6 alleged BIFF members yield to military

From GMA News Online (Jun 30, 2021): 6 alleged BIFF members yield to military

WESMINCOM chief Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan, Jr., said the BIFF members surrendered themselves and their firearms at the 6th Infantry Battalion headquarters at Sitio Landing Fish, Barangay Buayan in Datu Piang, Maguindanao.

Six alleged members of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) surrendered to military forces in Maguindanao on Monday, Armed Forces of the Philippines' Western Mindanao Command said Wednesday.

In a statement, WESMINCOM chief Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan, Jr., said the BIFF members surrendered themselves and their firearms at the 6th Infantry Battalion headquarters at Sitio Landing Fish, Barangay Buayan in Datu Piang, Maguindanao.

He added that the six members were also members of the Bungos Faction.

The coordination of the local government led by Datu Salibo Mayor Solaiman Sandigan and military led to the surrender of the suspected BIFF members, said Colonel Pedro Balisi, 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade chief.

“The surrender of the six exemplifies the dwindling of the group hence we will continue our focused military operations and civil-military cooperation to sustain the momentum,” Balisi said in the same statement.

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The surrenderees yielded two M16A1, one M14, and three cal. 30 Garand. Various M16 and M13 magazines and ammunition were also handed over to the military.

Major General Juvymax Uy, Commander of Joint Task Force (JTF) Central, also urged remaining members of the BIFF to surrender and "enjoy a peaceful life with their loved ones."

As of January 2021, 100 BIFF members were killed while 45 surrendered to the JTF Central. -- Consuelo Marquez/BAP, GMA News

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/793434/sotto-asks-iatf-to-probe-lgu-covid-19-vaccination-controversy/story/

6 BIFF militants surrender

From the Manila Times (Jun 30, 2021): 6 BIFF militants surrender

PLEDGE TO FLAG Six former members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters raise their right hands as a sign of alliance to the flag and government of the Philippines. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Six members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) surrendered in Maguindanao, the military said on Monday.

Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) spokesman Col. Alaric Avelino delos Santos told The Manila Times the six former extremists were members of the Bungos Faction of the BIFF.

Delos Santos said the six surrendered their firearms to the 6th Infantry Battalion headquarters at Sitio Landing Fish, Buayan, Datu Piang, Maguindanao.

Col. Pedro Balisi, commander of 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade, said the surrender was facilitated by the military and the local government unit led by Datu Salibo Mayor Solaiman Sandigan.

"The surrender of the six exemplifies the dwindling of the group. Hence, we will continue our focused military operations and civil-military cooperation to sustain the momentum," said Balisi.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/06/30/news/regions/6-biff-militants-surrender/1805123

Military operations against BIFF displace tribal folk in Maguindanao

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jun 30, 2021): Military operations against BIFF displace tribal folk in Maguindanao

Indigenous peoples (IP) leaders in the Bangsamoro expressed alarm over the series of bombings in Maguindanao, which had killed civilians belonging to the Teduray tribe and displaced hundreds of families from the remote villages of Guindulungan and Datu Hofer towns.

Timuay Labi Leticio Datuwata said 250 families from Barangay Ahan in Guindulungan and 150 families from Barangay Tuayan in Datu Hofer had left their homes on June 19 when soldiers launched a series of bombings on Mt. Firis and surrounding areas intended to flush out gunmen from the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).On June 22, an improvised bomb exploded in Datu Hofer’s Sitio Fanibingen, Barangay Limpungo, beside the house of Lengleng Daya Kininde, a Teduray woman living with her two children.

‘All-out’ offensive

Kininde, who was pregnant, died instantly while her children were wounded and taken to a local hospital, Datuwata said.

Loyukan, a formation of IP groups and political structures that included the Timuay Justice and Governance (TJG) headed by Datuwata, said in a statement that the intensified military operations in the area came after President Duterte warned Bangsamoro officials that he would go on an “all-out offensive” against the BIFF should local officials failed to curb the terror group’s activities.

Mr. Duterte issued the statement in a brief visit to Maguindanao in May after BIFF gunmen seized the Datu Paglas town public market for hours and launched a series of attacks in the area.

Duterte ignores probe on extra-judicial killings

But the military’s all-out offensive had put the lives of non-Moro IP communities in Maguindanao at risk and brought about the newest wave of displacement among the tribe, Datuwata said.
Seeking help

“Mostly farmers, the indigenous peoples were supposed to harvest their upland rice but had to flee and leave their farms. Now, they are in need of food, water and secure areas to stay while the fighting is ongoing,” said Loyukan in a statement.

TJG, which is the indigenous political structure of the Teduray and Lambangian IPs, earlier sought the help of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to intervene in the increasing violence experienced by the indigenous tribe from the Moro armed group allegedly interested in their ancestral land.

“Since 2018, there have been more than 20 indigenous peoples killed. However, no action nor acknowledgement of these acts of violence have been done or issued by the BTA and the national government,” the statement said.

