MILF: Former members of terror group join BARMM search and rescue unit

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (Aug 5, 2021): Former members of terror group join BARMM search and rescue unit (Philstar.Com)

This August 2, 2021 photo shows 59 new emergency responders who are to serve in their respective barangays in Cotabato City and in Maguindanao.

COTABATO CITY (August 3, 2021)— Fifty-nine people, including five former members of a local terror group, finished Monday a week-long training on water search and rescue maneuvers essential to emergency and disaster response operations.

Five of the 59 graduates of the training facilitated by the Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence, or READi, and the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, used to be affiliated with the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

They bolted from the BIFF and returned to mainstream society more than a year ago through the intercession of the 6th ID and the regional government of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The Bangsamoro READi, operating under the supervision of Local Government Minister Naguib Sinarimbo, is composed of teams well-versed in offshore and collapsed structure rescue, flood and road accident response and relief interventions for conflict-hit communities.

The 59 volunteers from Maguindanao province and Cotabato City studied basic calamity and disaster response for seven days at 6th ID’s Division Training School in Barangay Semba in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

They underwent a series of WASAR workshops in seaside barangays in Datu Odin Sinsuat, handled by Army instructors from the 6th ID’s training school.

The commander of 6th ID, Major Gen. Juvymax Uy, is a staunch supporter of the capability-building programs of the BARMM government, according to Sinarimbo.

"The regional government, the READi and the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government are thankful to the 6th ID and the training staff of the Division Training School for helping us in capability-building this program," Sinarimbo, also regional spokesperson, said Tuesday.

The Bangsamoro READi is a partner of the regional health ministry in furthering the BARMM government’s war on COVID-19.

https://www.luwaran.com/news/article/2361/-former-members-of-terror-group-join-barmm-search-and-rescue-unit

NPA leader surrenders in Sultan Kudarat

From the Manila Times (Aug 8, 2021): NPA leader surrenders in Sultan Kudarat (By Franz Sumangil)

A HIGH ranking communist rebel and his companion surrendered to the military in their desire to return to their families and live peacefully, an Army official said.

Lt. Col. Rommel Valencia, 7th Infantry Battalion commander, presented the surrenderers to Sultan Kudarat Gov. Suharto Mangudadatu, also chairman of the Provincial Task Force to End Local Conflict.

The ceremony was held at the Sultan Kudarat Sangguniang Panlalawigan session hall Friday morning.

The former communist rebels were identified as Nelson Duluman alias Jerick, leader of Platoon West, Sub-Regional Command, Far South Mindanao Region of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army.

Dulunan was responsible for organizing communist mass base in the outskirts of Palimbang, Kalamansig and Senator Ninoy Aquino, all municipalities in Sultan Kudarat. His companion, Arthur Masot, surrendered with him.

The two brought with them a Garand rifle and M-4 rifle with ammunition.

"Constant and continuing military offensives in the mountains of Sultan Kudarat forced us to surrender," Dulunan said. "Primarily, my reason for yielding is to be with my family and my 10-year old son."

Valencia said his unit will continue to offer the hand of peace to "communist rebels who want to surrender and reform but will also continue using force to those who prefer war."

https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/08/08/news/regions/npa-leader-surrenders-in-sultan-kudarat/1810103

Wanted NPA with P4.5-M bounty falls

From the Manila Bulletin (Aug 7, 2021): Wanted NPA with P4.5-M bounty falls (By Estacio Daniel)

A New People’s Army (NPA) member with a P4.5-million bounty on his head was arrested Friday, Aug. 6, by police and military personnel in Barangay Lisap, Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro.

Police identified the arrested rebel as Ernesto Panganiban, with aliases “Gavino Panganiban,” “Joker,” “Istoy,” “Nori,” and “Rato,” 50, farmer, of Barangay Milagrosa, Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro.

He was included in the national list of wanted persons with a reward. He belongs to the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA-National Democratic Front.

According to the report, Panganiban was involved in major atrocities and tactical offensives in Mindoro.

The operatives served the arrest warrant issued against him by Judge Agripino Bravo of the Regional Trial Court Branch 65, Infanta, Quezon on March 18, 2019, for the crime of murder.

