MILF: MBFM shares mandate, internal programs, and standards on finance, budget and management standards

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (Dec 22, 2021): MBFM shares mandate, internal programs, and standards on finance, budget and management standards (By Muhammad Musa, Luwaran)

COTABATO CITY (December 18, 2021) — The Director III of Ministry of Finance, and Budget and Management (MFBM) talked about the ministry’s mandates, programs and standards during 31st episode of Kaunlaran sa Bangsamoro hosted by Bangsamoro Multimedia Network (BMN) Inc. last Saturday, December 11, 2021.

Atty. Rahma D. Sanglitan, Director III of MFBM related that the MBFM is a ministry that is part of the Interim Cabinet of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority as stipulated in Section 8 of Article 16 of the Bangsamoro Organic Law.

She explained the mandates given to them based on the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 13 or the Bangsamoro Administrative Code. “The MFBM is the primary agency or ministry of the Bangsamoro Government that develops a well, effective, responsive, that responds to the needs of our fellow Bangsamoro; fiscal management, and then the right usage of the financial resources. We are also responsible for the formation, institutionalization, and management of fiscal policies,” she said.

The resource person added that the MFBM has no predecessor or prior office before it and conveyed that the MFM is a combination of the Department of Finance, and Department Budget and Management.

“The MFBM has four (4) bureaus, the Bangsamoro Budget Office, where I am the head of that certain office and its counterpart in the National Government is the Department of Budget and Management. We also have a Bangsamoro Finance Office that has a counterpart named the Department of Finance. In MFBM there’s also the Bangsamoro Treasury Office that has a counterpart called the Bureau of Treasury. And there’s another one, that’s already created by our Admin Code, the Bangsamoro Revenue Office that has a counterpart, the BIR of the national government,” she explained.

Sanglitan also shared the system of relationships between the MFB and the national government.

“We’re in constant coordination with the national government counterparts. It’s in the BOL that the national government will be providing technical assistance. We are in a transition period and we still have things to institutionalize or formulation of policies that’s why we need constant coordination with the national government counterparts because they will teach us how to run the government,” she relayed.

The bureau directress also clarified in the interview that the MFBM is not an implementing ministry where there are beneficiaries in the community and that their programs are different and explained that their clients are the ministries.

“So our programs are Financial Sustainability and Resource Strengthening because we have a dream of not solely depending on the Block Grant that the national government is giving to us,” she said.

“One of our programs is well management of our financial resources and one of these is the Block Grant and then organization and system improvement, the forming of organizations or offices created by the Parliament and improves that systems that we established. And then, one of the highlights that I want to emphasize right now is the fiscal discipline and transparency in which we’re promoting,” the regional budget bureau chief further explained.

According to Sanglitan, fiscal discipline is the spending within the means and underscored the importance of transparency such that the people would be aware of where the budget goes.

She also related that the regional government adopts the Results-Based Performance Management and added, “So we spent hence why we need to know where it went and what are the benefits and its impacts in our Bangsamoro,”

Sanglitan talked about the ministry’s Budget Forum and cited, “The Budget Forum occurs after the MFBM issues the ‘Budget Call’-- that is a Bangsamoro Budget Memorandum on the Budget Call which means a call to the ministries that they need to prepare their budget for the following year.”

She explained that after the issuance of Budget Call the Budget Forum will follow where the MFBM has a presentation to the ministries and offices which relays the key messages, instruction on how to do the budget proposals, processes, strategies on the budget preparation.

“And then normally in the Budget Forum we state what are the priority programs that need to be funded by the Bangsamoro Government to be proposed by the ministries,” she explained.

“We also adopted this Cash Based Budgeting in the national government that started in 2019, this means that all the budget and funds that were approved for an entire year should be spent for that certain year and shall not be extended and should be spent or ‘obligate’ — in the words of accountant and budget officers,” Sanglitan said.

She expounded the topic about the Two-Tier Budgeting of the MFBM, “The Two-Tier Budgeting or what they call 2B Approach or 2BA explains that the budget has two levels one is Tier 1 and the other one is Tier 2. Tier 1 is where the funds of all the existing activities and programs of an office and Tier 2 is where the new proposals are.

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

https://www.luwaran.com/news/article/2418/mbfm-shares-mandate--internal-programs--and-standards-on-finance--budget-and-management-standards

MILF: Office of the Wali talks about their given mandate and opinion on Moral Governance

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (Dec 22, 2021): Office of the Wali talks about their given mandate and opinion on Moral Governance (By Muhammad Musa, Luwaran)


The Bangsamoro Wali, His Eminence Sheikh Khalifa U. Nando

COTABATO CITY— The Bangsamoro Wali, His Eminence Sheikh Khalifa U. Nando, talked about their office’s given the mandate and their opinion on Moral Governance during the 30th episode of the Kuanlaran sa Bangsamoro hosted by Bangsamoro Multimedia Network last Thursday, December 09, 2021.
The Bangsamoro Wali, explained that establishing the Office of the Wali, which has a role in the parliamentary system government of Bangsamoro, is part of the result of negotiation between the Bangsamoro and the national government.

“The word “Wali” is from an Arabic language which is already used to call the division of provinces of the Arabs.” He added that their office has similarities in the system of other governments from different countries.

Sheikh Nando pronounced that the Office of the Wali is the image government, “If the Office of the Wali is viewed by the other governments outside as good, then they’ll think that the said government is good, if they view it as a not-so-good government then they’ll observe that its governance isn’t polished yet.”

About the mandates given to them, he said “The Wali is the Ceremonial Head; second, he opens the session of the parliament; third, he oath takes from the Chief Minister to the Ministers and Deputy Ministers; fourth, if there’s a disagreement within the members of the parliament— majority and minority, the one who’ll restrain the disagreement would be the Wali.”

“If there are visitors—huge visitors in the region, they should pay a visit first in the Wali, because the Wali is the Head of Bangsamoro, not a Head of State, but an elderly of the Bangsamoro. While the Chief Minister is the head of the Bangsamoro Government who develops and takes care of the region in which he influences the goodness in the Bangsamoro region,” he added.

Sheikh Nando profoundly explained what are the ceremonial functions of their office, “This said ceremonial functions are the events of the government, per se a huge event, the opening of these events of the government, opening of the religious affairs shall be attended.”

The Bangsamoro Wali has shared his opinion on the Moral Governance and stated, “What should be persevered in the Bangsamoro is an assembly which would be conducted by the government.”

“And this gathering should address the Bangsamoro not the politics, because if it’s for the politics half will come, and the other half won’t,” he explained.

“This should be a good learning of the Moral Government— the proper understanding of the masses of what the Moral Government really is, and the comprehension of the people that the building of the Moral Government is to differentiate Halal from Haram. The position of understanding this Moral Government should be based on the foundation of the sacrifice of the people in wanting and attaining freedom,” he certainly said.

“We should remove all the deceiving and embark on avoidance of corruption that badly affects the people. And what should be taught to all the people working in the government is the muamalah or the goodness of character towards the others,” he underscored.

“We should show to the people that Islam has a process, the said Da’wah has its system, and if all of this is practiced, then it couldn’t be any better. The individuals who lead the government should show the masses their sympathy to the people in adversity, needy, and the poor. Because the boundary of the leaders and the ones being led is the boundary of living conditions and the carrying of one's character,” he expressed.

“If we only discuss ‘there are a lot of people who got rich’ or ‘there are a lot of people living a good life’ but fails to cure the general problem of the masses then that’s not a Moral Government, because Moral Government cures everyone,” he narrated.

On the importance of Moral Governance, he said, “We are now in a transitional government, from what I see, if the transition finally succeeds in which we could freely govern and that’s the time we could truly taste the goodness of what is really a Moral Governance.”

The Wali of the Bangsamoro, conveyed his advice to the officials of the Bangsamoro as experienced person and considered the elder of the Bangsamoro, saying, “Our brothers and sisters that has a huge tasks in the government should truly seize this moment, because it’s not all good all the time.”

“It’s important for them to be ikhlas (sincere), their goodness, their proper behavior towards the region and their sympathy to the people is also a reflection of a Moral Government,” he added.

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

https://www.luwaran.com/news/article/2417/office-of-the-wali-talks-about-their-given-mandate-and-opinion-on-moral-governance

MILF: BCN conveys contributions for the Bangsamoro people, BARMM gov’t

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (Jan 4, 2022): BCN conveys contributions for the Bangsamoro people, BARMM gov’t (By Muhammad Musa , Luwaran)

In photo- BCN President, Emran G. Mohamad and BCN Member of Board Trustees, Sheikh Mohammad Jamil Esmael,

COTABATO CITY (January 2, 2022) — The President and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Bangsamoro Communication Network, Inc. (BCN) has talked about its contributions to Call and Guidance, Peace Process, Unity and Reconciliation in the Bangsamoro during the 35th episode of Bangsamoro Multimedia Network (BMN) Inc. “Kaunlaran sa Bangsamoro” Teleradyo Program last Thursday, December 30, 2021.

BCN President, Emran G. Mohamad and BCN Member of Board Trustees, Sheikh Mohammad Jamil Esmael, introduced the BCN to the viewers.

“The Bangsamoro Communication Network was established in 2012. We have our Bangsamoro leaders that helped us think about on how we could reach the communities in terms of information; the right information, correct information, and timely information,” Mohamad said.

“We made an environmental scanning and we saw that the Bangsamoro need to be supported so that they could understand slam better, that what we call spiritual development. That’s why they continued Da’wah sa Kawang-kawangan (Da’wah on the Air) has their first objective,” he narrated.

The BCN head said that their second objective is Islamic brotherhood, third is the humanitarian services and emergency response and fourth is the strengthening political awareness of the communities.

According to Mohamad, BCN informed the communities on the progress of the peace process particularly about the signed peace agreements.

“Then ‘how do we help to make people understand?’ that’s the direction of the BCN when we established it in 2012,” he further related.

“We convey those things that we read about the negotiation of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Government of Philippines to our fellows in the Bangsamoro Communication Network,” he said.

The BCN leader explained why they chose a two-way radio as their means of communicating to the people is because it is affordable and available, effective, and timely.

BCN have 80 chapters and more or less thirty-five thousand members. The network has chapters in Lanao Del Norte, Lanao Del Sur, Wa-o, Bukidnon, and North Cotabato and other communities in mainland Mindanao.

According to Mohamad, BCN is legally operating and those involved with radicalism, violent extremism, or any group related to terrorism are not allowed to become members.

