2 NPA rebels dead in clashes in Agusan, Bulacan

From Malay Business Insight (Jul 25, 2022): 2 NPA rebels dead in clashes in Agusan, Bulacan (By Victor Reyes)

TWO New People’s Army (NPA) members were killed in clashes with government troops in Bulacan and Agusan del Sur on Saturday and Friday.

One of the slain communist rebels was identified as Jovel Agudez, alias Ka Loward, who died in a firefight in San Jose del Monte City in Bulacan, the Army’s 7th Infantry Division said.

Soldiers from the Army’s 70th Infantry Battalion (IB), augmented by policemen, were conducting combat operation in Barangay Kaybanban when they clashed with the NPA group.

The rebels retreated 10 minutes later, leaving behind Agudez’ cadaver, an M16 rifle, ammunition and a backpack containing personal belongings.

In Agusan del Sur, troops from the Army’s 65th IB clashed with about 10 rebels during a security operation in Barangay Sta Cruz in Sibagat town.

They launched the operation after receiving information that the rebels were extorting food from civilians, said the Army’s 4th Infantry Division.

https://malaya.com.ph/news_news/2-npa-rebels-dead-in-clashes-in-agusan-bulacan/

Army, NPA clash in Batangas

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jul 25, 2022): Army, NPA clash in Batangas (By: Delfin T. Mallari Jr.)

A band of alleged communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels and Army soldiers clashed in Lobo town in Batangas province on Monday (July 25) morning, the military said.

According to the Army’s 59th Infantry Battalion (IB), the soldiers and an undetermined number of communist guerrillas engaged in a 10-minute fierce gunbattle in Barangay Malapad na Parang around 8:10 a.m.

Hot pursuit operations were still ongoing, the military said.

No casualties were reported on the government side, but the military claimed that several communist guerrillas were wounded based on the heavy bloodstains along their withdrawal route.

The military also claimed that the soldiers recovered war materials left behind by the fleeing rebels.

On July 18, at least 60 self-proclaimed NPA supporters in Quezon province turned their backs on the communist guerrillas and pledged their support to the government.

The former NPA rebels, all residents of Barangay Lumutan in General Nakar, Quezon in the Sierra Madre mountain ranges, turned themselves in to the Army’s 80th IB.

Lt. Col. Erwin Comendador, commander of the 80th IB, said the villagers were former organized supporters of the NPA rebels operating in the northern Quezon section of the Sierra Madre.

Comendador reported that there were already 106 NPA sympathizers from the village that had withdrawn their support for the communist rebels.

The former NPA sympathizers were expected to receive financial and related assistance through the National Task Force for Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1634244/army-npa-clash-in-batangas

7 NPA rebels surrender to police in Laguna

From the Manila Bulletin (Jul 25, 2022): 7 NPA rebels surrender to police in Laguna (By Danny Estacio)

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Calamba City, Laguna – Seven New People’s Army (NPA) rebels surrendered in Laguna Sunday, July 24, through the unrelenting efforts of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 4-A led by Police Col. Ledon D. Monte.

Five were members of the Samahan ng Maliit na Mangingisda Taal (SAMMA) affiliated with the militant group Anakpawis. The two others were former members of the Dismantled Kilusan Larangan Gerilya Galaxy, Sub-Regional Military Area, Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee.

They turned over three short firearms and ammunition, two explosive devices, and subversive documents.

Police Regional Office 4-A director Police Brig. Gen. Antonio Yarra said that the surrenderers revealed that Anakpawis has been recruiting people in towns around Taal Lake to join rallies in Metro Manila.

The RMFB 4-A provided security to the surrenderers for their safety and also granted them initial cash assistance and dry goods while they are undergoing custodial debriefing.

Yarra urged their comrades to surrender.

“Now is the time to wake up and stand against the deceptive lies of the CPP-NPA-NDF terrorist group, to those who were afraid or hesitant to lay down their arms and go back to the folds of government, I will assure you that we will be true to our commitment to respect and uphold the rights of the former rebel under our custody. It is never too late to go back to your normal lives and return to your families. PRO-Calabarzon will not be tired of promoting the welfare and embracing our brothers who were once lost by the deceptive propaganda of the CTGs,” Yarra said.

