Thursday, January 11, 2024

10 Inf Div: 48IB Rescues Wounded and Abandoned CNT in Bukidnon Clash

Posted to the 10th Infantry Division Facebook Page (Jan 2, 2024): 48IB Rescues Wounded and Abandoned CNT in Bukidnon Clash

MAWAB, Davao de Oro - The 48th Infantry (Guardians) Battalion, operating under the 1003rd Infantry (Raptor) Brigade, successfully captured a wounded and abandoned Communist NPA Terrorist (CNT) at Sitio Mahayahay, Barangay Linabo, Quezon, Bukidnon on Saturday, December 30, 2023.

The captured CNT, known by the aliases "Martin" or "Ligaw," was identified as a member of the Sub-Regional Sentro De Grabidad Peddler, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (SRSDG Peddler, NCMRC) of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG). Alias Martin sustained gunshot wounds on his left leg and right thigh, leading his comrades to leave him on the battlefield after the clash that transpired on December 27 in the same barangay.

Lieutenant Colonel Gilbert F Gomez, the 48IB Commanding Officer, reported that his troops promptly administered first aid to alias Martin and transported him to a hospital in Quezon, Bukidnon. He added that ongoing coordination with the Local Government Unit of Quezon is in progress for medical support in favor of alias Martin.
 
Meanwhile, Brigadier General Allan D Hambala, 10th Infantry (Agila) Division Commander, praised the heroism of the 48IB soldiers for their role in saving the life of the captured enemy.

"The critical point here is that we have saved the life of a fellow Filipino who fell victim to the deceptive ideology of the CTG. This situation exposes the genuine nature of the CTG, revealing that once they no longer have no use in you, they will surely abandon you on the battlefield," Brig. Gen. Hambala added.





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10 Inf Div: 1003rd Infantry Brigade Seizes High-Powered Firearms and War Materials from Communist Terrorist Group in Bukidnon

Posted to the 10th Infantry Division Facebook Page (Jan 7, 2024): 1003rd Infantry Brigade Seizes High-Powered Firearms and War Materials from Communist Terrorist Group in Bukidnon

MAWAB, Davao de Oro - The 1003rd Infantry (Raptor) Brigade of the 10th Infantry (Agila) Division (10ID) successfully seized three high-powered firearms and assorted war materials during an armed encounter at Sitio Mahayahay, Barangay Cawayan, Quezon, Bukidnon on Friday afternoon, January 5, 2024.

Three M16 rifles, two magazines with ammunition, eight backpacks, medical paraphernalia, food supplies, clothing, assorted war materials, and subversive documents were captured by the soldiers under the 1003rd Infantry Brigade, led by Brigadier General Marion T Angcao, after executing a focused military operation.

The said items were from the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG), specifically the Sub-Regional Sentro De Grabidad (SRSDG) Peddler, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC).

Brigadier General Allan D Hambala, the 10ID Commander, reiterates his call for the remaining members of the CTG, particularly in Bukidnon province, to surrender.

"The 10ID conducts military operations through the legitimate use of force against the CTG, ensuring the safety and well-being of the people. Nevertheless, the 10ID remains open to accepting Communist NPA Terrorists willing to lay down their arms and reintegrate into the folds of the law," Brig. Gen. Hambala added.











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10 Inf Div: A Couple and a Wounded Female CNT Surrender to 1003rd Brigade in Bukidnon After Series of Encounters

Posted to the 10th Infantry Division Facebook Page (Jan 2, 2024): A Couple and a Wounded Female CNT Surrender to 1003rd Brigade in Bukidnon After Series of Encounters

MAWAB, Davao de Oro - A couple associated with the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) and a wounded female Communist NPA Terrorist (CNT) surrendered to the 1003rd Infantry (Raptor) Brigade at Barangay Kahusayan, Kitaotao, Bukidnon, on Sunday, December 31, 2023.

The surrendered CNTs were members of the Sub-Regional Sentro De Grabidad Peddler of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (SRSDG Peddler, NCMRC) and were identified as follows:

1. Marjun Otag, also known as Dante/Egale/Bukol, Squad Leader of Squad 2, 34 years old, residing in Sitio Bagong Silang, Brgy. Kahusayan, Kitaotao, Bukidnon.

