Army vows to eradicate NPA remnants in Negros, Panay

From the Visayan Daily Star (Jul 13, 2024): Army vows to eradicate NPA remnants in Negros, Panay (By GILBERT P. BAYORAN)

As the Philippine Army shifts its focus to territorial defense from internal security, the 3rd Infantry Division assures Negrenses that it will continue to stay, secure, and protect Negros Island Region, which also includes Siquijor.

Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, 3ID commander, yesterday recalled that the New People’s Army in Negros was defeated during the stint of then Col. Victor Ibrado as commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, when the island was declared insurgency free.

We thought it was already finished then, Sison said.

With the language of their heart is “patience,” and as they waited for the pull out of Army troops in Negros, they (NPA) were able to recover, the Army general further recalled.

But this time, as we learned our lesson, we will not leave NIR. The Philippine Army will stay, and we will sustain whatever gains we have made, Sison stressed.

The provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Occidental are now in a status of Stable Internal Peace Security, as declared by their respective Provincial Peace and Order Councils, as recommended by the Philippine Army.

But let us not rest on our laurels, Sison told 303IB soldiers during the 38th founding anniversary of 303rd Infantry Brigade on July 12, at Camp Nelson Gerona in Brgy. Minoyan, Murcia.

As long as there are remnants of the CPP NPA, let us not relax, and let us sustain our gains, he further told them.

“We will finish them. We will eradicate them, in order for Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, to really have that peace, progress and development,” Sison said.


Placing Negros Island in a SIPS status was done after the Philippine Army declared the dismantling of all the five existing guerilla fronts in Negros, including its Regional Striking Force, mass based organizations, and political structures on influenced barangays.

Sison said there is only one guerilla front in Panay island, up for dismantling by the 301st Infantry Brigade under the command of Brig. Gen. Michael Samson.

The 303IB under the leadership of Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin was also described as among the Philippine Army “fightingest” units in the country, since last year.

“We will not be able to accomplish that achievements, without the support of various stakeholders and the Task Force ELCAC (Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict), which is the most potent solution, or tool being used, in order for us to end the menace of the local communist armed conflict”, Sison also stressed.

The military is just part of the solution, and not the solution, he pointed out as he also thanked the Negros local chief executives, especially Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson for his all-out support to the peace and development endeavors of the 303rd Infantry Brigade.

In the same activity, Sison also led the pinning of ranks to new members of the Army Reserve Command, including Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz, Central Philippine State University Dr. Aladino Moraca and Fernando Abello, CPSU Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Plaques of recognition were also conferred to representatives of various organizations, for their support extended to 303IB infantry units, which was witnessed by former AFP chief of staff Gen. Victor Ibrado, among others.*

https://visayandailystar.com/army-vows-to-eradicate-npa-remnants-in-negros-panay/#google_vignette

Army’s 5ID commander promoted

From the Visayan Daily Star (Jul 9, 2024): Army’s 5ID commander promoted (By GILBERT P. BAYORAN)

Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Roy Galido dons rank to newly promoted 5th Infantry Division Commander Maj. Gen. Gulliver Señires during the flag raising ceremony at Headquarters Philippine Army, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on July 8.* PA photo

Several days after he was designated commanding general of the Army’s 5th Infantry Division, Brig. Gen. Gulliver Señires, was promoted to the rank of major general.

Army chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido personally led the donning of rank to newly promoted Maj. Gen. Señires during the flag raising ceremony on July 8 at the Philippine Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

The donning of ranks is a military tradition signaling that military officers are ready to assume higher roles and responsibilities.

As 5ID commander, Señires supervises 6,000 Army soldiers in Cagayan Valley, Ilocos Region and Cordillera Administrative Region in northern Luzon.

Prior to his present position, Señires, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1992, served as commander of the 702nd Infantry Brigade.

As a junior officer of the Philippine Army, Señires served various staff positions at the 303rd Infantry Brigade stationed in Murcia, Negros Occidental.*

https://visayandailystar.com/armys-5id-commander-promoted/

PBBM vetoes PNP reform bill

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 12, 2024): PBBM vetoes PNP reform bill (By Filane Mikee Cervantes)

(Photo courtesy of PNP)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has vetoed the measure seeking to introduce organizational reforms in the Philippine National Police (PNP), according to Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.

