Key Philippine Military and Insurgency-Related Events: 04/14/22

Thursday, April 14, 2022

NPA member slain in encounter with army troops in Negros Occidental

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Apr 14, 2022): NPA member slain in encounter with army troops in Negros Occidental (By: Carla Gomez)

Map of Negros Occidental | INQIRER.net

A still unidentified communist rebel was killed in an encounter with government troopers in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental early morning on Thursday, April 14.

The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division reported that soldiers of the 94th Infantry Battalion met about 10 members of the New People’s Army (NPA) which led to a gunfight in Sitio San Juan, Barangay Caradio-an.

A soldier was slightly wounded and is now in stable condition.

Recovered from the encounter site were two magazines of a .45 caliber pistol, a hand grenade, short magazine of a M-16 rifle, a tablet, medical kit, and backpack.

Maj. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, 3rd Infantry Division commander, vowed to go after the NPA.

“There is a high possibility that they are trying to intensify their extortion schemes and to also stage attacks days before the May 9, election,” Arevalo said

“But we, together with the communities and government agencies will not stop to spoil their plans,” he added.

RELATED STORY:
Military says 4 alleged ranking officers of NPA killed in Bukidnon

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1583196/npa-member-slain-in-encounter-with-army-troops-in-negros-occidental

Pampanga cops nab alleged CPP-NPA finance exec

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Apr 14, 2022): Pampanga cops nab alleged CPP-NPA finance exec (By: Tonette Orejas)

The police in Mabalacat City on Thursday, April 14, reported the arrest of the supposed acting secretary of the national finance committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines and its New People’s Army in Central Luzon.

Evelyn Muñoz was held for murder and two other violations based on the warrant issued by Judge Francis William Espinola of Branch 68 in Camiling town in Tarlac, the Mabalacat police said in a report posted on social media.

Muñoz was arrested around 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, with two women identified only by their aliases, Erlin and Marga, in Barangay Mawaque in Mabalacat City and detained at the police jail. It was not known if they contacted a legal counsel.

Identified as CTG [communist terrorist group] personalities, the three women also faced charges for violating Presidential Decree 1829 (Penalizing obstruction of apprehension and prosecution of criminal offenders) and Article 178 (use of the fictitious name) of the Revised Penal Code.

Lt. Col. Heryl Bruno, city police chief, said the arrest was done under Oplan Pagtugis, which involved 17 police, Army, and Air Force units.

The police reported confiscating from the suspects a .45 caliber, magazine and bullets, identification cards, 26 mobile phones, three laptops, documents, and about P400,000 in cash.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1583148/pampanga-cops-nab-alleged-cpp-npa-finance-exec

2 suspected NPA rebels slain in Camarines Sur

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Apr 14, 2022): 2 suspected NPA rebels slain in Camarines Sur (By: Michael B. Jaucian)

New People’s Army (NPA) | INQUIRER.net file photo

Two suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in an encounter on Wednesday, April 13, with soldiers in Garchitorena town in Camarines Sur province, a report said Thursday.

Government soldiers were conducting patrol around 4:30 p.m. when they encountered six communist rebels at San Vicente village, Colonel Edmundo Peralta, 902nd Infantry Brigade commander, said in a text message.

Before the five-minute firefight, villagers tipped the soldiers about the presence of the armed group around the area.

“The troop tried to talk to the Reds to surrender peacefully but unfortunately declined and opened fire,” Major John Paul Belleza, chief of the public affairs office of the 9th Infantry Division, said in a phone interview.

The government troops recovered an M16 rifle, a 9mm pistol, cellphones, and batteries at the clash site.

The soldiers brought the bodies of the unidentified rebels to the local police station, where they remained unclaimed as of Thursday.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1583103/2-suspected-npa-rebels-slain-in-camarines-sur

Moro rebels' integration into national police starts

From the Manila Times (Apr 15, 2022): Moro rebels' integration into national police starts (By Franz R. Sumangil)

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) has begun its integration of former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) combatants in accordance with the Mindanao peace process, officials announced this week.

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has signed an agreement with the National Police Commission (Napolcom) for the Special Qualifying Eligibility Examination for the ex-MILF and MNLF members.

"After three years of the transition period, we are happy that we are finally taking the first step into making this provision a reality," BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim said.

In a videoconference Saturday last week, Ebrahim and Napolcom Vice Chairman and Executive Officer Alberto Bernardo signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) on the integration process.

According to the agreement, the qualifying examinations for integration aspirants are set to be held on May 29 this year in the cities of Cotabato and Zamboanga.

Under the MoA, 5,060 successful examinees will be granted eligibility for temporary appointment as patrolman or patrolwoman of the PNP.

After signing the agreement, Ebrahim created an ad hoc office and designated Senior Minister Abdulraof Macacua as its head to facilitate administrative support in the application process set forth by Napolcom.

Ebrahim, also the MILF chairman, lauded the Intergovernmental Relations Body Technical Working Group for the realization of the provision in the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) allowing qualified former MILF and MNLF members to join the PNP.

The BOL, as the enabling law that created BARMM, provided for the integration of ex-Moro rebels into the PNP.

Macacua said the MILF and MNLF are now working together to come up with a list of qualified members who could avail of the integration program.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/04/15/news/regions/moro-rebels-integration-into-national-police-starts/1840082

CPP/NPA-Central Negros: On the lies of the AFP regarding civilian recruitment for intelligence

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 14, 2022): On the lies of the AFP regarding civilian recruitment for intelligence

JB Regalado

Spokesperson

NPA-Central Negros (Leonardo Panaligan Command)

Negros Island Regional Operational Command (Apolinario Gatmaitan Command)

New People's Army

April 14, 2022

As the brutal US-Duterte regime intensifies its bloody counterrevolution, it has dumped billions upon billions of pesos to amp up its war machinery, including the recruitment of civilians to join their intelligence network. By all means, you should refuse these kinds of offers.

While initially promising- a sack of rice and at least P10,000 pesos monthly with another reward if you can successfully ‘point’ a target- this is but a misdirection to the socioeconomic ills the Negrosanons and the entire Filipino people are facing. If the reactionary government is truly willing to aid its people, it would’ve long answered the problem of landlessness, job insecurity, poverty, hunger, and more, not merely misdirecting the needs of the many towards mere bounty hunting.

This serves as a warning to all families. To wives, make sure that your husbands do not fall prey to the offers of the AFP. Husbands should be on the lookout as well, as the philanderous practice of the military has exploited women several times just for their pleasure. Your children should also avoid being misled by the reactionary troops, as they have proven to be the source of bad influence among the youth.

While the socioeconomic crisis has gravely affected the people, all the AFP, PNP, NTF-ELCAC and the entire reactionary government can do is offer temporary unaudited ‘incentives’ that they think is the only stimulus required by the people to compensate for their corruption. Their offers are not jobs, nor can they be considered aid, as they will endanger your lives even more while they wallow safely with taxpayer money.

