Balikatan Exercise 38-23: AFP-USAF turns over completed health care facility in Aurora

From the Manila Bulletin (Apr 29, 2023): Balikatan Exercise 38-23: AFP-USAF turns over completed health care facility in Aurora (By FREDDIE LAZARO)

CAMP AQUINO, Tarlac – Combined troops of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States Armed Forces (USAF) have completed a community healthcare facility in Barangay Suklayin, Baler, Aurora, as part of the Engineering Civic Action Project (ENCAP) of Balikatan 38-23.

Major Anthony B. Pueblas, the acting spokesperson of the AFP Northern Luzon Command, said that the construction of the health facility lasted for 25 days with the cooperation and teamwork of the construction team from the 355th Aviation Engineer Wing, Philippine Air Force, and the 9th Engineer Support Battalion of the US Marines.

“The Community Health Center of Barangay Suklayin, Baler, Aurora, was formally turned over to the residents in a dedication ceremony held on the project site on April 26, 2023,” Pueblas said.

The community health care center was established in response to the residents of the aforesaid barangay's need for immediate and convenient access to quality health services.

Aurora Gov. Christian Noveras, who expressed his gratitude to the Balikatan Exercises for choosing the province of Aurora as one of the recipients of the projects, graced the turnover of the Balikatan project.

"This community health care center will serve as a tangible testament of the unending friendship between the United States and the Philippines. I would like to thank the US forces and the armed forces of the Philippines for choosing the province of Aurora as a recipient," Noveras said.

He further emphasized that the Balikatan Exercise is equally focused on community development as it is on military training.

"I hope it won't be the last time that Balikatan will be conducted in the province. This project symbolizes that Balikatan is not all about joint military exercises, but rather it is an attestation of the strong commitment to addressing the plight of our people through humanitarian civic assistance," he added.

Lt. Col. Marcos Gillet, commanding officer of the 9th Engineer Support Battalion, US Marine Corps, said that the project is a reflection of the friendship between the Philippines and the United States and decades of working together as partners and allies.

Meanwhile, residents of Barangay Suklayin expressed gratitude to the Balikatan for their newly constructed health care center.

"I am grateful to Balikatan Exercises for building a health center in our barangay; it is a great help to our very large barangay. We will utilize it properly and take care of it," said Antonio Mata, chairman of Barangay Suklayin.

Helen Portera, a barangay health worker, also expressed her gratitude to the Balikatan for their community health facility.

"For the past 12 years, as a BHW, we have not had a designated area; now, we are very happy that we have one, and those who need treatment, especially pregnant women and children, will be accommodated," said Portera.

The community health center in Barangay Suklayin is one of the three development projects carried out under the Engineer Civic Action Program of Balikatan Exercise 38-2023, the two others being a health center in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, and a multi-purpose hall project in Antique.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/4/29/balikatan-exercise-38-23-afp-usaf-turns-over-completed-health-care-facility-in-aurora

Antique village hails P1.7-M all-purpose building from Balikatan

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 29, 2023): Antique village hails P1.7-M all-purpose building from Balikatan (By Annabel Consuelo Petinglay)

GIFT FROM BALIKATAN. This multi-purpose building that sits on the grounds of the Inabasan Elementary School in Sibalom town, Antique province was built by Philippine and US Balikatan forces and was turned over to the Antique provincial government on April 27, 2023. The PHP 1.7-million building and other assistance given to the Inabasan Elementary School are part of the Engineering Civic Action Program of the Balikatan Exercises in Western Visayas. (Photo courtesy of Ramil Agting)

SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – The Antique provincial government on Saturday said the PHP 1.7 million multi-purpose building built and turned over by the Philippine and United States Balikatan forces in a poor community in this province will be of great service to the residents, especially its learners.

In an interview, Office of the Peace and Order and Public Safety (POPS) consultant Margie Gadian said the building, constructed at the Inabasan Elementary School in Sibalom town, was turned over by Balikatan Forces last April 27.

“For identified poor areas ilike Inabasan to be a recipient of such project is really a big thing,” she said.

Gadian added that aside from serving as a school building, it could also be used as an evacuation center whenever the Inabasan River overflows, a temporary shelter for abused children, and any other uses that may arise.

In a separate interview, Inabasan Elementary School head Ramil Agting said they also plan to use the building as a reading center and program venue.

The school, which is about five kilometers away from the Sibalom town proper, has about 154 learners from Kinder to Grade 6, with seven classroom teachers, aside from their school head.

However, the school head noted that the actual use of the multi-purpose building would be stipulated in the memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Antique and their school which is now being drafted by the legal division.

Agting pointed out that aside from the multi-purpose building, they were also fortunate to receive office supplies and equipment that included eight laptops, three television sets, two projectors, and four printers, among others, from the Balikatan forces.

He said they also received medical supplies.

The multi-purpose building and other assistance given to the Inabasan Elementary School are part of the Engineering Civic Action Program of the Balikatan Exercises between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the US Pacific Command during the Balikatan Exercises 38-23 in Western Visayas.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1200406

PH, US expected to mount ‘more complex’ Balikatan next year: US ambassador

From ABS-CBN (Apr 29, 2023): PH, US expected to mount ‘more complex’ Balikatan next year: US ambassador (Katrina Domingo)

US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson during the closing ceremony for the Philippines United exercise Balikatan 38-2023 at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on April 28, 2023. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

PULILAN, Bulacan — The Philippines and the United States are expected to mount a “more complex” and “more challenging” Balikatan exercises in next year after the traditional allies recently concluded its biggest military exercise earlier this month, United States Ambassador to the Philippines Marykay Carlson said on Saturday.

This year’s Balikatan exercises, where over 17,000 Filipino, American and Australian troops participated, “was very impressive” and was “absolutely the most complex we have ever done,” Carlson said during a forum here.

“Interoperability is hard… When you have ships that arrive on the eastern side of the Philippins, unload equipment, transfer over to the Sierra Madre mountains… These are practical things you need to do in the wake of a natural disaster,” she said.


“They will continue to make the complexity even more challenging because that is what we need to do to meet the challenges of the real world,” she said.

“We can expect the complexities to grow,” she added, noting that officials involved in the Balikatan games are expected to begin planning for next year’s exercises soon.

READ: PH, US soldiers conduct combat simulation drills

READ: PH-US troops sink mock enemy ship in live fire drills in Zambales

It is important for Manila and Washington to “strengthen our alliance so that we are better able to respond” to challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, Carlson said.

The Philippines and the US should “show that we continue to work together as allies, to show that we have mechanisms in place to confront any challenges along the way,” she said.

“What happens here is critical to what happens in the Indo-Pacific region,” she said.

“We’ve seen some threats to this region, probably more in the last several years… Challenges to the rules-based international order through provocations in the West Philippine Sea,” she said.

The US envoy made no mention of particular countries, but the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) earlier sought for an international condemnation of the latest swarming of Chinese militia ships near Julian Felipe Reef, which is part of the West Philippine Sea.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is also mulling to file a diplomatic action over the near collision of a vessels in the disputed waters after a Chinese Coast Guard ship blocked Philippine patrol vessels near the Ayungin Shoal.

