Five AFP units, offices move up in Transformation Roadmap

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jul 27, 2021): Five AFP units, offices move up in Transformation Roadmap (By AFP)

CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City -- Five (5) units and offices of the Armed Forces of the Philippines were officially conferred with their new status in the AFP Transformation Roadmap Institutionalization Pathway (AFPTRIP) on Tuesday, July 27 at the GHQ Canopy, here.

The AFP Chief of Staff General Cirilito Sobejana personally awarded the AFP Educational Benefit System Office (AFPEBSO), Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations, J7 (OJ7), Office of The Provost Marshal General, AFP (OTPMG), AFP Finance Center (AFPFC), and the Office of the Chief of Staff, AFP (OCSAFP) for advancing in their respective AFP Transformation Roadmap journey.

“As we are geared towards our vision of becoming a world-class Armed Forces that is a source of national pride by 2028, I am truly proud to witness that despite the current pandemic, we remain focused and dedicated in our pursuit of organizational excellence through our steadfast commitment to our transformation roadmap,” General Sobejana said.

The AFPEBSO, an office mandated to provide educational assistance to dependents of soldiers who died in battle officially received their Proficient status. The Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations, J7 (OJ7) which is responsible for planning and execution of programs and activities that engage both civilian and military agencies was also awarded the same status.

Meanwhile, the OTPMG, AFPFC and OCSAFP were all conferred with the Institutionalized status for successfully integrating their respective systems and processes while attaining breakthrough results.


Photo by TSg Obinque PAF/PAOAFP

“These achievements clearly attest that we in the organization continuously pursue our path towards genuine changes and reforms hinged on AFPTR aspirations,” the AFP Chief stated.

The AFPTR is a governance reform program designed to promote good governance while upholding transparency and accountability within the organization.

“It is truly vital that the AFP is able to deliver quality public service to our constituents through a well-crafted strategy execution system. In our earnest efforts to ensure the attainment of our goals under the AFPTR, we should never lose track of our direction and to zealously nurture our zest for organizational excellence,” General Sobejana said in closing. (AFP)

https://pia.gov.ph/press-releases/2021/07/27/five-afp-units-offices-move-up-in-transformation-roadmap

Duterte's whole of nation approach vs. Reds should be sustained

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 27, 2021): Duterte's whole of nation approach vs. Reds should be sustained (By Liza Agoot)

WHOLE OF NATION APPROACH. Mayor Gabino Ganggangan of Sadanga, Mountain Province said no administration was able to come up with such a comprehensive and effective way of addressing the insurgency problem of the country except President Rodrigo Duterte. Ganggangan said ELCAC (ending local communist armed conflict) is a well-crafted one and should be sustained by the next administration. (PNA file photo by Liza T. Agoot)

The "whole of nation approach" of President Rodrigo Duterte should be continued and sustained by the next administration.

Thus said Sadanga, Mountain Province Mayor Gabino Ganggangan on Tuesday, an advocate for peace and avid supporter of the government’s stance to end the local communist armed conflict (ELCAC).

“The whole of nation approach is very important and never was there a national government that came up with such a comprehensive and effective way of addressing the insurgency problem of the country," he said.

"This should be sustained by whoever the next administration will be. It is a well-crafted one wherein as early as the first two years, you can already see the merits. Insurgency will not end in a few years but we are glad he started it,” he added.

Ganggangan cited the President's anti-illegal drug campaign and anti-corruption program which should be appreciated "because we can see how he seriously addressed those problems. I agree and appreciate that".

President Duterte delivered on Monday his last State of the Nation Address (SONA) where he reported to the Filipinos the accomplishments of his administration, his priorities in the last 11 months in office, and the legacies he wants to leave for the next generations.

Antonio Domes-ag, a retiree and former mayor of Penarrubia, Abra, appreciated the President's "mild-mannered way of delivering his SONA compared to his usual talk to the nation". "He exerted effort not to say any invective. He was also polite in addressing Vice President (Leni Robredo),” he said.

As a retiree and a father, he said the accomplishments of the Duterte administration "are felt by the people especially under the Build, Build, Build program".

On the anti-illegal drugs campaign, Domes-ag said those cited by the President are felt by the people, especially the rape victims of drug addicts.

“He (Duterte) was also correct when he said he is not able to rid corruption because there are still a lot of corrupt people in government,” he said.

Col. April Rose Ayangwa of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said the administration's public safety programs "are all commendable and great".

