40 ex-rebels in Aurora to get livelihood aid

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 10, 2022): 40 ex-rebels in Aurora to get livelihood aid (By Jason De Asis)

LIVELIHOOD ORIENTATION. Forty former rebels undergo a livelihood orientation in Dipaculao, Aurora on Thursday (June 9, 2022) to help them reintegrate into the community with a proper source of income. They are set to receive P20,000 each under the Sustainable Livelihood Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army's 91IB)

BALER, Aurora – Forty former rebels of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in this province will receive livelihood assistance that could help them restart their lives.

Lt. Col. Julito B. Recto Jr., acting commander of the Philippine Army’s 91st Infantry (Sinagtala) Battalion under the 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division, said on Friday the former rebels will get PHP20,000 each under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Recto said a livelihood orientation was conducted Thursday in Dipaculao town to help the former rebels go back to the community with a proper source of income.

Ulyssis Arevalo, DSWD Regional Office 3 focal person on Executive Order No. 70 or the whole-of-nation approach to end local communist armed conflict, said the assistance will be received by the former rebels at the soonest possible time through the joint efforts of the concerned agencies from local government units here.

“This activity is part of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), a mandate under Executive Order No. 70 by President Rodrigo Duterte. We will immediately process their papers in order for them to receive the allotted aid,” Arevalo said in an interview.

Meanwhile, Recto is hopeful that the former rebels will not waste the opportunity that had been presented to them.

“I am encouraging them to be productive members of the society and we will do our best to help them to receive more livelihood assistance coming from the different government agencies to aid them in their transition back to mainstream society,” Recto said in a separate interview.

He said the 91st Infantry Battalion will continuously encourage former rebels to undergo seminar-workshop and training in order to avail more livelihood packages, employment, training, and educational assistance.

The 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 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/1176374

NPA remnants in Bukidnon, Lanao Sur 'always on the run'

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 10, 2022): NPA remnants in Bukidnon, Lanao Sur 'always on the run' (By Nef Luczon)

The remaining New People's Army (NPA) fighters between the boundaries of Bukidnon and Lanao del Sur provinces are “always on the run” amid the military's sustained raids on rebel hideouts.

The focused operations against NPA remnants in both provinces have triggered a series of surrenders recently, said Brig. Gen. Ferdinand Barandon, commander of the Army's 403rd Brigade (403Bde).

“Recent losses during encounters and our relentless peace and development efforts here in Bukidnon and Lanao del Sur made their situation very difficult and always on the run,” Barandon said in a statement Friday.

Barandon described the state of the NPA remnants in those areas as “exhausted” and “losing their morale.”

“Recent losses during encounters and our relentless peace and development efforts here in Bukidnon and Lanao del Sur made their situation very difficult and always on the run,” he said.

On June 6, at least 11 NPA rebels surrendered to the 1st Special Forces Battalion under the operational control of the Task Force Peacemaker of the 403Bde in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

Barandon said the surrenderers were remnants of the splinter group of an NPA unit under the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC).

The surrenderers turned over to the 1SFBn a handgun and six high-powered firearms.

Maj. Gen. Wilbur Mamawag, the Army's 4th Infantry Division commander, said recent developments of surrenders and “continuous rejection of the civilian populace” are crucial in the eventual collapse of the NPA's NCMRC.

Seven of NCMRC's guerrilla fronts have already been dismantled, Mamawag said, while remnants of its “vertical forces are weakened.”

“Their futile attempt to recover their previous influenced areas has been a complete failure as the communities continue to work hand in hand with the government forces to fight terrorism,” Mamawag said.

He also assured surrenderers will be taken care of under 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/1176362

Army seeks bizmen support vs. Reds' extortion scheme

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 10, 2022): Army seeks bizmen support vs. Reds' extortion scheme (By Zorayda Tecson)

INFORMATION DRIVE. The Philippine Army conducts an information drive on the extortion scheme of the CPP-NPA in Carranglan town, Nueva Ecija province attended by 54 individuals from the business sector on Tuesday (June 7, 2022). 1st Lt. Arnold A Quiñon, civil-military operations officer of Army’s 84th Infantry Battalion, said on Friday (June 10, 2022) that businessmen are being targeted by the rebels to generate funds for their terrorist activities. (Photo courtesy of 7ID, Philippine Army)

FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija – An official of the Philippine Army is asking for the support and cooperation of the business sector in this province to put an end to the communist terrorist groups’ (CTGs) extortion scheme.

