Key Philippine Military and Insurgency-Related Events

By Retired Analyst

Saturday, November 13, 2021

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: “Malaking ginhawa” ang hindi pagkakahalal ni Roque sa ILC

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis (Tagalog edition) posted to the PRWC Newsroom Website (Nov 13, 2021): “Malaking ginhawa” ang hindi pagkakahalal ni Roque sa ILC
 

Tinawag na “isang malaking ginhawa” ng unyon ng mga Pilipinong abugado ang hindi pagkakahalal sa tagapagsalita ni Rodrigo Duterte na si Harry Roque sa International Law Commission (ILC) noong Sabado. Sa isang pahayag, binati ng National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) ang “botong klarong pagtatakwil kay Roque” ng United Nations (UN) “sa harap ng malalakas na protesta at paglaban sa kanya ng mismong kanyang mga kabaro at mamamayan.” Maaari rin itong tignan bilang isang umaalingawngaw na pagtatakwil maging sa kanyang amo,” ayon sa grupo.

Sa eleksyong isinagawa sa isang plenaryong pagpupulong ng UN General Assembly (UNGA) sa araw na iyon, si Roque ang nakakuha ng pinakamababang boto (87 sa 191 balota) sa mga kandidatong mula sa Asia-Pacific. Mayroong walong pwesto sa ILC na nakalaan para sa mga abugado mula sa rehiyon. Ang ILC ay isang grupo ng mga eksperto sa batas na tumutulong sa pagpapaunlad at pagpapatupad sa internasyunal na batas. Ang mga kasapi nito ay inihahahal ng UNGA kada limang taon.

Tinutulan ng NUPL ang pagtakbo ni Roque sa ILC dahil sa kanyang “lantarang pagbibigay-matwid sa ekstrahudisyal na mga pagpaslang sa ilalim ng tinaguriang ‘gera kontra droga,’ paghalakhak sa malalaswang biro ng kanyang amo laban sa kababaihan, pagbibigay-matwid sa pampulitikang panggigipit kabilang na ang paggamit sa batas sa pag-atake sa mamamayan, pagkontra sa lehitimong mga kritisismo at paglaban, panggigipit sa midya, pagpapahiya at pang-iinsulto sa mga manggagawa sa kalusugan na kritikal sa palpak na mga hakbangin sa pandemya, at pagmamaliit sa internasyunal na mga grupong nagtitiyak sa pananagutan ng mga estado gaya ng International Criminal Court (ICC) at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC).”

Ayon sa International League of Peoples’ Struggle (ILPS), notoryus si Roque sa “pagtatanggol sa labis-labis at militaristang mga lockdown na ipinataw ng rehimen imbes na mga napatunayan nang mga hakbangin sa pampublikong kalusugan para labanan ang pandemya, sa paggamit sa burukrasya para maglunsad ng kampanyang panunupil sa mga katunggali ng rehimen sa pulitika at sa mga aktibista, at pagbansag na ‘terorista’ sa mga katutubo, mamamahayag, abugado, manggagawa sa kalusugan, estudyante, at sinumang nagpapahayag ng paglaban.” Dagdag pa ng grupo, “hindi lamang binigyang-katwiran ni Roque ang masasahol na aksyon ng rehimen na nagresulta sa pagpaslang sa puu-puong libong tao, kundi binabaluktok din niya ang lenggwahe ng batas sa tangkang bigyang-matwid ang implementasyon ng gayong mararahas at tiwaling mga patakaran.”

Matatandaang inulan ng malawakang pagbatikos at pagtutol ang pagtakbo ni Roque sa ILC. Noong Oktubre 30, kinuyog ng mga kliyente ng isang restoran at mga aktibista si Roque sa New York, US habang nakikipagpulong sa mga myembro ng ILC para ipagpilitan ang sarili para maging kasapi nito. Tatlong araw bago ang eleksyon, naglunsad ng “e-mail barrage” ang mga progresibong grupo sa pangunguna ng ILPS para harangin ang nominasyon ni Roque sa ILC. Ayon sa grupo, “mangangahulugan ang pagluluklok sa kanya sa ILC ng pagbabasura sa masasahol na na kaso ng paglabag sa karapatang-tao ng mga internasyunal na pasistang kriminal katulad ni Duterte at marami pang iba (kabilang ang mga multinasyunal na korporasyon) na idudulog sa ICC at UNHRC.

Kabilang sa nagpahayag ng pagtutol sa nominasyon ni Roque ang 150 abugado, si Sen. Leila de Lima, mga kongresista, mga dekano ng mga paaralan sa abugasya, mga lider ng mga asosasyon ng abugado, mga propesor sa batas, at mga abugado sa karapatang-tao at internasyunal na batas mula sa iba’t ibang panig ng bansa. Dalawampu’t apat na abugado rin mula sa isang bansa ang pumirma sa petisyon ng International Association of Democratic Lawyers para tutulan ang nominasyon ni Roque. Bago sa kanila, naghapag na ng pagtutol ang Free Legal Assistance Group at ang komiteng tagapagpatupad ng University of the Philippines-Diliman, ang alma matter o dating eskwelhan ni Roque.

[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://cppangbayan.wordpress.com/2021/11/14/malaking-ginhawa-ang-hindi-pagkakahalal-ni-roque-sa-ilc/
Retired Analyst at 11:21 PM No comments:
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CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: Organisador ng magsasaka sa Central Luzon, dinukot

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis (Tagalog edition) posted to the PRWC Newsroom Website (Nov 13, 2021): Organisador ng magsasaka sa Central Luzon, dinukot
 

Dinukot noong Nobyembre 6 ng mga ahente ng estado si Steve Abua, organisador ng Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas-Central Luzon sa Sta. Cruz, Lubao, Pampanga. Nasa biyahe noon si Abua papuntang Bataan para sa isang pulong.

