti-Terrorism Act foes ask SC: Stop Esperon testimony (By: Marlon Ramos)

Several petitioners contesting the constitutionality of the antiterrorism law have asked the Supreme Court to discontinue the red-tagging by National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. right in the high tribunal itself.

They also asked the court to delete from its records the controversial videos that Esperon presented to the justices during oral arguments last Wednesday.

In the 16-page omnibus motion they filed on Friday, several of the 37 groups of petitioners against Republic Act No. 11479, or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 (ATA), appealed to the magistrates to reconsider their decision to allow President Rodrigo Duterte’s security adviser to continue his “testimony” next week.

As the Supreme Court is not a “trier of facts,” then Esperon should not be allowed to “testify” before the magistrates, they argued.

They said it was ironic that while several members of the tribunal were expressing alarm over the red-tagging of various organizations, lawyers and judges, Esperon was openly doing just that to progressive groups during Wednesday’s online court proceedings.

“No one — especially our government officials — should be allowed to use the proceedings of this court as a platform to engage in acts that are not only anomalous, but downright dangerous,” the petitioners said.

Human rights groups have cited numerous cases where red-tagging, or the labeling of critics of the government or the political opposition as members or supporters of communist rebels, had led to violent attacks or killings of political activists and members of people’s organizations.

“It is, in fact, ironic that when the court wanted to know if the situation today is reminiscent of McCarthyism, (Esperon) actually engaged in McCarthyite red-tagging, which is deadly business in the Philippines,” the petitioners said.

Old Joma videos

During Wednesday’s oral arguments, Assistant Solicitor Generals Marissa Galandines and Raymund Rigodon invoked national security in declining to answer some questions from the justices. They requested the magistrates to ask Esperon himself.

During the court proceedings, Esperon showed two old videos of Jose Maria Sison, the self-exiled founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), instead of directly answering questions from Associate Justice Rosmari Carandang.

Esperon claimed that Sison’s recorded messages, including one that was taken in 1987, would prove the connection of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, one of the petitioners, to the CPP.

The petitioners said the videos and Esperon’s remarks were “not responsive” to the issues being discussed during the oral arguments and that these concerned factual matters beyond the ambit of the 15-member tribunal.

Besides not being sworn to testify, Esperon presented videos that were not properly vetted as mandated under Section 1, Rule 11 of the Rules on Electronic Evidence, they added.

“Moreover, Esperon engaged in the defamatory red-tagging at will [of] certain legitimate organizations without the latter having the opportunity to rebut his indictments,” the petitioners argued.

Reacting to the petition, Esperon on Saturday said it was Sison who allegedly identified the groups that supposedly were affiliated to the rebel movement.

Casambre on FBA day after Esperon appeared at the Supreme Court, the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC), of which he is the vice chair, disclosed a list 19 people that the ATC had designated as terrorists and alleged members of the central committee of the CPP.

The list included Sison and several consultants to the National Democratic Front of the Philippines who were involved in the peace talks before they were terminated by Duterte. One of them, Rey Claro Casambre, called the terrorist designation as “just another nefarious device concocted by those who reckon they can and must go around or against the Constitution and the rules of law, fair play and common decency to silence those who speak and clamor for change.”

In a statement posted on Sison’s Facebook page, Casambre said he and his wife were arrested on Dec. 7 last year on “totally fabricated charges” of taking part in a rebel ambush on Sept. 13, 2020.

He said he and his wife were the “first real victims” of the “red-tagging and terrorist branding” by Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr., spokesperson for the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

The task force was created under Executive Order No. 70, which was issued by Duterte after he scuttled the peace talks in 2018.

“Nobody but nobody, my accusers included, believes I am a terrorist,” said Casambre, executive director of the Philippine Peace Center.

‘Meticulous research’

“This is really not just about us peace consultants, negotiators and advocates,” he said. “The real targets of EO 70 and the ATA are the vision and quest for fundamental reforms that could and would bring just and lasting peace and prosperity. The foremost and ultimate victims are the Filipino people themselves.”

During Saturday’s Laging Handa briefing, Esperon said the CPP list and a separate one that included 10 alleged leaders of Islamic State-affiliated groups “went through meticulous research” by the government’s intelligence agencies, the military and the police.

He said the communist leaders on the list had been leading the insurgency in the country for 52 years and had warrants of arrest for killings in connection with the internal purging in their organization.

“What more proof do we need if they are running the New People’s Army?” Esperon said, referring to the CPP’s armed wing.

He also said the CPP leaders who have been designated as terrorists were only named as peace talks consultants so they could be released from detention to participate in the negotiations.

“Now that there are no more peace talks, where are they? Did they return? No! In other words, they are just making fools of us,” Esperon said.

Casambre said that aside from him and Sison, those on the list includedw two peace negotiators and 10 other publicly known peace consultants.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1432298/terror-law-foes-ask-sc-stop-esperon-testimony

CHR probes alleged fake ‘mass surrenders’ of NPA rebels in Bulacan

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (May 16, 2021): CHR probes alleged fake ‘mass surrenders’ of NPA rebels in Bulacan (By: John Eric Mendoza)

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said it has started an investigation into the alleged fake ‘mass surrenders’ of some 244 communist New Peoples Army (NPA) rebels in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan last April 30.

Some of those who surrendered are reportedly affiliated with Bayan Muna and the urban poor organization Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY).

CHR Spokesperson Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia said the commission recently had a dialogue with Bayan Muna chairperson Neri Colmenares at the CHR Office in Quezon City.

READ: Bayan Muna hits ‘mass surrender’ of alleged ex-rebels in Bulacan; asks help from CHR

“These reports have been received and shall be endorsed to the respective Regional Offices of the CHR for prompt investigation,” De Guia said in a statement.

While the results of the CHR investigation remain pending, the commission “strongly urges” the military to conduct its own parallel investigation to verify the veracity of the allegations.

“As CHR pursues its independent probe, we shall also be open in hearing the side of the military and the government on this concern,” De Guia said.

The CHR also reiterated its condemnation of “armed struggle and other forms of terrorism.”

“It is also our hope that there will be a significant reduction of violence on the ground, especially for conflict vulnerable and affected communities,” De Guia said. “We must put a stop to senseless violence.”

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1432517/chr-probes-alleged-fake-mass-surrenders-of-npa-rebels-in-bulacan

Commie hunter new Army chief

From the Manila Standard (May 16, 2021): Commie hunter new Army chief (By Macon Ramos-Araneta)

President Rodrigo Duterte has named the commander of Northern Mindanao’s “Diamond Division,” Maj. Gen. Andres Centino, as the new head of the Philippine Army.

“We are confident that Maj. Gen. Centino will continue the initiatives to professionalize and modernize the principal branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines while building the gains to serve our people and secure our land,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said on Sunday.

Centino, as then commander of the 4th Infantry Division, has committed to defeat the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army in the Northern Mindanao and Caraga regions.

He focused on ending mass support for the communist rebels to prevent it from raising funds and recruiting new members.

“The CPP-NPA members, without resources, will surely be defeated and can no longer recruit new members nor conduct atrocities against our people,” he said in a speech last year.

For his part, Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo welcomed Centino’s appointment, saying it came at a time when the military is vigorously pursuing its initiatives and building on its gains to defeat communist rebels, the Abu Sayyaf Group, and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

“This is where his attributes are expected to contribute immensely,” Arevalo said.

Centino, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1988, will replace his classmate Lt. Gen. Jose Faustino who was appointed as acting Army chief in February.

Faustino, who still has several months remaining before his mandatory retirement in November this year, will be designated as Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff on Peace and Development, according to AFP chief Gen. Cirilito Sobejana.

Sobejana said Faustino’s relief was done in accordance with Section 4 of Republic Act No. 8186, which states that the commanding general of the Philippine Army should have at least one year remaining in the service on the day of his assumption.

Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson lauded Malacañang and the Department of National Defense for upholding the rule of law in naming Centino as the new Army chief.

“I thank and commend Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines for rectifying an oversight in appointing Lt. Gen. Faustino, and for their adherence to Section 4 of RA No. 8186,” Lacson said.

Lacson, who chairs the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation, said the appointment of Centino complies with the law’s provision.

https://manilastandard.net/mobile/article/354645

Opinion: Sense of urgency, not stupidity, is the antidote to insurgency

Opinion piece posted to the Manila Times (May 7, 2021): Sense of urgency, not stupidity, is the antidote to insurgency (By Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr.)

JOSE Ma Sison, the founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) has always referred to the government as a “reactionary government.” In many aspects, it is true because for the past 50 years that’s what the government has been doing. It reacts to every action the CPP does to its armed attacks, systematic radicalization of our children, infiltration of all sectors of the society, including the government and the legislative, to its legal mass actions. He has been very successful in blinding our society to the dangers of what the CPP and its alliances are posing, for each action they make right under our noses. Most of us are clueless that we end up even supporting them. Joma does this through duplicity and its “revolutionary dual tactics.”

This deception went on until the creation of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac), which virtually addresses all the different CTG (communist terrorist group) programs, particularly its propaganda machinery. Incidentally, this task falls on the lap of the NTF stratcom cluster and this is the reason why the NTF spokespersons have always been in the limelight for every issue that crops up, the community pantry being just one of them. The government, through its NTF-Elcac, is now at the forefront, proactively addressing possible crisis scenarios instigated by the CTG, even before the situation develops to a serious disaster. But what is the basis of our actions at the NTF-Elcac? Experience and foreknowledge.

This communist insurgency is a protracted one. The CPP-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) acknowledges that they cannot take down the government in a blitzkrieg operation. They have a long-drawn strategy to wear out government forces, exhaust all government resources, until they are ready to strike. To the uninitiated, especially to those comfortably enjoying the comforts of their offices in imperial Manila, no amount of explanation will make them agree that insurgency is a serious problem. To them it is irrelevant and is not worth their time and resources, in other words business as usual. The NTF-Elcac thinks otherwise, and we are joined widely with all the sectors and local government units, which have suffered so much already from the atrocities of these terrorist insurgents.

A key ingredient in the resolution of the protracted nature of insurgency smacks right in the word: urgency. That is to say, before the enemy is able to strike, we should be able to hit them first. This is what is happening with our Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police operations nationwide. A good 90 percent of our armed engagements with the NPA are government-initiated and intelligence-driven. This is the reason NPA members are surrendering in droves.

Read: Continuing saga of red-tagging and what it is not

Last April 28, 17 NPA members surrendered in Mindoro. They were followed by seven in Masbate last May 2. Recent news from Bukidnon states that 17 NPA rebels also surrendered to Army forces. This was preceded by the surrender of 20 in Sorsogon, 33 in Cagayan, and some 87 MBs (militia ng bayan) and SPLs (sangay ng partido sa localidad) in Rizal province. This is the trend everywhere in the country.

At the stratcom cluster, our aim is to be able to respond objectively to brewing issues and be able to explain to the people why we need to do it. While we acknowledge that the CPP is well advanced in the infiltration of our media, hence, all these bad and false narratives against all administrations after 1986, we are trying to play catch-up with a more robust and objective approach to address the many issues they are throwing at the government. Is it suppression of freedom of speech and of press? Definitely not, but this time we call out every fake report and effort to agitate people, especially at this time of the Covid-19 pandemic. If we need to expose these personalities and their connection with the underground, for people to better understand the duplicity of these fake advocates, then that’s what we will do — immediately. If we become unpopular because we appear to be unorthodox with the way we do it, then that’s the consequence we should be ready to accept.

Is this red-tagging? No, it is simply re-echoing how Joma identified all these front organizations, including the underground organizations that he exposed in his video message during the 49th anniversary of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP). Other than the CPP, Sison identified the following as the member organizations of the NDFP Artista at Manunulat ng Sambayanan (Armas) — the underground organization operating the front organization Karatula; Revolutionary Council of Trade Union (RCTU) — the underground organization of Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU); Kaguma of ACT; Kabataang Makabayan (KM) of the YS, including Kabataan, Anakbayan, CEGP, LFS, NUSP; Makibaka or Gabriela; Lumaban of NUPL; Christians for National Liberation (CNL) — running the Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines (AMRSP) and the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP); and Bagong Hukbo ng Bayan (BHB) or NPA.

There were actually 18 organizations identified by Sison, all of these also appear in the NDFP website. So why is this important for us to know?

Read: Duterte urged to run for VP

I would like to explain that by sharing a significant development as far as the NTF-Elcac is concerned. Last Tuesday I was privileged to be invited to a “conversation” with the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) in their beautiful Caritas office in Tagaytay. It was initiated by our Military Vicariate Ordinariae, Bishop Oscar Florencio, in cooperation with the National Secretariat for Social Action-Justice and Peace (NASSA), which is under the direction of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Social Action-Justice and Peace. A lot of ground was covered, including the Caritas funding, human rights and EJK, red-tagging, the RMP and AMRSP, the infiltration of the Church through the CNL, the Tamondok issue, and environmental degradation.

The forum provided an opportunity to clarify issues, especially on how the left uses red-tagging as a defense mechanism to cover their illegal operations; why RMP’s funding was frozen; the identification of a few members of the CNL among the clergy who are unfairly dragging the Church; active partnerships with the government and Church/Caritas, which needed to be continued; and the active role the Church is performing now to help reach out to so many rebels who have now returned to the fold of the law. At the end of the forum, it was agreed that the NTF-Elcac will pursue its plan to institutionalize partnership with NASSA and the Diocesan Social Action Centers (DSACs) for them to be part of the task force at the regional, provincial and even municipal-level NTF-Elcac.

The government in the past did a lot of stupid things which enabled the CPP to perpetuate this conflict for 53 years now. Far from being perfect, the NTF-Elcac has managed to address these shortfalls with a lot of initiatives. Because of the alleged red-tagging, again, by the NTF-Elcac spokesman, of some organizers of community pantries, some senators are moving for the defunding of the NTF-Elcac’s barangay development program (BDP), if not realign the funds to other programs, thus delaying further the resolution of this conflict. Parallel to this, Sen. Franklin Drilon is in fact questioning the quick disbursement of some P10 billion for the BDP.

Now that the government is quick in providing the services that far-flung communities have been expecting; quick in countering propaganda of the CPP; quick in preempting attacks of the NPA terrorists; quick in destroying the CPP narrative; quick in preventing more foreign funding to the underground; hence resulting in the surrender of hundreds of NPAs; the dismantling of their organs of political powers (OPPs); and the impending collapse of these communist terrorist groups, suddenly we see all these efforts to gag the NTF-Elcac spokesman and defund the BDPs?

Read: Insurgency is propaganda war

What gives?

Has the coming election something to do with all these? Hah! the stupidity of this political conflict. People of the Philippines, unite.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/05/07/opinion/columnists/sense-of-urgency-not-stupidity-is-the-antidote-to-insurgency/870972/

Opinion: Insurgency is propaganda war

Opinion piece posted to the Manila Times (May 13, 2021): Insurgency is propaganda war (By Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr.)

A LOT has been said about how unorthodox the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac) has been in handling this fight against the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA). To some it is a total surprise, and they are definitely happy that finally the government is speaking up for them, for the misery and violence they have gone through the 52 years of the CPP’s armed struggle. To the vocal few, they are furious that the status quo has been disturbed because of the stubborn resolve of two NTF-Elcac spokespersons, now being accused of being “red-taggers,” to persevere in this approach. Never in the history of this country has the Filipino nation been so roused at seeing the CPP in such a frantic, if not chaotic mode, trying to deflect attacks by the government against all the fronts of the CPP, on all fronts, i.e., from the ground, underground and over.