READ: Chinese, Philippine vessels in 'David and Goliath' near-crash

READ: China says Philippine boat's 'provocative action' caused near-crash

READ: PCG seeks int'l condemnation of latest swarming of China militia ships near Julian Felipe Reef

Amid these tensions, US President Joe Biden is expected to announce Washington’s continuous support for Manila during Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s trip to the US next week, the Ambassador said.

“I’m certain that at their meeting at the White House, President Biden will reaffirm the strong friendship between our 2 countries,” Carlson said.

“We are not only friends partners and allies, we are family… Those connections are deep and they are very, very strong,” she said, noting that ties between the Philippines and the United State also sprawl in the areas of education, business and sports.

The Philippines is the United States’ oldest treaty ally in Asia. The two countries share the Mutual Defense Treaty, which guaranties that one party will come to the aid of the other in the event of an attack.

The two countries have also signed the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, which allows US troops to use and enter several military bases in the Philippines. This agreement was expanded recently from 5 accessible bases to 9, with the 4 new bases strategically situated either near the West Philippine Sea of Taiwan.

“The benefit of our close partnership is it improved the lives of communities in both our countries,” Carlson said.

Carlson is expected to fly to Washington D.C. on Saturday, ahead of Marcos Jr.’s departure on April 30.

Marcos Jr. will stay in the US until April 4, and will then leave to attend King Charles III’s coronation in London next weekend.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/29/23/ph-us-expected-to-mount-more-complex-balikatan-next-year

PH, US to discuss planned joint naval sails in Indo-Pacific after success of Balikatan

From the Manila Bulletin (Apr 29, 2023): PH, US to discuss planned joint naval sails in Indo-Pacific after success of Balikatan (By MARTIN SADONGDONG)

AT A GLANCE

• The Philippines and the United States have agreed to finalize their plans of conducting joint naval sails in the waters encompassing the Indo-Pacific region, the Department of National Defense (DND) bared Saturday, April 29.
• It was DND Officer in Charge (OIC) Senior Undersecretary Galvez Jr. who pitched to Admiral John Aquilino, commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), the finalization of the two countries’ plans to hold joint naval sails during the culmination of Exercise Balikatan 2023.

The Philippines and the United States have agreed to finalize their plans of conducting joint naval sails in the waters encompassing the Indo-Pacific region, the Department of National Defense (DND) bared Saturday, April 29.

(President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. witnesses the sinking exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and United States Armed Forces where troops try to sink BRP Pangasinan by firing a variety of weapons as part of Exercise Balikatan 2023 in San Antonio, Zambales on April 26, 2023. File photo via Manila Bulletin)

It was DND Officer in Charge (OIC) Senior Undersecretary Carlito Galvez Jr. who pitched to Admiral John Aquilino, commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), the finalization of the two countries’ plans to hold joint naval sails during the culmination of Exercise Balikatan 2023.

“Galvez suggested the finalization of joint sails by the Philippine and US navies, as well as Joint Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Operations at the soonest possible time,” said DND Spokesperson Arsenio Andolong.

In response, Andolong stated that Aquilino expressed the US INDOPACOM’s readiness to conduct such “cooperative deployments” to “protect the global commons, freedom of navigation, and maintain a free, open, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”

“Both parties agreed to embark on the mechanisms to pave the way for strengthening our two countries' collective defense and alliance in the near future,” Andolong stressed.

The latest endeavor to iron out the details of the joint naval sails between the Philippines and US came after the final day of the 38th iteration of Balikatan on Friday, April 28. The war games involved 17,600 troops from the two countries, making it the biggest iteration of the activity in almost four decades.

There were also 100 active participants from Australia as well as military contingents from observer-nations including Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, Japan, South Korea, India, France, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

For Galvez, the increased security cooperation between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the US Armed Forces, as well as the sustained implementation of the 2014 Enhanced Defense Security Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), will further hone the interoperability of the Filipino and American troops.

“This will not only enable the AFP to protect and defend Philippine territory, sovereign rights and sovereignty, but also enable it to contribute significantly to peace and stability in the region and fulfill its obligations as a responsible member of the international community,” he noted.

Last month, the DND and the US Department of Defense (DoD) had revealed their intention to conduct joint patrols in the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea (WPS) where the Philippines and China have overlapping territorial claims.

The plan was raised again during the third US-Philippines 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in Washington, D.C. last April 11.

At the ministerial dialogue, Galvez, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Sec. Enrique Manalo vowed to finalize plans for the conduct of combined maritime activities, including joint sails by the Philippine Navy and US Navy, in the South China Sea.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/4/29/ph-us-to-discuss-planned-joint-naval-sails-in-indo-pacific-after-success-of-balikatan

What China needs to get right about the Philippines

Posted to the Observer Research Foundation (India) (Apr 29, 2023): What China needs to get right about the Philippines (By DON MCLAIN GILL)

Manila wants to have good ties with Beijing, but it will not allow itself to be subjugated to China’s narrowly defined objectives in the region

China’s Foreign Minister Qin Gang’s visit to the Philippines from 21–23 April 2023 comes at a critical time when the relationship between Manila and Beijing continues to face several notable challenges. China is concerned about the strengthening alliance between the Philippines and the United States (US) and the implications of the latter’s increasing military presence in the Southeast Asian region for the security of Taiwan. The Chinese foreign minister’s trip to the Southeast Asian country just over a week after the start of the annual BALIKATAN exercise between the Philippine and American militaries also indicates Beijing’s desire to manage and potentially diffuse bilateral tensions with Manila. However, unless China will be willing to let go of its egoistic and assertive regional ambitions, it is unlikely that such a visit will result in a significant and long-lasting improvement in its relations with its Southeast Asian neighbour.

It must be highlighted that when President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. began to forge his foreign policy vision for the Philippines, he gave China the benefit of the doubt by emphasising Manila’s desire to manage relations with its largest immediate neighbour through proactive and constructive dialogue. Therefore, by highlighting its intent to improve relations with China, the Marcos administration effectively placed the ball in Beijing’s court. However, the problem is that the incumbent Chinese regime seeks to solidify its national political power by fuelling nationalist sentiments through assertive foreign policy approaches. This limits any room for peaceful or practical diplomacy from Beijing due to fears of seeming weak at home. This political reality under the leadership of President Xi Jinping continues to show how China remains notoriously inconsistent when it comes to its political statements and what it practically does on the ground.

The provocative statements by the Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines regarding the safety of the nearly 200,000 Filipino overseas workers in Taiwan in times of conflict serve as another point towards this unfortunate pattern.

Just weeks after the noteworthy pledges made by Marcos and Xi in January to manage tensions in the South China Sea, China reverted to its assertive manoeuvres against Philippine sovereignty and sovereignty within the Southeast Asian country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). More recently, the provocative statements by the Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines regarding the safety of the nearly 200,000 Filipino overseas workers in Taiwan in times of conflict serve as another point towards this unfortunate pattern. Therefore, taking the rational course of action, Manila sought to leverage its alliance with the US to enhance its abilities to safeguard its territorial integrity more effectively amid the increasing threats posed by a rising and assertive China.