"Being in the uniform service, we feel that we have a President who cares and provides focus on public safety concerns -- national security (internal and external) and for the well-being of the men and women in uniform by doubling our salary, modernization program, free legal assistance, and the retirement plan and benefits,” she said.

For his part, Salvador Ballena Jr., a member of the Bagalay Farmers Association in Tayum, Abra, has this to say. “Malaking bagay lalong-lalo na sa aming mga magsasaka ang binanggit ni Pangulong Duterte patungkol sa pagkapasa ng mga batas sa rice tariffication and free irrigation laws (It is a big help particularly to us farmers those mentioned by President Duterte on the passage of the rice tariffication and free irrigation laws),” he said.

Barangay Chairperson George Esteras of Dagupan Centro, Tabuk City in Kalinga province thanked the President for the various projects implemented under his administration.

“Salamat mahal na Pangulo sa mga nagawa mo na mga proyekto lalong-lalo na sa pagsugpo ng droga at sa lahat ng mga inprastrakturang pinakikinabangan ngayon at pakikinabangan sa kinabukasan at sa matagal na panahon (Thank you, dear President, for the projects especially on anti-illegal drugs and all the infrastructure projects that we are currently benefiting from, that will also benefit future generations),” he said.

Joel Cervantes, a local government employee in Benguet, was also impressed by the President’s SONA. "Kitang kita naman ang nagawa. Good President siya (His accomplishments are very visible. He is a good President),” he said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1148415

Samar mayor seeks commitment of LGUs in fight vs. NPA

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 27, 2021): Samar mayor seeks commitment of LGUs in fight vs. NPA (By Sarwell Meniano)

FIGHTING NPA. Matuguinao, Samar Mayor Aran Boller (center) visits a former rebel-influenced village in their town on April 29, 2021. Boller said local officials should match the national government's resolve and sincerity in fighting the New People's Army (NPA) in their communities. (Photo courtesy of Mayor Aran Boller)

Mayor Aran Boller of Matuguinao, a former rebel-infested town in Samar, on Tuesday said the national government should look into the sincerity of local government unit (LGU) officials in fighting the New People's Army (NPA) in their communities.

Reacting to President Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, Boller said the national government will only be able to fully address the root causes of insurgency if local governments have the political will.

“There should be a system to make local governments accountable if they are not serious in the fight against insurgency. Even if the central government is making double efforts to build safe and conflict-resilient villages, if local governments are not committed, we will not achieve lasting peace,” Boller said in a phone interview.

“I feel that the President is sincere in fighting NPA, but this commitment should be matched with efforts of local officials,” he added.

In his sixth and final SONA, Duterte said the creation of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) has resolved the root causes of the communist armed conflict in the country.

“With the creation of the National Task Force to End [Local] Communist Armed Conflict or NTF-ELCAC, we have made great strides in addressing the root causes of this conflict by empowering our kababayans (countrymen) who have been used by the communists for so many decades," he said.

Efforts of the local task force ELCAC have led to the surrender of over 300 NPA fighters and their die-hard supporters in Matuguinao town between 2019 to 2021.

“All of our 12 conflict-stricken villages are now cleared with no sightings of armed rebels in the past six months. I hope the national government agencies will be consistent in delivering services and the army should regularly conduct patrol in these communities or else the NPA will come back to extort food from residents,” Boller told the Philippine News Agency.

Each of these 12 villages is eligible to receive the PHP20 million under the Barangay Development Program in 2022 to finance farm-to-market roads, water and sanitation system, health stations, school buildings, assistance to poor families, and livelihood training assistance.

The weakening of NPA in Samar is a result of a whole-of-nation approach by linking arms between basic service providers from the central government, community participation groups from the local governments, and the security sector from the military and police.

In support of the fight against NPA, several local government units have formed their task force ELCAC operationalizing Executive Order 70 issued by Duterte on Dec. 4, 2018.

The directive also institutionalizes a “whole-of-nation approach” in attaining an inclusive and sustainable peace.

The Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA, which has been waging a five-decade armed struggle against the government, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1148400

Rescue of 7 Leyte teens bares NPA’s youth recruitment

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 27, 2021): Rescue of 7 Leyte teens bares NPA’s youth recruitment (By Sarwell Meniano)

LEAVING NPA. Young former rebels take an oath before local officials after they abandoned the New People's Army (NPA) in a ceremony on Monday (July 26, 2021) in Union village, Mahaplag, Leyte. The recent surrender of seven teenagers calls for more efforts to stop the recruitment of youths to join the communist insurgency, the Philippine Army said on Tuesday (July 27). (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army)

The recent surrender of seven teenagers who joined the New People’s Army (NPA) in Mahaplag, Leyte calls for more efforts to stop the recruitment of youths to join the communist insurgency, the Philippine Army said on Tuesday.

Brig. Gen. Zosimo Oliveros, commander of the Army’s 802nd Brigade, said recruitment among young people by the terrorist group is real and adults should do something to stop this practice.

“Again, I call on parents and relatives to educate and monitor our youth so that they will not be deceived and victimized by terrorist group Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA,” Oliveros said in a statement.

The official issued the statement days after seven teenagers who joined the communist group surrendered to the barangay task force to end local communist armed conflict on July 23. The young recruits yielded to Union village chief Ricky Picorro and Mabunga village chief Gomercindo Ramos, Jr.

The young rebels turned themselves in after a surrenderer disclosed that the NPA organized two groups of young workers to do errands for rebels such as buying food supplies and other needs. The military got this information from alias "Debor", who left the NPA organization on July 16 this year.

The army and village officials launched a search for the young recruits. The team was able to convince alias Gino, 26; alias Richard, 25; alias Onad, 22; and alias Pato, 22 to surrender. There are also three other young rebels belonging to the group of alias Debor who yielded to local authorities.

These recruits attended an orientation held by the NPA in Mabunga village last year, according to the military.

The seven surrenderers pledged to abandon the communist ideology and signed a document formally rejecting the NPA as witnessed by village officials and soldiers in a ceremony held Monday in Union village, Mahaplag town.

“Their surrender is a proof that we should watch out for our youth so that they would not be recruited by the terrorist NPA. At their young age, the NPA terrorists have been urging our youth to engage in terrorism that will destroy their future,” said Lt. Col. Ernesto Dela Rosa, Jr., commander of the Army’s 14th Infantry Battalion.

Dela Rosa said the ongoing recruitment of NPA will serve as a challenge to soldiers and government agencies to step up its fight against deceptive recruitment of NPA.

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/1148456

ELCAC to end insurgency in Region 6 before PRRD's term ends

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 27, 2021): ELCAC to end insurgency in Region 6 before PRRD's term ends (By Perla Lena)

ENDING INSURGENCY. Associate Provincial Prosecutor Flosemer Chris Gonzales, spokesperson of the Western Visayas Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF6-ELCAC), says on Tuesday (July 27, 2021) they are committed to pursuing just and lasting peace by ending local insurgency through the Whole of Nation approach. He urged remaining members of the CPP-NPA to return to the fold of the law. (PNA file photo)

The Western Visayas Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF6-ELCAC) is committed to pursuing just and lasting peace by ending local insurgency next year through the Whole-of-Nation approach.

“Before the President's term ends, we shall strive to put an end to the 52-year-old insurgency by bringing basic social services to the grassroots level, building roads to far-flung barangays, winning the hearts and minds of the masses, depriving the communist terrorist groups of their lairs, safe havens and community bases,” Associate Provincial Prosecutor Flosemer Chris Gonzales, the spokesperson of the regional task force, said in a statement on Tuesday.

President Rodrigo Duterte, in his last State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, highlighted the efforts of the national task force in addressing the root cause of the armed conflict.

Gonzales said members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) who will return to the fold of the government will not be left behind in the provision of the necessary government services.

“We will ensure that you and your families will be provided with adequate livelihood, a peaceful community, and hope for a better future,” he said as he called on their remaining members to “abandon their lost cause and dying ideology”.

Maj. Cenon Pancito III, the spokesperson of the Philippine Army's (PA) 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), welcomed the President's mention of the efforts of the task force.

“We know that this is the meat of what we are doing in the Armed Forces of the Philippines. We wanted development and progress but there are problems on insurgency,” he said in a phone interview.

He said the acknowledgment by the President is a testament that it is not only the AFP that is working but the government as a whole, driven by the political will of the country's leader to end the insurgency.

“This would somehow also suggest that the AFP is not left alone to do the job. But we have been telling this that insurgency cannot be solved by merely pure military solution but should be a whole-of-nation approach,” Pancito added.