2. Alias Marlyn/Cris, Squad Medic, 20 years old, residing in Sitio Malungon, Brgy Kalagangan, San Fernando, Bukidnon, and the party wife of Marjun Otag.

3. Emmely Banahan, also known as Yolanda/IG, member, 18 years old, residing in Barangay Bosde, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, and reported to be wounded in her left leg.

The trio surrendered following an intensified focus military operations conducted by the 48th Infantry Battalion (48IB), 27IB, and 73IB, all under the 1003rd Infantry Brigade led by Brigadier General Marion T Angcao, which led to armed encounters on December 27 and December 29 in Quezon, Bukidnon.

In his message, Brigadier General Allan D Hambala, 10th Infantry (Agila) Division Commander, expressed his satisfaction with the rebels for heeding the call to surrender instead of evading government forces and choosing to fight back.

"Let us give peace a chance. We should shun violence to solve our country's problems and unite and collaborate to address the root causes of insurgency, aiming for just and lasting peace," added Brig. Gen. Hambala
.
Upon surrender, the soldiers immediately provided first aid to the wounded female CNT and coordinated with the concerned agency for medical assistance.





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55 Inf Bn: 55IB Foils Dawlah-Islamiya Attempted Attack

Posted to the 55th Infantry Battalion Facebook Page (Dec 29, 2023): 55IB Foils Dawlah-Islamiya Attempted Attack

At about 3:00 o'clock in the morning of December 28, 2023, more or less five (5) suspected members of the Dawlah-Islamiya Maute Group attempted to attack the company base of Bravo (BERSERKER) Company, 55IB at So. Manukan, Brgy. Dilimbayan, Maguing, Lanao del Sur. This attack however was doomed to fail. An alert soldier on duty fights off the attackers in a firefight which only lasted in less than five minutes. Afterwhich, the enemy withdrew leaving behind a dead terrorist. The government troops have also recovered one (1) M16 rifle with seven magazines and one hundred sixteen (116) live ammunition.
 
In his message, Lieutenant Colonel Don L Villanueva the unit's Commanding Officer commended the troops for their vigilance. He further added that this incident simply shows our readiness to foil any enemy attacks. "Security knows no holiday. We must always be ready to defend our people" he said.
 
Meanwhile, Brigadier General Yegor Rey R Barroquillo, Jr. the Commander of the 103rd Infantry (HARIBON) Brigade continued his call to the remaining members of the Dawlah-Islamiya Group to abandon their arms. He further assured the public that the Haribon Brigade will continue to be the guardians of peace in Lanao del Sur.
 
As of writing, the PNP SOCO and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Manage Office of LGU Maguing is still in the process of identifying the perpetrator.





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802 Inf Bde: Death of top NPA leader in Eastern Visayas, Martin Colima (AKA Moki)

Posted to the 82nd Infantry Brigade (8th Infantry Division) Facebook Page (Jan 6, 2024): Death of top NPA leader in Eastern Visayas, Martin Colima (AKA Moki)



National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict
·
PRESS STATEMENT
 
The death of Martin Colima alyas Moki, top leader of the New People’s Army’s (NPA) subcommittee in Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC), during combat operations by Army troops last Saturday in Eastern Samar should serve as an eye-opener for the remaining insurgents to lay down their arms, peacefully surrender and avail the government’s amnesty program.

Colima, who was facing a string of multiple heinous crime charges before the courts, and his men entered Barangay San Gabriel, Borongan City oblivious to the strong vigilance of residents in the community against the presence of communist terrorist groups (CTGs).
 
The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) call on the remaining members of Colima’s group to peacefully surrender and abandon the senseless armed struggle so as not to suffer the same fate like what happened to their leader.

The politico-military spectrum of the NPA in Samar was the last in the entire archipelago to be weakened from being an active guerilla front.
 
Colima’s death is proof of the weakened state of the NPA and the waning political influence of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) on the Filipino masses in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAS).