The only answer to the genuine problems of society is the resistance justly waged by the oppressed for more than 53 years. The most patriotic and nationalist thing to do is not to join the ranks of proven murderers, but to tread the path of the national democratic revolution. It is the only tool of the masses to unroot imperialism, feudalism, and bureaucrat capitalism. Should you wish to surmount the difficulties imposed to you by the ruling system, the best solution is to join mass organizations and collectively fight for our rights deprived to us by the very institution trying to lure you in.

Better yet, take up arms and join the NPA as the genuine army of the people committed to wage armed revolution to establish a society that does not depend on spare change from the rich (much like the AFP’s recruitment for their network of spies), but a society that can make use of its resources to provide for every citizen, where the wages we receive are enough to sustain our families, where peace is not simply the absence of war but also of hunger and poverty, where our rights are respected, where our needs are met- a democratic society that the CPP-NPA and the masses have been fighting for and slowly establishing in the countryside. #

https://cpp.ph/statements/on-the-lies-of-the-afp-regarding-civilian-recruitment-for-intelligence/

CPP/CIO: Sympathies with the people of Baybay and Abuyog over landslide tragedy

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 14, 2022): Sympathies with the people of Baybay and Abuyog over landslide tragedy

Marco Valbuena

Chief Information Officer

Communist Party of the Philippines

April 14, 2022

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) extends its deepest sympathies to the people of Baybay City and Abuyog towns in Leyte province after several scores of people in farming and coastal communities were killed in mudslides triggered by non-stop rainfall brought by typhoon Agaton over the past week. The calamity reminds us of the similar tragedy in 2006 when thousands were killed in landslides in St. Bernard town in Southern Leyte.

These tragedies are a result of the widespread destruction of the environment caused by decades of logging and forest clearing for commercial plantations. Communities in mountains, valleys and plains have been made vulnerable to landslides and flooding by deforestation and oversiltation of rivers. Across the country, people live constantly in precarious situations.

In the face of gross state of the environment in the Philippines, the present reactionary government and all those in the past have declared the policy of protecting the environment. However, beyond these lip service declarations and showcase and fake “reforestation” projects, no serious effort has actually been carried out to stop the ravaging of the mountains, forests and rivers. On the contrary, in connivance with government bureaucrats, operations of mining companies, plantations, ecotourism, energy and infrastructure projects continue to expand and cause widespread destruction of the environment and sources of the people’s livelihood, and the dislocation of thousands from their homes and communities.

We are keenly aware how the tragedies in Baybay and Abuyog are not the first, and will certainly not be the last. We call on the broad masses of the peasants, national minorities, workers and other toiling people, to unite, defend the environment and their livelihood, and demand an end to destructive commercial and plunderous operations of big capitalists.

Decisive steps to protect the environment can only be carried out by a people driven by the desire to free the country from imperialist oppression and the plunder of the country’s resources by foreign capitalists and their partners among the local big bourgeoisie and bureaucrat capitalists.

The revolutionary forces will continue to enforce the policy of the people’s democratic government prohibiting large scale commercial logging and plunderous mining operations. It aims to achieve greater successes in enforcing this policy as we look forward to preserving the country’s resources for the future use of the people and their truly democratic government.

https://cpp.ph/statements/sympathies-with-the-people-of-baybay-and-abuyog-over-landslide-tragedy/

CPP/NPA-Central Negros: NPA-Central Negros punishes CAFGU element in Guihulngan City

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 13, 2022): NPA-Central Negros punishes CAFGU element in Guihulngan City

NPA-Central Negros (Leonardo Panaligan Command)

Negros Island Regional Operational Command (Apolinario Gatmaitan Command)

New People's Army

April 13, 2022

The New People’s Army-Central Negros (Leonardo Panaligan Command) punished Jeger Flores, a CAFGU element of the Barangay Sandayao Patrol Base of the 62nd Infantry Battalion in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental last April 10.

Flores was directly involved in the brutal murder of Arnold Suerte last January, along with the 62nd IB. Retrieved from him was a cellular phone with pictures of red-tagged peasants in Guihulngan City. He is also involved in the series of operations in the area which have resulted to grave human rights violations in the area.

As a legitimate military target with blood debt, Flores was punished by the NPA.

This serves as a warning to military elements who continue to act under the whims of their bloodthirsty commanders. The NPA will continue to mete out revolutionary justice to persons who have committed crimes against the people. ###

https://cpp.ph/statements/npa-central-negros-punishes-cafgu-element-in-guihulngan-city/

CPP/CIO: Denounce arrest of Southern Tagalog NDFP peace consultant

Propaganda statement posted to PRWC Newsroom, the blog site of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Information Bureau (Apr 11, 2022): Denounce arrest of Southern Tagalog NDFP peace consultant

Marco Valbuena

Chief Information Officer

Communist Party of the Philippines

April 11, 2022

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) condemns the Duterte regime and its military and police forces for the unlawful arrest earlier today of National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) peace consultant Ernesto Lorenzo, together with Maria Fe Serrano, Andrei Medina, Plinky Longhas and another companion. They were arrested as they were queueing up to receive Covid-19 shots at the Nayong Pilipino Vaccination Center in Parañaque City.

The arrest of Lorenzo violates his rights under the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) which guarantees the security of personnel and consultants of the negotiating panels of the NDFP and the Philippine government against surveillance, arrest or any other form of reprisal.

We demand that Lorenzo and his companions be released immediately.

We demand the Duterte regime to end its policy of repression against the NDFP’s personnel and peace consultants. The arrest of Lorenzo comes at the heels of the recent arrests of Esteban Manuel in Samar, and Edwin Alcid in Northern Samar, and the abduction and killing of Ezequiel Daguman in Davao del Norte last month.

The heightening attacks of the Duterte regime against the NDFP as well as against activists and supporters of the political opposition are indicative of its increasing desperation to cling to power.

The Filipino people must remain on high alert to the regime’s schemes to resort to heightened suppression and extralegal means and vigorously oppose any attempts to perpetuate his tyrannical rule.

https://cpp.ph/statements/denounce-arrest-of-ndfp-peace-consultants/

Kalinaw News: JTF Agila troopers clash with CTG in Davao De Oro; yields M14 rifle and IED

Posted to Kalinaw News (Apr 15, 2022): JTF Agila troopers clash with CTG in Davao De Oro; yields M14 rifle and IED

MAWAB, Davao De Oro – Troops from the 66th Infantry Battalion under the 701st Infantry Brigade recovered one (1) M14 Rifle, one (1) Improvised Explosive Device (IED), and war materiel in the vicinity of Marangig Falls, New Albay, Maragusan, Davao De Oro on April 14, 2022.

Before the said recovery, 66IB clashed with the combined elements of the Regional Operations Command (ROC) and Guerilla Front 2 (GF2) on April 13 in the same vicinity that resulting in the capture of alias “Darwin”, 22 years old, Squad Medic of Primera, ROC of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG). Alias Darwin said, they buried the said firearm and IED on April 11.

Lt. Col Julius M Munar, Commanding Officer of 66th Infantry (KABALIKAT) Battalion told that with their constant clash with the enemy, support from the local community, and the cooperation of the former rebels(FRs), they are confident that they can end the insurgency in Davao De Oro in due time.