“We promote Halal industry, Halal livelihood, Halal economy. So it’s also not allowed if he has a background or if he has illegal business. We announced beforehand that someone who has involvement on drug related business or usage is not allowed to join BCN,” he added.

He has elaborated that the BCN is open for everyone, for professionals, common people, and other sectors, however, they require the presence of Ulama as provider of spiritual guidance in every chapter.

“The CSOs’ engagement to the government should be constructive and strategic. The CSOs will help to gain the peace we want, the progressive peace in the Bangsamoro,” he stated as he reflect on the LBO 6th General Assembly.

Mohamad said that the implication of the thousands of people who attended the general assembly demonstrated the desire of the people or the CSOs to hear the updates in the BARMM and they also wanted to know what they could do to help the government.

He added that the third implication was the transparent trust and obedience of the CSOs for their leaders given the short period of time for the announcement of the assembly.

Mohamad also discuss their humanitarian services for needy members of the community and the conduct socio- economic development to promote self-reliance.

BCN has an advocacy called Public Discourse Extension in which they let people understand of what is the contents of BOL, what is the current status of the BARMM, and why there is a need for extension.

Sheikh Jamil for his part mentioned of the Da’wah program of the BCN in which the BCN members and their family listens to everyday with given schedules of 7:30-9:00 PM and 5:00-6:00 AM.

As to the impact of the BCN’s program to their members, Mohammad said among those is the understanding of their fellow brothers better than before and able to reconcile their Rido (family feud) through the BCN’s brotherhood.

“Second great impact of the BCN to the community is informing the people on the grassroots of the services offered of the Bangsamoro government through their two-way radio,” he added.

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

https://www.luwaran.com/news/article/2420/bcn-conveys-contributions-for-the-bangsamoro-people--barmm-gov---t

MILF: GPH-MILF ceasefire committee jointly aided in appeasing tension in Brgy. Gukotan, Pikit, North Cotabato

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (Dec 31, 2021): GPH-MILF ceasefire committee jointly aided in appeasing tension in Brgy. Gukotan, Pikit, North Cotabato (By Abduljamie Bin Shouk)

Joint Ceasefire Committee from the Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front led by Chairman Butch Malang of MILF Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH), Chairman Anwar Alamada of MILF Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) and Dave Jungco from the GPH-CCCH together with other members and staff, met with Municipal Mayor Sumulong Sultan of Pikit, North Cotabato on 29 December 2021 to discuss the recent law enforcement operation conducted by the composite team of Police Regional Office -12 with Law Enforcement Support from 602nd Brigade, 6th ID, PA to serve Warrant of Arrest due for murder case against a certain Hasan Maula in a remote part of Brgy. Gukotan of the said municipality.

At around 2:00am of 29 December 2021, the leading operatives from the PRO 12 together with forces from 602nd Brigade, 6ID arrived at the vicinity of the Brgy. Gukotan. Heavy gunfires were heard at around 4:00am which lasted for about 2 hours.

This assault resulted to six (6) fatalities and one (1) wounded identified as follows: Ustads Badrudin Dalid (64 y/o, member of 108th BC), Mujahid Hamsa (38 y/o, member of 128th BC), Abdulkahar Masulut (42 y/o) and Sharif Kabunto (18 y/o) members of 129th BC, all of BIAF-MILF; and Arbaya Dalid (31 y/o), a mother of three and also a student, who all died due to gunshots. Also, Hairon Timan (17 y/o) got wounded in this operation.

Another fatality was the Bde Cmdr of 129th BC, BIAF-MILF namely Abdul "Piraw" Macagpa who died due to drowning in the nearby river while carrying his firearms after receiving an instruction from his base commander to reposition their forces from the concerned areas.

Three (3) more civilians were accused as members of the suspected group and arrested by the operatives namely Rahib Dalid (31yrs old, married), Samrah Tumalao (18yrs old, married), and Mohidin Dalagunan Mantok (47yrs old and member of 129th BC, BIAF-MILF). These personalities were turned-over by the operatives to Pikit Municipal Police Station.

Assorted high-powered firearms, ammunitions, and other properties were also seized from the different households in the area. Moreover, there were also four (4) wounded men from the GPH Operating Units. However, the high-valued target was able to escape from the operatives.

Brgy. Gukotan of Pikit is one of the 63 Barangays which are now under the jurisdiction of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. It is also dominated by MILF communities.

The Joint GPH-MILF Ceasefire Committee, in cooperation with LGU Pikit facilitated the retrieval of the cadavers from the operating units and pacified the tension in the said barangay. As mandated, the Joint Ceasefire Committee will work closely on the verification procedures whether ceasefire protocols are carefully adhered by the Government operatives prior to the conduct of this LEO.

However, during the initial visit, it was verified through the Joint GPH-MILF Ceasefire Mechanisms that PRO 12 Regional Director PBGen Alexander Tagum confirms that the operation is legitimate but failed to adhere the Ceasefire Protocols of the Peace Process.

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

https://www.luwaran.com/news/article/2419/gph-milf-ceasefire-committee-jointly-aided-in-appeasing-tension-in-brgy--gukotan--pikit--north-cotabato

U.S. military holds tactical combat casualty training in Palawan, Zambales

 From the Palawan News (Jan 4, 2022): U.S. military holds tactical combat casualty training in Palawan, Zambales (By Celeste Anna Formoso)

A total of 55 uniformed and volunteer Philippine personnel participate in the U.S. Civil-Military Support Element-Philippines’ recent training in Palawan and Iba, Zambales.

The U.S. Civil-Military Support Element-Philippines (CMSE-PHL) recently conducted Tactical Combat Casualty Care and Medical First Responder training with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the Philippine National Police-Maritime Group (PNP-MG), and Bantay Dagat to support their maritime search and rescue and law enforcement missions.

Specifically, the training was conducted with the Philippine Coast Guard-Special Operations Group (PCG-SOG) in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, and the Philippine National Police-Maritime Group (PNP-MG) and Bantay Dagat in Iba, Zambales, the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines said in a statement Tuesday.

The training activities, which took place between November 22 and 27, and December 12 to 16, 2021, drew a total of 55 uniformed and volunteer Philippine personnel. The lessons improved the PCG-SOG and PNP-MG’s abilities to respond to and treat trauma and drowning injuries sustained in the course of duty.

Simulated injury exercise.

In Puerto Princesa, CMSE-PHL led a 5-day medical instruction training that culminated in a simulated injury exercise.

In Iba, the training directly supported PNP-MG’s coastal policing mission, while the basic life-saving techniques introduced to Bantay Dagat provided the volunteer organization the ability to better respond to medical emergencies, including assisting Iba residents who earn their living fishing in the West Philippine Sea.

“Our team is proud to train with the PCG and PNP-MG and support them in their missions in the West Philippine Sea,” said Capt. Richard Hinman, CMSE-PHL Team Leader.

“We have been continuously impressed by their professionalism, dedication, and capability, and hope to continue our strong partnerships in Palawan and Zambales,” he added.

According to PCG-Palawan District Commander Cpt. Angel Viliran, the training “exemplifies the continued close relations between the U.S. and the Philippines.”

For his part, Iba PNP-MG Station Chief PLTC Rommel DG Sobrido said, “The medical training provided by CMSE-PHL will be of great aid to the community we serve and is a prime example of how our partnership can benefit the people of the Philippines.”

This training partnership exemplifies the close relationship between U.S. and Philippine friends, partners, and allies in promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific region by strengthening maritime law enforcement and maritime search and rescue.

https://palawan-news.com/u-s-military-holds-tactical-combat-casualty-training-in-palawan-zambales/

2 NPAs in NoCot yield for new life in 2022

Posted to the Mindanao Examiner (Jan 3, 2022): 2 NPAs in NoCot yield for new life in 2022 (By Edwin Fernandez)

TWO FULL-time members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA), including a female combatant, have decided to take the path of peace after voluntarily yielding to Army troopers in Arakan town of this province, a military official here reported Monday.

In a statement, Lt. Colonel Jose C Regonay Jr, commander of the Army’s 72nd Infantry Battalion (IB), said the two NPA rebels under Guerilla Front 57 of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee voluntarily gave up on January 1, expressing new year hopes for a new life in the mainstream society.

Regonay identified them as “alias Kim,” a 22-year-old female resident of Lumbayan, Barangay Magsaysay, Kitaotao, Bukidnon; and “alias Roy,” 18, of Sitio Bayabas, Barangay Bonacao, San Fernando, Bukidnon.

The two told Army officials that they have witnessed and felt the sincere aspiration and commitment of the government to help them abandon the false NPA ideology and beliefs instilled in their minds by their communist leaders.

Both admitted they surrendered due to physical exhaustion, weakened party leadership, weakening of mass bases supporters, neutralization of high profile NPA cadres, false promises of the NPA leaders, and especially their isolation from their loved ones have led them to decide and pledge their full cooperation and support to the government.

Regonay urged other former rebels to convince their comrades who are still in the mountains fighting for false ideologies to peacefully surrender to the folds of the law and avail of peace initiatives of the government through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

“New year, new hope. Still, your government and the Armed Forces of the Philippines will never get tired from reaching out and delivering the services intended for all of you,” Regonay said.

“Now is the time for all of you to be with your families and loved ones. Rest assured that 72IB is always ready to provide selfless service for the prosperity and peace here in North Cotabato and Bukidnon,” he added.

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.

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. 

http://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2022/01/2-npas-in-nocot-yield-for-new-life-in.html

Special Forces battle to win hearts and minds in Sulu

Posted to the Mindanao Examiner (Jan 3, 2022): Special Forces battle to win hearts and minds in Sulu

A Special Forces photo shows the two Abu Sayyaf fighters following their surrender in Talipao town in Sulu province on January 1, 2022.

Philippines’ Special Forces soldiers managed to lure two Abu Sayyaf fighters to return to the fold of the law in the southern province of Sulu where security forces are now engaged not in armed campaign, but in winning the hearts and minds of the locals in an effort to eradicate violent extremism.

Operators from the 6th Special Forces Company and Operational Detachments 14201 and 1403 of the 2nd Special Forces Battalion under Lt. Col. Benito Ramos Jr are currently conducting so-called “Mass Base Operations” and Community Support Programs to win popular support from villagers.

Mass Base Operations is a peculiar capability of Special Forces units and is conducted in challenging areas to enable a conducive environment favorable to government forces. It denies the enemy critical resources and isolates them from mass support, attacking critical vulnerabilities that empowers the enemy’s capabilities.