Most importantly, the CPP-NPA should accept the fact that in Samar every single barangay liberated by the government from the clutches of the CTGs through the “whole-of-nation and whole of government" approach has been transitioning to become a haven of peace wherein economic development is being effectively spurred by the government.

Let the CPP-NPA also know that their presence in these communities is no longer welcome and what happened to the group of Colima should serve as a strong warning against the CTGs. There are no more “NPA mass bases” to speak of that for decades the CTGs had exploited to the detriment of poverty-stricken residents in such communities.

In due time, the NTF-ELCAC through the cohesive leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. the scourge of the CTGs in our country will be totally eliminated. We strongly believe that all the weakened guerrilla fronts will be dismantled within this year.

For the sake of peace, unity, and development, we reiterate our ardent appeal to all the CPP-NPA remnants to choose life rather than face senseless death over a senseless and irrelevant ideology. Go back to your families and become productive and law-abiding citizens and actively participate in nation-building. Over the past five decades, your so-called Maoist-inspired revolutionary ideals became irrelevant if not totally obsolete in contemporary times.

Usec Ernesto C Torres Jr.
Exec Dir, NTF-ELCAC Secretariat

https://www.ntfelcac.org/post/press-statement-1

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802 Inf Bde: High Ranking NPA Leader killed in a clash with government troops in Eastern Samar

Posted to the 82nd Infantry Brigade (8th Infantry Division) Facebook Page (Jan 6, 2024): High Ranking NPA Leader killed in a clash with government troops in Eastern Samar

PRESS RELEASE: January 6, 2024

High Ranking NPA Leader killed in a clash with government troops in Eastern Samar

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar - Martin CardeƱo Colima @MOKI, Secretary of Sub-Regional Committee-SESAME, Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (SRC SESAME, EVRPC) of the communist terrorist group NPA, died during an encounter with troops of 78th Infantry (WARRIOR) Battalion that were conducting security patrol on January 6, 2024 at 11:30 in the morning in the vicinity of Brgy San Gabriel, Borongan City, Eastern Samar. The 78th Infantry Battalion is under the operational control of 802nd Infantry (Peerless) Brigade, 8th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division, Philippine Army.
 
“We were responding to repeated reports of the civilians regarding the presence of the terrorist NPA in Brgy San Gabriel conducting extortion activities and planning to liquidate members of CAFGU auxiliary and some Former Rebels. Details of their (NPA) sighted locations, movements and activities revealed by the civilians provided our patrolling troops a chance to track their location that resulted to an encounter that resulted to the death of Martin Colima @Moki, the Secretary of SRC-SESAME. The government troops also recovered one (1) Caliber .45 Pistol and seven (7) backpacks in the encounter site.” Lieutenant Colonel Allan T. Tria, Battalion Commander, 78th Infantry Battalion explained.
 
Colima is the mastermind and one of the perpetrators of the ambush incident along the National Highway of Brgy Libuton, Borongan City, Eastern Samar on December 13, 2019 that killed a policeman and 3 civilians, and wounded at least 12 other civilians, including three minors, one of whom is a one-year-old baby.
 
“In as much as we in the 802nd Infantry (PEERLESS) Brigade had addressed the concerns of the people of Borongan City by preventing the atrocities being planned by the communist terrorist group and in insulating their communities from the group of @Moki, I am saddened of the death of another fellow Filipino”. “In behalf of the Philippine Army, I express my condolences to the bereaved family and relatives of Martin Colima, along with my appeal for his family and relatives in Brgy San Mateo, Borongan City to claim his remains once the process for his identification is finished, and give him a decent burial.” Brigadier General Noel A Vestuir, Commander, 802nd Infantry Brigade said.