“Now, as the military drops more bombs within the ancestral domains of the Teduray and Lambangian people to flush out Moro rebels, the non-Moro IP communities are subjected to more sufferings—deaths, destruction of their homes and farms, and forced evacuation. All these in the time of pandemic,” it said.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1453150/military-ops-against-biff-displace-tribal-folk-in-maguindanao

Cops: Abu Sayyaf members trying to slip into Sabah

Posted to The Star (Jun 30, 2021): Cops: Abu Sayyaf members trying to slip into Sabah

Cross-border criminals, including Abu Sayyaf members from the Philippines, are hiding in islands bordering Malaysian and international waters, believed to be waiting for an opportunity to slip into Sabah, says the state police commissioner.

Datuk Hazani Ghazali said the police intelligence indicated that there were still attempts to enter the state despite the patrols and operations against cross-border criminals conducted there.

The most recent crackdown, in Beaufort on May 17, saw five ASG (Abu Sayyaf Group) members killed at a mangrove swamp squatter colony after they were believed to have fired at security forces.

Earlier on May 8, eight others along with their wives and children were arrested.

“We are also continuing our operations to find the remaining ASG members who might still be hiding in Sabah, ” Hazani said.

He said many ASG members were fleeing to Sabah due to the aggressive military offence against this group in the Philippines.

“We are doing what we can to make sure that they won’t be able to turn Sabah into a safe haven for themselves, ” he said.

Hazani also added that these operations were conducted together with the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) and other security forces.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/06/30/cops-abu-sayyaf-members-trying-to-slip-into-sabah

CPP: Duterte’s 5-year war has failed to crush the people’s revolution

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 30, 2021): Duterte’s 5-year war has failed to crush the people’s revolution

COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES
JUNE 30, 2021

Today marks the 5th year in office of Rodrigo Duterte and five years of people’s suffering under his tyrannical regime of treason and terrorism, and crime and corruption. Now, more than ever, the people are seething with determination to struggle to end the detested regime.

For five years, mass murder has been Duterte’s key policy to establish his tyranny, and to terrorize and paralyze the people. In his sham “war on drugs,” his war against the Moro people, and in his war “to end local communist armed conflict,” the main tactic is to attack unarmed people and subject them to a wide range of abuses by state armed forces.

Tens of thousands of people have been subjected to extrajudicial killings, abductions, torture, unlawful arrests, red-tagging, “narco-listing,” “terrorist-labelling,” military occupation of civilian communities, endless harassment of civilians, conscription, forcible “surrender,” aerial bombardment and relentless shelling.

Duterte has bankrupted state coffers with his corruption, endless borrowing, and bloating of the military and police forces. He has shown total neglect of the welfare of workers, peasants and the masses of the unemployed, as well as of teachers, nurses, government employees, and the youth. Instead of addressing the public health and socioeconomic needs of the people, he used the pandemic since 2020 to further place government and society under military and police control and secure a draconian “anti-terrorist law.”

The people’s socioeconomic conditions have worsened sharply under the Duterte regime and its tax impositions, rice and pork import liberalization, wage depression, land grabbing and land-use conversion, economic aggression and plunder of multinational mining corporations, plantations, energy projects and other big bourgeois comprador operations. Millions upon millions of people have lost their jobs and sources of income both in the cities and countryside.

For five years, the country’s lack of national sovereignty has worsened unprecedentedly in the face of Duterte’s outright acts of treason in allowing China to encroach on the country’s exclusive economic zone and extended continental shelf, and exchanging the country’s rights for the sale or grant of arms and other war matériel from the US.

Under Duterte, China has freely reclaimed land to develop and expand its military facilities and lay claim to the surrounding sea and mineral resources. It has driven away Filipinos from their seas to exclusively plunder the supply of fish and other marine life. On the other hand, Duterte continues to treat the country’s sovereignty as a commodity, by demanding a greater amount of military aid from the US as “payment” for the lopsided Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) which he has play-acted to abrogate since last year. He has ignored demands for the abrogation of the Mutual Defense Treaty, the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement and others unequal military treaties which allow US military intervention in the country.

The Party and the people’s democratic revolution will surely outlast Duterte, even if he succeeds in perpetuating himself in power by imposing a fascist dictatorship or rigging the 2022 elections to seat his daughter or appointed minion.

After five years, it is clear that the dirty war waged by the Duterte regime to crush the people’s democratic revolution is a massive failure. It is a losing war. Instead of weakening the people’s revolution, Duterte’s war has only succeeded in further stoking the people’s revolutionary determination. It has steeled the New People’s Army (NPA) to fight with even more energy to defend the people against the abuses perpetrated by Duterte’s military and police forces.

Duterte’s war has only exposed the rotteness of the ruling semicolonial and semifeudal system which can only be defended and maintained through the armed suppression of the exploited and oppressed people. Duterte’s dirty war exposes before the people the justness and necessity of waging revolutionary struggle to end their suffering.

https://cpp.ph/statements/dutertes-5-year-war-has-failed-to-crush-the-peoples-revolution/

CPP/News: 22nd IB unabatedly violates people’s rights in Bulan, Sorsogon

Propaganda news story posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 30, 2021): 22nd IB unabatedly violates people’s rights in Bulan, Sorsogon

NEWS STORIES
JUNE 30, 2021

“We condemn the brazen violation of human rights of civilians, especially of children, by the 22nd IB. This cruelty has no place in the just conduct of war,” said Ka Samuel Guerrero, spokespman of the New People’s Army-Sorsogon (Celso Minguez Command) regarding the series of military abuses in Bulan, Sorsogon last June 28.

