Opinion: PMA Class of 1989 moves forward

Opinion piece posted to the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Dec 13, 2021): REVEILLE//PMA Class of 1989 moves forward (By: Ramon J. Farolan)

On a Wednesday morning in January 1987, just as they were marching off for lunch at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) mess hall, Cadet Third Class Connor Anthony Canlas and Cadet Fourth Class Oscar Canlas Jr. were pulled out from formation and ordered to report to the Superintendent’s Office immediately. The Superintendent was Brig. Gen. Rodolfo Biazon. At his office, the Canlas boys were provided with army field phones and put in touch with their father, Col. Oscar Canlas. Canlas was the leader of some 300 rebel soldiers who had taken over GMA Network’s television station. First, he spoke to his older son, Anthony, and then to Oscar Jr. He told both of them to concentrate on their studies, to always do their best, and not be distracted by events that were taking place. He assured them that he knew what he was doing and that he was being true to his beliefs, fighting a possible communist takeover with the release of captured New People’s Army leaders, and the presence of left-wing politicians in the Cabinet. Shortly after, Colonel Canlas surrendered to Gen. Fidel Ramos and was placed under detention from 1987 to 1992.

Cadet Connor Anthony Canlas graduated No. 5 in his class in 1989, receiving the Philippine Constabulary Award as the highest-ranking member to join the PC. His father, who was then in prison, was allowed a few days of freedom to attend graduation rites incognito. While Lieutenant Canlas joined the Constabulary, his heart was with the Air Force, wishing to follow in his father’s footsteps, and in 1992, when the Constabulary became the Philippine National Police, he opted to change his branch of service and joined the Air Force.

In May 1993, First Lieutenant Canlas won his military aviation wings at the Philippine Air Force Flying School. In ceremonies presided over by President Fidel V. Ramos, his father’s nemesis, Canlas was awarded the Presidential Saber for finishing No. 1 in his class, the McMicking Award for best flying performance, and the 100th Training Wing Flying Excellence Medal for the highest ratings in the S-211 trainer jet. This time, father was able to share his pride and joy in the achievements of a son. Last Tuesday, Maj. Gen. Connor Anthony Canlas was appointed commanding general of the Philippine Air Force, the 38th in a long line of distinguished predecessors. He takes over from Lt. Gen. Allen Paredes. As he assumed command, he remembered what his father would often tell him: The blessings in life do not always come on a silver platter. They are the product of hard work and perseverance. Next Monday, Canlas marks his 55th birthday. Incidentally, his younger brother, Oscar Canlas Jr., is presently a naval officer with the rank of captain.

Also last week, Maj. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., Class of 1989, was appointed commanding general, Philippine Army. He graduated No. 2 in his PMA class and served as first captain of the Cadet Corps in his senior year. As I wrote in an earlier column, Gen. Romeo “Omet” Brawner Jr. comes from a distinguished family of warriors. His father was a presiding justice of the Court of Appeals, four of his uncles served in the military, and two first cousins paid the supreme sacrifice in the service of country. The Brawners are descended from one of the “Buffalo Soldiers” (African-American enlisted men in the US Army), who came to the Philippines as part of the US invasion force during the Philippine-American War. He fell in love with a local girl and stayed on.

So here we have two classmates. One is the son of a rebel officer; the other is the son of an appellate justice. What they have in common is an education at the military academy and a strong desire to excel in their chosen profession. Today they occupy the highest positions in their respective services.

Our security forces are now headed by members of Class of 1988 and of 1989. The AFP chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Andres Centino, the Navy chief, Vice Admiral Adeluis Bordado, the chief PNP, Gen. Dionardo Carlos, and the commandant of the Coast Guard, Vice Admiral Leopoldo Larroya, all belong to the 1988 batch. The Philippine Army and Air Force are headed by Class of 1989. This looks like the national security line-up as we approach the critical 2022 presidential derby. The conduct and performance of these officers will be a vital factor in maintaining and upholding the integrity of our elections.

https://opinion.inquirer.net/147476/pma-class-of-1989moves-forward

Rebel killed, soldier injured in clashes

From the Manila Times (Dec 14, 2021): Rebel killed, soldier injured in clashes (By Francis Earl Cueto)

A MEMBER of the New People's Army (NPA) died during an encounter with joint operatives from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police in Camarines Sur on Sunday, December 12, the military said on Monday.

According to the report, the NPA member was killed in an armed encounter in Barangay Salvacion, Ragay, Camarines Sur.

The gunfight lasted for 30 minutes, resulting in the killing of the unidentified rebel and the retrieval of an M16 rifle and a bandolier.

Prior to this, two other armed skirmishes transpired in Del Gallego last December 10. Molotov bombs, four detonators, two cellphones, three jungle packs, terroristic propaganda materials and personal belongings were seized.

Lt. Col. Cleto Lelina Jr., commander of the 9th Infantry Battalion (IB), directed the troops to continue scouring the nearby towns to hunt down the fleeing insurgents.

In Balbalan, Kalinga, a soldier from the 50th IB of Joint Task Force (JTF) Tala was injured, following a brief encounter with a communist terrorist group also on Sunday.

"As a result of the firefight, one wounded in action was incurred by the government troops while it was undetermined on the side of the enemy," said Lt. Col. Melanio Somera, commander of the 50th IB, Philippine Army.

Brig. Gen. Andrew Costello, acting commander of the Northern Luzon Command, said the soldiers were conducting a routine combat patrol when they encountered an undetermined number of armed terrorists from the Komiteng Larangang Gerilya Baggas at Sitio Tanap, Barangay Mabaca, Balbalan, Kalinga.

"The firefight lasted for about five minutes, and thereafter, the enemy scampered [in] different directions towards the north. While scouring the clash site, JTF Tala troops recovered three high-powered FA (fireams), two M16 [rifles], one M653 [rifle], one backpack, one hand grenade, three IEDs (improvised explosive devices), subversive documents and personal belongings." Costello said.

Brig. Gen. Santiago Enginco, commander of the 503rd IB, said, "We deployed additional forces in the area for possible enemy diversionary tactics. K9 and EOD (explosive detection dog) teams were also alerted for possible insertions,"

Maj. Gen. Laurence Mina, commander of JTF Tala, lauded the efforts of the operating troops for sustaining their fight against the insurgency.

"Their relentless conduct of intelligence-driven combat operations denies the terrorists the foothold and influence in the area, preventing them [from executing] their hostile plans," Mina said.

"Rest assured that we will continue to heighten collaborative efforts with the PNP in combatting threats to the peace, security and development of our area of responsibility," Mina added.

Meanwhile, Costello commended the troops of the JTF Tala.

"The Northern Luzon Command will continue its mission to eliminate elements that hinder the growth and development of the community. We will secure that violence, terrorism and crime have no place in our area of responsibility." Costelo added.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/12/14/news/regions/rebel-killed-soldier-injured-in-clashes/1825832

Mind The Gaps, Fill The Needs: A Strategic Outlook For The Philippine-US Alliance – Analysis

Posted to the Eurasia Review (Dec13, 2021): Mind The Gaps, Fill The Needs: A Strategic Outlook For The Philippine-US Alliance – Analysis (By By Julio S. Amador III//ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute)



US Secretary of State Antony Blinken with Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. Photo Credit: US State Department video screenshot

Tensions between the Philippines and the US have always been brewing beneath the surface, despite historically cordial diplomatic relations and generally convergent strategic interests on key foreign policy issues, such as regional balance of power and military modernisation. Critics of the relationship in the Philippines range from those who seek to reinforce the alliance by rectifying the perceived unequal treatment of Manila when compared to other US military partners, to the more radical option of rethinking the very wisdom of the alliance amidst the rise of China as the US’ strategic competitor. These underlying concerns became more pronounced under the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte, which saw the alliance unnerved by otherwise previously dismissible concerns.[1] The Visiting Forces Agreement, and pretty much the entire security alliance, was in jeopardy, but fortunately things did not go too far.[2]

Historically, the alliance has been mutually beneficial to both countries. The US found a reliable ally in the Philippines on numerous instances, including the Korean War,[3] the Vietnam War,[4] the Cold War,[5] and the Global War on Terror,[6] among others. Meanwhile, the Philippines receives aid from the United States to modernise its military, and has been working with American advisers for counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism campaigns. In the fight against the Islamic State and during the Battle of Marawi,[7] the US extended technical assistance and invested millions of dollars in training and intelligence funding for the Philippines.[8]

Based on a 2020 survey of Filipino security elites, the US continues to be critical in the Philippines’ defence and foreign policies as the preferred partner of choice, alongside other members of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) (See Table 1).[9] The Philippines also indicated its calibrated support of the Quad[10] and more recently the Australia-United Kingdom-United States (AUKUS) security pact[11] – both of which are US-led initiatives that seek to reinforce its place in the region.