However, it must be noted that for the Philippines, the alliance with the US is a means to an end and not an end in itself. What this means is that given the fluctuations and shifts taking place in the regional geopolitical landscape, the role of the US as a traditional security provider comes second to none. Hence, it is inevitable for Manila to seek to harness and maximise the potential of the alliance to achieve an end or more efficiently bolster the Philippines’ territorial defence capabilities, military modernisation programme, and defence network dynamics. This also means that while Manila and Washington will continue to deepen their cooperation in areas of mutual interest and concern, the former will not seek to be engulfed by alliance or bloc politics as a primary catalyst for its external relations.

This was evident when the Philippine National Security Council stated that Manila does not seek to interfere or meddle in Taiwan’s affairs. Manila is well aware that by virtue of geography, socioeconomics, and the responsibilities under the treaty alliance, the security situation in Taiwan is greatly linked to the Philippines’. However, this does not mean that Manila will seek to play an active role in adding more fuel to the fire by provoking the already volatile US-China power competition. The Philippines’ primary security interests lie in the protection of its sovereignty and sovereign rights more than anything else. It is in this light that Beijing must better comprehend its relations with the Philippines.

Manila is well aware that by virtue of geography, socioeconomics, and the responsibilities under the treaty alliance, the security situation in Taiwan is greatly linked to the Philippines’.

Manila’s foreign policy remains autonomous in a sense that despite the intensifying US-China power competition in the Western Pacific, the Philippines still seeks to engage proactively with Beijing through diplomatic and peaceful to more effectively manage ties and mitigate any potential tensions, particularly in the maritime domain. Manila has emphasised this time and again.

The problem, therefore, which China seeks to highlight, is its own doing. Beijing cannot continue using the strengthening Philippines-US alliance as an excuse to justify its assertive and provocative actions within the Philippine EEZ. It is not only illogical but also shows its inability to understand the messages and signals Manila has been clearly conveying since the beginning of this administration. The ball remains in China’s court. If Beijing seeks to create a more conducive regional environment, particularly in the context of its relations with the Philippines, it must be willing to set aside its egoistic ambitions and demonstrate its commitment to act as a better neighbour. There is no doubt that Manila wants to have good and productive relations with Beijing, but it will not allow itself to be subjugated to China’s narrowly defined objectives in the region, which continue to come at the expense of the Philippines’ sovereignty and sovereign rights.

[Don McLain Gill is the director for South & Southeast Asia at the Philippines-Middle East Studies Association (PMESA)]

https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/what-china-needs-to-get-right-about-the-philippines/

BK 2023 seeks ways to be more interoperable, more collaborative

From the Manila Times (Apr 30, 2023): BK 2023 seeks ways to be more interoperable, more collaborative

THE Philippines and the United States have a strong, diverse medical force. For these two countries, it is great to get themselves together where they can identify their collective strengths and opportunities for improvement which can be accelerated together as partners.

At the recent Balikatan 23: Health Service Support-Senior Leadership Symposium held at The Westin Manila, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Surgeon General Col. Fatima Claire Navarro said, "As a family, we can work together on doing our readiness components interoperability and collaboration."

"One of the important highlights was the senior leaders' symposium, where we get to share our ideas and best practices as well as learn from each other so that we can be more effective as leaders in operating our health service support," Navarro added.

BK 2023 presents a real opportunity to understand each other better, to form those relationships and to really integrate as a joint force between two important allies here in the Pacific.

"Slowly, we are also on the road of improving our facilities infrastructure, enhancing our training and the capacity of our personnel," Navarro said.

This has been put as part of the AFP transformation roadmap, she said. "And that direction is for us to really empower our personnel in terms of training, to also develop our infrastructure, etc. We can do that if we have the people who know what needs to be done."

With his fellow component surgeons, US Pacific Fleet Surgeon Capt. Michael McGinnis said, "We can work shoulder to shoulder in the spirit of Balikatan, better understanding each other's forces, our capabilities, and how we can better support each other as allies and partners."

Commanding General of the 18th Medical Command Maj. Gen. Paula Lodi said having the symposium in conjunction with Balikatan really helps take their thinking to a place where they would be able to operationalize that thinking on the ground at the tactical level.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/04/30/public-square/bk-2023-seeks-ways-to-be-more-interoperable-more-collaborative/1889220

Information and effects fusion center cited as key to the successful live fire exercise in Balikatan 2023

 From the Manila Bulletin (Apr 29, 2023): Information and effects fusion center cited as key to the successful live fire exercise in Balikatan 2023 (By FREDDIE LAZARO)

CAMP AQUINO, Tarlac City – The combined information and effects fusion center were cited as the key to the successful conduct of the Combined Joint Littoral Live Fire Exercise (CJLLFEX) on Wednesday, April 26, according to Commodore Karl A. Decapia, Joint Task Force-Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) commander of the exercise.

The CJLLFEX is one of the significant and successful highlights of the just conducted US-PH Balikatan Exercise 2023.

"As the joint task force commander, I am extremely proud of the level of coordination and integration that we were able to achieve between the US and Philippine forces during the CJLLFEX,” said Decapia, current Nolcom deputy commander.

“Our centralized and strategic controlling body, the Combined Information and Effects Fusion Center, allowed us to efficiently manage and execute the operation. The seamless fusion of ground, air, and human components resulted in the precise targeting and engagement of a hostile vessel. This exercise demonstrated our readiness and commitment to maintaining regional peace and stability," added Decapia.

The CJLLFEX took place in San Antonio, Zambales, with the Combined Information and Effects Fusion Center (CIEFC) in Camp Aquino, San Miguel, Tarlac City serving as the controlling body for the entire operation.

The CIEFC is a combined element that has a repository of information collection capabilities which is not seen at the CJLLFEX site in San Antonio, Zambales.

The CIEFC combines ground, air, and human components to collect information and create a target set, which is then used to determine the appropriate weapon to prosecute and hold the target in custody.

With the guidance of the JTF commander, the CIEFC supported and allowed the joint and combined force to synchronize all assets to increase the timeliness of prosecuting the target within any area and domain in the Philippine region manifesting the expertise and collaboration of the participating teams.

The CJLLFEX had displayed a unique highlight in the form of a sinking exercise involving the Philippine Navy's decommissioned BRP Pangasinan (PS-31), a corvette from World War II.

Designated as an adversarial vessel for the drill, the PS-31 has been positioned 12 nautical miles away from the coastal waters of San Antonio. It was targeted to be sunk using a range of sophisticated weaponry such as the High-Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, Avenger air defense systems, AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, Philippine Air Force FA-50 Golden Eagle fighter-attack aircraft, F-16 Fighting Falcons, US Marine F-35B Joint Strike Fighters, and a US Air Force Special Operations Command AC-130 Spectre gunship.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. personally witnessed the CJLLFEX wherein around 1,400 military personnel from both countries participated in the training, which focused on detecting, identifying, targeting, and engaging a target ship using ground and air-based weapons systems.