Soldiers abducted peasant Alvin Mapula, 39, his 2-year old niece Althea Mapula and her cousin Janrex Mapula, 13, in Barangay Bulawan. Relatives searched and found the three in the hands of the fascist who now refuse the set free the entire family–Editha Mapula, 43; Allan Mapula, 42; Mary Ann Mapula, 29; Angel Mapula, 12; Rey Mapula, 4; RJ Mapula, 7; Renz Guelas, 13; Sunny Preconcillo, 48; Emy Preconcillo, 39; and Dante Bandola, 50.

Soldiers also arrested Laurente Gestole, 23, resident of Barangay Cadandanan who is now detained in the Bulan Municipal Police Station. According to Guerrero, the PNP and AFP claim that Gestole is a Red fighter of the New People’s Army, and for several days, have been coercing barangay officials to surrender him. Officials however, stood their ground, saying that Gestole is a civilian and there is no reason for them to make him surrender.

Meanwhile, soldiers are threatening to arrest Regine Graida, 28, ang Geraldine Gestole, 38, both residents of Barangay Calpi with no clear grounds.

“The victims are expecting that elected officials of Bulan town and Sorsogon stand by them. This is an opportunity for Mayor Romeo Gordola and other local officials to prove themselves and show compassion to their constituents. This is time to prove that they are not in collusion with the military in these abuses,” added Samuel Guerrero.

https://cpp.ph/2021/06/30/22nd-ib-unabatedly-violates-peoples-rights-in-bulan-sorsogon/

CPP/IB: CPP calls for immediate release of civilians, minors detained by 22nd IB in Sorsogon

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 30, 2021): CPP calls for immediate release of civilians, minors detained by 22nd IB in Sorsogon

INFORMATION BUREAU

COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES

JUNE 30, 2021

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today called for the immediate release of civilians, including at least five minors, who are being arbitrarily detained by the AFP’s 22nd IB in Bulan, Sorsogon. The CPP strongly condemned the AFP for the unlawful arrest and detention of at least 14 civilians and denounced the exercise of martial law powers.

“The Duterte regime is carrying out a systematic attack against civilians, subjecting them to arrests, harassment and killings,” said CPP Chief Information Officer Marco Valbuena. “Children are not being spared from this despicable tactic of the Duterte regime’s dirty counterinsurgency war.”

According to reports of the provincial command of the New People’s Army in Sorsogon, soldiers of the 22nd IB abducted peasant Alvin Mapula along with niece Althea Mapula, 2 years old, and cousin Janrex Mapula, 13, in Barangay Bulawan on the evening of June 28. Acting on the abduction, the Mapula family searched for the three and found them under military custody. They too were not spared and were also held and illegally detained by the 22nd IB.

Editha Mapula, 43; Allan Mapula, 42; Mary Ann Mapula, 29; Angel Mapula, 12; Rey Mapula, 4; RJ Mapula, 7; Renz Guelas, 13; Sunny Preconcillo, 48; Emy Preconcillo, 39; and Dante Bandola, 50 together with the three others remain in military detention.

“The arbitrary arrest and detention of entire family members by the AFP is clearly meant to sow fear into the hearts of the masses and assert their armed might against the unarmed population,” said Valbuena.

On the same day, a young resident of Barangay Cadandanan, Laurente Gestole, was illegally arrested by soldiers on the account of being a suspected member of the NPA. Gestole is currently detained in Bulan Municipal Police Station. The military has long coerced village officials to “hand over” and surrender Gestole to their custody, however, they refused and asserted that Gestole is a civilian.

The local NPA unit said that they are still confirming other report of rights violations in Bulan town.

https://cpp.ph/statements/cpp-calls-for-immediate-release-of-civilians-minors-detained-by-22nd-ib-in-sorsogon/

Remains of 6 aircrew who died in chopper crash finally retrieved

From Rappler (Jun 30, 2021): Remains of 6 aircrew who died in chopper crash finally retrieved (JAIRO BOLLEDO)

The remains were already transferred to Clark Air Base and were accorded with full military honors, says the Philippine Air Force

The remains of the 6 aircrew who died in the Black Hawk chopper crash in Tarlac nearly a week ago were finally retrieved, according to the Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Tuesday, June 29.

According to the PAF, the retrieval operations for the remains were completed on June 27, while the recovery of the aircraft was still ongoing.

The S-70i Black Hawk Utility Helicopter of the 205th Technical Helicopter Wing of the PAF crashed in Capas, Tarlac, on Wednesday night, June 23. The chopper missed its estimated time of arrival in Clark Air Base, prompting the air force to conduct search and rescue operations, according to the PAF.

