Balikatan 2023 constructs shelter for abused children in Antique

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 13, 2023): Balikatan 2023 constructs shelter for abused children in Antique (By Annabel Consuelo Petinglay)

HALFWAY HOUSE. Balikatan 2023 forces construct a multipurpose building at Inabasan Elementary School in Barangay Inabasan, Sibalom, Antique as part of their humanitarian-civic project. Department of Education Schools Division of Antique legal officer Elizabeth Felasol said in an interview Thursday (April 13, 2023) that the one-story multipurpose building will be a temporary shelter for abused children. (PNA photo courtesy of DepEd Antique)

SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – A multipurpose building dubbed as “Cradle of Hope” that will provide shelter for abused children is currently being constructed in the municipality of Sibalom in Antique by the United States (US) Armed Forces and the Philippine Army as part of the humanitarian-civic project of the Balikatan 2023.

Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Antique legal officer Elizabeth Felasol said in an interview Thursday that the project, which costs PHP1.6 million, is being envisioned as a halfway home where abused children could seek temporary shelter.

“DepEd, about a year ago, had submitted a proposal through the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) for the construction of a building that would cater to abused children and this was submitted to the Philippine Army,” she said.

It is in support of DepEd’s Child Rights in Education desk (CREDe) program launched on May 2, 2022, per DepEd Order 003, series 2021, to ensure that the rights of the child are properly accorded them.

The one-story building project that is being constructed inside the Inabasan Elementary School in Barangay Inabasan in Sibalom by the 301st Infantry Battalion, 552nd Engineer Construction Battalion and the US forces.

The project, which had its ground-breaking on March 27, is targeted to be finished and turned over to the DepEd during the culmination program on April 28.

In a virtual press conference with Lt. Col. Vicel Jan Garsuta, the officer-in-charge of the Public Affairs Office of the Philippine Army 3rd Infantry Division, he said that Antique is one of the areas aside from Jamindan, Capiz where the Balikatan is being held in Panay Island.

He said that aside from the building construction project, there is interoperability training at the Antique Airport in San Jose de Buenavista.

The training aims to equip the country’s military forces on how to operate unspecified equipment at the airport not just during military operations but also during disasters.

Panay Island, particularly Antique province, is being frequented by a typhoon and other forms of natural disasters the reason why the province was chosen as the venue.

“There is also a sharing of best practices among the contingents,” he said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199350

Balikatan 23 Features New Marine Littoral Force in First Major Joint Exercise

Posted to U.S. Naval Institute (USNI) News (Apr 12, 2023): Balikatan 23 Features New Marine Littoral Force in First Major Joint Exercise (By: Mallory Shelbourne)

PFC Nathaniel Jackson, a mortarman with 3d Littoral Combat Team, 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division, demonstrates how to adjust the alignment of an M252 81 mm mortar system to a member of the Philippine Marine Corps during bilateral weapons familiarization during Balikatan 2023 in Santa Juliana, Philippines, April 10, 2023. US Marine Corps Photo

The Marine Corps is ready to use its new formation developed for the island-to-island fight of the future in a major joint exercise in the Indo-Pacific for the first time.

After conducting a service-level exercise in California and Arizona earlier this year, the Marine Corps will now scale that experimentation to the naval and joint force level during exercise Balikatan in the Philippines.

“Instead of developing a force … we are now employing, integrating and employing a capable Marine Littoral Regiment into current operations,” Maj. Gen. Jay Bargeron, the commanding general of 3rd Marine Division, told USNI News in an interview last month.

This year’s Balikatan – which kicked off this week with more than 17,500 Filipino, American, and Australian Marines, sailors, soldiers and airmen – is the largest iteration of the annual U.S.-Philippines exercise. It’s one of several drills the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment out of Hawaii will participate in this year as it shifts from experimentation to operations.

“We have a capable headquarters now, so we’re not focused so much on developing the capabilities … but we’re at the point now where we’re actively planning how to employ the MLR alongside other formations. So how to actively employ the MLR within the Marine Air-Ground Task Force – alongside other infantry forces, alongside aviation and logistics forces,” and integrated with the fleet headquarters the unit supports, Bargeron said.

Last year, the Marine Corps converted its 3rd Marine Regiment into the 3rd MLR to pursue its island-hopping strategy, in which smaller units of Marines would move between islands and shorelines in the Indo-Pacific – within the range of Chinese weapons in the region’s first and second island chains – to fire anti-ship missiles and perform reconnaissance and counter-reconnaissance missions for the fleet.

“What 3rd MLR brings to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force as a whole is a ground combat unit that can do over-the-horizon precision strike. It’s just not something that we’ve really had in our repertoire. We’ve been able to contribute to that fight – different ends,” Brig. Gen. Joseph Clearfield, the deputy commanding general of Marine Corps Forces Pacific, said last month during an event with Defense One.

“What the MLR can do is – if it had to be – a self-contained kill chain, a combat formation that can do over-the-horizon precision strike,” he said.

Service-level Training

A U.S. Marine with 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division uses an unmanned aircraft system during Marine Air-Ground Task Force Warfighting Exercise (MWX) 2-23 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, Feb. 23, 2023. U.S. Marine Corps Photo

In February, the 3rd MLR went up against the 7th Marine Regiment in a three-phased exercise in which the MLR had to defend coastal terrain from an amphibious landing.

“I think both sides – my understanding is – got a really really in-depth warfighting understanding about what it’s going to take to shoot, move communicate, preserver, prevail and win in a combat situation,” Clearfield said of the 7th Marines and the 3rd MLR.

February exercise’s featured three stages: small-unit training, testing out the Marine Corp’s expeditionary advanced base operations concept, and an amphibious landing that the 3rd MLR had to prevent. The Marine Corps force largely operated in Twentynine Palms, while Bargeron’s headquarters operated out of Naval Amphibious Base Coronado and the Marines simulated a naval headquarters.

While the Marine Corps considered the exercise a success, Bargeron said future drills must not only move beyond service-level participation and expand to the joint force, but they must take place in the first and second islands chains, where the U.S. military expects potential future conflict with China to take place. This makes Balikatan a key opportunity for the Marines, as the second island chain includes the Philippines.

U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Jacob Schultz, an intelligence officer with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, looks through a Rifle Combat Optic on an M4 service carbine to observe potential opposing forces movements during Marine Air-Ground Task Force Warfighting Exercise (MWX) 2-23, at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, Feb. 23, 2022. U.S. Marine Corps Photo

“We now can, I think with those capabilities, in a more meaningful or maybe more fulsome way, contribute to what the joint force needs us to do, which is from our forward position, from our crisis response forward leaning position, we can contribute to the joint force and contribute to the naval force in terms of situational awareness, targeting, data, and even some – when fully realized – we’ll have some of our own long-range precision fires to contribute,” Bargeron said.

Bargeron had several takeaways from the exercise: the Marine Corps must have an organic capability to manage air space in its command-and-control headquarters by taking advantage of capabilities like the Common Aviation Command and Control System (CAC2S). The service must also have a way to pull all of its sensing data and feed it to the joint force, which it could do by leaning on capabilities within the Marine Expeditionary Force Information Groups. Finally, the Marines must have a way to logistically support distributed forces that are operating at the threshold of conflict.

“This exercise was all about taking the capability we have now with the MLR, actually integrating it into the way we would fight in the stand-in force, which is as part of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force, and then identifying the unique C2 requirements that that brings on,” Bargeron said of the drills in Twentynine Palms, Calif.

The drills also helped the Marine Corps learn about signature management, and the need to understand what its sensors emit, – so an adversary cannot find Marine units – what those sensors can detect, and how they move, according to Clearfield.

With the Marines that are part of III Marine Expeditionary Force already operating forward in Okinawa, Japan, in a potential conflict in the region those forces would give the fleet situational awareness and expand the reach of both the U.S. military and its allies and partners, according to Bargeron. But in future exercises, the Marine Corps must more effectively replicate the fleet headquarters to understand how it would feed the Navy data in a potential conflict.

“We have to more fully simulate the naval headquarters piece of it. We did this time, but I think it was very sort of rudimentary the way we did it. We need more fulsome participation and simulation of a naval headquarters that we would have to support. What are the comm requirements? What are the staff processes? How do we share effectively all that data with not just the naval headquarters, but the rest of the joint force?” Bargeron said.

https://news.usni.org/2023/04/12/balikatan-23-features-new-marine-littoral-force-in-first-major-joint-exercise

134 communist supporters surrender in Quezon

From the Manila Bulletin (Apr 12, 2023): 134 communist supporters surrender in Quezon (By DANNY ESTACIO)

GENERAL LUNA, Quezon – One-hundred thirty-four members of underground movement organizations withdrew support to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front during a ceremony here on Tuesday, April 10.