"President Marcos, with careful consideration, has decided to veto the proposed PNP reform bill to ensure that any changes in our police force are fair, clear, and truly beneficial to everyone involved," Bersamin said in a statement issued on Thursday.

Bersamin said the proposed measure enables changes to police salaries that could cause "unfair disparities" among officers.

"The President believes it is essential to maintain fairness and equality in compensation for all members of the PNP," he said.

Bersamin further noted that proposed offices within the PNP could lead to "unnecessary" bureaucracy and inefficiency.

"Our administration's goal is to streamline operations, not complicate them. Furthermore, adding more liaison offices could pose security risks. The current structure already provides robust oversight and coordination," he said.

He added the proposal could also compromise the "vital independence" of the Internal Affairs Service (IAS), noting that the body responsible for investigating police misconduct should remain "independent and impartial".

He pointed out that some parts of the bill are unclear, particularly regarding retroactive benefits for officers.

"The President and our administration are steadfast in our commitment to supporting the PNP and ensuring that any reforms are both fair and effective," Bersamin said.

"The administration continues to work closely with Congress to develop better legislation that strengthens our police force without causing any negative side effects. We continue to strive to improve our country's police force in the best way possible," he added.

In his veto message, President Marcos said the provisions under the bill "run counter to administrative policy and efficiency".

Marcos said the proposed law may create pay disparities among police cadets, as well as overlapping functions and redundancies due to the creation of "ambiguous" offices.

"Different offices performing the same or related functions, all headed by high-ranking officials, will definitely be counterproductive and will defeat the purpose of enhancing the span of supervision and administrative control of the PNP Chief,” Marcos said.

The bill seeks the institutionalization of offices created by the National Police Commission (Napolcom) such as the Directorial Staff, Area Police Command (APC), Special Offices, and strengthened National Administrative and Operational Support Units.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1228821

PH vows to pursue peace in SCS as Arbitral Award marks 8 years

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 12, 2024): PH vows to pursue peace in SCS as Arbitral Award marks 8 years (By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora)

VICTORY FOR PH.The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) conducts regular patrol in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) in this undated photo. The DFA on Friday (July 12, 2024) said the Philippines will pursue a “course anchored on peace” as it secures its rights over the WPS, as the country marks the 8th anniversary of the Arbitral Award on the South China Sea. (Photo courtesy of PCG)

MANILA – The Philippines will pursue a “course anchored on peace” as it secures its rights over the West Philippine Sea, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Friday as the country marks the 8th anniversary of the Arbitral Award on the South China Sea.

In a statement, the DFA reiterated its commitment to upholding the landmark ruling, saying it is a testament to Manila’s “unwavering commitment to the rule of law and the peaceful settlement of disputes.”

“The Award is a reaffirmation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and protects our rights as a coastal state and a seafaring people. Every effort to secure our legitimate interests in our maritime domain is a testament to the determination and courage of the Filipino people while showcasing the Philippines’ vision of peace and stability that inspires and resonates beyond the waters of the South China Sea,” it said.

“With our national interest and sovereign rights in mind, the Philippines will move forward to chart a course anchored on peace, security, and prosperity in our region.”

The department said this commitment to peace is demonstrated even in the face of “unlawful actions” that have caused serious incidents in the South China Sea, an apparent reference to the numerous incidents of Chinese Coast Guard harassing Filipino resupply missions while en route to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.

Amid these actions, the DFA said, Manila’s resolve to protect its interest and the “full and responsible enjoyment of our legally settled maritime entitlements and its accompanying rights and jurisdictions” in the area were never diminished.

“This determination has only been strengthened by the broadening affirmation of the legal value of the Award as a positive and legitimate source of international law,” it said.

Several states have openly expressed support for the ruling, confirming the “final and binding status of the Award.”

The Group of Seven (G7) has also consistently reaffirmed it as a significant milestone and a useful basis for the peaceful management and resolution of differences at sea.

Further, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) Advisory Opinion on Climate Change has recently cited the award as authoritative in key parts of the ruling, with multiple states or groups of states referencing the ruling as legal authority in their respective oral and written statements.

For the DFA, this underscored the ruling’s “unassailable status as part of the corpus of international law.”

On July 12, 2016, the Arbitral Tribunal constituted under the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention dismissed China’s expansive claims under its so-called nine-dash-line as illegal. To this day, Beijing continues to reject the ruling.