“If the leadership of SRC Sesame, EVRPC only heeded to the long-standing call of the local leaders of Eastern Samar for them to abandon their armed struggle and rejoin their families, this could not have happened. With the death of the top CPP-NPA leader in our area of responsibility, it is very imminent that fighters under SRC Sesame will lose direction, be demoralized, and incapable of protracted fighting for a lost cause and incorrect communist ideology. The 802nd Infantry (PEERLESS) Brigade joins the local leaders, the Barangay Captains, Municipal and City Mayors and the Governor of Samar and Eastern Samar provinces, along with other government agencies and Civil Society Organizations in the call for the remaining members of the NPA to abandon the armed struggle and return peacefully to their communities. Listen to the plea of your families and relatives to go home to them and live a life of peace, love and happiness away from danger, fatigue, and hunger. The government with the help of civil society organizations is always ready to accept you, and provide necessary assistance to capacitate you as you start a new life in the mainstream Filipino society.” Brigadier General Vestuir ended. -30-

Contact Person:
MAJ KAHARUDIN K CADIL (INF) PA
Bde CMO Officer, 802Bde
09175605896











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AFP: IN THE NEWS | Insurgents’ firearms, war materiel seized

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Facebook Page (Jan 9, 2024): IN THE NEWS | Insurgents’ firearms, war materiel seized

DAVAO CITY — The 1003rd Infantry Brigade of the 10th Infantry Division successfully seized three high-powered firearms and assorted war materiel from the New People’s Army during an armed encounter at Sitio Mahayahay, Barangay Cawayan, Quezon, Bukidnon last Friday.

10ID spokesperson Maj. Mark Anthony Tito disclosed on Monday that three M16 rifles, two magazines with ammunition, eight backpacks, medical paraphernalia, food supplies, clothing, assorted war materiel and subversive documents were recovered by the soldiers after executing a focused military operation.



TRIBUNE.NET.PH

Insurgents’ firearms, war materiel seized

10ID commander BGen. Allan Hambala reiterated his call for the remaining members of the NPA, particularly in Bukidnon province, to surrender

https://www.facebook.com/armedforcesofthephilippines

AFP: IN THE NEWS | NPA officer surrenders in Iloilo, urges others to follow

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Facebook Page (Jan 10, 2024): IN THE NEWS | NPA officer surrenders in Iloilo, urges others to follow

THE surrender of a top officer from the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) to the joint forces of the 61st Infantry (Hunter) Battalion of the Philippine Army and Tubungan Municipal Police Station in Iloilo on January 6, 2024 signifies a positive step toward peace and stability in the region, authorities said.

Carlo Tagong Flora, known by aliases Vic, Victor, Concon, Thor, and Denver, Flora served as the finance and logistic officer of Squad 2, Regional Sentro De Gravidad, Madia-as Platoon of Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay.



SUNSTAR.COM.PH

NPA officer surrenders in Iloilo, urges others to follow

THE surrender of a top officer from the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) to the joint forces of the 61st Infantry (Hunter) Battalion of the Philippine Army and T....

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AFP: LOOK//TOW WestMin facilitated the surrender of ASG rebel in Sulu

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Facebook Page (Jan 10, 2024): LOOK//TOW WestMin facilitated the surrender of ASG rebel in Sulu

LOOK | The Tactical Operations Wing Western Mindanao (TOW WestMin), led by BGEN ROCKY J BINAG PAF, successfully facilitated the surrender of an Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) member in Sulu on January 09, 2024.

The ASG member was involved in armed conflicts with government troops in the Talipao, Sulu hinterlands. He chose to surrender in order to live a normal life and reintegrate into society after going into hiding for years as a result of the Joint Task Force Sulu, now known as Joint Task Force Orion, conducting persistent, targeted military operations. A Garand Springfield Rifle was turned over during the surrender.

The Tactical Operations Wing Western Mindanao, the Philippine Army, the Philippine National Police, and Joint Task Force Orion all worked together on this mission.







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AFP: AFP sustains commitment to Bangsamoro peace process

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Facebook Page (Jan 11, 2024): AFP sustains commitment to Bangsamoro peace process

CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City--The Armed Forces of the Philippines led by its Chief of Staff, General Romeo Brawner Jr, assured its sustained commitment to the Bangsamoro peace process in a ceremony on January 11 in Taguig City.