With this, the Special Forces convinced two Abu Sayyaf militants - Sibakkal Salahuddin, 66; and Isbain Sakilan, 49 - to surrender peacefully in Talipao town. The duo and their weapons were presented to Brig. Gen. Eugenio Boguio, commander of the 1101st Infantry Brigade, on January 1 in Upper Sinuman village.

The village chieftain Awang Mangking was also instrumental in helping the military identify Abu Sayyaf members in Upper Sinumaan. Both militants said they were forced to join the secessionist Abu Sayyaf group in 2000 to protect their families from rido or clan war.

The military also released a statement purportedly made by Salahuddin during debriefing as saying: “Mas maganda na mag balik-loob kami (sa pamahalaan) para wala na kaming ibang iniisip. Nakita at naramdaman na rin namin ang tulong na ginawa sa amin ng mga sundalo. Katulong na namin sila ngayon sa pag gawa ng mga bahay at kabuhayan namin.”

Boguio said the two men are now benefiting from the “Balik-Barangay Program, a joint effort of the Talipao Municipal Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict and military units under the Joint Task Force-Sulu.

“Through the conduct of development efforts, we are looking forward to eventually rendering the Abu Sayyaf group irrelevant in our area of operations. Together with the municipality of Talipao, the 1101st Infantry Brigade will be steadfast in promoting peace and development for our Tausug brothers and sisters,” Boquio said.

Sulu has previously declared the Abu Sayyaf and its supporters as “persona non grata” and Gov. Sakur Tan ordered the creation of the Provincial and Municipal Task Forces to End Local Armed Conflict in support of the government peace and development efforts in the South.

The total number of Abu Sayyaf fighters who surrendered in Sulu the past decade was not immediately available, but based on military press releases this may have reached thousands and most of them were either living peacefully as civilians or working alongside soldiers as government militias.

http://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2022/01/special-forces-battle-to-win-hearts-and.html

Eastmincom dismantles 8 guerrilla fronts, neutralizes 2,000 NPA rebels in 2021

From the Business Mirror (Jan 3, 2022): Eastmincom dismantles 8 guerrilla fronts, neutralizes 2,000 NPA rebels in 2021 (By RENE ACOSTA)

THE Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) dismantled eight guerilla fronts of the New People’s Army (NPA) and has neutralized at least 2,000 rebels and their supporters in 2021.

In a yearend report, the Eastmincom under Lt. Gen. Greg Almerol said the guerilla fronts (GF) were dismantled as it sustained its campaign against the communist group in its area of operations.

The rebel fronts were identified as GF 4A, GF 88, GF North, GF South, GF 68A, GF 55, GF 89, GF Malayag and the Regional Guerrilla Unit Pulang Bagani Command.

In his New Year’s message, the Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Andres Centino earlier urged soldiers to carry into 2022 the momentum of the operations against the rebels.

He also asked them to focus on their two most urgent tasks of ending the local armed conflict by June this year and ensuring the conduct of fair, secure and peaceful” national elections.



Aside from the dismantling of the eight guerilla fronts, the Eastmincom said its forces have killed 70 rebels and captured or arrested 147. They also worked for the surrender of another 630 rebels. Likewise, at least 1,224 individuals withdrew their support from the rebels.

Of the killed rebels, 22 are key leaders, including Jorge “Ka Oris” Madlos, commander of the National Operations Command of the NPA and the spokesman of the National Democratic Front (NDF)-Mindanao.

The Eastmincom said it recovered 690 firearms and 97 anti-personnel mines and discovered 192 rebel camps and harboring areas.

“All of these accomplishments, however, would not be possible without the strong support from our stakeholders who are as determined as we are in ending the local communist armed conflict in Eastern Mindanao and the entire Philippines,” Almerol said.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2022/01/03/eastmincom-dismantles-8-guerrilla-fronts-neutralizes-2000-npa-rebels-in-2021/

AFP chief-of-staff Centino now a four-star general, more AFP promotions announced

From the Business Mirror (Dec 31, 2021): AFP chief-of-staff Centino now a four-star general, more AFP promotions announced (By BYRENE ACOSTA)

THE chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines is now a four-star general following his promotion by President Duterte, who likewise elevated to the next higher rank three other senior military officials.


General Andres Centino, member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1988, got his fourth star after the Commander in Chief approved his promotion upon the endorsement of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

Duterte also promoted to the rank of lieutenant general the current commanding general of the Army, Romeo Brawner Jr., and the commander of the Air Force, Connor Anthony Canlas.

Both Brawner and Canlas are members of PMA Class of 1989, where Brawner graduated second in his class.

Duterte likewise promoted the current commander of the Army’s 7th Infantry Division and the concurrent acting commander of the Northern Luzon Command, Andrew Costelo, to the rank of major general.


Costelo is a member of PMA Class of 1990.

The Army accorded arrival honors on Brawner following his rank conferment by Duterte in Malacanang.

“My promotion is more than just a sign of my hard work in our profession. These three stars that I bear represent my vision to bring to the Filipino people across the three main islands of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao our collective goal of lasting peace and sustainable development in our country,” Brawner later said in talks with Army troops.

The Army also accorded Costelo arrival honors, as Brawner later donned the second star on Costelo.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/12/31/afp-chief-of-staff-centino-now-a-four-star-general-more-afp-promotions-announced/

Police account of bloody Cotabato raid disputed

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jan 5, 2022): Police account of bloody Cotabato raid disputed (By: Jeoffrey Maitem, Taher Solaiman)

NOT STOLEN Relatives of Badrudin Masulot Dalid, the slain owner of SMZ Marketing, say the motorcycles kept in the makeshift warehouse beside his house in Pikit, Cotabato, are not stolen and have proper documents. —TAHER SOLAIMAN

Moro residents at Gokotan village in Pikit, Cotabato, dismissed police accounts of the Dec. 29 raid involving 400 alleged stolen motorcycles that resulted in the killing of six people and the wounding of three policemen and a resident.

The area where the raid happened is under the control Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), prompting the MILF Ad hoc Joint Action Group (Ahjag) to question why the government team failed to coordinate with MILF forces in launching the operation.

Killed during the raid were Badrudin Masulot Dalid, 65, owner of SMZ Marketing; Badrudin’s daughter, Arbaya Dalid Panisares, 42, the store cashier; Sharif Kabunto, 18, son of MILF commander Satar Kabunto; and MILF members Saligan Hamsa, Asraf Dalid Masulot and Harris “Piraw” Macagba.

Residents questioned the police report describing the fatalities as motorcycle “thieves,” as they demanded justice for their deaths. They also said that people in the area, being an MILF community, did not harbor members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), as police earlier claimed.

Arrest warrant

According to Dalid’s daughters, the motorcycles seized from the family’s possession were not stolen and had proper documents which were seized by the raiding team. SMZ Marketing is engaged in buying and selling motorcycles.

The joint police and military operation was about to serve an arrest warrant to Maula Manampan, who was on the police’s list of most wanted persons, when they were fired upon by the suspects, according to Brig. Gen. Alexander Tagum, the regional police commander.

“The subject (Manampan) was able to escape taking advantage of the darkness while five armed suspects [died],” he said. Tagum said the government team discovered more than 400 units of assorted motorcycles hidden inside a makeshift warehouse and assorted improvised explosive device components.

He also said that around 50 heavily armed BIFF members were serving as security forces of Manampan, the alleged car theft syndicate leader who maintained a warehouse in Barangay Gokotan.

Accounts by Nursala Abdul Dalid and Maysarah Dalid Sager, Dalid’s daughters, said the raiding team arrived at 2:30 a.m. and went first to the house of Manampan, where they fired their guns. The sisters said Manampan’s house was about 175 meters away from their father’s, which was inside a compound.

Failing to arrest Manampan, the raiding team proceeded to Dalid’s house. When the raiding team started shooting at Dalid’s house, their sister Arbaya ran out, dragging her two children along with her. She was hit by a bullet.

Dalid, who was sickly due to diabetes and hypertension, also ran out of the house, assisted by a 16-year-old girl. He died from a bullet wound while the girl was wounded.

After this, the raiding team went to the third house, owned by MILF commander Satar Kabunto, about 150 meters away.

Kabunto, who was interviewed by the Inquirer on Dec. 31, 2021, said he was puzzled when the troops asked him to come out of his house. When his son Sharif, also known as Bunta, tried to open the door, the raiding team rained the door with bullets.

Disregarding agreement

Kabunto said he opened fire at the authorities and managed to escape. He also admitted that among the firearms taken from his house were an M60 machine gun, two Armalite rifles, an M79 grenade launcher, an Ultimax light machine gun and P60,000 cash, among others. The firearms were MILF property, he said.

Arnal Timan, commander of the 129th Base Command of Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, said the sixth fatality was Macagba, an officer under his command, who drowned in the nearby Maridagao River when he tired to cross it to avoid the clash with the government troops.

Anwar Alamada, chair of the MILF committee in the Ahjag, said they condemned the total disregard by operating troops of the ceasefire protocol signed by the government and the MILF.

Ahjag, a cooperative mechanism between the MILF and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to address criminality and terrorism, has installed operation protocols, which required government troops to inform and coordinate with the MILF the date and time of their operations, so the MILF would have enough time to pull out their troops. This was agreed upon to prevent a bloody clash, like what happened in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, in January 2015.

Cotabato Board Member Dulia Sultan said government troops should have coordinated with local officials before they entered the village.

In a dialogue between residents and MILF officials in Pikit on Sunday, Wahid Tundok, commander of the MILF’s 118th Base Command, called for sobriety to preserve the gains of the peace process between the government and the MILF as families of the slain victims sought justice.

Alamada said his group would file a protest in the Ahjag against the raiding team.

The MILF said that except for Arbaya, the victims were all members of the MILF, which signed a peace deal with the government in 2014 and currently heads a transitional government in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. “The operation is legitimate but it failed to adhere to the ceasefire protocols of the peace process,” Von Al Haq, the MILF spokesperson, said. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1536075/police-account-of-bloody-cotabato-raid-disputed

CPP/NPA-ST: Ika-53 anibersaryo ng CPP, ipinagdiwang ng MGC-NPA-ST sa gitna ng pinatinding atake ng AFP-PNP

Propaganda statement posted to the PRWC Newsroom (Jan 4, 2022): Ika-53 anibersaryo ng CPP, ipinagdiwang ng MGC-NPA-ST sa gitna ng pinatinding atake ng AFP-PNP

ARMANDO CIENFUEGO

SPOKESPERSON

NPA-SOUTHERN TAGALOG

January 4, 2022



Sa gitna ng nagpapatuloy at pinatinding atake ng AFP-PNP sa Timog Katagalugan, ipinagdiwang ng mga yunit ng New People’s Army (NPA) sa ilalim ng Melito Glor Command (MGC) ang ika-53 anibersaryo ng Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) sa ilalim ng temang “Magpunyagi, Lumaban at Magtagumpay!”.

