2 NPA ‘revolutionary tax’ collectors surrender in Quezon

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Oct 16, 2021): 2 NPA ‘revolutionary tax’ collectors surrender in Quezon (By: Delfin T. Mallari Jr.)

Two alleged revolutionary tax collectors of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Quezon province surrendered in Mauban town on Friday, the local police reported Saturday.

The Mauban police identified the rebel returnees as Vicente Mediavillo, 49, and Alladin Nopre, 43, both residents of Barangay Liwayway and alleged members of a unit under the NPA’s Apolonio Mendoza Command.

Authorities on Friday said they received information that the two wanted to surrender.

Combined police and Army soldiers proceeded to their village and facilitated the surrender. Mediavillo and Nopre were both unarmed.

The authorities will provide the necessary protection and assistance to the former rebels in their reintegration protocols under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip).

E-Clip offers free medical treatments, education, housing, and legal aid to rebels who surrender.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1502648/2-npa-revolutionary-tax-collectors-surrender-in-quezon

12 dating rebelde sa Bukidnon, tumanggap ng reintegration assistance mula sa gobyerno

From the Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) (Oct 16, 2021): 12 dating rebelde sa Bukidnon, tumanggap ng reintegration assistance mula sa gobyerno

Bilang bahagi ng pagbabalik-loob sa gobyerno, tumanggap ng reintegration assistance ang 12 dating rebelde mula lokal na pamahalaan ng Bukidnon.

Ito ay matapos ang isinagawang aktibidad sa Headquarters ng 403rd Infantry Brigade sa Barangay Impalambong, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

Kabilang sa reintegration assistance ay ang P25,000 mula sa Bukidnon Local Government Unit (LGU), P10,000 mula sa Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 10, hygiene kits, bigas, food packs, kitchen utensils, at sleeping kits.

Habang nangako si Bukidnon Governor Jose Maria Zubiri Jr. ng P25,000 na financial assistance para sa bawat isang rebelde.

Makikinabang din sila sa 200 bahay na itatayo sa lalawigan.

Dumalo sa aktibidad sina 4th Infantry Division Commander Major General Romeo Brawner Jr., 403rd Infantry Brigade Commander Brigadier General Ferdinand Barandon at ilang lokal na opisyal.

https://rmn.ph/12-dating-rebelde-sa-bukidnon-tumanggap-ng-reintegration-assistance-mula-sa-gobyerno/

4 Zambo Sur NTF-ELCAC infra projects underway

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 16, 2021): 4 Zambo Sur NTF-ELCAC infra projects underway (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)

GROUNDBREAKING. Government and military officials grace the groundbreaking of one of four Barangay Development Program projects in Zamboanga del Sur on Friday (Oct. 15, 2021). Four road concreting projects worth PHP20 million each are funded by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict. (Photo courtesy of 53IB)

Zamboanga del Sur has four Barangay Development Program (BDP) projects, which are funded by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

The BDP is the flagship program of NTF-ELCAC, which was created under Executive Order No. 70 in December 2018 to finally address insurgency by employing a whole-of-nation approach to institute peace-building initiatives.

The province’s four BDP projects worth PHP20 million each are the construction and concreting of a 1.4 kilometer-road in Purok 1, Barangay San Jose, Lapuyan; concreting of the 1.3-kilometer local access road from Purok 2 to Purok 4 in Barangay Concepcion, San Miguel; concreting of a 1.6-kilometer road in Barangay Datagan, Guipos; and concreting of 1.2 kilometers from Purok 2 to Purok 4 in Barangay Gasa, Lakewood.

“Where there is road, there is progress. The people are now happy that after a very long time, the government is now finally here addressing the concerns of the community,” Governor Victor Yu, the Provincial Task Force-ELCAC chairperson, said in a statement on Saturday.

Yu led a groundbreaking on Friday that signaled the start of the four projects.

He was joined by other government and military officials.

In a statement, Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera, the Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion commander, said BDP projects will sustain peace initiatives in Zamboanga del Sur.

Once completed, Herrera said the roads will translate to the delivery of basic services to the community such as health, education, job opportunities, and increased income.

“Knowing that the government is here, these BDP projects will sustain the peace and development efforts of the government,” he added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1156884

Former rebels now part of security team

From the Manila Times (Oct 16, 2021): Former rebels now part of security team (By Al Jacinto)

FORMER FOE A photo released by the military’s Western Mindanao Command shows some 15 former Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels receiving their blue berets and brassards and join 15 soldiers and policemen as part of the Joint Peace and Security Team deployed in Zamboanga Sibugay’s Tungawan town. CONRIBUTED PHOTO

Over a dozen former Muslim rebels are now part of a joint peace and security team deployed by the Philippine military in Tungawan town in the southern province of Zamboanga Sibugay where insurgents are actively operating.

This was confirmed on Thursday by Maj. Gen. Alfredo Rosario Jr., chief of the Western Mindanao Command based in Zamboanga City, following Tuesday's deployment ceremony.

He said the former rebels, all fighters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), joined a team of seven army soldiers and eight policemen who will help patrol security forces in the town.

Col. Antonio John Divinagracia, deputy commander of the 102nd Infantry Brigade, based in Zamboanga Sibugay's Ipil town, also said that the deployment of the security team in Tungawan, is part of the government's peace-building efforts.

"This is a great stride towards the attainment of our coveted peace not only in the Bangsamoro, but the entire Mindanao region," he said.

The MILF, a breakaway faction of the larger Moro National Liberation Front, signed a peace accord with Manila in 2014, and its chieftain Murad Ebrahim, who eventually became the Chief Minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao which comprises the island-provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/10/16/news/regions/former-rebels-now-part-of-security-team/1818583

Road project traversing former Abu Sayyaf lair almost done

From the Philippine Star (Oct 16, 2021): Road project traversing former Abu Sayyaf lair almost done (John Unson)

Only a single militiaman guards a still unfinished stretch --- in the heart of the Sampinit Complex --- of the 38-kilometer Basilan Transcentral Road, a flagship project of local officials and the Bangsamoro regional government. Philstar.com / John Unson

Peace is now felt in all four corners of the once dangerous Sampinit Complex in Basilan as a result of a road project straddling through its forests where the Abu Sayyaf once ran a ruthless shadow government.

It was in the Sampinit Complex in the center of Basilan where the Abu Sayyaf terror group held no fewer than 300 captives in a span of 21 years, among them foreigners, many beheaded for non-payment of ransom.

Gerry Salapuddin, administrator of the Southern Philippines Development Authority, lauded Saturday Gov. Jim Salliman, the congressional representative in the province, Deputy Speaker Mujiv Hataman, and the Bangsamoro government for cooperating in the implementation of the Basilan Transcentral Road Project.