Within the area of operation of the 3ID, a total of 102 Yunit Militia members or “NPA in the Barrios” surrendered to the government while 440 supporters and sympathizers withdrew their support from the armed group in the first semester of 2021.

Also, a total of 153 barangays have been cleared from the influence of the communist terrorist group.

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.

Meanwhile, Pancito said the Philippine Army is happy with the President's mention of his efforts to help soldiers not just through capability upgrade but also by boosting their morale and increasing their salary.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1148429

11 BIFF members yield to Army troops in Maguindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 28, 2021): 11 BIFF members yield to Army troops in Maguindanao (By Edwin Fernandez)

RIGHT PATH. Four heavily armed members of the extremist group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) take an oath of allegiance to the Philippine flag after they surrendered on Tuesday (July 27, 2021) to military authorities in Ampatuan, Maguindanao. Seven others (not in photo) surrendered to military authorities in the town of Datu Anggal Midtimbang in the same province. (Photo courtesy of the 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion)

AMPATUAN, Maguindanao – Eleven members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) have voluntarily surrendered on separate occasions to the operating units of the Army’s First Mechanized Infantry Brigade in this province.

Lt. Col. Cresencio Sanchez, 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion commander, presented the first four BIFF fighters in a ceremony to Col. Pedro Balisi, commander of the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade, at their headquarters in Barangay Kamasi here around 2 p.m. on Tuesday.

Mayor Marop Ampatuan of Shariff Aguak, this province, witnessed the event.

“These former violent extremists are under the Bungos Faction of the BIFF operating in the boundaries of the commonly known as SPMS Box in Maguindanao,” Sanchez said.

SPMS box is a military term for the adjoining towns of Shariff Aguak, Pagatin (Datu Saudi Ampatuan town), Mamasapano and Shariff Saydona Mustapha, this province.

“They signified their intention to return to the fold of law because they were already exhausted of eluding government forces,” Sanchez said.

The four BIFF surrenderers yielded a crew-served weapon and assorted high-powered firearms consisting of one US-made .50 caliber machinegun, one Carbine rifle, one M-16 Armalite rifle attached with an M-203 grenade launcher, a US-made .30 caliber M1 Garand rifle, and one home-made 7.62-millimeter (MM) sniper rifle.

“This is another milestone in winning the peace in the province of Maguindanao, as we witnessed the return of our BIFF brothers to the government and live normal lives in the community,” Sanchez said.

Balisi lauded the efforts of the 1st Mechanized Infantry “Lakan” Battalion and municipal government of Shariff Aguak for convincing the former violent extremists to surrender to the government.

Specifically, Balisi lauded Mayor Ampatuan for his unwavering support to the military’s campaign against violent extremists.

Balisi encouraged the other members of the BIFF to return to the fold of law so they could live a better life with their families.

“You did the right thing since starting today, the Army will no longer run after you because you are no longer wanted persons,” Balisi told the surrenderers. “You can now live peacefully and productively together with your loved ones”.

Ampatuan extended initial cash and rice assistance as he welcomed the former BIFF combatants.

He stressed that the Shariff Aguak municipal government is ready to help those who want to surrender and start a new life together with their families.

Meanwhile, Balisi welcomed seven BIFF members who separately surrendered around 4 p.m. Tuesday to the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion in Datu Anggal Midtimbang, this province.

The seven surrenderers, who operated in the mountains of the said town, were convinced by local officials to surrender and to avail of the government’s program for former rebels.

Balisi said the former BIFF members turned over two M-14 rifles, one M-16 Armalite rifle, one homemade .50 caliber Barret sniper rifle, a .30 caliber M1 Garand rifle, an M-79 Grenade Launcher, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher and ammunition.

“I commend you for choosing the right path. Go to your loved ones and live normal lives,” Balisi told the former rebels.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1148508

‘Whole-of-nation' programs change ex-Reds' lives for better: OPAV

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 28, 2021): ‘Whole-of-nation' programs change ex-Reds' lives for better: OPAV (By John Rey Saavedra)

LIFE AFTER ARMED STRUGGLE. Photo shows Maria, a former rebel, tending to her 'sari-sari' store financed through the Livelihood Settlement Grant of the Sustainable Livelihood Program of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) and rolled out through the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino, the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas, on Wednesday (July 28, 2021) said he hopes NTF-ELCAC projects will continue even beyond the Duterte administration, considering the actual benefit it gives to the former rebels. (Photo courtesy of DSWD-7)

The successful whole-of-nation programs of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) have changed the lives of former Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) rebels who are now productive members of society after receiving various government assistance, an official said on Wednesday.

Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino, head of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV), cited the “Dagyawan sa Barangay” and “Serbisyo Caravan” as two of such programs, which are engagement platforms down to the grassroots level.

The Basic Services Cluster of the Regional Task Force End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC-7), he noted, is very successful in engaging the communities in a series of dialogues with the government with the aim of addressing the root cause of the insurgency.

“Government officials pledged to support and collaborate with the local communities in the provinces to promote transparency and strengthen grassroots participation in identifying issues from and potential programs for their respective communities,” Dino told the Philippine News Agency.

He said President Rodrigo Duterte’s whole-of-nation approach as embodied in the Executive Order 70 signed in 2018 has “proven very effective particularly in Central Visayas because it enables a collaborative multi-sectoral approach" that has unearthed a wide array of concerns and issues from the folks who reeled from the hampered development in their area due to insurgency.

He said the whole-of-nation approach has squarely engaged the folks “down to the barangay level, in our pursuit for a sustainable peace and tangible development”.

“We are very appreciative of the active support from our Central Visayas local government units (LGU) in the NTF-ELCAC programs. Their willingness to participate, even making initiatives in this undertaking only shows that they too, would like to finally get rid and move on from this long-standing problem on armed insurgency especially in the conflict-affected and vulnerable areas,” Dino said.

In August 2019, the NTF-ELCAC through the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) launched Dagyawan sa Barangay, a localized version of “Dagyaw 2019: Open Government and Participatory Governance Regional Townhall Meeting”, which involves a series of government dialogues with the stakeholders at the grassroots level.

Since the inception of OPAV in November 2016, Dino, through the help of then Special Assistant to the President, now Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, started to roll out Serbisyo Caravan down to the barangays in the Visayas.

Consistent with its mission, “Bringing the voice of the Visayans to Malacañang, Bringing Malacañang right at the doorstep of the Visayans,” the office implemented numerous Serbisyo Caravan events in different provinces, with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, government and private doctors, different government agencies and LGUs bringing services to the barrio folks.

Life after armed struggle

Among the former rebels who received aid through the NTF-ELCAC initiatives is Maria (not her real name), a 27-year-old former NPA rebel who totally abandoned their lost cause in exchange for embracing a life of peace as a useful citizen of the country.

Maria is just one of the 128 former NPA rebels who received the Livelihood Settlement Grant through the Sustainable Livelihood Program of the NTF-ELCAC implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Mary Gloryn Mangarao, project development officer of the DSWD-Central Visayas Sustainable Livelihood Programs, said in a statement that Maria is now a small business owner tending to her “sari-sari” store out of the grant facilitated by the RTF-ELCAC-7.

Mangarao, who monitors the progress of Maria’s livelihood project, said the family of the former rebel has earned a net income of PHP22,890 from the undertaking, deposited in a bank in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.

She said Maria’s family also acquired a motorcycle, bought fertilizers for their crops, and gained more customers in their community because they offer reasonable prices.

All these happened within six months after the grant’s release, Mangarao said.

OPAV reported that as of this month, over PHP6 million worth of assistance has been given to a total of 128 former rebels through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

"Gusto nako nga magmalampuson ug mahimong professionals akong mga anak puhon (I want my children to be successful professionals, one day)," Maria was quoted as saying.

At the age of 16, Maria dreamed of a better future. But when a relative persuaded and promised her that the CPP-NPA would give her a better life, she joined and became a rebel despite her widowed mother’s warning.

“Nagtuo ko nga nindot akong kaugmaon kung moapil ko sa rebeldeng grupo (I thought I would have a better future if I join the group),” said Maria, the fourth of five siblings whose father died in the early 2000s.

However, she soon realized that the promise of a better life was void, and later on, she decided to surrender and cooperate with the government.

In November 2020, Maria’s family received PHP20,000 cash from the SLP’s livelihood settlement grant (LSG) under Executive Order 70.

Continuity of NTF-ELCAC gains

With the gains of the programs designed by NTF-ELCAC, tapping government agencies in addressing insurgency-related issues down to the barangay level, Dino said he hopes for its continuity even beyond the Duterte administration.

“Definitely. We have made great strides in our pursuit for peace with the ELCAC programs," he said, adding that the projects have enticed those who are still actively fighting in the mountains to lay down their arms and surrender in exchange for livelihood and other assistance for their transformed life in the future.