Hindi naging balakid ang masinsing pakat ng kaaway sa rehiyon, bagkus higit pang nagpursige ang Pulang hukbo para abutin ang malawak na inaapi at pinagsasamantalahang masa. Sa Quezon, nakapaglunsad ng pulong masa ang mga yunit ng Apolonio Mendoza Command kasabay ng pagdiriwang sa anibersaryo. Ipinahayag dito ng mga magsasakang dumalo ang kanilang patuloy na pagsuporta sa NPA sa kabila ng mga atake at pananakot ng kaaway.

Ayon kay Cleo del Mundo, tagapagsalita ng AMC-NPA-Quezon, “Bigo ang rehimeng US-Duterte na durugin ang rebolusyonaryong kilusan sa Quezon! Anumang demonisasyon ang gawin nito sa CPP-NPA-NDFP, hinding hindi nito mapapatid ang matibay na bigkis ng mamamayan at Pulang hukbo lalo’t malalim nang nakaugat ang Partido sa masa sa buong bansa.”

Naglunsad naman ng seremonya ng pagtataas ng bandila ng CPP ang Eduardo Dagli Command-NPA Batangas. Anila, nagbubunyi ang mamamayan ng Batangas sa inabot na tatag ng Partido lalo’t uhaw na uhaw ang mga Batangueño sa panlipunang pagbabago.

Mahusay namang ikinubli ng masa ang pagdiriwang ng Lucio de Guzman Command (LdGC)-NPA Mindoro sa gitna ng focused military operations ng AFP-PNP.

“Sa kabila ng deklarasyon ng Southern Luzon Command na ang Mindoro ang magiging sentro ng anti-komunistang gera sa rehiyon, hindi nito nagawang gapiin ang rebolusyonaryong kilusan sa isla, bagkus patuloy pa itong yumayabong,” pahayag ni Madaay Gasic, tagapagsalita ng LdGC.

Tulad ng mga nakaraang anibersaryo, marami ring kabataan mula kalunsuran ang nakipagdiwang sa piling ng Hukbong bayan. Sa pagtatapos ng selebrasyon, signipikanteng bilang sa kanila ang nagpaiwan at marami-rami ay nagdeklara ng pagsampa sa hukbo.

Naglunsad din ang iba pang mga yunit at organo ng Partido sa rehiyon ng mga lihim na pagdiriwang sa kalunsuran, sa tarangkahan ng Maynila.

Tinalakay sa mga selebrasyon ang pahayag ng Komiteng Rehiyon-TK at ng Komite Sentral. Pinarangalan din ang mga martir ng sambayanan. Nagbigay ng gabay ang CPP-ST sa rebolusyonaryong mamamayan kung paano haharapin ang reaksyunaryong eleksyon. Ipinanawagan din ng Partido sa rehiyon na malawakang edukahin ang mamamayan na ang eleksyon sa ilalim ng malapyudal at malakolonyal na lipunan ay instrumento lamang ng mga naghaharing-uri para patatagin ang kanilang kontrol sa kapangyarihang pang-ekonomya, pampulitika at militar ng bansa. Marapat na pagkaisahin ang buong bayan para maihiwalay at ibagsak ang paksyong Marcos-Arroyo-Duterte.

Pagtatapos ni Armando Cienfuego, tagapagsalita ng MGC-NPA ST, “Sa pamumuno ng Partido, nakatitiyak tayong magwawagi ang demokratikong rebolusyong bayan. Mahigpit na tatanganan ng mga yunit ng NPA sa rehiyon ang atas ng CPP na paigtingin ang digmang bayan at itaas ito sa mas mataas na antas hanggang makamit natin ang ganap na paglaya!”

https://prwcinfo.wordpress.com/2022/01/04/ika-53-anibersaryo-ng-cpp-ipinagdiwang-ng-mgc-npa-st-sa-gitna-ng-pinatinding-atake-ng-afp-pnp/

CPP/North Central Mindanao RC: Determinadong ipaasdang ang demokratikong rebolusyon sa katawhan! Saluduhan ang Partido sa pagpangulo sa gubat sa katawhan!

Propaganda statement posted to the PRWC Newsroom (Jan 4, 2022): Determinadong ipaasdang ang demokratikong rebolusyon sa katawhan! Saluduhan ang Partido sa pagpangulo sa gubat sa katawhan!

COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES

NORTH CENTRAL MINDANAO REGIONAL COMMITTEE

January 4, 2022

Disyembre 26, 2021
Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas
North Central Mindanao Region

Karong adlawa, tibuok kalipay ug kadasig natong isaulog ang ika-53 nga anibersaryo sa subling pagkatukod sa Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas. Angayang mahimong mabulukon ang pagdumdom sa maong okasyon dinhi sa atong rehiyon tungod kay mas nasubhan kita karong tuiga diha sa kinabuhi’g kamatayon nga pakigbisog. Sa susamang higayon, ato usab ihatag ang pinakataas nga pagsaludo sa Partido tungod kay padayon niining napanguluhan ang rebolusyonaryong kalihukan sa rehiyon. Ang natigom nga mga pagtulun-an gikan sa kasinatian himoon natong sukaranan aron makatikang kita gikan sa atong mga kahuyangan ug kalisdanan ug labaw pang mapaasdang ang gubat sa katawhan sa mas taas nga ang-ang.

Atol niini nga okasyon, ato usab ihatag ang pinakataas nga parangal alang sa 20 ka rebolusyonaryong mga martir nga mihalad sa ilang kinabuhi karong tuiga. Ginahatagan sa PKP-NCMR og pagsaludo silang Ka Jorge “Oris” Madlos, Ka Pika, Ka Remix, Ka Dagol, Ka Smart, Ka Sansoy, Ka Jayse, Ka Dems, Ka Agreb, Ka Kiblar, Ka MK ug uban pang martir sa rehiyon. Ang ilang sumbanan sa mabayanihong pagsakripisyo mihatag og dugang kalig-on ug kadasig sa mga rebolusyonaryo aron ang ipadayon ilang nasugdang mga tampo.

Bisan pa kung mapukan ang pinakadakong kahoy sa lasang, mohatag kini og luna aron mosulbong pagtubo ang mas daghang kahoy—mao kini ang gihuptan sa mga rebolusyonaryo sa rehiyon dihang gidakop ug bangis nga gipatay sa mga pasistang Armed Forces of the Philippines si Ka Oris uban sa iyang medik nga si Ka Pika. Magpabiling buhi ang tampo ug kabilin ni Ka Oris ug ang iyang kamatayon labaw pang nagpadilaab sa makihut-ong nga kasilag sa mga rebolusyonaryo.

Ginasaluduhan usab sa Partido ang tanang Pulang kumander ug manggugubat sa Bagong Hukbong Bayan sa rehiyon nga maunungon nga misagubang sa tanang sakripisyo aron ipadayon ug ipakusog ang armadong pagsukol. Subay sa absolutong pagpangulo sa Partido, kanunay nanglimbasog ang atong mga Pulang manggugubat nga ipalalom ug ipalapad ang baseng masa aron mas molapad pa ang erya ug kamaniobrahanan niini ug mapakyas ang atake sa kaaway. Taliwala sa grabeng brutalidad sa kaaway, mapangahason gihapong nakiggitgitan ang BHB aron pukawon, organisahon ug palihukon ang masang mag-uuma. Tungod niini, nagpabiling hugot ang sumpay sa BHB ngadto sa masa ug nihatag kini og dakong suportang moral ug materyal sa armadong rebolusyon.

Taas usab ang paningkamot sa mga yunit sa BHB nga mamentina ug mas mapaangat ang ilang kusog pinaagi sa makanunayong pag-ases ug pagsumada sa ilang mga rebolusyonaryong tahas. Padayong nakabarog ang kadaghanan sa mga natarang gerilya sa BHB sa rehiyon tungod sa makanunayong paghupot sa gerilyang taktika sa pagbalhin-balhin, dispersal ug konsentrasyon.

Niining tuiga, nasinati sa atong mga Pulang manggugubat ang lain-laing tipo sa bangis nga hampak sa estado ug sa berdugong AFP. Brutal ug paturagas nga gigamit sa AFP ang ilang mga abanteng kahimanan, sama sa FA-50 jet fighters, ug minaro nga gibomba ang mga kampo sa BHB. Apan gipamatud-an sa BHB sa rehiyon nga dili kini mopuo sa rebolusyonaryong armadong pagsukol ug, gani, gitun-an ug gihimoan nila kini og epektibong mga lakang aron malikayan ang dakong kadaot niini. Kanunay gihuptan sa BHB ang prinsipyong ginatudlo ni Kaubang Mao Zedong nga “ang katawhan lamang, dili ang mga butang, ang mahukmanon.” Busa, bisan kung anaa sa kaaway ang abanteng kahimanan ug mga bomba, anaa man usab sa BHB ang dakong bul-og sa suporta sa katawhan.

Atubangan sa focused military operations, nalunsad niining tuiga sa BHB-NCMR ang 55 ka aksyong opensiba batok sa mga pasistang tropa sa AFP, PNP, CAFGU, mga tropang paramilitar ug batok sa mga magun-ubong multinasyunal nga plantasyon. Sa maong mga aksyon, mikabat sa 120 ang kaswalidad sa kaaway kung asa 70 ang napatay ug 50 ang nasamdan niini atol sa mga panagsangka.

Dugang pa, taas usab ang pagsaludo sa PKP-NCMR sa tibuok katawhang dinaug-daog ug pinahimuslan sa rehiyon. Kamo ang tinubdan sa kadasig ug kalig-on sa tibuok rebolusyonaryong pwersa. Angayan lamang nga ipadayon ang inyong walay kahadlok nga pagbutyag ug pagbatok sa kabangis sa rehimeng US-Duterte. Angayan usab nga walay hunong ninyong iduso ang inyong batakang interes, ilabina ang interes sa yuta, disenteng kinabuhi ug panginabuhian, suhulan, ug uban pang susama. Walay unsamang brutalidad sa estado nga makapugong sa inyong hiniusang kusog.

