CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: Bakit nagkakapit-tuko ang mga Duterte sa Davao?

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis (Tagalog edition) posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Oct 26, 2021): Bakit nagkakapit-tuko ang mga Duterte sa Davao?

Lahat ng nakatatandang anak ni Rodrigo Duterte ay tumatakbo para maging upisyal ng Davao City sa eleksyong 2022. Mistulang ipinagpapalit ni Sara Duterte ang pagkakataong maging presidente para manatiling meyor ng syudad (bagaman inaabangan pa ang madramang pagbabagong-isip niya sa Nobyembre 15). Katambal niya ang isa niyang kapatid bilang bise, habang ang isa pa niyang kapatid ay tumatakbo pagkakongresista.

Sa nagdaang tatlo’t kalahating dekada, hari ng Davao City ang mga Duterte. At kung sila ang masusunod, hindi nila kailanman isusuko ang kanilang trono. Lalo na ngayon, sa harap ng pagbaha ng bilyun-bilyong pisong pondong bumubuhos sa Davao, asahan nang ito’y ipakikipagpatayan (o marami ang mamamatay sa utos) ng mga Duterte.

Mayor na bahagi nito ang bilyun-bilyong inilalaan at nakatakdang ilaan sa mga proyektong pang-imprastruktura na sinimulan sa ilalim pa ng kanilang amang si Rodrigo Duterte, at ang mas malalaki pang sisimulan sa susunod na mga taon.

Pinakamalaki sa mga ito ang Mindanao Railway Phase 1 na nagkakahalaga ng ₱82 bilyon. Maglalatag ang proyektong ito ng 105-kilometrong riles ng tren mula Tagum City sa Davao del Norte tungong Digos City sa Davao del Sur. Magkakaroon ito ng mga istasyon sa Carmen, Panabo Sta, Cruz at tatlo pa sa Davao City. Dalawampu’t dalawang barangay sa Davao City sa kabuuang 44 barangay sa anim na bayan ang masasagasaan ng proyekto.

Noong Setyembre 30, sinabi ng isang kinatawan ng Department of Transportation (DoTr) sa isang pagdinig sa Senado na walang pondo ang proyekto dahil hindi inaprubahan ng Department of Budget Management ang badyet para rito. Ayon naman sa isang upisyal ng DBM, nasa punto pa lamang ang proyekto ng paglilinis sa mga dadaanang komunidad o pagtatakda ng “right of way.” Ibig sabihin hindi pa napalalayas ang mga residente sa mga lupang target latagan ng riles at mga istasyon. “Slow moving” o mabagal umusad ang proyekto, ayon sa naturang upisyal.

Kagulat-gulat na sa kabila ng kawalan ng pondo, biglang inianunsyo noong Oktubre 20 ni Arthur Tugade, kalihim ng DoTr, ang pagbibigay ng ₱3 bilyong kontrata sa pagdidisenyo nito sa China Railway Design Corporation (CRDC). Ang CRDC ay isang kumpanya na nakaugnay sa China National Railways na isa namang ahensya ng gubyernong Chinese. Iginawad ang kontrata sa CRDC bilang “management consultant.” Ayon sa DoTr, buong popondohan ng utang mula sa gubyerno ng China ang kontrata ng CRDC. Nakataon ang pagpapautang sa panahong nagsisimula na ang kampanyang pang-eleksyon.

Bukod sa riles, nakatakda rin ang paglalatag ng isang dambuhalang haywey, ang 60-kilometrong Davao-Digos Expressway, sa halos parehong ruta. Mayroon namang hiwalay na proyekto ng pagtatayo ng tulay mula Davao patungo sa Samal Island na tinatayang magkakahalaga ng ₱23 bilyon. Parehong popondohan ng utang mula sa China at gagawin ng mga kumpanyang Chinese ang mga proyekto.

Dagdag sa dalawa, nasa proreso ng pagtatapos o katatapos lamang ang sumusunod na proyekto:

1) 2.3-kilometrong Davao City Bypass Construction Project na nagkakahalaga ng ₱28.26 bilyon. Sa kasalukuyan, pinopondohan ng ₱13.23 bilyong utang mula sa gubyerno ng Japan sa pamamagitan ng Japan International Cooperation Agency.

2) 18-21 kilometrong Davao City Coastal Road na nagkakahalaga ng ₱19.8 bilyon.

3) 55-kilometrong Davao City Metropolitan Bike Lane Network na nagkakahalaga ng ₱145.3 milyon o ₱2.6 milyon kada kilometro. Batay sa ulat ng Philippine News Agency, mas mahal ito nang mahigit ₱80,000 kada kilometro kumpara sa dalawa pang bike lane na itinayo sa parehong panahon (isa sa Metro Manila, isa sa Metro Cebu.)

[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/bakit-nagkakapit-tuko-ang-mga-duterte-sa-davao/

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: “Kulang-kulang, kayamot-yamot,” reaksyon sa imbestigasyon ng DOJ

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis (Tagalog edition) posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Oct 26, 2021): “Kulang-kulang, kayamot-yamot,” reaksyon sa imbestigasyon ng DOJ

Minaliit ng mga grupo ng mga nagtataguyod sa karapatang-tao at abugado ng mga biktima ng “gera sa droga” ng rehimeng Duterte ang inilabas ng Department of Justice na detalye ng pagrepaso nito sa 52 kaso ng pagpaslang na kinasangkutan ng mga tauhan ng Philippine National Police (PNP).

Ayon sa Public Interest Law Center, bagamat maituturing ang pagrepaso sa naturang mga kaso na isang “simula,” ito ay “kulang-kulang at kayamot-yamot, laluna sa mga kaanak ng mga biktima ng ‘gera kontra droga’.”

Inilabas ng DOJ ang naturang ulat noong Oktubre 20 kaugnay sa mga “iregularidad” sa mga operasyong isinagawa ng PNP at pag-abuso nito kapangyarihan. Bahagi ng inisyal na ulat ang 27 kaso sa Calabarzon, siyam sa Caraga, apat sa Cagayan Valley, tigdalawa sa Metro Manila at Northern Mindanao (2), at tig-isa sa Zamboanga Peninsula, Ilocos, Mimaropa, Bicol, Davao at Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Minaliit ng PILC ang pagrepasong ito ng DOJ. “Una,” anito, “ang DOJ ay may akses lamang sa mga rekord ng pulis na nakalagak sa Internal Affairs Service (IAS) nito. Ikalawa, ang mga kasong ito ay maaaring sinala na, at posibleng isa-isa nang pinili.”

Kinwestyon ng mga tagapagtanggol sa karapatang-tao ang naturang ulat dahil sa hindi pagsama sa mga kaso sa Central Luzon at pagrepaso lamang sa dalawang kaso sa Metro Manila kung saan pinakalaganap ang mga pagpaslang. Sa partikular, pinansin ng grupong Karapatan ang hindi pagrepaso ng DOJ sa mga kaso noong Agosot 15, 2016, ang tinaguriang “pinakamadugong araw” sa ilalim ng rehimeng Duterte kung saan 32 indibidwal ang pinaslang sa prubinsya ng Bulacan matapos umanong “manlaban” at 107 ang inaresto.