To the initiated and to those who have been following the developments of the underground, they are convinced that the CPP is now in a defensive mode. At this point, they are the “reaksyonaryo.” And with the CPP actions come the reaction, wittingly or unwittingly, from the different sectors of society who have benefited for a very long time from the exploitation by the communists of our political situation. The decadence of our political institution is now showing its ugly face, as if to confirm what observers and netizens are saying that this communist insurgency of Jose Maria Sison has indeed succeeded in destroying one of the pillars of our democracy — the Senate.

Fifteen senators were asking for my head and they are willing to take the risk of defunding the NTF-Elcac because of an allegation we can easily disprove.

Red-tagging?

Of what import is this issue that the majority of the senators are willing to take the blow of our citizens for a childish act of taking back funds for long-delayed projects necessary to uplift the living conditions of our poor citizens in the farthest recesses of the archipelago? The Barangay Development Program is touted as the game changer in the government’s fight to win the hearts and minds of our neglected citizens, why, oh why would they withdraw it?

Read: The genocide that will never be

This insurgency has thrived because of our ignorance on how the CPP operates. We were oblivious of this “revolutionary dual tactics” and this duplicitous nature of this monster, that often we cheered for the activism of “idealists” who demonstrate their passion to defend freedom, human rights, etc, supposedly in a peaceful way but would end up dead with NPA rebels.

Indeed we have seen hundreds of young children die in the mountains, some captured by soldiers, or surrendered to the government, members of Anakbayan, Kabataang Makabayan, Gabriela, Gabriela-Youth, League of Filipino Students, College Editors Guild of the Philippines, National Union of Students of the Philippines, Karapatan, etc. Those who survived would tell us gruesome stories of rape and sexual exploitation, of murders, within the underground, of child pornography sponsored by CPP cadres for profit and for their foreign benefactors (I shall write more on this next time and let us see if you will not raise hell). Yet, the senators refuse to hear about it, in spite of the battery of committee hearings, and instead push for a bill criminalizing red-tagging. The Makabayan bloc in particular, refuses to acknowledge these things are happening, and would not accept the challenge to denounce the violence, in spite of their oath to abandon the armed struggle and pursue parliamentary struggle instead. Of what value is this party list law then?

Rep. Carlos Zarate of Bayan Muna continues to question our actions of exposing them, accusing us of red-tagging, without presenting evidence. So, what do we call all those dead NPA rebels from the ranks of Jose Maria Sison’s front organizations? He expects us to present as evidence a dead body of an NPA clad in a Bayan Muna or Anakbayan t-shirt? He wants to stop the NTF-Elcac from effectively countering CPP-NPA propaganda lies, especially with the designation now of six more spokespersons for the task force to do counterpropaganda. We have challenged these Kamatayan bloc members to an open debate on several occasions so they may explain exactly what they mean with these lies but to this day they won’t face us.

If these young children getting killed are not evidence enough of their organization’s participation in the armed struggle, then what do we make of these latest video messages of Joma where he practically red-tagged 18 of his underground organizations belonging to the National Democratic Front of the Philippines? Yes, Joma named all of them, from the Kaguma of ACT, Makibaka of Gabriela, Lumaban of NUPL to RCTU of KMU, etc. Not me but Joma’s hubris gave away these underground allies of his.

Read: How the monster was born

The Kabataang Makabayan, for instance, is the CPP party group that is running all these youth front groups of the CPP. Many of these KM members from the CEGP, LFS, Anakbayan, Kabataan to NUSP not only have become political cadres of the CPP-NPA, but some have also advanced to the top, taking various roles in the CPP propaganda bureau. They are now in different media outfits as editors, columnists, research staff and desk officers of mainstream print, radio or television. These are the people who are responsible for twisting government officials’ statements. They are tasked with perpetuating this “red-tagging” narrative as an assault and a threat to the lives of those “red-tagged” for criticizing the government.

Amidst the controversy on that “stupid” remark I made of senators planning to defund the NTF-Elcac, these senators now want me to vacate my post so I can go back to my field of expertise and focus on fighting the armed group. Really? Is this how narrow our legislators think of this insurgency? Are they trying to distract me so I will abandon what I am doing?

I’m not indispensable as some of them think. In fact I am ready to go if asked to leave. But doing so now, when the enemy is clearly flinching, including those in Congress whom they have always relied on to harass the government when they are precariously hanging on by the cliff, would be a great disservice to the nation. It is tantamount to abandoning our people who have supported and trusted their government trying to end this communist scourge not later than yesterday. It might seem a cowardly act in some aspect, but as in a game of chess, sometimes the knight will make the sacrifice so the king can make its move. Checkmate.

Wrong.

Read: Sense of urgency, not stupidity, is the antidote to insurgency

This is propaganda warfare, folks. If for the longest time the government has waged this war ineffectively by simply focusing on the elimination of the armed group, this time it has acknowledged that the bigger part of the effort was to destroy, and not just to counter, its propaganda machinery.

To emphasize that the NT-Elcac fully understands what it is doing, it has identified and designated six other spokespersons to talk on social media affairs and sectoral concerns; local government affairs, the Barangay Development Program, and international engagement; international affairs, the peace process, and human rights concerns; mass media engagement and fact-checking; public affairs and information and youth concerns; and legal affairs and Indigenous Peoples’ concerns.

At long last, the government has hit the nail right on the head: Insurgency is propaganda war. It’s about, for one thing, eco development in the countryside. It is a battle for narratives, so the more spokespersons, the better chances to win. But should you choose decimation of armed combatants and their unarmed cadres, your Armed Forces of the Philippines is ready for it.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/05/14/opinion/columnists/insurgency-is-propaganda-war/872858/?fbclid=IwAR2fR-fv2yl7DHeT5qA8CKqsS3V1XLqooi0MCL1-wxcKECB_Fbd52sOJA8w

WESTMINCOM: 2 BIFF militants killed in a relentless military offensives in Maguindanao (Photos)

Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Facebook Page (May 16, 2021): 2 BIFF militants killed in a relentless military offensives in Maguindanao

Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City – May 16, 2021

 
Two members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters were killed during an encounter with the military on May 16, 2021.

“Troops of the Joint Task Force Central were conducting focused military operation when they encountered the terrorists in Barangay Mao, Datu Paglas, Maguindanao at about 6:00 a.m., Sunday,” said Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., Commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

A firefight ensued which lasted for 10 minutes after which the enemies, believed to members of the BIFF-Karialan Faction led by Mohiden Animbang, a.k.a. Karialan, scampered in different directions.
According to Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, Commander of the Joint Task Force Central, no casualty was listed on the government side while two enemies were killed during the clash.

While scouring the encounter site, operating troops discovered two enemy foxholes believed to have been dug by the enemy a few months ago.

The troops also recovered the cadavers of the two slain terrorists, one bandolier with two long magazines for an M16 rifle with 50 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, two civilian backpacks with personal belongings, one broken handguard of an M16 rifle, and assorted foodstuff.

“I directed more troops to reinforce the engaged units and establish blockade on the enemy withdrawal routes to ensure that no terrorist will escape from the pursuing forces,” said Maj. Gen. Uy.
Troops continue to scour the area.

“I commend the forces of the Joint Task Force Central for the unrelenting efforts to eliminate the terrorists in central Mindanao,” said Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr.

“We are confident that with the support of our partners and stakeholders, we will soon be able to totally eradicate the menaces of society,” the commander added.

From January 2021 to date, a total of 89 BIFF terrorists were neutralized, 41 of which were killed and 48 surrendered. In addition, the JTF Central also listed a total of 56 firearms gains, 52 of which are high-powered and four are low-powered.