Sa susamang higayon, malipayon ang tanang rebolusyonaryong pwersa nga kanunay makighimamat ug makigduyog sa masang ilang ginaalagaran ilabina nga among madunggan gikan kaninyo nga: “dugay na mi naghulat ninyo.” Daghang salamat sa inyong makanunayong pagsuporta ug paghimo og mga inisyatiba aron magpadayon ug mapakusog ang demokratikong rebolusyon sa katawhan.

Busa, nagpabiling taas ang determinasyon ug kadasig sa tanang rebolusyonaryong pwersa sa rehiyon nga iasdang ang gubat sa katawhan. Pinaagi sa giya sa Marxismo-Leninismo-Maoismo, labaw pang gipanginahanglan karon ang hait ug husto natong pagdapat sa unibersal nga teorya niini sa atong rebolusyonaryong paglihok. Kinahanglang seryoso natong tun-an ang tanang kasinatian ug ipalambo kini pinaagi sa mas taas nga ang-ang sa rebolusyonaryong praktika. Subli-subli natong ipahinumdom sa tanang kadre ug rebolusyonaryo nga makanunayong magtuon ug batukan ang emperisismo.

Sa umalabot nga mga bulan, atong dahumon nga ibubo na sa bangis nga administrasyong US-Duterte ang “katapusang duso” niini aron matuman pa ang hangal nga pangandoy nga puuhon ang rebolusyonaryong kalihukan sa rehiyon. Busa, kinahanglang andamon sa tanang rebolusyonaryo ang ilang kaugalingon sa tanang masugatang sakripisyo ug kalisdanan aron pakyason kini. Bug-at man ang mga sakripisyo apan sigurado kitang lumalabay lamang kini tungod kay mismo ang reaksyunaryong gobyerno miangkon na nga pakyas kini sa ilang todo-gyera batok sa rebolusyonaryong kalihukan.

Kinahanglang ipataas ang diwang masukulon ug determinasyon sa tanang kadre ug membro sa Partido, sa tanang Pulang kumander ug manggugubat, ug sa tanang aktibistang masa aron pakyason ang bangis nga hampak sa kaaway. Anaa kanunay ang masa nga atong kasandigan ug andam moduyog sa atong pagsukol.

Sukad 2018 hangtud sa kasamtangan, bisan wala na ang mga dagko, dayag ug mabulokon nga kasaulogan sa anibersaryo sa Partido, nagpadayon ang sekreto, ginagmay ug tago nga pagsaulog niini. Tungod usab kini sa bangis nga pagkusu-kuso ug padayong pag-atake sa kaaway bisan kung dunay deklaradong hunong-buto. Apan, taliwala niini, wala nato kini gihimong babag aron malipayon ug madasigong idumdom ang kasumaran sa Partido. Gihuptan nato, hangtud sa kasamtangan, nga ang tinuod nga pagsaulog sa ispesyal nga adlaw sa Partido mao ang pagsaulog sa atong mga kadaugan ug pagtimbaya sa nalabngan nga mga kalisdanan. Kadungan niini mao ang labaw pang pagpatabunok sa atong makasaysayanong pagsukol alang sa nasudnong kalingkawasan ug demokrasya ug maangkon ang makiangayon ug sosyalistang katilingban nga mohawan og dalan hangtud sa komunismo.

Mabuhi ang ika-53 nga anibersaryo sa Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas!
Mabuhi ang Bagong Hukbong Bayan!
Mabuhi ang katawhang nakigbisog!
Iasdang ang gubat sa katawhan sa mas taas nga ang-ang!

https://prwcinfo.wordpress.com/2022/01/04/determinadong-ipaasdang-ang-demokratikong-rebolusyon-sa-katawhan-saluduhan-ang-partido-sa-pagpangulo-sa-gubat-sa-katawhan/

CPP/CIO: Denounce gross lack of preparations for new pandemic surge

Propaganda statement posted to the PRWC Newsroom (Jan 3, 2022): Denounce gross lack of preparations for new pandemic surge

MARCO VALBUENA

CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER

January 3, 2022

The Filipino people are outraged at the gross lack of preparations of the Duterte government for the rapid surge in Covid-19 infections. The new surge has long been anticipated by the scientific community with the identification of the Omicron variant which started to spread in the western hemisphere as early as November 2021.

The Duterte government’s complacency is clearly manifested in the just signed 2022 budget which did not allocate enough funds to conduct free mass testing and ramp up the capacity of hospitals to accommodate the expected increase in Covid-19 patients. Funds to purchase vaccines is more than 60% less than the purchases made last year. Nor were funds allotted to improve facilities in schools to ensure the safe conduct of face-to-face classes.

Duterte himself admitted the budget does not have an “elbow room” for new surges. The regime’s utter shortsightedness will be the cause of bringing back the country down to its knees in the face of the continuing pandemic.

Faced with the threat of a renewed surge, the regime is again set to resort to restrictions and lockdown measures that have long proven to be ineffective especially without concomitant mass testing and widespread contact tracing. Factories and businesses face threats of closures and will add to the widespread problem of joblessness. As a result of government’s failure to ensure that school facilities were upgraded, schools are again set to be closed (although many have actually remained close) to the detriment of students.

The emergence of new Covid-19 variants is attributed to the lack of vaccines due to intellectual property rights and monopolization of production by big pharmaceutical companies; and the inequitable distribution between the advanced capitalist countries and the backward countries across the world, and between the cities and the rural areas within different countries. Worse, expired or near expired vaccines are being dumped in countries such as the Philippines.

In the country, only above 40% of the population has been vaccinated. Vaccination is concentrated in the National Capital Region leaving out many outlying provinces, especially people in the rural areas. Less than 2% have received booster shots even as the efficacy of the first round of vaccines anticipated to wane in the near future.

In the face of the renewed Covid-19 surge, there is mounting clamor for an immediate realignment of funds for the purchase of military equipment and hardware (including new aircraft, war ships, cruise missiles, bombs and cannons) and infrastructure projects in order to increase funds for public hospitals and medical facilities, public schools, transportation facilities and other public services.

There is rising demand for free mass testing (especially in work places and schools), free treatment, stepped up vaccine education and inoculation campaign, vaccine research and production, retrofitting of schools and other urgent measures. There is demand for higher wages, lower prices, economic aid and other urgent needs in the face of rising prices and economic crisis.

The Filipino people must act now to demand these urgent measures and not allow themselves to again bear the burden of the government’s failed response and gross irresponsibility.

https://prwcinfo.wordpress.com/2022/01/03/denounce-gross-lack-of-preparations-for-new-pandemic-surge/

CPP/NDF-KM-SMR: Pula nga saludo sa ika-53 nga anibersaryo sa Communist Party of the Philippines! I-asdang ang maluntarong gubat sa katawhan! Kabatan-onan, sampa na sa New People’s Army!

Propaganda statement posted to the PRWC Newsroom (Jan 2, 2022): Pula nga saludo sa ika-53 nga anibersaryo sa Communist Party of the Philippines! I-asdang ang maluntarong gubat sa katawhan! Kabatan-onan, sampa na sa New People’s Army!

KABATAANG MAKABAYAN, KARINA MAGTANGGOL

SPOKESPERSON

KABATAANG MAKABAYAN-SOUTHERN MINDANAO

January 2, 2022

Ika-26 sa Disyembre tuig 1968, natukod og usab ang Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), o Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas (PKP), nga ginagiyahan sa teoryang Marxismo-Leninismo-Maoismo (MLM) alang sa pag-analisa sa konkretong kahimtang sa nasod, ug pagpraktika sa mga teorya ug ideya sa ginalunsad na rebolusyon.

53 ka tuig na ang milabay apan nagapadayon gihapon ang PKP isip usa sa mga haligi sa demokratikong rebolusyon sa katawhang Pilipino. Gani, walay puas nga gikuptan sa Partido ang mga prinsipyo sa rebolusyon.

Kining tanan alang sa paglumpag sa tulo ka batakang problema sa nasod: imperyalismo, pyudalismo, burukrata kapitalismo. Aron wagtangon ang kupot sa U.S. ug Tsina sa Pilipinas, makuhaan og gahom ang mga dagkong agalong yutaan ug dagkong burgesyang kumprador, ug mapalagpot ang mga trapong ginahimong negosyo ang gobyerno.

Kung tinuod nga gawasnon ang nasod, dili na kita manglimos og tabang, malubong sa utang, ug mamatay sa kapit-os.

Nasinati na sab nato panahon sa pandemya, ilabi na sa paghapak sa bagyong Odette (o Rai), kung unsa ka walay paghatag og bili ang mga trapo sa yanong Pilipino.

Mikabat na sa 258 ang kumpirmadong patay human minghapak ang bagyong Odette sa mga rehiyon sa Visayas ug Mindanao pipila ka adlaw bag-o ang Pasko. Sa datos sa National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), gibana-banang naa na sa 706,639 ang mga apektado, 328,847 ang napugos og balhin, ug 309,814 ang naa sa evacuation centers.

Mulo sa mga tawo nga dugay kaayo naghatag og ayuda ang panggamhanan. Pag-abot pa gyud sa ayuda tanang pwede butangan og nawong o pangalan sa politiko, gipangbutangan.

Nalipay kita sa kinasingkasing na pagtabang sa mga organisasyon, institusyon, ug opisyales. Gani, nakita nato nga naghiusa ang kadaghanan bisan og lahi-lahi ang mga baruganan.

Apan, reyalidad na walay tinuod nga pagbag-o kung magpabiling nagharing hut-ong ang naa sa gahom, ug kasaysayan na mismo ang nagpamatuod na kasagarang makalingkod sa gahom kay trapo, dagkong agalong yutaan, negosyante, ug tag-iya og kompanya sa mina, logging, ug plantasyon tungod kay sila ang adunay kwarta, igong rekurso, ug lapad nga makinarya.

Oo, naay gamayng kadaugan sa mga reporma apan kung nagapabilin ang sistemang pabor sa dato, magpabilin lang sab sa papel ug sturya ang mga “pagbag-o.”

Mao nang tin-aw nga rebolusyon ang tinuod nga solusyon ug wala nay lain pa.

Isip mga kabatan-onan, kita ang naa pay kusog, katakos, ug mas abring panghuna-huna. Kinahanglang aduna kitay buhaton aron dili magpabiling ngin-ana ang atoang kahimtang. Atoang bungkagon ang kasamtangang sistema nga mapahimuslanon, ug pandayon ang katilingbang nagkaangay-angay.

