Wednesday, May 25, 2022

Kalinaw News: Former Rebel’s revelation leads AFP-PNP to the discovery of NPA arms cache in New Bataan

Posted to Kalinaw News (May 25, 2022): Former Rebel’s revelation leads AFP-PNP to the discovery of NPA arms cache in New Bataan



NEW BATAAN, Davao De Oro- The 66th Infantry (Kabalikat) Battalion and the Davao De Oro Provincial Police Office (DDOPPO) through the conduct of joint AFP-PNP Intel Operations successfully discovered arms cache in the vicinity of Mamada, Sitio Libuton, Brgy Andap, New Bataan, Davao De Oro on 25 May 2022.

These items were buried by members of New People’s Army (NPA) from the ROC-HQ, SMRC as revealed by @Wen-wen, former member of ROC-HQ SMRC who recently surrendered in the hands of the government.

Among the discovered items from the area are: Three (3) AK47 Rifle, two(2) magazines, one (1) M16 Rifle, and one (1) M203 Grenade Launcher.

Lt. Col. Julius M Munar, Commanding Officer of 66IB commended the troops for the successful operation and recognized the effort of the former rebel who led to the discovery of arms cache.

“This proves that these Former Rebels have turned their back to the NPA’s doctrine and shifted their support to the government.” Lt. Col. Munar, said.

The recovered high powered firearms were brought to 1st DDOPMFC, Purok 16, Brgy Poblacion, Nabunturan, Davao de Oro for proper disposition.



[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/former-rebels-revelation-leads-afp-pnp-to-the-discovery-of-npa-arms-cache-in-new-bataan/

Kalinaw News: Communist NPA Terrorists Surrender; Aid Soldiers Recover Arms Cache

Posted to Kalinaw News (May 25, 2022): Communist NPA Terrorists Surrender; Aid Soldiers Recover Arms Cache



IMPASUGONG, Bukidnon – Soldiers of the 8th Infantry Battalion (8IB) have recovered a hidden arms cache in a retrieval operation on May 21 through the aid of regular members of Communist NPA Terrorists who surrendered to the government soldiers the day before.

The 8IB soldiers retrieved two (2) AK 47 rifles in a location revealed by the surrenderees in the hinterland village of Barangay Busdi, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

One of the former Communist NPA Terrorists who surrendered to the 8IB and revealed the location of the arms cache was Butchoy Solinay who served as Vice Commanding Officer of NPA unit with his comrade Jamaica Kaykay Singatao, who served as Supply Officer of the same remaining NPA Terrorist unit operating in Bukidnon after the 8IB dismantled the Guerilla Front 89.

According to the surrenderees, they experienced exhaustion and hunger inside the Communist Terrorist Group caused by the withdrawal of support from their masses resulting from the continued Community Support Sustainment Program and Focused Military Operation in Upper Pulangi.

The death of their leaders, the successive voluntary surrender of their members, and the confiscation of their various war materials added to their dismay and state of low morale, leaving them no option but to surrender to the authorities.

The former rebels revealed they decided to help the troops locate the arms cache in exchange for “good treatment of the soldiers as they fear that soldiers will hurt them.” But soon after their surrender, they realize that there is a stark contrast to the soldier’s kind treatment of them as to the lies and fears instilled by their NPA comrades that they will be killed or tortured if they surrender.

The surrenderees will now be processed for enrollment in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-CLIP of the government to help them reintegrate back into the community and soon be with their families and start a new life again.

Commanding Officer of 8th Infantry (Dependable) Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Anthony A. Bacus, in his remarks said; Ang pagbawi sa mga Armas sa Teroristang Grupo usa ka tin-aw nga pagpakita nga ang kaaway huyang na, gikapoy ug nahadlok. Ingon sa gimando, magpadayon kami sa pagpanalipod ug pagsiguro sa mga komunidad gikan sa bisan unsang hulga sa mga CTG. Dugang pa, among giawhag ang nahabilin nga mga miyembro sa NPA nga malinawon nga mosurender sa gobyerno, maghiusa pag-usab sa ilang mga pamilya, ug dawaton ang malungtarong kalinaw. Makasalig kamo nga andam kami kanunay nga motabang kaninyo sa pagproseso sa inyong mga benepisyo pinaagi sa Enhanced-Local Integration Program o E-CLIP ug sa pagpauli sa inyong tagsa-tagsa ka pamilya.”

(The recovery of the hidden armed cache of the terrorist group is proof that the enemies are getting weaker, tired, and afraid. As part of our commitment to our mandate, we will continue to protect the communities from any threat of the CTG. In addition, we urge those remaining NPA to peacefully surrender to the government, unite with their families, and accept a sustainable peace. Trust that we are ready to help you to process your benefits under the Enhanced-Local Integration Program or E-CLIP and your reunion with your families.”)