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https://www.facebook.com/afpwestmincom/photos/pcb.2060188560789856/2060188177456561/

https://www.facebook.com/afpwestmincom/

WESTMINCOM: 3 ASG terrorists killed in an encounter with the military in Basilan (Photos)

Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Facebook Page (May 16, 2021): 3 ASG terrorists killed in an encounter with the military in Basilan

Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City – May 16, 2021

 
Three Basilan-based Abu Sayyaf Group members were killed in an encounter with the troops of the Joint Task Force Basilan on May 16, 2021.

 
“Based on the report from Joint Task Force Commander Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway, our troops encountered eight ASG members under ASG Sub-leader Pasil Bayali at Sitio Kura-Kura, Barangay Baiwas, Sumisip, Basilan around 7:40 in the morning, Sunday,” said Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., Commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

 
A firefight ensued which lasted for 30 minutes after which the terrorists withdrew in different directions.
Brig. Gen. Gobway said that reinforcing troops linked-up with the engaged troops and recovered two terrorist cadavers. "We are still verifying the identification of the slain terrorist," Brig. Gen. Gobway said.

 
*While the reinforcing troops were conducting clearing operations in the area, another armed confrontation ensued with the terrorists. The 15-minute exchange of fires resulted in the death of another ASG member and the recovery of one M16 rifle," Brig. Gen. Goway added.

 
“Due to the persistent offensive operations by our gallant troopers, a total of three terrorist cadavers and one firearm were recovered in the said operations. Our troops are continuously conducting hot pursuit operations against the fleeing ASG members. With the series of engagements, we are certain that most of the terrorists incurred gunshot wounds as evident on the bloodstains in the area. We will find, fix and neutralize the remaining fleeing terrorists” said Brig. Gen. Gobway.

 
Meanwhile, the identities of the slain Abu Sayyaf Group members are yet to be verified.

 
“We are grateful that no soldier was hurt during the successive encounters. We thank the active participation of the local officials and the community of their desire to end terrorism by providing us real time information for the neutralization of the terrorists. Rest assured that we will continue to bolster our operations to keep the communities safe and secured,” said Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr.

 
For this year, a total of 18 Abu Sayyaf Group members were neutralized in Basilan, four of whom were killed, 13 surrendered, and one was apprehended.

 
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#AFPyoucanTRUST
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https://www.facebook.com/afpwestmincom/photos/pcb.2060269074115138/2060268914115154/

https://www.facebook.com/afpwestmincom/

CPP/News: What did Samarnons gain from RCSP?

Propaganda news story posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 15, 2021): What did Samarnons gain from RCSP?

NEWS STORIES
MAY 15, 2021

In Western Samar, 11 villages of Calbiga, five in Pinabacdao, and five in Hinabangan have been under unabated Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) since 2019. During this period, the government funneled millions of pesos of funds into these villages for several projects which remain incomplete.

To create the illusion of development alongside its counterinsurgency campaign, the government and military implement various road and bridge projects, other projects under the PAMANA program and the local government, the National Greening Program, NTF-ELCAC’s livelihood projects, surrender program of the E-CLIP and several more.

But after two years, not one of the infrastructure projects was completed. Implementation is so slow that road projects remain at the buldozing stage. A temporary bridge made of wood was constructed in place of the planned cemented road project in Barangay Guinbanga, Calbiga. Residents lament that the funds allotted for the project were already pocketed as they remain unfinished.

The AFP is using the billions of public funds allotted for the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC)’s Barangay Development Program (BDP) to further place villages under their rule. The implementation of BDP is tightly linked to the repression and abuses of the AFP against the masses. For example, barangays were told they will get ₱20 million each if officials and residents will agree to soldiers holding camp in their communities or if residents will “clear” their names or “surrender.” In some villages where nobody voluntarily surrendered, soldiers list names of chosen residents to surrender.

“Blood, death and disruption of our livelihood,” said Ka Ruben, a peasant, when asked on what RCSP operations has brought them.

Farmers in villages subjected to RCSP operations will never forget the murders of barangay chieftains in Daligan and Beri in Calbiga, the wife of Sinalangtan’s village chief, a peasant in Buluan and a youth from Minata, all perpetrated by the military. In Pinabacdao, two peasants were killed in Canlubo and another in Magdawat. Soldiers have also mauled and tortured peasants. “It’s hard for poor people like us that we can only benefit from government funds in exchange for a number of lives,” said Ka Ruben.

Soldiers of RCSP teams also promote gambling like cockfights and playing cards, illegal fishing by poisoning rivers and electrocution, illegal logging, abuse of women and impregnating minors.

Even peasants who were recruited to the CAFGU were forced to leave the service because they too are maltreated by the soldiers. The promised P35,000 salary became P6,000, which at times are paid 2-3 months later. They experience severe maltreatment, verbal abuse and disrimination.

“That’s why every time I pass by road and bridge constructions, I remember fellow peasants who were killed for these projects. No amount nor project can replace their lives.”

The promised development for peasants is a sham. “Prices of our products even plumetted and cost of transportation surged.”

“It is forever etched in my mind that only through struggle can poor people like me achieve genuine development and peace,” Ka Ruben ended.

https://cpp.ph/2021/05/15/what-did-samarnons-gain-from-rcsp/

CPP/IB: CPP says NTF-ELCAC/AFP coddling criminal paramilitary groups against IPs

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 15, 2021): CPP says NTF-ELCAC/AFP coddling criminal paramilitary groups against IPs

INFORMATION BUREAU

COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES

MAY 15, 2021

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today denounced the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) and its newly-installed “spokesperson for IP concerns” for “wasting people’s money in spreading outrageous lies against the CPP and NPA.”

This was in reaction to claims by the NTF-ELCAC spokesperson today that the New People’s Army (NPA) “brutally killed” 20 IPs in 2020 citing the death of Jumar Bucales as one of the incidents.

CPP Chief Information Officer Marco L. Valbuena said “the NTF-ELCAC is lying through its teeth and seems to be in a rush to propagate lies using its new mouthpieces.”

Valbuena clarified that Bucales is a known leader of the AFP-armed Magahat-Bagani paramilitary group. Along with three armed paramilitary troops, he was killed in armed battle with the NPA on October 4, 2020 in Lianga, Surigao del Sur. The Magahat-Bagani is a tool used by the 3rd Special Forces Battalion in combat and psywar operations against peasant communities.

“Bucales is not an innocent and helpless civilian, contrary to how he is being portrayed by the NTF-ELCAC,” added Valbuena.

Investigations have determined the widely known fact that Bucales and his armed band masterminded the bloody Lianga Massacre of 2015 in which three community leaders were murdered. Armed paramilitaries swooped down the village at dawn and successively killed Emerito Samarca, Executive Director of the ALCADEV community school, and Lumad leaders Dionel Campos and Datu Bello Sinzo.

Valbuena denounced the NTF-ELCAC and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for coddling criminal paramilitary groups to oppress indigenous peoples and drive them away from their ancestral lands.

“It is a gross insult to the Lumad communities, specifically those in Surigao del Sur, that the NTF-ELCAC and AFP coddled Bucales and made him appear to represent the interests of the Lumad people, when his paramilitary group is known to be a collaborator of big mining companies in attacking the Lumad community school and village organizations defending their ancestral land.”

Valbuena clarified that indigenous people (IP) paramilitary groups armed and supported by the AFP are legitimate military targets of the NPA. “The NPA is an army of peasants and minority people. It will continue to fight to defend their interests against land grabbers and big mining companies, plantations and destructive dam projects,” said Valbuena.

“For more than four years now, Duterte and his military cabal in the NTF-ELCAC have intensified their attacks against national minorities,” added Valbuena. He cited the massacre of nine Tumandoks in Tapaz, Capiz in December 30, 2020 and the arrest of 17 others, charging of Aetas under the terror law, and the murder of Dumagats in the recent Bloody Sunday in Southern Tagalong as among the recent cases.