Meanwhile, Agila Division Commander MGen Nolasco A Mempin congratulated 66IB troopers for their accomplishment and thanked alias “Darwin” for his cooperation with the government forces after his capture. “Your Agila Troopers will always abide by the Human Rights and Rules of Engagement just like what happened to alias Darwin wherein he was treated humanely. Our doors are always open to all remaining members of the CTG who will choose to cooperate with the government,” MGen Mempin 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/jtf-agila-troopers-clash-with-ctg-in-davao-de-oro-yields-m14-rifle-and-ied/

Kalinaw News: Three CTG leaders die in Cagayan clash

Posted to Kalinaw News (Apr 15, 2022): Three CTG leaders die in Cagayan clash

Three high-value leaders of the Komiteng Probinsya (KOMPROB) Cagayan, Komiteng Rehiyon-Cagayan Valley (KR-CV) were neutralized in a five-minute firefight between the troops of the 17th Infantry Battalion and Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) on Maundy Thursday, April 14, 2022, in Barangay Virgina, Sto. Niño, Cagayan.

The CTG leaders were identified as Saturnino Agunoy alias Peping, Head of the Regional Operations Department of Komiteng Rehiyon-Cagayan Valley (KR-CV), Mark Canta alias Uno, Giyang Politikal, West Front Committee, and alias Val, medical officer of the West Front Committee all of KOMPROB Cagayan, KR-CV.

Standing Warrant of Arrest against Saturnino Agunoy alias Peping:

a. 12 cases of Qualified Assualt upon agent of person in authority w/ murder with bail of 120K each

b. 2 cases of Qualified Assault upon agent of person in authority w/ murder, no bail

c. Arson with 24k bail

d. Murder- no bail

e. Rebellion with 200k bail

ITEMS RECOVERED in the encounter site:
two cal. 45 pistol
one hand grenade
one backpack with (one lenovo laptop with Charger one Cherry mobile smart phone, one USB and personal items)
one backpack with medical supplies (12 syringes, three IV fluids, bandages, 30 gauze pad, etc)
-subversive documents with high intelligence value.

Kalinaw News: Apat na dating mga child warriors ng CTG nakatanggap ng tulong pinansyal

Posted to Kalinaw News (Apr 14, 2022): Apat na dating mga child warriors ng CTG nakatanggap ng tulong pinansyal (Four former CTG child warriors received financial assistance)

Bangag, Lal-lo – Nakatanggap ng tig-10,000 pesos mula sa Commission on Human Rights (CHR) ang apat na mga dating tinaguring child warrior ngayong araw, ika-12 ng Abril taong kasalukuyan sa Headquarters ng 17th Infantry Battalion, Bangag, Lal-lo, Cagayan.

Personal na ipinagkaloob ni Atty. Jimmy Baliga, Regional Director ng CHR R02 ang nasabing halaga ng tulong pinansiyal kina alyas Rain, alyas Rhian, alyas Hanna, at alyas Victor. “May programa talaga ang CHR na nagbibigay ng tulong pinansyal sa mga biktima ng Violation of Human Rights. Ang apat na benepisyaryo natin ngayong araw ay mga biktima ng violations under the rights of a child. Hindi lamang sila ang makatatanggap ng financial assistance mula sa ating tanggapan. Mayroon pang mga susunod pero kinakailangan pa nating i-evaluate ng mabuti.”

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa CHR at 17IB dahil sa tulong na kanilang ipinagkaloob dahil magagamit ko ito sa aking pag-aaral. Sana ay matulungan din ang iba naming mga kasamahan lalo na ang mga kabataang minsan nang nalinlang ng NPA na nagbalik-loob sa pamahalaan upang maabot din nila ang kanilang mga pangarap,” ani alyas Rhian matapos matanggap ang tulong pinansyal.

Ang mga nabanggit na benepisyaryo ay nasagip ng kasundaluhan noong buwan ng Pebrero taong 2021 matapos gawing child warrior ng Communist Terrorist Group na kumikilos sa probinsya ng Apayao at Cagayan.

Samantala, nagpasalamat din si Lieutenant Colonel Oliver C Logan, Battalion Commander ng 17IB sa tulong na ipinagkaloob ng naturang tanggapan sa mga former rebels. “Sa ilalim ng Whole-of-Nation Approach marami tayong magagawa at marami tayong mga former rebels na mabibigyan ng tulong. Hangad natin ang positibong pagbabago sa ating mga former rebels lalo na sa mga kabataan. Kung kaya, lubos din ang ating pasasalamat sa tulong na ito ng CHR. Naway tuluy-tuloy ang ating pagkakapit-bisig para sa wakasan ang terorismo sa ating komunidad!”

[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/apat-na-dating-mga-child-warriors-ng-ctg-nakatanggap-ng-tulong-pinansyal/

Kalinaw News: 1 NPA killed, 3 firearms recovered in Negros Oriental encounter

Posted to Kalinaw News (Apr 14, 2022): 1 NPA killed, 3 firearms recovered in Negros Oriental encounter

An unidentified male member of Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) was killed in an encounter at So. Tulong, Brgy Enrique Villanueva, Sibulan, Negros Oriental on April 14, 2022.

This after, the troops of 11th Infantry Battalion, immediately responded to the tip-off of local populace on the extortion activities of these NPAs. They encountered 12 members of CPP-NPA at around 8 a.m., which lasted for about 15-minutes.

At around 2 p.m., operating troops discovered a cadaver near the creek at the said place. The still, unidentified cadaver is wearing green NPA uniform and boots.

Based on information received, another two members of NPA were wounded in the encounter based on the blood stain seen in the widrawal route.

Recovered from the encounter site were; One (1) M14 rifle; One (1) M16A1 rifle with scope; One (1) KG-9 rifle; Three (3) pcs. rifle grenade; Five (5) IED (anti-personnel mine); 10 pcs 12-gauge ammo shot gun; three (3) magazines of M16; One (1) M14 magazine; One (1) KG-9 magazine; Four (4) pcs M203 ammo; various subversive documents, and 12 back packs.

In his statement, Major General Benedict Arevalo, the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division Commander, commended the boldness and bravery of the local populace by giving correct and accurate information.

Likewise, he also congaratulated the burning passion of the troops in serving and securing not only the Negrenses, but as well as the people and loving people of Western and Central Visayas.

“I hope that this encounter will serve as an eye-opener to those NPAs who are still hiding in the mountain to surrender to the folds of the law and enjoy government’s program through E-CLIP or else you they suffer the same fate with their comrade,” MGen Arevalo 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/1-npa-killed-3-firearms-recovered-in-negros-oriental-encounter/

Kalinaw News: Mga Sundalo at Pulis Napalaban, Dalawang Teroristang NPA Patay sa Camarines Sur

Posted to Kalinaw News (Apr 14, 2022): Mga Sundalo at Pulis Napalaban, Dalawang Teroristang NPA Patay sa Camarines Sur (Soldiers and Police Fight, Two NPA Terrorists Killed in Camarines Sur)

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur – Dalawang miyembro ng Communist NPA Terrorist (CNT) ang nasawi sa naitalang engkwentro sa pagitan ng pinagsanib na pwersa ng militar at pulis laban sa teroristang grupo sa Barangay San Vicente, Garchitorena, nitong 4:30 ng hapon araw ng Miyerkules, Ika-13 ng Abril 2022.