One of the surrenders is a regular member of the Milisyang Bayan under Platun Reymark of the Sub-Regional Military Area 4-B (SRMA) of the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee (STRPC).

Their surrender to the Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC) headed by Mayor Matt Erwin Florido was witnessed by the Sangguniang Bayan headed by Vice Mayor Melaica Batariano, department heads, religious and youth sectors, and the 27 barangay chairmen.

Also present were the Quezon Police Provincial Office, 201st Infantry Brigade, 85th Infantry Battalion, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) 4-A, Philippine Coconut Authority-Quezon, Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Lawyer Airha Kae Pornelda of the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) processed their surrender to ensure that their human rights were not compromised nor violated.

Their surrender coincided with the declaration that General Luna is insurgency-free. This town is the 20th in Quezon no longer influenced by the communist movement.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/4/12/134-communist-supporters-surrender-in-quezon

63 NPA fighters yield in Mimaropa so far this year- police

From the Manila Bulletin (Apr 12, 2023): 63 NPA fighters yield in Mimaropa so far this year- police (By AARON RECUENCO)

A total of 63 communist rebels have surrendered in MImaropa region this year, the regional police force disclosed on Thursday, April 13.

Police Brig. Gen. Joel Doria, director of the Police Regional Office 4A, said the latest of those who surrendered was 33-year old “Ka Amor”, a member of the the Sub-Regional Military Area (SRMA) 4D of the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee (STRPC).

He surrendered to the Provincial Intelligence Unit of Oriental Mindoro Police on Tuesday, April 11.

Both the provinces of Oriental and Occidental Mindoro are considered as hotbeds of communist insurgency in the past.

The national government has been pushing to end communist insurgency in the country, considered as one of the oldest in the world through the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

Following the repeated failure to strike a peace deal over the years, the national government has opted for localized peace talks, which it said, was proven effective.

In Mimaropa which covers the provinces of Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan, Doria said a total of 63 communist rebels already surrendered from Jan. 1 to April 11.

Doria commended the efforts of the PNP and all government agencies concerned in the region and reiterated the significant role of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed-conflict (NTF-ELCAC) in the government’s successful counter-insurgency campaign.

“I commend the efforts of our PNP personnel, the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and all concerned government agencies in this success. This is a solid proof that the government’s whole-of-nation approach under the NTF-ELCAC is gaining more momentum in its goal of putting an end to the local communist terrorism in the region,” said Doria.

“Ka Amor” is now under the custody of the PNP for debriefing prior to their possible enrollment in the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

https://mb.com.ph/2023/4/12/63-npa-fighters-yield-in-mimaropa-so-far-this-year-police

2 ASG fighters yield in Zamboanga City

 From the Manila Bulletin (Apr 12, 2023): 2 ASG fighters yield in Zamboanga City (By LIZA JOCSON)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Two Abu Sayyaf Group members surrendered here on Tuesday, April 11.



NAVAL Forces Western Mindanao commander Admiral Don Anthony Miraflor receives two Abu Sayyaf surrenderers at the NFWM headquarters in Zamboanga City. (Photo by NFWM)

Adzhar Usman Langkang and Karasan Turabin Anta surrendered to the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM), Joint Task Force-Basilan, and their counterparts from the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (NICA-BARMM).

The surrenderers and their firearms, a caliber .30 M1 Garand rifle and an M16 Rifle with magazines and ammunition, were presented to Rear Admiral Donn Anthony L. Miraflor, NVFM commander, with other military officers as witnesses.

The surrenderers were remnants of a Basilan-based Abu Sayyaf Group band under commander alias “Junga.”

The surrenderers attributed their decision to the hardship they experienced from a series of encounters with government forces in Kalauan Island, Al-Barka, Basilan in March.

They underwent a medical examination at the Camp Navarro General Hospital here prior to their turnover to Joint Task Force Basilan.

They are expected to be included in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration (E-CLIP) Program and Program Against Violent Extremism (PAVE) for ASG members in Basilan.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/4/12/2-asg-fighters-yield-in-zamboanga-city

FACT CHECK: No truth to Abu Sayyaf, NPA threat – PNP, AFP

From Rappler (Apr 12, 2023): FACT CHECK: No truth to Abu Sayyaf, NPA threat – PNP, AFP (By RICKY BAUTISTA)

PNP Regional Police 8- Eastern Visayas checked with its intelligence units and the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit and concludes that the post is a hoax

The claim: A hoax message is now widely circulating online, particularly on Facebook, Messenger and private group chats (GCs), saying the PNP in Samar is now on red alert and that there is a possible NPA attack on at least three towns in Samar.
Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: The fake post was very alarming and spread very fast in various private group chats not only in the Samar and Leyte islands but also in other neighboring regions, causing panic, fear, and chaos.

Most netizens were alarmed and started calling their kin and relatives to go home early and avoid public places.

Other details: The fake message also claimed that the Mindanao-based violent group Abu Sayyaf, was planning to bomb an unnamed mall if the latter failed to give in to its demand of $15 million.

In the same post, it also claimed that the New People’s Army (NPA) will launch an attack on the towns of Basey and Marabut in Samar, and Lawaan in Eastern Samar. The post also warned people to avoid churches, public markets, and public places as these were also targets.

A hoax: According to the Philippine National Police Regional Office 8 (Eastern Visayas PRO-8), the post is a hoax. PRO-8 spokesperson Colonel Bella Rentuaya said that upon checking with their intelligence units and the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit, the post was found to be fake with intention of causing public panic.

On Wednesday, April 12, the PRO-8 issued a statement to belie the hoax message: “The Police Regional Office 8 warns the public not to entertain such disinformation and refrain from sharing it to others as it causes panic and fear among the people of Samar and other nearby areas.”

The PNP said “the whole force of PRO 8 assures the public that all police personnel are doing their best efforts in maintaining the peace and order in the whole of Eastern Visayas.”

Meanwhile, Captain Jeff Mariano, chief of the Division Public Affairs Office (DPAO) of the Philippine Army 8th Infantry Division, also belied the claim and said, “‘Wag po tayo maniniwala sa ganyang klase ng (Let’s not believe these types of) disinformation. As per our (intelligence) units, wala po silang info sa mga ganyan (they do not have info about this). Though our units remains vigilant and prepared to respond to any form of atrocities po.”

The PNP anti-cybercrime unit is now tracing the original post circulating not only in Samar, but also in Luzon and Mindanao. – Rappler.com

[Ricky Bautista is an Aries Rufo Journalism Fellow.]

https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/no-truth-abu-npa-threat-say-pnp-afp/

Balikatan 2023 to conduct amphibious assault operations, aerial gunnery exercise in Palawan

From Palawan News (Apr 12, 2023): Balikatan 2023 to conduct amphibious assault operations, aerial gunnery exercise in Palawan (By Celeste Anna Formoso)

The province of Palawan is set to host one of the Field Training Exercises (FTX) in this year’s 38th iteration of the Balikatan Exercise, one of the biggest bilateral exercises in the country.

The exercise, which aims to enhance the interoperability of joint AFP forces and allies, will be conducted in various locations in the Philippines.

Palawan will be the site of the amphibious assault operations and aerial gunnery exercise in Brooke’s Point, as well as the Gas Oil Platform Takedown (GOPLAT) Exercise in El Nido.

Participants from both the Philippines and the United States have already arrived in El Nido for the GOPLAT Exercise, which kicked off on April 11, 2023, at Headquarters Joint Task Force Malampaya.

“One of the FTX events will be conducted in the province of Palawan. The amphibious assault operations and aerial gunnery exercise will be held in Brooke’s Point, while the Gas Oil Platform Takedown (GOPLAT) Exercise will be at El Nido, Palawan,” the Western Command (WESCOM) said.

The 3rd Marine Brigade/Joint Task Force Peacock also participated in the opening ceremony virtually at their headquarters in Brgy. Tiniguiban. Marine forces will play a vital role during the amphibious operations.

WESCOM and the different joint task forces in Palawan gave a warm welcome to all participants of the shoulder-to-shoulder exercise.

The Command said it aims to enhance its capabilities and strengthen its partnership with joint forces and allies through the conduct of various exercises.

The Balikatan Exercise provides a platform for the Philippines and the United States to enhance their strategic partnership in the region, and the exercises conducted in Palawan will contribute to the development of the province’s capabilities, increase preparedness, and promote regional stability and security.

https://palawan-news.com/balikatan-2023-to-conduct-amphibious-assault-operations-aerial-gunnery-exercise-in-palawan/

China 'gravely concerned, strongly disapproves' US-PH stance on South China Sea

Posted to CNN Philippines (Apr 13, 2023): China 'gravely concerned, strongly disapproves' US-PH stance on South China Sea (By CNN Philippines Staff)

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 13) — China expressed its serious concern and strong disapproval of the stance of the United States and the Philippines on the South China Sea issue, insisting “indisputable sovereignty” over islands in the disputed waters.