The suspect is presently detained at the Gen. Nakar police custodial facility.

https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/07/wanted-npa-with-p4-5-m-bounty-falls/

NPA leader, aide yield in Sultan Kudarat

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 7, 2021): NPA leader, aide yield in Sultan Kudarat (By Edwin Fernandez)

SURRENDER CEREMONY. Sultan Kudarat Governor Suharto Mangudadatu (2nd from left) receives a rifle from one of two NPA rebels who surrendered to the military in Isulan town in the province on Friday (Aug. 6, 2021). One of the surrenderers, identified as Nelson Dulunan alias Jerick, is the leader of NPA Platoon West, Sub-Regional Command, Far South Mindanao Region. (Photo courtesy of Army’s 7IB)

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – A ranking communist rebel and his aide have surrendered to the military in their desire to be reunited with their families, an Army official here announced Saturday.

Lt. Col. Rommel Valencia, commander of the Army’s 7th Infantry Battalion (7IB), presented the New People’s Army (NPA) surrenderers to Sultan Kudarat Governor Suharto Mangudadatu, also chair of the Provincial Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict, at the province’s Sangguniang Panlalawigan session hall on Friday.

Valencia identified the two latest surrenderers as Nelson Dulunan alias Jerick, leader of NPA Platoon West, Sub-Regional Command, Far South Mindanao Region, and his aide, Arthur Masot.

“They also turned over a Garand and M4 rifles with ammunition,” he said.

Before his surrender, Dulunan was responsible for organizing a communist mass base in the hinterlands of Palimbang, Kalamansig, and Senator Ninoy Aquino towns, all in Sultan Kudarat.

“Constant and continuing military offensives in the mountains of Sultan Kudarat forced us to surrender,” he told reporters over a phone interview. “Primarily, my reason for yielding is to be with my family and my 10-year-old son.”

Valencia said his unit would continue to offer the hand of peace to communist rebels wanting to surrender and reform.

“However, we will also continue using force to those who prefer to sow terror in communities,” he warned.

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/1149676

13 BIFF combatants surrender in Sultan Kudarat

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 7, 2021): 13 BIFF combatants surrender in Sultan Kudarat (By Edwin Fernandez)

YIELDED WEAPONS. Surrendering combatants of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) sit silently during the ceremony for their formal surrender at the 601st Brigade headquarters in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat on Friday (Aug. 6, 2021). In front of them are the weapons they turned in. (Photo courtesy of 6ID)

Thirteen combatants of the extremist Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), with six identified as bomb experts, surrendered at the Army’s 601st Brigade (601Bde) headquarters in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat on Friday, for the opportunity to be with their families again.

In a report, Brig. Gen. Galido, commander of the 601Bde, identified the surrenderer as Muntani Kutin, Bayan Kabilan, Mohamad Usman, Yasser Guiwan, Tugan Guiwan, Datusela Guiwan, Leto Akil Buka, Ronnie Pelmin, Page Pegkag Usman, Randy Guialudin, Misuari Kanakan, Abu Amir Ilian, and Puti Kanakan, all belonging to the BIFF-Karialan faction.

Galido said the surrenderers also gave up assorted firearms, among them M79 grenade launchers, an M14 assault rifle, a .50-caliber Barrett sniper rifle, three machine pistols, B40 anti-tank rocket launchers, and 40-mm. grenade projectiles.

“We are tired of fighting. It is a futile cause to fight the government,” Kanakan, one of the surrenderers, said in the vernacular over a phone patch interview by reporters here Saturday.

Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, lauded the 601Bde for convincing the former BIFF members to surrender.

“The path of peace is better than fighting a lost cause,” Uy said.

Records of the 6ID showed at least 100 BIFF gunmen have surrendered to the military in Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat provinces in the past 15 months.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1149679

Top Mindanao NPA leader yields, denounces ex-comrades

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 7, 2021): Top Mindanao NPA leader yields, denounces ex-comrades

Major Gen. Ernesto C. Torres Jr., commander of the 10th Infantry Division (10ID) (File photo)

CAMP GEN. MANUEL T. YAN SR., Mawab, Davao de Oro – A ranking leader of the New People's Army (NPA) surrendered here on August 2 after being fed up with the Communist Party of the Philippines' (CPP) "cyclic and futile cause."

Eduardo S. Genelsa alias "Lando" of Barangay Bongabong, Pantukan, Davao de Oro served dual positions as commander of the Pulang Bagani Company 3 and staff for Southern Mindanao Regional Committee.

Now 61, Genelsa had spent 42 years holding various top positions in the NPA ranks and was involved in numerous raids and armed confrontations against police and army installations and personnel that took place in various parts of southern Mindanao starting in 1979.