Magsasagawa sana ng negosasyon ang tropa ng 83rd Infantry (MATIKAS) Battalion at mga pulis sa naiulat na aktibong supporter ng Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) na kumukubkob sa teroristang grupo kasunod na rin ng sumbong at pakiusap ng mga residente sa lugar ngunit bigla silang pinaputukan ng anim (6) na armadong CNT habang papalapit sa lugar.

Layunin sana ng tropa na hikayatin ang nasabing supporter na putulin na ang suporta sa CTG at makipagtulungan sa gobyerno na himukin din ang mga miyembro nito na sumuko na lamang sa pamahalaan.

Nauwi sa halos limang (5) minuto ang palitan ng putok ng magkabilang panig na nagresulta sa agarang pagkasawi ng dalawang (2) miyembro ng CNT .

Samantala, nakuha naman sa mga kalaban ang isang (1) M16 rifle, isang (1) 9mm pistol, sari-saring mga kagamitang pang komunikasyon, at maka-terorista at personal na kagamitan.

Labis naman ang pasasalamat ni Lt. Col. Clark R. Dalumbar, Battalion Commander ng 83IB dahil walang nasugatan sa tropa gayundin sa mga taong barangay sa nangyaring sagupaan.

“Nagpapasalamat tayo at walang nasugatan sating mga tropa. Gayun din, taos puso rin po ang ating pasasalamat lalong lalo na sa mga residente ng barangay San Vicente, Garchitorena sa kanilang patuloy na pakikipagtulungan sa atin upang sugpuin ang mangilan-ngilan pang natitirang miyembo ng CTG. Nais sana nating idaan sa mapayapang pamamaraan ang lahat ngunit sa kasamaang palad ay dahas pa rin ang isinalubong sa atin ng mga kalaban,” ani Lt. Col. Dalumbar.

Binigyang diin naman muli ni Col. Edmundo Peralta, Commander of the 902nd Infantry (FIGHT AND SERVE) Brigade na kailanman ay walang maidudulot na mabuti ang impluwensiya ng terorista sa buhay ng bawat Pilipino.

“Dahil sa komunismong paniniwala ay dalawang buhay na naman ang nasayang, dalawang buhay na maari pa sanang nabago at nabigyan ng pag-asa. Patunay ang pagkamatay ng dalawang miyembro ng CNT na walang naidudulot na kabutihan sa buhay at maging sa mga pamilya nila ang maka-teroristang impluwensiya ng CTG,” ani Col. Peralta.

Bukod dito, binigyang diin ni Police Brigadier General Jonnel Estomo, Police Director Region 5 ang patuloy na pakikipag-ugnayan ng pulisya sa mga kasundaluhan sa pagpapatupad ng mas pinaigting na security at civil operations upang mas lalo pang mapahina ang teroristang grupo.

“Laging magkaagapay ang pulisya at ang kasundaluhan sa pagpapatupad ng mga operasyon kontra sa CTG. Mas pinaiigting natin ang pagbibigay impormasyon sa mga tao kung ano nga ba talaga ang imahe na meron ang teroristang grupong ito,” ani PBGen. Estomo.

Samantala, tiniyak ni Major General Alex Luna, Commander ng 9th Infantry (SPEAR) Division at ng Joint Task Force Bicolandia na patuloy na gagampanan ng Spear Division ang mandato nito upang mapanatili ang kapayapaan at mapigilan ang anumang banta ng terorista sa Bicolandia.

“Patuloy ang mandato ng JTF Bicolandia sa pagpapanatili ng kapayapaan at pagsalag sa anumang masasamang plano ng mga CTG sa rehiyong Bikol. Ang naganap na engkwentro ay malaking pinsala sa teroristang grupo dahil sinasalamin nito na patuloy ang pakikipagtulungan ng mga residente ng barangay sa pagbibigay impormasyon sa presensya ng mga kalaban. Sinasalamin din nito na well-informed na ang mga tao sa mga kamalian at karahasan na ginagawa ng CTG,” ani Maj. Gen. Luna.

Kung maalala, nitong Marso 10, ay nagkaroon din ng engkwentro sa pagitan ng 83IB kontra CTG sa Barangay JMA Alberto, Catanduanes sa tulong na rin ng impormasyon na nagmula sa mga residente.

Nagresulta ang nasabing engkwentro sa pagkasawi ng isang (1) miyembro ng CNT at pagkakarekober sa isang (1) M14 rifle, 17 anti-personnel mines, at ilan pang mga maka-teroristang kagamitan.

[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/mga-sundalo-at-pulis-napalaban-dalawang-teroristang-npa-patay-sa-camarines-sur/

Kalinaw News: 7ID mentors ROTC leaders in SALARS 7

Posted to Kalinaw News (Apr 14, 2022): 7ID mentors ROTC leaders in SALARS 7

FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija – “Inspire your cadets to become good Filipino citizens.”

This is the main message of Maj. Gen. Andrew D. Costelo, the Commander of 7ID, to the ROTC student participants during the closing of 7ID’s program called, “Strengthening the Army Leadership Attributes of ROTC Students in 7ID” or SALARS 7, held on April 10, 2022.

SALARS 7 is a 3-session online seminar-workshop designed to enhance the leadership skills of the ROTC cadet officers from the country’s Regions 1 and 3.

A total of 93 ROTC cadet officers from different schools in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, and Aurora Provinces participated in the program.

SALARS 7 introduced the participants on the doctrine of Army leadership focusing on one its main requirements – the Army leader’s attributes of character, presence and intellect.

The Director of the Army Leadership Development Center of the Training and Doctrine Command, Col. John Paul C. Guerrero, gave a lecture on the subject, Army Leadership, and actively participated in all the sessions of the program.

Selected officers from 7ID also shared their insights on character, presence and intellect as basic attributes of an Army leader.

To examine their understanding on the leadership concepts and to test their innovative skills and creativity, the 7ID required all participants by team to produce a 3-minute audio visual production (AVP) on how they can apply the knowledge on Army leader’s attributes in their respective ROTC units.

Out of 31 entries, 7ID selected and recognized the top 7 AVPs of ROTC units during the closing program, namely, Wesleyan University Philippines (WUP) Nueva Ecija, Phinma-Araullo University (PHINMA-AU) Nueva Ecija, Manuel V Gallego Foundation College (MVGFC) Nueva Ecija, Tarlac State University (TSU) Tarlac City, Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) Tarlac City, Pangasinan State University (PSU) Bayambang Campus, Pangasinan and DMMSU-SLUC, Agoo, La Union.

In his message, MGen. Costelo advised the ROTC cadet officers on their roles and responsibilities to their subordinates as Army leaders.

“Listen to them and talk to them regularly. Show them what is a good Filipino that they should emulate. Be a good Army leader, be a good Filipino leader,” said the 7ID commander.