Beijing made the comment on Wednesday following the release of the joint statement of the US and the Philippines and the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue strengthening the two nations’ ties.

The US has reaffirmed its commitment to stand with the Philippines against any form of intimidation and coercion in the South China Sea, a move that China firmly opposed.

"Let me point out first and foremost that China is gravely concerned over and strongly disapproves the joint statement of the US and the Philippines," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said.

"China has indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea Islands and the adjacent waters. The joint statement of the US and the Philippines misrepresents and discredits the legitimate and lawful maritime law enforcement activities of the Chinese side and even makes false accusations against China. We strongly oppose this," he added.

Wenbin also slammed the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal Award, which upholds the Philippines’ rights over the West Philippine Sea, an area in the South China Sea being claimed by China. He claimed the ruling is "illegal, null and void" and "gravely violates international laws, including UNCLOS."

"China's position of not accepting or recognizing it is clear and firm," he added.

China also maintained its position against the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites.

"With regard to the new military base sites to which the Philippines gives the US access, we have stated China's position several times. Facts speak louder than words. Judging from the locations of the new military bases, the intention behind those sites is more than obvious," Wenbin said.

China has repeatedly warned against expanded military cooperation with the US, saying the move could backfire on the Philippines.

The US and Philippines, however, have yet to determine the extent of use for the new EDCA sites, saying this is still up for discussion.

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/4/13/China-US-Philippines-West-Philippine-Sea.html

Castro: $100 million investment not enough for all nine EDCA sites

Posted to CNN Philippines (Apr 13, 2023): Castro: $100 million investment not enough for all nine EDCA sites (By CNN Philippines Staff)

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 13) — The United States’ plan to allocate $100 million worth of infrastructure investments is not enough to cover the nine Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites in the Philippines, a lawmaker said on Thursday.

“This is a very little amount considering na nine sites 'yan… Kasi gagamit ‘yan ng ating facilities, gagamit sila nung ating kuryente, etc.,” ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro told CNN Philippines’ The Source. [Translation: This is a very little amount considering there are nine sites. They will use our facilities, electricity, etc.]

In a joint briefing on Wednesday, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III said Washington is expecting “to have allocated more than $100 million in infrastructure investments" at all EDCA sites in the Philippines by the end of 2023. He noted such investments will "spur job creations and economic growth in local Philippine communities."

There are currently nine EDCA locations in the country, following the addition of new ones in Naval Base Camilo Osias in Santa Ana town, Cagayan; the Lal-lo Airport in Lal-lo town, Cagayan; Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu town, Isabela; and Balabac Island in Palawan.

Castro maintained that the EDCA sites pose threats to the country’s sovereignty.

These also do not lead to any advantage for the Philippines, she noted.

While authorities say the establishment of EDCA sites will help improve the skills of Filipino troops, nothing has really happened for the past years as the Armed Forces of the Philippines remain inferior, Castro pointed out.

She also does not see that the EDCA sites, as well as the Balikatan exercises, will benefit Filipino fishermen since these will only hinder fisherfolk from doing their job.

"''Yung sinasabi nila na maprotektahan 'yung territorial waters natin... in the past naman wala rin namang nangyari doon sa ginagawa ng China against our fishermen," she added. [Translation: When they said this is to protect our territorial waters, in the past nothing has also been done with regards to China's harassment of our fishermen.]

[Retired Analyst Note: The ACT Party List is a political front of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). The party is a political spin-off from the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) sectoral front that is a member of the main CPP umbrella multi-sectoral front Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN-New Patriotic Alliance).  Furthermore, the ACT Party-list itself is a member of the CPP's umbrella political coalition the Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan (MAKABAYAN-Patriotic Coalition of the People). These fronts routinely engage in anti-US/US military disinformation/propaganda activities. They oppose any US military presence in the Philippines and rail against RP-US military exercises such as Balikatan]

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/4/13/Castro-US-investment-for-EDCA-sites.html

3ID strengthens ties with SUCs

From Panay News (Apr 13, 2023): 3ID strengthens ties with SUCs (By Ruby P. Silubrico)

ILOILO City – To forge deeper ties with the academe, the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) based in Camp Peralta, Jamindan, Capiz recently met with 10 presidents and college directors from state universities and colleges (SUCs) in Western Visayas.

Brigadier General Marion Sison, 3ID commander, welcomed the SUC leaders at the 3ID headquarters.

Among them were the presidents and extension directors of West Visayas State University, Guimaras State University, Antique University, Iloilo Science and Technology University, Central Philippine State University, Carlos Hilado Memorial State University, Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology, Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology, Northern Iloilo State University, and Capiz State University.

They talked about how to strengthen their partnership in fighting the rebel recruitment.

Jeffrey Celiz, former student leader and cadre of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army in Western Visayas, and Prosecutor Flosemir Chris Gonzales, spokesperson of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict 6, served as resource persons during the open forum.

They shared their insights on the extent of the tactics used by the rebels in recruiting students and youth to join the terrorist group.

The guests were also given a chance to have a glimpse of the 3ID’s capabilities through a Kinetic Display showcasing the Infantry Squad Operations, Artillery Squad Organization, and Mechanized Squad Organization held at the 3ID’s Known Distance Range.

The activity aims to have focused engagement with the SUC presidents and extension directors to fortify the existing relationship with the academe sector and work together for collaborative projects and programs.

The activity was also one of the proposed activities of 3ID’s Multi-Sector Advisory Board for 2023 and the best practices advocated by the command./PN

https://www.panaynews.net/3id-strengthens-ties-with-sucs/

Injured soldier receives financial assistance

From the Visayan Daily Star (Apr 13, 2023): Injured soldier receives financial assistance (By GILBERT P. BAYORAN)

The injured Army soldier receives P25,000 in financial assistance from Toboso Mayor Madonnah Jaojoco (left), who visited the soldier with her husband, Councilor Richard Jaojoco, and Lt. Cpl. JJay Javines, 79IB commander.* 79IB photo

The municipal government of Toboso in Negros Occidental gave P25,000 in financial assistance to an Army soldier currently recuperating in a Bacolod City private hospital after he was injured on April 6 encounter with a group of rebels in the town’s hinterlands.

Mayor Madonnah Jaojoco and her husband, Councilor Richard Jaojoco, yesterday turned over the financial assistance during a visit to the injured Army soldier at a private hospital in Bacolod City. They were accompanied by Lt Col. J Jay Javines, commanding officer of the 79th Infantry Battalion.

Javines said the injured Army soldier was among those who figured in an encounter with the group of Roger Fabillar, alias Arnel Tapang, remnants of the dismantled Northern Negros Front under the Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor.

Army soldiers recovered two homemade 12-gauge shotguns with ammunition, along with other war materials and personal belongings from the encounter site.

Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, earlier conferred injured Army soldier with the Wounded Personnel Medal, in recognition of his bravery during the encounter.

A cash bounty of P900,000 is being offered for the arrest of Fabillar, who is facing multiple counts of murder in court, according to Javines.

He described the generosity of the Toboso municipal government as a strong and robust partnership between the Philippine Army and the local government units.

“This also manifests their appreciation of the sacrifices of our soldiers to protect and maintain the peace and the safety and security of the populace not only in Toboso, but in Northern Negros”, he added.

In a statement issued by the 79IB, it said that Mayor Jaojoco and her husband reassured them of their continued support to the welfare of Army soldiers, and to their effort to end the local armed conflict in Toboso.

“The local government of Toboso will always be a reliable partner of 79IB in sustaining the peace and security in its area of operations,” Mayor Jaojoco said.

https://visayandailystar.com/injured-soldier-receives-financial-assistance/

Rebels kill senior citizen

From the Visayan Daily Star (Apr 13, 2023): Rebels kill senior citizen (By GILBERT P. BAYORAN)

The New People’s Army Leonardo Panaligan Command yesterday claimed responsibility for the killing of another civilian, this time a 63-year-old farmer, on Easter Sunday (April 9), at rebel infested Brgy. Macagahay in Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental.

In a statement, rebel spokesman Ka JB Regalado accused the victim, Danilo Bedaja, 63, of allegedly engaging in land grabbing activities and being involved in cattle rustling activities in the barangay.

Investigations of the Moises Padilla Police Stations showed that Bedaja, alias Etek, was on his way to his farm on Sunday when his son heard gunshots about 300 meters from their residence.

When the Bedaja’s son investigated the incident, he found his father lying on the ground, who had succumbed to multiple gunshot injuries.

Regalado said that Bedaja had been repeatedly warned of his activities in 2017, and was told to leave the place. Several years after, he returned to their place and allegedly continued his acts, the rebel group spokesman said.