Ayon sa kanyang asawa na si Johanna Abua, ilang oras mula nang dukutin si Steve ay nakatanggap sila ng mensahe mula sa dumukot. Huli siyang nakita sa pamamagitan ng isang video call, kung saan nakasuot ito ng puting t-shirt, bonnet at may busal ang bibig. Binantaan din sila na huwag mag-uulat sa iba at kung hindi ay papatayin ang kanyang asawa.

Si Steve ay dating mag-aaral ng BS Statistics sa University of the Philippines at lider-estudyante. Kabilang siya sa daan-daang mga aktibistang nagpasyang buong panahon na maglingkod sa mga magsasaka matapos ang Hacienda Luisita Massacre noong 2004.

Nanawagan ang iba’t ibang mga organisasyon para agad siyang ilitaw at palayain. Ayon sa Karapatan-Central Luzon ikatlo na si Steve sa mga naitalang biktima ng sapilitang pagkawala sa rehiyon ng Gitnang Luzon sa ilalim ng rehimeng Duterte.

Para naman sa Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas, walang ibang may kagagawan nito kundi ang National Task Force-Elcac at mga elemento ng estado, sa partikular ang pwersa ng 7th ID ng Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Ani Marco Valbuena, chief information officer ng PKP, ang pagdukot sa mga aktibista at organisador ay malaon nang marumi at brutal na taktika na ginagamit ng 7th ID na sinanay mismo ng dati nilang kumander, ang berdugong si Gen. Jovito Palparan. Napatunayang utak si Palparan sa pagdukot sa mga aktibistang sina Sherlyn Cadapan at Karen Empeño.

Nag-iimbestiga na rin ang Commission on Human Rights sa pagkakawala ni Abua.

Ngayon ang ikapitong araw nang kanyang pagkakadukot.

[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://cppangbayan.wordpress.com/2021/11/13/organisador-ng-magsasaka-sa-central-luzon-dinukot/
Retired Analyst at 11:18 PM No comments:
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CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: #NotoMarcosDuterte2022, umalingawngaw sa buong bansa

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis (Tagalog edition) posted to the PRWC Newsroom Website (Nov 13, 2021): #NotoMarcosDuterte2022, umalingawngaw sa buong bansa
 

Lumaganap ang panawagang #NotoMarcosDuterte2022 sa hapon ng Nobyembre 13 matapos maghapag ng kandidatura pagkabise-presidente si Sara Duterte. Agad siyang “inampon” ilang kandidato ng partido ni Ferdinand Marcos Jr para buuin ang tambalang Marcos-Duterte sa 2022. Tumatakbo ang nakababatang Duterte sa ilalim ng Lakas-CMD, ang partido ni Gloria Arroyo.

“Kunwari na lang nagulat tayo,” ang reaksyon ng maraming netizen. “Di sorpresa na hahantong ang mahabang dramaserye sa pagkakaisa ng mga pamilya ng magnanakaw at tirano,” ang reaksyon ni Bong Labog ng Kilusang Mayo Uno at kandidato pagkasenador.

“Malinaw na ang labanan,” ayon kay Neri Colmenares, Bayan Muna at kandidato rin pagkasenador. Buo na ang tambalan para sa “tiraniya, dinastiya at korapsyon,” aniya. “Riding-in-tandem na nanakaw at papatay sa kinabukasan ng bayan!” ang anunsyo ng Kabataan Partylist.

Ang pwestuhan ng Marcos para presidente at Duterte para bise ay nabuo matapos ang ilang buwang maniobrahan at negosasyon sa pagitan ng ng mga kampong Marcos, Arroyo at Duterte o MAD.

Sa alyansang ito ng “pinakamasasahol na kinatawan ng pasismo,” ang mga Marcos, na “pinakamay-pera sa tatlo,” ng lumilitaw “dominante sa pagtatakda ng planong elektoral. Ito ay ayon sa pahayag ni Marco Valbuena, upisyal sa impormasyon ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas, sa isang pahayag noong Nobyembre 12. “Bumabaha ang pondo mula sa bilyun-bilyong pisong nakaw na yaman ng mga Marcos na ngayon ay ginagamit nila para pagharian ang eleksyon at bilihin ang katapatan sa pulitika.”

Ang tambalang Marcos-Duterte ay “hudyat na ng isang maduming halalan,” ayon kay Jerome Adonis ng KMU. “Tungkulin ng lahat ng manggagawa at mamamayang Pilipino ang pagbigo” sa tambalang ito.

“Ang tungkulin ng oposisyon ay magkaisa at magsumikap kasama ang lahat ng mga nagmamahal sa demokrasya at kalayaan para biguin ang pinakamasamang alyansa ng mga dinastiya at umuusbong na mga tirano,” ayon pa kay Colmenares.

[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://cppangbayan.wordpress.com/2021/11/13/notomarcosduterte2022-umalingawngaw-sa-buong-bansa/
Retired Analyst at 11:15 PM No comments:
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CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: Zero is better: tanggalan ng badyet ang NTF-ELCAC

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis (Tagalog edition) posted to the PRWC Newsroom Website (Nov 12, 2021): Zero is better: tanggalan ng badyet ang NTF-ELCAC


Binati ng mga progresibong grupo at iba’t ibang sektor ang panukala sa senado na kaltasan ang badyet ng National Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) mula ₱28 bilyon tungong ₱4 bilyon, para sa taong 2022. Gayunpaman, panawagan nila na mas mainam na “tanggalan” na ito ng badyet at buwagin ang ahensya na responsable sa sistematikong panggigipit at pandarahas sa mga kritiko ng rehimeng Duterte.

Ayon kay Bayan Muna Rep. Eufemia Cullamat, “Wasto [ang hakbang na] ito dahil ginagamit lamang ng NTF-ELCAC ang pondo nito para sa pag-red-tag at panggigipit sa progresibong mga grupo at indibidwal. Dapat lamang itong buwagin at tanggalan ng pondo.”