Kalinaw News: Authorities Arrested 3 Top Ranking CPP-NPA personalities in Pampanga

Posted to Kalinaw News (Apr 14, 2022): Authorities Arrested 3 Top Ranking CPP-NPA personalities in Pampanga

FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija — The combined elements of
Mabalacat Municipal Police Station, PNP-CIDU 3, troops from 703rd Infantry Brigade and 70th Infantry Battalion along with other law enforcement authorities arrested 3 top ranking CPP-NPA personalities in Central Luzon at Purok 4, Brgy Mauaque, Mabalacat, Pampanga on April 13, 2022.

Major General Andrew D Costelo PA, Commander of the 7th Infantry (KAUGNAY) Division, Philippine Army the law enforcement authorities served a Warrant of Arrest for Murder against Evelyn C Munoz alias “Ched/Emy/Maye/Miray” the Communist Party of the Philippines’ Central Luzon Regional Committee Secretary; National Finance Commission Secretary; Politburo, and member of CPP Central Committee.

Also arrested were Erlinda Lansang alias “Dahlia”, a member and Political Instructor of Komiteng Larangang Guerrilla Tarlac-Zambales (KLG-TARZAM) and one Margarita Lansang alias “Mara”, Secretary of LGP-4, CLRC/EXECOM Member of Central Luzon Regional Committee.

Recovered during the service of arrest was one Cal. 45; two magazine assemblies with 14 ammunition; several Identification Cards depicting their pictures with different names; 26 units of cellular phones; 3 laptops; several USB storage devices; subversive documents/materials and cash with different denominations and currencies amounting to more or less Php400,000.00.

MGen Costelo believed that the money recovered in the possession of the CPP Finance Officer and two others extorted from the local community to finance their White Area Operations as the National Democratic Front’s Founding Anniversary is almost two weeks from now.

“I would like to congratulate all the operating troops for the successful service of Warrant of Arrest for the said CPP-NPA personalities. Their arrest is timely as we were able to thwart their activities in urban and rural operations, especially that the national and local election is coming,” said MGen Costelo.

The Commander also thanked the Former CTG members and the locals for tipping off their CPP-NPA identities, location, and activities in their community.

Meanwhile, the Commander of the 703rd Infantry (AGILA) Brigade, Colonel Joseph Norwin D Pasamonte said that the arrested personalities have been the subject of law enforcement operations for months along with the PNP to stop its criminal activities in Central Luzon.

[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/authorities-arrested-3-top-ranking-cpp-npa-personalities-in-pampanga/

Kalinaw News: Joint AFP-PNP Law Enforcement Operation nabbed 3 wanted CTG ranking leaders, member in separate operations

Posted to Kalinaw News (Apr 14, 2022): Joint AFP-PNP Law Enforcement Operation nabbed 3 wanted CTG ranking leaders, member in separate operations

NSFA Panacan, Davao City – Three wanted Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) leaders and member were apprehended following a series of Law Enforcement Operations launched by the joint security forces of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) units on April 7, 10, and 11.

The first arrested personality was identified as Jemalyn Calinawan, a member of Guerilla Front (GF) 16, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC), who has a criminal case for Multiple Frustrated Murder issued at the 10th Regional Trial Court (RTC), Branch 30 in Surigao City.

Her arrest was made possible through the joint effort of the 901st Brigade’s 30th and 36th Infantry Battalions (IB), Surigao del Norte Provincial Police Office, PNP Placer and intelligence units.

It was followed by the apprehension of a CTG leader identified as Aldeem A. Yañez through the collaboration of PNP Region 10, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Regional Field Unit 10 (CIDG-RFU), 4th Infantry Division’s Task Force Oro and 403rd Brigade on April 10 at the Urban Poor Village, Brgy Iponan, Cagayan de Oro City.

He was facing charges for violation of the Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act during the implementation of a search warrant issued on April 6, 2022, by the RTC Misamis Oriental, 10th Judicial Court. Authorities also pointed out Yañez as an extortionist and an ideological, political, and organizational (IPO) worker of the CTG.

Recovered from his possession are a caliber .45 Pistol, two fragmentation hand grenades, two 40mm ammunition, fake voter identification, vaccine card, and various subversive documents.

Another joint security force composed of PNP Region 13, PNP Trento, and 402nd Brigade intel units also apprehended Julieta Galario Gerondio, Secretary/Finance Officer of the Sub-Regional Committee 3 (SRC3), North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) at Sitio Maitum, Brgy. Langkilaan, Trento, Agusan del Sur on April 11, through a warrant of arrest issued at the RTC Branch 7, Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur for various murder cases.

The CTG leader was nabbed by government forces while traversing from Davao to Agusan when her vehicle was flagged down at a checkpoint in the boundary of Monkayo, Davao de Oro, and Trento, Agusan del Sur.

LtGen. Greg T. Almerol, Commander of Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) lauded the joint AFP and PNP forces for the recent successful arrests of the CTG personalities, clearly show the strong commitment and synergy of all government security forces in rounding up all lawless individuals and terrorist groups that keep on hiding from the law.

“This is an ultimate example of the great outcomes due to the established synergy among the different security forces. Hand in hand, we can achieve victories greater than this,” LtGen Almerol said.

“Every arrest of a key CTG personality brings us one step closer to becoming an armed-conflict-free country,” he added, stressing that this is not only a victory for the Command and other government security forces but also the people, especially the victims of the CTG’s injustice.

The EastMinCom Commander also vowed to continue hunting down other notorious CTG members who are on the run while also encouraging others to yield.

“We will be relentless in hunting down the terrorist so we could finally attain lasting peace and development in Eastern Mindanao. While doing so, we are also open for those who would like to surrender and get another chance to live free and in peace with their families again,” LtGen. Almerol said.

“Submit yourselves now so that you may avail of government programs such as the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program,” he 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/joint-afp-pnp-law-enforcement-operation-nabbed-3-wanted-ctg-ranking-leaders-member-in-separate-operations/

1.5K NPA fighters in Region 8 ‘return to the fold’ in 3 years

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 14, 2022): 1.5K NPA fighters in Region 8 ‘return to the fold’ in 3 years (By Sarwell Meniano)

DENOUNCING INSURGENCY. Former members of New People’s Army (NPA) front organizations burn rebel flags outside the People’s Center and Library in Tacloban City in this Dec. 10, 2021 photo. At least 1,505 regular members of the NPA surrendered to the government as of the end of March 2022, a clear indication that the communist terrorist group is weakening, an official of the National Intelligence Coordination Agency said on Wednesday (April 13, 2022). (PNA file photo)

At least 1,505 regular members of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to the government as of the end of March 2022, a clear indication the communist terrorist group is weakening, an official of the National Intelligence Coordination Agency (NICA) said on Wednesday.

Of the number, 57 of them yielded in 2019 and 415 turned themselves in a year after. Most of them or 1,007 surrendered in 2021 while 26 fighters abandoned the NPA just this year.

NICA Eastern Visayas Regional Director Eustacio Bacabac said many regular NPA members have surrendered through the government’s whole-of-nation approach in the past three years.

“They have been weakening since 2019. Many of them surrendered after they realized that it is a senseless struggle. Others also abandoned the NPA through persuasions by those who already surrendered,” Bacabac said.

The reduced influence of their organization in other parts of the country forced NPA leaders to move to Samar, which they considered their “last bastion".