The victims are as follows as identified by the PAF:

Lieutenant Colonel Rexzon Pasco PAF (Instructor Pilot)
Major Jayrold Constantino PAF (Student Pilot)
Major Eraño Belen PAF (Student Pilot)
Master Sergeant Ronnie Reducto PAF (Instructor Scanner)
Technical Sergeant Maricar Laygo PAF (Student Scanner)
Sergeant Leonardo Tandingan PAF (Student Scanner)

Their remains were already transferred to Clark Air Base on Monday afternoon, June 28, and were accorded with full military honors. They would be later brought to their hometowns based on their families’ request.

According to PAF, they would extend all assistance and support to the victims’ families.

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Senate probe sought into Black Hawk chopper crash in Tarlac

The Black Hawk choppers will not be flown while the investigation is still ongoing.

On June 27, Senator Richard Gordon called for a Senate probe into the crash and said that there was a need for proper training for all military aircraft personnel to avoid such accidents again.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/remains-aircrew-who-died-in-chopper-crash-finally-retrieved

Medal of Valor awardee Bacarro replaces Parlade as Southern Luzon military commander

From Rappler (Jun 30, 2021): Medal of Valor awardee Bacarro replaces Parlade as Southern Luzon military commander (JAIRO BOLLEDO)

Defense Secretary Lorenzana says President Duterte signed the appointment orders of Major General Bob Bacarro and seven other senior military officers on June 28

Major General Bartolome “Bob” Bacarro, a recipient of the prestigious Medal of Valor, will be the next commander of the Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), replacing the controversial Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana confirmed to Rappler that President Rodrigo Duterte signed the appointment order of Bacarro and seven other senior military officers on Monday, June 28.

Parlade, who has been criticized for red-tagging personalities and progressive leaders, will reach his mandatory retirement age of 56 on July 26. It is unclear if he would remain as a spokesperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

Bacarro will assume the command as soon as possible, according to the defense chief.

The incoming Solcom commander received the Medal of Valor in 1991 for his victory in an encounter with communist rebels in Isabela. The coveted Medal of Valor is the military’s highest award given to a soldier who has performed a heroic act.

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Bacarro's sterling military career was also once mired in controversy. Following the death of Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio due to alleged hazing inside the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), then-Commandant of Cadets Bacarro resigned due to “command responsibility.”

Bacarro belongs to the ruling PMA Maringal Class of 1988.

The three highest officers of AFP services are Bacarro’s “mistahs.” These are Army chief Major General Andres Centino, Air Force chief Lieutenant General Allen Paredes, and Navy flag officer-in-command Rear Admiral Adeluis Bordado.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/bartolome-bacarro-replaces-parlade-southern-luzon-command-commander

Rebel surrenders in Sarangani

From the Mindanao Times (Jun 30, 2021): Rebel surrenders in Sarangani (BY RHODA GRACE SARON)

A former Bayan Muna Sarangani provincial coordinator who claimed he was also a member of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to the soldiers of 73rd Infantry Battalion in Sitio Loot, Barangay Poblacion, Malapatan, Sarangani on Saturday, the military reported.

The report identified the one who returned to the folds of the law as Marvin Magrano alias Loloy, who, aside from being a former official of the progressive organization, was also a member of the NPA.

Major Jerry Lamosao, 10th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office chief, said the battalion, the Sarangani Provincial Police Office, and Malapatan Municipal Police Station facilitated Magrano’s surrender.

Magrano also turned over four Claymore mines, a rifle, a rifle grenade, a homemade explosive and a detonating cord.

Magrano claimed that the mines were intended for the employees of the local government and soldiers who were conducting programs in hinterland barangays of the province.

https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2021/06/30/rebel-surrenders-in-sarangani/

Hatred primary weapon of CPP-NPA in pushing for change

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 30, 2021): Hatred primary weapon of CPP-NPA in pushing for change (By Priam Nepomuceno)

Major Gen. Edgardo de Leon, Armed Forces of the Philippines Deputy Chief-of-Staff for Operations (Screengrab)

Hatred is the primary tool of communist terrorists in pushing for change and the kind of revolution they want.

Thus, said Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Deputy Chief-of-Staff for Operations, Major Gen. Edgardo de Leon during the June 28 episode of "Tagged: Debunking Lies by Telling the Truth".

"Ang pangunahing pamamaraan ng pagsusulong ng kanilang gustong pagbabago ay (their primary tool in pushing for the change they want is) hatred. The propagation of hatred against the government, against the status quo, against the present system of government)," de Leon said.

He said claims that poverty is the primary reason that some sectors join the communist terrorist movement are not true.

"Kung makikita natin, sinasabi noong araw na (In the past, poverty is being drummed up as) the root cause. I beg to disagree. Poverty is not the root cause. Poverty is just among the issues being exploited to generate public hatred so that revolution will start," he added.

The CPP-NPA, he said, is using every opportunity brought by the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic to generate and stir hatred against the government for even the slightest error in its response.

"Kaya kahit anong programang gawin ng pamahalaan para sa taumbayan, ang hahanapin nila diyan, kahit na butas, kahit na gaano kaliit na butas, palalakihin iyong butas, ang intent mag-generate ng hatred sa ating pamahalaan (So whatever program the government has for the people, they will look for faults, even the slightest ones, and magnify it. Their intent is to generate hatred against our government)," he added.