[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/communist-npa-terrorists-surrender-aid-soldiers-recover-arms-cache/

Kalinaw News: Former Rebels Receive ECLIP grants from NTF ELCAC

Posted to Kalinaw News (May 24, 2022): Former Rebels Receive ECLIP grants from NTF ELCAC



MAKILALA, COTABATO – Twenty-two (22) Former Rebels (FRs) received Immediate and Livelihood Assistance as well as Firearms Remuneration through the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) on May 23, 2022 at Provincial Capitol Grounds, Digos City, Davao del Sur.

The FRs received Php 15,000.00 Immediate Assistance and Php 50,000.00 Livelihood Assistance while four (4) of them received a total amount of Php 100,000.00 Firearms Remuneration.

Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) provides venues and opportunities for involved surrenderees to be taught and facilitated with various activities and undertakings to guide them for their renewed lives. ECLIP offers financial assistance for FRs to be used on small-scale business investment; Reintegration and deradicalization sessions to instill nationalistic and civic welfare values; and Livelihood programs for enduring and sustainability of the instilled trainings and workshops.

Alyas Jessy is very happy and fulfilled of the support that he received from the program. He said, “This will be of great help for us to restart our lives and become responsible citizens of this country. I know that the process will be hard, but with the help of the government, I’m sure all of us can really achieve peaceful lives.”

As of today, the government continues to encourage our friends from other side to surrender and be part of a growing and progressing Philippines. Conflict will not be a solution to achieving peace and development, that is why the government and other peacekeeping institutions always promote unity through collaboration and peace initiatives.

Prior to the activity, said FRs have undergone three-month Tupad Pangako Program (TPP) that includes De-radicalization, Alternative Learning System, Skills Development Program, and Livelihood and Spiritual Programs that aim to provide all-out government assistance and resources for former rebels (FRs) to create an impact on their lives to ensure their complete reintegration and transformation into self-reliant, law-abiding, and productive members of the society. Through these initiatives, they will truly be formidable partners of the government in promoting just and lasting peace, national reconciliation and unity.






[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/former-rebels-receive-eclip-grants-from-ntf-elcac/

Kalinaw News: JTFC Pounds DI-Turaife Group in Maguindanao

Posted to Kalinaw News (May 24, 2022): JTFC Pounds DI-Turaife Group in Maguindanao



Camp Siongco, Maguindanao – The Joint Task Force Central and 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division, Philippine Army launched a preemptive military operations to prevent the Dawlah Islamiyah- Turaife Group led by Esmael Abdulmalik @ Abu Turaifie from harassing communities after they were sighted in Sitio Patawali, Brgy Ganta, Datu Salibo, Maguindanao this Monday morning (May 23, 2022).

BGen. Eduardo Gubat, Acting Commander of 6ID and JTF Central clarified that there was an encounter with a number of the Dawlah Islamiya – Turaife Group after the group harassed the residents of the said area.

“Our troops from 6th Infantry (Redskin) Battalion under Lt. Col. Charlie Banaag responded immediately to secure the populace from this terrorist group. Also, Field Artillery conducted indirect fire aimed at the place where they were hiding. Their forces were further weakened after the close air support was conducted in the right place of the target. This happened because we do not want to disturb the peace, order, and security enjoyed by those who live there”, said BGen. Gubat.

BGen. Gubat once again asked the residents of the said area to remain calm as the government forces control the situation.

As the government troops were searching the area, a body count from the enemy wherein a certain Sadam Salandang alias Sadam, a member of BIFF Karialan Faction under alias Robot were recovered along with two (2) M16A1 rifles, one (1) M203 Grenade Launcher, one (1) Garand rifle, two (2) Carbines, one (1) Barret Cal .50, three (3) Magazines of M16, 12 pcs IED main charge, 19 pcs Blasting Cap Improvised, one (1) Bandolier, one (1) Basic Phone, 19 pcs Bag Pack, 11 pcs 9 Volt Batteries,13 pcs Hammock and several ammunitions.

Lt. Col. Charlie Banaag, 6IB, 6ID Commander said that the dead body was turned over to local officials of Datu Salibo for proper burial. Meanwhile, the affected residents have been evacuated and they are in good condition.

Col. Oriel Pangcog, 601st Infantry (Unifier) Brigade Commander said that the internally displaced persons were temporarily sheltered in a daycare center of the respective barangays of the said municipalities under the supervision of MDRRMO Datu Salibo and Shariff Saydona.





[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/jtfc-pounds-di-turaife-group-in-maguindanao/

Filipinos rejected leftist group in May 9 polls: NTF-ELCAC

From the Philippine News Agency (May 25, 2022): Filipinos rejected leftist group in May 9 polls: NTF-ELCAC (By Lade Jean Kabagani)



NTF-ELCAC spokesperson and Communications Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy (File photo)

The defeat of the Bayan Muna Party-list in the May 9 elections was due to “massive rejection by Filipino people” and not by massive vote shaving, an official of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) said Wednesday.