Asked why he decided to surrender, he said he had realized that they were only being exploited in a revolution that is seeing no end but the demise of many young people enticed in what he calls a “fancy revolution," citing that it is, in reality, a "money-making scheme" for the benefit of only their higher echelon leaders.

Available court archives show Genelsa has a standing warrant of arrest for robbery and has been charged for double, multiple, and frustrated murder.

He was first captured in 2016 but was included among the released peace negotiators for the National Democratic Front (NDF) in the same year, which was facilitated by a certain Jay Apiag of PASAKA SMR and Sheena Duazo of Karapatan SMR.

Genelsa went into hiding when President Rodrigo Duterte ordered their capture after the peace talks bogged down in 2017.

He will be accorded benefits of the Enhanced Comprehensive Livelihood Integration Program (E-CLIP) and amnesty programs of the government but will still be subject to the criminal charges he is facing.

He is now undergoing custodial debriefing at an undisclosed location for safety reasons.

Genelsa is just one of the many CPP-NPA leaders who have surrendered, with the latest taking place just within a week when Ariane Jane Ocheta Ramos alias "Marikit", secretary of Guerrilla Front 55 under the SMRC, surrendered to the 10th Infantry Division (10ID) on August 1.

Maj. Gen. Ernesto C. Torres Jr., 10ID commander, expressed his appreciation for the bold move undertaken by Genelsa and vowed to ensure his safety.

"We attribute the surrender to the strong participation of communities and the strong commitment of government agencies to the cause of ending the communist insurgency. Together in one spirit against the scourge of insurgency, we were able to gain ground yet again in the name of peace and development of Davao and adjacent regions", Torres 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/1149708

CPP/NPA-Central Negros: NPA Nagbuking sang Kabutigan sang 94th IB Philippine Army

Propaganda article posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Aug 7, 2021): NPA Nagbuking sang Kabutigan sang 94th IB Philippine Army

JB REGALADO

SPOKESPERSON

NPA-CENTRAL NEGROS (LEONARDO PANALIGAN COMMAND)

NEGROS ISLAND REGIONAL OPERATIONAL COMMAND (APOLINARIO GATMAITAN COMMAND)

NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY

AUGUST 07, 2021

Lubos nga kabutigan ang palayag sang 94th IBPA nga 4 ka engkwentro ang natabo sa tunga sang New People’s Army kag nasambit nga tropa militar sa Brgy Santol, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental.

Wala sang lehitimo nga engkwentro nga nahitabo sa tunga sang NPA kag 94th IBPA sa Sityo Binigsi-an, Brgy Santol, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental sadtong Agosto 5, 2021 pasado alas 4:00 sang hapon. Ang matuod nga ginpa-arakan sang armas luthang ang 2 ka katapo sang panatiko nga grupo nga sanday Henry Brial kag Junior Pedro sang kombinado nga pwersa sang tropa militar upod sa grupo sang panatiko nga ginapamunuan ni Karem Calpis. Patay si Junior Pedro kag pilason naman si Henry. Sa pagpangusisa sang LPC-NPA, patay man si Brial matapos nga gindala sa district hospital sang Isabela, Negros Occidental. Palabas lamang sang militar kag ni Karem Calpis nga may natabo nga engkwentro sa tunga NPA kag sang nasambit nga pasistang tropa para madugangan ang cash reward nga ginpasalig sang NTF-ELCAC nga kon may makatudlo sa nahamtangan sang NPA kag maka-engkwentro may igahatag nga cash reward.

Naga-inagaway sang cash reward ang mga lider-panatiko nga sanday Karem Calpis, Luis Pedro kag Tikboy Bongaita upod sa tropa sang 94th IBPA sa mga panginto sang NTF-ELCAC.

Bangud sang kasakon kag korap nga mga opisyal sang tropa militar kag lider-panatiko nga si Karem, lipod kay Brial kag Pedro nga tuyo sila nga patyon samtang nagapanglakaton sa mga binukid sang Brgy Santol sa panahon sang ila operasyon agud ang cash reward indi magkadto sa ila nga duha (Henry kag Junior) kundi mismo kay Karem kag mga opisyal sang 94th IB.

Si Brial kag Pedro ang ara man sa idalum sa pagpamuno ni Luis Pedro nga lider-panatiko sa Brgy Santol samtang si Karem ang lider-panatiko sa sityo Irene sakop sang Brgy Ampanangon nga may pinakadamo nga criminal record sa lugar.