Ang naturang operasyon ay bahagi ng operasyong “Double Barrel” na sinimulan sa utos ng noo’y hepe ng PNP na si Gen. Bato dela Rosa. Ang operasyon sa Bulacan ay pinangunahan ni Brig. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr. na nagsilbing hepe ng pulisya sa prubinsya na kalaunan ay pinabuyaan ni Rodrigo Duterte ng promosyon.

Ayon pa kay Neri Colmenares, tagapangulo ng National Union of Peoples Lawyers, ang 52 kasong ito ay maliit na bahagi lamang ng napakaraming kaso ng iregularidad sa mga operasyong kontra droga. Aniya, maraming pang insidente ang kailangang palalimin para magkaroon ng mas malakas na mga kaso sa korte.

Ayon sa konserbatibong taya ng Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency noong nakaraang buwan, umabot na sa 6,191 indibidwal ang pinaslang ng mga pulis sa mga “operasyong kontra droga,” mula Hulyo 1, 2016 hanggang Agosto 31, 2021, habang 307,521 naman ang inaresto. Hindi pa kasama dito ang pinaslang ng mga grupong vigilante at death squad ng rehimen. Sa kabuuan, tinatayang aabot sa mahigit 30,000 ang biktima na mga pamamaslang ng mga pulis at mga armadong grupong suportado ng estado.

[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/kulang-kulang-kayamot-yamot-reaksyon-sa-imbestigasyon-ng-doj/

CPP/NDF-PKM-Southern Mindanao: No, sir, the peasantry refuses to be mere bells and whistles or milking cows in your counterinsurgency war

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Oct 26, 2021): No, sir, the peasantry refuses to be mere bells and whistles or milking cows in your counterinsurgency war

Restituto Baguer

Spokesperson

Pambansang Katipunan ng mga Magbubukid-Southern Mindanao

NDF-Southern Mindanao

National Democratic Front of the Philippines

October 26, 2021

The much-ballyhooed formation and federation of “people’s organizations” or POs by the 10th Infantry Division are mere bells and whistles at best and milking cows at worst for us peasants, peasant workers and Lumad in Southern Mindanao. These POs simply do not solve our perennial problem of landlessness and semifeudal exploitation, made worse by Duterte’s land use conversion for monocrop plantations, large mining tenements and agro-tourism and infrastructure projects.

We see through the lip service of the 10th ID and the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), and reject their senseless eureka proclamations that they have unearthed the key to defeating the armed revolutionary movement in the region.

In Southern Mindanao, especially in Paquibato, Calinan and Toril in Davao City; in Sta. Cruz and Bansalan in Davao del Sur; in Tagum City, Panabo City, Talaingod, Kapalong and Asuncion in Davao del Norte; in Maragusan, Compostela, Monkayo, Montevista and Mawab in Davao de Oro; in Mati City, San Isidro, Banay-banay, Tarragona, and Manay in Davao Oriental, thousands of peasant families continue to be displaced to make way for the expansion of banana, oil palm and other plantations. In many instances, these “people’s organizations” have made it easy for greedy companies to encroach on lands once cultivated with rice, corn, vegetables and other food crops.

In particular, the erstwhile farmer associations and worker unions of Maragusan town, whose civilian farmers, farm workers and plantation workers were forced by the AFP’s retooled community support program (RCSP) to surrender as either NPA fighters or sympathizers, have now been rendered powerless to stop the expansion of banana expansions under more and more oppressive agri-ventures agreements. Companies find it much more financially-viable to encroach on other areas rather than rehabilitate the land already ravaged by decades of monocrop plantations. As a result, poor farmers are forcibly pushed further into hinterland areas in order to farm and make a living.

The Duterte regime is likewise aggressive in its bid to displace us from our land to make way for large scale mining, with over 37,000 hectares already tied to mineral production sharing agreements (MPSA) and one million hectares more queued for application since 2017. Talaingod and Pantaron mountain range have been pledged to mining and agro-tourism investments, hence the relentless all-out war campaign of the AFP against the Lumad in the area. POs such as those initiated by the AFP have become stamping pads for the incursion of these destructive projects.

Moreover, officials in several villages marked to receive the P20-million barangay development program (BDP) bounty in North Cotabato, Bukidnon and Davao del Norte disclosed that AFP officers have been blackmailing them to withhold the fund unless they agree to issue persona non grata declarations, have their residents or PO members report regularly or host RCSP troops within their communities. Some have also noted that projects in line with the BDP, which were supposedly requested by POs, were in fact redundancies of existing or earmarked projects by their local or provincial government. Investigation into these profiteering schemes of the AFP must be exposed and investigated.

While revolutionary mass organizations are established to empower peasants and the Lumad to assert their socio-economic and political rights, the AFP, by its own admission, establishes so-called people’s organizations in order to defeat the revolutionary movement. Genuine agrarian reform and self-determination are of no importance to the enemy.

These POs have no program whatsoever to dismantle the big landlord’s stranglehold in our economic lives, freely distribute land to those of us who have no land to till or provide comprehensive financial and material assistance to raise production. They have no campaign to increase the farmgate prices of our produce, lower post-harvest costs of services such as drying, milling, and the like or outlaw exploitative usury. In short, these AFP-established POs are as useful to peasants as a sprinkle of water is to a parched piece of land.

It is becoming more and more obvious to us peasants that the infrastructure and livelihood projects and “capacity-building and peace-building seminars” being shoved into our throats are being used solely to affect the semblance of success in the AFP’s counterinsurgency drive or else as a blatant money-making scheme to line the pockets of their officials.

To the AFP spin doctors who keep claiming they can defeat the revolutionary armed movement in the region by yearend because of their spurious people’s organizations, we say: No sir, not in our name.

https://cpp.ph/statements/no-sir-the-peasantry-refuses-to-be-mere-bells-and-whistles-or-milking-cows-in-your-counterinsurgency-war/

CPP/Regional Publication: Botad | October 2021

Regional propaganda publication posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Oct 26, 2021): Botad | October 2021

Botad

Publications

Regions

October 26, 2021

Download here
Iloco: PDF

https://cpp.ph/2021/10/26/botad-october-2021/

MILF: Bangsamoro Youth participates on peace and security consultation

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (Oct 23, 2021): Bangsamoro Youth participates on peace and security consultation (By Muhammad Musa, Luwaran)



Cotabato City — At least 40 youth leaders coming from Maguindanao, Cotabato City and 63 barangays of North Cotabato participated in the three-day Regional and Provincial Youth, Peace and Security Consultations in Koronadal City organized by the Bangsamoro Youth Commission of BARMM and the
Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPPAP), with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The consultation started Tuesday, Oct. 19, and ends on Thursday, Oct. 21. The data gathered in the consultation will be included in the formulation of National and Regional Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security (NAP-YPS and RAP-YPS).

BYC Chairperson Marjanie Macasalong has urged the participants to exert their efforts in laying down their meaningful recommendations and insights in order to provide contextualized contribution to the YPS formulation.

“Peacebuilding and Security is one of Bangsamoro Government’s youth priority area with the goal to capture the BARMM [Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao] youth to participate in promoting human security, inclusive disengagement and reintegration programs, and prevention from association with armed groups,” Chairperson Macasalong added.

The youth of Sulu and Basilan underwent similar consultation in August this year. Last week, the youth from Lanao del Sur and Marawi City attended their provincial consultation. Later this month, the youth of Tawi-Tawi will participate in a similar gathering that will complete the five-province cycle of consultation in the region.