NICA also reported that 70 members of the terrorist group were killed in clashes with government forces while 54 were captured in operations in more than two years.

“In the last three months, two key NPA central committee personalities were captured in Samar and Northern Samar. The government learned about their presence through information from former NPA members. They have been hiding in Samar because they thought that they are safe here, but they are wrong since the environment is already different,” Bacabac added.

Likewise, some 6,222 mass supporters abandoned the communist ideology while 539 members of Batakang Organisasyon sa Partido (BOP) left the communist terrorist group.

BOP members are used by the NPA in intelligence-gathering activities.

The weakening of NPA in Eastern Visayas is a result of a whole-of-nation approach by linking arms between basic service providers from the central government, community participation groups from the local governments, and the security sector from the military and police.

In support of the fight against NPA, several local government units have formed their task force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) operationalizing Executive Order 70 issued by President Rodrigo Duterte on Dec. 4, 2018.

The directive also institutionalizes a “whole-of-nation approach” to attaining an inclusive and sustainable peace.

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA, which has been waging a five-decade armed struggle against the government is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1172224

Troops build access roads in area once influenced by ASG in Sulu

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 14, 2022): Troops build access roads in area once influenced by ASG in Sulu (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)

ROAD TO PEACE. Government troops open a two-kilometer road connecting Barangay Bud Bunga to Barangay Upper Sinumaan, Talipao, Sulu, in coordination with the provincial government. In a statement Thursday (April 14, 2022), the Army's 2nd Special Forces Battalion said its troops are also rehabilitating the five kilometer road that connects Upper Sinumaan and Lower Sinumaan, which are former Abu Sayyaf Group-influenced areas. (Photo courtesy of the 6th Special Forces Company)

Government troops mobilized their resources to open a new road and rehabilitate existing but non-passable road networks in an area previously influenced by Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).

Capt. Ron Villarosa, commander of the 6th Special Forces Company, said Thursday the two-kilometer road projects connecting Barangay Bud Bunga to Barangay Upper Sinumaan in Talipao, Sulu, is part of the Community Support Program of the 2nd Special Forces Battalion (2SFBn).

In a statement, Villarosa said the opening and rehabilitation of the roads with the assistance of the Army’s 545th Engineer Battalion and 12th Civil-Military Operation Battalion solved the decades-old accessibility problem in the area.

As a counterpart, the provincial government of Sulu provided 10,000 liters of diesel fuel.

“It's passable now although finishing touches are still being done,” Villarosa said in a separate text message Thursday.

The Army official said they are rehabilitating a five-kilometer road that connects Barangay Upper Sinumaan and Barangay Lower Sinumaan.

Villarosa said they are undertaking the road projects with caution, noting that ASG fighters lurk just around 500 meters from the project.

He also underscored the importance of the road projects in enabling the troops to "dominate the operational area," allowing the military to rapidly deploy troops within minutes.

Earlier, he said government forces would take two to three days' hike to reach Bud Bunga, Upper Sinumaan and Lower Sinumaan. These areas are located at the foot of Mount Sinumaan, site of some of the most intense armed encounters in Talipao.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1172236

Another NPA fighter killed in NegOcc encounter

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 14, 2022): Another NPA fighter killed in NegOcc encounter (By Nanette Guadalquiver)

RECOVERED. The items seized by troops of the Philippine Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion after engaging the New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Sitio Pandan, Barangay Caradio-an in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on Thursday morning (April 14, 2022). The encounter also resulted in the death of alias Johnny, leader of Squad 1, Sentro de Grabidad Platoon of the NPA’s Central Negros Front 2. (Photo courtesy of 94th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army)

Another fighter of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) was killed during a clash with troops of the Philippine Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Barangay Caradio-an, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on Thursday morning.

At 5:20 a.m, soldiers engaged about 10 communist rebels in Sitio Pandan after their presence was reported by the locals as they came asking for food to the point of harassing the residents, the 94IB report said.

The fatality was initially identified only as alias Johnny, leader of Squad 1, Sentro de Grabidad (SDG) Platoon of the NPA’s Central Negros Front 2.

Lt. Col. Van Donald Almonte, commander of 94IB, commended the bravery of the residents in providing timely and accurate information to the government troops.

“Their cooperation is vital to end the decades-long insurgency in Himamaylan City,” he said in a statement.

After a five-minute firefight, troops found the body of the NPA fighter and recovered two magazines of caliber .45 pistol, a hand grenade, a Huawei computer tablet, a mobile phone, medical kits, and backpacks containing personal items.

“The CPP-NPA in central Negros is continuously weakening with the continuous setbacks they suffered from encounters and surrender of their members,” Almonte said.

He added that the remaining cadres are also competing for the position left by Elbert Quillano (alias Carding), leader of the SDG Platoon, and deputy secretary of Central Negros Front 2, who died in a clash with soldiers in the neighboring Barangay Buenavista last April 1.

“The area is divided. They are now betraying each other for their greed to occupy the position of alias Carding. We call on them to surrender before they will be placed in an unfortunate situation caused by the greediness of their comrades,” the 94IB commander said.

In a separate statement, Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of 303rd Infantry Brigade based in Murcia in Negros Occidental, lauded the 94IB troops for the successful operation and thanked the people of Sitio Pandan for reporting the presence of the rebels.

“I commend the 94IB troopers for their vigilance and timely action. We will not give the CPP-NPA breathing space as they continuously refuse to heed our call to return to the fold of the law,” he added.

During the Buenavista encounter, Quillano was killed with his wife Jessa, who was the platoon’s medical officer.

On April 3, they were laid to rest at the Himamaylan City Public Cemetery in rites arranged by the city’s Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict together with troops of 94IB.

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

The National Democratic Front (NDF) has been formally designated as a terrorist organization by the Anti-Terrorism Council on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and inseparable part” of the CPP-NPA created in April 1973.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1172254

NPA rebel killed, arms cache recovered in NegOr town

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 14, 2022): NPA rebel killed, arms cache recovered in NegOr town (By Mary Judaline Partlow)

RECOVERED. The war materiel and subversive documents recovered by government troops after a clash with remnants of the New People's Army front group in Sibulan, Negros Oriental on Thursday (April 14, 2022). A rebel was found dead after the firefight. (Photo courtesy of the 11IB, Philippine Army)

A suspected member of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) was killed on Thursday during an encounter with soldiers of the Philippine Army's 11th Infantry Battalion (11IB) in Barangay Enrique Villanueva, Sibulan, Negros Oriental.

The troops clashed with some 12 remnants of the South East Front (SEF) of the NPA at around 8 a.m. at Sitio Tulong and later recovered a cache of firearms and explosives, Lt. Col. Roderick R. Salayo, 11IB commanding officer, told the Philippine News Agency in an interview.

The firefight lasted for 15 minutes after which the suspected rebels fled in different directions. Salayo said the group of seven remnants previously reported in southern Negros Oriental had “merged” with their colleagues in Sibulan.

The operating troops utilized K9 dogs to go after the fleeing rebels, which resulted in the recovery of a body, identified as Jonard Salo alias Lino/Rapid/Nikko, Team 2 leader of the SEF remnants.