Salapuddin, who hails from Tuburan town in Basilan, hid in the jungles of Sampinit whenever military forces would chase him and his followers in the early ‘70s during which he was chairman of the Basilan Revolutionary Committee of the Moro National Liberation Front.

“I heard our provincial governor has a plan to protect the forests there as eco-tourism sites. I also learned there is a plan to transfer in Sampinit the camp of the 101st Infantry Brigade in Isabela City. That would be a good move,” Salapuddin said.

The 38-kilometer Basilan Transcentral Road, also known by its acronym BTR, shall interconnect Sumisip, the largest town in the province, to Santa Clara in Lamitan City and to the towns of Maluso and Tipo-Tipo, where the Abu Sayyaf once operated with impunity.

Brig. Gen. Eden Ugale, director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, said Saturday it was the overland artery project and the cooperation of local officials and constituents in securing the surrender of more than 300 local Abu Sayyaf members in the past five years that catalyzed the tranquility in the Sampinit Complex.

“Our units are only behind them. The police and the military can’t do pacification missions extensively without the support of local executives. That is a fact, plain and simple,” Ugale said.

There are only four kilometers of the 38-kilometer BTR that workers are to finish in the coming months.

Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway, commander of the Army’s 101st Infantry Brigade in Isabela City in Basilan, said there is peace and calm now in the Sampinit Complex.

The construction of the BTR that commenced more than two years ago was never disrupted by any security issue, according to Gobway.

Members of the business communities in Basilan’s two cities, Isabela and Lamitan, are anticipating an economic boom in villages along the BTR once opened to traffic.

The BTR was originally started by the now defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the Basilan District Engineering Office, the office of Salliman and the now Congressman Hataman, who was ARMM’s regional governor then.

“We ought to thank Regional Public Works Minister Eduard Guerra and the chief minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Ahod Ebrahim, for sustaining the Basilan Transcentral Road Project,” Salliman, now in his second term as Basilan governor, said Saturday.

The 29-year ARMM was replaced with BARMM in early 2019 as a result of 22 years of peace talks between the national government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, whose chairman, Ebrahim, is now at the helm of the Bangsamoro government.

“The MILF and the MNLF communities in Basilan, both helping us keep the peace now in our province, shall benefit a lot from the Basilan Transcentral Road project,” Salliman said.

 
https://www.philstar.com/nation/2021/10/16/2134612/road-project-traversing-former-abu-sayyaf-lair-almost-done

Abu Sayyaf member involved in Samal Island kidnapping nabbed in Zambo

From the Philippine Star (Oct 16, 2021): Abu Sayyaf member involved in Samal Island kidnapping nabbed in Zambo (Roel Pareño)

Abu Sayyaf members with the four hostages. Twitter / Site Intel Group

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines-An Abu Sayyaf member tagged in the Samal Island kidnapping and murder of its two western captives, was arrested by joint security forces Friday afternoon in a village here, police said.

The arrested suspect was identified as Adzrimar Sali Ammat, known with for aliases as "Adz", "Abu Omar" and "Guru Adin", 30, a native of Tabu Batu, Maimbung town, Sulu.

Joint operatives from the police Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) Mindanao Field Unit (MFU), 2nd Mobile Force Company, troops from the Marine Battalion Landing Team-11 (MBLT) and its intelligence units hatched the law enforcement operation that led to the arrest of Ammat about 4:20 p.m. Friday in Campo Islam this city.

Brig. Gen. Ronald Genaro Ylagan, Police Regional Office 9 (PRO) director, said Ammat has a standing warrant of arrest for the crime of kidnapping with homicide issued by the Regional Trial Court 11 (RTC) Judicial Region in Panabo City, Davao del Sur on Sept. 29, 2016.

Ylagan said another warrant of arrest for two counts of kidnapping with ransom was also issued against Ammat by the RTC 9, Judicial Region, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi on Sept. 2, 2019.

It will be recalled that a group of gunmen identified to be members of the Abu Sayyaf group swooped down a resort in Samal Island on the night of Sept. 21, 2015 and seized three Westerners identified as Norwegian resort manager Kjartan Sekkinstad, 56; Canadian guests John Ridsdel, 68 and Robert Hall, 50; and Filipina Marites Flor.

The victims were brought to Sulu but the two Canadians were executed apparently for refusal to heed to the hefty ransom demand while Flor and Sekkingstad were released separately.

The arrested suspect was placed under the temporary custody of the AKG-MFU for proper disposition of the issuing court.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2021/10/16/2134620/abu-sayyaf-member-involved-samal-island-kidnapping-nabbed-zambo

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: Kalsadang pang-mina, pinigilan ng BHB, 8 armas nasamsam

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis (Tagalog edition) posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Oct 16, 2021): Kalsadang pang-mina, pinigilan ng BHB, 8 armas nasamsam

Nireyd ng isang yunit ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan (BHB) ang detatsment ng mga sundalong nagsisilbing gwardya sa pagtatayo ng kalsadang pangminahan sa Barangay Maraiging, Jabonga, Agusan del Norte noong umaga ng Setyembre 28. Ayon sa ulat ng Lingkawas, walong armas ang nakumpiska ng mga Pulang mandirigma sa mga sundalo ng 29th IB.

Ang 29th IB ay nagsisilbing gwardya ng kumpanyang Z’Charles Construction na may kontrata sa paglalatag ng kalsada para sa pagmimina na pinalalabas na “farm to market road.” Ang kalsadang ito ay magpapadali sa pagpasok ng mga trak na maghahakot ng mga mineral na huhukayin sa lugar. Ang Agusan del Norte ay isa sa prubinsyang mayaman sa mineral na nickel.

Nasamsam ng BHB ang dalawang M16-R4, dalawang M16-A1, isang M14, tatlong .45 pistola, isang Harris radio, mga bala at iba pang kagamitang militar. Apat na sundalo ang napaslang sa naturang labanan habang dalawang iba pa ang sugatan. Samantala, isang Pulang mandirigma ang nadakip ng mga sundalo.

[In the face of the rapidly changing political and economic situation in the Philippines, as well as around the world, the newspaper Ang Bayan publishes daily news and analysis on key issues facing the proletariat and the Filipino people, as well as the oppressed people among others. Here you will find the latest news and articles of Ang Bayan.]

https://cpp.ph/angbayan/kalsadang-pang-mina-pinigilan-ng-bhb-8-armas-nasamsam/

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: Mga inendorsong senador ni Leni, di kasali si Neri

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis (Tagalog edition) posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Oct 16, 2021): Mga inendorsong senador ni Leni, di kasali si Neri

Hindi napabilang si Neri Colmenares, isa sa nangungunang kandidato ng 1Sambayan sa pagkasenador, sa hanay ng mga kandidatong dadalhin ng tambalang Leni Robredo-Kiko Pangilinan. Isinapubliko ang listahan noong Oktubre 15, isang linggo matapos maghain ng kandidatura pagkapresidente si Robredo.