The 38th iteration of the Balikatan is the largest to date, with approximately 17,600 participants taking part to enhance the capabilities of both the US and Philippine forces in areas such as maritime security, amphibious operations, live fire training, urban and aviation operations, cyber defense, counterterrorism, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness.

Through this exercise, both countries continue to develop interoperability and strengthen their bilateral relationship.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/4/29/information-and-effects-fusion-center-cited-as-key-to-the-successful-live-fire-exercise-in-balikatan-2023

Soldier shot and wounded by militiamen in Northern Samar

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Apr 29, 2023): Soldier shot and wounded by militiamen in Northern Samar (By: Joey Gabieta)

Northern Samar map. INQUIRER FILES

TACLOBAN CITY — A soldier was shot and wounded by still unknown assailants believed to be members of a hit squad of the communist armed group in Las Navas town, Northern Samar on Friday evening, April 28.

Cpl. Dennis Surio, a member of the intelligence unit of the 20th Infantry Battalion (IB) based in Las Navas town, was on his way to Catubig town, also in Northern Samar, on board a motorcycle when the perpetrators shot him.

Surio, who sustained a gunshot wound in his collar bone, was taken to a district hospital in Catubig town by the members of the brigade’s quick response team.

He was already in a stable condition.

Meanwhile, a former member of the New People’s Army (NPA) voluntarily surrendered to Mayor Fawa Batula of Palapag town, also in Northern Samar, on Friday, April 28.

The former rebel, identified as “Ka Estong,” also surrendered his caliber 38 pistol.

He was a member of the Sandatahang Unit Pangpropaganda, Front Command 15, sub-regional committee Artic of the communist group operating in Northern Samar, where two guerilla fronts of the communist armed group are existing.

The decision of the former rebel to surrender was welcomed by Lt. Col.Joemar Buban, the commanding officer of the 20th IB.

He encouraged those still fighting with the government to give up and return to the folds of the law.

“To those who continue to fight against the government, the government is open and ready to welcome you so you may live a normal life together with your respective family members,” Buban said in a statement.

RELATED STORIES:
Soldier wounded after clash with NPA near Wawa Dam in Rizal
Soldier, 3 others killed in Basilan shooting

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1762801/soldier-shot-and-wounded-by-militiamen-in-northern-samar

NPA rebel killed, comrade captured in Negros Oriental skirmish

From the Manila Bulletin (Apr 29, 2023): NPA rebel killed, comrade captured in Negros Oriental skirmish (By GLAZYL MASCULINO)

BACOLOD CITY – A New People’s Army rebel was killed while his comrade was captured in a clash with troops of the Army 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) in Sitio Malatanglad, Barangay Budlasan, Canlaon City, Negros Oriental on Friday, April 28.

The Army identified the slain rebel as Anthony Curson, alias “Miguel,” a member of Central Negros 1.

Captured was Leonido Montero, alias “Lanie” and “Dindo,” also a suspected member of Central Negros 1, according to the Army.

Soldiers were responding to information on the presence of an armed group in the area when they engaged five NPA rebels in a five-minute firefight.

Recovered from the encounter site were two .45 caliber pistols with two magazines and two sling bags. No casualty was reported on the government side.

According to the 62nd IB, Montero was arrested on arrest warrants for murder, illegal possession of explosives, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, violation of Republic Act (RA) 8294 or the Unlawful Manufacture, Sale, Acquisition, Disposition, or Possession of Firearms or Ammunition or Instruments Used or Intended to be Used in the Manufacture of Firearms or Ammunition, and RA 7166 or the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines, issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 64 in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.

The 62nd IB said that they are continuously intensifying its focused military operations to stop the atrocities of the remaining members of Central Negros 1 to sustain the peace and development in Negros Island.

In his message, Major Gen. Marion Sison, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division (ID), lauded the operating troops for responding immediately to information from locals on the whereabouts of the NPA rebels.

“The outcome of the recent encounters is a clear indicator that the NPA can no longer mislead the people of Negros,” Sison said.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/4/28/npa-rebel-killed-comrade-captured-in-negros-oriental-skirmish

MILF members drop aliases as they embrace civilian status

From ABS-CBN (Apr 29, 2023): MILF members drop aliases as they embrace civilian status

Acting Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Secretary Isidro Purisima attends the ceremonial distribution of Certificates of Live Birth to Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants at Camp Bilal in Munai, Lanao del Norte on April 27, 2023. Courtesy of the OPAPRU Facebook account

MANILA - Some fighters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have started to drop their nom de guerre as they go through the decommissioning process under the Bangsamoro peace agreement, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) said Saturday.

A number of decommissioned and non-decommissioned MILF combatants received their Certificates of Live Birth through the ‘Access to Legal Identity and Social Services for Decommissioned Combatants’ (ALIAS-DC) Project last Thursday in Camp Bilal in Munai, Lanao del Norte, the OPAPRU said.

READ: Decommissioning of MILF fighters resumes

“Sa pamamagitan ng proyektong ito, mabibigyang kilanlan ang ating mga kapatid na MILF. Dahil dito ay magkakaroon na sila kapasidad na magsagawa ng mga legal na transaksyon sa iba’t ibang ahensya ng gobyerno at makatanggap ng socio-economic assistance mula sa mga ito tulad ng Philhealth coverage, scholarship grants at marami pang iba,” said Acting Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Secretary Isidro Purisima, who attended the ceremonial distribution.

READ: From rebels to rulers, MILF faces new ‘struggle’ in Bangsamoro governance

ALIAS-DC will be rolled out in the six-acknowledged MILF camps in Lanao province, Maguindanao and Cotabato, and also covers the families of MILF combatants, and residents of MILF communities.

The project is being implemented by the Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment Through Alternative Legal Services (IDEALS) Program, with funding from the European Union, Australian Embassy in the Philippines, Japan, and The Asia Foundation.

Ten months since the launch of ALIAS-DC, IDEALS was already able to accommodate 35,665 civil registration applications, which is 112 percent of its 31,715 target, the OPAPRU said.

So far, 1,156 Certificates of Live Birth have been distributed since March of this year, it added.

According to former MILF Commander and now Member of the Parliament Abdullah Macapaar, previously known as Commander Bravo, his comrades who have acquired their Certificates of Live Birth can already live "normal and productive lives as members of civil society afterwards."

READ: Lack of opportunity' still hounds Moros almost a decade since peace pact

READ: Palace allows renegade commander to join new Bangsamoro gov't - MILF

The Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro was signed in March 2014 between the Philippine government under the leadership of then-President Benigno Aquino III and the MILF, concluding 17 years of negotiations between the two parties.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/29/23/milf-members-drop-aliases-as-they-embrace-civilian-status

Charges filed vs BIFF men in bus bombing in Sultan Kudarat

From the Manila Bulletin (Apr 29, 2023): Charges filed vs BIFF men in bus bombing in Sultan Kudarat (By JOSEPH JUBELAG)

ISULAN, Sultan Kudarat – Police have filed charges against suspected members of a local terrorist group responsible for detonating an improvised explosive device on a passenger bus here which injured seven persons on April 17.

