NPA rebel's wife nabbed for illegal possession of firearms

From the Philippine News Agency (May 10, 2022): NPA rebel's wife nabbed for illegal possession of firearms (By Perla Lena)

SEIZED. Government law enforcement agencies recover firearms in the house of Ricky and Victoria Tumabiao on Monday (May 9, 2022) in Leon, Iloilo province. Police provincial director, Col. Adrian Acollador, said on Tuesday (May 10), that the suspect who eluded arrest serves as vice secretary of District Committee II, Southern Front of Komite Rehiyon – Panay of the NPA. (Photo courtesy of IPPO)

A Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) rebel eluded arrest but his wife was apprehended for illegal possession of firearms when a joint team of policemen and soldiers served a search warrant on Monday.

Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) Director Col. Adrian Acollador, in a phone interview on Tuesday, said the subjects of the search warrant for illegal possession of firearms were Ricky Tumabiao and his wife Victoria of Barangay Jamog-Gines, Leon, Iloilo.

“Ricky Tumabiao is a member of the NPA. But only his wife Victoria was there when the search warrant was served,” he said.

Tumabiao is reportedly the vice secretary of District Committee II, Southern Front of Komite Rehiyon–Panay of the NPA while his wife is an active supporter.

The search warrant was jointly served by the IPPO Intelligence Unit, Leon Municipal Police Station (MPS), Regional Intelligence Division, and 601st Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion and the 61st Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army.

Acollador said the operation led to the recovery of one homemade shotgun, a carbine, an improvised explosive device, and ribbons bearing the 53rd anniversary celebration of the NPA.

The wife is under the custody of the Leon MPS and charges are being readied against her, while the firearms will be subjected to verification for any previous license, he added.

“This will have an impact on their organization. At least we were able to disrupt any plans they have, especially that today we have information that they were calling for protests on the result of the presidential election,” Acollador said.

He said the municipality of Leon was among those included in the election areas of concern due to the presence of the CPP-NPA-NDF.

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 NDF has been formally designated as a terrorist organization by the ATC 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/1174102

MILF-backed candidates proclaimed in Cotabato City

From the Philippine News Agency (May 11, 2022): MILF-backed candidates proclaimed in Cotabato City (By Edwin Fernandez)

MILF-BACKED WINNERS. Lawyer Mustapha Nasroding (center), the Cotabato City acting election officer and city board of canvassers chairperson, proclaims Tuesday night (May 10, 2022) mayor-elect Bruce Matabalao (in green shirt) and vice mayor-elect Butch Abu (in white) as winners in the May 9 polls. Both elected officials ran under the United Bangsamoro Justice Party, the political arm of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. (Photo lifted from Bruce Matabalao Facebook Page)

The Commission on Elections Board of Canvassers (Comelec-BOC) proclaimed Tuesday night the winners for the mayoral and vice mayoral positions in this city.

Lawyer Mustapha Nasroding, acting city election officer and board of canvassers’ chairperson, proclaimed former city councilor Bruce Matabalao as mayor-elect and Butch Abu as vice mayor-elect at about 11 p.m.

Both Matabalao and Abu belong to the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), the political arm of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Matabalao garnered a total of 36,151 votes to prevail over reelectionist Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi in 172 of 175 clustered precincts.

The BOC said Wednesday the remaining three voting precincts, whose votes have yet to be tallied, will not affect the overall standing of the winning candidates.

On Wednesday morning, the BOC also proclaimed the elected councilors here.

The councilors-elect are Florante Formento (UBJP), Hunyn Abu (UBJP), Maroup Pasawiran (UBJP), Jay Jay Guiani (Team Guiani), Abdulrakim Usman (UBJP), Guiadzuri Midtimbang (UBJP), Kusin Taha (UBJP), Henjie Ali (UBJP), Dr. Danda Juanday (Team Guiani), and Abdilla Lim (Team Guiani).

Speaking in the vernacular, Matabalao appealed for unity among Cotabateños who, he said, have already spoken.

“To all candidates, I hope we continue to work together for the sake of our city,” he added.

He also thanked UBJP president and MILF chair Ahod “Murad” Ebrahim, lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, UBJP secretary-general, and all who supported him and the party candidates.