On December 9, 2015, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2250 (UNSCR 2250), a ground-breaking resolution on Youth, Peace and Security which recognizes that “young people play an important and positive role in the maintenance and promotion of international peace and security”.

This landmark resolution urges Member States to give youth a greater voice in decision-making at the local, national, regional and international levels and to consider setting up mechanisms that would enable young people to participate meaningfully in peace processes.

Being a member of the UN, the Philippines through the OPPAP will lead in formulating the NAP-YPS.

BYC Commissioner Nasserudin Dunding for Maguindanao, Cotabato City and 63 barangays of North Cotabato has emphasized that the youth’s localized perspective of peace and security is crucial in the government’s formulation of NAP-YPS.

Commissioner Dunding added the NAP-YPS will outline the country’s YPS agenda based on the recommendations from consultations, which serve as a platform for young peace advocates to further strengthen their capacities in building a culture of peace and conflict sensitivity and mobilize a youth constituency to support the peace processes.

The NAP-YPS also aims to guide both policymakers and service-providers in integrating and adopting the action points in the formulation and implementation of policies and programs that will address or contribute to addressing the needs articulated by the youth.

[Luwaran is the official online publication of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Committee on Information, MILF Central Committee]

https://www.luwaran.com/news/article/2398/bangsamoro-youth-participates-on-peace-and-security-consultation

MILF: BARMM sets special eligibility for Madaris teachers

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (Oct 22, 2021): BARMM sets special eligibility for Madaris teachers


MBHTE-BARMM Minister Mohagher Iqbal. (File photo courtesy of BIO-BARMM)

COTABATO CITY (MAY 20, 2021)– Teachers in Madaris (Islamic schools) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) can hold permanent positions in the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) once they pass the ministry’s special eligibility examinations.

MBHTE Minister Mohagher Iqbal said Thursday this is one of the salient provisions of the recently approved Bangsamoro Education Code (BEC) by the 80-member Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), the region‘s interim lawmaking body.

“This is a test of autonomy given to the BARMM on the issue of Mudarris (Islamic teachers) that we can decide on our own,” said MBHTE Minister and Member of Parliament Mohagher Iqbal.

Iqbal said Section 104 of the BEC provides that the MBHTE shall develop and administer special qualifying examinations for permanent appointment to Mudarris positions in the ministry.

In coordination with the Civil Service Commission (CSC) for BARMM, he said the MBHTE will grant special licenses to those who passed the exam, provided that the granted eligibility shall only qualify the appointee to permanent appointment to Mudarris and shall not be considered as a substitute to second level eligibility unless authorized by the national CSC office.

Graduates with Latin honors from a recognized university or institution of higher learning in Arabic and/or Islamic studies, whether local or international, may be exempted from the special qualifying exams and shall be deemed to have met the eligibility requirement for permanent appointment to Mudarris positions, subject to applicable civil service rules on granting honor graduate eligibility.

“Consultation with the CSC revealed the possibility of granting of special eligibility for as long as a law or legal basis is allowing it, thus the provision on the BEC,” Iqbal said.

He said the Mudarris is not one of the professions being regulated by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and is not covered by Republic Act No. 1080 or the act declaring the bar and board examinations as civil service examinations.

Iqbal further said that Section 18, Article 9 of the Bangsamoro Organic Law mandates the promulgation of qualification standards for Madaris teachers, and for this purpose, the MBHTE shall propose the qualification standard subject to the approval of the CSC.

Moreover, MBHTE said all Madrasah schoolteachers in the Bangsamoro must have subject mastery and pedagogical competence and must possess good personality and social and interpersonal skills.

MBHTE also requires that teachers must also have the capacity to address the needs of learners with special needs.

[Luwaran is the official online publication of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Committee on Information, MILF Central Committee]

https://www.luwaran.com/news/article/2399/barmm-sets-special-eligibility-for-madaris-teachers

MILF: UN, BARMM enhance social protection in Bangsamoro

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (Oct 17, 2021): UN, BARMM enhance social protection in Bangsamoro (By Alexander Iskandar, Luwaran)


Bangsamoro Government Center, Cotabato City (PNA File photo)

Cotabato City – A social protection program being implemented by the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), is being enhanced to strengthen social protection in the region, Philippine News Agency said in its report, October 13.

Under the program, the BARMM and FAO-U.N. will provide technical support to the development of a system for identifying the most vulnerable and at-risk population.

The Joint Programme on Shock-Responsive Social Protection (JPSRSP) builds on social protection programs implemented by the BARMM to ease poverty in the region.

Launched in 2020, the JPSRSP addresses the risks and vulnerabilities that the Bangsamoro people, especially the poorest, most vulnerable and marginalized, face in times of natural and human-induced disasters that perpetuate the cycle of poverty, the PNA report said.

BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim in a news release on Wednesday said that, “This is the essence of a ‘risk-informed shock responsive social protection system’ which the BARMM is reinforcing in partnership with UN agencies,” said Gustavo Gonzalez, United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in the Philippines”.

“The JPSRSP enhances BARMM’s existing social protection systems to better target and deliver assistance before and immediately after a crisis becomes a full blown disaster,” he added.

The JPSRSP focuses on three key interventions, which include mainstreaming risk-informed shock responsive social protection in the Bangsamoro Development Plan (BRDP); building capacity of BARMM institutions to analyze and monitor both natural and human-induced risks and improve synergy; and improving the poverty registry system to include risk and hazard vulnerability assessments, predictive analytics, inclusive targeting and effective monitoring.”

One year since it started, the JP worked with the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) which was then starting to lay down the design of its own poverty and disaster registry.

MSSD is designing the registry to provide more comprehensive information about the situation of households and considers the context of the BARMM region. UNICEF provided technical support on the poverty registry instruments and management information systems.

Vulnerability Risk Assessment and Mapping (VRAM) is being undertaken to map out the vulnerabilities of BARMM communities and to identify the types of risks and how these risks affect the welfare of the marginalized population and their livelihoods.

FAO, in partnership with the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) and the Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO), will survey 1,680 households across BARMM, including the Special Geographic Areas.

The overlay of this information allows BARMM to design risk-informed and shock responsive social protection that is well-targeted and relevant to the different contexts of the region.

In addition, together with the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA), FAO reviewed the Bangsamoro Investment Development Plan to provide a training platform for key Ministries in making and implementing relevant policies.

In addition, the JPSRSP complemented the government’s Covid-19 response by providing emergency cash transfers to 1,800 poor families who were excluded from Social Amelioration Program (SAP) and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

The joint program’s innovations have generated interest from development partners to scale up and sustain its gains.

The Australian government is providing additional resources to upscale this joint program to build on and expand the work, particularly in enhancing BARMM’s cash delivery systems, by supporting relevant initiatives on cash transfer beneficiary database management systems and providing emergency cash transfers, PNA report added.

The scaling up also allows for more engagement in other forms of social protection, beyond cash transfers that are compatible with BARMM’s social protection landscape, such as agriculture and asset insurance, PNA also said in its report.

[Luwaran is the official online publication of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Committee on Information, MILF Central Committee]

https://www.luwaran.com/news/article/2397/un--barmm-enhance-social-protection-in-bangsamoro

Kalinaw News: Naval Exercise “Pagsisikap 2021” commences

Posted to Kalinaw News (Oct 26, 2021): Naval Exercise “Pagsisikap 2021” commences



Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City – October 26, 2021

The Naval Exercise “Pagsisikap 2021” spearheaded by the Naval Forces Western Mindanao officially commenced on Monday, October 25, 2021. It is a 5-day exercise that will be conducted in the littoral areas and seawaters off Basilan and Sulu.