US: Arbitral award 'binding'

In a separate statement, State Secretary Antony Blinken said the United States recognizes the award as “final and legally binding.”

“Over the past year, the PRC’s (People’s Republic of China) use of water cannons, dangerous maneuvers, and destructive tactics – including ramming, forcible towing, and boarding that has resulted in damage to Philippine vessels and injury to Philippine service members – has routinely interfered with the lawful exercise of high seas freedoms in areas where the Arbitral Tribunal determined the PRC has no lawful territorial or maritime claims,” he said.

“The PRC’s actions reflect a blatant disregard for international law, as well as the safety and livelihoods of Filipinos.”

The US, he said, is “deeply concerned” about China’s assertion of “territorial sovereignty” over areas that are within the maritime jurisdiction of Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei, and where high seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply under international law.

“Upholding the international law of the sea, as reflected in the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention, is in the interest of the entire international community and remains vital to the peace, security, and prosperity of all nations,” Blinken said.

“We continue to call on the PRC to abide by the 2016 arbitral ruling, to cease its dangerous and destabilizing conduct, and to comport its conduct, as well as its territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea to the international law of the sea as reflected in the Convention.”

At a forum commemorating the 8th anniversary of the award in Makati City, Stratbase ADR Institute president Victor Andres Manhit praised the government’s pronouncements to boost external defense capabilities while citing the support of like-minded states on the country’s position in the West Philippine Sea.

“We are one with the rest of the world in ensuring that the rule of law prevails. Every nation, regardless of size, or military power, must respect the rights of others and adhere to international law,” he said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1228828

FA-50PH jets, pilots to focus on 'Pitch Black' combat tactics

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 12, 2024): FA-50PH jets, pilots to focus on 'Pitch Black' combat tactics (By Priam Nepomuceno)

PITCH BLACK. One of the four FA-50PHs light jet fighters of the Philippine Air Force lands at the Royal Australian Air Force Base in Darwin, Australia on July 10, 2024. These aircraft will take part in the “Pitch Black" exercise from July 12 to Aug. 2. (Photo courtesy of the PAF)

MANILA – Philippine Air Force (PAF) FA-50PHs light jet fighters and their pilots will focus on fighter combat tactics in this year's "Pitch Black" exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in the airspace of Australia's northern city of Darwin.

"Exercises of (the) FA-50s include basic fighting maneuvers, air combat maneuvering, and other fighter aircraft tactics," PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said in an interview Thursday night.

These exercises are aimed at boosting the proficiency of Filipino fighter pilots in air combat, she added.

The PAF deployed four FA-50PHs and a C-130 transport aircraft, along with 162 personnel for "Pitch Black," which opens on Friday and runs until Aug. 2.

Castillo said the reduction in the deployment of airplanes from six in initial plans to four would "ensure that we have enough aircraft here to respond to operational requirements here in the country."

The aircraft and personnel were deployed from July 7 to 10.

"This exercise is a historic event as it is the first time that the PAF has sent its aircraft overseas for an international exercise," Castillo said.

Aside from air combat maneuvers involving the FA-50PHs, the PAF contingent will also participate in other "Pitch Black" drills, she said.

"There will be field training exercises, flight integration training, and training on large-force employment. Other participants will also take part in several community engagements, sports activities, and socialization with Filipino communities in Australia," she added.

The FA-50PHs, capable of speeds of up to Mach 1.5, are the most capable and potent aircraft in the PAF inventory. About 12 FA-50PHs were acquired from the Korea Aerospace Industries for PHP18.9 billion.

"Pitch Black" is a biennial exercise conducted by the RAAF.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1228830

NSA: PH firm on protecting sovereignty vs. encroachment, coercion

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 12, 2024): NSA: PH firm on protecting sovereignty vs. encroachment, coercion (By Priam Nepomuceno)

Philippine Navy ship BRP Sierra Madre (PNA file photo)

MANILA – The Philippines will remain steadfast in standing against any territorial encroachments that undermine its sovereignty.

National Security Adviser Eduardo Año made this assurance as Manila marks the 8th anniversary of the historic Arbitral Award on the South China Sea on Friday.

"For the Philippines — notwithstanding the challenges we face —we will continue to stand our ground and push back against coercion, interference, malign influence and other tactics that seek to jeopardize our security and stability," Año said in his speech at the Stratbase ADR Institute's forum titled "The 8th Year of the Arbitral Victory: A Collective Pursuit of Maritime Security in the West Philippine Sea" at the Manila Polo Club in Makati City.