Kabilang sa mga nanawagan na buwagin ang NTF-ELCAC at tanggalan ito ng pondo si Vice Pres. at kandidato pagkapresidente na si Leni Robredo.

Ang planong pagkaltas sa badyet ng NTF-ELCAC ay inianunsyo ng senado noong Martes matapos na isumite ang General Appropriations Bill noong parehong araw na naglalayong maglaan ng ₱5.024 trilyon sa pambansang badyet para sa susunod na taon.

Pinuna ng ilang senador ang NTF-ELCAC dahil sa maanomalyang paggamit ng ahensya sa ₱19.33 bilyong pondo nito noong 2021. Pinakamalaki rito ang ₱16.4 bilyon na Local Government Support Funds sa ilalim ng programang Barangay Development Program, at ₱2.9 bilyon na inilaan sa ibang mga ahenya para sa mga “gastusing administratibo at pang-operasyon.” Sa pondong ito, nabigo ang ahensya na idokumento kung paano nito ginamit ang ₱19.1 bilyon noong 2021.

“Imbes na gamitin ang kaban ng bayan sa pag-atake sa mamamayan o ibulsa ito, mas maigi kung ito ay gamitin na sa programa sa bakuna, ayuda, at pagpapalakas ng pampublikong mga serbisyong pangkalusugan laluna sa mga erya kung saan mataas ang kaso ng Covid-19,” panawagan ng Bayan Muna.

Kahapon, nalantad sa pagdinig sa Senado na 26 lamang sa 2,318 proyekto ng NTF-ELCAC noong 2021 ang nakumpleto nito. Nagkakahalaga ang mga proyektong ito ng ₱16.4 bilyon sa kabuuan. Tinatayang 900 proyekto pa ang nasa yugto ng pre-procurement (paghahanda para sa pabili o pagkuha ng serbisyo) at nasa 700 ang nasa yugto ng procurement (kasalukuyang bumibili o kumukuha ng serbisyo), habang nasa 560 naman ang kasalukuyang tinatapos pa.

Pinaiimbestigahan din ng Senado ang kwestyunableng pahayag ng NTF-ELCAC na umabot diumano sa 13 milyong aktibidad ang naisagawa ng Philippine National Police (PNP) gamit ang pondo ng NTF-ELCAC noong nakaraang taon. Kung kakalkulahin, katumbas ng bilang na ito ang 43,333 aktibidad kada araw sa nakalipas na 10 buwan, na ayon sa mga senador ay hindi kapani-paniwala. Si PNP Chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar mismo ang nagsabi na gumastos umano ang ahensya ng ₱766 milyon para dito.

Walang kongkretong ulat ang NTF-ELCAC at PNP para patunayan na nakapaglunsad nga ito ng ganoong karaming operasyon at ipaliwanag ang maanomalyang paggamit sa pondo ng ahensya.

[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://cppangbayan.wordpress.com/2021/11/12/zero-is-better-tanggalan-ng-badyet-ang-ntf-elcac/
Retired Analyst at 11:11 PM No comments:
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CPP/CIO: Gen. Centino will eat his words

Propaganda statement posted to the PRWC Newsroom (Nov 13, 2021): Gen. Centino will eat his words
 

MARCO VALBUENA
CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER
COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES

Newly appointed AFP chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Andres Centino will eat his words. His declaration yesterday that the military will deal the “final blow” against the New People’s Army (NPA) before the end of Rodrigo Duterte’s term is empty bombast.

In fact, he made the same declaration of wiping out the NPA in Northern Mindanao when he was head of the 4th ID. As he has failed in the past, he will again fail in the future. “Ending the NPA” is a worn-out promise made by all those who came before him. He will not be the last of AFP chiefs to make such a promise.

Gen. Centino’s promise is a threat to carry out intensified aerial bombardment and heightened hamletting and occupation of peasant communities by military forces in the countryside. This will be accompanied by more abuses of human rights, especially of the peasant masses and ethnic minority people who are being subjected to armed intimidation and state terrorism in the form of “forced surrenders” and uprooting of people from their land and communities. The AFP is set to squander billions upon billions of pesos for war planes, attack helicopters, bombs, rockets, cannons, artillery and bullets to wage its war of suppression.

Gen. Centino must remember that no counterguerrilla or counterinsurgency campaign has been won through aerial bombardment or superiority in military firepower — not in Korea, not in Vietnam, not in Afghanistan. By suppressing the toiling masses to serve the interests of big landlords, big mining companies and plantations, the AFP is more and more exposing itself as the true enemy of the people. This political bankruptcy of the AFP is the reason why it continues to fail to defeat the NPA and end the armed revolution.

The Party has directed the NPA to expand and intensify guerilla warfare, raise capability of all its units to deny the AFP of targets through the strict and creative employment of guerrilla tactics of secrecy, further deepen and widen the support of the masses by firmly waging agrarian mass struggles and mount tactical offensives to make the enemy bleed from a thousand cuts.

The New People’s Army is determined to frustrate Gen. Centino and the plans of the AFP. The people’s army is determined to uphold the interests of the peasant masses and minority people, defend their land against the encroachment and expansion of mining companies and big plantations and untiringly fight their oppressors and exploiters.

https://prwcinfo.wordpress.com/2021/11/13/gen-centino-will-eat-his-words/
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CPP/CIO: Rejoinder: Fake Covid-19 results and other AFP lies to cover up murder of Ka Oris

Propaganda statement posted to the PRWC Newsroom (Nov 13, 2021): Rejoinder: Fake Covid-19 results and other AFP lies to cover up murder of Ka Oris
 

MARCO VALBUENA
CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER, 
COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES

Fifteen days have passed since the October 29 murder of Ka Oris (Jorge Madlos), former spokesman of the New People’s Army (NPA), and his aide NPA medic Eighfel Dela Peña (Ka Pika) by the fascist butchers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). For more than two weeks, we have seen and heard nothing from the AFP but lies and more lies.