“The regime continues to target national minorities as they defend their ancestral lands from entry of destructive dam projects, plantations, and multinational mining operations,” Valbuena ended.

https://cpp.ph/statements/cpp-says-ntf-elcac-afp-coddling-criminal-paramilitary-groups-against-ips/

Kalinaw News: 3 Abu Sayyaf terrorists neutralize in a clash in Basilan

Posted to Kalinaw News (May 16, 2021): 3 Abu Sayyaf terrorists neutralize in a clash in Basilan

Camp Navarro, Zamboanga City – Three Basilan-based Abu Sayyaf members were killed in an encounter with the troops of Joint Task Force-Basilan on May 16, 2021.

Based on the report from the JTF-Basilan Commander Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway, the troops encountered eight Abu Sayyaf members under Abu Sayyaf-Sub-leader Pasil Bayali at Sitio Kura-Kura, Barangay Baiwas, Sumisip, Basilan around 7:40 in the morning. A 30-minute firefight ensued after which the terrorists withdrew in different directions. The reinforcing troops linked-up with the engaged troops and recovered two terrorist cadavers and are still verifying the identification of the slain terrorists.

While the reinforcing troops were conducting clearing operations in the area, another armed confrontation ensued with the terrorists. The 15-minute exchange of fires resulted in the death of another Abu Sayyaf member and the recovery of one M16 rifle.

According to Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., Commander, Western Mindanao Command, no soldier was hurt during the successive encounters. “We thank the active participation of the local officials and the community of their desire to end terrorism by providing us real time information for the neutralization of the terrorists.” For this year, 18 Abu Sayyaf Group members were neutralized in Basilan, four of whom were killed, 13 surrendered, and one was apprehended.



[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/encounter-with-the-troops-of-joint-task-force-basilan/

Kalinaw News: 2 BIFF militants killed in a relentless military offensives in Maguindanao

Posted to Kalinaw News (May 16, 2021): 2 BIFF militants killed in a relentless military offensives in Maguindanao



Camp Navarro, Zamboanga City –Two members of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters were killed during an encounter with the military on May 16, 2021. According to Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan, Jr., Commander, Western Mindanao Command, the troops of the Joint Task Force Central were conducting focused military operation when they encountered the terrorists in Barangay Mao, Datu Paglas, Maguindanao at about 6:00 a.m.

A firefight ensued which lasted for 10 minutes. The rebels believed to be members of BIFF-Karialan Faction led by Mohiden Animbang, AKA Karialan, were scampered in different directions. Major General Juvymax Uy, Commander, Joint Task Force Central said no casualty was listed on the government side while two enemies were killed during the clash. While scouring the encounter site, operating troops discovered two enemy foxholes believed to have been dug by the enemy a few months ago.

The troops also recovered the cadavers of the two slain terrorists, one bandolier with two long magazines for an M16 rifle with 50 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, two civilian backpacks with personal belongings, one broken handguard of an M16 rifle, and assorted foodstuff. The troops continue to scour the area. From January 2021 to date, 89 BIFF terrorists were neutralized, 41 were killed while 48 surrendered. In addition, the JTF Central also listed 56 firearms gains, 52 are high-powered and four are low-powered firearms.

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

https://www.kalinawnews.com/2-biff-militants-killed-in-a-relentless-military-offensives-in-maguindanao/

Kalinaw News: Army clashes with CPP NPA Terrorists in Southern Iloilo

Posted to Kalinaw News (May 16, 2021): Army clashes with CPP NPA Terrorists in Southern Iloilo



CAMP MONTECLARO, MIAGAO, ILOILO – Government troops conducting combat operations encountered 30 members of NPA Southern Front at about 9:46 in the morning on May 15, 2021 in Brgy. Alimodias, Miagao, Iloilo.

The 30-minute firefight, transpired between the operating troops of the 61st Infantry (Hunter) Battalion (61IB) and members of Suyak (SDG) Platoon, Southern Front, Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay under Joven Ceralvo, AKA Lex. Elements of the 61IB responded to the information given by the residents on suspicious individuals who were believed to be members of terrorist groups. ]

One soldier obtained multiple wounds due to a blast of an anti-personnel mine placed by NPA within their temporary lair. The said personnel is now in a medical facility in Iloilo for treatment. According to the report, he is now in a stable condition. Additional troops are now deployed in the area to continue scouring for enemy casualties and war materiel. Possible withdrawal routes are monitored as pursuit operations against fleeing NPA fighters are heightened.

According to Colonel Joel Benedict G Batara, Commander 61IB, with the help of the local populace to end the local armed conflict, Communist NPA has nowhere to hide.

[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-clashes-with-cpp-npa-terrorists-in-southern-iloilo/

Kalinaw News: General Cirilito E. Sobejana, AFP Chief, honors as a distinguished NegOrense

Posted to Kalinaw News (May 16, 2021): General Cirilito E. Sobejana, AFP Chief, honors as a distinguished NegOrense



CAMP LEON KILAT, Tanjay City, Negros Oriental – The Provincial Government of Negros Oriental led by the Governor, Honorable Roel R. Degamo, initiated the Honoring Ceremony for General Cirilito Elola Sobejana PA, being the 1st NegOrense to become the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff, held at the Convention Center Plenary Hall, Dumaguete City on May 14, 2021.

He was accorded with military honors at the forecourt of the Provincial Capitol Building by Colonel Leonardo I Peña (MNSA) PA, Commander, 302nd Infantry Brigade. Gen. Sobejana and his wife, Mrs . Edna Iturriaga Sobejana were formally welcomed at the Provincial Capitol Building by the Negros Oriental employees and head of offices with Governor Degamo and his wife, Hon. Janice Degamo, Mayor, Pamplona, Negros Oriental. General Sobejana is a full-blooded son of Negros Oriental who was born in Zamboanguita on July 31, 1965. At the age of 10, he used to assemble toy jeepneys or the so called “tarak-tarak” made of tin can of sardines for the body parts and old rubber slippers for the wheels. Dodong, as his family calls him especially during childhood days, had that desire to produce rough imitations of land vehicles because he was not that privileged to buy for his own toy car and he was inspired by his aspiration to buy a number of vehicles for his mother, Mama Takya, to ride on. From that very simple dream of a child, he became a soldier of the AFP and eventually considered as one of the country’s living heroes because of his heroic combat exploits.

He is a recipient of the Philippines highest military award, the Medal for Valor, an award equivalent to the Congressional Medal of Honor of the United States of America. He started his military career when he entered the Philippine Military Academy in 1983 and graduated with the PMA “Hinirang” Class of 1987. Now, he is holding the helm of the highest military position in the country as the 55th Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines on February 4, 2021. During the Honoring Ceremony, Governor Degamo, on his message, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to General Sobejana for his distinguished and selfless service to our country and hailed him the pride of being an outstanding son of Negros Oriental.

As a response General Sobejana, conveyed his sincere gratitude to all the Negrenses for their very warm welcome and honors bestowed upon him on that momentous event. He also encouraged his fellow NegOrense and the civil society to participate in the efforts of the government in ending the local armed conflict; particularly the Communist Terrorism, and help in the attainment of the Peace and Progress in our country. Gen Sobejana stressed in his message that peace and security is a shared responsibility. The AFP alone cannot put an end to the menace of insurgency and terrorism; because there are a lot of factors or reasons why such problems exist. These are deeply rooted to the social issues such as poverty, illiteracy, social injustice or oppression, and inequality where all sectors of the society have a role to perform and work together in order to resolve those issues.