"We will do all of these not merely for the country’s interests, but more importantly, for our common interests in the Indo-Pacific Region and beyond," he added.

Año also stressed that respect and adherence to international law should neither be optional nor should be based on a state's own liking, benefit, or convenience, stressing this is crucial in ensuring world order.

"We must then work arm-in-arm to vigorously pursue this collective vision — showing to the world that it is workable and possible to give rise to a free, peaceful, and secured world — if, and only if, we act sincerely and responsibly under international laws that govern, unite, and bind us together," Año said.

He added that Manila would continuously engage, build partnerships, and seek wider international support to "defend and protect what is rightfully ours".

"As a peaceful nation, our doors are always open to open and frank discussions based on mutual respect and sincerity. If you call, we will answer," Año said.

He added that the Philippines would continue to rally its partners and allies, and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), in the Indo-Pacific and beyond, to make a united stance against those that seek to undermine the arbitral ruling and to express the important role international law plays in maintaining peace and stability in the maritime commons.

He also emphasized that the Arbitral Award was a test case for all countries as the extent to which the international community supports it and seeks to enforce the ruling would have serious consequences for the utility of international law.

DND: Arbitral Award beefs up PH rights to EEZ, resources

In a separate statement, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the Arbitral Award further beefed up the Philippines' rights to its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and resources found there.

The defense sector is "taking this award to heart" in defending the country's interest, especially troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre which serves Manila's outpost at the Ayungin Shoal, Teodoro said.

"Kaya po, ito po ay hindi biro-biro, hindi po ito salita lamang. Ginagawa po namin araw-araw - pinagsisikapan po namin na mapangalagaan ang teritoryo at sovereign rights ng ating bansa upang makinabang ang Republika ng Pilipinas, at hindi ano mang bansa, sa likas na yaman na (itinakda) ng International Law sa ilalim ng recognized na batas na kinikilala ng maraming bansa, hindi po tulad ng naratibo ng ibang mga bansa na sila lang po ang naniniwala. (That is why this is not a joke, these are not words only. We do it everyday - doing our best to protect the territory and sovereign rights so that the Republic of the Philippines and no other country would benefit from the natural resources as stipulated by international law, a law which is recognized by many countries, unlike the narrative of other nations which is only believed by them)," the DND chief said.

He also called on Filipinos to stand united in defending the country's rights and sovereignty supported by the Arbitral Award.

On July 12, 2016, the Arbitral Tribunal constituted under the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention dismissed China’s expansive claims under its so-called nine-dash-line as illegal.

Beijing, however, continues to reject the ruling.

DOTr: 'Law always prevails'

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) also joined the commemoration of the landmark award, saying this "reinforces our rights as owners of these waters."

“The PCA’s (Permanent Court of Arbitration) ruling manifests that the rule of law must always prevail,” it said.

Eight years after the decision, the agency said the country’s role has evolved into preserving peace in the region.

“Let us build on this role as the best foundation to maintain regional stability,” it said.

It also called on the public to remain committed to protecting the country’s territory.

“It is critical for the next generation of Filipinos to recognize our maritime rights and come to its defense whenever challenged,” it said. (with report from Raymond Carl dela Cruz/PNA)

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1228839

PCG joins task force to boost West Mindanao maritime security

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 12, 2024): PCG joins task force to boost West Mindanao maritime security (By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz)

NEW TASK FORCE. Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) Commander, Lt. Gen. William Gonzales, hands a plaque to Maritime Security Law Enforcement Command (MARSLEC) Commander, PCG Vice Adm. Robert Patrimonio, during the activation of Joint Task Force (JTF) Poseidon on July 9, 2024. The PCG on Friday (July 12, 2024) said it has joined the task force to help boost security in the waters of Western Mindanao. (Photo courtesy of PCG)

MANILA – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has joined the Joint Task Force (JTF) Poseidon to boost maritime security in the southwestern Philippines, particularly Western Mindanao, following the deactivation of JTF Tawi-Tawi.

In a statement on Friday, the PCG said the initiative seeks to fortify defense capabilities within the Western Mindanao Command’s (Westmincom) Joint Area of Operations (JAO).

It will primarily focus on territorial defense operations, internal security operations, and supporting other law enforcement agencies.