 


The perception of the US as a stabilising factor in the region is a prevalent view in the Philippines. However, the deficits in its economic and technological engagements,[12] as well as the modest amount of American foreign military assistance to Manila as compared to other US treaty allies and non-treaty partners,[13] leave many to wonder about and question its commitment in general and also its asymmetric treatment across regional security partners in particular.

PHILIPPINE-US ALLIANCE: AN ENHANCED AGENDA

Disparities across US Alliances in Asia

The disparity of treatment across US alliances in Asia has been noted[14] and has not escaped the attention of Manila’s security establishment. The development of new defence capabilities and improvement of interoperability between the US and countries such as Japan,[15] South Korea,[16] and Australia[17] has been undertaken through deeply institutionalised relations and ironclad commitments established between their militaries. In contrast, alliance sceptics in the Philippines have railed against the Obama administration’s ambiguity on whether a possible conflict between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea (SCS) would trigger US obligations under Article IV of the Mutual Defence Treaty (MDT).

Both the Trump and Biden administrations have since made commitments to apply the MDT in the SCS, but the vacillation from one position to another reflects broader ambivalence and uncertainty. Prioritisation for an alliance as critical as the MDT appears lacklustre. For example, the Interim National Security Strategic Guidance mentions by name only Vietnam and Singapore – two important partners but not US allies in Southeast Asia.[18] For many in Asia, especially in the Philippines, US Vice President Kamala Harris’ visit to Singapore and Hanoi last August 2021 depicts the shift in US regional priorities. In his early 2021 Asia tour, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Seoul and Tokyo but omitted Manila and Bangkok – the only two US allies in Southeast Asia.[19] Newly minted Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and the Pacific, Daniel J. Kritenbrink, on his trip to the Asia Pacific only had plans to visit Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Singapore, but not Manila.[20]

In the light of the Philippines’ importance to the US’ Indo-Pacific strategy, the disparaging effect of being frequently left out in high-level visits and security dialogues is a potent elixir for alliance disruptions as evidenced by the Duterte administration’s reactions. Manila is taking notice of these developments, regardless of how major or minor they may seem.
Alliances Maintenance in Asia

The above developments fit into the assessment by the Washington-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) that US ties with its alliances in Southeast Asia have substantially weakened in recent years, with relatively little effort by Washington to strengthen its alliances with the Philippines (and Thailand).[21] According to the CSIS report titled Alliances in Need of Upkeep, the changing strategic environment, shifting internal politics, and China’s growing influence and aggressive outreach have contributed to this downward trend. This neglect has and will come at a strategic cost. Ties with the Philippines (and Thailand) remain important for the United States because of the benefits of peacetime bilateral cooperation as well as in defence planning above or just below the threshold of conflict. The US strategy in the Indo-Pacific will be severely affected and weakened if China manages to sway the two countries closer to its ambit. After all, Southeast Asia forms a lynchpin of the strategy and the SCS disputes remain a core regional flashpoint.[22]

The same report brings attention to the lack of diversity in Philippine-US security cooperation with a tunnel-vision focus on counter-terrorism operations in Mindanao. Cooperation in other areas of shared interest remains under-developed, especially in maritime domain awareness and cybersecurity.[23] China’s grey zone challenges in these fields have gone unaddressed for years, primarily due to the Philippines’ underdeveloped capabilities. It also does not help that these operations exploit the slow, deliberative nature of decision-making in the Philippines and the US,[24] which has resulted in severe response deficits in the SCS.[25] It is imperative for both Washington and Manila to address the lack of coordination and pre-planned responses to China’s grey zone activities.

To meet these challenges, it is important for the US to increase the frequency of air and naval joint exercises to ensure the combat-readiness and interoperability of its armed forces. Deploying more frequently, and developing clearer doctrines for conflicts short-of-war, would prepare the US (and the Philippines) for short-term contingencies. Under the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), the two countries can undertake necessary US-funded construction at jointly agreed locations, and deploy US air assets and long-range weapons. Priority must therefore be given to the full implementation of the EDCA to strengthen the Mutual Defence Treaty and cement the many logistical agreements between the countries. Both the US and the Philippine defence and foreign policy community should push for its full implementation in the remaining months of the Duterte administration.[26] If successful, this will build momentum for full implementation of the EDCA under the next administration in 2022.

The CSIS report also argues that the Philippines and the US must devise in advance a strategy to operate in an escalatory but sub-conflict space as a response to grey zone challenges. It calls for the strategy to both leverage the full policy toolkit of the alliance and utilise non-military approaches in economic, political and other spheres. Going beyond traditional security arrangements will showcase the US as a balancing force against China’s investment-heavy strategy within the Philippines. Doing so would also complement the Philippines’ thrusts in non-traditional areas which its defence establishment sees as top security concerns (see Table 2).[27]

Strengthening other Areas of Cooperation

In the short term, COVID-19 continues to pose the greatest threat to the well-being of Filipinos. Yet, bilateral cooperation on health-related initiatives remains under-utilised. In terms of public diplomacy, vaccine donations and vaccine distribution support from the US would likely resonate more with the Philippine public at this juncture than any action related to the SCS. US assistance in the post-conflict reconstruction of communities through education and capacity-building benefits the overall counter-terrorism efforts under the alliance and disincentivises individuals from joining terrorist organisations in the first place.

In addressing the need to go beyond counter-terrorism operations in Mindanao, investing in emerging technologies would also be an encouraging development. This includes cost-effective unmanned aerial vehicles, low earth orbit sensors, and automated platforms to process remote sensing data.[29] This would demonstrate the depth of American resolve in maintaining a competitive edge in warfighting in the Indo-Pacific. In pursuit of new and emerging technologies, integrating allies at an early stage into discussions would facilitate and ensure better defence posture and synchronous strategies.
Stronger Diplomatic Initiatives and Exchanges

The Philippine-US alliance suffers from a lack of consistent and impactful dialogue at Track 1.0 and 1.5. While opportunities for Track 2.0 dialogues do exist, they are relatively anaemic compared to the US’ vibrant exchanges with other allies such as Japan and South Korea. Track 1.5 and Track 2.0 mechanisms that prioritise strategic and economic issues must also be implemented to shadow official discussions. Dialogues like these provide unofficial avenues for robust discussion and exchange relevant to the rejuvenation of the alliance.

The time is also ripe to firmly establish the Bilateral Strategic Dialogue (BSD) as the primary coordinating mechanism on strategic and security matters. The Philippines and the US successfully held their ninth BSD on 14-15 November 2021 in Washington, DC.[30] Both have also intensified dialogue on defence and economic cooperation – a welcome development. A series of statements resounding a stronger and enduring partnership was released to mark the 75th anniversary of the diplomatic ties.[31]

It is likewise imperative to formalise a “2+2” Dialogue that involves both the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Defence and their US counterparts. This would replace the Council of Foreign Ministers that was originally mandated to coordinate the implementation of the MDT. Beyond counter-terrorism efforts and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations which feature prominently in the BSD, higher-order strategic and security issues must be the top priority of these exchanges and not just operational and technical issues. The US should also bolster investment in the human resource development of the Philippine civil service as well as its nongovernmental sector. This means increasing people-to-people exchanges on various levels, from the senior level down to student exchanges, and creating concrete generational and organisational networks that further Philippine-US. bilateral ties.

The withdrawal of the US from Afghanistan has served as a lesson on US commitment for the Philippines. Given the Philippines’ strategic and geographic importance to the US’ Indo-Pacific strategy, the relationship is not a one-way street towards mendicancy. Before its departure from Afghanistan, Washington’s commitment to that country lasted more than two decades at a huge expense.

How much more burden and expense is the US willing to shoulder for the sake of strategic competition when its key interests for its global pre-eminence are on the line? Must a crisis happen before both countries take their alliance management seriously?

CONCLUSION

The Philippines continues to be a valuable and dependable ally of the United States. No other country in Southeast Asia is as supportive and welcoming of the US as the Philippines, despite occasional incidences of a different outlook within the present administration. Losing influence and footing in the Philippines will have debilitating effects on the US’ strategic goals and defence against an increasingly aggressive China. If non-treaty partners are able to receive much more resources and commitments from Washington than the Philippines, the next Philippine administration may come up with negative conclusions about US priorities in Asia.

The Philippines, however, must also step up and do its part. The MDT states that parties must undertake self-help.[32] The Philippines needs to own up to its obligations to fully upgrade its military and defence capabilities. Notions of historical abandonment notwithstanding, investing in and developing its own capabilities and capacities should not simply depend on external actors such as the US alone, especially in the long-run. In the ever complex geopolitical rivalry between major powers, the Philippines needs to be strategic, self-sufficient, and self-reliant in utilising all of its military and diplomatic tools, wherever and whenever needed.