Si Brial kag Pedro indi mga katapo sang NPA kundi lunsay mga aktibo nga katapo sang panatiko nga grupo nga ginhimo nga giya sang 94th IBPA sa pagstrafing sang puluy-an sang pamilya Ponsiano kag Enriquez sadtong Agosto 3, 2021 sa Sityo Tibak, Brgy Santol, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental. Bangud nga malapit lamang ang posisyon sang NPA sa balay sang pamilya Ponsiano kag Enriquez nga ginpaarakan-luthang sang mga katapo sang 94th IB kag grupo sang panatiko nga ginapamunuan ni Karem Calpis, napilitan ang NPA nga magpalupok para depensahan ang nasambit nga panimalay sang pamilya Ponsiano kag Enriquez diin natabo ang lehitimo nga engkwentro. Naglawig ang engkwentro sa masobra 10 minutos.

Ang pamilya Ponsiano kag Enriquez ang biktima sang kapintas sang grupo-panatiko nga ginapanguluhan ni Karem Calpis kag Tikboy Bongaita.

Mabaskog nga ginakondenar sang Leonardo Panaligan Command-New People’s Army sa Central Negros ang pag-strafing sa puluy-an sang pamilya Ponsiano kag Enriquez sa sityo Tibak, Brgy Santol subong man ang pagpinalupok nga naghatag sang kakugmat sa pumuluyo sa nasambit man nga barangay.

Lunsay pasismo, patalang, pagpanginto kag kakugmat lamang ang gindulot sang presensya sang Armed Forces of the Philippines sa nagahiusa nga mga mangunguma sa mga binukid sang La Libertad, Jimalalud, Guihulngan sa Oriental nga bahin sang isla kag binukid naman sang Binalbagan, Isabela kag Magallon sa Occidental. Kabaliskaran ini tanan sa ginatikal sang militar nga “Kalinong kag Kauswagan.”

Nagapanawagan man ang LPC-NPA nga hugot nga mag-isa, indi magkahadlok sa pagpalayas sang pasistang AFP sa kaumahan. Bungkagon ang pinakamapintas kag bat-ulan nga panatikong-grupo! Hublasan kag bungkagon ang NTF-ELCAC!

https://cpp.ph/statements/npa-nagbuking-sang-kabutigan-sang-94th-ib-philippine-army/

Kalinaw News: Army scores against NPAs in Negros Occidental, nabs 2 NPA members, several firearms seized.

Posted to Kalinaw News (Aug 6, 2021): Army scores against NPAs in Negros Occidental, nabs 2 NPA members, several firearms seized.



CAMP PERALTA, Jamindan, Capiz – Two CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs) were captured by the 94th Infantry Battalion after an armed engagement in Barangay Santol, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental on Tuesday, August 3, 2021.

The troops were conducting combat operations after armed men were confirmed in the area, following several reports from the civilians, when they encountered some 30 members of the New Poeple’s Army.

Aside from the captured NPAs, the 10-minute firefight also resulted to the seizure of an M653 Baby Armalite, one M14 rifle, one M16A1 rifle, one homemade shotgun, six (6) magazine of M14 rifle with ammunition, four (4) magazines (long & short) M16 with ammunition, one shotgun magazine with ammunition, two (2) cellphones, medical kit, two backpacks, two (2) handheld radios, solar panel and other war materiel.

The communist-terrorist group suffered undetermined casualties based on the reports of the residents who have seen absconding NPAs carrying with them their wounded comrades. No one was hurt on the government side.

The captured NPAs were identified as George Esoy Y Francis a.k.a. Pakyaw/Pakner, and Eduardo Estrada Y Mission a.k.a. Edo, both residents of Guihulngan City and members of the NPA’s Central Negros Front 1. The residents of the said barangay pointed them out as the two NPAs were seen hiding in a creek line before the troops captured them.

As he lauds the 94IB for the successful operation, MGen Eric Vinoya, the Commander of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, also recognized the vigilance of the local populace in reporting the presence and movement of the communist-terrorists to the Army.

“As I’ve said before, Negros is no longer a safe place for the NPAs. The Negrenses are already fed up with their lies and deceptions; they are now our eyes and ears against these ruthless communist-terrorists. With the Negrenses on our side, we are optimistic that we can achieve a CPP-NPA-free Negros,” MGen Vinoya said.