In a statement, NTF-ELCAC spokesperson for sectoral affairs and sectoral concerns, Communications Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy,
insisted that the Bayan Muna Party-list is a front organization of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).


In a statement, the Bayan Muna said its loss during the May 9 elections “might have been caused by massive vote shaving” relating to “electronic cheating in the 2022 flawed automated elections.”

“The last time Bayan Muna votes registered such a significant decrease was in the 2016 elections. From 946,000 plus in 2013, its counted votes was 606,000 in 2016, but, still far more than enough to get a seat in Congress,” it stated.

It claimed that its party list seemed to be targeted by the NTF-ELCAC and the Duterte administration “to unjustly stifle the effective and progressive voice of the marginalized sectors in Congress” during the last elections.

Badoy debunked the statement of the party-list saying their defeat is due to a loss of support from the people in the countryside—who finally felt the services of government.

“CPP NPA NDF party-list Bayan Muna says their monumental loss in the 2022 elections—a first since it first perverted our electoral process 21 years ago- may have been caused by what it fancifully calls massive vote shaving instead of what it truly is—Massive rejection by the Filipino people, who now know who it is they truly are: urban operatives of a terrorist organization who sit in Congress not to serve the Filipino people but to serve hand and foot the Central Committee of the CPP-NPA-NDF whose every bidding they obey in order to weaken the government and destroy our democracy,” Badoy further stated.

“Their loss of about a million votes—from over a million in the 2019 elections to a pitiful 200,000 in the recently concluded polls—can be attributed to their loss of support from the people in the countryside where scores of our countrymen have turned their backs on them after finally feeling the services of government,” she added.

Badoy emphasized that the very core of the NTF-ELCAC is good governance as the main marching order of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to his administration.

“And so this has been NTF ELCAC’s guiding light. Who shamelessly use government resources to destroy government and who use our democratic institutions to destroy our democracy,” she said.

Badoy sees the recently concluded elections as the “cleanest and most credible elections” under the Duterte administration.

Badoy said it will also be known as part of the county’s history “where an empowered people successfully booted out a massive half of the CPP-NPA-NDF in Congress signaling the start of the end of their 53-year reign of terror.”

“The Filipino people and the government that serves them have made good the social contract that exists between them and has become formidable in the face of this terrorist scourge that has brought Death and Destruction to the Motherland,” she said.

“It is you, the Filipino people, that is delivering the death blow to our most ruthless, most inhumane oppressors: the CPP-NPA-NDF wearing the mask of Bayan Muna,” 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/1175196

NPA rebel surrenders in NegOr

From the Philippine News Agency (May 25, 2022): NPA rebel surrenders in NegOr (By Mary Judaline Partlow)



ANOTHER SURRENDERER. A member of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (right) surrendered to police and military authorities in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental on Wednesday (May 25, 2022). He also turned over a .38-caliber revolver. (Photo courtesy of the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office)

A member of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) surrendered Wednesday morning to police and Army personnel in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.

An initial report from the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NOPPO) identified the man as alias "Ka Justine" or "Roden", a resident of Sitio Natuling in Barangay Budlasan, Canlaon City, who also turned over a .38-caliber revolver.


Authorities have yet to provide more details as the surrenderer is still undergoing debriefing.

His surrender was made possible through the coordination between the Canlaon City police and the 62nd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army.

It is also the result of an ongoing intensified campaign of the local Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC) under President Rodrigo Duterte’s whole-of-nation approach, the NOPPO report said.

Provincial police director Col. Germani Mallari said through the joint efforts of the Philippine National Police, the 302nd Infantry Brigade and the 303rd Infantry Brigade, and the different Army units under them, they will “continue legal offensives and other campaigns against the insurgency which poses a threat to the peace and order in the province”.

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 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/1175192

War materiel found after another Army-NPA clash in Ifugao

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (May 25, 2022): War materiel found after another Army-NPA clash in Ifugao (By: Villamor Visaya Jr.)



INQUIRER.net stock photo

CAMP MELCHOR DELA CRUZ, Gamu, Isabela––Army troops recovered three high-powered guns and other war materiel after another gun battle Tuesday with suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Asipulo, Ifugao, the military said.

The firefight came after another encounter between the government troops and the NPA rebels in Barangay Namal
said Army Capt. Karol Jay Mendoza Jr., 54th Infantry Battalion (IB) civil-military operations chief.

Mendoza said
the communist rebels belong to the Guerrilla Front-Abra-Mt. Province- Ilocos Sur.