The next few years are more critical than ever. Ultimately, the Philippines and the US must define their parameters for cooperation under the MDT, study its full potential to include cybersecurity, and continue alliance management at the strategic level. Both must also expand shared and coordinated contingency planning, especially to prepare for possible crises such as in the South China Sea. For the alliance to endure in times of unprecedented regional uncertainty, Washington will have to commit in clearer terms and Manila will have to take a hard long look at itself to understand what it wants, why it wants it, and how it aims to achieve it in coordination with the US.

*About the author: Guest writer, Julio S. Amador III, is the Interim President of the Foundation for the National Interest, a new Manila-based think-tank focusing on strategic and security issues, and Founder of the Philippine Strategic Forum.

Source: This article was published by ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute

ENDNOTES

[1] Charmaine Misalucha-Willoughby, “Alliance Lessons for the Future”, Philippine Strategic Forum, 1 October 2021, https://www.stratforumph.com/post/alliance-lessons-for-the-future; Julio S. III Amador, “Is It Really Mutual? The Philippines-US Alliance in Perspective”, Philippine Strategic Forum, 3 May 2021, https://www.stratforumph.com/blog/page/5.

[2] CNN Philippines Staff, “Duterte Cancels Order to Terminate VFA with US”, CNN Philippines, 20 July 2021, https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/7/30/Visiting-Forces-Agreement-Philippines-United-States-Duterte-Austin.html.

[3] Ben Cal, “SoKor Thanks Anew PH Military Assistance in Korean War”, Government Website, Philippine News Agency, October 18, 2019, https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1083430.

[4] HistoryNet, “The Philippines: Allies During the Vietnam War”, HistoryNet, 2021, https://www.historynet.com/the-philippines-allies-during-the-vietnam-war.htm.

[5] Elliot Newbold, “The Philippines in the Cold War: Lessons for Today”, The Asia Dialogue, 6 April 2018, https://theasiadialogue.com/2018/04/06/elliot-philippine-freedom-and-the-global-cold-war-lessons-for-today/.

[6] US Congressional Research Services, “Abu Sayyaf: Target of Philippine-US Anti-Terrorism Cooperation” (Congressional Research Service, 26 July 2007), https://www.everycrsreport.com/reports/RL31265.html; Rommel C. Banlaoi, “The Role of Philippine-American Relations in the Global Campaign Against Terrorism: Implications for Regional Security”, ISEAS- Yusof Ishak Institute 24, no. 2 (August 2002): 294–312, https://www.jstor.org/stable/25798598.

[7] Jeff Seldin, “Islamic State Holding on in Philippines, Despite Millions in US Spending”, Voice of America News, 12 August 2020, https://www.voanews.com/a/east-asia-pacific_islamic-state-holding-philippines-despite-millions-us-spending/6194285.html.

[8] Neil Jerome Morales and Simon Lewis, “US Joins Battle as Philippines Takes Losses in Besieged City”, Reuters, 10 June 2017, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-militants-idUSKBN19107I.

[9] Julio S. III Amador, et al., “National Security Priorities and Agenda of the Philippines: Perceptions from the Filipino Strategic Community” (Amador Research Services, 2020), 17, https://784ea9bd-30e1-4b3b-9db0-677e32265b72.filesusr.com/ugd/8ce9d3_b329c32c56d442988f532952b508f2a9.pdf.

[10] Amador et al., 16.

[11] Department of Foreign Affairs, “Statement of the Honorable Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr., Secretary of Foreign Affairs, On the Australia-United Kingdom-United States (AUKUS) Enhanced Trilateral Security Partnership”, Government Website, Department of Foreign Affairs, 19 September 2021, https://dfa.gov.ph/dfa-news/statements-and-advisoriesupdate/29484-statement-of-foreign-affairs-teodoro-l-locsin-jr-on-the-australia-united-kingdom-united-states-aukus-enhanced-trilateral-security-partnership.

[12] Gregory B. Poling, Simon Tran Hudes, and Andreyka Natalegawa, “Alliances in Need of Upkeep: Strengthening the US-Philippines and US-Thailand Partnerships”, Center for Strategic & International Studies, 5 August 2021, 15, https://www.csis.org/analysis/alliances-need-upkeep-strengthening-us-philippines-and-us-thailand-partnerships.

[13] Michael Wesley (Ed.), Global Allies: Comparing US Alliances in the 21st Century, Australian National University Press, 2017, https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/id/ad3f6315-86ff-4244-bd8c-f923dd971522/632976.pdf; Gregory B. Poling, Simon Tran Hudes, and Andreyka Natalegawa, “The Unlikely, Indispensable US-Vietnam Partnership”, Center for Strategic & International Studies, 6 July 2021, https://www.csis.org/analysis/unlikely-indispensable-us-vietnam-partnership; White House, “FACT SHEET: Strengthening the US-Singapore Strategic Partnership”, 23 August 2021, https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/08/23/fact-sheet-strengthening-the-u-s-singapore-strategic-partnership/; ForeignAssistance.gov, “Aid Trends”, Data last updated on November 19, 2021, https://foreignassistance.gov/aid-trends.

[14] Humeyra Pamuk and Doina Chiacu, “US State, Defense Secretaries to Travel to Japan and South Korea next Week”, Reuters, 10 March 2021, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-asia-trip-idUSKBN2B21HB.

[15] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, “The Guidelines for Japan-US Defense Cooperation”, Foreign Government Website, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, 2014, US-Japan Enhanced Defense Cooperation.

[16] US Department of State, “US Security Cooperation With Korea”, Foreign Government Website, US Department of State, January 20, 2021, https://www.state.gov/u-s-security-cooperation-with-korea/.

[17] Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia, “Australia to Pursue Nuclear-Powered Submarines through New Trilateral Enhanced Security Partnership”, Foreign Government Website, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, 16 September 2021, https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/marise-payne/media-release/australia-pursue-nuclear-powered-submarines-through-new-trilateral-enhanced-security-partnership.

[18] Joseph R. Jr. Biden, “Interim National Security Strategic Guidance” (Washington, DC, US: The White House, March 2021), https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/NSC-1v2.pdf.

[19] Anthony Kuhn, “On Asia Tour, US Secretary Of State Blinken Meets With Local Journalists”, National Public Radio, 22 March 2021, https://www.npr.org/2021/03/22/979886076/on-asia-tour-u-s-secretary-of-state-meets-with-local-journalists.

[20] US Department of State, “Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel J. Kritenbrink’s Travel to Southeast Asia November 27 to December 4”, 26 November 2021, https://www.state.gov/assistant-secretary-of-state-for-east-asian-and-pacific-affairs-daniel-j-kritenbrinks-travel-to-southeast-asia-november-27-to-december-4/.

[21] Poling, Hudes, and Natalegawa, “Alliances in Need of Upkeep: Strengthening the US-Philippines and US-Thailand Partnerships”.

[22] Premesha Saha, “Southeast Asia forming the lynchpin in the US’ Indo-Pacific strategy”, Observer Research Foundation, 28 July 2021, https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/southeast-asia-forming-the-lynchpin-in-the-us-indo-pacific-strategy/; Manoj Joshi, “The beating heart of the Indo-Pacific strategy is the South China Sea”, Observer Research Foundation, 17 July 2021, https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/beating-heart-indo-pacific-strategy-south-china-sea/

[23] Ibid., 16.

[24] Ibid., 6–7.

[25] Ibid., 7–8.

[26] Renato C. De Castro, “Commentary: 2014 EDCA Enables 1951 MDT Commitments”, Philippine Star, 25 September 2021, https://www.philstar.com/news-commentary/2021/09/25/2129642/commentary-2014-edca-enables-1951-mdt-commitments.

[27] Amador et al., “National Security Priorities and Agenda of the Philippines: Perceptions from the Filipino Strategic Community”, 12.

[28] Each respondents are allowed to identify up to three security concerns.

[29] Ibid., 16.

[30] Joyce Ann L. Rocamora, “US-PH Dialogue on defense, economic cooperation set Nov. 14”, Philippine News Agency, 12 November 2021, https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1159620.

[31] Office of the Spokesperson, US Department of State, “Joint Vision for a 21st Century United States-Philippines Partnership”, 16 November 2021, https://www.state.gov/joint-vision-for-a-21st-century-united-states-philippines-partnership/.