Maj. Gen. Alfredo Rosario, Jr., Commander of Western Mindanao Command presided over the opening ceremony held at Naval Station Romulo Espaldon, Bagong Calarian, this city. He was joined by Rear Admiral Toribio Adaci, Jr., Commander of Naval Forces Western Mindanao; Col. Adolfo Albalate, Deputy Commander for Marine Operations; Captain Alan Javier, Deputy Commander for Fleet Operations; Captain Archibald Dino Delfin, Commander of the Naval Installation and Facilities; and the Command Staff of WestMinCom.

In his message, Maj. Gen. Rosario, Jr. lauded the leadership of Naval Forces Western Mindanao for facilitating the conduct of the exercise. “This exercise will enhance the skills of our navy troops particularly in performing their mandates during the conduct of naval operations here in the south,” he said.

Highlights of the exercise will be the firing of a Spike-ER missile from a Multi-Purpose Attack Craft (MPAC) on a makeshift floating target at sea, the daring amphibious landing of MARU forces to seize control of an island, and the several at-sea events to test the mettle of our Navy’s warships and crew.

“The Philippine Navy through NFWM will showcase the capability of the Fleet-Marine concept in the planning and execution of naval and amphibious operations in the littoral battlespace. The exercise will also include activities that will highlight the integral role of inter-agency collaboration in the conduct of maritime and naval operations,” Capt. Javier, the Exercise Director stated.

According to Rear Admiral Adaci, Jr., the naval exercise aims to test wartime and peacetime doctrines in the conduct of amphibious operations, maritime interdiction operations, surveillance and reconnaissance of the maritime areas, civil-military operations, and a host of other traditional and non-traditional naval operations.

[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/naval-exercise-pagsisikap-2021-commences/

Kalinaw News: Female former rebel reunites with family during birthday in Bukidnon

Posted to Kalinaw News (Oct 26, 2021): Female former rebel reunites with family during birthday in Bukidnon



IMPASUGONG, BUKIDNON – An emotional former CPP-NPA Terrorist (CNT) celebrated her birthday with her family after months of being away inside the camp of the 8th Infantry “Dependable” Battalion, Philippine Army in Impasugong, Bukidnon last October 19, 2021.

Ludy Han-ayan, alias Dian, a former medic of Regional Sentro De Grabedad, Compaq, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee, embraced her parents, Jun Han-ayan alias Lumot and Carren Han-ayan alias Kimmy, both former members of Sub-section Guerilla Unit, Headquarters Loader, Sub-regional Committee, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee, and her brother after seven (7) months of being a CNT. They happily celebrated alias Dian’s birthday while sharing a simple meal.

Alias Dian emotionally said, “Dako akong kalipay nga nakita nako akoang pamilya sa adlaw pa gyud sa akoang natawhan. Wala ako magdahom magkita pa kami sa akong pamilya tungod sa nahitabo sa akoa didto sa kabukiran. Mapasalamaton usab ako sa kasundalohan sa tabang nga gihatag nila kanako.” (I am very happy to be reunited with my family especially on my birthday. I wasn’t expecting to see them after what happened to me in the mountains. I am very thankful to the soldiers for the assistance that they have given me.)

LTC Edgardo Talaroc Jr, Commander 8IB, said “Kami nalipay nga nahimong kompleto ang pamilya ni alias Dian sa adlaw’ng natawhan niya. Kini ang usa sa among buot makab-ot nga mahimong makompleto, mabuhing malinawon ug malipayon ang pamilya nga nabungkag tungod sa pagpahimulos ug pagpangrekrut sa Communist Terrorist Group (CTG).” (We are happy that alias Dian’s family is complete during her birthday. This is one of our goals – to complete families and have them live peaceful and happy lives, which were taken away from them because of the exploitation and recruitment of the CTG.)

It can be recalled that alias Dian, surrendered to the 43rd Division Reconnaissance Company last September 23, 2021, after sustaining gunshot wounds on her left knee at Brgy. Bontongon, Impasugong, Bukidnon. She was airlifted and was brought to Camp Evangelista Station Hospital to be treated. She was discharged last October 18.

[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/female-former-rebel-reunites-with-family-during-birthday-in-bukidnon/

Kalinaw News: Minor former rebel peacefully celebrates 17th birthday in Bukidnon

Posted to Kalinaw News (Oct 26, 2021): Minor former rebel peacefully celebrates 17th birthday in Bukidnon



IMPASUGONG, BUKIDNON – A minor former CPP-NPA Terrorist (CNT) peacefully celebrated her 17th birthday with her family inside the camp of the 8th Infantry “Dependable” Battalion, Philippine Army in Impasugong, Bukidnon last October 17, 2021.

According to Diden Landasan alias Ana/Sun, 43 years old, the former Finance Officer of Guerilla Front 89, Sub-Regional Committee 2, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee, her daughter Yassi just turned 17 last October 17, and they were able to celebrate as a family after their surrender.

“Nalipay kay kung wala pami ni naog, dili gayod kani mahitabo nga maka celebrate kami og birthday ni Yassi. Kay kaniadtong niaging tuig nga anaa pami sa sulod sa kalihukan igo lamang tawon kami ga sugba ug ilaga nga duha kabuok ug nag gulay,” Diden added (We are happy because if we did not surrender, we will not be able to celebrate Yassi’s birthday. Last year, when we were still CNTs, we were just able to grill two (2) mice and eat vegetables.)

Yassi also happily said, “Nalipay tungod kay adunay handa, dili parehas didto sa bukid nga taga birthday wala gyud handa. Karon mao kini ang first nga naka celebrate ako og balik sa akong birthday nga puno sa kalipay.” (I am happy because now we have a celebration, unlike in the mountains, wherein every birthday there’s no celebration. This is the first time that I was able to celebrate my birthday full of happiness.)

LTC Edgardo Talaroc Jr, Commander 8IB, said “Ang pamilya ang pinaka importanteng tawo sa kinabuhi sa usa ka indibidwal ug sila ang buot natong maka-uban sa atong adlaw’ng natawhan. Kami nalipay nga pinaagi sa ilang pagbalik sa sabakan sa gobyerno, ang pamilyang Landasan nakasinati nga maka selebrar nga malipayon ug malinawon.” (Family is the most important part in the life of a person. They are the ones who we want to celebrate our birthdays with. We are happy that through their return to the folds of the law, the Landasan family was able to celebrate happily and peacefully.)

“Among handum nga daghan pang pamilya ang atong matabangan nga aron sila masalbar gikan sa pagpahimulos ug pagpangrekrut sa mga Communist Terrorist Group (CTG),” Talaroc ended. (We are hoping that we will be able to help more families and save them from the CTG’s exploitation and recruitment.)

It can be recalled that alias Yassi surrendered together with her parents Diden and Ronald Landasan, and her pregnant sister Honey Mae last October 1, 2021.