Ang hakbang ay nakita ng marami bilang “snub” o pagsasaisantabi ni Robredo sa koalisyong Makabayan na matagal nang nagsisikap para mabuo ang oposisyon. Dominado ng mga kandidato ng Liberal Party ang hanay ni Robredo, ang partidong pinamumunuan ni Robredo. Kapuna-puna na isinama niya sa kanyang hanay ang mga senador na may mahabang rekord ng pakikipagtulungan kay Rodrigo Duterte, tulad ni Miguel Zubiri, Joel Villanueva at Richard Gordon (na nitong huli ay kabanggaan ni Duterte sa usapin ng korapsyon sa pagbili ng mga face shield).

Ang tatlong ito, pati na ang dating senador na si Chiz Escudero, at bise-presidente na si Jejomar Binay, ay nasa hanay din ng karibal na mga tambalang Lacson-Sotto at Pacquiao-Atienza. Sadyang 11 lamang ang inianunsyo ni Robredo na mga pangalan at iniwang bakante ang ika-12 pwesto para diumano sa “pinakamahusay na kinatawan ng inaaping sektor.” Hindi malinaw kung ano ang kinakatawan ng iba pang kandidato liban sa kanilang partido.

Ang hindi pagsali kay Colmenares ay ikinadismaya ng maraming sektor na naniniwalang isa siya sa pinakamatatag na kumilos at nanindigan laban sa tiraniya ni Duterte. Sa Twitter, daan-daan libo ang nagdala ng panawagang #WeWantNeri.

Matapos ang pag-anunsyo kahapon ni Robrero, nagpahayag ang 1Sambayan ng plano nitong magbuo ng sariling listahan ng mga kandidato pagkasenador. Ayon sa 1Sambayan, habang buo nitong sinusuportahan ang tambalang Robredo-Pangilinan, gagawa ito ng sariling “malakas” na hanay ng mga kandidato na “kakatawan” sa grupo.

Kasabay nito, nagpahayag ang grupong Makabayan na mananatili sila sa pagsusulong ng kanilang mga prinsipyo at layunin sa paglahok sa reaksyunaryong eleksyon. Sa press conference na isinagawa sa hapon ng Oktubre 15, sinabi ni dating Rep. Carlos Zarate na ginagalang ng koalisyon ang desisyon ni Robredo at mananatili silang bukas sa kanyang grupo sa kabila nito.

Ani Zarate, hindi sila natitinag ang layunin ng koalisyon na gawin ang lahat para tuldukan ang tiranikong paghahari ni Duterte at pigilan ang panunumbalik ng mga Marcos sa Malacañang. Ang mga ito ang dahilan ng pagpapatakbo ng Makabayan kina Colmenares at Elmer Labog sa Senado at muling pagtakbo ng limang partylist sa ilalim ng koalisyon.

“Mananatili kaming nakapokus sa layuning ipagtanggol ang mga karapatan at kagalingan ng mamamayan, laluna ng mahihirap at mga sektor na pinakapinababayaan, at sa pagpigil sa pagtatagumpay ng isang Duterte o Marcos sa darating na halalan,” ayon kay Zarate.

Ayon kay Colmenares, nakasandal ang Makabayan sa suporta ng iba-ibang grupo at sa mamamayan para sa progresibo at maka-mamamayang kandidato tulad niya.

Inilinaw ng Makabayan na wala pa silang iniendorsong kandidato pagkapresidente, taliwas sa ipinaggigiitan ng dating senador na si Sen. Antonio Trillanes na “inendorso” ng Makabayan si Isko Moreno.

“Hindi nagdeklara ang koalisyong Makabayan ng suporta sa sinumang kandidato pagkapresidente sa ngayon. Nananawagan kami sa publiko na maging mapagbantay sa mga pahayag na ginagawa ng mga di awtorisadong panig, kasama ang mga tahasang kasinungalingan at intriga,” anito.

Sa parehong araw ng pag-“snub” ni Robredo sa Makabayan, inilabas ni Manny Pacquiao ang sarili niyang hanay ng mga kandidato pagkasenador. Isinali niya rito kapwa si Colmenares at Labog. Sa araw ding iyon, inilinaw ni Pacquiao ang layunin niyang papanagutin ang mga Marcos at pagsuporta sa imbestigasyon ng International Criminal Court kay Duterte sakaling mahalal siyang presidente sa 2022.

[In the face of the rapidly changing political and economic situation in the Philippines, as well as around the world, the newspaper Ang Bayan publishes daily news and analysis on key issues facing the proletariat and the Filipino people, as well as the oppressed people among others. Here you will find the latest news and articles of Ang Bayan.]

https://cpp.ph/angbayan/mga-inendorsong-senador-ni-leni-di-kasali-si-neri/

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: Kilusang kontra-casino sa Boracay, lumalawak

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis (Tagalog edition) posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Oct 16, 2021): Kilusang kontra-casino sa Boracay, lumalawak

Lumalawak ang hanay ng mga kumokontra sa planong simulang operasyon ng mga casino sa isla ng Boracay at sa panukalang batas na Boracay Island Development Authority (BIDA). Nadagdagan ng mga boses ang protesta ng mamamayang Aklanon, na nagsimula noon pang maagang bahagi ng Agosto, nang magpalabas ng liham pastoral ang mga lider ng simbahang Katoliko sa Panay, Negros Occidental at Romblon.

Kabilang sa mga lumagda sa pastoral letter laban sa operasyon ng mga casino sa Boracay ay sina Archbishop Jose Romeo Lazo ng Archdiocese ng Jaro, Iloilo City; Most Rev. Marvyn Maceda, obispo ng San Jose de Antique; Most Rev. Patricio Abella, obispo ng Bacolod City; Most Rev. Louie Patalinhug Galbines, obispo ng Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental; Rev. Msgr. Cyril Villareal, diocesan administrator ng Capiz; Most Rev. Jose Corazon Tala-oc, obispo ng Kalibo, Aklan; at Most Rev. Narciso Abellana, obispo ng Romblon. Anila, “mababaw at imoral” na paraan ito ng gubyernong Duterte para lamang makalikom ng pondo para sa pambansang ekonomya at para sa pagharap sa pandemya.