To recall, Ka Oris was with Ka Pika on his way for a medical checkup. They were aboard a motorcycle travelling along the road from the town proper of Impasug-ong, Bukidnon at around 8 p.m. when they were intercepted by troops of the 403rd Infantry Brigade. Both unarmed and in no position to give battle, they were subsequently murdered in cold blood.

Four days after Ka Oris and Ka Pika were murdered, their remains were unilaterally and hastily cremated by the military. The AFP carried out the cremation without the family’s permission and amid calls for an autopsy to be performed by independent pathologists. The AFP insists that the cremation was done in accordance with Covid-19 protocols, when in fact the DOH provides for burial of remains as part of its protocol, as is widely practiced in Bukidnon province (which does not have cremation facilities). By having the remains of Ka Oris and Ka Pika cremated, the AFP burned all evidence of their crime.

The hasty cremation was carried out by the AFP on the basis of claims that Ka Oris and Ka Pika were positive for Covid-19. To boost their claims, the AFP circulated a low-resolution image of the purported results of Ka Oris’ supposed swab test. The AFP did not present similar “evidences” for Ka Pika.

We have reason to believe that the supposed Covid-19 results are fake. A repeated check of the control number “BUK006993” or “BUKOO6993” as indicated in the image at the Philippine Red Cross verifier form (https://c19.redcross.org.ph/verify) returned no results. One can also observe that the image does not contain the PRC watermark. We believe that the image of the supposed results were concocted only to justify the hasty cremation. Indeed, based on its record of human rights violations and disinformation, it is not surprising for the AFP to weave such lies.

Since October 31, the AFP has stacked one lie above another to push their false narrative that Ka Oris and Ka Pika were killed in a supposed armed encounter in Sitio Gabunan, Dumalaguing, Impasug-ong on October 30 at around 11:30 a.m. This is impossible as the same area was subjected to heavy aerial bombardment 10 hours earlier (which means if there were any NPA camp in the area, Red fighters would have immediately abandoned and withdrawn to a distance).

Residents of Barangay Dumalaguing interviewed could only attest to hearing the early morning bombardment, and not the early noon firefight. Asked for physical or photographic evidence for the supposedly overran camp, the AFP could offer nothing except for the sounds of the aerial bombardment. In a vain attempt to silence all doubts, the AFP carried another heavy bombardment in the same place on the night of November 2 igniting fires that razed a large part of the mountains.

The endless lies of the AFP cannot cover up their murder of Ka Oris nor placate the outrage of the Filipino people and their revolutionary forces. The Party and the New People’s Army hold the AFP, particularly the officers of the 4th ID and the 403rd Infantry Brigade responsible for the crime, and will not stop to until justice is attained.

https://prwcinfo.wordpress.com/2021/11/13/rejoinder-fake-covid-19-results-and-other-afp-lies-to-cover-up-murder-of-ka-oris/
Retired Analyst at 10:56 PM No comments:
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Kalinaw News: Another Six (6) High Powered Firearms seized; Nine (9) Communist NPA Terrorist surrendered in Davao Oriental

Posted to Kalinaw News (Nov 14, 2021): Another Six (6) High Powered Firearms seized; Nine (9) Communist NPA Terrorist surrendered in Davao Oriental



MAWAB, DAVAO DE ORO – The Davao Oriental Provincial Task Force in Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF – ELCAC) in 10ID area of responsibility successfully scores anew in their mandate of ending armed conflict in their province after the 701st Infantry Brigade successfully recovered a total of six (6) High Powered Firearms (HPFAs) and facilitated the surrender of another nine (9) Communist NPA Terrorists from November 10 to 12, 2021.

Three days after the surrender of five (5) month pregnant Jocy Villaruel Papasin alias Domai, Front Secretary of the Weakened Guerilla Front 18, her husband in the Communist movement named Jason Bansag Eliseo alias Rex followed her bringing along with him one (1) M16 rifle at Sitio Lunod, Brgy. Don Mariano Marcos, Lupon, Davao Oriental on Wednesday, November 10.

Likewise, another high ranking Communist NPA Terrorist named Gilberto Garcia Colita alias Jhonny, Commander of the Weakened Guerilla Front 18 together with four members of the same armed group namely Richard Basug Jadan alias Atog, Team Leader; Jhon Cloyd Flores Colita alias Jan-Jan, member; Charlie Dave Mangasdang Pichon alias Potpot, member; David Paraiso Pichon alias David, member and, three NPA to the barrios identified as Mike Mangasdang Pichon alias Mike, Reynaldo Paraiso Pichon alias Oka and, Orlando Pandili Goles alias Soysoy also surrendered to the troops under the 701st Infantry Brigade on Friday, November 12.

Moreover, surrendered CTG members brought along with them one (1) K3 Machine Gun, one (1) AK-47, three (3) M16 rifles, one (1) M203 grenade launcher, one (1) Improvised Explosive Device (IED) weighing more or less six (6) kilograms and other war materials.

During initial investigation, alias Jhonny said, “Gutom nami wala nay makaon. Napalibutan nami mga sundalo.” (We’re all hungry and running out of food. We were surrounded by soldiers.)

Furthermore, Col Oliver C Maquiling, commander of the 701st Brigade invited the remaining Communist NPA Terrorists to return to the folds of the law and reunite with their families. He also said that our government is ready to welcome them with sincere programs to transform them into productive citizens.

Meanwhile, MGen Ernesto C Torres Jr, commander of the 10th Infantry Division expressed his gratitude to the local chief executives and communities that helped in achieving this feat. He also commended all the commanders and troops involved for their meritorious accomplishment.

“The success of our campaign can be attributed directly to the outstanding implementation of programs by the Davao Oriental Provincial Task Force in Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF – ELCAC). With their full support, guerilla fronts after guerilla fronts have been dismantled not only in Davao Oriental but in the whole 10ID area of responsibility, thus paving the way for a peaceful and developed community.” MGen Torres added.