[32] Carlos P. Romulo et al., “Mutual Defense Treaty between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States of America”, Official Gazette, 30 August 1951, https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1951/08/30/mutual-defense-treaty-betweenthe- republic-of-the-philippines-and-the-united-states-of-america-august-30-1951/.Click here to have Eurasia Review's newsletter delivered via RSS, as an email newsletter, via mobile or on your personal news page.


[The Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS), an autonomous organization established by an Act of Parliament in 1968, was renamed ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute in August 2015. Its aims are: To be a leading research centre and think tank dedicated to the study of socio-political, security, and economic trends and developments in Southeast Asia and its wider geostrategic and economic environment. To stimulate research and debate within scholarly circles, enhance public awareness of the region, and facilitate the search for viable solutions to the varied problems confronting the region. To serve as a centre for international, regional and local scholars and other researchers to do research on the region and publish and publicize their findings. To achieve these aims, the Institute conducts a range of research programmes; holds conferences, workshops, lectures and seminars; publishes briefs, research journals and books; and generally provides a range of research support facilities, including a large library collection.]

https://www.eurasiareview.com/13122021-mind-the-gaps-fill-the-needs-a-strategic-outlook-for-the-philippine-us-alliance-analysis/

Peace on the frontlines and at home; Our men in uniform juggle duty to country and family

From Panay News (Dec 13, 2021): Peace on the frontlines and at home; Our men in uniform juggle duty to country and family (By Ruby P. Silubrico)

Personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) join the two-day Amphibious Operations as part of the AFP Joint Exercises (AJEX) (Dagat, Langit at Lupa) (DAGITPA) 05-2021 in Patnongon, Antique

CHRISTMAS is the time of year when family and friends especially miss those who are away. Some families are blessed enough to get to see their military and/or police service family members for the holiday. Others are not as privileged.

Soldiers and policemen who choose to put their lives on the line to keep our country safe need to stay stationed and ready even during the holidays. No matter where they are, we pray for their safety and we thank them for their commitment to our country’s freedom and integrity.

They are the reason we have a peaceful and happy holiday. We will always be thankful for their hard work for making this part of the world a better place.

Keeping our country peaceful and orderly is a tough job. But our men in uniform never lose hope.

“Hope for a peaceful country, a safe environment – these will be realized if the rebels will return to the fold of the law. No more killing and fighting. Instead, let’s embrace one another, and not only during Christmas but all the time,” says Major General Benedict Arevalo, commander of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) based in Jamindan, Capiz.

But government troops couldn’t achieve this by their lonesome. He says people must continue supporting the government forces.

“We don’t want war. We don’t want to kill. But we have the responsibility to defend our country. ‘Yan ang sinumpaan namin,” says Arevalo.

No, they’re not killing machines.

“Masakit sa loob naming mga sundalo na Pinoy against Pinoy nagpapatayan. Sana tayo ay magmahalan,” he stresses.

THE SOLDIER IS A FAMILY MAN, TOO

Indeed, behind the steely exterior of our men in uniform are gentle souls. Juggling their duty to country and family tests their resolve.

For Major General Benedict Arevalo, a native of Baguio City and a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1990, this year is particularly challenging. He lost his 25-year-old son to coronavirus virus disease six months ago.

“I don’t know how to celebrate this Christmas…This will be my first time celebrating it without him, we are not complete,” he says, referring to his wife and 20-year-old daughter.

A grizzled father used to battling enemies on the frontlines has lost a son to a different kind of war.

“Masakit talaga. We seldom celebrate Christmas and other special occasions as a family due to the nature of my job. I’ve been wishing na sana this Christmas we could celebrate as a complete family kahit ilang araw lang. Pero wala na sya,” says the Army general.

But he chooses to deal with the situation like a true soldier.

“It’s really hard for us to accept but we have to face this,” he says, and his family continues to count their blessings. They actually greet one another “Blessed Christmas” and not “Merry Christmas.”

They may not be as happy as in previous Christmases, “But we will survive this. Kaya namin ito,” he says like a true warrior for after all, his father and four brothers were also PMAers.

FOR LOVE OF COUNTRY

Men in uniform are on call all the time. That’s the nature of the job.

“We may be physically present with our families but we also think of our men in the field, our jobs and our responsibilities,” says Arevalo, who will retire on March 2023.

AREVALO

For the most part, he spent his military career in Western Visayas promoting peace and order with government troops, Christmas or not.

After graduating from the PMA, his first assignment was the 3ID. He served as an instructor in the division training unit. He also trained as a Scout Ranger.

Arevalo’s first “test mission” was sometime in 1991 in San Remigio, Antique – an encounter with New People’s Army rebels.

He had been assigned, too, at the 301st Brigade based in Camp Hernandez, Dingle, Iloilo (1993-1994) as Brigade Staff and promoted to brigade commander of the same unit years after (2018).

In the 1990s, he had stints in Mindanao and Luzon, and also took up advance trainings in Indonesia.

Arevalo also took the Strategic Human Resource Management Course and Program for Development Managers Course both at the Asian Institute of Management in Makati City.
His prowess in military operations made him a recipient of numerous awards and decorations.

He was awarded two Distinguished Service Stars, two Bronze Cross Medals, several Military Merit Medals, a dozen of which were with Bronze Spearhead Devices.

TO SERVE AND PROTECT

“Habang nabubuhay tayo na nagmamahalan at may kooperasyon sa isa’t isa, nandiyan ang pag–asa,” says Police Brigadier General Flynn Dongbo, director of the Police Regional Office 6.

 

DONGBO

To serve and protect the people is the Philippine National Police’s reason for being, and for the good general, this is not just a mission but a commitment, Christmas or not.

“Hangad ng inyong pulis na maging mapayapa ang ating bansa at maproteksyonan kayo sa kapahamakan,” he says.

General Dongbo is also a native of Baguio City and a classmate of General Arevalo at the PMA. His other avowed task is to make his men better guardians of the people.

When he assumed the directorship of the Police Regional Office 6, he made it clear that he wanted policemen to be models of integrity and discipline.

To those involved in illegal activities, he said, it’s not yet too late to change for the better. There is always hope.

He prays that lawless elements and drug personalities will change for the better.

But how does he manage work and family life?

General Dongbo is a father of two boys who, with their mother, are based in Pampanga.

Getting together during special occasions like Christmas and New Year is a challenge, he admits.

Thankfully, modern technology comes in handy. Video calls make the wide distance between them a little closer.

“It’s really difficult to be away from your family but I’m a police officer,” he says.

When his assignments were closer to home, he would often go home.

Before his Region 6 assignment, General Dongbo had stints in Samar, Region 3 (among other areas in Luzon) and the PNP national headquarters.

He had also been a chief of the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group of the PNP.

All those years entailed balancing his duty to his country and his duty to his wife and sons.

Truly, it takes extraordinary character to be a man in uniform and to be a family man. Thus, to our policemen and soldiers, we pray that this holiday season will revitalize your courage and strength as you celebrate the birth of our Lord with joy and hope.

Your bravery is already a gift. Thank you for your service. Your selfless acts have given us the opportunity to celebrate these festive days. Know that our prayers and thoughts are with you at all times. Be safe and may you have a very merry Christmas./PN

https://www.panaynews.net/peace-on-the-frontlines-and-at-home-our-men-in-uniform-juggle-duty-to-country-and-family/

Military raises alert level

From the Mindanao Times (Dec 13, 2021): Military raises alert level (By RHODA GRACE SARON) 

Photo courtesy of 10th Infantry Division

THE military has raised its alert level in preparation for the upcoming commemoration of the 53rd Communist Party of the Philippines anniversary on December 26.

Major General Ernesto C. Torres Jr., 10th Infantry Division commander, said his unit has long prepared for any eventuality especially since the special day of the outlawed movement is within the Yuletide season.

Torres urged the public to be vigilant and help the law enforcers to prevent the rebels from staging armed activities. He said the public should immediately report suspicious activities.

Despite the alert, the military unit reported that there was relative peace in its area as more members of the movement either surrendered, were captured or were killed.

“I urge all our peace-loving countrymen that with your cooperation we can achieve a peaceful Christmas celebration together with our loved ones,” Torres said.

https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2021/12/13/military-raises-alert-level-2/

Close to 550 towns, cities tagged as initial election hotspots

Posted to the Mindanao Examiner (Dec 13, 2021): Close to 550 towns, cities tagged as initial election hotspots  (By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan)

THE PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) has identified 488 towns and 58 cities as potential election hotspots for next year's national and local elections.

Brig. Gen. Michael John Dubria, head of the PNP Directorate for Intelligence, said in a news briefing Monday the data is still up for verification and subject for validation with their military counterparts.

The election hotspot list has four categories -- Green, Yellow, Orange, and Red but Dubria did not disclose specific towns and cities and their respective categories.