1st Lt. Arnold A. Quiñon, civil military operations officer of the Army’s 84th Infantry (Victorious) Battalion under the 7th Infantry Division (7ID), said on Friday the support of all stakeholders is necessary to put a stop to the extortion activities of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

“Extortion is an act of collecting money and other logistical items by threat, force, violence, or intimidation to an individual or entity. Business sectors are being targeted by these communist terrorist groups to generate funds for communist terrorism in the country. Therefore, we are soliciting your support and cooperation to stop and end CTGs extortion activities,” Quiñon said in a statement.

He said an information awareness drive on such extortion was initiated by the Army’s 84IB and the Philippine National Police in Carranglan town, this province and participated in by 54 individuals from the business sector last Tuesday.

During the event, he said a former rebel identified as alias "May", shared her personal knowledge of how CTGs systematically conduct their extortion activities.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Andrew D. Costelo, 7ID commander, likewise appealed to the business sector to help the government in addressing the rebel group's resource generation scheme that enables them to continue their terrorist activities.

“Let us be aware of the deceitful act of our enemy, do not hesitate to tell the authorities especially the Philippine Army in times you encounter extortion. We are here to help and protect you against them,” Costelo said.

The 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 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/1176382

NPA firearms, ammo seized in Agusan Norte

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 10, 2022): NPA firearms, ammo seized in Agusan Norte (By Alexander Lopez)

SEIZED FIREARMS. Two M-16 rifles with magazines and ammunition are recovered by the troops of 65IB on Wednesday (June 8, 2022) in the hinterlands of Barangay Tagbongabong in Remedios T. Romualdez town, Agusan del Norte. The recovery of the firearms is made possible through the information of two NPA rebels who surrendered to the unit, the military says. (Photo courtesy of 65IB)

Two high-powered firearms and ammunition belonging to New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were recovered by government troopers in the Agusan del Norte town of Remedios T. Romualdez, the military here reported Friday.

In a statement, the Army’s 65th Infantry Battalion (IB) said two NPA insurgents, both from Sibagat, Agusan del Sur, surrendered to the unit on Wednesday and revealed the location of the firearms buried in Barangay Tagbongabong of Romualdez town.

An operation was immediately launched that resulted in the recovery of two M-16 rifles with magazines and ammunition.

The two guerrillas, who were not identified by 65IB, are members of the NPA's North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee.

“The conduct of continuous intensified military operations of the 65IB has led to the surrender of the two NPA rebels,” the 65IB said.

With the surrender of the two rebels, the 65IB said the number of surrenderers increased to nine since last month.

The 6IB’s areas of coverage include parts of Agusan del Sur and Agusan del Norte.

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 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/1176414

NPA couple surrenders, reunites with son in NegOr

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 10, 2022): NPA couple surrenders, reunites with son in NegOr (By Mary Judaline Partlow)

REUNITED. Two self-confessed members of the New People's Army in southern Negros Oriental surrender to the police and military on Friday (June 10, 2022). They were reunited with their almost two-year-old son, whom they had not seen since their separation a month after being born. (Photo by Judy Flores Partlow)

Two confessed members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) on Friday voluntarily surrendered to police and military authorities in the southern town of Santa Catalina in Negros Oriental.

The couple's surrender was facilitated by Mayor Peve Ligan, to whom a feeler was sent earlier by a relative of the male rebel.

Ricky A. dela Cruz, 36, alias Yago/Wilcross/Jolan/Gary/Hadji/Cline and Cherry Anne Rebanuel alias Yassy/Liezel/Jillian, 23, both members of the South East Front (SEF) of Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros Cebu Bohol Siquijor (KR-NCBS), told the Philippine News Agency they decided to surrender due to the “hardships and a difficult life” in the underground movement, and not having the freedom to be with their child.

Following their surrender, they were reunited with their one-year and 10-month-old son, “Dodong” who was separated from them a month after being born.