It can be recalled that in Davao Oriental, two (2) Guerilla Fronts were declared “dismantled” by the Armed Forces of the Philippines for the first semester of this year.



[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/another-six-6-high-powered-firearms-seized-nine-9-communist-npa-terrorist-surrendered-in-davao-oriental/

Retired Analyst at 10:46 PM No comments:
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Kalinaw News: NTF-ELCAC facilitates Former Rebel’s Baby Healthy Delivery

Posted to Kalinaw News (Nov 14, 2021): NTF-ELCAC facilitates Former Rebel’s Baby Healthy Delivery



MAKILALA, COTABATO – A former rebel has achieved a successful and complete pregnancy after being taken care of by the government while giving birth on November 12, 2021 at Amas Provincial Hospital, North Cotabato.

It can be recalled that Alias Pie/Paypay, 21 y/o; and Alias Tanya, 24 y/o, B’laan and locals of Makilala are expecting their firstborn child when they decided to yield on October 6, 2021 to Congressman Rudy Caoagdan of the 2nd District of North Cotabato after a thorough realization of the kind of future they might bring to the child.

Since then, the couple has actually undergone utmost care and marital assistance from the government thru the National Task Force in Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), and its primary aim is to give better lives to former rebels or those who will surrender in the positive side of the society.

The FRs stated that they have left the Communist Terrorist Group to be able to start and give their child the best life which the insurgents cannot provide.

As of now, the couple is provided with vitamins, nutrients, and other essentials needed for the welfare of the newly-born child. Further, the government pledged to support them until the child grows strong and healthy.

Likewise, the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) of North Cotabato paid the hospital bills and provided enough food packs for the couple and the child.

Alias Tanya expressed her gratitude for the care and support during the time they surface and on her delivery.

“I cannot thank you enough for all the help you have given me for my healthy pregnancy and labor. I did not have any regrets surrendering for I know the government today has a big heart for the people like us,” she said.

“We thank you for all of the efforts you give for us to understand the beauty of freedom and living in peace,” she added.

Meanwhile, LTC Ezra Balagtey, Commander of the 39IB expressed appreciation to leaders of North Cotabato for their unity of effort to bring peace to the province.

“We are thankful to Congressman Caoagdan and Governor Catamco as they unify and complement each other’s effort in sustaining peace in the province particularly in attending to the need of our lost brothers and sisters returning to the folds of the law,” Balagtey said.



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

https://www.kalinawnews.com/ntf-elcac-facilitates-former-rebels-baby-healthy-delivery/

Retired Analyst at 10:40 PM No comments:
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Kalinaw News: Two CTG members return to the folds of the law with high-powered firearms

Posted to Kalinaw News (Nov 13, 2021): Two CTG members return to the folds of the law with high-powered firearms



CAMP MELCHOR F DELA CRUZ, Upi, Gamu, Isabela- Two members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) voluntarily surrendered with high-powered firearms and ammunitions to the joint forces of 86th & 95th Infantry Battalion, and PNP Region 02 on November 12, 2021 in Sitio Dilawlaw, Barangay Antagan 1, Tumauini, Isabela.

The former rebels were identified as alias Kulele and alias Alex who belong to the remnants of the dismantled Central Front Committee. They also surrendered two M16 rifles, 13 long M16 magazines and two short M16 magazines with 264 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition.

Alias Kulele and alias Alex decided to surrender after the encounter between the government forces and the combined elements of the Regional Sentro De Grabidad (RSDG), Komiteng Rehiyon-Cagayan Valley (KR-CV) and remnants of the Central Front Committee on October 31, 2021 in Barangay Dy-Abra of the same town.

MGen Laurence E Mina, Commander of 5th Infantry Division, Philippine Army welcomed the new former rebels and thanked them for abandoning the terrorist group. “There is no better life than living peacefully with your loved ones. To the remaining members of the terrorist group, we know the hardship you are into right now. It is high time to follow the footsteps of alias Kulele, alias Alex and those who earlier submitted themselves to the folds of the law. It is the best option to undertake.”

[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/two-ctg-members-return-to-the-folds-of-the-law-with-high-powered-firearms/

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Kalinaw News: Two more communist terrorists yield in Sarangani

Posted to Kalinaw News (Nov 13, 2021): Two more communist terrorists yield in Sarangani



Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City – November 12, 2021

As the Joint Task Force Central steps up its combat and non-combat operations, two more members of the Communist Terrorist Group surrendered to the troops of the 38th Infantry Battalion and 6th CMO Battalion on November 11, 2021.

62-year-old a.k.a. Cardo and 36-year-old a.k.a. Ka Mimoy, all from Banga, South Cotabato handed over their firearms to the armed forces at the 38IB headquarters at Sitio Tampuan, Barangay Kamanga, Maasim, Sarangani Province. They are members of the Guerilla Front Musa, Far South Mindanao Regional Committee.

The duo surrendered their firearms including one improvised M14 rifle with two magazines and 40 rounds of live ammunition and one Garand rifle with five clips, 37 rounds of live ammunition, and eight rounds of K3 ammunition.

“We continue to encourage militants to surrender and possibly spend the holiday seasons with their loved ones,” said Maj. Gen. Alfredo Rosario, Jr., Commander of Western Mindanao Command. “As the highest military Commander in this side of the country, I am elated with this development, and I commend our soldiers and those who are helping and assisting them to achieve these successes”.

Former rebels underwent custodial debriefing conducted by the 603rd Infantry Brigade while their surrendered firearms are placed under the custody of 38IB for proper disposition.

“We expect to be counting and receiving more CTG members who will surrender in the coming days, as some of the top leaders of the group already yielded,” said Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, Commander of Joint Task Force Central.

Since January this year, 121 CTG members already surrendered to the government forces with most of them also turning over their firearms and ammunition. Of the 121, 13 are from the West Daguma, 84 from the East Daguma, and 24 from the GF Musa.