Police Col. Christopher Bermudez, Sultan Kudarat police director, said charges for frustrater murder and violation of the Anti-Terrorism Act were filed against nine members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters who were tagged responsible in the bombing of the bus owned by Husky Tours while it was stationed at the public transport terminal here.

He said two of the nine suspects served as couriers who posed as passengers and planted the two IEDs on the double-decker bus while enroute from Cotabato City to here.

The secondary improvised bomb placed on the upper deck of the bus failed to explode.

Police said the seven other suspects acted as planners and logistical providers during the execution of the bomb attack.

The Islamic State-inspired local terror group BIFF has been blamed for the spate of passenger bus bombings in Central Mindanao in the past years.

Bermudez ordered a manhunt operation against the suspects who are reportedly holed up in Maguindanao province.

He said the Moro Islamic Liberation Front has vowed to help authorities arrest the suspects.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/4/29/charges-filed-vs-biff-men-in-bus-bombing-in-sultan-kudarat

BIFF ‘bomb courier’ killed in Maguindanao del Sur

From the Philippine Star (Apr 30, 2023): BIFF ‘bomb courier’ killed in Maguindanao del Sur (John Unson)

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — A suspected bomb courier of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) was killed in an alleged shootout with soldiers and policemen in Maguindanao del Sur on Thursday.

Bansir Samaon opened fire at law enforcers serving an arrest warrant in Barangay Madia in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town, Lt. Col. Michael Glenn Manansala, 6th Infantry Battalion commander, said.

“The soldiers and policemen involved in the operation were forced to neutralize him,” Manansala said.

Samaon was a courier of improvised explosive devices of a BIFF faction led by Kagui Karialan, according to villagers and the relatives of the fatality.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/04/30/2262594/biff-bomb-courier-killed-maguindanao-del-sur

4 more BIFF experts in IED fabrication yield

From the Philippine Star (Apr 29, 2023): 4 more BIFF experts in IED fabrication yield (By John Unson)

The four members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters turned in rifles and explosives before they pledged allegiance to the government.   Philstar.com / John Unson

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Four more members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters trained in fabrication of improvised explosive devices surrendered to the Army Friday.

They first turned in two .30 caliber Garand rifles, an M14 rifle, a bolt-action sniper rifle and explosives before they renounced their membership with the BIFF during a simple surrender rite at Camp Leono in Barangay Kalandagan in Tacurong City.

Major Gen. Alex Rillera, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said Saturday the four men agreed to return to the fold of law through the intercession of the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade and local officials in central Mindanao’s adjoining Maguindanao del Sur and Sultan Kudarat provinces.

Local officials, among them members of the municipal peace and order council in Sultan sa Barongis, said Saturday the four erstwhile BIFF members, whose names were withheld for their safety, belonged to a group tagged in recent bombings of buses in central Mindanao.

Rillera said Col. Andre Santos of the 1st Mechanized Brigade, his subordinate-officers in the 1st Mechanized Battalion and the local government unit of Sultan sa Barongis in Maguindanao del Sur cooperated in securing their surrender via backchannel dialogues.

More than 300 members of the BIFF and its allies Dawlah Islamiya and Al-Khobar had surrendered to units of 6th ID since 2021.

All three terrorist groups have a reputation for fomenting hatred for non-Muslims and for bombing public conveyances and establishments if owners refuse to shell out “protection money” on a monthly basis.

 
https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/04/29/2262589/4-more-biff-experts-ied-fabrication-yield

CPP/CIO: Notice: On the takedown of our Twitter accounts

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (Apr 29, 2023): Notice: On the takedown of our Twitter accounts

 


Marco Valbuena

Chief Information Officer

Communist Party of the Philippines

April 29, 2023

Yesterday, Twitter accounts of the Philippine Revolution Web Central (@prwc_info3), Ang Bayan (@cpp_angbayan), of Marco Valbuena (@cpp_mv) and several others were suspended or taken down without warning.

The takedown was carried out a week after the Party exposed the fascist crime of the Philippine military in the torture and killing of CPP leaders Benito and Wilma Tiamzon and the massacre of the Catbalogan 10. It also comes a few days after the successful celebration of the 50th anniversary of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and amid resounding calls to fight the Marcos regime’s subservience to US geopolitical interests.

Undoubtedly, this is part of the permanent online crackdown against the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and other groups to silence anti-imperialist dissent and prevent the spread of the message of revolutionary resistance in the country.

This crackdown by Twitter, surely instigated by the US and Marcos governments, further exposes the hypocrisy of “absolute freedom” which supposedly exists in the Twitter platform, and form part of the heightening suppression of the freedom of speech under rising fascism worldwide.

Despite this crackdown and all efforts to silence the people’s revolutionary voice, we will continue to work to make their grievances and aspirations be heard in social media and other online platforms. We will try to re-establish soon our accounts on Twitter. Meanwhile, you can continue to follow the Party and the Philippine revolution at:

https://philippinerevolution.nu

and the following accounts:

Element Public Room: #prwc_newsroom:matrix.org

You can email us at:

Philippine Revolution Web Central: prwc@cpp.ph
Ang Bayan: angbayan@cpp.ph
CPP Chief Information Officer: marcovalbuena@cpp.ph
CPP Information Bureau: informationbureau@cpp.ph

https://philippinerevolution.nu/statements/notice-on-the-takedown-of-our-twitter-accounts/

Kalinaw News: Leaders and members of People's Organization in Oriental Mindoro condemned the NPA's massacre of Mangyan natives

Posted to the Kalinaw News Facebook Page (Apr 29, 2023): Leaders and members of People's Organization in Oriental Mindoro condemned the NPA's massacre of Mangyan natives

Read: https://rb.gy/e6r0i

NPA TERRORIST CONDEMNED FOR KILLING NATIVE MANGYANS

BANSUD, ORIENTAL MINDORO – April 27th of the current year, Brgy Pag-asa, Bansud, Oriental Mindoro, reached twenty-five members and leaders (25) of various People's Organizations (POs) from the whole province of Oriental Mindoro attended and joined in the "CONDEMNATION RALLY" against the CPP-NPA-NDF Terrorist group, regarding the abduction and merciless killing by the NPA terrorists of the indigenous Mangyan soldier Pvt Mayuay Onaw (Inf) PA, assigned to 4th Infantry Battalion.

The rally began with the offering of a sincere prayer by Pastor Iting L Samuel, a Mangyan native from the Tau-Buhid tribe and President of the PO's of Sitio Mungos, Bgy. Hagan, Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro for the late indigenous soldier and for the peace of the entire Mindoro and to end the disturbance of the Terrorist NPA in their community.

The burning of the flag of the CPP-NPA Terrorist group by the indigenous Mangyan people symbolized the rejection of the Terrorist Group and acceptance of the government's goal to improve the condition of every indigenous Mangyan in every community here on the island of Mindoro.