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

https://www.kalinawnews.com/army-scores-against-npas-in-bukidnon-nabs-2-npa-members-several-firearms-seized/

Kalinaw News: Tip-off from locals yields to the discovery of a high-powered firearm in North Cotabato

Posted to Kalinaw News (Aug 7, 2021): Tip-off from locals yields to the discovery of a high-powered firearm in North Cotabato



MAKILALA, COTABATO – Through the help of a concerned citizen, the 39th Infantry “Smash’em” Battalion (39IB) troopers discovered a high-powered firearm (HPFA) at Sitio Malepayon, Brgy Maybula, Tulunan, North Cotabato on August 6, 2021.

The recovered firearm was consists of one (1) homemade .50 Caliber rifle with two (2) ammunition, that were found wrapped in a sack and buried along the creek in the above-mentioned area.

Battalion Commander of 39th Infantry Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Geoffrey M Carandang commended the citizens of Brgy.Maybula and encouraged the remaining NPA fighters to abandon their armed struggle and instead, return to the folds of the law. “This is a clear manifestation of full trust and confidence of the citizens to the government troops. Brgy Maybula is just one of the many communities who swore to reject the presence of Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) and commit themselves to actively participate and support the government programs focused on ending local communist armed conflict. Rest assured that the Philippine Army will continue to pursue these remaining CTGs to stop their worthless cause.”



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

https://www.kalinawnews.com/tip-off-from-locals-yields-to-the-discovery-of-a-high-powered-firearm-in-north-cotabato/

Kalinaw News: Relentless Security Operations, Residents’ Cooperation and Disgust Towards CTG Lead to The Discovery of Terrorist Documents and Equipment in Masbate

Posted to Kalinaw News (Aug 7, 2021): Relentless Security Operations, Residents’ Cooperation and Disgust Towards CTG Lead to The Discovery of Terrorist Documents and Equipment in Masbate



CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur – With its relentless fights against insurgency, combined elements of 2nd Infantry Battalion, 96 Mico, 91st DRC all of the 9th Infantry “Spear” Division, together with the 2nd PMFC and Placer Municipal Police Station captured several terrorist documents and equipment in an abandoned house at Barangay Sta Cruz, Placer, Masbate, Friday, August 6.

The government troops were able to seize one (1) laptop, one (1) hard drive, eight (8) USB, eight (8) old sim card, and terrorist documents.

Lieutenant Colonel Siegfried Felipe Awichen, Battalion Commander of 2nd Infantry Battalion said that prior to the capture of said items, the government troops saw a suspicious person who was fleeing after seeing the approaching troops.

“While the troops were on chase, said person went towards the direction of an abandoned house where the items were discovered. It was found out later that said house was the hideout of Rogelio Suson AKA Manong, a terrorist leader of Platoon 1, L2, KP4.” Lieutenant Colonel Awichen said.

Meanwhile Colonel Aldwine Almase, Brigade Commander of 903rd Infantry Brigade emphasized that the government troops will never stop on its quest for peace.

“Ang ating kasundaluhan ay hindi mapapagod sa kanilang sinumpaang tungkulin na masiguro ang kaligtasan ng ating mamamayan,” Colonel Almase said.

Major General Henry A Robinson Jr, Commander of Joint Task Force (JTF) Bicolandia, said that the enemy has no way to go but to surrender specially now that they can easily be located, including their hideouts and caches.

“Ang ating kasundaluhan ay hindi titigil hangga’t hindi natin nakakamit ang ating layunin na mawakasan na ang insurhensya dito sa ating bansa kaya paulit ulit kong sinasabi sa mga natitirang miyembro ng teroristang grupo hangga’t may oras pa kayo, sumuko na kayo, huwag kayong matakot, huwag niyong sayangin ang buhay niyo sa maling paniniwala,” Major General Robinson said.

Just this year, several hideouts and caches were being seized by the government troops either during the conduct security operations or from a tip-off of the concerned citizens. One of which was the seizure of war materiel owned by the CTG in Napolidan, Lupi, Camarines Sur, comprised of an M16 rifle, two caliber .22 rifles, magazines, molotov bomb, bandoliers, backpack, assorted ammunition, cellphones, batteries, camouflage uniform of Philippine Army, medical paraphernalia and terroristic propaganda materials.

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

https://www.kalinawnews.com/relentless-security-operations-residents-cooperation-and-disgust-towards-ctg-lead-to-the-discovery-of-terrorist-documents-and-equipment-in-masbate/