[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/two-more-communist-terrorists-yield-in-sarangani/

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5-month pregnant fighter Surrender to Army in DavOr

 From the Mindanao Times (Nov 13, 2021): 5-month pregnant fighter Surrender to Army in DavOr (By RHODA GRACE SARON)


A-FIVE-MONTH pregnant medical staff of the New People’s Army (NPA), surrendered to the soldiers of the 66th Infantry Battalion following a clash in Lupon, Davao Oriental on Nov. 7.

Capt. Mark Anthony Tito, the 10th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office chief,
identified her only as alias Domai, front secretary of Guerilla Front 18, Sub-Regional Committee 2 (SRC2), Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC).

According to the report, an armed clash initially ensued, which led the rest of the NPA members to scamper in various directions abandoning alias Domai who eventually surrendered as she was unable to escape during the firefight at Sitio Yauri, Barangay Calapagan in Lupon.

Recovered in the encounter site were one M653 rifle loaded with 15 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, improvised 12-gauge shotgun, two fully loaded magazines for Glock pistol and personal belongings.


After which, she was immediately given first aid by the troops and subsequently moved to Mati City for further medical evaluation.

The medical staff of the Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center found out that alias Domai pregnant.

Initial questioning revealed that she was always contemplating to surrender due to hardships from unrelenting government troops’ operations causing them physical exhaustion as they can no longer hide among the masses who previously supported them.

She also admitted that the loss of their mass base’s support led to the growing discontent among the guerilla front’s ranks, which is manifested by the increased number of the rebels going back to the folds of the law.


She is now under the custody of the 66IB who are now processing her requirements to avail of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP).

With this, the commander of the 701st Brigade, Col. Oliver C. Maquiling stressed that the surrender of the top leader of WGF18 will be a major setback for the armed group.

Meanwhile, four high-powered firearms specifically AK-47 were also revealed by Federico B Siarez alias Janggo/Jolly, former Squad Leader of Former Guerilla Front 14, SRC Southland, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) to the troops of 67th Infantry Battalion also under the 701st Infantry Brigade at vicinity Sitio Bayabas, Brgy Burboanan, Bislig City, Surigao Del Sur Monday morning, Nov. 8.

Alias Janggo was recruited sometime on January 2012. However, according to him, because of the hardships, his longingness to his family, health problems and of his observations that majority of his comrades is already planning to surrender, he opted to leave the NPA on Dec. 26, 2020.

He was convinced that there is no hope in the armed struggle and that their long-lost ideology is not worth fighting for that made him able to reveal the arms cache kept by his former unit.

It can be recalled that in 701st area of responsibility alone, two Guerilla Fronts were dismantled this year. These were the Guerilla Front North and Guerilla Front South declared as “dismantled” by the Armed Forces of the Philippines by the second quarter and first quarter of this year, respectively.

In addition, another factor for this huge upset is the continuous implementation of the Barangay Development Program (BDP) in 10ID AOR wherein 852 projects in 307 barangays were programmed for BDP for 2021 and another 208 barangays programmed for Calendar Year 2022 wherein majority of these barangays issued their statement of support for the said endeavor.

Maj. Gen. Ernesto C. Torres Jr, commander of the 10th Infantry Division welcomed the new development, lauding the troops and attributing the success to the NTF-ELCAC, local officials and the people.

Torres said, “This is a victory of the people, that is to say, the Whole of Nation (WON) being undertaken by no other than the NTF-ELCAC. Ka Domai mirrors the present collective general state of the confronted communist terrorist threat organizations within the 10ID area of responsibility where all are on the verge of defeat, their members ready to give up at any moment.”

“I therefore renew the call to my colleagues in government and people in this region to press on and give the CTG the needed pressure that would lead to their complete surrender. We will remain at the frontline trenches until lasting peace prevails uncontested,” he added.
 
https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2021/11/13/5-month-old-pregnant-fighter-surrender-to-army-in-davor/
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Suspected NPA rebel killed in Kalinga encounter

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 14, 2021): Suspected NPA rebel killed in Kalinga encounter (By Villamor Visaya, Jr.)



Kalinga Capitol (Wikimap)

An alleged New People’s Army (NPA) rebel was killed in a 35-minute gunfight between Army soldiers and communist guerrillas in Barangay Bagtayan, Pasil, Kalinga on Saturday morning.

Maj. Jekyll Julian Dulawan, 5th Infantry Division spokesperson, said in a statement on Sunday that the 50th Infantry Battalion soldiers chanced upon the undetermined number of guerrillas under the Platun Guevarra-Kilusang Larangang Guerrilla Baggas.

The body of the alleged rebel, who has yet to be identified, was brought to a funeral parlor.

Seized at the scene of the encounter were an M16 rifle, two magazines with bullets, bandolier, transistor radio, and assorted personal belongings.


Dulawan said they have initiated hot pursuit operations while scene of the crime operatives of the Kalinga police scoured the encounter site.

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/1159707
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Centino cites AFP’s achievements vs. domestic armed groups

From the Philippine News Agency(Nov 14, 2021):  Centino cites AFP’s achievements vs. domestic armed groups (By Priam Nepomuceno)



New AFP chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Andres Centino (File photo)

Newly-appointed Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Andres Centino lauded the military for their recent achievements against domestic armed groups as he conducted his first command conference Saturday.

“I extend my congratulations to all of you for what we have accomplished for the past months. We are doing well in our campaign. I have seen significant improvement in our organization as we continue to pursue excellence and professionalism within our ranks. We just have to sustain our successes,” he said in a statement Sunday.

Centino's meeting with ranking AFP commanders and principal staff officers took place at the Commissioned Officers’ Country at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

He also lauded the field commanders for the series of battle victories and successful efforts against the domestic armed groups particularly the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) Terrorists (CNTs) and other local terrorist groups (LTGs).