Earlier, the rebel group also claimed responsibility for the killing of Raffy Estorco, who they alleged as a military informant, also in Brgy. Macagahay, Moises Padilla.

https://visayandailystar.com/rebels-kill-senior-citizen/

Army officer vows to crush remaining NPA units in H1

From the Mindanao Times (Apr 12, 2023): Army officer vows to crush remaining NPA units in H1 (By RHODA GRACE SARON)

 

THE 10TH Infantry Division vows to crush the remaining three guerilla fronts under its area of responsibility before the end of June this year.

Speaking in yesterday’s AFP-PNP Press briefing held at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, 10th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Jose Eriel Niembra said the target is attainable since the three guerrilla fronts are already severely weakened.

“We have just given additional area in order to help the 4ID concentrate on their enemy in the area of Surigao and Agusan,” he said.

The GF 14 operates in Agusan and Surigao, while the GF 57 holes out at the boundary of North Cotabato and Bukidnon. In response, the Army assigned the 4th ID to Bukidnon to further cripple the capability of the communist terrorists.

“The 4ID can concentrate on the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) in Northern Bukidnon in the Pantaron Range and Surigao area,” he said.

Moreover, they are currently monitoring three “suspicious” non-government organizations reportedly doing community immersion activities in the indigenous communities in the region.

He said these NGOs have entered the areas of Pantukan in Davao de Oro, Gov. Generoso and Lupon in Davao Oriental, and Talaingod in Davao del Norte.

Meanwhile, the 1002nd Another sub-regional command (SRC) group is being confronted by the 1002nd Infantry Brigade in Malungon, Sarangani.

“We have now a new campaign plan pledge, “Pagkakaisa,” considering the insurgency-free status of the region. We opted to choose additional areas of responsibility instead of pulling out units going to other areas,” the commander said.

Niembra said seven municipalities of Bukidnon were added to the area of responsibility of the 10ID, including Maramag to the southern portion of Valencia City.

https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2023/04/12/army-officer-vows-to-crush-remaining-npa-units-in-h1/

Malaysia lists Sulu sultan as terrorist

Posted to the Mindanao Examiner (Apr 12, 2023): Malaysia lists Sulu sultan as terrorist

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Kuala Lumpur has listed as a terrorist one of the eight descendants of the sultan of Sulu who secured a disputed arbitration award against Malaysia last year.



A portrait of Sultan Muhammad Fuad A. Kiram I from The Royal Hashemite Sultanate of Sulu and Sabah.

The Filipino heirs of the last Sultan of Sulu are seeking to enforce a $14.9-billion award granted to them by a French arbitration court last year to settle a dispute with the Malaysian government over a colonial-era land deal.

Malaysian media reported that Khairul Dzaimee Daud, director-general of the Prime Minister’s Department’s legal affairs division, said the home ministry has listed Sultan Muhammad Fuad A. Kiram I as a terrorist.

Royal Sulu Force

According to the Free Malaysia Today, Khairul said Fuad has been linked to the Royal Sulu Force (RSF), which was also classified as a terrorist group, after the ailing Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, sent about 200 followers headed by his brother Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram to Sabah in February 2013 to assert their claim to and supposed historical rights over the oil-rich state.

Jamalul’s group rejected Malaysian demand for them to surrender peacefully and fighting erupted in Lahad Datu town where more than 60 of the sultan’s men were killed and over 300 Filipinos arrested on suspicion that they were aiding the group of Agbimuddin or the RSF.

Malaysia also put Jamalul and his brother on its wanted list and branded them as terrorists for intruding into Sabah and killing and decapitating 10 policemen and soldiers in separate clashes on the island.

Agbimuddin managed to escape the Malaysian assault in Sabah, while Sultan Jamalul died in October the same year from a lingering illness at age 75. Agbimuddin died from cardiac arrest in 2015 in Tawi-Tawi province.

There was no immediate statement or reaction from Fuad on the terrorist tag which took effect on April 6.

Khairul said the unity government would be taking a new approach in dealing with the Sulu heirs’ claim. “Previously, the approach (to deal with the case) was in the form of ‘firefighting’ with regards to the countries involved,” he said at a press conference Tuesday, April 11 in Putrajaya City.

He said, previously, the government would appeal against decisions by foreign courts and seek to set aside the awards granted. However, he said under the new leadership, the approach had been changed to an “offensive” mode, adding that “the best defence is (to) attack.”

Khairul also said the Cabinet had also agreed to the appointment of a UK-based public relations firm to manage the global narrative and media strategy regarding the case. However, he did not reveal the name of the firm, but said the legal affairs division would engage with stakeholders in Sabah on the case.

He also said Wisma Putra or the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs had sent a diplomatic note to the 171 countries where a US$14.92 billion (RM62.59 billion) award granted by the French arbitration court to the heirs of the last Sulu sultan was enforceable under the New York Convention.

Khairul said the foreign minister would also visit the four countries involved in the arbitration of the case, namely France, Spain, Luxembourg and Netherlands, to explain to his counterparts the issues and the facts surrounding the claim.

Seizure order

Last March, French bailiffs attempted to enforce a seizure order on three Paris properties owned by the Malaysian government in a case linked to a $15 billion court award to descendants of a former sultan, according to the heirs' lawyers and court documents.

The bailiffs tried to assess the properties recently following a court-issued seizure order in December, but Malaysian officials at the Paris embassy turned them away, the lawyers and the Malaysian government said.

The Paris properties are only the third set of Malaysian assets that the heirs have publicly acknowledged going after. They have secured a seizure order for Luxembourg units of state oil firm Petronas and have sought permission from a Dutch court to seize assets in the Netherlands.

The award is enforceable globally against most Malaysian assets, aside from diplomatic premises, under a UN convention on arbitration.

Despite the stay, a French judge in December 2022 granted the heirs' request to seize three Malaysian government properties in Paris to settle a debt of 2.3 million euros ($2.46 million) that they said was owed to them, according to court documents shared by the heirs' lawyers.

Malaysia had been ordered to pay the heirs the sum under a preliminary arbitration award granted to them in Spain, which was not bound by the stay in France, the lawyers said.

Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo

The Sultanate of Sulu was founded in 1457 and is believed to exist as a sovereign nation for at least 442 years. It stretches from a part of the island of Mindanao in the east, to Sabah, in the west and south, and to Palawan, in the north. It continues to lay claim to North Borneo, now Sabah in Malaysia after obtaining it from Brunei as a gift for helping put down a rebellion on Borneo Island.

The British leased Sabah and transferred control over the territory to Malaysia after the end of World War II. But the sultanate said it had merely leased North Borneo in 1878 to the British North Borneo Company for an annual payment of 5,000 Malayan dollars then, which was increased to 5,300 Malayan dollars in 1903.

North Borneo was annexed by Malaysia in 1963 after a referendum organized by the Cobbold Commission in 1962 saw the people of Sabah voting overwhelmingly to join Malaysia, but Kuala Lumpur continued to pay the Sulu Sultanate some 5,300 ringgits a year on the basis of the Sulu royals’ ceding the Borneo state and only stopped after the Lahad Datu incursion by the RSF members. (Mindanao Examiner, Free Malaysia Today)

https://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2023/04/malaysia-lists-sulu-sultan-as-terrorist.html

Policeman wounded in Basilan attack

Posted to the Mindanao Examiner (Apr 13, 2023): Policeman wounded in Basilan attack

ZAMBOANGA CITY - A policeman was wounded after gunmen attacked a police barracks in the Muslim province of Basilan in southern Philippines, a known stronghold of radical Islamic militants fighting for the establishment of a caliphate in the restive region.

The raid occurred on Wednesday evening, April 12, in the town of Tipo-Tipo and wounded Corporal Naser Jain, who is assigned with the Basilan Provincial Mobile Force Company. Police on Thursday confirmed the attack and said gunmen opened fire on the barracks and fled after the shooting.

Police did not say how the gunmen managed to sneak into the town undetected and launched the attack. No individual or group claimed responsibility for the strafing, but the Abu Sayyaf group and the Dawlah Islamiya are actively operating in Basilan, about 28 nautical miles from here.

Aside from the Abu Sayyaf, the province is also a known lair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and its rival group, the Moro National Liberation Front. (Mindanao Examiner)

https://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2023/04/policeman-wounded-in-basilan-attack.html

BK 2023 amphibious assault, aerial gunnery drills set in Palawan

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 12, 2023): BK 2023 amphibious assault, aerial gunnery drills set in Palawan (By Priam Nepomuceno)

(PNA photo by Joey Razon)

MANILA – Filipino and American troops will hold amphibious assault operations, aerial gunnery exercises, and gas oil platform takedown (GOPLAT) in Palawan as part of this year's "Balikatan" exercises.

"One of the FTX (field training exercise) events will be conducted in the province of Palawan. The amphibious assault operations and aerial gunnery exercise will be held in Brooke’s Point, while the GOPLAT exercise will be at El Nido, Palawan," the Puerto Princesa City-based Western Command (Wescom) said in a Facebook post Tuesday night.