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

https://www.kalinawnews.com/minor-former-rebel-peacefully-celebrates-17th-birthday-in-bukidnon/

Kalinaw News: 12 Former Rebels receive additional cash assistance from the government in Bukidnon

Posted to Kalinaw News (Oct 26, 2021): 12 Former Rebels receive additional cash assistance from the government in Bukidnon



IMPASUGONG, BUKIDNON – As promised by the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Bukidnon province, 12 former CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs) under the care of the 8th Infantry “Dependable Battalion, Philippine Army were given additional cash assistance at the Governor’s office, provincial capitol grounds, Malaybalay City last October 22, 2021.

Hon. Jose Maria Zubiri, the Provincial Governor of Bukidnon, personally handed to the former rebels (FRs) a cheque amounting to PhP 25,000.00 each. The said FRs were among the 30 former CNTs presented during the “Presentation of Former Rebels (FRs) and Surrendered Firearms” program last October 12, 2021.

According to the pregnant Honey Mae Landasan, alias Jana/Bea/Nea, 21 years old, a former medic of Guerilla Front 89, Sub-Regional Committee 2, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee, “Mapasalamaton ako sa tabang nga gihatag sa gobyerno kanako ilabi na sa akong kahimtang karon nga usa ako ka mabdos. Dako kini ug katabang isip pagsugod sa akoang bag-ong kinabuhi ug pagpangandam sa akoang mamahimong anak.” (I am very thankful to the assistance given by the government especially that I am pregnant. This will help me start a new life and prepare for my future child.)

LTC Edgardo Talaroc Jr, Commander 8IB, expressed, “Kanunay natong ginapasalamatan ang kaabag nato nga mao ang lokal nga panggamhanan sa Bukidnon tungod sa ilang walay puas nga tabang nga ginahatag sa mga kanhing rebelde. Kini dakong ebidensya nga tinuod ang gobyerno sa iyang saad nga bag-ong kinabuhi alang sa mga nabiktima sa Communist Terrorist Group (CTG). Padayun namong panawagan mao ang pagkanaug sa mga nahibilin pang mga CNT ug ang pagpili nila sa kinabuhing malipayon ug malinawon.”

(We thank our peace and development partner, the local government unit of Bukidnon, for their untiring support to the FRs. This only goes to show that the government is true to its promise to provide a new life to those who were exploited by the CTG. We continue to call upon the remaining CNTs to chose a life that is joyful and peaceful.)

It can be recalled that last October 12, the said FRs received PhP 25,000.00 each from the Bukidnon LGU, PhP 10,000.00 each from the DSWD-10 as well as hygiene kits, sacks of rice, food packs, kitchen utensils, and sleeping kits.

[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/12-former-rebels-receive-additional-cash-assistance-from-the-government-in-bukidnon/

Kalinaw News: Former 3ID Staff Officer now 9ID Commander visits Camp Peralta

Posted to Kalinaw News (Oct 26, 2021): Former 3ID Staff Officer now 9ID Commander visits Camp Peralta



CAMP PERALTA, Jamindan, Capiz – MGen Henry Robinson Jr., the Commander of the Army’s 9th Infantry Division, visits Camp General Macario Peralta Jr, the home of the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division, on Monday, October 25, 2021.

The Spearhead Troopers warmly welcomed MGen Robinson through traditional military arrival honors led by MGen Benedict Arevalo, Commander, 3ID.

MGen Robinson was a former Intelligence Officer of 302nd Infantry Brigade and Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence of 3ID.

MGen Robinson paid a courtesy call to MGen General Arevalo and reached out to other Division staff officers as part of his visit.

In his customary moment with the Spearhead Troopers dubbed as “Talk to Personnel,” MGen Robinson revealed that he is deeply honored to be back in 3ID, where he spent his early staff duties.

He admitted that 3ID served as one of his strong foundations in military service and brought with him to 9ID the lessons that the Spearhead Division taught him, especially when it comes to leadership.

“Indeed, there are lots of lessons that I’ve learned during my stint here in 3ID that helped and molded me to become who I am today,” MGen Robinson said.

For his part, MGen Arevalo expressed gratitude to MGen Robinson for visiting his former unit and spending time with his former comrades.

“We are privileged to be visited by one of the best generals of the Armed Forces of the Philippines who never forget to spend time and get in touch with his former home and subordinates,” MGen Arevalo said.

The 9ID Commander is accomplished and seasoned combat and intelligence officer. He is a proud member of the Philippine Military Academy “HINIRANG” Class of 1987.

[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/former-3id-staff-officer-now-9id-commander-visits-camp-peralta/

Kalinaw News: 22 FRs surrender, turn over 6 firearms

Posted to Kalinaw News (Oct 26, 2021): 22 FRs surrender, turn over 6 firearms



CAMP DOWNES, Ormoc City, October 25, 2021– The Carigara Integrated Peace and Development Workers Association (CIPDWA) facilitated the mass surrender of twenty-two (22) CPP-NPA-NDF regulars, BOP (Batakang Organisayon sa Partido) members, and mass supporters at Carigara Municipal Hall in a simple ceremony at 10:30 o’clock in the morning. The 22 surrenderers were presented by Ltc Arnold Lozada, the Commanding Officer of 93IB, to the Mayor and Chairman of Carigara Municipal Task Force – ELCAC.

Of the 22 surrenderers, four were CPP-NPA-NDF regulars, four were members of Batakang Organisayon sa Partido (BOP) and 14 were mass supporters coming from the nine hinterland barangays of Carigara, Leyte, namely: Lower Sogod, Hiluctogan, Caghalo, Rubas, San Ignacio, Libo, Canlampay, Tinaguban and Binibihan. The surrenderers likewise turned over four Cal .45 pistols with one magazine each, one Cal .45 Thompson submachine gun, one homemade/modified Cal .30 Springfield rifle, and cpp-npa-ndf produced books and subversive materials.

The mass surrender was a result of the collaborative efforts of the Carigara Integrated Peace and Development Workers Association (CIPDWA), 802Bde, and 93IB. The CIPDWA is composed of former CPP-NPA-NDF regular members, BOP, YM, and mass supporters who are now partners of Municipal Task Force ELCAC of Carigara.

As a gesture of their sincere act of returning to the folds of the law, the surrenderers took their oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines before the Chairperson of Municipal Task Force ELCAC of Carigara, Mayor Eduardo C Ong Sr. in the presence of BGen Zosimo A. Oliveros, Commander, 802Bde, 8ID, Philippine Army, Ltc Arnold Lozada, Commanding Officer, 93IB, PNP personnel from Carigara MPO and Carigara LGU.

According to alias Nonoy (true name withheld for security reasons), a former regular npa member, they decided to surrender because, “nakit-an man gud namon nga tinuod an serbisyo han gobyerno ha amon barangay” (we already felt the sincerity of the government in bringing various services to their barangays). ”Peaceful naman gud an amon panginabuhi, amo nga diri na namon karuyag nga masungpayan pa utro han amon dati nga mga kaupod nga karuyag na liwat magrekober pinaagi ha pag-organisa ha amon kumo mga masa nga parag-suporta ha mga npa ha barangay” (We also experienced a relatively peaceful environment that they want to maintain, hence they no longer want to be reconnected with their former comrades who are now attempting to recover their former mass base supporters), alyas Nonoy added.