Recovered from the site of the firefight were two M-16 Armalite rifles, an M-653 baby Armalite rifle, a rifle grenade, two hand grenades, six anti-personnel landmines, and other war materials.


Soldiers said there were bloodstains on the withdrawal path of the rebels.

“The use of anti-personnel landmines by the rebels is a clear violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CAHR-IHL), which prohibits any land mines in warfare,” Lt. Col. Franz Josef Diamante, 54th IB commander, said.

On Monday, the soldiers found four anti-personnel mines with 40-meter wire, 20-piece blasting caps, medical kits, anti-government documents, and personal belongings after a 20-minute running gun battle against the rebels at Sitio Likew in Asipulo.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1602380/war-materiel-found-after-another-army-npa-clash-in-ifugao

Don't let militant groups make Sabah their next base, says security analyst

From The Star (May 25, 2022): Don't let militant groups make Sabah their next base, says security analyst (By DURIE RAINER FONG)



KOTA KINABALU: The threat of militant groups including the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) making Sabah a base should be nipped in the bud, says a security analyst.

Associate Prof Wan Shawaluddin Wan Hassan said that with ASG nearly crippled in the Philippines, there was a real possibility of the group putting down roots in Sabah.

This could be likely given that some of its members had allegedly obtained Malaysian identity cards using fake documents such as birth certificates, he added.

The senior lecturer at Universiti Malaysia Sabah’s Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities pointed out that the recent arrest of a 53-year-old man known as “Omar bin Harun” in Manila was indicative of ASG trying to sneak into Sabah.

“The question is how many ASG members have managed to infiltrate the community like Omar?”
he told The Star.

“We need to show (ASG) that we are serious about not allowing them to create chaos in Sabah like they did in the Philippines,”
he added.


ALSO READ: Five Abu Sayyaf members killed in shootout with Sabah police

Associate Prof Wan Shawaluddin said Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) needed to intensify intelligence activities not only in the state’s east coast but throughout Sabah.

He said ASG had infiltrated south-western Beaufort district but was successfully detected by Esscom on May 9 last year, with 37 Filipinos arrested.

Five ASG members were also killed while trying to attack security forces a few days later.

“The question is why did the ASG move to Beaufort? Esscom’s monitoring makes it difficult for these groups to mobilise in the east coast of Sabah,” he said.

ALSO READ: Two Abu Sayyaf members killed in shootout

He said after destroying the cell in Beaufort, Esscom then took down another ASG cell with the killing of two of its members in Pulau Timbang, Sandakan on Aug 19.

“Esscom's success against these two cells shows that this group has already established (a presence) in Sabah to carry out its activities.

“Esscom needs to act quickly to eliminate ASG cells in Sabah before it spreads to other districts and threatens the security of the state,” he said.

He added that more assets are needed, especially drones, boats and helicopters, to strengthen security in the east coast.

“The deployment of military battalions in Felda Sahabat (in Lahad Datu) also needs to be accelerated... (do not wait) until the completion of the planned military camp there which will take two or three years.

“Cooperation with Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) needs to be enhanced to eliminate the ASG threat in the southern Philippines as well as in Sabah.

“This is important in ensuring that ASG, which has been nearly crippled in the southern Philippines, is prevented from making Sabah a place to continue its legacy of violence and chaos,” he said.

ALSO READ: UTK commando team to be sent to Sabah's East Coast to counter Abu Sayyaf, beef up security

He added that the public should also play a role by immediately providing information on suspicious activities to the authorities.

Omar, whose Filipino name is Airola @ Satar, was detained in the Philippines after he flew with his wife and two children from Kuala Lumpur to Manila using a Malaysian passport on May 10.

The man was initially barred from entering the Philippines by Immigration authorities there but investigations found that he was a Filipino involved in the southern Philippines Lamitan City siege in 2001 and also in several kidnappings.

Omar told Filipino investigators he obtained a Malaysian birth certificate and applied for Malaysian citizenship, which was granted in 2008.

ALSO READ: Fake ID: 'Malaysian' barred from entering Philippines turns out to be wanted Abu Sayyaf member

He also has a Malaysian wife living in Pandan, Selangor and an ex-wife in Dubai. He claimed to have travelled to Dubai and the Philippines using a Malaysian passport as well.

It turned out that Omar was not only linked to Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) activities but was also a wanted Abu Sayyaf member involved in kidnappings linked to its commander Radulan Sahiron.

Regional intelligence sources also said he was on the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) wanted terror list for his involvement with facilitating five Malaysians linked to JI activities in the failed 2017 Marawi siege.

The source said Philippines police and intelligence believed that Omar acted as a facilitator for Malaysian Dr Mahmud Ahmad, who was killed in the siege.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/05/25/don039t-let-militant-groups-make-sabah-their-next-base-says-security-analyst