It added that Filipino and American participants in the GOPLAT exercise have arrived at the headquarters of Joint Task Force Malampaya in El Nido, Palawan shortly after the opening ceremony in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

"The 3rd Marine Brigade/Joint Task Force Peacock also joined the opening ceremony virtually at their headquarters in Barangay Tiniguiban, Puerto Princesa City. Marine forces will be the key players during the amphibious operations," Wescom added.

This year's "Balikatan," scheduled from April 11 to 28, is the 38th iteration of the annual military exercise between the Philippines and the United States.

"Wescom, along with the different joint task forces, welcomes all the participants of the 'Balikatan' 38-23. Wescom will continue to sharpen its sphere through the conduct of different exercises and strong partnership with joint forces and allies," it added.

With more than 17,500 combined troops from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the US military, the "Balikatan" will have four major events – the command post exercise, cyber defense exercise, FTX, and humanitarian civic assistance.

“For the AFP, in particular, this year’s 'Balikatan' Exercise is most timely, as we fast-track the enhancement of our capabilities for maritime security and domain awareness, as well as our employment concept of newly acquired equipment and weapon systems under our modernization program and application of newly developed doctrines – with the end-in-view of projecting a credible defense posture,” AFP chief Gen. Andres Centino said.

Participating forces will enhance their joint and combined capabilities in maritime security, amphibious operations, live-fire exercise, urban operations, aviation operations, counter-terrorism, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

The annual drills also signify a more robust security relationship between the long-time allies.

At the same time, partner nation Australia will participate in some events, and officials from Japan are expected to observe some.

Different assets and weapon systems will be used for various activities.

Centino noted that "Balikatan" remains one of the best training opportunities to improve both countries’ military arms, urging participants to embody professionalism, excellence, and the spirit of camaraderie.

“I am confident that both our Armed Forces shall reap invaluable benefits from this 'Balikatan' Exercise as we continue to pursue our shared goals of regional peace, security, and stability,” Centino said.

PH Army, US Marines train in CBRE

The Philippine Army (PA) on Wednesday announced that its troops trained with the US Marine Corps trained in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) training program on Tuesday.

This took place at the 3rd Infantry Division (ID) headquarters in Camp General Macario Peralta Jr., Jamindan, Capiz, PA spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad said.

He said the CBRNE is part of the ongoing "Balikatan" exercises.

"The CBRN Company of the Army Support Command and a platoon from 3ID and the US Marines Corps held discussions on mission-oriented protective posture (MOPP) and MOPP Gear Exchange. Moreover, they also held practical exercises applying what they learn in the discussion of the MOPP levels," Trinidad said.

He added that the CBRN training program is designed to enhance the capabilities of the Philippine military and its allied forces in responding to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats.

The training program will include classroom lectures, hands-on exercises, and simulations.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199200

63 Reds surrender in Mimaropa since January

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 12, 2023): 63 Reds surrender in Mimaropa since January (By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan )

MANILA – A total of 63 members of the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army (CPP-NPA) have surrendered to different police units in Mimaropa from January to April 11 this year, according to Brig. Gen. Joel Doria, director of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 4B, on Wednesday.

Mimaropa is comprised of the provinces of Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan.

In a statement, Doria said the latest surrenderer was “Ka Amor”, 33, from Sitio Palihon, Barangay Waygan in Mansalay town, Oriental Mindoro and a regular member of GMT under the Sub-Regional Military Area (SRMA) 4D of the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee (STRPC). He voluntarily surrendered to the Provincial Intelligence Unit of the Oriental Mindoro Police Provincial Office (PPO) in Barangay Cacawan, Pinamalayan town on Tuesday afternoon.

“The surrender of “Ka Amor” was through the relentless efforts of the intelligence unit of Oriental Mindoro PPO, in collaboration with the 10th Special Action Battalion under the PNP Special Action Force; PRO Mimaropa Regional Intelligence Division; Alpha Civil-Military Operations (CMO) Coy under 2CMOBn, 76th Infantry Battalion, 23rd Military Intelligence Company, and 203rd Infantry Brigade, all under the Philippine Army; and National Intelligence Coordinating Agency,” Doria said in a statement.

“Ka Amor” is now under the custody of the PNP for debriefing prior to their possible enrollment in the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

“I renew my call to the remaining members of the communist terrorist group to surrender and return to the folds of the law, and enjoy the benefits given by the government through the Enhanced Local Integration Program (E-CLIP),” Doria said.

The Mimaropa top cop commended the efforts of the PNP and all government agencies concerned in the region and reiterated the significant role of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed-conflict (NTF-ELCAC) in the government’s successful counter-insurgency campaign.

“I commend the efforts of our PNP personnel, the AFP and all concerned government agencies in this success. This is a solid proof that the government’s whole-of-nation approach under the NTF-ELCAC is gaining more momentum in its goal to putting an end to the local communist terrorism in the region,” said Doria.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199216

AFP, US Army Pacific eye stronger cooperation

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 12, 2023): AFP, US Army Pacific eye stronger cooperation (By Priam Nepomuceno)

AFP chief Gen. Andres Centino (right) and US Army Pacific (USARPAC) commander, Gen. Charles Flynn (left) (Photo courtesy of AFP)

MANILA – Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff, Gen. Andres Centino, on Wednesday met with US Army Pacific (USARPAC) commander, Gen. Charles Flynn, to discuss further cooperation between the two services.

This refers to Army-to-Army partnership, AFP public affairs office chief Col. Jorry Baclor said in a statement.

"The two generals discussed the (just concluded) 'Salaknib' Exercise and the ongoing Philippine-US 'Balikatan' Exercise, which formally opened yesterday. General Flynn mentioned that these exercises are essential opportunities for operationalizing EDCA (Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement) from the perspective of the military," he said.

Baclor said Flynn also looks forward to the conduct of similar engagements in other areas that could uplift local communities.

"They also discussed high-level engagements, such as the trilateral meeting with Japan and the Indo-Pacific Army Conference," he added.

Meanwhile, Centino warmly welcomed the USARPAC delegation and thanked them for their visit.

"I hope you have a memorable time on your trip here; we thank you for taking the time to visit us," he said.

Centino also assured Flynn of the AFP's continued partnership with the US Armed Forces in the Indo-Pacific.

The USARPAC chief thanked Centino and other ranking officials for their welcome.

"Our history as armies and nations runs deep. The sacrifices should not be forgotten; we should talk about this every time we get together about this brotherhood. Thank you so much for your commitment, leadership, and your effort. And to all of you and your families for what you do for your country and in making this commitment deeper and lasting," Flynn said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199238

PH, US strengthen commitment to ‘modernize’ alliance after 2+2

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 12, 2023): PH, US strengthen commitment to ‘modernize’ alliance after 2+2 (By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora)

IRONCLAD ALLIANCE. (From left) Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III at a joint presser in Washington DC after the Philippines-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue on Wednesday (April 12, 2023). The Philippines and United States have agreed to “modernize” the two countries’ alliance amid the evolving security challenges in the Indo-Pacific. (Screengrab)

MANILA – Top foreign affairs and defense officials of the Philippines and the United States have agreed to “modernize” the two countries’ alliance amid the evolving security challenges in the Indo-Pacific.

The commitment was made during the third US-Philippines 2+2 ministerial meeting in Washington DC on Wednesday morning (Manila time), which was led by Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, Defense chief Carlito Galvez Jr. and their US counterparts Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III.

The secretaries agreed to continue discussions on the nature of threats that may arise in different domains in the region, including land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace, and how to effectively respond to them.

In addition, they reaffirmed “shared determination to defend against external armed attack in the Pacific, including the South China Sea.”

“At today’s meeting, we redoubled our commitment to modernizing the Philippine-US alliance, recognizing that our partnership will need to play a stronger role in preserving an international law-based international order,” Manalo said in the post-meeting presser.

“This means ensuring the conduct of high-level and high-impact, high-value joint exercises, trainings, and other related activities,” he added.

Some of the points discussed in the 2+2 are ways to expand cooperation and increase “strategic convergence” on counterterrorism and addressing gray zone challenges.

Gray zone activities, as defined by experts, are operations that fall below the threshold of what constitutes aggression to prevent a country from using self-defense.

In the West Philippine Sea, analysts said gray zone operations could include the deployment of maritime militia and fishing vessels in the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Joint SCS patrols

The four officials also agreed to finalize plans for the resumption of “joint sails” between the US and Philippine Navies while confirming the possibility to include “like-minded partners” in multilateral maritime activities in the South China Sea “later this year.”

No country was specifically mentioned but Australian Ambassador to the Philippines HK Yu last month had disclosed that “conversation on the joint patrols with the US, Philippines and Japan in international waters are ongoing”.

Asked for comment, the Australian Embassy in Manila on Wednesday said it notes the discussions between Manila and Washington DC, and only reiterated its “commitment to building effective security partnerships in our near region”.