[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/general-cirilito-e-sobejana-afp-chief-honors-as-a-distinguished-negorense/

Kalinaw News: Continuous multi-sectoral cooperation facilitates fall of Communist NPA Terrorists in Central Luzon

Posted to Kalinaw News (May 16, 2021): Continuous multi-sectoral cooperation facilitates fall of Communist NPA Terrorists in Central Luzon



Bongabon, Nueva Ecija – Komiteng Larangang Gerilya (KLG) Sierra Madre of Communist NPA Terrorists operating in the provinces of Aurora, Nueva Ecija and parts of Nueva Vizcaya was declared as disintegrated and destructed, in the span of less than two years after the fall of two other Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in 2019 and 2020.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) scrutinized the Philippine Army’s 703rd Infantry (Agila) Brigade’s (703Bde) operational campaign and found that specific and stringent key deliverables and result areas have been achieved making it sufficient to declare on May 5, 2021 the defeat of KLG Sierra Madre. According to Brigader General Andrew Costelo, Commander, 703Bde, the accomplishment was made possible with a team of dedicated soldiers and support from the Police Regional Office 3 and other stakeholders with a mission of finally putting an end to the decades old communist menace.

Earlier, the CTG’s KLG Caraballo and Larangan Gerilya sa Patag 1 (LGP1) were decimated in 2019 and 2020 respectively through ‘whole of nation’ approach. Working closely with the local government and Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict of Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, Tarlac, Zambales, Aurora, Nueva Ecija and Alfonso Cataneda town of Nueva Vizcaya under NTF-ELCAC. Inputs and contributions from former Communist NPA rebels played a significant role in determining the parameters for a communist movement to be declared successfully defeated.

Furthermore, the 703Bde conducted redirection and reorientation of Communist Affected Mass Organizations (CAMO) in communities and a cooptation or rendering ineffective/disbandment of a CTG Front Organization. These CTG Front Organizations were appeared to be legal but provides support to KLGs in terms of recruits, logistics, finances, technical assistance and propaganda. In these communities, Communist terrorists conduct its extortion activities. In the loss of support from the communities, key leaders from KLG Caraballo and KLG Sierra Madre fell in the hands of authorities.

While there were those arrested and surrendered, some suffered an untimely death. The head of KLG Caraballo and Front Operational Command of KLG Sierra Madre, Eleuterio Agmaliw AKA Omeng was killed while resisting arrest in December 2019. Freddie Daileg AKA Poldo who was then the Deputy of the Larangan Gerilya sa Patag (LGP1) also killed during joint AFP-PNP operations in 2019. And Rommel Tucay AKA Isaac, Head of KLG Sierra Madre was killed as well after government forces on March 13, 2021.

[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-multi-sectoral-cooperation-facilitates-fall-of-communist-npa-terrorists-in-central-luzon/

Kalinaw News: Army troops foil bomb plots of CPP-NPA-NDF in Isabela

Posted to Kalinaw News (May 15, 2021): Army troops foil bomb plots of CPP-NPA-NDF in Isabela



Camp Melchor F Dela Cruz, Echague, Isabela – The 98th Infantry (Masinag) Battalion troopers recovered 28 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) while responding to reports from concerned citizens of Sitio Divisoria, Brgy Dibuluan, San Mariano, Isabela on 13 May 2021.

The IEDs recovered were with blasting caps and detonating cords composed of 13 Caps IEDs with 8 inches in diameter and 7 inches long with an estimated weight of 4 to 5 kilograms each; and 15 Caps IEDs with 6 inches in diameter and 8 inches long weighing 2 to 3 kilograms that were left in the area by the CPP-NPA-NDF members. These IEDs can possibly harm innocent civilians and can blow up a bridge. According to the concerned citizens, the IEDs were supposed to be used against government forces, government flagship projects, and other development projects in the region.

However, these IEDs were left in the area by members of Communist Terrorist Group that fled along the coastal areas due to intense military operations of 502nd Infantry Brigade. Brigader General Danilo D. Benavides, Commander, 502nd Infantry Brigade, lauded the vigilance of the community in helping to prevent the terroristic activities of Communist NPA, this was indicating the desire of the communities to distance themselves from the influence and oppression of CPP-NPA-NDF.

Furthermore, such IEDs are proof that CPP-NPA-NDF outright violation of the International Humanitarian Law, particularly on the use of landmines and violent approach to advance evil deeds. Lastly, Brig. Gen. Benavides asked the remaining members of CPP- NPA-NDF in the region to surrender now. The government is willing to receive to those who return to the fold of the law and provide support through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP). The recovered IEDs were immediately defused by members of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit and turned over to Headquarters, 5th Infantry Division for proper disposition.

[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-foil-bomb-plots-of-cpp-npa-ndf-in-isabela/

Kalinaw News: Mga Rebelde, Pumatay ng mga Inosenteng Sibilyan sa Negros Oriental

Posted to Kalinaw News (May 15, 2021): Mga Rebelde, Pumatay ng mga Inosenteng Sibilyan sa Negros Oriental



Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental – Apat ang pinatay ng teroristang New People’s Army (NPA) sa nangyaring insidente pasado alas-singko ngayong umaga sa Sitio Agit, Brgy Trinidad, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.

Ang mga biktima ay kinilalang sina Ronelo Quirante, 56 taong gulang, Roger Fat, 46 taong gulang, at ang mag asawang Rodrigo Lubay, 46 taong gulang at Sherryl Lubay, 44 taong gulang ang mga biktima sa nasabing insidente. Ayon sa mga residente sa nasabing lugar, sila ang mga taong pinaghihinalaan ng mga teroristang NPA na nagbibigay impormasyon sa mga sundalo sa mga gawain ng kanilang grupo.

Kilala bilang mga nagsusuporta sa mga armadong NPA ang mga nasabing pinatay sa Sitio Agit. Nagbibigay ng pagkain, tinatanggap ng maluwag sa kanilang tahanan at nagbibigay ng maaari nilang kailanganin upang maitawid ang gutom, pagod at uhaw sa kabundukan. Pagkatapos patayin ang nasabing apat na sibilyan ay pinalayas ang iba pang hinihinalang impormante ng sundalo sa naturang lugar.

Pagpatay ang sukli sa mga tulong na binigay sa kanilang kababayan. Trauma at labis na paghihinagpis ang dulot nito sa mga naiwang anak at pamilya ng mga biktima. Kagustuhang makaganti ang sanhi ng nasabing karumaldumal na pagpatay sa mga biktima. Matatandaang Noong ika-23 ng Marso 2021, sila ang pangunahing suspek ng teroristang NPA na nagbigay ng impormasyon sa kasundaluhan na nagdulot ng pagkamatay ng teroristang NPA sa Sitio Agit.

Ayon kay Lieutenant Colonel Flores, “Lubos akong nakikisimpatya sa pagdadalamhati ng mga pamilya at anak ng apat na inosenteng sibilyan na pinatay sa kanilang tahanan. Ang ganitong karahasan ay hindi nararapat at hindi naayon sa ating batas. Nawa ay mabigyan ng katarungan ang mga buhay na nasayang, mga magulang na tinanggalan ng karapatan na mabigyan ng magandang buhay ang kanilang mga anak, at mga taong nasira ang kinabukasan. Patuloy po kaming nananawagan sa publiko na palayasin ang teroristang NPA sa kanilang lugar at huwag ng patuluyin sa kanilang tahanan. Ang ganitong insidente ay hindi nararapat sa isang malayang bansa at demokratikong lipunan.”

[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/mga-rebelde-pumatay-ng-mga-inosenteng-sibilyan-sa-negros-oriental/

Andres Centino of Northern Mindanao 'diamond division' is new Army chief

From Rappler (May 16, 2021): Andres Centino of Northern Mindanao 'diamond division' is new Army chief

As former commander of the army's 4th Infantry Division, Major General Andres Centino was big on hunting down communist rebels

President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Major General Andres Centino as new chief of the Philippine Army, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana confirmed to Rappler on Saturday, May 15.

"I wish to inform you, per your letter endorsement and in accordance with the recommendation of the chief of staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)...the designation of Major General Andres Centino as commanding general, Philippine Army," Duterte told Lorenzana in a letter dated Friday, May 14.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque confirmed the designation, saying, "We are confident that MGEN Centino will continue the initiatives to professionalize and modernize the principal branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines while building the gains to serve our people and secure our land."