I-ASDANG ANG NASUDNONG DEMOKRATIKONG REBOLUSYON SA KATAWHAN! KABATAN-ONAN, SAMPA NA SA BAGONG HUKBONG BAYAN!

https://prwcinfo.wordpress.com/2022/01/02/pula-nga-saludo-sa-ika-53-nga-anibersaryo-sa-communist-party-of-the-philippines-i-asdang-ang-maluntarong-gubat-sa-katawhan-kabatan-onan-sampa-na-sa-new-peoples-army/

CPP/CIO: Condemn AFP for successive terrorist attacks against civilians

Propaganda statement posted to the PRWC Newsroom (Jan 1, 2022): Condemn AFP for successive terrorist attacks against civilians

MARCO VALBUENA

CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER

January 1, 2022

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) condemns the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for its successive state terrorist attacks against civilians, employing aerial bombardment, artillery shelling, strafing and indiscriminate firing against peasants and ethnic minority communities. These attacks are brazen violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.

These attacks against civilians form part of the counterinsurgency doctrine of the AFP that blur or completely erases the line of distinction between civilians and armed combatants. The fascist military employs tactics that aim to terrorize the people and make them bow to their armed superiority. There are a rising number of incidents of people being forced to evacuate due to fear. Economic production has been severely impacted as many farmers are stricken by fear and choose not to attend to their crops.

To intimidate the people, military units are also being stationed in communities in the guise of anomalous “community support” and “barangay development” programs. They construct detachments in the middle or perimeter of villages (usually coercing residents to render free labor), occupy school buildings, barangay health centers and day care centers.

Entire communities are labeled by the AFP as “NPA sympathizers.” There have been countless cases where local residents are forced to sign blank papers, made to pose as NPA “surrenderees,” and join “peace rallies” organized by the military.

The AFP engages in disinformation and propagation of false news to cover up their attacks against civilians. In Bicol alone, the 9th ID issued at least 47 press releases since 2017 falsely claiming armed encounters to justify the extrajudicial killing of at least 57 civilians, whom the military invariably claim to be NPA fighters.

These attacks against civilians are set to heighten in the coming months as the Duterte regime desperately want to make it appear that it is winning the war against the armed revolution in line with its declaration of crushing the NPA before the end of its term. Field units of the AFP are being incentivized to attack civilians with promises of millions of pesos under the so-called “barangay development” program of the NTF-Elcac.

Resorting to such terrorist tactics reflects the AFP’s desperation to weaken the people’s determination to defend their land and social and economic rights, and their national and democratic interests.

Let me cite a few recent examples of state terrorist attacks against civilians:

Last December 26, at 1 a.m., the AFP fired at least four rounds of artillery shells towards farmlands in the boundary of barangays San Miguel, Las Navas, and Osang and Hinagonoyan, Catubig, in Northern Samar. These barangays are among the barangays which the AFP have declared “cleared” of NPA units. The shelling was clearly a warning against people of Las Navas and Catubig not to participate in celebrations of the CPP’s anniversary. Later that day, residents of Barangay San Miguel were compelled to join an AFP-organized “peace rally.”

For two days starting December 28, the AFP fired more than 10 bombs hitting the perimeter of Sitio Campo Nueva, in Barangay Del Carmen, Lagonoy, Camarines Sur, forcing at least 100 residents to flee their homes. The attacks against the civilian community was carried out after a failed offensive of the AFP in the said area where one fascist trooper was killed and two others wounded.

Last December 24, fascist troops of the 74th IB indiscriminately fired at a Lumad wedding ceremony held at a home in Sitio Katabadan, San Roque, Barangay San Miguel, Surigao del Sur, attended by more than 30 residents. Vilma Tawede, 32, was killed in the attack, while four others were wounded. Tawede, a small businesswoman, was a resident of adjacent Sitio Tambonon who happened to be in the place to collect loan payments. The AFP then claimed in their press releases that Tawede was an NPA fighter.

On December 25, peasant leader and anti-mining activist Ray Basquez was shot by suspected armed agents belonging to the 77th IB in Barangay Flourishing, Gonzaga, Cagayan. Basquez has long been subjected to harassment by the 77th IB. In May 2021, his home was illegally entered and searched by military forces. He is an ardent opponent of black sand mining in Cagayan.

On December 12, 2021, AFP soldiers killed civilian JB Bon, a copra farmer and resident of Barangay Baya, Ragay, Camarines Sur. Bon was around 40 years old and a father of two. The AFP falsely claimed in their statement that Bon was an NPA fighter who was killed in an “armed encounter” with the NPA in Barangay Salvacion, Ragay, Camarines Sur.

In Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, residents of several barangays which were recovering from the devastation brought about by typhoon Odette, were compelled by the 62nd IB to render labor to repair the military’s local detachments.

These are just some recent incidents of attacks and terrorism perpetrated by the reactionary armed forces against civilians, especially in the countryside.

https://prwcinfo.wordpress.com/2022/01/01/condemn-afp-for-successive-terrorist-attacks-against-civilians/

CPP/NDF-SMR: Kaye, in memory of a big revolutionary spirit

Propaganda statement posted to the PRWC Newsroom (Jan 1, 2022): Kaye, in memory of a big revolutionary spirit

RUBI DEL MUNDO

NDF-SOUTHERN MINDANAO

January 1, 2022

Desperate enemy blows and indiscriminate bullets snuffed the life of Sandra Reyes, or Kaye to comrades, the 53-year old soft spoken and courageous revolutionary on December 24, 2021 in Mabini, Davao de Oro. Comrades, the masses and allies salute her exemplary life in the revolutionary movement, even as they grieve her violent demise.

Kaye was a tiny package, looked like a wisp of a girl but possessed the gravitas and fierce bravery to serve the masses amid the onslaught of enemy attacks. She was the consummate organizer and leader, who started among the youth and students during her college days at the Ateneo de Davao University where she studied Mass Communication some 30 years ago. She performed during mobilizations under the cultural group Kulturang Atin Foundation, Inc. (KAFI).

She left the relative comforts of her petty bourgeois upbringing, and went full time in the underground movement in Davao City. From the sidelines, she led workers’ welga and transport strikes, mass mobilizations, human rights struggle and various campaigns for Lumad and peasants during the Ramos, Estrada, Arroyo, Aquino III and Duterte regimes. Amid her rigorous work, she married and bore two children. Kaye lived simply—with no frills and display of whimsical vanity—and struggle hard, imposing firm and passionate leadership. Her warm disposition easily earned for her the trust and admiration from comrades, both young and old.

She was an ardent student of history, especially in the continuing history of the people’s struggle, often grasping the lessons of the past in objectifying present conditions.

She was the ultimate unifier during heated discussions, and quick to espouse revolutionary optimism. She valued collective wisdom and that no problem is ever too great which cannot be resolved through sharp analysis of contradictions and decisive action.

She was a staunch believer that the masses are the makers of history. In the various struggles and campaigns of workers for their economic and political rights, Kaye held firm the decisive role of the proletariat and evaded the pitfalls of unprincipled collaborationism and opportunism.

The tyrannical Duterte regime has made a mockery of its own Justice system by foisting outrageous criminal charges of murder and other offenses against individuals and non-combatants like Kaye, spinning lies to misrepresent them as legitimate targets in the brutal counterrevolutionary war. The regime has made a parody of its so-called national security, sneering over due process and human rights by using templates and false narratives to vilify civilians in order to justify the gargantuan budget for counterinsurgency and fascist military operations in
the countryside.

The AFP’s top brass is desperate to instill fear and demobilize legal democratic organizations, critics and activists by propping up Kaye as its trophy catch. Yet the Duterte regime cannot conceal the abject exploitation of workers, peasants and the suffering of the general population under its six-year reign. Nor can it diminish the rising need for revolutionary struggle and people’s collective undertaking against despotism and oppression.

Kaye and the countless martyrs in the people’s struggle for justice and freedom make a compelling statement in the face of unbridled authoritarianism and fascism—their deaths are a testament to the ever growing resistance against the Duterte regime. In brutally killing Kaye, the enemy meanwhile can claim nothing but the scorn of the hundred million oppressed.

https://prwcinfo.wordpress.com/2022/01/01/kaye-in-memory-of-a-big-revolutionary-spirit/

CPP/NDF-Bicol: Denounce 9th IDPA’s violence and cowardice, make them pay for their crimes against the Bikolano people!

Propaganda statement posted to the PRWC Newsroom (Jan 1, 2022): Denounce 9th IDPA’s violence and cowardice, make them pay for their crimes against the Bikolano people!

MARIA ROJA BANUA

SPOKESPERSON

NDF-BICOL

January 1, 2022

For the 9th IDPA to turn its brutal attacks on civilians whenever they fail to defeat units of the NPA-Bikol is cowardice of the greatest magnitude. Last December 28, after their casualty count of not less than two wounded and one dead during a failed attempt to attack a unit of NPA in Sityo Campo Nueve, Brgy. Del Carmen, Lagonoy, Camarines Sur became publicly exposed, the murderous military fired and bombed the said community indiscriminately. Residents were traumatized by the two-day relentless deluge of bullets and bombs. Just for the first day, not less than 10 bombs were reported to hit the sitio perimeter. This caused the forced evacuation of around 100 residents of Sityo Campo Nueve.

While pulling all efforts to cover their destructive and spineless operation in Lagonoy, the butcher 9th IDPA is engrossed with spreading lies of a fake encounter in Brgy. Salvacion, Camarines Sur last December 12, 2021. They are falsely claiming that a firefight ensued between combined military and police elements and an NPA unit which allegedly resulted to the death of a Red fighter. The truth is, there was no encounter in the said area. The butchers just fired purposelessly in a secluded part of the barangay and then went on killing a civilian – JB Bon, a copra farmer from Brgy. Baya, Ragay, Camarines Sur, around 40 years old and a father of two.

The 9th IDPA assiduously trains itself in the manufacture of fake news in line with their Commander-in-Chief Duterte’s marching orders to do everything to make it seem that their counterinsurgency campaign is actually going somewhere. From 2017 to 2021, the division had already conjured 49 fake encounters. These ended with 57 civilian victims of extrajudicial killings as well as the deaths of eight elements of the PNP and AFP-PNP-CAFGU agents.