De Leon cited as an example the social amelioration program that took off in the early days of the pandemic.

"Naisip ng ating gobyerno, naisip ng ating Pangulo na bigyan ng social amelioration. Sabi ko nga, itong pandemic na ito hindi po natin na-rehearse ito, hindi natin inaasahan na mangyayari ito. So noong mangyari ito, hindi lang ang Pilipinas, buong mundo ay nagulat sa mga kaganapan. Buong mundo ay gumawa ng paraan para mabawasan ang paghihirap ng taumbayan na idinulot nitong pandemic (The government and the President thought of giving the affected families social amelioration. Just what I said, this pandemic, we did not rehearsed and expected this to happen. So when this happened, not only the Philippines was surprised, in fact the whole world was surprised by the crisis. The entire world responded to help those severely affected)," he added.

But despite government efforts to cushion the suffetring of the people, de Leon said the CPP-NPA continues to stir public hatred in hopes that this will result in their desired revolution.

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1145418

AFP urges victims to file human rights cases vs. NPA

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 30, 2021): AFP urges victims to file human rights cases vs. NPA (By Priam Nepomuceno)

HONORING THE VICTIMS. A member of the Bagobo-Tagabawa tribe offers candles and flowers at the Rano Monument on Friday (June 25, 2021) to commemorate the 32nd anniversary of the June 25, 1989 massacre in Digos City. The tragedy left 39 individuals – 22 children, 10 women, and seven men – killed on the spot. (PNA photo by Che Palicte)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has urged victims of the New People's Army (NPA) to file human rights violation cases against the terrorist group for its decades-long atrocities.

AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Maj. Gen. Edgardo de Leon, in a statement Wednesday, said civilians, including business owners who are victims of humanitarian crimes by the terrorist group, should lodge complaints with the Commission on Human Rights.

“The CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines) led by Joma Sison should be answerable to the humanitarian crimes they have been continuously committing, particularly the instruction to produce, stockpile, and use anti-personnel mine(s) that are destroying the human body and the dignity of our people, not only combatants but also (of) the non-combatants,” he said during the virtual press conference of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC) highlighting the 32nd anniversary of the Rano massacre.

The Rano massacre was perpetrated by the NPA, the CPP's armed wing, in Sitio Rano in Digos City, Davao del Sur on June 25, 1989, where 39 persons – 22 children, 10 women, and seven men – were killed on the spot.

De Leon listed down several NPA atrocities in June this year that violated the International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

Among these were the burning down of privately-owned heavy equipment in Barangay Hagpa, Bukidnon on June 3; the use of anti-personnel mines against civilians that killed athlete Kieth Absalon and his cousin Nolven Absalon and wounded the latter’s 16-year-old son in Masbate on June 6; the killing of a certain Ray Labustro in Masbate on June 8; and the recruitment of minors and use of child combatants in Agusan del Sur on June 14 and 15.

The most recent of the incidents was the deliberate destruction of private equipment in Lanuza, Surigao del Sur on June 24 that resulted in the death of a civilian.

Meanwhile, 901st Infantry Brigade commander, Brig. Gen. George Banzon, said the NPA targeted privately-owned equipment being used in the ongoing diversion road project for Lanuza.

“We are reaching out to owners of construction companies undergoing construction projects in Surigao to please stop giving in to the NPA’s extortion demands. Please give us information so that the military and police can correspondingly react to any attempt of extortion by the CTG (communist terrorist group),” he said.

AFP Center for the Law on Armed Conflict (AFPCLOAC) Director, Brig. Gen. Joel Alejandro Nacnac, said the terrorist group's constant attacks against private companies justify its designation as a terrorist organization.

“These are clear IHL violations committed against civilians not directly participating in hostilities. This pattern of organized, orchestrated, continuing, deliberate, and systematic scheme perpetrated by the CTGs justifies their designation as a terrorist organization,” he said.

The AFPCLOAC has recorded 532 incidents of destruction to private properties perpetrated by the CTGs from 2010 to 2020.

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1145424

Reds can never claim belligerent status: AFP official

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 30, 2021): Reds can never claim belligerent status: AFP official (By Priam Nepomuceno)

Maj. Gen. Edgardo de Leon, Armed Forces of the Philippines Deputy Chief-of-Staff for Operations (Screengrab)

The International Humanitarian Law (IHL) is all about protecting civilians during armed conflict and will not grant a status of belligerency to the communist terrorists, a ranking military official said.

Maj. Gen. Edgardo de Leon, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Deputy Chief-of-Staff for Operations, during the June 28 episode of "Tagged: Debunking Lies by Telling the Truth", was responding to questions on whether the series of communist terrorist attacks nationwide is being done to create an impression of civil war and thus, give them a status of belligerency.