Their surrender was the result of coordination with the Army and other police counterparts as well as the intensive conduct of cooptation and intelligence operations, counter white area operations, and implementation of the RMFB 4-A “Coplan: Trojan Horse.”

https://mb.com.ph/2022/07/25/7-npa-rebels-surrender-to-police-in-laguna/

Hashim’s kin slam use of MILF founder’s name to sow division

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jul 25, 2022): Hashim’s kin slam use of MILF founder’s name to sow division (By: Bong S. Sarmiento)

Salamat Hashim (Photo from the Bangsaoro Facebook page

The family of the late sheik Salamat Hashim, founding chair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), slammed on Saturday the emergence of the so-called Salamat Wing within the former rebel group, who wanted to become members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA).

Parliament Member Abdullah Hashim, son of the MILF founder, said the family strongly condemned the use of the late Moro revolutionary’s name in sowing intrigues to divide the ranks of the MILF.

Hashim said the creation of the MILF Salamat Wing could also put at risk the peace deal that the government and the MILF signed in 2014 after 17 years of negotiations.

“Our father’s work and legacy have always been for the good of the Bangsamoro and Muslim Ummah (community). It is a great disservice to his legacy and an insult to his family to use his name to sow division, which could lead us away from the promise of peace,” he said in a statement.

‘Imaginary’

The MILF Salamat Wing, in a statement last week signed by Shaykh Abdulfatah Saleh Delna, the group’s ad hoc chair, said that an “imaginary Salamat Wing” within the MILF had been gaining ground in the Bangsamoro region.

The group, who admitted to supporting the candidacy of now President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., urged the new chief executive to appoint new BTA members and ministers of the Bangsamoro region from among their ranks.

The BTA is an 80-member body tasked to govern the transition period for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) government until 2025. The body, composed of 41 members nominated by the MILF and 39 members nominated by the government, is led and dominated by the MILF as mandated by Republic Act No. 11054, or the Organic Law for the BARMM.

Upon the creation of the BARMM in 2019, MILF chair Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim has been designated interim chief minister.

The stint of the BTA members was to end on June 30. But in October 2021, then President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11593, which resets the first regular elections in the Bangsamoro region from 2022 to 2025, extending the term of the BTA for another three years.

Section 2 of the law states that “during the extension of the transition period, the BTA shall continue as the interim government in the BARMM, provided, however, that the president may appoint the 80 new interim members of the BTA who shall serve up to June 30, 2025, or until their successors shall have been elected and qualified.”

The MILF Salamat Wing urged Marcos to appoint the new BTA members from its ranks, pointing out that the MILF’s political party, the United Bangsamoro Justice Party, supported the presidential bid of former Vice President Leni Robredo.

“We are bona fide and legitimate members and officials of the MILF and are trusted persons of the late chair Salamat Hashim. We maintain that we are not a breakaway group or [any of] the sort,” Delna said in the statement.

Vested interest

Bangsamoro government spokesperson Naguib Sinarimbo, a lawyer, said the emergence of the MILF Salamat Wing was borne out of their vested interests to lord it over the Bangsamoro region.

“We see it as a continuing effort by the enemies of peace to sow intrigues and divisions so that their personal political agenda, which is to hijack the peace process by taking over the BARMM government, would succeed,” he told the Inquirer on Saturday.

“We are, however, confident that it will fail just like the many occasions [in the past when] they tried but failed to spoil the peace in the Bangsamoro,” he added.

Hashim said the family would not allow the use of their father’s name to disrupt the peace and progress that the BARMM had been reaping lately, “not to mention the organization that he and countless others gave their lives to protect and to establish,” he added, referring to the MILF.

On July 13, the MILF and BARMM officials led by Ebrahim commemorated the 19th death anniversary of Salamat Hashim at Camp Rajahmuja in Pikit, Cotabato province.

Hashim appealed to everyone not to use his father’s name “to sow political chaos and destroy the fragile peace that we are beginning to attain, under the MILF-led BARMM.”