Naglunsad din ng mga aksyong protesta ang mamamayan ng Aklan, kabilang ang mga upisyal ng lokal na gubyerno laban sa panukalang batas (HB 9286) na iniisponsor ni Rep. Paulo Duterte. Minamadali ni President Rodrigo Duterte ang pagsasabatas at pagbubuo ng BIDA. Bilang isang “government-owned and-controlled corporation”, pamamahalaan ng panukalang BIDA ang isla at wala nang papel ang pamahalaang pamprubinsya sa isla. Mapalalayas din dito ang mga katutubong Aeta, mga residente at lokal na mga negosyante. Nagpahayag din ng mariing pagtutol sa BIDA ang provincial board at konseho ng bayan ng Malay at iba pang bayan sa Aklan.

Ayon Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan)-Aklan, sa gagawin ng gubyernong Duterte na eksklusibo lamang sa malalaking kapitalista at big-time na sugarol ang isla ng Boracay. Sinuportahan ng Makabayan Bloc sa Mababang Kapulungan ang pagtutol ng mga Aklanon sa BIDA. Sa harap ng malakas na pagtutol, iniatras din ni Rep. Marquez ng Aklan ang kanyang pagsuporta dito. Nagpasa naman ang Aklan Provincial Board sa regular na sesyon nito noong Setyembre 27 na humihiling kay Duterte na bawiin ang kanyang desisyong mag-opereyt ng mga casino sa Boracay. Anito, nagkakaisa sa matinding pagtutol ang mga Aklanon na gawing pasugalan ang isla ng Boracay.

Ang pagtutulak ni Duterte na pahintulutan ang operasyon ng casino sa Boracay ay kabaligtaran ng pahayag niya noong 2018 nang ipinailalim niya sa kanyang kontrol ang isla sa tabing ng “rehabilitasyon.”

Popular ang isla ng Boracay sa kanyang puting buhangin na dinadayo ng mga lokal at dayuhang turista. Malaki ang interes dito ng mga Chinese tulad ng Galaxy Entertainment Group (nakabase sa Macau) at ng malaking negosyanteng si Andrew Tan. Ang pagtatayo ng katulad na mga pasilidad sa mga isla sa iba’t ibang sulok ng Pilipinas at iba’t ibang bansa ay pinaniniwalaang bahagi ng pagluluwas ng malalaking kapitalista ng kinakamkam nilang tubo.

[In the face of the rapidly changing political and economic situation in the Philippines, as well as around the world, the newspaper Ang Bayan publishes daily news and analysis on key issues facing the proletariat and the Filipino people, as well as the oppressed people among others. Here you will find the latest news and articles of Ang Bayan.]

https://cpp.ph/angbayan/kilusang-kontra-casino-sa-boracay-lumalawak/

CPP/CIO: US-supplied air assets, used more on brutal war of terror than on “border security”

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Oct 16, 2021): US-supplied air assets, used more on brutal war of terror than on “border security”

Marco Valbuena

Chief Information Officer

Communist Party of the Philippines

October 16, 2021

On Wednesday, the United States military delivered five Black Hawk helicopters and four ScanEagle drone systems to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Purportedly, these weapons will increase the AFP’s “domain awareness and border security capabilities.” To justify these donations and acquisitions, military officials draw the false picture that these equipment and weapons are primarily geared towards defense against threats of Chinese military incursions in the South China Sea, which have heightened over the past several years under the policy of subservience of the Duterte regime.

The truth, however, is that these drones and helicopters, alongside jet fighters and their rockets and 500-lb bombs, are primarily being used in the countryside, rather than along the country’s borders or for national defense. These weapons are being employed in the increasingly brutal war of terror in the Philippine countryside marked by heightening aerial bombardment, shelling and strafing. By supplying these weapons and military equipment, the US government is satisfying the blood-lust of the tyrant Duterte while unloading itself of surplus weaponry to keep up the demand for arms supplied by the US military industrial complex.

We estimate that the AFP has spent more hours flying their drones for counterguerrilla reconnaissance than for detecting foreign incursions. The US-supported AFP has dropped more bombs, fired more rockets and artillery shells in a brutal tactic to make the people and their revolutionary forces bow to their military superiority, than to defend the country’s territory.

It is our observation that drones and reconnaissance aircraft are flown almost daily in the rural areas, burning hundreds of millions of pesos worth of fuel to scour fields and mountains in an effort to detect the presence of units of the New People’s Army (NPA). In the countryside, there are increasing complaints among the peasant masses of the stressful noise generated constantly by prolonged overhead flights of these drones and reconnaissance aircraft.

A large majority of the AFP’s rockets and bombs have been deployed without clear targets, hitting mountains, farms or pastureland, endangering people’s lives and damaging crops and forest resources. Over the past few years, tens of thousands of people have been forced to evacuate while the AFP conducted their aerial bombardment campaign and artillery shelling in the proximity of their communities.

In instances that aerial strikes hit NPA camps, the deaths and injury caused by the AFP’s bombs and rockets are superfluous. These powerful weapons are deployed without making distinction between combatants and non-combatants, including medics and civilians, and with complete disregard of their adversaries’ complete lack of ability to defend themselves. All these are violative of the principles of international humanitarian law and conventions governing the conduct of war.

https://cpp.ph/statements/us-supplied-air-assets-used-more-on-brutal-war-of-terror-than-on-border-security/

CPP/NDF-Sison: Whichever presidential and other candidates win, conditions will worsen and favor the revolution

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Oct 16, 2021): Whichever presidential and other candidates win, conditions will worsen and favor the revolution

Jose Maria Sison

Chief Political Consultant

National Democratic Front of the Philippines

October 16, 2021

Like all previous electoral exercises staged within the framework of the semicolonial and semifeudal ruling system, the 2022 elections administered by the Duterte regime are intended to conjure the illusion that the people are democratically choosing their own political leaders from among agents of the foreign monopoly capitalists and the local exploiting classes of big compradors, landlords and corrupt bureaucrats.

The contest for the presidential and vice presidential positions is definitely one among bureaucrat capitalists who are demagogic agents of foreign business interests and local exploiting classes. All of the top presidential candidates are long time and well-proven bureaucrat capitalists who are financed by their own corruption and by the exploiting classes.

In general, the major senatorial candidates are political agents of foreign monopoly interests and local reactionary classes, with the exception of a few who have excelled in their professions and in speaking and acting in favor of the oppressed and exploited. The former clear-cut status of the “pink” presidential candidate as opposition is now decreased by the exclusion of Neri Colmenares from her senatorial slate and the inclusion of longtime Duterte loyalists.

There are definitely some national slates of candidates that present themselves as independent of rather than in opposition to the Duterte regime and its own national slate of candidates. Duterte propagandists themselves have admitted that these “non-opposition independents” have been hired to split the vote of the opposition and facilitate the rigging of the elections in exchange for appointments in a renewed Duterte regime.