Our indigenous brothers also promised to fearlessly and immediately report the presence of the terrorist group to the nearest authorities and local government. Also the repulsion and rejection of their people against the said enemies of the people.

TAGALOG TRANSLATION

TERORISTANG NPA KINONDENA SA PAG PATAY SA MGA KATUTUBONG MANGYAN

BANSUD, ORIENTAL MINDORO – Ika-27 ng Abril taong kasalukuyan, Brgy Pag-asa, Bansud, Oriental Mindoro, umabot sa dalawampu’t limang miyembro at mga pinuno (25) ng iba’t ibang People’s Organization (POs) mula sa buong lalawigan ng Oriental Mindoro ang dumalo at nakiisa sa “CONDEMNATION RALLY” laban sa Teroristang grupong CPP-NPA-NDF, patungkol sa pag dukot at walang awang pagpatay ng mga teroristang NPA sa sundalong katutubong mangyan na si Pvt Mayuay Onaw (Inf) PA, nakatalaga sa 4th Infantry Battalion.

Nag umpisa ang naturang rally sa pag-aalay ng mataimtim na panalangin ni Pastor Iting L Samuel, isang katutubong mangyan mula sa tribong Tau-Buhid at Presidente ng PO’s ng Sitio Mungos, Bgy. Hagan, Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro para sa yumaong sundalong katutubo at para sa kapayapaan ng buong Mindoro at tuluyan ng wakasan ang panggugulo ng Teroristang NPA sa kanilang komunidad.

Naging parte ng aktibidades din ang pagsunog sa bandera ng Teroristang grupong CPP-NPA ng mga katutubong mangyan na nagsisimbolo ng pag waksi sa Teroristang Grupo at pagtanggap sa layunin ng gobyerno na mapabuti ang kalagayan ng bawat katutubong mangyan sa bawat komunidad dito sa Isla ng Mindoro.

Nangako din ang mga kapatid nating mga katutubo na walang takot at agarang pagsusumbong sa mga malalapit na awtoridad at lokal na pamahalaan sa presensiya ng teroristang grupo. Gayundin ang pagtaboy at pagtanggi ng kanilang mamayan sa mga nasabing kalaban ng bayan.

#StrongUnitedReliable

#PhilArmy
#ARMY126









[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.]

https://www.facebook.com/kalinawnews/photos/pcb.2231518607056146/2231518533722820/

https://www.facebook.com/kalinawnews/

Kalinaw News: 4th Infantry "Scorpion" Battalion apprehends 2 NPA personalities in combat operations in Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro

Posted to the Kalinaw News Facebook Page (Apr 29, 2023): 4th Infantry "Scorpion" Battalion apprehends 2 NPA personalities in combat operations in Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro

Read: https://rb.gy/iruns

Soldiers capture 2 NPA rebels in Oriental Mindoro

Two New People’s Army members have been captured by troops conducting combat operations in Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro on Wednesday, April 26, 2023.

Soldiers from the 4th Infantry “Scorpion” Battalion were conducting combat operations at Sitio Haguines in Barangay Wasig when they captured two armed personalities identified as Ka Aryo, the second Deputy Secretary of KLG MAV from the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee’s Sub-Regional Military Area 4D, and alias Luoise, the supply officer of KLG MAV’s Platun Serna and a former liaison of Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee’s Regional Staff.

Among the items seized by the troops include one Intratec LUGER UZI sub-machine gun, one M1 Carbine rifle, one magazine loaded with 24 rounds of ammunition, 22 rounds of Cal. 45 live ammunition, an improvised hand grenade, 2 blasting caps, 8 mobile phones, a tablet, 2 power banks, 6 cellphone chargers, pocket wifi, 2 memory cards, 7 USB flash drives, 4 sim cards, medical supplies, subversive documents, and other personal belongings.

Currently, the two personalities are undergoing custodial debriefing. This development comes only a day after one soldier was held and later killed while returning home in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. These incidents speak of the CPP-NPA-NDF’s violence and disregard for human lives as opposed to the military’s thrusts of advocating peace instead of unjustly killing the rebels they capture.

“We are consistently working with our partners from the security sector, the LGUs, and other key stakeholders in upholding the rule of the law. We are also grateful for the efforts and cooperation of our kababayans that resulted in the apprehension of these wanted NPA rebels. With this, we continue to urge those who are still in arms to return to the folds of the law so as not to suffer the same fate as these rebels,” 2nd Infantry “Jungle Fighter” Division Commander Maj. Gen. Roberto S. Capulong said in a statement.

#StrongUnitedReliable
#PhilArmy
#ARMY126

[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.]

https://www.facebook.com/kalinawnews/photos/pcb.2231648550376485/223164849704315

https://www.facebook.com/kalinawnews/

Meeting held to provide livelihood opportunities to former rebels

From Palawan News (Apr 28, 2023): Meeting held to provide livelihood opportunities to former rebels

Peace and Order Program director retired police colonel Gabriel Lopez sits in the middle of the panel to represent Governor Victorino Dennis Socrates.

A meeting was conducted Thursday in the city with the goal of providing former rebels with employment opportunities and alleviating poverty in areas where the New People’s Army (NPA) had fostered the ideology of rebellion.

The Poverty Reduction, Livelihood, and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) of the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF ELCAC) held its first meeting for the purpose yesterday, April 27, at a hotel in the city, according to the Palawan Provincial Information Office (PIO).

The meeting was attended by Peace and Order Program director retired police colonel Gabriel Lopez, who represented Governor Victorino Dennis Socrates as chairman of PTF ELCAC, and was presided over by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) provincial director Vivian Abueva.

The focus of the discussion was on the Implementing Guidelines on Poverty Reduction Livelihood and Employment cluster, as well as the Barangay Development Program.

This was followed by the Integration of KASIMBAYANAN of the Philippine National Police and presentation of accomplishments by TESDA, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), thr Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

The purpose of the PRLEC is to wean former rebels away from the mindset of fighting against the government by providing them with possibilities for gainful employment and working to alleviate poverty in areas known to be afflicted by the NPA.

The PRLEC is composed of 27 member agencies, including national, local, law enforcement agencies, and private institutions.

https://palawan-news.com/meeting-held-to-provide-livelihood-opportunities-to-former-rebels/

As regional tensions rise, PH eyes ‘bigger’ Balikatan in 2024

From Rappler (Apr 28, 2023): As regional tensions rise, PH eyes ‘bigger’ Balikatan in 2024 (By RYAN MACASERO)

The 2023 Balikatan exercises close with rising tension in the South China Sea in the backdrop

MANILA, Philippines – No further proof was needed. As a simple ceremony on Friday, April 28, marked the close of the largest ever joint Balikatan exercises between the Philippines and the United States, the country’s coast guard revealed it was again bullied by Chinese vessels in the Ayungin Shoal.

And as the latest bullying in Philippine waters punctuated the Balikatan closing ceremony in Camp Aguinaldo, the chief of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief said they were eyeing even bigger war games with the US for 2024.