He said only 3 percent out of the country's 1,438 towns and about 5 percent of 146 cities are under the red category.

Among those under the red category include areas from the Cagayan Valley (Region 2), Central Luzon (Region 3), Bicol Region (Region 5), Western Visayas (Region 6), and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

"So those are the figures translated into just 39 towns and seven cities. Those are the critical areas that we are focusing on,” he added.

Green refers to areas that do not have security concerns and are generally peaceful and orderly, while Yellow are areas of concern, which means that these have a history of election-related incidents in the last elections, possible employment of partisan armed groups, occurence of politically motivated election-related incidents and had been previously declared under Comelec control.

Category Orange, meanwhile, means areas of immediate concern where there is serious armed threat; while Red means areas of grave concern, which exhibit combined factors under the Yellow category with serious armed threats that it may warrant the motu proprio (on its own) declaration of Comelec control.

The PNP was earlier tasked by the Department of the Interior and Local Government to identify election hotspots to ensure an orderly and peaceful polls.

Meantime, newly appointed Philippine Army chief Maj. Gen. Romeo Brawner said defeating the insurgency would allow them to focus more on helping the Commission on Elections in ensuring that the May 2022 polls are "orderly, honest, and credible."

He ordered intelligence units to step up their operations, as he vowed to push needed resources to all Army units. The Philippine National Police (PNP) has identified 488 towns and 58 cities as potential election hotspots for next year's national and local elections.

Brig. Gen. Michael John Dubria, head of the PNP Directorate for Intelligence, said in a news briefing Monday the data is still up for verification and subject for validation with their military counterparts.

The election hotspot list has four categories -- Green, Yellow, Orange, and Red but Dubria did not disclose specific towns and cities and their respective categories.

He said only 3 percent out of the country's 1,438 towns and about 5 percent of 146 cities are under the red category.

Among those under the red category include areas from the Cagayan Valley (Region 2), Central Luzon (Region 3), Bicol Region (Region 5), Western Visayas (Region 6), and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

"So those are the figures translated into just 39 towns and seven cities. Those are the critical areas that we are focusing on,” he added.

Green refers to areas that do not have security concerns and are generally peaceful and orderly, while Yellow are areas of concern, which means that these have a history of election-related incidents in the last elections, possible employment of partisan armed groups, occurence of politically motivated election-related incidents and had been previously declared under Comelec control.

Category Orange, meanwhile, means areas of immediate concern where there is serious armed threat; while Red means areas of grave concern, which exhibit combined factors under the Yellow category with serious armed threats that it may warrant the motu proprio (on its own) declaration of Comelec control.

The PNP was earlier tasked by the Department of the Interior and Local Government to identify election hotspots to ensure an orderly and peaceful polls.

Meantime, newly appointed Philippine Army chief Maj. Gen. Romeo Brawner said defeating the insurgency would allow them to focus more on helping the Commission on Elections in ensuring that the May 2022 polls are "orderly, honest, and credible."

He ordered intelligence units to step up their operations, as he vowed to push needed resources to all Army units.
http://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2021/12/close-to-550-towns-cities-tagged-as.html

Manhunt launched for suspects in shooting of Zambo cop

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 13, 2021): Manhunt launched for suspects in shooting of Zambo cop (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) has launched manhunt operation to arrest the two suspects who shot and wounded a policeman in this southern port city over the weekend.

Col. Rexmel Reyes, ZCPO director, said in a statement Monday that one of the subjects of the manhunt operation was identified as Ian Rodriguez while the other one remained unidentified.

Reyes identified the wounded policeman as Staff Sgt. Joseph Robles of the ZCPO’s Station 5, who was shot and wounded by the suspects around 4:40 p.m. Saturday in Purok 3, Barangay Lumbangan, this city.

Robles and a companion whose identity was withheld for security reasons were conducting surveillance on the conduct of illegal gambling in the area when the suspects riding tandem on a motorcycle appeared and opened fire.

He said that the suspects sped toward Barangay Lunzuran, while Robles, who sustained two gunshot wounds, was rushed to a local hospital.

“The victim is currently in the hospital in stable condition,” Reyes added.

He said that the Scene of the Crime Operatives recovered from the crime scene five empty shells and a slug of caliber .45 pistol.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1162544

NTF-ELCAC project turns Antique farmers’ dream into reality

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 13, 2021): NTF-ELCAC project turns Antique farmers’ dream into reality (By Annabel Consuelo Petinglay)

FARM-TO-MARKET ROAD. The unpaved four-kilometer road of Barangay Bulan-bulan in San Remigio, Antique is set for concreting under the Barangay Development Program of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict. The groundbreaking will be held Wednesday (Dec. 15, 2021) for the first phase of the project that is eyed for completion within six months. (Photo courtesy of San Remigio LGU)

The PHP20-million farm-to-market road (FMR) leading to Barangay Bulan-bulan in San Remigio, Antique, funded by the Barangay Development Program (BDP) of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), is set for groundbreaking on Wednesday.

Once completed, the FMR will ease the transport of agricultural goods from the upland village to the town market, according to Provincial Engineer Inocencio Dajao.

“Although we will be implementing the project phase by phase but once it is finished, it could already make Barangay Bulan-bulan accessible,” he said in an interview Monday.

The funding for Phase 1 could only concretize half of the four-kilometer road that will start from the last paved road in Barangay Aningalan.

The provincial government also allocated an additional PHP5 million under its 2022 budget for the road construction.

Without the access road, residents of Bulan-bulan disembark at Barangay Aningalan and walk all the way to their destination.

San Remigio Mayor Margarito Mission Jr. said the project is targeted for completion within six months.

“The road project is a long-time dream of residents who are into rice, corn and other root crops farming so they will have access to sell their products at the town market without spending so much for hauling cost,” he said in another interview.

The groundbreaking was supposed to be held on December 2 but was postponed due to a military operation that dismantled the hideout of Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army terrorists in Barangay Alimodias, Miagao, Iloilo the day before.

One of the rebels who died, Roger Pedro, was a resident of Barangay Osorio, also in San Remigio.

San Remigio, located in the mountainous boundary of Antique and Iloilo provinces, serves as the cross-border of CPP-NPA rebels fleeing from government forces.

BDP, a hallmark program of NTF-ELCAC with the end goal of bringing development to former conflict-prone communities, has identified 822 barangays nationwide that will receive PHP20 million each for FMR, classrooms, water and sanitation systems, health stations, and livelihood projects.

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1162548

Army seeks probe on murder of ex-rebel in Leyte

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 13, 2021): Army seeks probe on murder of ex-rebel in Leyte (By Roel Amazona) 

SEEKING PROBE. Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division Commander, Major Gen. Edgardo De Leon. The official on Monday (Dec. 13, 2021) called on the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and the local government unit of Carigara, Leyte to investigate the murder of a former rebel allegedly perpetrated by the New People’s Army. (Photo courtesy of Ormoc City LGU)

The Philippine Army has called on the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and the local government unit of Carigara, Leyte to help investigate the murder of a former rebel allegedly perpetrated by the New People’s Army (NPA).

Major Gen. Edgardo De Leon, commander of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division, said execution of former NPA rebels could be a strategy of the communist terrorist group to threaten those planning to surrender to the government and instill fear among people in the community.

The official made the call in a press briefing here on Monday, just a few days after the Dec. 8 killing of Josimo "Sosing" Indita, a former rebel and resident of Binibihan village in Carigara town.

A letter left by NPA Mt. Amandawin Command leader, Ka Reynaldo, beside the victim’s body only proved that the terrorist group committed the murder, apparently on suspicion that he worked as an asset of government forces.

“The killing of Indita is a blatant violation of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL). Our call to CHR is to investigate the death of Indita, a harmless civilian mercilessly killed by the NPA. The rebel was even proud that they’re behind the murder. We also urge the local government to launch a fact-finding investigation since Indita is their constituent,” he said.

De Leon said enforcing the IHL and conducting an investigation is a way of protecting civilians from abuses.

Unlike the communist group, the military always upholds, observes and respects the human rights of everyone, even rebels who they fight against, he pointed out.

“If there is wounded, the Army will make sure that the wounded NPA will get medical treatment,” de Leon said.

“As soldiers, we can promise and assure that we will not harm any civilians who are not part of the conflict. But can rebels guarantee it? IHL is a commitment that should be done by both parties and not by one group alone,” he added.

Carigara has been the focus of the military’s anti-insurgency drive after the NPA intensified its recruitment efforts in the town's upland communities in the past two years.

It is about 48 kilometers northwest of this regional capital. It is a second class town with a population of over 51,000.