As the whole-of-nation approach ushered peace in Central Visayas, social and infrastructure development became imminent, he said.

Dino, citing the success stories of former rebels who received financial and other forms of assistance from the government, sees the need for the NTF-ELCAC to be continued in order to sustain the momentum in crashing the 50-year Maoist rebellion.

“Not only are we able to address armed conflict with these programs, but we are also able to promote development in the countryside by creating resilient communities and providing livelihood to the Filipino people, with the goal of giving them happy and comfortable lives,” Dino said.

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1148515

NTF-ELCAC addresses root causes of communist conflict: Duterte

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 26, 2021): NTF-ELCAC addresses root causes of communist conflict: Duterte (By Lade Jean Kabagani)

SONA 2021. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte leaves the plenary hall of the House of Representatives after his sixth and final State of the Nation Address on Monday (July 26, 2021). Duterte said the creation of the National Task Force to End [Local] Communist Armed Conflict has addressed the root causes of armed struggle. (Screengrab from RTVM FB page)

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said the creation of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) has resolved the root causes of the communist armed conflict in the country.

“With the creation of the National Task Force to End [Local] Communist Armed Conflict or NTF-ELCAC, we have made great strides in addressing the root causes of this conflict by empowering our kababayans (countrymen) who have been used by the communists for so many decades," he said during his final State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Through the NTF-ELCAC, he said the government has pushed continuing efforts to build safe and conflict-resilient barangays.

He said the task force has provided infrastructure and other development projects in barangays ravaged by violent communist insurgencies such as investing in farm-to-market roads, school buildings, water and sanitation systems, health stations, and livelihood projects.

"We have worked towards the sustainable rehabilitation and development of communities where the communists used to operate," Duterte said.

In pursuit of various peace and developmental programs in communities infiltrated by the communist groups, Duterte said over 17,000 former rebels, comprising members of the New People’s Army (NPA) and Militia ng Bayan, have surrendered to the government.

"They have returned to the fold of the law and are happily reintegrating to society," he said.

Under the NTF-ELCAC, he said the government has pushed the enhanced comprehensive local integration program (E-CLIP) for the former communist rebels which helps them to get back to their normal lives and become productive residents of their respective communities.

Keeping nat'l security

Duterte also lauded the efforts of the government forces in maintaining national security.

"Indeed, I am proud of the accomplishments of our troops in securing our nation against all threats to our democratic institutions. But peace must be realized," he said.

He added that peace and security is “not only just a military concern."

"That is why we deviated from the traditional purely military approach in dealing with matters of national security," he said.

Collaborative efforts

Meanwhile, Duterte is confident that the communist movement will be soon halted with the support of the local government units (LGUs).

"With the support of our local government units, I am confident that support for the communist movement will continue to erode in the next few months. And like the decades-old Moro rebellion in Mindanao, we will also bring an end to the armed struggle of the communists once and for all," he said.

Duterte credited the police and military forces for destroying more than 15 guerilla fronts of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

The President also cited some of the communist's exploitative acts.

"I'd like to be frank with you. Everybody, as everybody in this country, are paying taxes to the communists. The Communist Party earns billions but pass on a little to their fighting men who die for an ideology that is so rotten and corrupt," he said.

Duterte slammed the CPP-NPA high-ranking officials for taking advantage of the communist revolution and profiting from the armed struggle.

"They themselves are pocketing the money and their children are studying in Europe and in other places, which I think none of you here can finance such journey. Iyan ang masakit dito (that's the hurtful part here). They collect taxes, support (CPP founding chair Jose Maria) Sison in the Netherlands, and they do nothing but bad-mouth government and mouth the war dogmas and everything" he said.

Duterte lamented that only the poor people are dying for pushing the communist ideologies.

"Hindi na sila napagod (they don't get tired). It's about 53 years in the making. And until today, the poor people are dying," said Duterte. "The cadres and most of them belonging to the indigenous tribes of our country are fighting a losing battle between the communist and the government. They waste lives, they enlist children and they are proud of it, but they deny it."

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1148376

DND doubles down on push for AFP modernization, more reforms

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 27, 2021): DND doubles down on push for AFP modernization, more reforms (By Priam Nepomuceno)

Missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna (Photo courtesy of Naval Public Affairs Office)

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said he will continue to push for the military's modernization and measures to improve its personnel management in the remaining months of the Duterte administration.