“This victory is for all of us Cotabateños,” he said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1174163

Police, Army intercept firearms, ammo in Lanao Norte

From the Philippine News Agency (May 11, 2022): Police, Army intercept firearms, ammo in Lanao Norte (By Divina Suson)

SEIZED FIREARMS. A police and military team manning a checkpoint in Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte, confiscates several firearms and ammunition from six men on board a pick-up truck Tuesday afternoon (May 10, 2022). All suspects were charged with the violation of the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition, and the election gun ban. (Photo courtesy of Lanao del Norte PPO)

Government security forces manning a checkpoint in the Lanao del Norte town of Sultan Naga Dimaporo (SND) intercepted a pickup truck loaded with firearms and ammunition, police said Wednesday.

Maj. Moamar Solog, SND police chief, said police and Army personnel saw inside the flagged down Toyota Hi-lux pickup what appeared as firearms wrapped in sacks.

Solog said the vehicle bore the logo of the "Municipality of Midsalip," indicating that it is owned by the local government unit of Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur.

Upon checking, authorities discovered four M16 rifles, an M14 rifle, an improvised .50-caliber rifle, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, launcher, a rifle grenade, three .45-caliber pistols, a 9mm pistol, a .38-caliber revolver, and ammunition.

The three .45-caliber pistols were recovered from the sling bags of three of six men on board the vehicle.

Solog said all the suspects, including the driver, were arrested and charged with violation of the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition, and the election gun ban.

They were identified as Esmail Wali, 42; Adam Tando, 58; Fausto Guinita, 40; Sangbaan Acut, 58, all of SND; and Resil Revillas and Tristan Baguio, both of Midsalip.

"Allegedly, Baguio was the official driver of the vehicle. He is an employee of the local government (of Midsalip)," Solog said in a phone interview.

The suspects claimed they went to Midsalip to vote, but refused to answer queries on why they were carrying firearms.

"One of these men is identified to be a member of the now-defunct criminal group in Lanao del Norte that is engaged in abduction, gun-running, and gun-for-hire activities," Solog said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1174157

Army condemns NPA shooting of soldier in N. Samar

From the Philippine News Agency (May 12, 2022): Army condemns NPA shooting of soldier in N. Samar (By Sarwell Meniano)

The map of Las Navas, Northern Samar where the communist rebels killed a soldier. (Google map)

The Philippine Army has condemned the communist terrorist group for fatally shooting a soldier delivering a message to villagers in Las Navas, Northern Samar.

Lt. Col. Joemar Buban, commander of the Philippine Army’s 20th Infantry Battalion, said late Wednesday the New People’s Army (NPA) shot Sgt. Marlon Baysa to death in front of the residents of San Francisco village in Las Navas town Tuesday night.

A bullet hit the back of Baysa’s head, causing his instant death.

The fatality was the designated team leader of the community support program (CSP) team deployed in the remote village infiltrated by the NPA.

“Our soldiers have been working to transform the community from being an NPA-highly influenced village into a peaceful and conflict resilient one, but they were attacked,” Buban said in a statement.

The community invited the CSP team members to join the Flores de Mayo celebration, a popular religious festival in the country every May.

The attack is believed to be a retaliation since most of the NPA’s underground mass organization members in the area have voluntarily surrendered, according to the official.

Col. Perfecto Peñaredondo, commander of the Army’s 803rd Infantry Brigade (803rd IB), honored the victim for his “heroism and gallantry in action in support of the attainment of lasting peace and development.”

“Despite this attack, we express our renewed vigor to continue the focused military operation and community support program operation in order to preserve the gains of the government in its peace and development efforts in Northern Samar," Penaredondo said.

The military earlier said the NPA returned to some communities in the province in their attempt to recover their lost mass base.

Northern Samar is considered the hotbed of the communist terrorist group due to its thick forest and poor road networks.

The high incidence of poverty makes people in upland communities vulnerable to the persuasion of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

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

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/1174259

NPA rebel murdered, buried by comrade in Davao Oro town

From the Philippine News Agency (May 12, 2022): NPA rebel murdered, buried by comrade in Davao Oro town (By Che Palicte)

KILLED, BURIED. A former communist rebel reveals to the military that Eric Jun Casilao, a New People's Army leader (facial composite on the left), killed and buried late last month a comrade Crispin Rollon because the latter was slowing down their escape from government forces. Rollon’s cadaver was exhumed Wednesday (May 11, 2022) in Barangay Andap, New Bataan, Davao de Oro. (Photo courtesy of 10ID)

An exhausted communist New People's Army (NPA) rebel was choked to death and ordered buried by his leader as he was a burden to their fleeing group, the military said Thursday.

In a report, the Army's 10th Infantry Division (10ID) said a former NPA fighter bared that top-ranking NPA leader Eric Jun Casilao killed and buried his comrade, Crispin Rollon, in a hinterland village in New Bataan town, Davao de Oro, last month.