The representatives of the lower middle class and the toiling masses of workers and peasants who run as candidates at the national level are so few. They are under the banner of the Makabayan Coalition. This bloc of party list groups has the biggest and strongest campaign machinery of volunteer campaigners from the best organized legal democratic forces of the broad masses of the people. But they lack the funds for TV and radio ads and are now being targeted by the anti-communist campaign of state terrorism by the regime and its fascist arm, the National Task Force-Elcac.

The NTF-Elcac and other ultra-reactionary forces are pressuring the parties and groups of the conservative opposition to exclude from their slates of candidares the Makabayan Coalition candidates and thus to undermine the urgently needed broad united front against the Duterte tyranny. Any success of the Duterte regime in this regard can only further convince the broad masses of the people that there can be no change for the better through the elections in 2022.

While the Duterte regime gains immediately from any narrowing of what ought to be a broad anti-fascist united front, a great number of the best and brightest of the patriotic and progressive intelligentsia are driven to join the legal mass movement of the patriotic and democratic forces and the people’s democratic revolution as the most effective way towards the defeat of the unjust ruling system and the ultimate victory of the people’s struggle for national and social liberation.

As of now, it is reasonable to expect the electoral victory of the national and local candidates that are credibly opposition because they stand out in exposing and condemning the grave crimes and anti-people policies and actions of the Duterte regime. But the elections in 2022 are not going to be clean and honest. The Duterte regime is determined to rig the 2022 elections by using its control of the reactionary armed forces and police, the Comelec and the electronic vote count.

The tyrant Duterte is on the way to making the pro-Duterte candidates win by fraud and terrorism. He is hell-bent on rigging the elections by way of protecting himself and his cohorts from charges of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court and probable charges of plunder before Philippine courts. With his accumulated power, he can even postpone the elections and proceed to rule by decree as Marcos did from the time he declared nationwide martial law in 1972.

At any rate, whoever wins the presidential derby, whether from the Duterte ruling clique or from the opposition, will inherit an economy that is bankrupt and extremely burdened by debt and a government that is challenged by the rising discontent of the broad masses of the people and by the various forms of struggle waged by the legal democratic forces and by the armed revolutionary movement.

It is of crucial importance that the enlightened sections and personages of the conservative opposition, the legal democratic forces and the forces of the people’s democratic revolution prepare for widespread and intensified struggles against any action taken by the Duterte ruling clique to stay in power and against the escalating conditions of oppression and exploitation during and after the electoral campaign period.

The chronic crisis of the ruling system continues to worsen rapidly. The broad masses of the people desire revolutionary change. They are sick and tired of false promises of political agents of the exploiting classes. The conditions for the further advance of the people’s democratic revolution are therefore more favorable than ever before, especially if the alliance of the Duterte and Marcos dynasties succeeds in using the 2022 elections to impose their reign of greed and terror on the people. ###

https://cpp.ph/statements/whichever-presidential-and-other-candidates-win-conditions-will-worsen-and-favor-the-revolution/

CPP/Lingkawas: Goons sa Mayor sa Sison, Surigao del Norte, Giambus sa BHB-Surigao del Norte

Article from Mindanao region propaganda publication posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Oct 16, 2021): Goons sa Mayor sa Sison, Surigao del Norte, Giambus sa BHB-Surigao del Norte

Lingkawas

People's War Updates

Publications

Regions

October 16, 2021

Lima, Soon, Surigao del Norte – kaniadtong Oktubre 11, 2021, bandang alas 3:40 sa hapon, Giambus sa BHB-SDN ang security escort ni Mayor Klarissa Fetalvero Paronia. Gikatahong adunay usa ka samaron sa goons niini nga membro sa 30th IBPA. Si Mayor Paronia mao ang kasamtangang Mayor sa lungsod sa Sison.

Matud ni Ka Leo de Guerra ang tigpamaba sa BHB-SDN, sakay sa 3 ka motor ang 5 ka goons sa Mayor nga naghimo og clearing operation sa dalan alang sa pag-uli ni Paronia gikan sa pagpangampanya sa brgy. Lima sa dihang nahitabo ang maong pagpang-ambus sa mga Pulang manggugubat.

Dugang pa ni Ka Leo, human nga gisilotan sa BHB-SDN si Police Intelligence Dandan kaniadtong Agosto 2020 tungod sa mga kasong iligal nga pangahoy-kahoy, sugal ug droga, sunod-sunod na ang gihimong mga pagpamatay sa mga inosenteng sibilyan sa Sison nga kakunsabo si Mayor Paronia.

Ilado usab ang Mayor nga protektor sa iligal nga droga, pangahoy-kahoy ug sugal.

Ang pag-ambus sa BHB-SDN sa security escorts sa Mayor Wala nagpasabot nga adunay gisuportaan nga politiko ang BHB, subay ni Ka Leo.

Sa katapusan kining nga armadong pundok tataw nga kontra-rebolusyonaryo ug lehitimong target sa Bagong Hukbong Bayan.

https://cpp.ph/2021/10/16/goons-sa-mayor-sa-sison-surigao-del-norte-giambus-sa-bhb-surigao-del-norte/

CPP/Lingkawas: Malampusong Reyd sa BHB-Agusan del Norte, 8 ka Armas Ang Nakumpiska

Article from Mindanao region propaganda publication posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Oct 15, 2021): Malampusong Reyd sa BHB-Agusan del Norte, 8 ka Armas Ang Nakumpiska

Lingkawas

People's War Updates

Publications

Regions

October 15, 2021

   

Video Player

[Propaganda video at following URL

https://cpp.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/lingkawas-ulat-jabonga-raid.mp4?_=1]

Maraiging, Jabonga, Agusan del Norte- kaniadtong Setyembre 28, 2021, gireyd sa BHB-ADN ang tropa sa 29th IBPA nga naggwardiya sa ekwipo sa Z’Charles Construction. Pito ka Armas Nakumpiska sa BHB-ADN. Samyang adunay upat ka patay ug duha ka samaron sa kaaway sa making inside the. Lakip sa nga nasamdan mao ang kadreman nga si Msgt. Glarita. Sa pikas bahin usa ka Pulang manggugubat ang nadakpan sa kaaway.

Lakip sa mga nakumpiska mao ang 2 ka M16-R4, 2 ka M16-A1, 1 ka M14, 3 ka .45 pistola, 1 ka Harris radio, mga buhing bala ug bullet vest.

Gikatahong unom ka tropa sa 29th IBPA Ang naggwardiya sa Z’Charles Cons nga naghimo og kalsada nga “farm-to-market-road” sa making Lugar. Anaa kini Sila nagpundo sa duha ka sibilyang panimalay nga Wala nay nagpuyo diha Tunga sa baryo dihang nahitabo ang maong pagpangreyd sa BHB-ADN.