In their desperation to score victories and completely crush the CPP-NPA-NDF before Duterte’s term ends, the regime did not declare a ceasefire. Their attacks against the masses and rights violation continue to escalate even as the devastation of typhoon Odette is yet to abate and the country is still in the middle of a pandemic.

NDF-Bikol calls on all media practitioners to be critical of the data and news that the 9th IDPA gives them before readily regurgitating it to the public. It is their obligation towards human rights violation victims to expose the truth behind these abuses.

In the end, no lie can ever remain hidden. The enemy’s foulness would always be unveiled and could not be salvaged by any effort to package it as ‘success’. This cannot change the fact that their hands shall always remain stained by the blood of countless Bikolano masses that they victimized. Along this, people whose desire to make these criminals pay for their crimes and be genuinely liberated also remain resolute.

https://prwcinfo.wordpress.com/2022/01/01/denounce-9th-idpas-violence-and-cowardice-make-them-pay-for-their-crimes-against-the-bikolano-people/

CPP/NDF-Bicol: Tuligsain ang karuwagan at karahasan ng 9th IDPA, panagutin sa utang na dugo sa mamamayang Bikolano!

Propaganda statement posted to the PRWC Newsroom (Jan 1, 2022): Tuligsain ang karuwagan at karahasan ng 9th IDPA, panagutin sa utang na dugo sa mamamayang Bikolano!

MARIA ROJA BANUA

SPOKESPERSON

NDF-BICOL

January 1, 2022

Isang malaking karuwagan ang balingan ng mamamatay-taong 9th IDPA ang walang kalaban-labang mga sibilyan sa tuwing nagsasagawa ito ng operasyon at nabibigong malupig ang mga yunit ng BHB-Bikol. Nitong Disyembre 28, matapos mabunyag sa publiko ang hindi bababa sa dalawang nasugatan at isang patay sa kanilang hanay dahil sa kanilang bigong pag-atake sa yunit ng BHB sa Sityo Campo Nueve, Brgy. Del Carmen, Lagonoy, Camarines Sur, walang habas na nagpaulan ng bala at bomba ang berdugong militar sa naturang komunidad. Dalawang magkasunod na araw nang yinayanig ang mga residente ng walang lubay na pagpapaputok at pambubomba ng kaaway. Sa unang araw pa lamang, hindi bababa sa 10 bomba ang tumama sa perimetro ng sityo. Dulot nito, napilitang lumikas ang nasa 100 residente ng Sityo Campo Nueve.

Habang pilit na itinatago mula sa publiko ang kanilang mapangwasak at duwag na operasyon sa Lagonoy, abala naman ang berdugong 9th IDPA sa pagpapakalat ng balita ng pekeng engkwentro sa Brgy. Salvacion, Ragay, Camarines Sur noong Disyembre 12, 2021. Ibinalita nila na nakasagupa ng pinagkumbinang pwersa ng militar at pulis ang isang grupo ng BHB na nagresulta sa pagkamatay ng isang kasapi nito. Ang totoo, walang labanang naganap sa naturang erya. Nagpaputok lamang ang mga berdugo sa isang masukal na bahagi ng lugar at pagkatapos ay pinaslang ang sibilyang si JB Bon, isang magkokopras na taga-Barangay Baya, Ragay, Camarines Sur, mahigit 40 taong gulang at may dalawang anak.

Nagpapakabihasa ang 9th IDPA sa paglalabas ng mga pekeng balita sang-ayon sa utos ng Commander-in-Chief nitong si Duterte na palabasing mayroong pinatutunguhan ang kanilang kampanyang kontrainsurhensya. Mula 2017 hanggang 2021 mayroong naitalang 49 pekeng engkwentro ang nasabing dibisyon. Nagresulta ito sa 57 sibilyang biktima ng ekstrahudisyal na pagpaslang at pagkakapaslang ng walong elemento ng PNP at mga ahente ng AFP-PNP-CAFGU.

Sa pagkukumahog na makamit ang maramihang tagumpay at lubusan nang magupo ang CPP-NPA-NDF bago matapos ang termino ni Duterte, walang dineklarang tigil-putukan ang rehimen. Walang piniling panahon ang patuloy na paglabag sa mga karapatan ng mamamayan kahit katatapos pa lamang ng pananalanta ng bagyong Odette at nasa gitna pa rin ng pagharap sa pandemya.

Nananawagan ang NDF-Bikol sa mga kaibigan sa midya na masusing pag-aralan ang mga datos at balitang ibibinigay sa kanila ng 9th IDPA bago ito isapubliko, sa ngalan ng pagbabalita ng katotohanan. Pananagutan ito sa lahat ng mga biktima ng mga paglabag sa karapatang tao na maisiwalat ang mga tunay na kaganapan sa likod ng mga paglabag.

Sa huli, walang anumang kasinungalingan ang hindi mailalabas. Ang baho ng kaaway ay sisingaw at hindi maikukubli sa mga pagpapanggap bilang “tagumpay.” Ang kanilang mga kamay ay mananatiling pigta sa umaapaw na dugo ng hindi mabilang na mamamayang Bikolanong kanilang biniktima. Kakambal nito, mananatili rin ang umuusbong na bilang ng mamamayang sumisidhi ang paglaban na siyang magpapanagot sa mga berdugo at kakamit ng tunay na katarungan.

https://prwcinfo.wordpress.com/2022/01/01/tuligsain-ang-karuwagan-at-karahasan-ng-9th-idpa-panagutin-sa-utang-na-dugo-sa-mamamayang-bikolano/

CPP/NPA-East Camarines Sur: Bigo ang 83rd IBPA na magapi ang mamamayan ng Camarines Sur

Propaganda statement posted to the PRWC Newsroom (Jan 1, 2022): Bigo ang 83rd IBPA na magapi ang mamamayan ng Camarines Sur

BALDOMERO ARCHANGHEL

SPOKESPERSON

NPA-EAST CAMARINES SUR (TOMAS PILAPIL COMMAND)

January 1, 2022

Matagumpay na binigo ng Tomas Pilapil Command ang pagsalakay ng 9th IDPA noong Disyembre 28, 2021 sa Sitio Campo Nueve, Brgy. Del Carmen, Lagonoy, Camarines Sur. Matapos ang humigit kumulang tatlong oras na palitan ng putok, nakasamsam ang mga kasama ng apat na military bags at ligtas na naka-atras mula labanan. Samantala, hindi bababa sa dalawa ang sugatan at isa ang napaslang sa hanay ng kaaway. Sa labis na kabangisan ng pasistang militar, binomba pa nila ang komunidad noong hapon na iyon at maging kinabukasan ng umaga.

Mula nang matapos ang anim na buwang pagpapatupad ng Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) ng 83rd IBPA at 96th IBPA at 9th CMO Battalion sa mga bayan ng Lagonoy, Tinambac, Garchitorena at Goa, hindi linubayan ng mga militar ang bahaging ito ng Partido area at nagpatuloy sa mga strike operations. Nitong huling kwarto, ipinatupad naman ang RCSP at hinalihaw ng nasabing mga pwersa, kasama ang 92nd DRC, ang mga bayan ng Caramoan at Presentacion na nagpapatuloy hanggang ngayon.

Dahil bigong maitulak sa gasgasang labanan ang mga kasama sa mahabang panahon ng pag-ooperasyon sa lugar, binabalingan ng militar ang mamamayan ng Partido area na nagdulot ng mga paglabag sa karapatan ng mamamayan. Bago ang pambubomba at istraping sa Lagonoy, pinaslang din ng tropang nagsasagawa ng RCSP si July Barotillo, barangay secretary ng Brgy. Lamon, bayan ng Goa, sa mismong tahanan nito sa Sitio Sua noong Oktubre 1.

Hindi mababawi ng berdugong militar ang kanilang kasawiang gupuin ang mga kasama sa pamamagitan ng pagbobomba ng komunidad o pagpaslang sa mga pinaghihinalaan nilang taga-suporta ng rebolusyonaryong kilusan. Lalo lamang nilang pinagliyab ang kagustuhan ng mamamayang lumaban upang ipagtanggol ang mga sarili at panagutin sila sa kanilang mga krimen.

Para sa mga mamamayan ng Camarines Sur, hindi pa tapos ang laban. Bago pa ang tangkang pag-atake ng kaaway sa mga kasama, matagumpay na nilang naipagdiwang ang ika-53 taong anibersaryo ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas. Nangako ang lahat na hinding-hindi matutuldukan ng rehimeng US-Duterte ang mahigit 50 taong pakikibaka ng mamamayan ng Camarines Sur at buong bansa.

Ang huling kontra-kubkob na aksyong militar ng mga pulang mandirigma ay patunay na hindi magpapagapi ang mga inaasahan ng mamamayang tunay na hukbo ng bayan. Lagi’t laging naririyan ang TPC, ang mga tunay na tagapagtanggol ng mamamayan ng Camarines Sur at higit pang magpapalakas upang patuloy na magsilbi sa kanila hanggang sa makamit ang hustisya at paglaya.

https://prwcinfo.wordpress.com/2022/01/01/bigo-ang-83rd-ibpa-na-magapi-ang-mamamayan-ng-camarines-sur/

Kalinaw News: Eastern Mindanao Command Caps Off 2021 with More than 2K CTG Members Neutralized

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jan 4, 2022): Eastern Mindanao Command Caps Off 2021 with More than 2K CTG Members Neutralized



NSFA, Panacan, Davao City – Armed with sheer determination and strong will to end the local communist armed conflict, Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom), through the leadership of LtGen. Greg T. Almerol continues to sustain its gains by neutralizing more than 2,000 communist terrorists in 2021.

Through the intensified focused military operations of the Command and the strong support of the communities, Local Government Units, and former rebels and cadres, a total of 70 communist terrorists were killed in combat operations, 147 were apprehended, arrested and captured, 630 capitulated, and 1,224 allies withdrew their support for the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in 2021.

Soldiers of EastMinCom were also able to cut down the CTG’s resources by recovering 690 high-powered and low-powered firearms through combat operations and surrender.

In the same vein, troops were able to secure several communities from the CTG’s indiscriminate attacks through the recovery of 97 International Humanitarian Law-banned anti-personnel mines.

On top of these, 192 CTG lairs were also discovered by the troops in several parts of Eastern Mindanao through the aid of concerned citizens and former rebels who shared information with intel value.

Among the breakthroughs of EastMinCom since LtGen. Almerol took its helm on March 8, 2021 include the dismantling of eight CTG Guerrilla Fronts (GFs) identified as GF 4A, GF 88, GF North, GF South, GF 68A, GF 55, GF 89, GF Malayag and the Regional Guerrilla Unit, Pulang Bagani Command.