“I gave birth to Dodong at a house of a mass-based supporter in the mountains, and after a month, the baby was brought to my husband’s sister, who took care of him until this day,” Rebanuel said in Cebuano.

The boy was initially reluctant to go near his parents and called the aunt who raised him “mama”.

“I am happy to see my son but at the same time I am sad that he does not recognize me at all and I really want to cry,” Rebanuel said. She believes, though, that in due time, the boy will be able to adjust to being around her and her partner.

Dela Cruz said he has been with the CPP-NPA’s South East Front for 17 years while Rebanuel joined the same guerilla front about five years ago.

Mutual decision

They said it was their mutual decision to leave the movement and surrender to the authorities because they realized the value of freedom, despite the problems being faced by the country today, such as corruption.

"Corruption is everywhere, regardless of who is sitting as the president of the country, but if one just learns to toil and earn his keep, one can still survive the hardships compared to what we had to live with while in the NPA," Dela Cruz said in Cebuano.

When he first joined the movement in 2004, he said he went through a lot of processes until he became a “red fighter” of the SEF, which was still back then a “larangan gerilya” or guerilla front.

The guerilla front’s coverage area was Siaton, Sta. Catalina, Pamplona, Amlan, San Jose, and Sibulan, he said, adding that in recent years, their numbers dwindled as they found it hard to recruit new members.

Dela Cruz reaffirmed what the military has been saying that the SEF is now a dismantled guerilla front with only remnants operating in the area.

To be considered a “larangan”, the group would need 100 or more members of the “hukbo”, but now, there are only about 30 or even fewer that were left, he said.

Dela Cruz said during the time that he left the SEF, he was a political instructor of the only platoon left.

“I am the last local member who is familiar with the area, the terrain, and the people, as the others are not from here but from Negros Occidental,” he said in Cebuano.

He also said the SEF is attempting to again undertake recruitment activities “but I do not think that is possible now because many people no longer believe in them.”

For her part, Rebanuel said while she considered herself as an “amazona” or female fighter, she was also engaged in propaganda work, assigned briefly as finance and logistics officer, and as “giyang pampulitika” or political officer.

Both of them were “married” in the underground movement by ranking officials but they understood that the marriage is not valid and legitimate.

Aid for former rebels

Meanwhile, police and military authorities are now facilitating their enrollment in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) for former rebels.

1Lt. Pearl Rogem Lanuza, the Civil-Military Operations Officer of the 11th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, said the couple will undergo profiling before they can be enrolled in the program and avail of its benefits, such as cash assistance.

Dela Cruz turned over a .45-caliber firearm with a defaced serial number, a magazine, and eight rounds of live ammunition of the same caliber.

Capt. Jade Basingao, commander of the 705th Maneuver Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 7 (RMFB7), said the couple will be temporarily housed at a safe place until more suitable accommodation can be found for them.

Lanuza, representing 11IB commander Col. Roderick Salayo, and Basingao, representing RMFB7 commander Lt. Col. Ronnan Claravall, received the couple during their formal surrender.

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/1176416

Husband-wife NPA fighters yield to gov't troops in NegOcc

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 11, 2022): Husband-wife NPA fighters yield to gov't troops in NegOcc (By Nanette Guadalquiver)

SURRENDER. A married couple from Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, who were combatants of the CPP-NPA since 2019, surrendered to government forces in the southern Negros city on Thursday (June 9, 2022). According to the Negros Occidental Police, the couple belonged to the Squad 1 of Commander Karding Command base, which operated in Himamaylan City. (Photo courtesy of NOCPPO - Himamaylan Component City Police Station)

A married couple, combatants of the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army (CPP-NPA) in Negros Occidental since 2019, surrendered to government troops in Himamaylan City on Thursday.

The surrenderers, whose identities were not revealed due to security reasons, belonged to the Squad 1 of Commander Karding Command base, according to a report of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) on Friday night.

Col. Leo Pamittan, acting provincial director, lauded the couple's decision to surrender and turn over their firearm.

"I encourage them to convince their remaining comrades to return to the fold of the law. The government has programs for former rebels," Pamittan said.