Dili tinuod ang gipasiatab sa kaaway nga slang sa kalambuan ang maong kalsada. Tin-aw nga kining proyekto nag-alagad sa hapsay nga pagpasulod sa mga minahan dinhi sa Agusan del Norte.

https://cpp.ph/2021/10/15/malampusong-reyd-sa-bhb-agusan-del-norte-8-ka-armas-ang-nakumpiska/

Kalinaw News: Six Demoralized CNTs yield to the government troops with high-powered firearms

Posted to Kalinaw News (Oct 16, 2021): Six Demoralized CNTs yield to the government troops with high-powered firearms



CAMP MELCHOR F DELA CRUZ, Upi, Gamu, Isabela- Six members of the Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs) with three high-powered firearms voluntarily surrendered to the government forces in Ilagan City and Nueva Vizcaya on October 14 and 15, 2021.

Alias Nethan, 29 years old, Squad Leader; Alias Gerber, 26 yrs old, Squad Vice Leader; Alias Jazzel, 27 years old, S4, all of Squad Uno; Alias Rey, 27 years old, Team Leader of Squad Dos; Alias Rod, 51 years old, Giyang Pampulitika of Squad Tres; all are from the Regional Sentro de Grabidad (RSDG) of the Regional Operations Command under Komiteng Rehiyon-Cagayan Valley (KR-CV). They all yielded to the troops of 95th Infantry Battalion (95IB), 502nd Infantry Brigade (502IBde), and PNP Region 02 in Ilagan City when they decided to abandon the terrorist organization due to hardship and hunger.

Meanwhile in the province of Nueva Vizcaya, Alias Rod, Medical Officer of West Front Committee, Komiteng Probinsya (KOMPROB) Cagayan, surrendered through the joint efforts of PNP Region 02 and National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA).

Based on the revelations of the newly surrendered rebels, the remaining CNT members are already tired of running and hiding away from government forces. They have no more place to hide since the populace have been reporting their presence or location to the authorities. The Former Rebels (FRs) are also disappointed of the squabbling CNT leadership as an effect of the intensified military operations of the army troops that led to series of encounters that resulted to the death of their leaders, voluntary surrender of their comrades, confiscation & discovery of their firearms & other materials, and the withdrawal of support of their mass bases. The FRs are thankful to the government troops for facilitating their safe surrender.

Alias Rob on the other hand, warned the youth not to engage themselves in any group or activities facilitated by the CNT front organization. He also reminded the youth to focus on their studies rather than joining militant groups.

Manifesting their support to the government’s campaign against insurgency, the five former members of the RSDG brought with them one Elisco M16 rifle, one Bushmaster M16 rifle, one M16 A1 rifle with one short magazine loaded with 15 rounds of live ammunition, and a cellphone. The recovered firearms and other items were immediately turned over to concerned authorities for proper disposition.

LtCol Carlos B Sangdaan, Commanding Officer of 95IB thanked the FRs for their support to the government by yielding and laying down their arms.

While Brigadier General Danilo D Benavides, Commander of the 502IBde, lauded the troops for their sustained effort to pursue peace in the province of Isabela. He also assured the FRs that the government will do its best to deradicalize them from the indoctrination of the CNTs.

“I urge those who were deceived by the NPA to go down and surrender. The government is ready to help you live a new life with your families. Let us not engage in more bloodsheds.” said PBGen Steve Ludan, Director of PNP Region 02.

MGen Laurence E Mina, Commander of 5th Infantry Division, Philippine Army thanked the former rebels for heeding to the call of the government to return to the folds of the law. He then repeated his appeal to the remaining CNT members to do the same. “We wish to achieve peace and progress with every Filipino. We want to walk as one united nation, in our journey towards peace and prosperity.”

[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/six-demoralized-cnts-yield-to-the-government-troops-with-high-powered-firearms/

Kalinaw News: Army’s 70IB Conducts IP Community Consultation in Zambales; Exploited IP Members Sever Ties with CTG

Posted to Kalinaw News (Oct 16, 2021): Army’s 70IB Conducts IP Community Consultation in Zambales; Exploited IP Members Sever Ties with CTG



Doña Remedios Trinidad, BULACAN — The troops of the 70th Infantry (Matapat at Matatag) Battalion, Philippine Army, through its Community Support Program (CSP) team conducted an Indigenous People’s community consultation in Barangay Sta. Fe and Buhawen, both of San Marcelino, Zambales on October 6 and 8, 2021, respectively.

Said activity was in collaboration with Zambales PNP Provincial Director, Police Colonel Romano V. Cardino; San Marcelino LGU; Engr. Jonathan A. Alvior, TESDA Specialist TESDA; Mrs. Carmelita Fredelues, MSWDO representative; Albert Aquino Leo III, Labor and Employment Officer; Engr. Emmanuel Aguinaldo, Provincial Director DAR; and Mr Randy Q. Bernales together with other NCIP Officers.

During the program, Lieutenant Colonel Eugene F. Garce, Commanding Officer of 70IB, explained the benefits under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the government intended for CTG surrenderers and lays down the immediate assistance they will receive following their surrender.

“Atoy iti programa iti gobyerno kadagiti ag surrender gapo ti kakadwa tayo Nga gapu iti armado nga Grupo iti CPP NPA nu adda iti kakabsat yo kamagaanak yu nga andidtoy pay pababaen u Sudan,” said LTC Garce in Ilocano.

LTC Garce also expressed his gratitude to the Chairman of Brgy. Buhawen, the PNP, and LGU for being part of their activity.

Chairman Duenas expressed their issues and concerns in the IP community during the consultation proper.

At least 138 members of the Aeta tribe decided to withdraw their support with the Communist Terrorist Group; made an oath supporting the government and burned the CTG’s flag as a manifestation of their severance of ties, following the consultation.

The Local Government Unit of San Marcelino also distributed relief packs to the members of IP community after the program.

[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/armys-70ib-conducts-ip-community-consultation-in-zambales-exploited-ip-members-sever-ties-with-ctg/

Kalinaw News: WesMinCom Commander lauds army troops during his visit to 602nd Infantry Brigade in Carmen, Cotabato

Posted to Kalinaw News (Oct 16, 2021): WesMinCom Commander lauds army troops during his visit to 602nd Infantry Brigade in Carmen, Cotabato



Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City – The WesMinCom Commander visited the “Liberators” at Camp Robert Edward Lucero, Carmen, Cotabato on October 14, 2021. He was accompanied by his Command Staff and was welcomed by Col. Jovencio Gonzales, Commander of 602nd Infantry Brigade.

Maj. Gen. Alfredo Rosario, Jr., Commander of Western Mindanao Command commended the continuing efforts of the 602nd Infantry Brigade in preventing the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and other lawless groups from creating havoc in the communities.