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

The Anti-Terrorism Council also formally designated the National Democratic Front as a terrorist organization on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and separate part” of the CPP-NPA that was created in April 1973.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1162551

Bohol guv urges Congress to fund NTF-ELCAC programs

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 13, 2021): Bohol guv urges Congress to fund NTF-ELCAC programs (By John Rey Saavedra)

Bohol Governor Arthur Yap and Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo. (PNA file photos)

Governor Arthur Yap of Bohol province on Monday urged members of Congress to show their sincerity in resolving the half-a-century old armed conflict by approving funding for barangay-level development projects.

Yap, in a statement, said development programs are the answer to the insurgency in villages identified as “communist terrorist group (CTG)-affected areas”.

“ELCAC (Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict) is the most expansive program to fund development down to the barangay level in CTG affected areas,” he said.

Yap said the projects prepared through the Barangay Development Program (BDP) are vetted by the local government units side by side with the affected communities and national government agencies.

“Now that the hard preparatory work is done, I ask that Congress, especially the Senate, must now fund this project to show our serious resolve in ending half a century of bloodshed and missed opportunities,” the governor said.

He called on the lawmakers to support the administration’s effort to end insurgency in order “not to waste more time and lives uselessly”.

In a separate statement, Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo urged his constituents to show their dismay by not electing politicians who would block development efforts in the conflict-hit villages.

“If there are politicians who want to undermine this unified program for national peace, let them show our frustration by denying them of our vote in the upcoming election on May 9, 2022,” he said in the local dialect.

Degamo said programs designed solely to benefit residents in affected and vulnerable areas have restored people’s confidence in our government.

He cited the National Task Force ELCAC’s effort to bring in various national government agencies, local officials, community leaders, and people’s organizations in proposing programs through the whole-of-nation approach as directed by President Rodrigo Duterte under Executive Order No. 70.

Earlier, Mayor Carlo Jorge Joan Reyes of Guihulngan City thanked Duterte and the legislative branch for funding development projects in conflict-hit communities in his city.

Guihulngan City is considered as the most vulnerable area in Central Visayas due to the presence of the New People’s Army (NPA). Reyes said the city’s Task Force ELCAC has been working with the national task force in hatching projects that will directly redound to the benefit of vulnerable communities.

“Guihulngan City Task Force ELCAC is immensely grateful to NTF-ELCAC for the tangible and solid gains achieved in terms of peace and national security. These gains are the natural and expected benefits that spring from the grant of (BDP) to the different conflict-affected barangays,” Reyes said.

These projects, he said, should continue as the government intends to face the challenge of uplifting the lives of the constituents by responsibly executing the delivery of basic and social services.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1162601

NPA rebel killed in CamSur clash

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 13, 2021): NPA rebel killed in CamSur clash (By Connie Calipay)

ENCOUNTER SITE. The area in Barangay Salvacion in Ragay, Camarines Sur, where a clash occurred between government soldiers and New People's Army (NPA) rebels on Sunday (Dec. 12, 2021). A still unidentified rebel was killed in the armed encounter. (Photo courtesy of 9th Infantry Division)

A New People's Army (NPA) rebel was killed in an armed encounter between government troops and the communist guerrillas in Barangay Salvacion, Ragay, Camarines Sur on Sunday afternoon.

In a statement on Monday, Maj. John Paul Belleza, the 9th Infantry Division spokesperson, said the gunfight lasted for 30 minutes and resulted in the killing of the still unidentified rebel and the recovery of two M16 rifles and a bandolier.

"Joint elements of 9th Infantry Battalion (9IB), 92nd Division Reconnaissance Company (92DRC), 1st Camarines Sur Provincial Mobile Force Company, Camarines Sur Police Provincial Office (CSPPO), 1st Camarines Norte Provincial Mobile Force Company, Camarines Norte Police Provincial Office (CNPPO) and other intelligence units were conducting security operations when they encountered at least 10 NPA members," the statement read.

Lt. Col. Cleto Lelina Jr., commander of the 9th Infantry Battalion, directed the troops to continue scouring the nearby towns to hunt down the fleeing rebels.

On the other hand, Brig. Gen. Jaime Abawag Jr, commander of 902nd Infantry Brigade, said the military's successful engagements send a strong message to the communist terrorist group about the persistent and consistent operations of the security sector against the terrorist group.

"Nakaalerto ang ating tropa sa anumang pagkilos na gagawin ng CTG ngayong holiday season kaya ang payo natin sa kanilang mga miyembro, huwag na sana nilang hintayin pang malagay sa alanganin ang kanilang buhay dahil hindi titigil ang mga sundalo at pulis sa pagtugis sa kanila. Tiyak na uuwi ang iba sa kanila kaya sa mga kaanak ng mga rebeldeng ito, gamitin ninyo ang panahong ito para makausap sila ng maayos at makumbinsing 'wag ng bumalik pa sa kilusan. (Our troops are on alert against this communist group for any movement this holiday season, that's why our advice to them is not to wait until their life is put in danger because our police and soldier will not stop from pursuing them. For sure, some rebels will go home to their families, so take this opportunity to talk to them and tell them not to go back to the group)," Abawag said.

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

The Anti-Terrorism Council also formally designated the National Democratic Front as a terrorist organization on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and separate part” of the CPP-NPA that was created in April 1973.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1162591

SC ruling on ATA another victory in gov't fight vs. terrorism

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 13, 2021): SC ruling on ATA another victory in gov't fight vs. terrorism (By Benjamin Pulta)

The recent decision of the Supreme Court (SC) to uphold the Anti- Terrorism Act (ATA), save for two provisions, was a clear victory for the government as it joins the global crackdown on terrorist organizations.

Assistant Solicitor General Angelita Miranda said the government is still waiting for the formal copy of the decision but from all indications, they are satisfied with the ruling of the high tribunal despite the “two minor items that does not diminish the efficacy of the ATA”.

“We are not saying we are not going to file a motion for reconsideration,” Miranda said during a press briefing on Monday, adding that the decision to strike out a portion of Section 25 on requests from other jurisdictions, such as the European Union, to designate terrorists has “no impact on the entirety of the law”.

A vote of 9-6 declared unconstitutional Paragraph 2 of Section 25 that says request for designations by other jurisdictions or supranational jurisdictions may be adopted by the ATC (Anti-Terrorism Council) after determination that the proposed designee meets the criteria for designation of UNSCR (United Nations Security Council Resolution) No. 1373.

Resolution No. 1373 was adopted by the UN Security Council on Sept. 28, 2001 in the wake of the terrorist attacks carried out in the United States on September 11.

Undersecretary Severo Catura, Executive Director of the Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat, said the SC ruling on Section 25 only ensures that the Philippines’ “own mandate will not be encroached” by foreign bodies making requests to the ATC and noted that the Philippine justice system is free to make a determination in designating a terrorist individual or organization.

“We have our own judicial system,” he said.

On a part of Section 4 (...which are not intended to cause death or serious physical harm to a person, to endanger a person’s life, or to create a serious risk to public safety) that was similarly voided by a 12-3 vote for being “overbroad and violative of freedom of expression”, Catura said it is "superfluous" and does not affect the law overall.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1162554

PH, Japan renews commitment to ‘deepen’ partnership

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 13, 2021): PH, Japan renews commitment to ‘deepen’ partnership (By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz)

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. and new Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa reaffirmed the commitment of the Philippines and Japan to “strengthen” strategic partnership.

In a statement on Monday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Locsin and Yoshimasa discussed key areas of bilateral cooperation between the two countries as well as mutual challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic and issues in the East and South China Seas in a phone call on December 8.

“The phone call provided an opportunity for the two ministers to renew the Philippines’ and Japan’s commitment to a wider and deeper partnership at the close of 2021, which marks the 65th anniversary of normalization of diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the two countries’ strategic partnership,” the DFA said.

Locsin thanked Yoshimasa for Japan’s recent assistance, including donation of 3 million doses of the Japan-manufactured AstraZeneca vaccine as well as becoming the Philippines’ top source of development assistance in 2020.

On maritime issues, Hayashi “strongly” opposed unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the East and South China Seas.

Locsin thanked Japan for its statements of support for the 2012 Arbitral Award and “law-based order in the South China Sea”.

They also exchanged views on various regional and multilateral issues such as the developments in Myanmar, North Korea and support for measures to address the abduction of Japanese nationals, and commitment to non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.

The two ministers discussed advancing “concrete cooperation” to realize a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) and on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Outlook for the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).

“The ministers also agreed to cooperate on the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Asean-Japan Friendship and Cooperation in 2023,” the DFA said.