Centino replaced Lieutenant General Jose Faustino Jr, who served as acting chief of the army. Faustino took over in an acting capacity last February when Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana was promoted to AFP chief.

Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson questioned Faustino's acting capacity, saying no military officer shall be appointed to key positions if they have less than one year in active service. Faustino will retire in November 2021.

Centino belongs to Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Maringal Class of 1988, same with Police Chief Directorial Staff Lieutenant General Dionardo Carlos.

Centino's last post was commander of the army's 4th Infantry Division (ID) known as the diamond division in Northern Mindanao, covering Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Bukidnon, Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur, and Dinagat Island.

As 4th ID chief, Centino was big on hunting down communist rebels, rallying localities in his jurisdiction to "destroy" the Communist Party of the Philippines-New Peoples' Army (CPP-NPA).

"We enjoin the members of this body through the regional, provincial, and municipal task force to end the local communist armed conflict to do their share. The CPP-NPA members, without resources, will surely be defeated and can no longer recruit new members nor conduct atrocities against our people," Centino had said in 2020, as reported by the Philippine News Agency.

AFP spokesperson Major General Edgard Arevalo said Centino's appointment "came at the time when the AFP is vigorously pursuing its initiatives and building on its gains to defeat the Communist Terrorist Group, the Abu Sayyaf Group, and the BIFF."

"And this is where his attributes are expected to contribute immensely," said Arevalo.

Centino also previously held the position of AFP deputy chief of staff for operations.

"Given his known professionalism, operational experience, and managerial skills gained from various leadership echelons of the AFP, MGEN Centino will undoubtedly stir the Army to greater heights," said Arevalo

Localized peace talks

In the military's intensifying counter-insurgency campaign, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr said localized peace talks are ongoing, "orchestrated by" the controversial National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

Esperon mentioned the local peace talks during a government briefing on Saturday, in response to progressive groups which said that the recent terror designations of peace consultants have entirely shut the door to the peace talks.

Esperon said peace talks may not be possible for now, but localized peace talks will continue.

"Ang peace talks tutuloy pa ba? Eh ang Pangulo naman ang lagi niyang sinasabi alang-alang sa katahimikan ng ating bansa kung kailangan ng makipag-peace talk sa kanila ay gagawin natin, pero hindi pa ngayon, hindi pa ngayon. Mayroon naman tayong localized peace engagement," said Esperon on Saturday. (Will we resume peace talks? Our President always says that for the sake of peace in our country, if there is a need for talks, we will do it, but not now, not now. Anyway, we have localized peace engagement.)

Esperon had taken this rhetoric to the Supreme Court where oral arguments on the anti-terror law are ongoing, but petitioners had requested the Court not to call back the security adviser for the resumption of hearing on Monday, May 17, and to strike his earlier testimony off the records.

Esperon had red-tagged progressive groups in his testimony.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/andres-centino-new-chief-philippine-army-may-2021

23 rebels with pending arrest warrants surrender to DCPO

From the Mindanao Times (May 15, 2021): 23 rebels with pending arrest warrants surrender to DCPO (BY RHODA GRACE SARON)

THE DAVAO City Police Office (DCPO) successfully facilitated the mass surrender of 23 alleged rebels on Monday, May 10, in the community gymnasium in Barangay Malabog, Paquibato District this city.

Col. Kirby John Kraft, the city police director, said surrenderees were former New People’s Army members, Milisya ng Bayan, and other underground mass organizations operating in Paquibato District, Davao City.

All of them have a pending warrant of arrest for cases of murder, arson, kidnapping, serious illegal detention, among others.

The activity was coordinated with Paquibato Police Station, led by Maj. Marvin Hugos, Philippine Army, Peace 911, Datu Boyson Anib –IPS Representative, and the barangay officials of Paquibato District.

In an interview conducted on one of the surrenderees, alias Joey expressed his gratitude to the government for helping clear their names and help them start anew.

Kraft welcomed the surrender of the group and urged those who are still actively fighting the government to lay down their arms and embrace other peaceful means to attain their sought-after changes.

More so, he also recognized the anti-insurgency efforts of the Police Regional Office XI, through the Revitalized Pulis Sa Barangay (RPSB), to complement the programs of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

“This is the outcome of the RPSB Program of our regional director, Brig. Gen. Filmore Escobal,” he said.

“The presence of our police officers in the mountains reaching out to the community, providing opportunities to our IP brothers and sisters to improve their lives, have opened the eyes of these rebels to realize the deceptive ideologies of the terrorist CPP-NPA,” he added.

The 22 surrenderees are now detained in the Paquibato Police Station while one of them was brought to Philippine Air Force upon the court’s order.

“The Davao City Police Office, together with the AFP, shall remain (steadfast) in the conduct of security operations in consonance with the government’s thrust … to finish-off the communist terrorists and other threat groups to pave the way to a lasting peace and development in our city,” Kraft further said.

https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2021/05/12/23-rebels-with-pending-arrest-warrants-surrender-to-dcpo/

Sobejana’s nostalgic visit to Negros

From the Visayan Daily Star (May 15, 2021): Sobejana’s nostalgic visit to Negros (BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN)

AFP chief, Gen. Cirilito Sobejana and his wife, Edna (3rd and 2nd from left), received a plaque of commendation from Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, in the presence of Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo, and Col. Leonardo Peña (left), 302nd Infantry Brigade commander, at the awarding ceremony in Dumaguete City yesterday

Armed Forces chief, Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, started what he called his “nostalgic visit” to Brgy. Cabacungan, La Castellana, Negros Occidental on May 13, where he started his military career, and was honored yesterday by the provincial government of Negros Oriental as the first NegOrense Medal of Valor awardee, commanding general of the Philippine Army, and as AFP chief of staff.

Sobejana said he started his military career in 1987 as platoon leader of the 11th Infantry Battalion Charlie Company, with headquarters in Brgy. Cabacungan, La Castellana.

Recalling that it was at the height of the insurgency problem in Negros Island, Sobejana, who is a native of Zamboanguita, Negros Oriental, said they used to be engaged in armed skirmishes with the New People’s Army every day.

That was more than three decades ago, Sobejana said as he led the unveiling of the bust pedestal and marker of Medal of Valor posthumous recipient, 1Lt. Lolanito To-ong, of Brgy. Cabacungan, La Castellana, Thursday.

“I’ve seen today a lot of improvements and I am very happy,” Sobejana said, noting also a marked improvement in the peace and order of La Castellana.

Sobejana recalled that it was his first assignment as junior military officer in La Castellana where he met and married his wife, Edna Iturriaga, of Brgy. Bulad, Isabela, Negros Occidental.

Because of the chaotic peace and order situation at that time, Sobejana said he had to bring his wife to his barracks, a day after their wedding. “It was a combat wedding, it was a combat honeymoon,” he recalled, with a smile.

After his assignment in La Castellana, he was transferred to northern Negros as commander of the 11IB Alpha Company, and moved to the Scout Ranger Regiment.

He got his Medal of Valor during his 1995 assignment in Basilan that almost cost his life. He and his 16 Scout Ranger troops fought against almost 200 Abu Sayyaf fighters in four hours of gunbattle.

LOST RIGHT ARM

Forty-two terrorists and seven of his men died in that clash. And he lost his right arm.

Sobejana was again honored yesterday by the provincial government of Negros Oriental, led by Gov. Roel Degamo, after he was recognized in 2012, for his dedication and service to the AFP, and the country as a whole.

Having been assigned in troubled areas of the country, Sobejana admitted, tested his tenacity, bravery, courage, heroism, and combat leadership. As a NegOrense awardee, Sobejana said this will further motivate him to do more for his countrymen.

https://news.visayandailystar.com/sobejanas-nostalgic-visit-to-negros/

Rebels kill 4 civilians in NegOr

From the Visayan Daily Star (May 15, 2021): Rebels kill 4 civilians in NegOr (BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN)

Four civilians were shot dead by New People’s Army rebels in Brgy. Trinidad, Guihulngan City in Negros Oriental yesterday, Col. Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said.