“You have accomplished a lot in your sustained operations to free the province of Cotabato from the claws of terrorists. For these, I congratulate you all, officers, men, and women of the 602nd Infantry Brigade for a job well done. Carry on your good work for our fellow Filipinos and our country,” said Maj. Gen. Rosario, Jr.

He also urged the troops to always take extra care in everything that they do and everywhere they go. He ended his talk to the troops by encouraging them to always follow the concept of 5Ps – Plan, Prepare, Perform, Play, and Pray.

Maj. Gen. Rosario was given an operational update on the ongoing campaign against terrorism in the province of Cotabato.

[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/wesmincom-commander-lauds-army-troops-during-his-visit-to-602nd-infantry-brigade-in-carmen-cotabato/

Kalinaw News: AFP WestMinCom Commander visits JTF Central in Maguindanao; “Let’s keep the ball rolling”

Posted to Kalinaw News (Oct 16, 2021): AFP WestMinCom Commander visits JTF Central in Maguindanao; “Let’s keep the ball rolling”



Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City – Commander of Western Mindanao Command Maj. Gen. Alfredo Rosario, Jr. visited the troops at Joint Task Force Central on October 14 at JTF Central Headquarters, Camp Siongco, Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

The commander was accompanied by the command staffs. Maj. Gen. Rosario, was welcomed by Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, Commander of JTF Central.

Maj. Gen. Uy presented a unit briefing to the WestMinCom Commander to show the accomplishments and ongoing campaigns of the unit.

In his message to the Kampilan troopers, Maj. Gen. Rosario said, “We already gained grounds, but we should not rest on our laurels. We must be more motivated and persistent. Let us keep the ball rolling.”

Maj. Gen. Rosario, lauded the officers and personnel of the Joint Task Force Central/6th Infantry “Kampilan” Division for the numerous gains that greatly contributed to the overall accomplishment of the WestMinCom. “I am happy that we have the best officers and enlisted personnel who are fighting for peace here in central Mindanao. Just always stay safe and be COVID-free”.

He also reminded the troops that the accomplishment of the mandated task is not only for the country but also for the future. He ended his talk to the troops by encouraging them to always follow the concept of 5Ps – Plan, Prepare, Perform, Play, and Pray.

[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/afp-westmincom-commander-visits-jtf-central-in-maguindanao-lets-keep-the-ball-rolling/

Kalinaw News: WestMinCom Chief meets BARMM Chief Minister in Maguindanao

Posted to Kalinaw News (Oct 16, 2021): WestMinCom Chief meets BARMM Chief Minister in Maguindanao



Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City – The Commander of the AFP Western Mindanao Command Maj. Gen. Alfredo Rosario, Jr., paid a courtesy call to the Chief Minister, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao on October 14, 2021. As the newly installed commander of the military units in the western and central parts of Mindanao, which includes BARRM, Maj. Gen. Rosario, Jr. aims to establish a good relationship with all the local chief executives and stakeholders within the area.

Chief Minister Al-hajj Murad Ebrahim welcomed the WestMinCom Commander at his office located at the Office of the Chief Minister Bldg., BARMM Compound in Cotabato City, Maguindanao.

During their meeting, they discussed matters concerning peace and order and the development of the BARMM. Chief Minister Ebrahim thanked Maj. Gen. Rosario, Jr. for the military’s efforts to keep the communities safe and secured and for risking their lives to preempt the terror ploys of the malefactors. He also vowed to strengthen collaboration with the military in fighting terrorism and neutralizing lawless elements in the provinces under his jurisdiction.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Rosario, Jr. expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister for the unwavering support to the quest for lasting peace and sustainable development in the region. “Let us sustain this good relationship for our fellow Filipinos and our beloved country. By strengthening our collaboration and cooperation imbued with our commitment to serving the people, we will be able to stimulate tangible and invaluable outcomes in our common goal,” Maj. Gen. Rosario, Jr. further stated.

In his call to Chief Minister Murad, Maj. Gen. Rosario, Jr. was accompanied by the Command Staff.

[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/westmincom-chief-meets-barmm-chief-minister-in-maguindanao/

Hardships drive NPA rebel to surrender

 From Panay News (Oct 16, 2021): Hardships drive NPA rebel to surrender

Difficult conditions while being with the New People’s Army (NPA) prompted a rebel to voluntarily surrendered to the police and military in Tibiao, Antique on Oct. 13.

According to Ka Nonoy, 25, he was constantly hungry because there was not enough food.

He hardly had enough sleep, too, he said, and they did not have medicines to take when they got sick.

He also sorely missed his family, according to Ka Nonoy whose group, he said, operated in the central areas of Iloilo province.

His NPA group was F14, Squad 3 of Sentro de Gravidad Platoon Baloy 1, Central Front Committee of Komite Rehiyon Panay.

According to Ka Nonoy, he was recruited to the underground movement by a certain “Ka Mario” in 2017.

He was made to hold various posts – Finance and Logistics Officer, Assistant Squad Leader and Medical Officer.

He also admitted having participated in several clashes with government troops.

In June this year, Ka Nonoy decided to leave the group. He was encouraged by his family. He brought with him a .45 pistol with eight live ammunition.

The following helped facilitate Ka Nonoy’s safe surrender – Tibiao police station, Regional Intelligence Unit 6, Sebaste police station, 2nd Antique Police Mobile Force Company and the 31st Military Intelligence Company of the Philippine Army.

Ka Nonoy is currently in the custody of the Regional Intelligence Unit 6 for assessment, validation and documentation.

https://www.panaynews.net/hardships-drive-npa-rebel-to-surrender/

2 NPA leaders, 4 members yield; surrender firearms

From the Mindanao Times (Oct 16, 2021): 2 NPA leaders, 4 members yield; surrender firearms (BY RHODA GRACE SARON)

Photo courtesy of 58th Infantry Battalion

TWO COMMANDERS of the New People’s Army (NPA) and four other guerrillas were apprehended by the troops of the 58th Infantry Battalion in an operation conducted in Barangay Umagos, Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental on Oct. 14.

The military identified the leaders as Jemar C Hilogon, 28, platoon commander of Sub-Regional Committee 1 (SRC1), North Central Mindanao Regional Command (NCMRC), and a resident of Sitio Camanse, Barangay Banglay, Lagonglong; and Rubensito M Hilogon, 50, Militia ng Bayan commander at Barangay Talusan, Balingasag, and a resident of Cornao, Lagonglong and Jobert C Hilogon, alias Janggo, member of Militia ng Bayan.