"In the remaining 11 months in this administration, we will push for the continued modernization of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines), enactment of laws to improve the personnel management of the AFP and focus on the other priorities we set for ourselves when we assumed our posts back in 2016," Lorenzana said in a statement late Monday night.

Inspired by the overwhelming support from the President, Lorenzana said his agency will spare no effort in fulfilling its mandate to secure the country and contribute to national development.

"At the DND, we are grateful for the enduring support of the President for the improvement of the welfare and capabilities of the AFP when he increased the salaries of the soldiers. We are thankful for his leadership and direction to end the local communist insurgency, the provision of benefits for rebel returnees, and the enactment of the Bangsamoro Basic Law that would address the grievances of our Muslim brothers," Lorenzana said.

While taking pride in accomplishments during the past five years, the DND chief said that there is still a lot of work to be done before Duterte's term ends.

"In this year's State of the Nation Address (SONA), we at the DND were reminded once again that everything we do is for the benefit of the Filipino people. Speaking from the heart in his own, simple and inimitable way, the President showed that even as we aim and work for grandiose goals for our country, at the core of it all is protecting and upholding the dignity of every Filipino from all walks of life," Lorenzana added.

In his final SONA at the Batasang Pambansa on Monday, Duterte said strengthening the capability of the country's military and police has always been a priority under his administration.

In 2018, Duterte said the salaries of military and uniformed policemen and personnel were raised to a level that is "commensurate to the critical role they play in upholding national security and maintaining order".

Under his term, the country's defense capability also got a boost with the acquisition of two missile frigates -- the BRP Jose Rizal and the BRP Antonio Luna.

AFP modernization entering Horizon 2

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it is now transitioning from Horizon 1 to Horizon 2 of its modernization program.

In a Laging Handa briefing on Tuesday, AFP public affairs office chief Navy Capt. Jonathan Zata, said around PHP600 billion is allocated for projects for this period.

"Tayo po ay magta-transition na from Horizon 1 to Horizon 2 at meron po tayong mga nakalaan na PHP600 billion para po sa mga proyektong ito. Nasa 107 na 'yung mga projects na yan ay naisakatuparan na (sa ilalim ng Horizon 1) (We are now transitioning from Horizon 1 to Horizon 2 and around PHP600 billion are allocated for projects under it. Some 107 projects are already completed so far under Horizon 1)," he added.

The AFP Modernization Program has three horizons -- Horizon 1 which started in 2013 and ended in 2017, Horizon 2 from 2018 to 2022, and Horizon 3 from 2023 to 2028.

However, the AFP said unforeseeable circumstances were among the reasons for the delay in the implementation of some of its modernization projects.

This is in response to a Commission on Audit (COA) report saying 22 AFP modernization projects remain unfinished as of June 30 this year.

The equipment delivered for Horizon 1, Zata said, includes the six A-29B "Super Tucano" close-air support aircraft, S-70i "Black Hawk" helicopters, of which 10 are already delivered and five more for delivery this year, and the two brand-new missile frigates BRP Jose Rizal and BRP Antonio Luna.

Also in various stages of completion are the force protection equipment of the Philippine Army, Zata said.

"The AFP has always been grateful for the direction and support of the Commander-in-Chief (President Rodrigo Duterte) in continuously improving its capabilities,” he earlier said.

He added that these capabilities improved the conduct of military operations against terrorists both on land and sea and persistent monitoring to protect the country's interests in the West Philippine Sea.

"Many more lives and communities are saved during HADR (humanitarian assistance disaster relief) operations since most equipment needed during these instances are further improved. While more work is still needed, these capabilities are likewise forthcoming," Zata said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1148383

Diaz gets promotion after winning Olympic gold: AFP chief

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 28, 2021): Diaz gets promotion after winning Olympic gold: AFP chief (By Priam Nepomuceno)

Hidilyn Diaz (Screenshot from ONE Sports)

Olympian Hidilyn Diaz, also a Philippine Air Force (PAF) sergeant, gets promoted to the next rank following her historic gold medal win for weightlifting in the Tokyo Games.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Cirilito Sobejana has lauded the initiative of the PAF to promote Diaz to the rank of staff sergeant effective July 27.

Sobejana said the promotion seeks to distinguish the Filipina's achievement in the field of sports and for bringing pride and glory to the country.