Recovered from the scene of the encounter were one M14 rifle, one M16A1 rifle, one KG-9 rifle, one homemade shotgun, three rifle grenades, five improvised explosive devices/anti-personnel mines, 10 pieces of 12-gauge ammo shotgun, five magazines, four M203 grenade launchers, four bandoliers, two NPA flags, 12 backpacks, assorted ammunitions, other personal belongings, and subversive documents.

Salayo vowed to intensify the peace and order efforts in their area of operation.

“Our enemy is persistently trying to recover their forces and capabilities but your Army will continue to provide security and deliver the best services as much as we can in line with the campaign and mandate of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC),” he said.

Salayo extended the Army’s sympathy to the family of the slain rebel and said they will facilitate the proper burial and transport of his body to Negros Occidental where he came from.

Meanwhile, he acknowledged the cooperation and vigilance of the residents, saying a tip-off led to the operation in the mountains of Sibulan.

Brig. Gen. Leonardo I. Peña, commander of 302nd Infantry Brigade, was quoted in a report from the 11IB as saying that the enemy is trying “to recover their loss area and recruit for new members; but our troops keep on preventing them because of the cooperation of the community by providing information” on the NPA.

“The government is calling our brothers and sisters deceived by false ideologies to abandon the armed struggle and return to the folds of the law. Rest assured that our security forces will assist them in availing (of) the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program which will change their lives for a better future and allow them to reunite with their respective families,” Peña said.

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

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1172263

AFP chief orders intensified ops vs. Red extortion

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 14, 2022): AFP chief orders intensified ops vs. Red extortion (By Priam Nepomuceno)

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Andres Centino

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Andres Centino has ordered units to intensify their focused military operations against the New People's Army's (NPA) extortion activities.

In a statement Wednesday, Centino said this would prevent the NPA from recovering from its defeats and prevent it from recruiting new members and committing atrocities.

"Let us continue to address the resource generation of the CTG (communist terrorist group) by stopping its extortion activities and seizing their firearms, ammunition, and other war materials," he said, adding that this would expedite the end of the local communist armed conflict in the country.

On April 11, the AFP seized during operations 22 high-powered firearms from NPA fighters in Agusan del Sur.

The 60th Infantry Battalion (60IB) of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Agila discovered 10 AK-47 automatic rifles, seven M-16 rifles, a light machine gun, an M-14 automatic rifle, M-79 grenade launcher, Garand rifle, and another M-16 rifle in Bagul River, Kasapa II, La Paz, Agusan del Sur.

The location of the arms cache was disclosed by an alias "Bolo", a former NPA rebel who recently surrendered to the Army.

The NPA's Guerilla Front 3 (GF3) secretary Maximo Catarata alias "Datu Makatindog" surrendered to the 60IB on March 31.

His son, the commanding officer of GF3, Renard Galos Catarata alias "SM", also surrendered with 12 other NPA combatants and 13 firearms to the same unit on February 26.

The JTF Agila has since accounted for five separate surrenders with two arms cache discoveries in the 60IB's areas of operation.

This resulted in 20 surrenders from GF3 and the seizure of 48 high-powered and one low-powered firearm.

The 10th Infantry Division – Police Regional Office XI Area Clearing Evaluation Board officially declared the dismantling of GF3 after the setting of the parameters of the AFP - Philippine National Police Joint Letter Directive 3 on April 12.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1172226

Election period won’t stop gov't’s peace and order functions

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 14, 2022): Election period won’t stop gov't’s peace and order functions (By Priam Nepomuceno)

National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) vice chair Hermogenes Esperon Jr. (File photo)

National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) vice chair Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said an election period does not suspend the operation of a legitimate arm of government, especially in maintaining peace and order.

This, as the 12 cluster heads of the body on Wednesday signed and filed their counter affidavits on the various Omnibus Election Code complaints filed against them by the Makabayan Bloc and its allies last March 25.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the 1987 Constitution entrusts the state the maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty and property, and the promotion of the general welfare, an election period neither suspends the operation of a legitimate arm of government like the National Task Force-ELCAC, nor the government function in carrying out the whole-of-nation-approach and whole-of-government approach in combating the communist-terrorist group which is the CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front) especially when President (Rodrigo) Duterte) himself, announces that some parties have links with the CTGs (communist terrorist groups)," he said in a press conference after the filing of the counter affidavits.

Esperon, who is also the National Security Adviser, said an election season does not suspend the state’s function nor render its public officials inutile in carrying out and espousing the President’s opinion, stand, and direction.

"The performance of public officers of their duty to relay the official stand of the President and the administration subsists more so, during an election season," he added.

Esperon also said the Omnibus Election Code is "neither a ban on public officers’ right to freely express their opinions and views nor a refuge for candidate or parties and groups to be shielded from any expression, statement or action of a public officer especially if done by them in the performance of their duty under the orders and mandate from the President of the Philippines."

The NTF-ELCAC vice chair added the Omnibus Election Code is to be harmonized with other new and relevant laws and should not be used to penalize public officers who merely implement or comply or reiterate the policy and statements of the President.

"Most importantly, it is the height of irony and injustice when persons or groups cry red-tagging as an election offense, when in fact the complaint that they filed is in itself based on imaginative speculation that all public officers of NTF-ELCAC are automatically guilty of partisan political activity by their mere association with the NTF-ELCAC," he added.

Esperon also said the complainants' selective handpicking of public officers of NTF-ELCAC as respondents herein, all without basis and without any allegation and proof of the respondents' participation as to the overt act alleged, conveys not their sense of justice but rather betrays their biased prejudice and harassment against the duly constituted authorities of the state.

"Beyond mere media hype and trumped up charges, the complainants’ bucket of shallow complaint affidavit, deserves to be junked and dismissed outright by the Honorable Commission on Elections, the Law Department thereof," he added.

Esperon earlier expressed his support to the 12 cluster heads of the anti-insurgency body who were earlier sued by the Makabayan Bloc and its allies for allegedly violating various provisions of the Omnibus Election Code.

These NTF-ELCAC cluster heads are:

*Strategic Communication (StratCom) Cluster Head Undersecretary Lorraine Marie T. Badoy;

*Sectoral Unification, Capacity Building and Empowerment (SUCBEM), Localized Peace Engagement (LPE), Basic Services (BS) and Local Government Empowerment (LGE) Clusters Head Undersecretary Marlo L. Iringan;

*Situational Awareness and Knowledge Management (SAKM) Cluster Head Director General Alex Paul I. Monteagudo;

*Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment (PRLE) Cluster Head Deputy Director General Gabriel Luis R. Quisumbing;

*Infrastructure and Resource Management (IRM) Cluster Head Undersecretary Maximo L. Carvajal and Assistant Secretary Nonita S. Caguioa;

*Peace, Law Enforcement and Development Support (PLEDS) Cluster Head Undersecretary Cesar B. Yano; *E-CLIP and Amnesty Program (EAP) Cluster Head Undersecretary Reynaldo B. Mapagu;

*International Engagement (IE) Cluster Head Undersecretary Brigido J. Dulay; and;

*Legal Cooperation (LC) Cluster Head Justice Angelita V. Miranda.