Other apprehended personalities were Alice Calimhay Hilogon, from Sitio Camanse, Barangay. Banglay; Jocelyn Hilogon Cabusog, 50, from Cornao; and Alias Reve, 17, a resident of Sitio Roa-roa.

1Lt. Vincent Mark Maddul, civil-military operations officer of the 58IB, said the rebels violated the International Humanitarian Law in utilizing minors as child soldiers.

Maddul said the two NPA Leaders were considered high-value targets of Sub-Regional Committee 1 (SRC1), North Central Mindanao Regional Command (NCMRC). He added that the two were also on the list of the most wanted persons, and they had standing cases for kidnapping and serious illegal detention.

Hilogon also revealed to soldiers the location of their firearms at Sitio Roa-roa. Seized were high-powered firearms composed of an M14 rifle, Garand rifle, AK47 rifle, two rifle grenades, ten rounds of ammunition for AK45, ten rounds of 5.56MM, six rounds of ammunition for M14, and three cellular phones.

Lt. Col. Ricky L Canatoy, 58IB commander, said that the capture of the top leaders will be a major setback for the armed group. Canatoy said the SRC 1 is on the verge of collapsing, “and we’re looking at completely penetrating all the surviving commanders and destroying their forces.”

“So, to the remaining members, I implore you to return to the folds of the law right now. We guarantee your safety and that you will receive all benefits due to you under the government’s flagship program for rebel returnees,” he said.

The captured NPA members were then brought to the City Mobile Force Company, Maharlika, Cagayan de Oro City for proper disposition and filing of cases.

https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2021/10/16/2-npa-leaders-4-members-yield-surrender-firearms/

52 ex-rebels avail DTI assistance

From the Visayan Daily Star (Oct 16, 2021): 52 ex-rebels avail DTI assistance (BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN)

Mayor Renato Gustilo (left) turns over P6,000 worth of livelihood kits to a former member of the RPA-ABB, now known as KAPATIRAN.* San Carlos LGU photo

Fifty two former rebels in Negros Island have availed of livelihood kits from the Department of Trade and Industry, through its Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay program, which was separately distributed in San Carlos City, Negros Oriental, and Tanjay City, Negros Oriental.

The Negosyo Serbisyo Sa Barangay (LSP-NSB) is a program of DTI that allows a wider reach of business development assistance by bringing government services closer to the people through partnerships between local government units, government agencies.

DTI Region 7 director Nimfa Marcos-Virtucio said that each of the 20 former rebels in Negros Oriental received P8,000 worth of “negosyo kits”, in a press statement from the 302nd Infantry Brigade.

Mayor Renato Gustilo, assisted by representatives of the DTI and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPPAP), led the distribution of livelihood kits also to 32 members of the KAPATIRAN, formerly known as the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade, on October 13 at the covered court of Brgy. 3 in San Carlos City.

The beneficiaries availed of a P6,000 livelihood kit also from DTI.

Engiemar Tupas, Senior Trade Industry Development Specialist said that members of KAPATIRAN are very fortunate to have received livelihood kits as part of the agreement between OPAPP and the DTI.

OPAPP provincial coordinator Jason Encinares disclosed that the livelihood kits should be used for livelihood business and not for personal consumption, stressing also they will monitor the status of their business, to avail more livelihood assistance from government agencies.

Ma. Nova Sollesta, Local Economic Investment Promotion Officer of Negosyo Center, also said that San Carlos City government has been supporting the KAPATIRAN by providing members livelihood skills training.

As a member of the Negros Oriental Task Force-End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NOTF-ELCAC), the DTI-Negros Oriental puts focus on boosting the livelihood and business environment in the far-flung (ELCAC) barangays thereby prioritizing support to former rebels for them to go back to mainstream society and becoming productive citizens, Virtucio said.

DTI-Negros Oriental said it remains committed to the 10-Point Socioeconomic Agenda of the national government and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals to leave no one behind.

https://visayandailystar.com/52-ex-rebels-avail-dti-assistance/

5 NPA rebels surrender with guns

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 16, 2021): 5 NPA rebels surrender with guns (By Villamor Visaya, Jr.)

SURRENDERED. Five members of the New People’s Army surrendered together with three high-powered firearms in Ilagan City and Nueva Vizcaya on October 14 and 15, 2021. The surrenderers claimed they are tired of running and hiding from government forces. (Photo courtesy of 5thID photo)

CAMP MELCHOR F DELA CRUZ, Upi, Gamu, Isabela – Five members of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered together with three high-powered firearms in Ilagan City and Nueva Vizcaya on October 14 and 15, respectively, the military said Saturday.

Army Maj. Jekyll Julian Dulawan, 5th Infantry Division spokesperson, identified the surrenderers as alias Nethan, 29, squad leader; alias Gerber, 26, squad vice leader; alias Jazzel, 27, all of Squad Uno; alias Rey, 27, team leader of Squad Dos; alias Rod, 51, Giyang Pampulitika of Squad Tres; all are from the Regional Sentro de Grabidad (RSDG) of the Regional Operations Command under Komiteng Rehiyon-Cagayan Valley (KR-CV).

They all yielded to the troops of 95th Infantry Battalion (95IB) of the 502nd Infantry Brigade (502IBde), and the PNP-Ilagan City when they decided to flee from the communist group.

The returnees gave up an Elisco M16 rifle, a Bushmaster M16 rifle, an M-16 A1 rifle with one short magazine loaded with 15 rounds of live ammunition, and a cellphone. The recovered firearms and other items were immediately turned over to authorities for proper disposition.

In Nueva Vizcaya, alias Rod, medical officer of the West Front Committee-Komiteng Probinsya (KOMPROB) Cagayan, surrendered through the PNP Region 2 and National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA).

The surrenderers claimed they are “already tired of running and hiding away from government forces” and that they have “no more place to hide” since the people have been reportedly tipping off their presence or location to authorities.

Alias Rod warned young people not to engage themselves in any group or activities facilitated by communist groups. He also reminded the youth to focus on their studies rather than joining militant groups.

Lt. Col. Carlos Sangdaan, 95th Infantry Battalion commander, lauded the rebel surrenderers and thanked them for yielding themselves and laying down their arms.

Brig. Gen. Danilo Benavides, 502nd Infantry Brigade commander, assured the former rebels that the government “will do its best to deradicalize them” from the indoctrination of the communist rebels.

“I urge those who were deceived by the NPA to go down and surrender. The government is ready to help you live a new life with your family. Let us not engage in more bloodsheds," Police Brig. Gen. Steve Ludan, police regional director, said.

Maj. Gen. Laurence Mina, 5th Infantry Division commander, has appealed for other communist rebels to give up.

“We wish to achieve peace and progress with every Filipino. We want to walk as one united nation, in our journey towards peace and prosperity,” he said.

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-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/1156876