Mayor Eduardo C. Ong Sr. extended cash assistance and distributed food packs to the surrenderers. In his message, he stressed that the surrender of 22 of his constituents is a big boost to the peace and order campaign in the municipality. He also pointed out that as the chief executive of the municipality, he is ready to help those who want to surface as he believed that these former NPA members and mass supporters were only deceived and used to support CPP-NPA-NDF terrorist movement. He also exhorted the surrenderers who are now members of the IPDWA to continue to help in convincing their comrades who are still at large and hiding in the mountains to go down and join the mainstream of our society.

Brigadier General Zosimo A Oliveros, Commander of 802Bde, 8ID, PA expressed his thanks and congratulated the 22 surrenderers for abandoning the hard, violent and perilous life imposed upon them by the CPP-NPA-NDF. He also commended the effort of the troops of 93IB and recognized the role played by the MTF-ELCAC of Carigara that paved the way for the successful return of the FRs to mainstream society.

And lastly, he enjoined the 22 FRs to play a key role in the whole of nation approach to win the peace by making the people aware of the true color and character of the duplicitous CPP-NPA-NDF and their front organizations.

[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/22-frs-surrender-turn-over-6-firearms/

No Halloween truce between gov’t, NPA

From Panay News (Oct 26, 2021): No Halloween truce between gov’t, NPA (By Ruby Silubrico)

ILOILO City – Operations against the New People’s Army (NPA) would be intensified despite the observance of “Fiesta Minatay”, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“It’s business as usual,” said Army Major General Benedict Arevalo, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), and Police Brigadier General Rolando Miranda, director of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6).

“We have to be alert,” Arevalo told Panay News. “Huwag nating pabayaan ang ating mga detachments and officers kasi ang kalaban natin ay traidor.”

More soldiers were deployed to the 1st District of Iloilo to augment the police, he said.

On the other hand, Miranda sees no reason to back down, especially following Sunday’s explosion of two improvised explosive devices in barangays Mayang and Jolason in Tubungan, Iloilo.

Two policemen were injured.

Members of the NPA’s Southern Front Committee, Komiteng Rehiyon Panay were tagged as the culprits.

“Their atrocities showed they were upset about the police’s presence. They do not want a peaceful and progressive community. What they are doing simply shows they are weak and desperate,” Miranda said.

PRO-6 also sent more policemen to Tubungan.

Miranda commended the “courageous” police force.

“The PNP will not cease to perform its mandate to maintain security and peace and order,” Miranda said.

“We are urging them (NPA) not to cause disorder that will affect the civilians in their pursuit of harming the government forces,” he added.

The wounded cops, Police Corporal Genel Simpas of the 1st Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company and Patrolman Jessie Castamado, are now safe and recovering at the Western Visayas Medical Center.

Meanwhile, Police Colonel Roderick Alba, PNP spokesperson, said Police General Guillermo Eleazar has no order yet for a ceasefire, although he alerted all personnel in the country to remain vigilant.

“We continue our work and secure all cemeteries this ‘Undas’,” Alba said.

https://www.panaynews.net/no-halloween-truce-between-govt-npa/

NPA to use bomb attack in Iloilo as leverage to extort from 2022 bets: PNP

From ABS-CBN (Oct 26, 2021): NPA to use bomb attack in Iloilo as leverage to extort from 2022 bets: PNP

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday said the bomb attack that left two policemen wounded in Iloilo was a strategy by the New People’s Army (NPA) to show force ahead of the 2022 elections.

“The NPA attack that resulted [in] the wounding of two of our policemen is certainly a strategy being employed to make it appear that they are still strong and eventually use as a leverage for their extortion activities to candidates for the next year’s election,” PNP chief General Guillermo Eleazar said.

Eleazar said he has directed all unit commanders to be on alert and intensify operations against the NPA to prevent the rebel group from extorting money, recruiting members and sowing violence.

READ: 16 alleged NPA fighters killed in Eastern Samar town

Eleazar said the wounded policemen, Patrolman Jessie Castamado and Police Cpl. Genel Simpas, were among personnel of the Iloilo Police Mobile Force Company harassed by the rebel group's Southern Front Komite, Komiteng Rehiyon Panay at their base area in Barangay Mayang in the town of Tubungan.

A shootout followed but the rebel group detonated two improvised explosive device that wounded the two cops, he said.

The wounded cops were taken to the Rep. Pedro Trono Memorial District Hospital and are in stable condition.

“We assure the two policemen who were injured in the Iloilo attack of our full assistance for their full recovery. I am also expecting that our local police forces in the area will intensify their follow-up operations to hold those responsible accountable,” Eleazar said.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/26/21/pnp-intensifies-ops-after-npa-bomb-attack-in-iloilo

Groups of ex-rebels in S. Leyte to aid gov’t drive vs. NPA

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 26, 2021): Groups of ex-rebels in S. Leyte to aid gov’t drive vs. NPA (By Sarwell Meniano)

FIGHT VS. NPA. The induction of officers of a federation of former rebels association in Southern Leyte during an event in Saint Bernard town on Sunday. The commitment of five groups of former rebels to help in the fight against insurgency will contribute to the local government’s sustained efforts in completely wiping out the communist terrorist group in the province, the military said on Tuesday (Oct. 26, 2021). (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army)

The commitment of five groups of former rebels to help in the fight against insurgency will contribute to the local government’s sustained efforts in completely wiping out the New People's Army (NPA) in Southern Leyte province, the military said on Tuesday.

The Philippine Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade reported that officers of 156-member Southern Leyte Tandaya Integrated Peace and Development Workers Federation (SLTIPDWF) were formally inducted on Oct. 24 in Saint Bernard town by the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF ELCAC) Board Member Rolando Bacoy, representing Governor Damian Mercado.

Rodrigo Burlaza, the federation president, encouraged his fellow former rebels to continue supporting the programs of the government against armed struggle.

The inducted officers of SLTIPDWF were elected by the general membership from five Integrated Peace and Development Workers Associations (IPDWAs) in the towns of Silago, Hinunangan, Sogod, Saint Bernard, and Bontoc, all in Southern Leyte.

Brig. Gen. Zosimo Oliveros, commander of the Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade, said the induction strengthened the collaboration between the workers association and the task force ELCAC at the village, municipal, and provincial levels.

“Since the creation of the IPDWAs in the five towns, the organization has already worked and facilitated the surfacing of 26 former NPA fighters and mass organizations members in Southern Leyte. This contributed much in the prevention of recovery efforts of the areas that were once considered as NPA mass base,” Oliveros said.

Due to the active involvement of the IPDWA, it is expected that more rebels will surface in the coming days, according to Oliveros.

“We assure the former rebels that the Philippine Army will work for their welfare and benefits in collaboration with regional, provincial, municipal and barangay Task Forces to End Local Communist Armed Conflict,” the Army official added.

The 156 federation members in Southern Leyte are former NPA fighters, Yunit Militia members, Batakang Organisasyon sa Partido members, and mass supporters.

They surrendered to the government between 2019 to 2021 when the government strengthened the whole-of-nation approach against armed conflict.

The Communist Party of the Philippines (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/1157818

97th Infantry Battalion gets new commander

 Posted to the Sun Star-Zamboanga (Oct 26, 2021): 97th Infantry Battalion gets new commander

ZAMBOANGA. The Army's 1st Infantry Division (ID) installs Lieutenant Colonel Nolasco Coderos Jr., the former Executive Officer of the 102nd Infantry Brigade (left), as the new commander of the 97th Infantry Battalion (IB), replacing Lieutenant Colonel Manaros Boransing II (right), who will be designated as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations of the 1ID. Major General Generoso Ponio, 1ID commander (center), led the turnover of command ceremony Monday, October 25. (SunStar Zamboanga)

THE Army's 1st Infantry Division (ID) has installed the former executive officer of the 102nd Infantry Brigade as the new commander of the 97th Infantry Battalion (IB) based in Piñan, Zamboanga del Norte.