They agreed to promote the early launch of the Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting (2+2) for a “deeper security engagement and coordination between the two countries” following a consensus between President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio last month.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1162590

CPP/Ang Bayan: Terorismo mula sa himpapawid: Ang brutal na pambobomba ng AFP

 Ang Bayan propaganda pamphlet posted to the PRWC Newsroom (Dec 7, 2021): Terorismo mula sa himpapawid: Ang brutal na pambobomba ng AFP

Terorismo mula sa himpapawid: Ang brutal na pambobomba ng AFP
DOWNLOAD HERE
Pilipino: PDF
Bisaya: PDF

https://cppangbayan.files.wordpress.com/2021/12/202115pi_bombing-1.pdf

CPP/NPA-Central Negros: Serial rapist punished in Moises Padilla

Propaganda statement posted to the PRWC Newsroom (Dec 12, 2021): Serial rapist punished in Moises Padilla

JB REGALADO

SPOKESPERSON

NPA-CENTRAL NEGROS

December 12, 2021

Rommel Aba, a serial rapist also involved in other heinous crimes, was punished by the LPC-NPA last December 9, 2021 around 11pm in Sitio Uway-uway, Barangay Quintin Remo, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental. Aba was involved in 3 cases of rape involving his wife, sister-in-law, and mother-in-law.

Aba was also involved in other heinous crimes, including: (1) the hold-up of Tasya Sibongga, (2) and the frustrated murders of Pacita Belando and Bernard Caldeo. Based on the principles of revolutionary justice and the decision of the people’s court, his execution was implemented by the NPA.

In the waging of the protracted people’s war, counterrevolutionary and lawless elements are subject to sanctions and punishments according to the gravity of their crime. This serves as a warning to all those who hamper the well-being and the rights of the masses.

https://prwcinfo.wordpress.com/2021/12/12/serial-rapist-punished-in-moises-padilla/

Kalinaw News: Army’s 3ID destroys NPA Terrorists’ firearms in demilitarization rites

Posted to Kalinaw News (Dec 13, 2021): Army’s 3ID destroys NPA Terrorists’ firearms in demilitarization rites



CAMP PERALTA, Jamindan, Capiz – The Army’s 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division, in partnership with the 6th Forward Service Support Unit (6FSSU), destroyed the captured, confiscated, surrendered, and recovered (CCSR) firearms of the NPA Terrorists through a demilitarization ceremony held at Headquarters, 6FSSU in Camp Martin, Delgado, Iloilo City on Monday, December 13, 2021.

The ceremonial demilitarization of seven assorted firearms was graced by MGen Benedict Arevalo, Commander, 3ID.

MGen Arevalo and BGen Rogelio Ulanday, Deputy Commander, Army Support Command (ASCOM)and Chairman of Philippine Army Disposal Committee, led the cutting of firearms. The skilled 6FSSU personnel assisted them under LTC Flodeliza Bolhayon, Commanding Officer, 6FSSU.

Also, 66 CCSR firearms were inspected during the activity as part of the verification and identification process.

In his message, BGen Ulanday said, “A giant leap towards our quest for peace in any armed struggle, having the strongest peak means having the upper hand and latching once a weapon is like being stripped naked in the battle for a combatant.”

For his part, MGen Arevalo said that the demilitarization’s essence is to show that there is only one Armed Forces in the country: the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

“This activity is being conducted to show to the public the numbers of firearms of CPP NPA Terrorist, which they used in sowing terror in this region. This is also to inform the public that these firearms will never be used again, by demilitarizing all of it,” he further said.

“With the continuous support of the people in Western and Central Visayas, the 3ID to include its line units in the ground will continue to accomplish its mission in accordance to our mandate to contribute and to attain a community conducive for peace and development, not only in this part of the region but for the whole country as well,” he added.

Atty. Flosemer Chris Gonzales, RTF- ELCAC 6 Spokesperson; Ltc Rafman Altre, Assistant Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations, 3ID; Ltc Earl Panganiba, Assistant Chief of Staff for Logistics, and Cpt Kim Apitong, Chief, Division Public Affairs Office also attended and witnessed the ceremony.

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

https://www.kalinawnews.com/armys-3id-destroys-npa-terrorists-firearms-in-demilitarization-rites/

Kalinaw News: CSPA shares leadership advice to newly minted Army officers

Posted to Kalinaw News (Dec 13, 2021): CSPA shares leadership advice to newly minted Army officers



FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila – The Chief of Staff, Philippine Army (CSPA) Maj. Gen. Roberto Capulong shared leadership and professional development advice to 64 new 2nd Lieutenants in the “Chief of Staff Time” today, December 13, 2021, at the Philippine Army Officers’ Club’s Ricarte Hall.

A total of 58 2nd Lieutenants are part of Officer Preparatory Course (OPC) “ADHIKALINAW” 72-2020, with their class name embodying their “noble desire for peace.” The others were part of the Officer Candidate Course (OCC) 48-2017, 49-2017, 54-2020, and one foreign service academy graduate.

The new Army officers come from diverse academic and professional backgrounds such as education, criminology, information technology, etc. Some are also taekwondo and boxing athletes and civil service professionals.

The CSPA, in his speech, has reiterated Army Commanding General Maj. Gen. Romeo Brawner, Jr.’s guidance encapsulated in the acronym SERVE or “Soldier’s” welfare; “Enhancement” of the individual soldier and units; “Resources” provided to units; “Victory” over the enemy as tasked by the president; and “Election” support in 2022.

Maj. Gen. Capulong also shared advice on financial management, marriage, and personal health and fitness. He also reminded the newly minted officers to stay informed and updated, and most importantly, to always practice common sense in carrying out their tasks.

“As new 2nd Lieutenants, all of you embody innovativeness that will help the organization adapt to the fast and continuously evolving security landscape,” Maj. Gen. Capulong remarked. “Utilize your fresh perspectives grounded on realities in the field to put forward responsive and relevant leadership practices in every position or role you will assume from now on.

[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/cspa-shares-leadership-advice-to-newly-minted-army-officers/

Kalinaw News: 152 CPP-NPA-NDF members abandon the revolutionary urban movement

Posted to Kalinaw News (Dec 13, 2021): 152 CPP-NPA-NDF members abandon the revolutionary urban movement



CAMP DOWNES, Ormoc City, December 11, 2021 ‐- The voluntary surrender of 13 self-confessed party members and the abandonment of the CPP-NPA-NDF by some 139 mass members in Tacloban City marks the beginning of the end of the so-called “revolutionary urban mass movement” in Eastern Visayas’ regional center.

The government through the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict 8 (RTF-ELCAC considers the 152 emerging urban parties and mass members of the communist terrorist group (CTG) as victims of deceptive propaganda and false promises of godless communism. The return to the fold of the law of 152 urban cadres, party members, and mass followers in a formal ceremony held at the People Center in Tacloban City on Friday is also expected to slow down the armed struggle in the countryside.

A leader of the group revealed that in the past years a number of radicalized urban activists from Tacloban were recruited into the NPA and deployed to the countryside, mostly in Samar. Likewise, he confirmed that sectoral front organizations generated monies and resources in the city which the urban party cadres and operatives sent to the countryside to support the NPA.

Following the mainstreaming of CTG party members and urban mass leaders, more members both from the above-ground and underground mass organizations in Tacloban are expected to surface and to return to the fold of the law in coming days The following eight sectoral organizations are suspected to be fronting for the communist terrorist group (CTG) in Tacloban City are affected by the formal abandonment of their purported revolutionary cause:

• Anak Pawis • Bayan Muna • General Assembly Binding Women for Reforms, Integrity, Equality, Leadership and Action (GABRIELA)• Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY)• People Surge Alliance (PSA)• Kapunungan han mga Trabahador ug Hornal ha mga Bodega (KATRABAHO)-KADAMAY• Nagkaurusa para sa Prodaksyon ngan Seguridad (NAPSE) affiliated to Samahan han Gudti nga Parag-uma ha Sinirangan Bisayas (SAGUPA-SB)• Manguruma sa Satellite na Nagkaurusa (MASANAG)

Weeks before their formal public appearance, the 152 former CPP party members, white area leaders, and mass members formed themselves into five sectoral organizations supporting the implementation of President Duterte’s Executive Order No. 70 mandating the good governance-centric whole of government approach, the whole of national participation in ending the local communist armed conflict as a precondition to sustainable peace and inclusive development. The new groups styled themselves as:

• Cabalawan Integrated Peace & Development Workers Association (Cabalawan IPDWA) with 23 members,• Barangays Diit-San Roque Integrated Peace and Development Workers Association with 23 members,• Tacloban City Integrated Labor Association (TACILA) with 40 members,• Barangay Utap Integrated Peace and Development Workers Association with 46 members, and• Barangay 37 Reclamation Integrated Peace and Development Workers Association with 20 members.

They are registering themselves with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) as workers associations in accordance with The Labor Code.