“By training together, forces from the Philippines, United States and Australia can build upon shared tactics, techniques and procedures which enhance readiness and response capabilities during real-world challenges,” it said.

“Strong relationships are the foundation for responding to shared security challenges and Balikatan exercise provides a valuable opportunity for the Australian Defence Force to train with regional partners to enhance multinational interoperability and strengthen regional partnerships in a dynamic security environment,” it added.

In a separate statement, the Japanese Embassy said: "There is no specific plan or discussion of 'joint patrols' as reported in some quarters, but, Japan and the Philippines have been closely working together to reinforce Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) and maritime law enforcement for the stability of the South China Sea, etc."

"The leaders also concurred in this point. Japan is committed to further enhancement of defense exchanges through trilateral dialogues like the Japan-Philippines-US Trilateral Defense Policy Dialogue, and participation of the Japan Self-Defense Forces in Philippines-US joint exercises,” it added.

Covert land reclamation

In the same meeting, the four secretaries assailed alleged “covert” reclamation activities in some unoccupied features within the Spratlys.

The secretaries, in a joint statement, “noted with concern recent reports regarding further conduct of covert land reclamation on unoccupied features in the Spratly Islands and rejected the use of reclamation as a means of rationalizing or propagating unlawful maritime claims”.

The four stressed that this is “in direct contravention of the principles outlined in the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) in the South China Sea”.

Bloomberg last year reported that Beijing has started building up several land features in the unoccupied northern part of Spratlys, citing unnamed Western officials as sources.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry denied this report in December 2022, saying Beijing abides by the DOC.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has yet to provide details when asked for specifics.

Meanwhile, both the Philippines and the US called on China to “fully comply with the final and legally binding” 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea.

“The Award, which was constituted under the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention, is final and legally binding on the parties, and validates the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction with respect to its EEZ and continental shelf, including maritime areas in the vicinity of Reed Bank, Mischief Reef, and Second Thomas Shoal also known in the Philippines as Recto Bank, Panganiban Reef, and Ayungin Shoal, respectively,” the four officials said in their joint statement.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199231

2 more Israeli-made missile boats delivered to PH

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 12, 2023): 2 more Israeli-made missile boats delivered to PH (By Priam Nepomuceno)

(Photo courtesy of Philippine Navy Modernization Office)

MANILA – The Philippine Navy (PN) on Wednesday confirmed that two more brand-new fast attack interdiction-missile (FAIC-M) platforms were delivered to the country on Tuesday.

"Said FAIC-Ms, which are part of the nine platforms contracted with Israel Shipyards, arrived from Israel on board the general cargo ship M/V Mick. They were unloaded with the assistance of BRP Mamanwa (LC-294) and proceeded to the naval shipyard in Cavite for a series of tests and crew training," PN spokesperson Capt. Benjo Negranza said in a statement.

Set for christening in May, these FAIC-Ms will soon join the Acero-class patrol gunboats along with frontrunners BRP Nestor Acero (PG-901) and BRP Lolinato To-ong (PG-902) which were commissioned late last year.

"They are a welcome addition to the Navy's capability to secure vital choke points, key sea lines of communication, and littoral areas of the country," Negranza said.

Five more are expected to be delivered within the next two years.

The 32-meter long FAIC-Ms are high-speed vessels equipped with quick intercept ability, remote stabilized weapons, and short-range missiles that are capable of delivering precision strikes against larger hostiles and high-value targets on land and sea.

Four of the FAIC-Ms will be armed with non-line-of-sight (NLOS) missiles with pinpoint accuracy and a range of 25 kilometers while the other five will be armed with Typhoon-mounted 30mm main cannons and .50 caliber heavy machine guns.

The acquisition of these FAIC-Ms is among the 2019 projects approved by former President Rodrigo Duterte under the Horizon 2 List of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program.

The notice of award for the FAIC-M project, worth around PHP10 billion, was issued on Jan. 5, 2021. These are expected to replace PN’s medium-sized patrol craft.

Once deliveries of the FAIC-Ms are completed, these vessels can interdict surface threats and launch NLOS missiles safely using the surrounding littoral areas as maneuver space and cover.

Earlier, PN chief Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr. said the Navy is planning to acquire at least 15 more Israel-made Shaldag Mark V missile boats, which are the basis of its Acero-class patrol gunboats.

He said the additional Acero-class gunboats would help them to meet their requirements in "patrolling the seas of the country". Adaci also said the FAIC-Ms will be assigned to the Littoral Combat Force.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199235

Senators want alliance to de-escalate tension in WPS

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 12, 2023): Senators want alliance to de-escalate tension in WPS (By Leonel Abasola )

Senators Risa Hontiveros and Joseph Vctor Ejercito (File photo)

MANILA – Senators on Wednesday said a broader alliance between the Philippines and its allied countries must expand their defense cooperation in the South China Sea (SCS).

In separate statements, Senators Joseph Victor Ejercito and Risa Hontiveros said the country needs the international community to help de-escalate and cool the tension between the United States and China especially around Taiwan and in SCS or West Philippine Sea.

According to Ejercito, the Philippines' ongoing joint military exercises with the United States, as well as recent talks on the formation of a new defense pact with Japan, are crucial steps in achieving regional stability.

Ejercito pointed out that because of China’s "aggressive" activities in the South China Sea, it is important for nations to have alliances and coordinate with each other’s armed forces and coast guards to ensure that the freedom of navigation in the area is maintained.

“Japan, Australia, and the United States, as well as countries that have territorial claims in the South China Sea have to band together so that we can put up a respectable force against China’s aggression,” he said in his statement.

Hontiveros, on the other hand, said there should also be a review of the country's national policy towards China saying that its incessant incursions in the WPS have threatened the livelihood and safety of Filipinos, adding "we should have policies that reflect our resistance against her belligerent actions."

She admitted that while the tension in Taiwan is worrisome, the Philippines should not be coaxed to participate in any kind of war as we have to uphold the constitutional mandate of peace as the instrument of national policy or the abandonment of war as an instrument of national policy.

"We need the international community to help de-escalate and cool the tensions between the US and China, especially around Taiwan. Should China intensify actions in Taiwan, we should also look into how to safeguard not only the Filipinos living in Taiwan but as well as those who are in the northern parts of the Philippines,“ Hontiveros said.

The US and the Philippines launched on Tuesday its biggest Balikatan exercise, as more than 17,000 Filipino and American troops participated in the drill, a day after China ended its massive military drills around Taiwan..

The Balikatan joint military exercise was created under the US-Philippines Visiting Forces Agreement and the Mutual Defense Treaty between the two countries.

Last week, senators led by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri met with Japanese lawmakers and security officials to discuss proposals seeking to establish similar defense agreements between the Philippines and Japan.

Joining Zubiri were Ejercito, Majority Floor Leader Joel Villanueva, Deputy Majority Floor Leader Mark Villar, and Senators Win Gatchalian, Sonny Angara, Imee Marcos, Pia Cayetano, Grace Poe, and Nancy Binay.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199239

52 PH, US 'free fallers' join Balikatan 2023 friendship jump

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 13, 2023): 52 PH, US 'free fallers' join Balikatan 2023 friendship jump (By Priam Nepomuceno)

(Photo courtesy of AFP Special Operations Command)

MANILA – A total of 52 "free fallers" (parachute specialists) from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)'s Special Operations Command and the United States Special Operations Command Pacific took part in the "Bilateral Military Freefall Friendship Jump".

This took place on Tuesday, shortly after the opening rites of the annual military drills.

"Using two Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey aircraft of the US Air Force, the freefall and airborne qualified soldiers jumped at an altitude of 9,000 feet above ground level and parachuted towards the Drop Zone Royce, Barangay Liwayway, Sta Rosa, Nueva Ecija," AFP public affairs office chief Col. Jorry Baclor said in a statement Wednesday night.

The activity was also highlighted by "wing exchange" and meaningful sharing of experiences, he added. "It (activity) aims to enhance interoperability and jointness between the Philippines and US Special Operations Forces," Baclor said.

He added that another free fall and static airborne event is scheduled on April 17 to 18 in the same drop zone.

Filipino, American troops conduct platoon live-fire exercise

Also on Tuesday, Philippine Army (PA) and US Army Pacific soldiers held a platoon live-fire exercise at Range 5, Camp Ernesto Rabina Air Base, Capas, Tarlac.

"Soldiers from the PA’s 99th Infantry Battalion, 7th Infantry Division and 51st Engineer Brigade together with three platoons from the US Army conducted various operations during the live-fire exercise which include artillery preparatory fires, helicopter air assault, aerial gunnery, obstacle breaching, knockout bunker, and room clearing," Army spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad said Thursday,

The live-fire exercise is part of the ongoing 38th iteration of "Balikatan" which involves more than 17,000 Filipino and US soldiers training side-by-side in a spectrum of military operations.