Organized by the Principles for Peace Foundation, the "Recommitment Ceremony towards a Vibrant Bangsamoro" convened government officials including Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr, the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity; Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao officials; and representatives from various sectors.
 
"It is the soldier, more than anyone else, who wants lasting peace and [our participation in this activity] is a manifestation of our commitment towards attaining a lasting peace. We are here to show our brothers in the Moro Islamic Liberation Front that we are serious when it comes to the peace process," General Brawner Jr said.

Photo by SSg Ambay/PAOAFP







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Philippine and Indonesian presidents strengthen defense alliance

From Palawan News (Jan 11, 2024): Philippine and Indonesian presidents strengthen defense alliance (By Andrew Atienza)

Philippines and Indonesia agree to work together to tackle regional challenges, says President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Indonesian President Joko Widodo committed to enhancing defense, trade, and infrastructure collaboration during their meeting at MalacaƱang on Wednesday, aiming to fortify their bilateral ties against regional challenges.

“As neighbors, we must remain united in addressing the many challenges that our region now faces,” Marcos said in his opening statement during his bilateral meeting with Widodo.

“As you will soon conclude your second term as President of the Republic of Indonesia, I commend your visionary leadership and your strong commitment to promoting and enhancing the long-standing and close ties between the Philippines and Indonesia,” Marcos said.

Widodo is on a three-day state visit to the Philippines.

Marcos said he chose to make his inaugural state visit to Indonesia after assuming office in 2022 upon Widodo’s invitation.

Indonesia continues to be one of the Philippines’ closest friends and regional partners, sharing many commonalities in geography, history, and culture, Marcos stated.

Widodo mentioned that Indonesia remains a committed partner, pledging to collaborate with the Philippines on defense and security, trade, as well as infrastructure development.

“I’m delighted about positive progress about implementation of our two countries’ action plan which need to be followed up with concrete steps to strengthen collaboration, especially in two areas of cooperation,” Widodo said.

Widodo welcomed the strengthening of cooperation on border security although he said, there are issues that needs to be resolved.

https://palawan-news.com/philippine-and-indonesian-presidents-strengthen-defense-alliance/

In Manila, German foreign minister warns of ‘rough winds blowing’ in South China Sea

From Rappler (Jan 11, 2024): In Manila, German foreign minister warns of ‘rough winds blowing’ in South China Sea (By BEA CUPIN)



(1st UPDATE) Germany promises more support for the Philippine Coast Guard, among the frontline units that deal with China's harassment in the West Philippine Sea

MANILA, Philippines – German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Thursday, January 11, warned of “rough winds blowing across the South China Sea,” following a bilateral meeting with Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo in Manila.

Baerbock, fresh off a visit to the Middle East, including Israel, expressed concern over tensions in the vital waterway, a major global trade route. The German minister first reflected on the “risk that one more spark could set the whole region ablaze still exists,” referring to the Middle East.

“I am saying this because in your region, tensions are rising too. Rough winds [are] blowing across the South China Sea and this is happening in among the most [important] economic regions of the world,” Baerbock said in a joint press briefing with Manalo.

Baerbock said the China Coast Guard’s use of lasers and water cannons against Philippine vessels was a “concern” even for European countries because “such risky manuevers violate the rights and opportunities for economic development of your country and other states as well.”

Other Stories

Indonesia, Philippines discuss South China Sea developments – Marcos

'President Widodo and I had a fruitful and honest discussion on regional events of mutual interests such as the developments in the South China Sea and ASEAN cooperation and initiatives,' President Ferdninand Marcos Jr. says

Philippine coast guard boosts presence in South China Sea

'We can stay there longer, farther and we can we can cover a bigger area now (in the West Philippine Sea),' says Admiral Artemio Abu, Commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard

FACT CHECK: No firm plans yet for multi-nation patrol in West PH Sea

The Armed Forces of the Philippines mentions the possibility of multilateral patrols with other allies, but no plans or agreements have been formalized as of writing


She added that such actions “also call into question the freedom of navigation…in an area through which one-third of global maritime trade is shipped.”