Rear Adm. Francisco Tagamolila, chief of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM), has been selected as the commander of JTF-Poseidon.

The new JTF was created following the deactivation of JTF Tawi-Tawi after it achieved its mission of bringing peace to the area, a previous hotbed of insurgent and terrorist activities, particularly kidnapping.

Maritime Security Law Enforcement Command (MARSLEC) commander, Coast Guard Vice Adm. Robert Patrimonio, commended Westmincom’s continued efforts in the region and promised full support to the JTF Poseidon’s mission to enforce maritime laws, combat illicit activities, ensure maritime stability, and protect the country’s maritime domain.

On Tuesday, Westmincom activated JTF-Poseidon and will operate throughout the command's area, including the southern maritime borders of the Philippines with Malaysia and Indonesia.

In May, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. visited the JTF Tawi-Tawi headquarters in Bongao town and lauded how the region, previously a war zone, now has resorts and other ongoing developments due to the peace achieved by the soldiers of the task force.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1228887

SC affirms denial of compensation for acquitted ASG member

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 12, 2024): SC affirms denial of compensation for acquitted ASG member (By Benjamin Pulta)

Supreme Court of the Philippines (PNA file photo)

MANILA – The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday affirmed that persons claiming compensation from the government for unjust imprisonment must have “served time after conviction” after being erroneously charged.

In its 13-page decision published online on July 12, the SC ruled that to be entitled to compensation under Section 3(a) of Republic Act No. (RA) 7309 (Board of Claims for Unjust Imprisonment or Detention and Victims of Violent Crimes), an individual must have been unjustly imprisoned due to a conviction.

The high tribunal’s ruling affirmed the Department of Justice (DOJ) Board of Claims’ denial of the compensation claim filed by Main T. Mohammad, a member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) who was arrested in 2017 and charged with two counts of murder.

The Board of Claims grants compensation to individuals “unjustly accused, convicted, and imprisoned but subsequently released by virtue of a judgment of acquittal.”

The charges were dismissed in 2019 after the prosecution failed to produce a witness who could identify Mohammad.

Mohammad then filed a compensation claim before the Board of Claims in Zamboanga City.

However, the Board, denied his claim on the ground that prior conviction in the trial court, and subsequent release from detention due to acquittal on appeal, are required.

The Justice Secretary affirmed the Board’s decision, prompting Mohammad to file before the Supreme Court.

The Court explained that to be granted compensation under Section 3(a) of RA 7309, an individual must have been unjustly accused; convicted of the offense; imprisoned due to his conviction; and subsequently acquitted by a judgment.

It noted that in Mohammed’s case “no reason was given to show there was unjust accusation other than the fact that Mohammad was detained for two years, only to be acquitted.”

“Without bad faith on the part of the prosecution, an accusation based on probable guilt that later leads to an acquittal may be considered erroneous, but not necessarily unjust,” the Court said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1228885

US welcomes PH-Japan RAA; hopes for ‘more complex’ regional drills

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 12, 2024): US welcomes PH-Japan RAA; hopes for ‘more complex’ regional drills (By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora)

RAA LAUDED. United States Ambassador MaryKay Carlson speaks at a Stratbase ADRI forum commemorating the 8th anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Ruling in Makati on Friday (July 12, 2024). The US welcomed the signing of the reciprocal access agreement (RAA) between Japan and the Philippines. (PNA Photo by Robert Alfiler)

MANILA – The United States on Friday welcomed the signing of the reciprocal access agreement (RAA) between Tokyo and Manila, which will lift restrictions on military exchanges between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF).

Speaking at a Stratbase ADRI forum commemorating the 8th anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Ruling in Makati, US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson said Washington DC is “encouraged by the opportunities enabled” by the two states’ RAA.

“To quote Assistant Secretary of Defense (Ely) Ratner again, ‘The future we’re striving for is one with greater interoperability and cooperation among like-minded Indo-Pacific partners’,” she said.

“And this means enhanced reciprocal access, more participation in larger and more complex regional exercises, greater investment together in advanced capabilities – and the Philippines stands at the intersection of all of that,” she added.

The Philippines, US, Japan and other like-minded states engage in a series of multilateral maritime cooperative activities to promote a rules-based order and a “free and open” Indo-Pacific region in the face of China’s increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea.