They also unified themselves into Metro Tacloban Integrated Peace and Development Workers Federation (MTIPDWF) which would be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a non-stock, non-profit corporation.

As this developed, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is preparing to conduct basic skills development training for the deradicalized city dwellers right in their communities, many are considered depressed.

City Mayor Alfred Romualdez promised to help the 152 on their newfound path to peace and progress through various programs and projects of the city government. Brig. Gen. Zosimo A. Oliveros, commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade, 8ID, PA, called on the other CTG urban operatives and mass members to follow the trail blazed by the first 152.

“The return to the fold of the law of the CPP-NPA-NDF party members, white area operatives, and mass members is a clear sign that the people have gone sick and tired of the lies and deception of the CTG. This undoubtedly indicates that the people would no longer allow themselves to be used as pawns in the bloody and bankrupt ideological fantasy of Joma Sison and his ilk,” concluded Brig. Gen. Oliveros.

[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/152-cpp-npa-ndf-members-abandon-the-revolutionary-urban-movement/

Kalinaw News: Military continuously aids in government’s vaccination program

Posted to Kalinaw News (Dec 13, 2021): Military continuously aids in government’s vaccination program



Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City – December 13, 2021

Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Western Mindanao Command continue to support the vaccination program of the government by facilitating the safe transport of vaccines and medical supplies to island provinces and far-flung municipalities in the western and central parts of Mindanao. Utilizing one Special Boarding Unit (SBU) of the Philippine Navy, vaccines were successfully transported to Basilan and Tawi-Tawi on December 12, 2021.

According to WestMinCom Commander, Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario, Jr., a total of 17 boxes of syringe and 21 boxes of Pneumovax were safely transported to Tawi-Tawi. Also, 20 boxes of Pneumovax were transported to Basilan. The vaccines were turned over to the personnel of the Integrated Provincial Health Office of the two provinces.

“We are here to allow the vaccines to reach their destination safely as directed by our Commander-in-Chief. We also provide security to protect the inoculators and the vaccines from the malefactors,” Lt. Gen. Rosario, Jr. emphasized.

All the land, air, and water assets of the Western Mindanao Command are made available for the transportation of vaccines and medical supplies for the entire duration of the vaccination campaign. Troops are also readily deployed to aid in the vaccination drive and to provide security during the process.

[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/military-continuously-aids-in-governments-vaccination-program/

Kalinaw News: Need for Bantay Dagat Underscored as 58M worth of dangerous drugs destroyed in Sulu

Posted to Kalinaw News (Dec 13, 2021): Need for Bantay Dagat Underscored as 58M worth of dangerous drugs destroyed in Sulu



December 13, 2021, Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista, Jolo, Sulu – Another milestone is reached after the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-BARMM) led destruction of dangerous drugs held at Hall of Justice, Capitol Site, Patikul, Sulu.

In the presence of PDEA-BARRM Regional Director Gilbert V Buenafe, local government officials, Joint Task Force – Sulu Commander MGen William N Gonzales, and other members of the security sector, 8.4 kgs of meth and 8.1 kgs of dried marijuana were destroyed by means of burning. These drugs, authenticated by PDEA chemists, were in custody in connection with the cases handled by PDEA region 9 and PNP Crime Laboratory BARRM.

“I am very happy that we were invited to witness this event. Our soldiers, specially the marines are always collaborating with both PNP and PDEA in bringing to justice illegal drug-related individuals. Oftentimes, we are able to connect this criminal activity with the Abu Sayyaf Group,” notes MGen Gonzales.

Per records, the military in Sulu was part of 9 drug-related joint law enforcement operations. Most recent was the arrest of 1.5 hectares marijuana plantation owner Bakil U Kadil and Atimula S Jaharan wherein two million worth of fully grown marijuana were seized along with an M16 rifle with ammunition.

Meanwhile, Governor Tan said during his speech that he will prioritize the elimination of dangerous drugs. “It’s true that these drugs are often traded on the coastal areas. Although our navy here is doing great job, Sulu is surrounded by vast seas that is why we should also apply the whole of nation approach here.”

To recall, Governor Tan and all of the Sulu Mayors had a meeting last December 1, 2021, regarding the creation of Bantay Dagat – a program in which local chief executives will be in charge of recruitment of fishermen or seafarer volunteers that would conduct maritime patrols in collaboration with the military. According to the governor, he and the Sulu’s municipal chief executives will meet later today to discuss the implementation of the said program.

“I’ve told my staff to look into building a new justice hall so we can expand the operation of our RTCs. In recent years, our law enforcement has improved attributed to the efforts of the PNP, the whole JTF-Sulu especially after the activation of 11ID. Today, we witness a follow-through of these efforts. Everyone is ecstatic over the recent positive developments here in Sulu. All of us in the government are working to ensure this sustainability.” Governor Tan added.

[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/need-for-bantay-dagat-underscored-as-58m-worth-of-dangerous-drugs-destroyed-in-sulu/

Kalinaw News: 1003rd (Raptor) Brigade’s 12hr Ops yield 12 High-powered Firearms, 4 CNTs Surrender

Posted to Kalinaw News (Dec 13, 2021): 1003rd (Raptor) Brigade’s 12hr Ops yield 12 High-powered Firearms, 4 CNTs Surrender

Brgy Mahayag, Bunawan, Davao City-For the past 12 hours of December 12, 2021, the Brigade facilitated the surrender of 4 PSR-listed SRGU members with a total of 12 HPFAs in 3 incidents at the Municipalities of San Fernando, Bukidnon and Talaingod, Davao del Norte.

Along with the previous focus military operations last December 7, 2021 conducted by 89IB under the 1003Bde an encounter transpired with the group of SRGU, SRC5 at So Pusod, Brgy Cayaga, San Fernando, Bukidnon that resulted to the capture of three (3) female amazons under SRGU, SRC5, SMRC: alias BEAUTY, alias EBA and alias AILEEN.

This prompted the government troops to enhance the conduct of pursuit operations for the other fleeing rebels.

With this, at around 7:30 pm yesterday, December 12, 2021, in a joint operation of 56IB and 89IB recovered three (3) HPFAs at Brgy Sto Domingo, San Fernando, Bukidnon that resulted to the discovery of arms cache containing one (1) Bushmaster M16 Rifle, CZ 858 Tactical-4V, and M1 Carbine which was buried by the group of SRGU, SRC5, SMRC.


In a separate incident at 9:10 o’clock on the same evening in Brgy Bulalang, San Fernando, Bukidnon, two members of SRGU, SRC5, SMRC namely Kimkim BALITE @TAMBUTSO Squad Leader, Platun Basil and Hazel SAMSON @KAT, Logistic Officer surrendered to the troops of 89IB and 103MICO, bringing with them one M16A1 Elisco Rifle.

On the following morning of December 13 at around 5am, two (2) CNT leaders namely Todong Balite Manlologpis alias BORJACK, CO of Platun Andoy, SRGU and Magno Colot Maas alias RICHARD, Iskwad Lider of Segunda, Platun Andoy, SRGU voluntarily surrendered to 56IB and 27IB. After a thorough debriefing of the two they disclosed the location of the arms cache with eight (8) HPFAs consisting of four (4) M16 Elisco Rifle, one Bushmaster M16 Rifle, Colt M653 Rifle and two M14 Rifle buried at So. Bagang, Brgy Palma Gil, Talaingod.

At present, as an impact of the 1003Bde IP-Centric Campaign for the past 5 1/2 months, the whole SRC5, SMRC and Platun Bagsik strength from 80 CNT members are now down to 9 active in one merged unit (2 HQ and 7 SRGU), 7 permitted to go home and 6 AWOL.

Likewise, the status of the three Brigade target allocations for its mission, Platun Bagsik and GF 55 were dismantled while SRGU was down to its lowest formation with only 9 active CNT members and other 13 members on lielow status from the said armed group.

In an interview with Arian Jane Ramos alias Marikit, the former Sec of GF 55 said that “With the snowball of surrenders and recovery of firearms the whole SRC 5 is technically dismantled.” She said.

Colonel Consolito P Yecla, Commander said that looking back to the marching order of the President to end the local armed conflict, technically, the 1003rd Brigade accomplished the dismantling of CTGs in its area of responsibility, 6 months earlier before the end of the term of PRRD.

“We will sustain our focus military operations to ensure that the SRGU is totally disintegrated, isolated, dislocated and destroyed from their traditional bases in Davao-Bukidnon, losing its foothold in the Pantaron Range particularly at the IP-dominated remote villages.” Colonel Yecla 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/1003rd-raptor-brigades-12hr-ops-yield-12-high-powered-firearms-4-cnts-surrender/