According to the NOCPPO report, the couple said their unit has been operating in Himamaylan City.

Both were involved in armed encounters against the government forces between 2019 and 2022.

They decided to turn themselves in after they got tired of living life as rebels, the report added.

The couple voluntarily surrendered to personnel of the Himamaylan Component City Police Station with the support of the 2nd Negros Occidental Mobile Force Company, NOCPPO Provincial Intelligence Unit, Philippine Army, and the City Government of Himamaylan.

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/1176437

NPA info bureau staff yields to Army in Surigao Norte

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 11, 2022): NPA info bureau staff yields to Army in Surigao Norte (By Alexander Lopez)

RETURN TO GOVERNMENT. Zeth Melloria, 23, an information bureau staff of the Sub-Regional Command 16 of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee of the New People’s Army yields to the 30th Infantry Battalion in Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte on Friday (June 10, 2022). He follows the May 26 arrest of a fellow rebel under the same command. (Photo courtesy of 30IB)

A staff of the information bureau of the New People’s Army (NPA) Sub-Regional Command 16 (SRC-16) of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee surrendered to the 30th Infantry Battalion (30IB) of the Philippine Army on Friday.

Zeth Melloria (alias Jessie), 23, a resident of Sitio Look, Barangay Dugsangon, Bacuag, Surigao del Norte, brought volumes of subversive documents and articles when he presented himself to Lt. Col. Ryan Charles Callanta, 30IB commander, at the unit’s headquarters in Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte.

“He (Melloria) initially revealed that they were doing massive recovery efforts in their lost mass bases,” the 30IB said in a statement on Saturday.

The recovery efforts are concentrated along the outskirt villages in the cities of Butuan and Cabadbaran and some villages of Sibagat, Agusan del Sur, particularly those along the boundary areas with Agusan del Norte, the 30IB added.

Callanta said the surrender of Melloria is a big blow to SRC-16 and the Guerrilla Front 16 that operates in the areas of Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Norte.

Melloria is the second staff member lost by SRC-16 this year after Eliamar Elecito Monter (alias Gab), a finance staff of SRC-16, was arrested in a joint police and military operation in Placer, Surigao del Norte on May 26.

Monter was arrested by virtue of arrest warrants for homicide, multiple frustrated murder, and multiple frustrated homicide issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 34 in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte.

“We call on the remaining active NPA members that their families are waiting for them,” Callanta said.

He said the 30IB will fully support those who will surrender through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program of the government.

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 National Democratic Front was also 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/1176457

Peace village to rise in conflict-stricken Samar town

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 10, 2022): Peace village to rise in conflict-stricken Samar town (By Sarwell Meniano)

ANTI-INSURGENCY. Villagers in San Jose de Buan town, Samar province march during an anti-insurgency rally on Nov. 17, 2021. A Peace Builder Village will rise in the town to assist the growing number of former members of the New People’s Army yielding to the government. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army)

 A Peace Builder Village will rise in San Jose de Buan town in Samar province to assist the growing number of former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) yielding to the government.

The local government and Philippine Army have yet to identify the specific site and come up with a proposed budget for the project, said 2nd Lt. Zyndyl Simon, spokesperson of the Army’s 87th Infantry Battalion, on Friday.

“San Jose de Buan Mayor Joaquin Elizalde really wants to establish this village since more rebels have been abandoning the communist terrorist group and (have) returned to their families,” Simon said in a phone interview.

Between 2020 to 2021, at least 16 active NPA members and staunch allies yielded to authorities and turned over several firearms in San Jose de Buan alone.

On June 6, the military and local government held a meeting to discuss the guidelines and procedures for site selection and construction of the Peace Builder Village.

“We had a consultation with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to learn the rules and procedures in developing timberland areas,” she added.

The proposed village will have a permanent house for former rebels, a training center, and a farm lot for agriculture-related livelihood activities.

The village will also accommodate former rebels from nearby Samar towns.

The town is one of the NPA’s strongholds in Samar Island considering its strategic location within the tri-boundaries of Northern, Eastern, and Samar provinces.

The poor road network, thick forest, and high poverty incidence make the area vulnerable to NPA recruitment, according to the military.

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 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/1176344