Centino highlighted the most recent military operations that resulted in the death of Daulah Islamiyah-Hassan Group (DIHG) leader Salahuddin Hassan on Oct. 29 and the NPA’s National Operational Command leader Jorge "Ka Oris" Madlos on Oct. 30.

During the meeting, Centino reminded military leaders about President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to end all local armed conflicts within his term.

He said Executive Order (EO) 70, which mandates a multi-dimensional, whole-of-nation approach to address the local communist insurgency, has helped the military focus on its core function of protecting the people from the terrorists.

With EO 70, the local government units (LGUs) and other agencies of the government had taken over the non-military socio-economic aspects of counter-insurgency efforts, which the military had also been undertaking under previous administrations.

“The enemies of the state are losing support, as we have brought back the trust and confidence of the people to the government. EO 70 primed us and the entire government system to finish this social ill once and for all. Within the remaining seven months of our peace and security campaign, we have to further increase our tempo to make sure that we will accomplish the task given by the President,” he said.

During the conference, Centino mentioned four priority thrusts; Operational Efficiency, Optimal Use of Resources, Advancing Professionalism, and Meritocracy and Capability Development.

On operational efficiency, he emphasized tri-service interoperability to achieve the desired operational tempo.

He also gave importance to resource optimization to accomplish more despite the limited resources as the AFP institutes measures to protect and preserve the force amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.

Centino also said it is imperative to advance professionalism and meritocracy to sustain the people’s satisfaction and high trust on the AFP.

Meanwhile, capability development is necessary as the AFP prepares to face the ever- evolving security challenges, both in internal and external domains.

Among the other topics discussed during the command conference was the critical role of the AFP in the upcoming elections wherein the AFP, along with the Philippine National Police, is being tapped by the Commission on Elections in enforcing law and order.

He said every soldier should remain non-partisan in the performance of duty of ensuring the desire of the Filipinos for a fair, orderly, and peaceful election process, will prevail.

Centino also directed a thorough review of existing policies that may have been rendered obsolete by the passage of time.

It can be recalled that former AFP chief Gen Jose Faustino Jr. provided him a compilation of existing AFP policies he deemed to be in need of amendments or revisions.

He directed the military commanders and his staff to impose discipline by going back to the basics of soldiery.

“The way we present ourselves to the people will speak for the whole organization,” he said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1159702
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NTF-ELCAC helps ease poverty at grassroots: Iloilo guv

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 13, 2021): NTF-ELCAC helps ease poverty at grassroots: Iloilo guv (By Perla Lena)



ADDRESSING ROOT CAUSE. The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict aims to provide solutions to the insurgency problem by “attacking the root cause,” Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. said on Friday (Nov. 12, 2021). The provincial government, he said, is carrying out about PHP700 million worth of projects funded by the task force. (Screenshot from Balita Halin sa Kapitolyo live stream)

The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) goes deep into the grassroots to enable them to help themselves out of poverty, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. said.

In a media interview Friday afternoon, Defensor said the task force provides solutions to the insurgency problem by “attacking the root cause.”

He made the statement in response to the planned abolition of the NTF-ELCAC by Vice President Leni Robredo should she win in the May 2022 presidential race.

In addition to its civic action and interfacing with communities, the task force also provides funds for road projects, Defensor said.


The provincial government, through its engineering office, is carrying out about PHP700 million worth of projects in various barangays, funded under the NTF-ELCAC’s Barangay Development Program (BDP).

The BDP is a hallmark program of the task force with the end goal of bringing development to former conflict-prone communities.

Under the BDP, each insurgency-cleared barangay, or those formerly established as guerilla fronts of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), has been allocated assistance worth PHP20 million to rehabilitate and develop the area.

“We are implementing the funds that they allocated for the program. Projects that could improve the condition of remote barangays. Barangays that are not accessible, where life is poor, are vulnerable to insurgency,” Defensor said in the vernacular.

He said upon the download of the fund, the provincial government sends its engineers to recipient barangays to prepare the program of work and carry out the project.

The governor said the program boosts the initiative of the whole government in bringing development to the barangays, especially in remote areas, to prevent them from becoming vulnerable.

“What is our experience? Insurgency begins where the road ends,” he said.

His suggestion is to concentrate on accessibility, saying when a place is accessible, “the problem disappears.”

Some barangays also prefer street lights to road projects because rebels avoid lighted areas, he said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1159621
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Ex-ASG member ventures into buy-sell biz

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 13, 2021): Ex-ASG member ventures into buy-sell biz (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)



ASG SURRENDERERS. Two of the five Abu Sayyaf Group members who surrendered to the Philippine Army in Sulu on Thursday (Nov. 11, 2021). Maj. Gen. William Gonzales, 11th Infantry Division commander, welcomed the former terrorists at the 1102nd Infantry Brigade headquarters in Indanan town. (Photo courtesy of 11IB-PAO)

A former member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) has ventured into business as he strives to start a new life in mainstream society.

Bensar Majan (alias Bunso), 29, one of five ASG members who surrendered Thursday to the 1102nd Infantry Brigade at Camp Bud Datu, Barangay Tagbak, Indanan, Sulu, has started a rice business.

Romil Paraja, Yasher Jamalul, Jimrasil Isnaji, and Roger Kahan also surrendered to the Philippine Army.


“I am preoccupied with my livelihood,” Majan said in a statement Saturday.

Majan actually started the business three months ago after he was temporarily released from detention when his mother bailed him out.

He was arrested sometime in 2017 after his group disbanded following the death of their leaders.

“The police recognized me as a member of the ASG through the video they have,” he said.

Now that he is out on bail, Majan said he chose to surrender to show the authorities that he is determined to start a new life.

“My wife left me when I was in detention. But I see that there is still hope to live a new life when my mother bailed me out,” he said.

An ASG member for five years, Majan first joined the group of ASG leader Muammar Askali (alias Abu Rami).

He transferred to the Alhabsi Misaya faction after Askali was killed in a clash with government troops on April 11, 2017 in Bohol.