Diaz's Olympic gold is the country's first after almost a century since joining the Olympiad.

"Congratulations, Staff Sgt. Diaz. The AFP is proud of your accomplishments and may you continue to serve as an inspiration to your fellow service members," Sobejana said.

Diaz, who hails from Zamboanga, entered the PAF as an active personnel in 2013.

She also brought home the silver medal in the Rio Olympics 2016; gold medal at the Asian Games in 2018; and, the gold medal during the Southeast Asian Games in 2019.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1148513

Free legal aid to protect cops, soldiers in performance of duty

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 27, 2021): Free legal aid to protect cops, soldiers in performance of duty (By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan and Benjamin Pulta)

File photo

Police officers and soldiers will get an extra layer of protection in the performance of their duties once a law providing them free legal assistance is passed, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said on Tuesday.

“Para magkaroon ng security yung mga sundalo at pulis sa pagtupad ng tungkulin nila. Hindi sila mamoroblema sa legal cases kasi for example, nag-utos ang Pangulo ng ganitong (law enforcement) campaign. Siyempre, andaming grupo ang posibleng magpa-file ng kaso against law enforcers (This for our soldiers and police to feel secure in carrying out their duties. They will not have problems with legal cases because, for example, the President ordered a law enforcement campaign. Of course, there are groups who could possibly file a case against law enforcers),” Año told the Philippine News Agency in a phone interview.

In his last State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, President Rodrigo Duterte urged Congress to pass a law that would provide free legal assistance to both the military and the police in order to assist them when they face charges from incidents related to the performance of official duties.

"Once the administration changes, it is possible that our police and military will not have any mechanism for their legal defense. They would have to spend from their pockets to attend hearings, hire lawyers until their resources become depleted and because of that, they might lose their case. They must be provided with legal assistance until it is proven that they acted in the performance of their duties,” said Año, who is also a retired Army general.

Through the measure, Año said the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) or the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) can open plantilla positions for lawyers who will be tasked to handle cases involving law enforcers.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, also welcomed Duterte’s pronouncement, saying that this will be a big help to PNP personnel.

“Bilang ama ng organisasyon, nagpapasalamat ang PNP kay Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte sa kanyang layunin na mabigyan ng free legal assistance ang ating kapulisan na nahaharap sa kaso dahil sa pagtupad sa tungkulin. Malaki ang maitutulong nito sa amin lalo na sa mga pulis na walang kakayahang magbayad ng abogado (As the father of the organization, the PNP is grateful to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for his goal of providing free legal assistance to our police who are facing charges for fulfilling their duties. This will help us a lot especially police officers who cannot afford to hire a lawyer),” Eleazar said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) also thanked Duterte for the measure.

"We believe that when enacted, this will ease the burden of our uniformed personnel as they perform their duties and focus on accomplishing their mandate," AFP public affairs office chief Navy Capt. Jonathan Zata said in a statement.

He also reiterated that this will not be an excuse or open opportunities for soldiers to commit abuses.

"Rather, this is a testament that the rule of law reigns on every aspect of our efforts in support to law enforcement operations," Zata said.

He added the AFP has been transforming and continues to inculcate respect for Human Rights, International Humanitarian Law, and Rule of Law.

"This has been one of the hallmarks in our effective campaign against communist terrorists and other lawlessness and we will not let our gains in this end to go to waste," Zata said.

State lawyers allowed to help cops, soldiers

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra confirmed that government lawyers are authorized to provide legal assistance to law enforcers charged in the course of legally performing their duties.

“(T)he DOJ has a standing directive to the PAO (Public Attorney’s Office) to extend legal assistance to police officers (up to the level of Senior Police Officer IV) and other uniformed personnel who get sued in the course of performing their official duties. The PAO has existing memorandum circulars to its public attorneys regarding this matter,” Guevarra said.

Guevarra clarified the provision of free legal assistance, however, is subject to the PAO’s evaluation of the case, “including a determination of a conflict of interest, as when the adverse party has also sought legal assistance from the PAO,”.

He also said legal assistance “is not the same as legal protection”.

“It is just providing law enforcement agents some means to defend themselves in court for acts done in relation to their official duties, such as fighting terrorists and criminals. unless proven guilty, they are presumed innocent. like everyone of us, they are also entitled to due process of law,” Guevarra said.

He said law enforcers are also entitled to their counsel of choice and maybe given assistance from their legal funds.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1148399