The officials were charged by Makabayan Bloc and its party-lists allegedly with violations of Section 261 paragraphs E, I, and O of the Omnibus Election Code.

Some of the party-lists include Bayan Muna, Kabataan Party, Gabriela Women's Party, Anakpawis, and Act Teachers Party-lists.

The specific provisions state the following:

“Prohibited Acts. - The following shall be guilty of an election offense:

e. Threats, intimidation, terrorism, use of fraudulent device or other forms of coercion...

i. Intervention of public officers and employee…

o. Use of public funds, money deposited in trust, equipment, facilities owned or controlled by the government for an election campaign.”

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

While the NDF has been formally designated as a terrorist organization by the Anti-Terrorism Council on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and inseparable part” of the CPP-NPA created in April 1973.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1172244

822 barangays receive poverty reduction, livelihood programs

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 14, 2022): 822 barangays receive poverty reduction, livelihood programs (By Lade Jean Kabagani)

PRLEC INTERVENTIONS. The installation of solar panels and the lighting of houses in Sitio Baboy-baboy, Camagong, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte on April 8, 2022, under the NTF-ELCAC’s Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC). Some 822 conflict-cleared barangays nationwide benefitted from PRLEC through National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, to date. (Photo courtesy of 23IB)

Some 50,000 individuals from conflict-cleared barangays nationwide benefitted from the government’s free livelihood and skills training programs through the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), to date.

Under the NTF-ELCAC’s Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC), chaired by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the government has already conducted more than 4,500 livelihood and skills training nationwide.

The PRLEC has so far reached 822 villages, higher than its targeted 802 priority conflict-affected barangays and geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs).

Among these skills training and livelihood projects include the establishment of organic farms, production sites, and trading centers for agricultural products; setting up community poultry, vegetable production, and processing centers; as well as the implementation of Tubig Kalikasan para sa Barangay (TUKABA), Project iPEACE for the indigenous communities, and Photovoltaic Systems Installation NC II (Project TALA) --wherein communities also benefitted from installations of solar lighting and charging systems.

TESDA deputy director-general Gabriel Quisumbing said the efforts also became essential to the agricultural sector as it has helped in promoting food security amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Apart from lifting the lives of former rebels and their communities, Quisumbing said the government's livelihood and skills training programs have also helped individuals hit hard by the global health crisis, particularly those returning overseas Filipino workers and those that have returned to their respective home provinces.

The PRLEC targets to push “self-reliant, productive, resilient and sustainable communities” in the countryside through a whole-of-nation convergence and good governance approach.

The NTF-ELCAC was created through Executive Order 70 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in 2018, institutionalizing the whole-of-nation approach to address the long-standing local communist armed conflict.

“We hope that the legacy that the President has created with the creation of EO 70 and the NTF-ECLAC is one that will be felt for generations upon generations. And we are sure that with the increased economic impact that these programs have brought into these areas, we are sure that we will feel the prosperity in these areas for years to come,” Quisumbing said in a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.

“So again, on behalf of the PRLE Cluster and TESDA which is the chair of the PRLE Cluster, we are at full step with the NTF-ELCAC and the President in his vision of delivering a lasting peace for our country,” he added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1172245

NTF-ELCAC warns public vs. Reds-linked politicians

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr `14, 2022): NTF-ELCAC warns public vs. Reds-linked politicians (By Lade Jean Kabagani)

NTF-ELCAC spokesperson for Sectoral Concerns and Presidential Communications Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy (file photo)

The officials of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) have cautioned the public against politicians that have strong connections with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

NTF-ELCAC spokesperson for Sectoral Concerns and Presidential Communications Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy said the government’s anti-insurgency task force will remain relentless in its fight against the communist terrorist groups and continue unmasking their legal front organizations.

“[B]akit kami relentless at hindi kami titigil? Kasi napakalaking kapahamakan kapag iyong susunod na pangulo ay kaibigan ng CPP-NPA-NDF (Why we won’t stop and relentless? Because it would be a huge catastrophe if the next president is an ally of the CPP-NPA-NDF),” Badoy said in a press conference on Wednesday.

Badoy said the country will “only go back to what it was before the creation of NTF-ELCAC” wherein NPA killings of innocents, massive recruitment of minors to armed revolution, and extortion in the countryside were rampant.

In a statement Thursday, Badoy said the NTF-ELCAC is unfazed by various filed criminal charges and lawsuits against its officials.

“We are not in the least bit beleaguered. We are, in fact, amused at the fear and panic we sense behind these complaints against us and the NTF ELCAC by the CPP-NPA-NDF in the face of their impending demise,” she added.

Badoy is among NTF-ELCAC officials who are facing administrative complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman over “red-tagging” issues.

“When the CPP-NPA-NDF takes me on, they take on the entire NTF ELCAC. And when they take on the NTF ELCAC, they take on the entire government of the Republic of the Philippines that is headed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte- a President who is leaving the presidency with soaring trust and approval ratings never before enjoyed by past Philippine presidents. A President who, since he sat in the office, has been the No.1 most trusted public servant in government,” she said.

Members of Makabayan Bloc including Kabataan party-list Rep. Sarah Jane Elago, Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, ACT Teachers party-list Reps. France Castro, Robert De Castro, Teodoro Casiño, Saturnino Ocampo, and Ariel Casilao also filed complaints against NTF-ELCAC officials on March 25, for alleged electioneering and other violations of the Omnibus Election Code.

Badoy said the complaints against her and other NTF-ELCAC officials were only meant to "harass and silence" them for speaking the truth about the deceptive schemes of the CPP-NPA-NDF through their legal fronts.

“We know exactly that our fidelity is to our countrymen and we, therefore, stand in the fiercest defense of the Filipino people, we will be ceaseless in unmasking members and fronts of the CPP-NPA-NDF because it is precisely because of those masks that they have been able to hurt our people and our country,” she added.

On Wednesday, several officials of the NTF-ELCAC have jointly signed and filed a counter-affidavit in response to the complaints filed by the Makabayan Bloc which include charges for alleged red-tagging presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo.

The NTF-ELCAC, however, maintained “no one is red-tagging.”

Badoy also replied: “We are unfazed by all these nonsense lawsuits and complaints that are meant to harass and have no substance- their favorite being red-tagging, which our Supreme Court has ruled as nonexistent and that there is no danger to life, liberty, and security when you are identified as a member of the CPP-NPA-NDF (Zarate vs. Aquino).”

Meanwhile, Badoy urged Robredo to condemn the CPP-NPA-NDF’s atrocities and violence “if it's true that her camp is not conniving with the communist groups.”

“Madame Vice President, all you need to do is condemn the CPP-NPA-NDF. We’ve been asking you to do it for almost a month now,” she said.

“Madame Vice President, you’re from Bicol, you know Masbate? You know Keith Absalon? He was shot like a dog. He was begging for his life, with his arms up in the air and yet he was shot between his eyes. You cannot condemn that, ‘di ba (right)? You owe that to the Filipino people. That’s your fidelity, that’s your oath of office. We all took that oath of office. Do it, Madame Vice President and panalo tayo (we win),” she added.

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

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1172261