He also rallied the people for their continuing support.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1633525/hashims-kin-slam-use-of-milf-founders-name-to-sow-division

Kalinaw News: Sibagat MTF-ELCAC provides decent burial to deceased CPP-NPA terrorist leader

From Kalinaw News (Jul 25, 2022): Sibagat MTF-ELCAC provides decent burial to deceased CPP-NPA terrorist leader

POBLACION, Sibagat, Agusan Del Sur – The Municipal Task Force to End the Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC) of Sibagat, Agusan del Sur and the 65th Infantry (Stalwart) Battalion provided a decent burial to the CPP-NPA Terrorist (CNT) who died during the armed engagement at the uninhabited area in Sta. Cruz , Sibagat, Agusan del Sur last July 22, 2022.

The deceased CNT was identified by a former rebel as alias Arby/Weng, a CNT leader with real name Rocky Maturan Vazquez, 33 years of age from Brgy Mahayag, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur. The identity of the deceased CNT was confirmed by his mother, Ermelinda Maturan Vazquez, and his brother Dindo Maturan Vazquez, as family claimants.

The chairman of MTF -ELCAC of the municipality of Sibagat, Hon. Mayor Thelma G. Lamanilao, immediately commited to give assistance to the family and shoulder the casket of the deceased, as well as the meals and transportation expenses of the family going to Bislig City, where the deceased will be brought for proper funeral.

Lt. Col Emerson P. De Vera, 65IB Commanding Officer, offers his condolences to the bereaved family and extends his gratitude to the Sibagat MTF- ELCAC for their commitment to end the local communist armed conflict and achieve inclusive and sustainable peace in Sibagat.

“There are many programs by the government for us to uplift the lives of everyone, be hard working and appreciate simple living to avoid deceptive ways of the CPP-NPA terrorists’ recruitment. Do not be a victim of terrorists and waste your life by joining them. Avail the government’s programs such as the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E CLIP) and live a peaceful life together with your family. We prefer to assist you to improve your lives and live better than assist you lifeless. Think of your family and loves ones.” Lt. Col. De Vera said.

“Dong Rocky, wala unta mahitabo ni nimo ug naminaw paka sa akoa nga imong inahan. Imo jud gipili ang pag rebelde Dong. Masama ang loob ko pag lakaw nimo pero mas sakit kaayu sa dughan magtan-aw sa imong kahimtang karun. Wala koy laen mahimo kundi sa pag ampo ug kaloy an unta ka sa Ginoo”, Nanay Ermelinda said.

In his message, Hon. Mayor Thelma G. Lamanilao, PhD., expressed her gratitude to 65IB. “I would like to thank LT. COL. EMERSON P. DE VERA, the CO of 65th Infantry Battalion and the entire unit for their commendable commitment to end the local communist armed conflict, in which the success of neutralization is the result of massive development in the municipality. I would also like to extend my condolences to the bereaved family of the deceased. We immediately provided casket and covered the transportation expenses of the remains to Bislig, ” He said.

“We strongly condemn the atrocities and illegal activities of the CPP-NPA-NDF in the entire municipality. We have plans and programs relative to the peace and development of our municipality, where they can live with their loved ones free from threats and deception, ” Mayor Lamanilao added.

The deceased was properly turned over with required documents to the family by the Sibagat Police Station and now at Sta. Cruz, Bislig City for the funeral and scheduled burial tomorrow.

[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/sibagat-mtf-elcac-provides-decent-burial-to-deceased-cpp-npa-terrorist-leader/

Kalinaw News: Libreng gupit ang handog ng tropa ng 77th Infantry Battalion, CMO Battalion at ng 501st Infantry Brigade sa isinagawang Medical-Dental Mission at Outreach Activity sa barangay San Antonio, Enrile, Cagayan

From Kalinaw News (Jul 25, 2022): Libreng gupit ang handog ng tropa ng 77th Infantry Battalion, CMO Battalion at ng 501st Infantry Brigade sa isinagawang Medical-Dental Mission at Outreach Activity sa barangay San Antonio, Enrile, Cagayan kahapon, Hulyo 23, 2022 (The troops of the 77th Infantry Battalion, CMO Battalion and the 501st Infantry Brigade offered free haircuts during the Medical-Dental Mission and Outreach Activity in barangay San Antonio, Enrile, Cagayan yesterday, July 23, 2022)

Sa datos ng Rotaract Club of Tuguegarao Citadel, higit 150 residente ng nasabing barangay ang nabenepisyuhan ng Medical and Dental Mission activity katuwang ang Enrile Municipal Police Station, Cagayan Provincial Health Office, Sierra Falcones Cagayan Valley, PRO-2 RCADD at ng RHU Enrile.
Sa nasabing medical mission activity na tinawag na ‘Project MediCALL’, maliban sa libreng medical consultation, nabigyan din ang bawat benepisyaryo ng libreng mga gamot at bitamina.