"Iyong isyu ng status of belligerency ay matagal ng gustong impluwensiyahan ng mga tagapagsalita, ng mga pamunuan ng CPP-NPA-NDF, ang behavior natin, behavior nating lahat, behavior ng gobyerno, behavior ng taumbayan para hindi natin gamitin ang IHL laban sa kanila. Ginawan nila ng isang kaisipan na ang IHL ay patungkol sa belligerency; iyon po ay isang kasinungalingan (The leadership of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic and its spokesperson has been wanting for so long to influence this issue of the status of belligerency as to influence our behavior, the behavior of the government, behavior of the public so that IHL cannot be used against them. They made it appear that IHL is all about belligerency; that is a big lie)," de Leon said.

De Leon added that when the IHL was introduced, its spirit and the primary object was to protect civilians as stated in Common Article 3 of the Geneva Convention.

This law offers international minimum protection to persons taking no active part in hostilities, including members of armed forces in certain situations specifically stated in the article which is applicable in cases of armed conflict not of an international character occurring in the territory of one of the contracting parties to the 1949 Conventions.

Humane and non-discriminatory treatment are two important protections offered under this provision.

"Kaya po nakalagay doon sa Common Article 3 ng Geneva Convention, sinasabi po doon na, it will not change the political status of the parties to the conflict, the mere application of the law will not change the political status. Ito po, the application of the provision shall not affect the legal status of the party to the conflict. (It is stated in Common Article 3 of the Geneva Convention that it will not change the political status of the parties in the conflict, the mere application of the law will change the political status. The application of the provision shall not affect the legal status of the party to the conflict)," he said.

The IHL, he added, is all about protecting civilians from armed conflict and protecting the properties of these individuals from being destroyed.

"Sa ilalim po noong Republic Act 9851, nakalagay din po doon, Section 2, Article Letter G, the state or meaning the Philippines recognizes that the application of the provisions of the law shall not affect the legal status of the party to the conflict, nor give an implied recognition of the status of belligerency. Very clear po iyan. Nakalagay po iyan sa batas (Under Republic Act 9851, Section 2, Article Letter G, the state or meaning the Philippines recognizes that the applications of the provisions of the law shall not affect the legal status of the party to the conflict, nor give an implied recognition of the status of belligerency, that is very clear, it is stated in the law)," he said.

Republic Act 9851 is also known as "An Act Defining and penalizing Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity, Organizing Jurisdiction, Designating Special Courts and for Related Purposes".

"So, ang sinusulong lamang po natin ay huwag idamay ang civilian, na kapag idinamay ninyo, mayroon kayong criminal liability. At sino ang may criminal liability? Iyong mismong gumawa ng krimen at iyong pamunuan na nag-uutos at nagto-tolerate sa kanilang mga tagapasunod sa paggawa ng krimen na iyong pagpatay sa civilian, pagsira ng property ng civilian, pag-atake sa mga komunidad na non-defended, pagpatay doon sa mga persons deprived of liberty, meaning iyong tinalian, ginapos, kinulong, hindi iyan prisoner-of-war (So what we are pushing for is that they do not target civilians and that if they do, they will have criminal liability. And who will have criminal liability? They are the ones who committed the crime, and the leadership who ordered and tolerated it among their followers and members who kill civilians, destroy civilian property, attacked communities of non-dependent, killed persons deprived of liberty, meaning those persons tied up and kept locked, those are not prisoners-of-war)," de Leon said.

Based on IHL, he added, a non-state armed group cannot declare that they have taken prisoners of war. He said neither the United Nations will declare the CPP-NPA belligerent.

"Iyon pong IHL ay pabor sa mga estadong katulad ng ating bansa, tayo po ay state, pabor po ang IHL. Nakalagay po doon, binibigyan ng precedence and due respect ng Geneva Convention ang domestic law ng ating bansa. So, wala pong dapat katakutan, hindi belligerency ang usapin sa IHL, at ang belligerency po, iyan po recognition na ibinibigay ng isang bansa, hindi po natin bibigyan ng recognition na idedeklara o ikaw ay NPA-CPP, belligerent ka na. Hindi po tayo magde-declare. Ang United Nation hindi rin po iyan magde-declare na, ‘oh, ikaw CPP-NPA, belligerent ka na’ (IHL favors states like our country. It is stated there that the Geneva Convention gives precedence and respects the domestic laws of our country. So there is nothing to be afraid of, belligerency is not a feature of IHL, and belligerency is a recognition given to a state. We will never just declare the (CPP-NPA) a belligerent. We will never declare that and the United Nations will never declare the CPP-NPA a belligerent)," he said.

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1145521

Review stand on Joma, group urges Dutch gov’t

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 30, 2021): Review stand on Joma, group urges Dutch gov’t (By Marita Moaje)

Yes for Peace-Bayanihan ng Bayani’s letter to Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte

Non-government organization Yes for Peace-Bayanihan ng Bayani (Y4P-BnB) has asked the government of The Netherlands to review its position on Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison.

In its June 28 letter sent to Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte through Dutch Ambassador to the Philippines Robert Brinks, the Y4P-BnB expressed disappointment over the continuous harboring of the communist terrorist group (CTG) leader.

The group said it is exasperated over the pervading extremist violence in the country by the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the CPP.