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https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1911324/Zamboanga/Local-News/97th-Infantry-Battalion-gets-new-commander

More NPA members, allies surrender in Leyte

Posted to PTV News (Oct 26, 2021): More NPA members, allies surrender in Leyte (By Sarwell Meniano / Philippine News Agency)

Some of the 22 rebels take their oath of allegiance to the government during a ceremony in Carigara, Leyte on Oct. 25, 2021. Their former comrades convinced them to abandon the ideology of the communist terrorist group. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army via PNA)

At least 22 members and staunch supporters of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Carigara, Leyte have surrendered to authorities after their former comrades convinced them to abandon the terror group’s ideology.

The surrenderers pledged loyalty to the government in a simple ceremony at the Carigara town hall on Monday (Oct. 25), the Philippine Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade (802nd IBde) said in a statement sent to reporters Monday night.

They took their oath of allegiance to the government before Mayor Eduardo Ong, Sr. as witnessed by Army 802nd IBde commander Brig. Gen. Zosimo Oliveros, Army 93rd Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Col. Arnold Lozada, policemen, and local officials.

Of the 22 rebels, four were regular fighters, four were members of NPA’s Batakang Organisayon sa Partido, and 14 were NPA mass supporters.

They are from the upland villages of Lower Sogod, Hiluctogan, Caghalo, Rubas, San Ignacio, Libo, Canlampay, Tinaguban and Binibihan, the report added.

The Army said the former rebels turned over four .45 caliber pistols with one magazine each, one .45 caliber Thompson submachine gun, one homemade rifle, anti-government books, and documents.

The mass surrender, according to the military, was made possible through the collaboration of the Carigara Integrated Peace and Development Workers Association (CIPDWA) and the Philippine Army.

The CIPDWA is composed of former rebels now partners of the local Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

Nonoy (not his real name) said they decided to surrender due to the sincerity of the government in bringing services to the communities.

“We want to live in peace and we don’t want to be reconnected with our former comrades who have been attempting to recover their former mass base supporters,” Nonoy told the military.

Ong extended cash assistance and distributed food packs to the surrenderers.

In his message, he said the surrender of 22 of his constituents is a big boost to their local peace and order campaign.

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. (PNA)

https://ptvnews.ph/more-npa-members-allies-surrender-in-leyte/

2 Bukidnon rebel leaders fall; 5 others die in Masbate clash

From the Business Mirror (Oct 26, 2021): 2 Bukidnon rebel leaders fall; 5 others die in Masbate clash (By BYRENE ACOSTA)

PNP Chief Guillermo Eleazar

SECURITY forces have captured the highest leader of the New People’s Army in Bukidnon, prompting military officials to declare that the communist-inspired insurgency in the province could be on the verge of being wiped out.

In Masbate, policemen serving a warrant of arrest also killed five rebels during a firefight, a report reaching Philippine National Police chief General Guillermo Eleazar said.

Army 4th Infantry Division (4th ID) spokesman Major Francisco Garello Jr. identified the captured alleged rebel leader as Ramil Banawan alias Migs, Kim and Edukaw, resident of Sitio Danquias, Barangay Cawayan, Quezon, Bukidnon.

Garello said Banawan is the secretary of the Guerilla Front Malayag, Sub-Regional Committee 2 (SRC 2) of the NPA’s North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCRMC).

He was captured on Monday along with Marcelino Bandigan alias Niks and Raymond, team leader of Squad Uno of the Guerilla Front (GF) Malayag, during an operation by the 88th Infantry Battalion (88th IB) at Mt. Kumong Tabanog, Sitio Lugayaran, Barangay Palacpacan, San Fernando, Bukidnon.

The capture of the two rebel leaders followed the successive firefights with their group last month, according to 403rd Infantry Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Ferdinand Barandon, who has operational jurisdiction over the province.

“Ramil ‘Migz’ Banawan, together with more or less 20 CNTs encountered the 88IB last September 8, 2021 resulting in 4 CNTs (communist terrorists) killed. The 88th IB captured 10 more CNTs, which include three minors, and was able to seize 16 high-powered firearms at Barangay Mabuhay, San Fernando, Bukidnon,” Garello quoted Barandon as saying.

“On September 10, 2021, the 88IB encountered GF Malayag’s Platoon Bagsik, resulting in the capture of four CNTs including two minors and seizure of six high-powered firearms at Barangay Laligan, Valencia City, Bukidnon,” Barandon added.

4th ID commander Major Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the arrest of the leaders of the GF Malayag and other high-ranking members of the NCMRC should pave the way for the defeat of the group.

”With the capture of GF Malayag’s top leader, we are hoping that this would signal the realization of the remaining CTG (communist terrorist group) members and leaders to abandon the armed struggle and heed our call for peace,” Brawner said.

At Camp Crame, Eleazar commended the personnel of the Police Regional Office 5 (PRO 5) over the neutralization of five rebels in Masbate.

PRO-5 operatives were about to serve a warrant of arrest for five counts of murder and attempted murder against the rebel’s Larangan 1 guerilla front leader Eddie Rosero, also known as “Arnold Rosero” and “Ka Star,” in Barangay Bugtong, Mandaon in Masbate on Sunday when the firefight ensued.

Eleazar said Rosero spotted the approaching police personnel and immediately directed his companions, also believed to be communist rebels, to engage the policemen in firefight.

The encounter resulted in the death of Rosero and four others.

Recovered from the site were two .45 caliber pistols, three M-16 armalite rifles, an M-14 rifle and several homemade bombs.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/10/26/2-bukidnon-rebel-leaders-fall-5-others-die-in-masbate-clash/

PNP probes grenade blast in Maguindanao

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Oct 26, 2021): PNP probes grenade blast in Maguindanao

FILE PNP chief Guillermo Eleazar. Screengrab from Facebook / PNP livestream

Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, chief of the Philippine National Police, ordered on Monday the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region police to conduct a thorough probe on the grenade blast near an Army detachment along the national highway in Sitio Pansol, Barangay Macasampen in Guindulungan town, Maguindanao province, at around 6:30 p.m. on Saturday.

The Army suspects the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters or the Daulah Islamiyah to be behind Saturday’s grenade attack, which Maguindanao Rep. Esmael Mangudadatu said could have been directed at his convoy.

Mangudadatu’s convoy, made up of at least 20 vehicles, was passing by when the incident happened. Nobody was hurt in the grenade blast.

Eleazar pointed out that investigators would look at the angle that the grenade blast was targeting Mangudadatu’s convoy.

“The incident may have only happened coincidentally with Representative Mangudadatu’s convoy passing by,” he said.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1506443/pnp-probes-grenade-blast-in-maguindanao

Terrorists yield in Maguindanao

From the Manila Times (Oct 27, 2021): Terrorists yield in Maguindanao (By Franz R. Sumangil)

FIVE members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and two self-confessed gun-for-hires surrendered to the police on Monday.

BGen. Eden Ugale, director of the Police Regional Office in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) in Muslim Mindanao, stated the men were presented before Vice Mayor Herodin Guiamano of Datu Salibo town in Maguindanao and the Maguindanao provincial police office.