The incident was revealed to them by "Vina”, a squad supply officer of NPA's Regional Operations Command (ROC) who surrendered to government forces on April 27.

Vina said Casilao killed Rollon because the latter was slowing the group's escape from the pursuing 10ID forces.

"Due to extreme starvation, Jeffrey was exhausted and could no longer walk. He became a burden to us, that is why he was beaten and choked to death by Casilao and buried in Andap," Vina was quoted in the military report.

Following her revelation, a joint operation was immediately launched by the 66th Infantry Battalion (66IB) together with personnel from New Bataan Municipal Police Station and Municipal Disaster Response Team on Wednesday to exhume the remains of Rollon.

Maj. Gen. Nolasco Mempin, 10ID commander, condemned the “murderous exploit” of the NPA.

“The barbaric act of NPA leaders is unacceptable. If only they chose to surrender, this would not have happened that they need to kill each other just for them to survive," Mempin said.

Casilao, 43, is currently the secretary of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC) and the brother of former Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Baring Casilao.

The military said Casilao has been with the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA (CPP-NPA) for some 20 years along with his party wife, May Casilao.

He is facing multiple criminal cases that include two counts of murder, kidnapping, and serious illegal detention.

Groomed to be the successor of slain Menandro Villanueva Casilao, Eric has a PHP5.4-million reward on his head.

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 National Democratic Front 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/1174286

2 NPA leaders killed in Zambo Norte clash

From the Philippine News Agency (May 13, 2022): 2 NPA leaders killed in Zambo Norte clash (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)

Google map of Leon Postigo municipality, Zamboanga del Norte.

Some two leaders of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in a firefight with government troops in the hinterlands of Zamboanga del Norte, the military said Friday.

Brig. Gen. Leonel Nicolas, Army’s 102nd Infantry Brigade (102Bde) commander, said NPA leaders Loreto Dagpin and Rolando Maglasang were killed in a 30-minute clash with government forces around 3:40 p.m. Thursday in Barangay Midatag, Leon Postigo, Zamboanga del Norte.

Dagpin was a commanding officer of the defunct Main Regional Guerrilla Unit (MRGU) while Maglasang was a leader of the defunct Guerrilla Front-Big Beautiful Country.

Both were executive members of the NPA’s Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee, Nicolas said.

He said troops recovered an AK-47 assault rifle, two M653 Carbine rifles, an M16 rifle, backpacks, and personal belongings at the site of the clash.

“This is a result of the pursuit operations launched following the encounter with the same group in Barangay Tinuyop of the same municipality last May 9 during the national and local election,” Nicolas said.

Major Gen. Gene Ponio, 1st Infantry Division commander, extended his sympathies to the families of the slain NPA leaders.

“We have not failed to convince them to lay down their arms and surrender to the government while they can,” Ponio said. “The Army will continue to fight for peace and is always ready to use its force against peace spoilers."

The Communist Party of the Philippines-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/1174367

NPA propaganda leader yields in Agusan Sur

From the Philippine News Agency (May 13, 2022): NPA propaganda leader yields in Agusan Sur (By Alexander Lopez)

Graphics provided by PRO-13 Information Office.

A high-ranking leader of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) has surrendered in Agusan del Sur, police said Friday.

Brig. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr., Police Regional Office-Caraga director, identified the surrenderer only as “Jasper”, the vice team leader of the Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda of Platoon 1, NPA Guerrilla Front 88, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee.

Jasper, 25, surrendered to the intelligence units of the Agusan del Sur Police Provincial Office (ADSPPO) and San Luis Municipal Police Station Thursday.

He also handed over his .38- caliber revolver upon surrender.

“The lies and broken promises of the rebels prompted him to surrender to the government,” Caramat said in a statement Friday.

He added that Jasper has been in the communist movement for more than eight years and gained nothing, especially his family.

"Since the assumption of President Rodrigo Duterte, a total of 1,433 communist rebels have surrendered to the Caraga police,” Caramat said, adding he remains optimistic that more NPA insurgents will continue to surrender before the President’s term ends next month.

Jasper is currently undergoing debriefing, interview, and processing at the ADSPPO for him to avail of the benefits from the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.

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 has also formally designated the National Democratic Front 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/1174396

Not feeling well for past week

I have not been well this past week or so and as a result have not been able to maintain this blog on a daily basis. I'm starting to feel a little better but still not back to normal.

Retired Analyst