EastMinCom also delivered major blows to the CTG when it neutralized a total of 22 key CTG personalities which included Jorge “Ka Oris” Madlos, Commander and spokesperson of the National Operations Command and also of National Democratic Front (NDF) in Mindanao; Arian Jane Ochate Ramos alias Marikit, Secretary of Guerilla Front 55, Sub-Regional Committee 5, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC); Pedro Arnado, Chairperson of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas – SMRC; Danny Huit alias Bosyong, Secreteary of GF North; Khim Agad Mapoy alias Patrick, Secretary of GF4A Sub-Regional Committee 3, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC); Ramil Banawan alias Migs/Kim, Secretary of GF Malayag; Adelaida Magpatok alias Gwen/Emyang /Kudaw/Robby, Former Secretary of Far South Mindanao Region (FSMR), NDF consultant, and CPP-NPA-NDF Central Committee Member; Jocy Villaruel Papasin alias Domai, Front Secretary of Guerrilla Front 18, Sub-Regional Committee 2, SMRC; and Billy Berana Jr. alias Borjack/Simeon, Secretary of Guerrilla Front Alip, Regional Operations Command, Regional Sentro de Grabidad, FSMR; Anna Sandra Reyes alias Kaye, Central Committee member of the CPP and Secretary of the Regional City and Town Committee (RCTC) of the SMRC.

While making sure that efforts to curtail the communist armed conflict continue their course, troops were also able to make their presence felt in times of crisis by performing their duties as frontliners during the Covid-19 pandemic and natural calamities.

LtGen. Almerol lauded the troops for these accomplishments which he said were significant in helping the country move forward with its goal to quell the more than five decades of communist terrorism in the country.

“Our troops have proven their true mettle not only in combat operations but also in times of crisis. Navigating through the pandemic and natural calamities while doing their mandated tasks as protector of the State and the people made our forces even more resilient and ready to come to the Filipino’s aid at all times,” LtGen. Almerol said.

“All of these accomplishments, however, would not be possible without the strong support from our stakeholders who are as determined as we are in ending the local communist armed conflict in Eastern Mindanao and the entire Philippines,” LtGen. Almerol expressed, urging Filipinos to continue to be on board in order to achieve the collective dreams of long-lasting peace and development.

Meanwhile, the EastMinCom Commander reiterated his call on the remaining CTG members and leaders to consider embracing a peaceful resolution of the armed conflict by accepting the government’s offer through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program. He also added that their surrender could be part of their New Year’s resolution to finally live a peaceful life together with their families.

LtGen. Almerol also assured the public that EastMinCom’s will continue to maximize their efforts in addressing the challenges brought by communist terrorism through combat and non-military means.

[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/eastern-mindanao-command-caps-off-2021-with-more-than-2k-ctg-members-neutralized/

Kalinaw News: Donations Continue to Pour in for RDRRMC, RTF-ELCAC, 3ID Odette’s Relief Drive

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jan 4, 2022): Donations Continue to Pour in for RDRRMC, RTF-ELCAC, 3ID Odette’s Relief Drive



CAMP PERALTA, Jamindan, Capiz – The Relief Operations “TABANG” Western and Central Visayas has been generating more donations since its launching last December 25, 2021.

As of January 03, 2022, the said donation drive has accumulated a total of P56, 856.00 cash donations and bundles of essential items.

This drive is a collaborative effort of Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) 6 and 7, Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) 6 and 7, and 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division to help Typhoon Odette’s hard-hit communities in Western and Central Visayas.

The government agencies mentioned above have partnered with renowned shopping malls as drop-off points to generate more donations.

Corporate and individual donors may extend their cash and in-kind support through Relief Operations “Tabang” Western and Central Visayas booths in the following shopping malls: SM City Mall in Mandurriao, Robinson’s Mall (Main), Robinson’s Mall Jaro, and Iloilo Society Commercial in Tagbak, Jaro, all of Iloilo City; Robinson’s Mall in Pavia, Iloilo; Robinson’s Place, and Ayala Malls in Bacolod City.

“This relief drive has revealed the generosity and kindness of the people of Western and Central Visayas to their fellow Visayans who suffered much from the onslaught of Typhoon Odette. This is the spirit of ‘Bayanihan” that we need to foster not only during these trying times but also in our everyday life for us to have a peaceful and progressive community,” said MGen Benedict Arevalo, Commander, 3ID.

He also encouraged everyone to display the same kindness, visit “TABANG” drop-off points, and share their blessings with typhoon victims.

“TABANG” Western and Central Visayas relief drive will continue until January 15, 2022.

[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/donations-continue-to-pour-in-for-rdrrmc-rtf-elcac-3id-odettes-relief-drive/

Kalinaw News: Civilian tip leads to the apprehension of an NPA rebel in MisOr

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jan 3, 2022): Civilian tip leads to the apprehension of an NPA rebel in MisOr 



CLAVERIA, MISAMIS ORIENTAL – The joint troops of the 58th Infantry “Dimalulupig” Battalion (58IB), 1001st RMFB10, and Gingoog CPS, captured one New People’s Army (NPA) rebel at Sitio Palapay, Barangay Binakalan, Gingoog City, December 30, 2021.

The successful apprehension of Ridon Cablas Romania, alias Uno, was attributed to the tip-off from a concerned citizen who happens to be a former rebel as well and identified Uno’s presence at Barangay Binakalan, Gingoog City. Authorities from the troops of 58IB coordinated with the PNP and they both acted quickly upon the information.

Alias Uno is a member of Guerilla Front Huawei, Sub-Regional Committee 1, North Central Mindanao Regional Command, 34 years old, and a resident of Sitio Roa-roa, Barangay Umagos, Lagonglong. He also has standing cases of Attempted and Frustrated Murders.

Lt Col Ricky L Canatoy, Commanding Officer of 58IB, expresses gratitude to civilians for their assistance in thwarting potential terroristic or criminal activities by these NPA personalities. He goes on to urge the remaining NPA members to surrender peacefully and return to the folds of the law. “Be afraid of what awaits you if you continue to choose armed conflict.” Return to the folds of the law now and have the opportunity to be with your families or face the full force of the law.”

The said captured NPA member was then handed over to RMFB 10 for proper disposition and filing of cases.

[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/civilian-tip-leads-to-the-apprehension-of-an-npa-rebel-in-misor/

Kalinaw News: 98IB welcomes 2022 with a score against CTG

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jan 3, 2022): 98IB welcomes 2022 with a score against CTG



CAMP MELCHOR F DELA CRUZ, Upi, Gamu, Isabela- Troops of 98th Infantry Battalion greeted the new year with a recovery of an arms cache owned by the CTG remnants in Sitio Nursery, Barangay Disulap, San Mariano, Isabela on January 01, 2022.

Residents of the said place tipped off the information where the CTG remnants are hiding their weapons. The troops immediately acted on the information that led them to recover two M16 A1 rifles, one Improvised Garand Rifle, and a clip of ammunition.

The locals said that they gave the information so that the members of the CTGs will not go near their barangay. This is also a manifestation that they do not want any presence of the terrorist group in their community. They also added that giving information is part of their shared responsibility in achieving peace and progress in their community.

MGen Laurence E Mina, Commander of 5th Infantry Division, Philippine Army extended his gratitude to the locals because of their cooperation in ending the local communist armed conflict. “You have saved the troops and other innocent civilians that may be victims of that weapons. Thank you for continuously providing information that helps in protecting the people against the threat of the terrorist group.”

“Let us all continue to work hand in hand in achieving peace and inclusive development for our community, our family, and for the future generations.” the general ended.

[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/98ib-welcomes-2022-with-a-score-against-ctg/

Kalinaw News: CTG member unfolds a new chapter in 2022

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jan 1, 2022): CTG member unfolds a new chapter in 2022



CAMP MELCHOR F DELA CRUZ, Upi, Gamu, Isabela- A child courier turned armed member of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) welcomes the new year with his family as he returned to the folds of the law on December 31, 2021, on 17th Infantry Battalion Headquarters, Bangag, Lal-lo, Cagayan.

Alias Frank, 25 years old, S4 of West Front Committee, Komiteng Probinsya (KOMPROB) Cagayan-Komiteng Rehiyon-Cagayan Valley (KR-CV) revealed that at the age of 13, he was utilized by the CTG as a courier in some barangays in Baggao, Cagayan. He was then forced to join the terrorist group sometime in 2018. A certain alias Simoy and his group brought alias Frank in Dummitton, Barangay Malayugan, Flora, Apayao, specifically in the CTG encampment. He became an armed member of the terrorist group until 2021.

The former rebel decided to return to the folds of the law because of struggles and difficulties as a member of the CTG. “Gusto ko nang magbagong buhay. Ang hirap ng pamumuhay sa loob ng kilusan. Hindi ko makasama ang pamilya ko. Kahit man lang bisitahin sila ay hindi ako pinapayagan,” alias Frank said to the troops as he emotionally reminisces his unfortunate life as a member of the CTG. “Pinangakuan din nila ako dati na makapag-aaral ako kapag sumama ako sa kanila. Pero iba ang pina-aral sa akin. Patungkol sa rebolusyon at mga paninira sa gobyerno. Isa lang ako sa mga ginamit nila (CTG) para sa kanilang mga pansarling interes!” he exclaimed.

Additionally, through the implemented Community Support Program, he was enlightened of the deceitful tactics and selfish interests of the terrorist group. “Ilang beses ko nang ginustong umuwi pero pinipigilan nila ako. Gustung-gusto ko nang magbagong buhay kasama ang aking pamilya. Kaya sobrang nagpapasalamat ako na meron ang kasundaluhan ng 17IB, kapulisan, at iba pang mga ahensya ng pamahalaan na tumulong sa aking ligtas na pagtalikod sa teroristang NPA.” Alias Frank survived the close air support of the Philippine Airforce during the clash of the government troops and the members of the CTG in Barangay Dungeg, Sta. Teresita, Cagayan last September 2021.

MGen Laurence E Mina, Commander of 5th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, welcomed alias Frank back in the folds of the government. “You made the right choice by coming back to the pillars of the government. Live your life in comfort together with your family. This act will contribute to the realization of our aim of achieving long-lasting peace and progress as we open the year 2022.”

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https://www.kalinawnews.com/ctg-member-unfolds-a-new-chapter-in-2022/