“The violence we speak of is the result of continued human rights atrocities and international humanitarian law violations perpetrated by the New People's s Army on orders from Jose Maria Sison, founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines,” the letter read.

The Yes for Peace said it still does not understand why the Dutch government still gives protection to Sison.

In February this year, the group said the European Union has renewed the terror listing of the CPP-NPA through the EU Council Implementing Regulation 2021/138.

The listing of the CPP-NPA as a terrorist group is based on numerous evidence reports of crimes by the CTG against the poor and powerless.

The United Nations, in its Secretary General’s Report on Children in Armed Conflict dated June 20, 2019, said the NPA has been listed alongside other international terrorist groups such as the Daesh, ISIS, Taliban, and Al-Qaeda.

“Is it within Dutch laws to shelter leaders of an organization that the EU has declared as a terrorist group? The last time we looked, The Netherlands is a member of the EU. So, why does it continue to harbor a terrorist in the person of CPP founding father Sison? What will it take to convince the Dutch government to cancel the asylum it granted to Sison and other CPP leaders who are with him?” the group said.

Sison’s argument that it is not safe for him to return and stay in the country because of the violent condition is ridiculous as he is the main orchestrator of the violence most especially in the countryside, it added.

The group said Sison has been directing the CPP-NPA and its legal front organizations “by remote control from Utrecht”.

Continuous coddling of Sison puts The Netherlands as an accomplice in the spread of terrorism in the country, the group said.

It added that it has given Sison the benefit of the doubt in the pursuance of its peace-related agenda through a peace negotiation.

The group in 1992 declared all campuses of the University of the Philippines as zones of peace, freedom, and neutrality where peace negotiations may be held between the government and all non-State armed groups.

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1145507

More counter-terrorism collaboration vital for PH, Saudi Arabia

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 30, 2021): More counter-terrorism collaboration vital for PH, Saudi Arabia

GREATER COLLABORATION. Presidential Assistant on Foreign Affairs and Special Envoy to Saudi Arabia Robert E. A. Borje (3rd from right) poses with Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology (Etidal) Secretary General Mansour Al Shammari (4th from right) and other officials after their meeting in Riyadh on June 30, 2021. The Philippines and Saudi Arabia underscored the need for greater cooperation to fight violent extremism. (Contributed photo)

The Philippines and Saudi Arabia underscored the need for greater cooperation to fight violent extremism as the two countries continue to find ways to intensify tie-ups.

During their meeting in Riyadh on June 23, Presidential Assistant on Foreign Affairs and Special Envoy to Saudi Arabia Robert E. A. Borje and Mansour Al Shammari, the secretary general of the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology (Etidal), recognized the necessity of sharing best practices in countering the threat posed by violent extremism.

Among the concerns they discussed include the use of cyber space and social media platforms to advance violence and violent ideologies.

Borje visited Etidal in Riyadh as part of the Duterte administration’s thrust of working with other countries and organizations to fight terrorism and violent extremism.

He received a briefing on the center’s approach to analyzing social media and digital activity to detect extremism ideology generation and to promote tolerance and moderation.

During the meeting with Etidal’s secretary general, Borje noted President Rodrigo Duterte’s deep resolve to combat extremist ideology given the Philippines’ experience in Marawi City in 2017.

He said the Philippines understands very clearly that terrorism is not a problem of religion, race or culture, emphasizing the need to continue to promote dialogue, understanding and cooperation among religions, cultures and civilizations to achieve peace and stability between the two countries and the world.

Borje also noted the possibility of triangular cooperation between the Philippines, Saudi Arabia and multilateral organizations such as the United Nations (UN) as well as the academe and research organizations.

The Special Envoy’s tour at Saudi Arabia’s facility was part of a string of activities during his official visit to the Kingdom from June 19 to 24. (PND)

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1145556

26 ex-rebels, supporter in Aurora get livelihood aid

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 30, 2021): 26 ex-rebels, supporter in Aurora get livelihood aid (By Jason De Asis)

LIVELIHOOD AID. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Aurora, in partnership with the Philippine Army's 91st Infantry Battalion and 7th Infantry Division, provided on Tuesday (June 29, 2021) livelihood assistance to 26 former rebels and one supporter who have decided to return to the fold of the law. Through the DTI’s 'Pangkabuhayan sa pagBangon at Ginhawa' program, the surrenderers received livelihood kits that could help them become productive members of society. (Photo courtesy of the Army's 91st IB)

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Aurora province, in partnership with the Philippine Army's 91st Infantry Battalion (91IB) and 7th Infantry Division (7ID), has provided livelihood assistance to 26 former rebels and a supporter who had opted to surrender to lead normal lives.

Through the DTI’s Pangkabuhayan sa pagBangon at Ginhawa (DTI-PBG) program, the surrenderers received livelihood kits that could help them become productive members of society.

In an interview on Wednesday, Lt. Col. Reandrew P. Rubio, 91IB commander, said the move shows the government's effort to support surrenderers affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Rubio said the Bravo Company led by 1st Lt. Jevie J. Sagragao, together with DTI provincial director Aldrin Veneracion and other military and local officials, led on Tuesday the distribution to recipients of the livelihood packages for four sari-sari stores, six "bigasan" or rice outlets, and 17 poultry raising projects.