Misaya was also killed on April 28, 2017 in in Sulu.


Col. Giovani Franza, 1102nd Infantry Brigade commander, presented the five ASG surrenderers to Maj. Gen. William Gonzales, 11th Infantry Division commander.

“We are working out a comprehensive program for ASG surrenderers,” Gonzales said during the welcome ceremony for the five former terrorists.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1159658
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Senate cripples program vs. insurgency: guv

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 13, 2021): Senate cripples program vs. insurgency: guv (By Alexander Lopez)



The Senate has just weakened the program of the national government that seeks to end the decades-long problem of insurgency.

Agusan del Sur Governor Santiago Cane Jr., in a Facebook post on Saturday, said instead of infusing more funds into the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), senators chose to impair it by slashing the budget by PHP24 billion.

“I used to regard the Senate as a bastion of democracy until it crippled the most effective program ever implemented to sustain it – the ELCAC,”
Cane posted.

Once approved, the Committee on Finance chaired by Senator Sonny Angara will grant the task force just PHP4 billion.


“The House of Representatives approved the budget but the Senate slashed it. Mas may alam kayo kaysa sa mga (Do you know more than the) congressmen and congresswomen?” Cane asked. “Ni isa sa inyo (senators) walang naka-isip ng solusyon paano tuldokan ang problema sa (Not one of you thought of a solution to end the problem on insurgency).”

President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order No. 70 in December 2018, creating the NTF-ELCAC that employs a whole-of-nation approach to end communism and institute peace-building initiatives.

Cane said the President is “a servant leader who knows exactly what he is doing”.

“Supposedly, all programs of the government emanate from the legislative branch, but this ELCAC did not. Kaya siguro majority ng mga senador natin favored to cut down its budget for 2022 dahil hindi nila naintindihan kung gaano kahalaga ito para sa kapayapaan sa buong bansa (This may be the reason why the majority of the senators agreed to cut down its budget for 2022 because they do not understand how important the program is to attain peace in the country)”, Cane said.

The governor also asked the senators to be certain with their decision as heads of local government units worked hard to facilitate the implementation of the programs and services of the NTF-ELCAC in the countryside.

A total of PHP3.04 billion worth of projects under the Barangay Development Program (BDP) of the NTF-ELCAC will be implemented in 191 villages in the Caraga Region.

It will involve 357 projects consisting of road construction, water, and other identified development projects.

Some PHP720 million allocation out of the total BDP budget for the region will go to Agusan del Sur for the implementation of 69 projects in 38 villages.

BDP, with the end goal of bringing development to former conflict-prone communities, gives PHP20 million each to insurgency-free villages for farm-to-market roads, classrooms, water, and sanitation systems, health stations, and other livelihood projects.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1159672
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NTF-ELCAC budget cut to waste anti-insurgency efforts: Go

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 13, 2021): NTF-ELCAC budget cut to waste anti-insurgency efforts: Go (By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos)



President Rodrigo Duterte’s efforts to put an end to communism would only go to waste if the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) would only receive a PHP4 billion budget in 2022, Senator Christopher Lawrence Go said.

Go urged his fellow senators to reconsider their decision to cut the NTF-ELCAC’s proposed 2022 funding from PHP28.12 billion to PHP4 billion.

He expressed opposition to the huge budget cut, saying such a move would squander the Duterte government’s initiatives to stop insurgency to maintain peace and order in the country.


“Kaya naman po nananawagan ako sa aking mga kasamahan sa Senado na kung maaari ay ibalik ang budget ng NTF-ELCAC para naman hindi masayang ang pinaghirapan ni Pangulong Duterte sa pagbigay sa atin ang ligtas at komportableng pamumuhay (I am urging my colleagues at the Senate to retain the NTF-ELCAC’s proposed budget, so President Duterte’s efforts to provide us a safe and comfortable life would not go to waste),” Go said in a press statement released on Friday.

The executive branch, under the proposed National Expenditure Program, has allocated about PHP28.12 billion for the NTF-ELCAC in 2022.

The proposed funding, which was higher than the PHP19 billion the NTF-ELCAC received this year, was adopted by the House of Representatives despite calls to defund the anti-insurgency task force.

However, Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, announced Tuesday that the allocation for the NTF-ELCAC under the latest version of the budget spending bill is now down to PHP4 billion.

Go said the latest move to cut the NTF-ELCAC’s proposed 2022 budget would derail government efforts to hasten development in insurgency-cleared areas.

“Ako po ay lubos na naniniwala sa NTF-ELCAC at sa anti-insurgency campaign nito (I believe in NTF-ELCAC and its anti-insurgency campaign). Now is not the right time to make such a drastic move, considering that the government’s campaign to end the armed conflict is gaining momentum,” he said.

Defending the NTF-ELCAC, Go said he is witness to its perseverance to address insurgency problems in the country, as well as to help former rebels who want to reintegrate into mainstream society.

“Bukod dito, nakakatulong din ang programang ito sa pagpondo ng barangay development lalo na sa mga malalayong lugar, upang hikayatin ang ating mga kababayan na huwag mamundok (Apart from that, the program to fund the village development projects, especially in remote areas, helps convince our fellow countrymen not to join the rebels in the mountains),” he said.

The NTF-ELCAC’s Barangay Development Program (BDP) aims to bring development to former conflict-prone communities.

The BDP is a package of socio-economic development programs that include farm-to-market roads, livelihood, irrigation, and health stations.

A total of 1,406 villages nationwide are expected to benefit from the BDP next year. They are set to receive PHP20 million each to fund their anti-insurgency projects.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1159645
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OVERVIEW: Retired soldier/civilian analyst - Vietnam veteran- Southeast Asia specialist - Spent some time in Vietnam, Europe, the Middle East, Korea, and the Philippines - Now old and long-retired - Enjoying the good life - Blog helps to keep me mentally active
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