“What we’ll be planning after this is next year’s iteration. Cycle ito, pagkatapos nito (this is a cycle, after this), there is a whole year of preparation of what needs to be improved or refined,” AFP chief General Andres Centino, told the press at the sidelines at the end of the 38th Balikatan exercises.

“Kung nakita natin, if there’s a need, dagdagan natin (If we look at it, and there’s a need, let’s make it bigger). It would be better,” Centino said.

Although military officials previously said the expanded exercises were not targeted toward any country, the rising tension in the region did not go unnoticed at the conclusion of the exercises held at the general headquarters of the AFP.

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Chinese, Philippine vessels almost crash near Ayungin Shoal – PH Coast Guard

Prior to Friday’s closing of Balikatan, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) released information about an April 23 incident involving a near-crash between Chinese and Philippine vessels. The PCG also disclosed that it spotted nearly 100 alleged Chinese maritime vessels in the West Philippine Sea.

“In the past few years, we have seen more threats to the region than we have in the past few decades combined. These include challenges to the rules-based international order via provocations in the South China Sea, as well as global issues like climate change, environmental degradation, and water scarcity,” US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said.

‘No ordinary Balikatan’

Retired general Carlito Galvez, the officer-in-charge of the Department of Defense, said that this was a Balikatan of many firsts.

“This was no ordinary iteration [of Balikatan]. Aside from being the largest exercise so far with 17,000 Filipino and American troops, with 111 Australian troops, it’s the first with live fire drills and the first where a president stayed,” Galvez said.

He mentioned the last Filipino commander-in-chief to attend the Balikatan was the late president Benigno Aquino III.

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[WATCH] Philippine, US troops flex interoperability in final 2023 Balikatan drill

Aquino’s successor, Rodrigo Duterte, did not attend the Balikatan and had even threatened to cancel the war games.

Duterte’s disinterested attitude towards Balikatan was part of his China pivot during his administration.

Galvez also said this was the first time participants had cyber defense training as well.

The retired AFP chief also said said the two militaries boosted their ground, air, and maritime capabilities through the war games, which would continue through the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement and other agreements between the two countries.

Centino said that aside from equipment and training, the US military also benefitted from the AFP sharing its experience.

“What I can say is that sa side natin – I can only speak for the AFP – maganda ang experience because it’s a top level quality training kasi siguro dehado [tayo] sa equipment ano, but marami tayong experience that we can share also,” Centino said. (The experience we had is good because it’s a top quality training and maybe because we are at a disadvantage with equipment, we have many experiences that we can share also)

“But I think in the overall exchange, we benefited from these activities,” he said.

Aside from military exercises, the Balikatan also held humanitarian assistance and disaster preparedness projects.

Marcos will hold talks with US President Joe Biden on Monday, May 1. Marcos has said he would press his US counterpart to “make clear” the extent of Washington’s commitment to protect the Philippines under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty amid rising regional tensions. The White House said the US would “reaffirm its ironclad commitments to the defense of the Philippines.”

https://www.rappler.com/nation/regional-tensions-rise-philippines-bigger-balikatan-2024/

Army general tells warring MILF members: Don’t force us to take action

From Rappler (Apr 29, 2023): Army general tells warring MILF members: Don’t force us to take action (By FERDINANDH CABRERA)

'We informed MILF commanders that if they will not leave these affected places, they might face our forces and we don’t want to reach to that point,' says the chief of Joint Task Force Central

MAGUINDANAO DEL NORTE, Philippines – The chief of Joint Task Force Central has informed warring members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that the military would be forced to take action if they do not leave the areas that have been affected by their infighting in Maguindanao del Sur.

Major General Alex Rillera, 6th Infantry Division Commander, was referring to armed elements of the MILF 118th and 105th base commands, whose dispute has affected residents in the villages of Madia, Ilian, Dapiawan, Gawang and nearby communities in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town, Maguindanao del Sur.

“We informed MILF commanders that if they will not leave these affected places, they might face our forces and we don’t want to reach to that point,” he told journalists at the event of fun shoot with the Kampilan Division Press Corps on Friday, April 28.

Rillera said that the military would rather let the MILF settle their dispute, out of respect for the peace process mechanisms in place.

Around 2,300 families or an estimated 11,000 individuals affected by the clashes according to the report of the local government of Datu Saudi Ampatuan town.

“There are a lot to civilians who are suffering. We let them know from where we stand, that we are for the peace effort and we are for those innocent civilians,” Rillera said.

The dispute reportedly stemmed from personal grudges of members of the MILF 105th base command and the 118th base command.

The MILF- Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities and other local peace partners had brokered a truce but this did not last long, and led to the death of at least eight people, the burning of houses, mass displacement, and road closures.

A joint police and military team recently conducted clearing operations in the affected areas.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/army-general-warning-moro-islamic-liberation-members-dispute-maguindanao-del-sur/

US military: PH owns EDCA sites, can only be used by Americans when invited

From Rappler (Apr 29, 2023): US military: PH owns EDCA sites, can only be used by Americans when invited (By JAIRO BOLLEDO)

Acting defense chief Galvez also suggests the finalization of the join sails agreement and Joint Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Operations between the Philippine and US navies

MANILA, Philippines – A United States military officer reiterated that the Philippines has sole ownership of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites that will be built in the country.

During his meeting with Manila’s acting Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., US military Indo-Pacific commander Admiral John Aquilino said that EDCA sites were “sovereign property of the Philippines and “they will be utilized jointly by the PH and US, and only upon the invitation of the Philippines.” The meeting was held on Friday, April 28.

On February 2, Galvez and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the Philippines and the US had agreed on four new local military bases, where American troops would be allowed to build facilities and preposition military equipment. The longtime allies struck the deal nine years after they signed the EDCA, which further strengthened the relationship between the two countries.

The agreement on the establishment of EDCA sites was made less than a year into the term of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who was more open to communicating and transacting with the US. Marcos’ predecessor Rodrigo Duterte was known for his tirades against the US and his threat to scrap the Visiting Forces Agreement.

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US defense secretary arrives in PH, seeks to speed up EDCA implementation
While in town, the senior US official will meet with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo, and AFP chief General Andres Centino

As regional tensions rise, PH eyes ‘bigger’ Balikatan in 2024
The 2023 Balikatan exercises close with rising tension in the South China Sea in the backdrop

Not only that, Duterte also displayed his inclination toward China throughout his six-year term.

During the April 28 meeting, Galvez also suggested the finalization of the joint sails agreement and Joint Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Operations between the Philippine and US navies.

In return, the US military Indo-Pacific commander said they were ready to “conduct such Cooperative Deployments in order to protect the global commons, freedom of navigation, and maintain a free, open, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”
Closing of largest Balikatan

On Friday, Philippine and US officials, including officers of the two countries’ militaries, led the culmination of the 2023 Balikatan exercises – the largest so far in history.

This year’s Balikatan included 17,767 troops from across three participating countries: 12,187 US troops, 5,469 Filipino soldiers, and 111 Australians. It was also the first time the exercise featured live-fire exercises using new weapons such as the Javelin anti-tank missile and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System.