“Our partnership with the DTI is in line with the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) to capacitate and support former rebels in going back to mainstream society and becoming productive citizens,” he said.

Rubio said the program is part of the poverty reduction livelihood and employment clusters, both under the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC).

“The Covid-19 pandemic did not hinder the government to reach out and assist our former rebels and supporters to become more productive members of the society,” he noted.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1145462

NPA rebel with murder rap nabbed in Sorsogon

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 30, 2021): NPA rebel with murder rap nabbed in Sorsogon (By Connie Calipay)

A New People’s Army (NPA) member was collared by police operatives in Barangay Antipolo, Bulan, Sorsogon early this week, a police report said Wednesday.

The Police Regional Office 5 (PRO5) identified the suspect as Gistole Lourente, an active member of Platoon 2, Larangan 2, Komite ng Probinsya 3, Bicol Regional Party Committee.

He is facing a murder complaint for the shooting of one Felix Chico in Barangay Somagongsong, Bulan town in March 2020.

The police report said operatives received information from local residents about the presence of Lourente in the area, which led to his arrest on Monday.

Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo, PRO5 regional director, thanked the residents for helping lawmen locate the rebel.

“Mas lalo nating paiigtingin ang ating operasyon upang tuldukan ang pangamba at takot na dulot ng mga miyembro ng NPA sa ating mga kababayan. Hindi natin papayagang muling may masayang na buhay ng dahil sa maling paninindigan. (We will continue our operations to end the fear brought by members of the NPA to our fellow men. We will not allow other lives to be wasted because of wrong ideology)," he said.

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1145482

Over 500 NPA rebels, supporters yield weeks after Absalons’ death

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 30, 2021): Over 500 NPA rebels, supporters yield weeks after Absalons’ death (By Connie Calipay)

In just two weeks, a total of 505 members and supporters of the New People’s Army (NPA) yielded to the government in Masbate province, expressing their condemnation of the recent atrocities of the communist terrorist group (CTG).

In a statement on Wednesday, Capt. John Paul Belleza, spokesperson of the Army's 9th Infantry Division (9ID), said the surrenderers comprise a regular NPA member; 221 Sangay ng Partido sa Lokalidad members; 95 Militia ng Bayan members; 36 from the Barangay Revolutionary Committee; 84 from Ganap na Samahang Masa; 12 from Grupong Pang-organisa sa Barrio; 44 from Grupong Balangay; and 12 supporters from the municipalities of Palanas, Dimasalang, and Mobo, and Masbate City.

“They surrendered from June 18-28, two weeks after the tragic death of Far Eastern University (FEU) football player, Kieth Absalon and his cousin Nolven caused by CTG’s bombing in Barangay Anas, Masbate City,” he said.

Lt. Col. Siegfried Felipe Awichen, commander of the 2nd Infantry Battalion (2IB), attributed the continuous withdrawal of support of CTG members and supporters from the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) to the effective joint operations of the military and police as well as the Community Support Program (CSP) in the identified guerrilla bases in the province's 3rd district.

Through the CSP, residents can openly raise the concerns of their communities to a team that refers these to the concerned government agencies for an immediate solution.

The CSP is now reinforced by the Department of the Interior and Local Government's (DILG) Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) under the Whole-of-Nation Approach (WONA), which rolls out different programs and projects.

Among such undertakings is the Support to Barangay Development Program (SBDP) which funds several developmental projects including the construction of access roads in Sorsogon.

Col. Aldwine Almase, commander of the 903rd Infantry Brigade, believed that if the CTG would continue its terrorism, it would lose all its members who are now guilt-ridden for causing so much devastation on the lives of their victims and their families.

“Their members were only forced to kill and do illegal activities because of the threat by their leaders. That’s why we praise the surrenderers for their bravery in abandoning the CTG and leaving behind the heinous crimes of these terrorist groups against the civilians, government and our country,” Almase said in Filipino.

Maj. Gen. Henry Robinson Jr., commander of the Joint Task Force Bicolandia (JTFB), is confident that positive developments will continue in Masbate after residents have witnessed the wickedness of the CTG.

“This is a good indication that if Masbate, a breeding ground of communist insurgency years ago, can take a stand against CTG and achieve this kind of success, the remaining five provinces of Bicol can do so. Furthermore, to the remaining CTG members especially those who are part of the NPA, SPL and MB, follow the footsteps of these surrenderers. Don’t let yourselves become like Roberto Emaas, an NPA member who was injured and left behind by his comrades and eventually died. Wake up and together, let us unite to make Bicol a peaceful and progressive home,” Robinson said.

He also encouraged Bicolanos to support the WONA, which aims to efficiently deliver basic goods and services to the Filipinos, and promote peace and good governance.

Aside from the mass surrender of rebels and their supporters in Masbate, peace rallies and declaration of the CTG as persona non-grata in various barangays and towns continues -- a manifestation of Masbateños support to the government’s all-out war against the communist insurgency, Robinson said.

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1145517