"Balikatan" is a testament to the longstanding and enduring friendship between the Philippines and the United States and their shared commitment to regional stability and security in the Indo-Pacific.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199291

9 AFP senior officers promoted to higher rank

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 13, 2023): 9 AFP senior officers promoted to higher rank (By Priam Nepomuceno)

(Photo courtesy of AFP)

MANILA – Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff, Gen. Andres Centino, administered the donning of ranks ceremonies to nine newly-promoted military generals and senior officers in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Wednesday.

Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General are Marine Maj. Gen. Charlton Sean M. Gaerlan, the incumbent Deputy Chief of Staff, AFP (TDCSAFP); and Air Force Maj. Gen. Fernyl G. Buca, commander of the Northern Luzon Command.

Moreover, promoted to the rank of Major General are Marine Brig. Gen Noel D. Beleran, the Deputy Chief of Staff (DCS) for Education, Training and Doctrine, J-8; Army Brig. Gen. Joel Alejandro S. Nacnac, Internal Auditor, AFP; Army Brig. Gen. Fernando M. Reyeg, DCS for Operations, J-3; and Army Brig.Gen. Proceso S. Rebancos, Chief Engineer, AFP.

Meanwhile, promoted to the rank of Brigadier General are Air Force Col. Amado V. Dela Paz, deputy commander, Western Command; Army Col. Patriarch Robinson P. Pel, Assistant DCS for C4ISTAR Systems, AJ-6; and Army Col. Leo Edward Y Caranto, Assistant DCS for Logistics, AJ-4.

"With these new ranks adorning our shoulders today, I am sure that I share the same commitment with my co-promotees to work harder and wiser in contributing to the attainment of our mandate to transform the AFP into a modern, world-class, and multi-capable force," said Gaerlan even as he reminded his co-promotees of higher responsibility that goes with their new ranks.

Meanwhile, Centino congratulated the newly-promoted AFP generals and senior officers.

"You have earned it, and you are ready for the bigger challenges of leadership that are part of this promotion. May you continue to excel in your respective fields and always bear in mind that every triumph of your respective units and offices is also a win for the whole Armed Forces," he added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199300

France committed to peace, stability in Indo-Pacific region

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 13, 2023): France committed to peace, stability in Indo-Pacific region (By Priam Nepomuceno)

(Photo courtesy of Philippine Navy)

MANILA – France has committed to help in maintaining peace, security and stability in the Indo-Pacific Region.

French non-resident Attaché of France to the Philippines Col. Pierre Millet made this assurance during his visit to the Philippine Navy (PN) headquarters in Manila on Wednesday.

"PN Vice Commander, Rear Admiral Caesar Bernard Valencia, received Col. Millet for a courtesy call where they also exchanged insights about the ongoing Balikatan Exercise and other prospective engagements that will help the PN strengthen its capabilities," Navy spokesperson Captain Benjo Negranza said in a statement Wednesday night.

He added that Valencia extended the PN's appreciation of the cooperation and support coming from the French military and looked forward to having more engagements with like-minded navies.

“The PN is always happy to have like-minded navies, like the French Navy and the French Armed Forces, to support us in maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region," Valencia said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199292

Galvez sees 4 'focus areas' for US-PH alliance modernization

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 13, 2023): Galvez sees 4 'focus areas' for US-PH alliance modernization (By Priam Nepomuceno)

Department of National Defense (DND) chief Carlito Galvez Jr. (right) and US Department of Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III (left) (PNA file photo)

MANILA – Department of National Defense (DND) chief Carlito Galvez Jr. said there are four areas to be given focus for the modernization of the US and Philippines' military alliance.

He made this comment after meeting with US Department of Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III Wednesday (US time) shortly after the third US-Philippines 2+2 ministerial meeting in Washington DC held on Tuesday.

"Number one is that we need a common understanding of our policies and priorities. That's why we will be having our defense guidelines. And upgrade our equipment to sustain our militaries’ capability to respond to threats," Galvez said.

The DND chief said the second area is the cyber defenses of both nations must be strengthened to protect critical infrastructures and sensitive information.

"Number three is we need to increase intelligence sharing and cooperation together against and respond to the challenges. And we want to thank you for giving us always the highest (priority). That really helps a lot," the DND chief noted.

Fourth, Galvez said improvements must be made to improve interoperability between US and Philippine forces to "better coordinate and conduct joint activities."

"Today’s meeting is a good opportunity to build on our discussions during your visit in the Philippines last (February) and reaffirm our commitment to the Philippines-US mutual defense treaty," he added.

Galvez also noted that the regular exchange and close coordination demonstrate the extent of the defense relationship of the two nations.

"And I have mentioned on several occasions the importance of our Philippine - US defense cooperation in the region, especially at this time when significant challenges are becoming increasing complex and evolving," he added.

The DND chief also stressed that the defense alliance between the Philippines and the US is for peace.

"Our defense alliance is critical in assuring the safety and security of our citizens, and we continue to work together to enhance our capabilities to meet the current and future security challenges, including disasters," he added.

Galvez also took the opportunity to express the Philippine government's appreciation of American support in containing the oil spill in Oriental Mindoro province.

"Thank you very much. Mr. Secretary, with the phone call that we had it materialized immediately, and we really thank you because it really helped us to manage the oil spill that we had. I believe -- we went there, in Mindoro, together with the Coast Guard, they're very happy when the -- our Army was able to patch up all the 23 leaks that we have identified with the ship," he added.

American support includes the deployment of the US Navy of a remotely-operated vehicle and technical support from the US Coast Guard and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199319

3 persons of interest on killing of ex-NPA supporter identified

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 12, 2023): 3 persons of interest on killing of ex-NPA supporter identified (By Mary Judaline Partlow)

(PNA image)

DUMAGUETE CITY – Police have identified three members of the New People’s Army as persons of interest in the killing of a civilian in a remote area of Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental province on Tuesday.

Lt. Col. Romeo Cubo, Guihulngan police chief, said the victim, Armando Duran Babor, was a former NPA supporter but had already turned away from the insurgency movement.

Three armed men shot and killed the 33-year-old Babor while having breakfast with his wife inside their house at Sitio Mag-ubay in Barangay Maniak, Guihulngan City.

The armed men fled towards the mountainous part of Barangay Calupaan in Guihulngan.

Police recovered three empty shells of caliber 5.56 mm.

Cubo said they are gathering more information before the filing of charges against the suspects and declined to elaborate further.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. William Pesase Jr., commanding officer of the Philippine Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB), said Babor’s murder is an indication of how the NPA can just get rid of a supporter who is no longer of value to them.

“The public should be made aware of the deception and propaganda of the NPA because after they have organized their mass-base support, once any of them is no longer needed, that person becomes disposable,” he said partly in Filipino.

The 62IB commanding officer, whose coverage area includes Guihulngan City, reiterated his call to the remaining members of the NPA to surrender and avail of the government’s programs to reintegrate them into mainstream society.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199209

14-year-old NPA supporter, 54 others yield to Samar cops

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 12, 2023): 14-year-old NPA supporter, 54 others yield to Samar cops (By Sarwell Meniano)

LEAVING NPA. Some members of the New People's Army (NPA) underground mass organizations who surrendered to policemen in Palapag, Northern Samar in this April 8, 2023. At least 55 staunch allies of the NPA, including village officials, have surrendered to the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Eastern Visayas between April 3 to 11, an official said on Wednesday. (Photo courtesy of PNP)

TACLOBAN CITY – At least 55 staunch allies of the New People’s Army (NPA), including a teener and village officials, have surrendered to the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Eastern Visayas between April 3 to 11, an official said Wednesday.

In a press statement, 49 yielded to authorities during the Holy Week and six of them showed up to policemen on April 11. These NPA supporters belong to the NPA’s underground mass organizations (UGMO).

Most of the UGMO members are residents of the upland villages of Bagacay, Bangon and Osmeña in Palapag town in Northern Samar. Some are residents of Laurel Village in General MacArthur, Eastern Samar and Cal-igan Village in Catarman, Northern Samar.

Among the surrenderers are village officials and health workers. The youngest is 14-year-old and the eldest is 70-year-old.

They yielded to authorities after joint negotiations between the community, police and military forces in Samar provinces.

“Their surrender is a result of the joint negotiations between the community and the police and military forces in the Samar provinces. To put an end to this false propaganda once and for all, we will continue to urge other NPA members to turn themselves into the authorities and lay down their arms,” PNP Eastern Visayas regional director Brig. Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said.

The PNP is currently verifying court records if those who surrendered have standing warrants.

The NPA has established UGMOs to further assist the armed atrocities and other activities of the rebel group.