Pasaporte identified the victims as Ronilo Quirante, 56, of Sitio Agit, Roger Fat, of legal age, and a resident of Sitio Panagtugas, and Rodrigo Lubay, 46, and his wife, Cerelina, 45, both of Sitio Lower Budlasan, all in Brgy. Trinidad, Guihulngan City.

He said the four were killed in their homes at about 6 a.m. yesterday by suspects armed with high-powered firearms.

Mayor Carlo Jorge Joan “Guido” Reyes, chairman of the Guihungan City Task Force–Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict, issued a statement strongly condemning the killing of the four civilians, whom he said were suspected to be military informants.

The shooting came more than a month after 10 NPA rebels died in an encounter with troopers of the 62nd Infantry Battalion in the area. Soldiers recovered several high-powered firearms, including an M60 machine gun, after the clash.

Reyes called on his constituents and government agencies to unite against “these atrocities”. “Let us work together so that these people can never sow terror in any single sitio, in any of our 33 barangays of Guihulngan,” Reyes said.

https://news.visayandailystar.com/rebels-kill-4-civilians-in-negor/

Centino is new Army Chief

From MindaNews (May 16, 2021): Centino is new Army Chief (By FROILAN GALLARDO)

President Duterte has appointed the commander of the 4th Infantry Division as chief of the Philippine Army.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Saturday night announced that President Rodrigo Duterte signed on May 14 the appointment of Major General Andres Centino as the new Army chief.

The 54-year old Centino assumed the post of 47th commander of the 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division on May 29 last year. The 4th ID covers Misamis Oriental Camiguin, Bukidnon, Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur and Surigao del Sur , and Dinagat Island province.

Maj. Gen. Andres Centino is the new chief of the Philippine Army. Photo courtesy of 4th ID

He commanded four Army Brigades — the 401st, 402nd, 403rd and the 901st — to fight the largest concentration of New People’s Army in Mindanao, employing the strategy of setting up forward military bases in the mountain ranges to disrupt the operational command and logistics of the communist rebels.

Before assuming the post of 4th ID commander, Centino was deputy chief of staff for operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

He is a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Maringal” Class of 1988 and joined the Army’s Scout Rangers. He is a graduate of Master of Science in Natural Resource Strategy at the National Defense University in Washington DC.

He hails from Tacloban City in Leyte.

https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2021/05/centino-is-new-army-chief/

Cebuano news: 17 ka mga rebeldeng NPA sa Bukidnon mi-surender

From the Philippine Information Agency (May 14, 2021): Cebuano news: 17 ka mga rebeldeng NPA sa Bukidnon mi-surender (By Bernadith G. Epan)

MANOLO FORTICH, Bukidnon, Mayo 14 (PIA)--Mi-surender ang 17 ka mga rebeldeng New People’s Army (NPA) ngadto sa 1st Special Forces Battalion (1SFBn) ning milabay’ng semana, dala ang mga nagkalain-laing armas ug mga bala.

Matud ni Lt. Col. Vercisio San Jose Jr, commander sa 1SFBn, nga kining 17 ka mga batan-ong lider ug mga combatants sa NPA, naglihok ubos sa Guerilla Front 68A ug 68B, Sub-Regional Sentro De Grabidad ubos sa mando sa Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) 4, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC).

“Misurender kini sila tungod kay matud pa sa lider niini nga grupo, nakita nila kung gi-unsa sila pagpahimulos sa mga kadagku-an sa komunistang CPP-NPA. Ang kooperasyon sa ilang mga paryente ug mga opisyales sa lokal nga kagamhanan nakatabang usab sa pag-surender niini nga grupo sa mga rebelde,” matud ni Lt. Col. San Jose.

Si Gov. Jose Ma. Zubiri sa iyang mensahe atol sa seremonya miingon nga dako iyang kalipay dihang iyang nakita ang daghang batan-ong miyembro sa rebeldeng NPA ang naka-desisyon nga mobalik na sa sabakan sa gobyerno.

Diha-diha gitunol sa Gobernador ang tseke nga balor P25,000 ngadto sa matag usa kanila ug misaad kini nga dugangan pa niya ug laing 25,000 pesos aron mahimong 50,000 ang madawat sa mga mi-surender.

"Malipayon ko nga makita nga daghan mga kabataan nga miyembro sa NPA ang nibalik sa sabakan sa gobyerno. Dako akong kalipay tungod kay naka desisyon mo nga monaug na. Dako pa ang higayon nga molambo ang inyong kinabuhi," dugang sa gobernador.

Sa samang okasyon, ang DSWD sa pagpanguna ni Regional Director Mari-Flor Dollaga mihatag ug cash assistance nga nagkantidad ug P10,000; family food packs; hygiene kits; kitchen kits; ug sleeping kits ngadto sa mga mi-surender.

Matud pa ni MGen. Andres Centino, commander sa 4th Infantry ‘Diamond’ Division, nga ang pagsurender sa 17 ka mga rebelde sa NPA usa sa mga resulta sa gipatumang whole-of-nation approach sa gobyerno.

"Ang ‘Peacekeeping’ usa ka kaakibat nga responsibilidad. Ang mga paningkamot sa Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC) dili lamang ang koordinasyon ug pagpatuman sa mga programa alang sa mga ka-barangayan. Lakip na niini ang pagpadali sa panaghi-usa sa mga kanhi rebelde ubos sa tabang sa kagamhanan; pag-protekta sa mga sibilyang katawhan; ug uban pang mga mekanismo aron hugot nga mapatuman ang Executive Order No. 70,” miingon si MGen Centino. (BGE/PIA-Bukidnon)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1075215

Bukidnon ECLIP committee awards P2-M aid to former rebels

From the Philippine Information Agency (May 15, 2021): Bukidnon ECLIP committee awards P2-M aid to former rebels (By Jennan E. Montealto, CMO 403Bde, 4ID, PA)

CAMP OSITO BAHIAN, Malaybalay City, May 15--The Bukidnon provincial committee on Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) recently awarded a total of P2.02 million cash assistance to 48 Former Rebels (FRs) at Kaamulan Folk Arts Theater, Malaybalay City.

In a ceremony, Governor Jose Maria R. Zubiri Jr gave each of them P15,000 as immediate cash aid, while 26 of them received additional P50,000 as livelihood assistance.

The governor in a speech said he will always help those who want to surrender and live peacefully with their families.

“As long as I am the governor of this province, I promise that the provincial government will not stop helping those who are in need, especially the former rebels. I encourage you to use that cash assistance wisely. I am sure that the E-CLIP Committee and its partner agencies have taught and capacitated you on how to manage the assistance that you received through various livelihood activities. I am very thankful that you gave yourself a chance to live peacefully with your families and be productive citizens of our province,” Zubiri said in dialect.

The governor also enjoined them to become agents of change and advocates of peace.

Forty-eight (48) former rebels receive a total of P2.02 million assistance from the government’s ECLIP, through the Bukidnon Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC). (CMO, 403Bde, 4ID, PA/PIA Bukidnon)

In his message, Brigadier General Ferdinand T. Barandon, commander of 403rd Brigade, Philippine Army, clarified that the Bukidnon Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC), through the E-CLIP and Amnesty Cluster is always at work to facilitate the assistance that the government had promised to those who returned to the folds of the law.

“May this activity serve as an inspiration to NPA members who want to avail of the government's reintegration program. The national government is committed to completing its prescribed mission of putting an end to this decades-long insurgency. The granting of financial aid to these FRs today is a hopeful sign that this conflict will be settled. We in the army are very grateful for your decision to finally go back to the folds of the law. Together, we can end this insurgency,” BGen. Barandon said. (CMO, 403Bde, 4ID, PA/PIA Bukidnon)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1075275