Tensions between the Philippines and China continue to rise in the West Philippine Sea, Manila’s term for part of the South China Sea within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ),

Beijing claims practically all of the South China Sea, including parts of the West Philippine Sea, as its own – in defiance of international law and norms, including a 2016 arbitral ruling that quashed China’s nine-dash line claim. Germany is among the many countries that publicly supports the ruling that favored the Philippines.

Incidents of Chinese harassment – the use of lasers, water cannons, and “dangerous maneuvers” included – have become almost routine in some Philippine missions to the West Philippine Sea.

Confrontations between the two countries’ white ships have often happened in Ayungin Shoal, where a World War II-era ship serves as a Philippine outpost, and in Bajo de Masinloc, traditional fishing ground of fisherfolk from the Philippines, China, and Vietnam.

Both features are located well within the Philippines EEZ, or an area 200 meters from the Philippine coastline. Manila should have the exclusive right to exploit and protect natural resources within its EEZ.

Baerbock urged “mechanisms to solve tensions together in a peaceful way.”

“Germany will be happy to support this and help building trust, which is important and also will help prevent escalation in this way,” she added.

During her visit to Manila, the German official made a call on the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) headquarters. Germany had donated drones to the PCG in 2022.

Baerbock said they will be offering “concrete training programs” for the PCG, among the frontline units that deal with China’s maritime harassment.

The PCG, responding to media inquiries, said Germany will be giving at least four more drones for use in their operations, including those in the West Philippine Sea. Help from Germany will also include “training on law enforcement, anti-piracy, and people-to-people exchanges,” said PCG Spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilio.

Manalo said he his German counterpart spoke of “defense cooperation” and Germany’s support in the “capacity building of the PCG.” He added that a “key area” where Germany can best help the Philippines’ debacle in the South China is bringing “greater awareness in the international community and the importance of the rule of law in the region and the world as a whole.”

During her visit, Baerbock reiterated Germany’s support for ongoing negotiations for a free trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and the Philippines.

The German minister said the push for closer economic ties between her country, the EU, and the Philippines was fueled by “decisions that the Filipino government has taken so boldly,” including “changes” to former president Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody drug war, efforts to speak to rebel groups, and a “clear focus on human rights and rule of law and the free press.”

Manalo and Baerbock also tackled labor deals, with “specific focus on the placement of skilled Filipino workers and other professionals to live and work in Germany,” according to the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs.

Baerbock is the first German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs to visit Manila in over a decade.

https://www.rappler.com/philippines/german-minister-baerbock-manila-visit-statement-south-china-sea-january-11-2024/

DOJ exec: Gov't amnesty program won't affect anti-terror law

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 11, 2023): DOJ exec: Gov't amnesty program won't affect anti-terror law (By Priam Nepomuceno)



DOJ spokesperson Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano. (Screengrab from NTF-ELCAC presser)

MANILA – The Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) of 2020 can be implemented despite the government's proclamation of an amnesty program for communist insurgents and other rebel groups, a justice official said Thursday.

"It is believed that the two are mutually exclusive and the law can be implemented," Department of Justice (DOJ) spokesperson Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano said in an online press conference of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

He said the ATA is fully operationalized since Jan. 15 following the Supreme Court (SC) issuance of its guidelines.


"The acts of terrorism, if still done, during the (ongoing peace) talks can still be prosecuted under the law. So I guess it's a matter of good faith (that) if these groups are willing to come forward and talk and agree to a ceasefire then there is no need for any prosecution under the [Anti-]Terrorism Act. But if they come forward and represent themselves in good faith and yet still continue activities that will fall under the Anti-Terrorism Act 2020, then they can also be prosecuted," Clavano said.

The high court earlier said the rules shall apply to "petitions and applications regarding detentions without judicial warrants of arrest, surveillance orders, freeze orders, restrictions on travel, designations, proscriptions, and other court issuances promulgated to implement the ATA and other related laws."

'Two different animals'

In the same briefing, Associate Solicitor James Clifford Santos from the Office of the Solicitor General said the Marcos administration’s amnesty program and the anti-terrorism law are “two different animals.”