The men also turned over firearms, including 40-millimeter (mm) grenade launchers and an anti-tank missile.

According to the police report, the five BIFF members were followers of Karui Karialan.

Karialan is a leader of one of the three factions of the BIFF and is wanted for more than 30 criminal cases pending in various courts, including an alleged involvement in deadly bombings in Central Mindanao since 2014.

Ugale said also instrumental in the surrender of the terrorists is the chairman of the association of barangay (village) captains in Datu Salibo, Abdulwaris Sailon.

One of the five BIFF members also turned over an improvised explosive device made of an 81-mm mortar that can be detonated remotely through a mobile phone.

More than 70 BIFF members surrendered to PRO-BAR via its municipal and provincial police officers in Maguindanao in the last 10 months.

The seven men who surrendered, including the two hitmen, received initial cash assistance and a bag of rice from the local officials. They will be assisted in integrating to mainstream society by the municipal social workers.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/10/27/news/regions/terrorists-yield-in-maguindanao/1819824

Sabah’s dusk-to-dawn sea curfew extended till Nov 11

From The Star (Oct 26, 2021): Sabah’s dusk-to-dawn sea curfew extended till Nov 11 (By STEPHANIE LEE)

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s dusk to dawn sea curfew, which will end on Wednesday (Oct 27), has been extended for another two weeks until Nov 11.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Idris Abdullah said the extension of the 6pm to 6am sea curfew was needed due to continuous threats from cross-border criminals, including from kidnap-for-ransom groups.

The curfew covers areas up to three nautical miles off Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Sandakan and Beluran.

"There is a need to continue the curfew in these waters to prevent the encroachment of terrorists and criminals who can threaten the safety of locals, international researchers and tourists on islands," he said in a statement on Tuesday (Oct 26).

Idris said according to intelligence sources, kidnap-for-ransom groups and Abu Sayyaf militants are still trying to attack and commit cross-border crimes.

He said the curfew allows authorities to ensure the safety of the people of Sabah who use the waters and are staying near the Esszone.

He added that the curfew was to facilitate enforcement and monitoring of boat activities in the area as well as establish a sense of security with nearby chalet owners and fishermen through the presence of a security team.

"I have also given the authority to all district police chiefs to issue permits to any eligible applicants who fit the criteria to conduct fishery activities in the areas affected by the curfew," Idris said.

The curfew was first implemented on July 19, 2014, following a spate of kidnappings which saw the beheading of Sarawakian Bernard Then Ted Fed and the killing of several others, including a policeman and tourists.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/10/26/sabahs-dusk-to-dawn-sea-curfew-extended-till-nov-11

PH, Brunei armies sign guidelines for defense cooperation pact

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 26, 2021): PH, Brunei armies sign guidelines for defense cooperation pact (By Priam Nepomuceno)

BOOSTING DEFENSE TIES. Army chief Lt. Gen. Andres Centino shows a copy of the amended terms of reference (TOR) on the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on defense cooperation with Brunei in a virtual ceremony on Monday (Oct. 25, 2021). Royal Brunei Land Forces commander Brig. Gen. Haji Muhammad Haszaimi bin Bol Hassan also signed the document during the ceremony. (Photo courtesy of AFP)

The Philippine Army (PA) and the Royal Brunei Land Forces (RBLF) on Monday virtually signed the amended terms of reference (TOR) that will serve as a guide in the implementation of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on defense cooperation between the two militaries.

In a Facebook post on Monday night, PA chief Lt. Gen. Andres C. Centino and RBLF commander Brig. Gen. Haji Muhammad Haszaimi bin Bol Hassan were present in the signing of the TOR on the Army Working Group jointly established by the two armies.

During the virtual event, Centino said the 2nd Brunei-Philippines (BRUPHIL) Army Working Group developed 12 bilateral military cooperation and interaction for 2022.

He also expressed optimism on the success of BRUPHIL activities amid the coronavirus pandemic.

"Hopefully, this collaboration will continue beyond this pandemic. More than ever, we should demonstrate solidarity in this time of trial and crisis. I know we are in tough times, but being united, we will rise again," Centino said.

He added the PA is looking forward to the prospect of future collaborations and successful execution of its bilateral engagements that have been lined up for next year.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1157762

AFP prepares to wind down vax drive with 200K add’l doses

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 26, 2021): AFP prepares to wind down vax drive with 200K add’l doses (By Priam Nepomuceno)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will get an additional 200,000 doses of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine for the full inoculation of its personnel, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Monday night.

"Ngayon po ay bibigyan ang AFP ni (National Task Force against Covid-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar) Secretary (Carlito) Galvez ng 200,000 para tapos na po ‘yung pagbabakuna ng AFP kasama na ‘yung uniformed personnel, mga dependents, iyong CAFGU (Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit) at saka Special CAFGU Active Auxiliary (SCAA). So pag natapos po ‘yun ay kumpleto na ‘yung AFP at saka ‘yung mga tao nila (Secretary Galvez will be giving an additional 200,000 doses to the AFP so that they will be able to finish the vaccination of all their uniformed personnel, dependents, and their CAFGU and SCAA. Once this is finished, all AFP personnel will be fully vaccinated)," Lorenzana told President Rodrigo Duterte during his Talk to the People.

In the same briefing, Lorenzana said that only 77 percent of all AFP personnel are fully vaccinated to date.

Lorenzana also reported that the country's health care utilization rate (HCUR) is now only at 48 percent.

"Halos kalahati na lang po ang -- ang okupado sa mga hospitals natin. Mayroon tayong hospital beds na 40,000, ibig sabihin 20,000 lang ang naokupahan diyan (This means that about half of our hospitals are occupied. We have around 40,000 hospital beds, this means that only 20,000 of these are occupied right now)," he added.

Lorenzana also reported that around 4,420 intensive care unit (ICU) beds), 20,881 isolation units, 14,856 wards, and 3,243 mechanical ventilators are currently in use.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1157764

PNP pursues Reds who hurt 2 cops in Iloilo

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 26, 2021): PNP pursues Reds who hurt 2 cops in Iloilo (By Priam Nepomuceno)

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, on Tuesday directed the Iloilo police to conduct follow-up operations against the communist terrorists behind the bomb attack that injured two police officers during an encounter in the province.

“The NPA (New People's Army) attack that resulted in the wounding of two of our policemen is certainly a strategy being employed to make it appear that they are still strong and eventually use as a leverage for their extortion activities to candidates for the next year’s elections,” PNP chief, Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said in a statement.

Eleazar identified the injured policemen as Pat. Jessie Castamado and Cpl. Genel Simpas.

Initial reports indicated that personnel from the Iloilo Police Mobile Force Company were harassed by members of the NPA's Southern Front Komite, Komiteng Rehiyon Panay at their base area in Barangay Mayang in the town of Tubungan on Sunday afternoon.

The local police then pursued the communist terrorists which resulted in an encounter where they detonated two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that injured Castamado and Simpas.

The number of casualties among the rebels following the seven-minute firefight has yet to be determined.

The two police officers were taken to the Rep. Pedro Trono Memorial District Hospital for treatment. They are already in stable condition.

Eleazar, meanwhile, vowed that the organization would extend all forms of assistance to the injured personnel.

The Communist Party of the Philippines-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/1157787