The exercise also focused mainly on naval operations, command post, and cyber defense exercises. In his speech, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff General Andres Centino also noted the importance of this year’s Balikatan.

“The strong results of Balikatan Exercise 38-2023 and the robust relationship among like-minded allies are made more significant given the current security environment and the real threats that continue to evolve within the region. It is evident that all our exercise goals were met and achieved,” Centino said.

Galvez, meanwhile, said the participation of other observer nations in the exercise was an “explicit demonstration of solidarity for peace and stability in the region.” Manila’s acting defense chief said the attendance of those countries proved that the Philippines and US were not alone in ensuring security and peace.

Among the observer nations were: Brunei, Canada, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, and the United Kingdom.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/us-military-says-philippines-owns-edca-sites-use-by-americans-when-invited/

Army extends sympathy to slain rebel leader’s kin

From the Visayan Daily Star (Apr 28, 2023): Army extends sympathy to slain rebel leader’s kin (By GILBERT P. BAYORAN)

The Army’ 94th Infantry Battalion has extended its sympathy to the family of Rogelio Posadas, secretary of the Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros/Cebu/Siquijor/Bohol, who recently died in an encounter with Army soldiers in Negros Occidental.

Extending his condolences to the family of Posadas, Lt. Col. Van Donald Almonte, 94IB commander, in a statement said “the loss of any life is always tragic, and we mourn with the family during this difficult time.”

But Almonte added “we also want to take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment in maintaining peace and order in Negros, stressing also that their mission is to eliminate threats posed by communist NPA terrorists, and ensure the safety and security of the people of Negros.”

While we do not condone violence, and to always strive to resolve conflicts peacefully. Almonte, however said, that they will not hesitate to take action when the safety and security of the people are at stake.

The 94IB also neutralized Romeo Nanta, alias Juanito Magbanua, regional commander of the NPA in Negros island, who was also killed in a gun battle on October last year in Brgy. Carabalan, Himamaylan City.

We understand that there may be varying opinions on this matter, but we ask for your understanding and cooperation as we continue to work towards a more peaceful and prosperous Negros, Almonte stressed.

https://visayandailystar.com/army-extends-sympathy-to-slain-rebel-leaders-kin/

Rebel dies in Canlaon encounter

From the Visayan Daily Star (Apr 29, 2023): Rebel dies in Canlaon encounter (By GILBERT P. BAYORAN)

A suspected New People’s Army yesterday died in an encounter with Army soldiers in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental.

Initial military reports disclosed that 62nd Infantry Battalion soldiers were on combat operations when they encountered a group of fully armed rebels.

The fleeing rebels left behind their slain companion at the encounter site.

Sketchy military reports stated that several firearms were also retrieved by Army soldiers at the scene of gun battle.

Pursuit operations are still ongoing as of this time.

https://visayandailystar.com/rebel-dies-in-canlaon-encounter/

3ID installs new deputy commander

From the Visayan Daily Star (Apr 29, 2023): 3ID installs new deputy commander (By GILBERT P. BAYORAN)

Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, 3rd Infantry Division commander, (right) installs his PMA “mistah”, Brig. Gen. Leo Peña, as the new 3ID Assistant Division commander.* PA photo

The Army’s 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division has installed Brig. Gen Leonardo Peña as its new Assistant Division Commander, on April 27.

Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Division, presided over the assumption of Chief of Office ceremony held at Camp Macario Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz.

In a statement, Peña said that his assumption and function as Assistant Division Commander in support of the 3ID Commander would be of service to God, country, and people.

“We should have acquired the wisdom and understanding from the Lord. And we should not be afraid of sacrificing our lives, for we have a country that is worth fighting for,” Peña, who recently relinquished his position as 302nd Infantry Brigade commander, said.

Col. Joey Escanillas replaced Peña as 302nd Infantry Brigade commander.

Peña assured them that he would try his best to be a team player.

Sison congratulated Peña, who are both members of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1991, for a well-deserved designation and expressed his trust and confidence to him, as his partner in overseeing the Division.

Under the leadership of Peña, the 302nd Brigade gained numerous recognitions and awards from the higher headquarters, both in administrative and operational aspects, including 3rd Infantry Division’s Best Maneuver Brigade for CY 2022, AFP Campaign Streamer for the dismantling of guerrilla forces, and the conferral of Proficiency Status with Gold Trailblazer Award in the Army Transformation Roadmap.

https://visayandailystar.com/3id-installs-new-deputy-commander/

Rebel killed, another captured in NegOr clash

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 29, 2023): Rebel killed, another captured in NegOr clash (By Mary Judaline Partlow)

CAPTURED. A suspected member of the New People's Army was captured while another was killed during an encounter with 62 Infantry Battalion soldiers in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental late Friday afternoon (April 28, 2023). Two .45 caliber pistols, live ammunition and magazines were recovered after the clash. (Photos courtesy of Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office)

DUMAGUETE CITY – A suspected member of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) was killed while another was captured during a clash with the Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) in Barangay Budlasan, Canlaon City, Negros Oriental at sundown Friday.

Killed during the 5-minute clash was 22-year-old Anthony Arances Curson, single, and a resident of Sitio Natuling in Barangay Budlasan, while 46-year-old Leonido Sta. Ana Montero, married, of Sitio Malatanglad, also in Budlasan, was captured.

They are reportedly members of the Small Guerilla Unit, Central Negros Front 1 of the Komiteng Rehiyon Cebu Bohol Negros and Siquijor of the NPA.

Lt. Col. William Pesase Jr., 62IB commanding officer, told the Philippine News Agency on Saturday that Army troops rushed to Sitio Malatanglad when civilians reported the presence of armed men, which resulted in a brief firefight with about five to seven suspected NPA rebels.

Two caliber .45 pistols, several rounds of live ammunition, two magazines, and two sling bags, were recovered after the firefight.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1200413

7 NPA rebels surrender in Zambo Sur town

 From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 29, 2023): 7 NPA rebels surrender in Zambo Sur town (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)

(File photo)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Seven New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, two of them already in their 60s, have withdrawn support from the communist group as they surrendered to authorities in Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur.

The Area Police Command-Western Mindanao (APC-WM) said in a statement Saturday that the surrender of the seven NPA rebels was the result of the whole-of-nation approach launched by the Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC), chaired by Dumingag Mayor Gerry Paglinawan.

The APC-WM identified the seven as Junry Apay Andata, 37; Pablito Sumampon Ayas, 55; Jemy Andata Mariano, 24; Ronel Ayas Andata, 26; Narcisa Antangig Andata, 33; Perino Sumampon Ayas, 65; and Florita Balaas Ayas, 62.

The seven yielded to Paglinawan around 1 p.m. Friday at the town hall. They will be turned over to the municipal government for community reintegration.

The NPA surrenderers, all residents of Barangay Saad, Dumingag, served under the NPA’s Barrio Revolutionary Committee as community organizers and Militia ng Bayan (MB).

The MB is composed individuals who have been indoctrinated and may or may not be directly involved in violent armed struggle but, when organized, can provide mass support to the “revolutionary movement” of the CPP-NPA.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1200416