Hindi naman bababa sa 40 ang naging benepisyaryo ng Project NGITI kung saan ay tumanggap din sila ng libreng dental kit mula sa kapulisan ng Police Regional Office No. 2.

Nagsagawa rin ang kapulisan ng Enrile ng feeding activity at tree planting katuwang ang KKDAT.
Pinasalamatan naman ni Jerick Bañares, ang presidente ng Rotaract ang lahat ng naging partner ng kanilang organisasyon upang maisakatuparan ang pagsasagawa ng medical-dental mission.

Ang barangay San Antonio ay kinokonsiderang isa sa Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Area (GIDA) ng bayan ng Enrile.

[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/libreng-gupit-ang-handog-ng-tropa-ng-77th-infantry-battalion-cmo-battalion-at-ng-501st-infantry-brigade-sa-isinagawang-medical-dental-mission-at-outreach-activity-sa-barangay-san-antonio-enrile-cag/

5-day helicopter drills boost PH, US Marines' aviation skills

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 25, 2022): 5-day helicopter drills boost PH, US Marines' aviation skills (By Priam Nepomuceno)

Photo courtesy of Philippine Marine Corps

The aviation capabilities of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) and the US Marine Corps (USMC) have been greatly enhanced following the conclusion of the five-day specialized helicopter drills between the two services last July 18 to 22.

In a statement over the weekend, PMC acting commandant Brig. Gen. Raul Jesus Caldez thanked his American counterparts for the successful exercise between Filipino and American Marine air units.

He added that this has "increased the interoperability in aviation-related capabilities of both forces."

The exercises covered training on helicopter rope suspension and aeromedical evacuation at the Naval Base in Zambales, Subic Bay International Airport, and PMC headquarters in Taguig City.

The Special Forces Operation Wing of the Philippine Air Force also took part in the activities. These exercises are the second part of the Marine Aviation Support Activity (MASA) 2022.

The first phase of the exercises from June 6 to 17 was held in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, and Puerto Princesa City, Palawan where Philippine and US Armed Forces conducted joint interoperability activities including coastal defense, forward aiming, and refueling, engineering, unmanned aviation system training, and high mobility artillery rocket system training and demonstration.

Meanwhile, US Marine Corps Forces, Pacific deputy commander Brig. Gen. Joseph Clearfield said they are now looking forward to MASA 2023 to build on their cooperation with PMC units.

"We look forward to MASA 2023 where we will continue to build on decades of cooperation, camaraderie, and shared experience to preserve freedom of navigation in the West Philippine Sea and maintain the free and open Indo-Pacific,” he added.

During the closing ceremonies on July 22, Philippine Navy acting flag-officer-in-command Rear Adm. Caesar Bernard Valencia thanked the US military for their assistance in the exercises.

“To the US Armed Forces, our ally, who are equally responsible (for) the success of this event. Thank you for your commitment and contribution in the defense of our maritime nation and for ensuring stability in the Indo-Pacific region," he added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1179655

PH Army deploys security contingent for PBBM's 1st SONA

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 25, 2022): PH Army deploys security contingent for PBBM's 1st SONA (By Priam Nepomuceno)

Photo courtesy of Philippine Army

The Philippine Army (PA) on Monday said it has deployed a sizeable contingent to help the police force in securing President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s first State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City.

In a statement, PA spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad said they have deployed a civil disturbance management platoon, two urban search-and-rescue teams, an ambulance medic team, and a communications van.

He added that these are under the operational control of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)'s Joint Task Force National Capital Region (NCR) national security contingent.