“When we talk about amnesty, we talk about the obliteration of the crimes kasi (because) under our jurisprudence, it says there that amnesty looks backward and obliterates political offenses…the recent proclamations by the President do not cover heinous crimes, kasama dun ‘yung (and that includes) terrorism," he said.

Meanwhile, NTF-ELCAC spokesperson Joel Sy Egco urged all remaining insurgents to surrender now or face terrorism charges.

Only two provisions of the ATA were declared unconstitutional -- protests being equated to terrorism and the designation of individuals or groups as terrorists upon the request of local or foreign groups.

Earlier this week, the DOJ indicted 11 New People's Army members on terrorism charges for the ambush of Philippine Army soldiers in Barangay Malisbong, Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro on May 30, 2023, the first test case for the new law.

Powerful tool vs. terrorism

Clavano and Santos also hailed the SC ruling as a “powerful tool” of the government to combat any form of terrorism in the country.

“This is a very welcome development to the government and we assure the public and our friends in the media that this will be done in a balanced way where we acknowledge that this is a powerful tool, but at the same time, as a powerful tool, it must be used to its full advantage of the government and to its people,” Clavano said.

Santos, also a spokesperson for NTF-ELCAC’s Legal Cooperation Cluster, assured that law enforcement agencies will abide by the rules in prosecuting terrorism by taking a balanced approach.

“We’re positive on this welcome development when it comes to our legal landscape on quelling terrorism and we’ll remain committed to helping to ensure lasting peace through the lawfully sanctioned remedies and tools that we've in the legal landscape,” he said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1216754

Germany ready to work with PH to prevent crisis in SCS

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 11, 2023): Germany ready to work with PH to prevent crisis in SCS (By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora)



German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (PNA photo by Avito Dalan)

MANILA – The German government is ready to work with Manila to prevent a crisis from breaking out in the South China Sea (SCS) by helping it promote international law while strengthening its maritime security, its top diplomat said Thursday after raising concern over the rising tensions in the region.

Speaking to local and foreign press in Manila, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called out China’s “claims for extensive maritime areas” and harassment against Filipino vessels in the West Philippine Sea.

“[T]here are truly rough winds blowing across the South China Sea, and this is happening in the middle of one of the most economic regions of the world,” she said.

“The incidents over the recent months where the Chinese Coast Guard has used lasers and water cannons against Philippine resupply vessels -- and even collisions happened -- are of concern also for us in Europe, even though we’re thousands of kilometers away, because such risky maneuvers violate the rights and opportunities for economic development of your own country and other littoral states as well,” she said.

Baerbock emphasized that the 2016 Arbitral Ruling had been clear that Beijing’s claims “are not covered by international law”.

She said Berlin, through the European Union, will also work with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in promoting the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which declares that states have rights to resources within their 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

“Every country has its own exclusive economic zones. And in this spirit, we, as the European Union, will work more closely together with ASEAN on these questions,” she said.

On maritime security, she said Berlin would expand its existing cooperation with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), including by providing possible additional drones for the region.

In 2022, Germany donated two units of unmanned aerial vehicles or drones to the PCG to help the agency enhance capacity in securing a "rules-based order along the Philippines' coastline".

The German top diplomat, who is in Manila for a bilateral meeting with Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, will also visit the PCG headquarters this afternoon to hear firsthand the challenges they face in protecting Manila’s rights in the West Philippine Sea.

Germany will support initiatives and mechanisms to peacefully resolve tensions in the South China Sea, Baerbock added.

On top of maritime concerns, Baerbock and Manalo also discussed Germany’s peace initiatives and development cooperation with the Philippines as well as ways to boost bilateral trade and investments on renewable energy, among others.

Manalo thanked Baerbock for Berlin’s unflinching support for international law and described the country as a “valuable partner” for the Philippines both bilaterally and multilaterally.

“We think we can work together since we share so many common (concerns) in so many areas, whether it be here or in the Middle East or in other parts of the world,” he said.

Baerbock’s Manila trip marks the first visit by a German Federal Foreign Minister to the Philippines in over a decade.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1216780