The government will assist enlist former UGMO members as members of the peacebuilder’s group in Samar provinces. They will undergo livelihood training and will be asked to assist the government in wiping out the insurgency.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199250

5 private armed group members killed in N. Cotabato shootout

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 12, 2023): 5 private armed group members killed in N. Cotabato shootout (By Edwin Fernandez)

ILLEGAL FIREARMS. Police officers gather the unlicensed firearms seized from a private armed group following a law enforcement operation that left five gunmen dead in Tulunan, North Cotabato, on Wednesday (April 12, 2023). The police were about to serve a search warrant against the group when they allegedly resisted arrest, triggering a bloody 30-minute gun battle. (Photo courtesy of PRO-12)

KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato – Police said it "neutralized" Wednesday five members of a private armed group (PAG) in neighboring Tulunan town and seized assorted high-powered guns and explosives after they resisted arrest and traded bullet with authorities.

Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg, police regional director for the Soccsksargen Region (PRO-12), said Danny Lamalan Cabakungan and his men resisted when police officers were about to serve search warrants against the suspect for illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

Macaraeg said Cabakungan, also known as Commander Magnetic, and his followers opened fire on police officers as they approached his house in Barangay Dungos around 4 a.m. Wednesday, triggering a 30-minute gun battle that left Cabakungan and four of his men critically injured.

“They were rushed to the Fr. Tulio Fabali Hospital for medical treatment but were pronounced dead on arrival,” Macaraeg said in a statement.

No casualty was reported on the government side.

Macaraeg described Cabakungan as a leader of an armed group engaged in highway robbery, bus bombing and burning, and extortion of farmers during harvest season.

Police seized from Cabakungan’s safe house a .50-caliber Barret sniper rifle, several M16 rifles, Garand rifles, .45-caliber pistols, rifle grenades, 40mm high explosives, fragmentation grenades, improvised bombs and two sachets of suspected shabu.

“I commend the different PRO-12 units involved in this successful law enforcement operation,” Macaraeg said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199234

Balikatan to boost AFP interoperability with US forces - Nolcom

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 12, 2023): Balikatan to boost AFP interoperability with US forces - Nolcom (By Zorayda Tecson)

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) chief, Lt. Gen. Fernyl Buca, on Wednesday said the Balikatan Exercise will provide invaluable opportunities for Filipino soldiers to further enhance their readiness, capabilities and interoperability with the United States military forces.

Buca said the joint military exercises will also offer hands-on training in conducting joint and inter-agency maritime patrols with other law enforcement agencies.

Likewise, he said the exercise will also include humanitarian civic assistance programs aimed at improving the lives of communities through engineering civic assistance projects, medical response training and community relations programs.

“Another significant aspect of the Balikatan Exercise is the opportunity for the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) to test its capabilities in performing interoperability missions with other allied nations' armed forces. This allows for better coordination and cooperation in protecting and preserving the Philippines' territory and serving the Filipino people in times of peace or crises,” Buca said in a statement.

The highly anticipated 38th PH-US Exercise Balikatan officially started Tuesday at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, marking the largest-ever bilateral military exercise between the AFP and the US Armed Forces.

Some 17,600 troops from the US-PH Armed Forces will take part in this joint military exercise which is scheduled to be held in North and Central Luzon and the provinces of Palawan and Antique.

With the training sites located within Nolcom's area of operations such as in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija; Naval Education, Training and Doctrine Command in the provinces of Zambales and Cagayan, Buca said they will be actively involved in various components of the Balikatan including command post exercise, cyber defense exercise, field training exercise and humanitarian civic assistance.

“This will involve close collaboration and cooperation with their US counterparts, allowing for the exchange of information, technologies and best practices,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Nolcom chief assured the public that the ongoing Balikatan Exercise will not hamper the day-to-day activities of the people in North and Central Luzon.

He underscored the command's efforts to balance the exercise's objectives with the well-being and security of the local population, while also actively participating in joint military exercises that enhance the AFP's capabilities and readiness.

Since its inception in 1998, the Balikatan Exercise has played a critical role in enhancing interoperability, promoting cooperation, and fostering mutual understanding between the two forces, and continues to serve as a cornerstone of the military partnership between the two nations.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199243

2 Abu Sayyaf members yield amid military ops in Basilan

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 12, 2023): 2 Abu Sayyaf members yield amid military ops in Basilan (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)

ASG SURRENDERERS. Two Abu Sayyaf extremists surrendered to authorities Tuesday (April 11, 2023) amid continuing military operations against them in Basilan province. They were presented to Rear Admiral Donn Anthony Miraflor, Naval Forces Western Mindanao commander (center), and were given initial assistance. (Photo courtesy of NFWM)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Two Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits have surrendered amid the ongoing focused military operations against them in Basilan province, a military official said Wednesday.

Lt. Commander Muksin Jasid, Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) information officer, said Adzhar Usman Langkang and Karasan Turabin Anta turned themselves in on Tuesday and turned over an M16 rifle and an M1 Garand rifle with ammunition.

Jasid said the two surrenderers were presented to Rear Admiral Donn Anthony Miraflor, NFWM commander, at the Naval Station Romulo Espaldon in this city.

They underwent medical checkup at Camp Navarro General Hospital (CNGH) before their turnover to the JTF–Basilan for proper documentation.

They will be enrolled in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the government as well as the Program Against Violent Extremism (PAVE) for ASG members in Basilan.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199245

Caraga’s most wanted NPA rebel falls in Surigao Sur

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 12, 2023): Caraga’s most wanted NPA rebel falls in Surigao Sur (By Alexander Lopez)

MOST WANTED REBEL. Police nabbed an alleged communist rebel Roel Martiniz, who was served with of arrest warrants on April 10, 2023 in Lianga town, Surigao del Sur province. Martiniz is facing kidnapping, serious illegal detention, and grave coercion charges. (Photo courtesy of PRO-13)

BUTUAN CITY – A New People’s Army (NPA) rebel classified as a regional-level priority target and wanted for kidnapping and illegal detention charges has been arrested, the Police Regional Office in the Caraga Region (PRO-13) reported Wednesday.

In a statement, PRO-13 director, Brig. Gen. Pablo Labra II, identified the arrested rebel as Roel Martiniz, of Barangay Diatagon, Lianga town in Surigao del Sur province.

Martiniz was arrested on Monday afternoon by joint police units in the province during an operation in Diatagon.

“The suspect has two arrest warrants for kidnapping and serious illegal detention charges issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 7 in Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur, and for grave coercion before the Municipal Trial Court in Barobo, Surigao del Sur,” Labra said.

An intelligence report also said that Martiniz is an active member of the Malahutayong Pakigbisog alang sa Sumusunod (MAPASU), an organization with links to the communist movement in the area.

MAPASU is an organization under the White Area Committee of the Weakened NPA Guerilla Front 19, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC), the report said.

According to Labra, Martiniz is among the NPA rebels involved in the kidnapping of Bernabe Salahay, of Barangay Kolambugan in Sibagat town, Agusan del Sur, on Dec. 19, 2018.

The suspect is also linked to the intimidation of indigenous peoples (IPs) in Sitio Panukmaan, Barangay Diatagon in July 2018, which forced residents to leave their villages.

“The PRO-13 provides a range of services and conducts operations to maintain peace and order, and ensures that our communities are safe,” Labra said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199244

PA, PNP downplay NPA’s capability to launch attacks in E. Visayas

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 13, 2023): PA, PNP downplay NPA’s capability to launch attacks in E. Visayas (By Sarwell Meniano)

FAKE. The statement of the Philippine Army 8th Infantry Division on the fake message circulating online. The PA and the PNP said the NPAs can no longer launch attacks because of the latter's dwindling capabilities. (Philippine Army photo)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Philippine Army (PA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Eastern Visayas have belied reports circulating online about the planned attacks of the New People's Army.

The PA was referring to a statement circulating on social media these past days, informing the public that the police and the military in Samar Island are on full alert status for possible attacks.

The 8th Infantry Division of the PA immediately branded the statement as “black propaganda orchestrated by enemies of the state to attract support from sympathizers and instill fear in the populace.”

The message, which was shared multiple times, warns the public to avoid entering malls, churches, public markets, and other places of convergence.

“The Army enjoins the general public to refrain from sharing and posting such disinformation that would tend to exacerbate the situation as it causes panic and fear from among the people of Samar and other nearby areas,” the 8th Infantry Division said.

In a separate statement, the PNP regional office here asked the public not to entertain such disinformation and refrain from sharing it with others.

“With this, the whole force of Police Regional Office 8 assures the public that all police personnel are doing their best efforts in maintaining the peace and order in the whole of Eastern Visayas,” the PNP said.

Earlier, the regional task force to end local communist armed conflict said the NPA cannot launch attacks in town centers with their weakening forces in the region.

Of the four NPA guerrilla fronts that operated in Samar Island last year, one was dismantled early in 2023 and the other one has been weakened.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199322