"Likewise, the Philippine Army deployed an ambulance medic team, 10 explosive ordnance disposal teams, three K-9 teams, and an armored vehicle to bolster the Presidential Security Group," Trinidad said.

He also added that the PA, as part of the AFP, is closely coordinating with the Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Fire Protection to secure the SONA venue from any threats and dangers and maintain peace and order.

"As government administrators come and go, the PA, as part of the AFP, will comply with the instructions of the Commander-in-Chief (President Marcos) to secure the peace in the country and support the law enforcement operations to pave way for the development of the nation," Trinidad said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1179658

NPA member yields to Northern Samar cops

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 25, 2022): NPA member yields to Northern Samar cops (By Sarwell Meniano)

SURRENDER. The municipal police of San Roque, Northern Samar where a rebel surrendered on July 23. The police said on Monday (July 25, 2022) that the rebel's surrender is a result of the government's intensified fights against the New People's Army. (Photo courtesy of San Roque police station)

A member of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to the police in Northern Samar as government forces heightened their fight against communist terrorists in the province.

The surrenderer, alias Inday, 41, male, of Pambujan, Northern Samar, surrendered to the 2nd Northern Samar provincial mobile force company (NSPMFC) and San Roque municipal police, the police regional office here said on Monday.

The two police units facilitated and negotiated his surrender in Dale village in San Roque, Northern Samar on July 23.

"Inday" is now under the custody of 2nd NSPMFC for facilitation, assessment, documentation, and initial interview before enhanced comprehensive livelihood integration program application.

"Another life has been saved and changed which means a good start for our brother. I hope that more and more of them will choose to go back to the side of the government in the days to come," Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said in a statement.

Banac said "Inday"s’ decision to abandon the NPA is a result of the government's intensified counter-insurgency drive in Northern Samar.

On July 11, some 232 police officers were deployed in Northern Samar to replace the 162 personnel assigned in the province for months to participate in the government's whole-of-nation approach to end the decades-old insurgency.

They are part of the Retooled Community Support Program team tasked to assess the needs and identify primary and secondary issues being exploited by the NPAs.

The Communist Party of the Philippines (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/1179595

NPA slain in Agusan Sur clash identified, burial set

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 25, 2022): NPA slain in Agusan Sur clash identified, burial set (By Alexander Lopez)

PROPER BURIAL. The military identifies the New People's Army rebel killed during an encounter in Sibagat, Agusan del Sur on July 22 as Rocky Maturan Vazquez, 33, of Barangay Mahayag, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur. His remains were handed over to his family on Monday (July 25, 2022). (Photo courtesy of 65IB)

The communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebel killed in a recent skirmish in the Agusan del Sur town of Sibagat has been identified and will be given a decent burial, the military here said.

In a statement Monday, the Philippine Army’s 65th Infantry Battalion (65IB) identified the slain insurgent as Rocky Maturan Vazquez, 33, of Barangay Mahayag, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur.

Vazquez was killed in an encounter with government forces on July 22 in the hinterlands of Sta. Cruz, Sibagat.

“The remains of the slain NPA rebel were handed over by the 65IB and the Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Conflict (MTF-ELCAC) of Sibagat town on Monday to his family,” the 65IB said.

Vazquez was identified by his mother, Ermelinda Maturan Vazquez, and his brother, Dindo, who both appeared at the 65IB and presented themselves as the family claimants.

Sibagat Mayor Thelma Lamanilao, who is also chairperson of the local MTF-ELCAC, provided financial assistance to transport the remains of the rebel to Bislig City, Surigao del Sur, for the scheduled burial on Tuesday, July 26.

The MTF-ELCAC condemned the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the NPA for the atrocities committed in the municipality, especially in the far-flung communities.

The rebel’s mother expressed sadness over the fate of her son, saying she had a heavy heart when Rocky left their home.

“You could not have met this sad fate had you listened to me before. I had a heavy heart when you left, but it is more painful seeing you in this situation,” she was quoted as saying in the dialect.

Lt. Col. Emerson De Vera, 65IB commander, urged the remaining NPA rebels in Agusan del Sur to surrender and avail of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.

He also condoled with the family of the slain rebel.

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 was 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/1179696