In signing the RAA on July 8, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Tokyo and Manila would be able to further boost defense ties and facilitate joint exercises against the backdrop of a security environment becoming “increasingly severe”.

It clarified, meanwhile, that the agreement is not targeting any country.

Last April, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. conveyed his openness to have Japan in the country’s annual Balikatan exercises with the US. In this year’s iteration, Australia and France participated in the drills while Japan joined as observer.

French-PH VFA

In the same forum, French Ambassador to the Philippines Marie Fontanel expressed hopes that the next visiting forces agreement (VFA) Manila would sign would be with France.

“Now that the spectacular negotiation with Japan has come to the impressive results we saw last week. Congratulations on that. We are working very hard to be one of the countries next in line,” she said.

Fontanel said Paris has been tasked to craft the first draft of the VFA but no specific timeline has been set as of yet.

“They did not commit to any specific timing but maybe by September, autumn period, France will be in a position to issue the first draft and that would be then possibly be the start of discussions,” she said in a separate interview.

Similar to Tokyo, she clarified that the possible France-Philippines VFA is not designed to target any state.

“Being partners facing both joint challenges in the international scene, believing in the multilateralism force, we just want to strengthen our partnership. It’s really not designed to target anyone else,” she said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1228870

175 former NPA rebels in Negros seek amnesty

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 12, 2024): 175 former NPA rebels in Negros seek amnesty (By Nanette Guadalquiver)

AMNESTY APPLICATION. Former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army, assisted by the Philippine Army's 94th Infantry Battalion, apply for amnesty on Wednesday (July 10, 2024). Applications are accepted by the National Amnesty Commission through the Local Amnesty Board-Bacolod at the Bacolod City College until Friday (July 12). (Photo courtesy of 94th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army)

BACOLOD CITY – Some 175 former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army in Negros Island applied for amnesty before the National Amnesty Commission (NAC) through the Local Amnesty Board (LAB)-Bacolod as of Thursday.

A list provided by the Philippine Army's 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde) showed the 79th Infantry Battalion assisted 52 applicants; the 62nd Infantry Battalion, 30; and the 94th Infantry Battalion (IB), 93.

In a statement, Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin, commander of 303IBde, said the Armed Forces of the Philippines is committed to assisting the NAC and other concerned local and national agencies in the effective implementation of the government's amnesty program.

"The AFP's role in providing essential security, intelligence, and logistical support emphasizes its strong willingness to collaborate closely with the LAB in all peace process-related initiatives," he added.

The LAB-Bacolod is processing amnesty applications until July 12 at Bacolod City College.

Col. Victor Llapitan, deputy commander of 303IBde and a member of LAB-Bacolod, welcomed the trust and support of the applicants to the program.

"It is our hope that through the government's amnesty program, all former rebels in Negros would be granted amnesty for their smooth reintegration into mainstream society. Those granted amnesty would regain their political and civil rights," he said.

Under Proclamation No. 404, the amnesty program application for the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) is effective for two years, starting March 13, 2024.

"The communist-terrorist group is close to collapsing. I suggest that the remaining active members of CPP-NPA-NDF give up the armed struggle and apply for the amnesty program," Lt. Col. Ziegfred Tayaban, commanding officer of 94IB, said in a statement.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1228785

2 ‘Reds’ surrender to S. Cotabato police

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 12, 2024): 2 ‘Reds’ surrender to S. Cotabato police (By Edwin Fernandez)

(Image courtesy of SCPPO)

KORONADAL CITY – Two members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) separately surrendered to police authorities barely a day apart in South Cotabato province, police said on Friday.

In a statement, the South Cotabato Provincial Police Office (SCPPO) said a female NPA fighter, identified only as “Jelay,” surrendered Friday morning.

Lt. Colonel Rey Egos, chief of SCPPO’s 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company South, said Jelay, 25, belonged to the NPA Guerilla Front ALIP of the Far South Mindanao Region.

“Jelay would be enrolled in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the government due to her pursuit of a peaceful life,” Egos said in his report.

Meanwhile, on Thursday afternoon, a male NPA combatant, identified only as “Ar-Ar,” turned himself in to Major Roel Parreño, the commander of the South Cotabato 2nd Police Mobile Force Company based in Surallah town.

“Ar-Ar turned in a hand grenade and one Uzi submachine gun with ammunition,” the SCPPO said.

The 40-year-old “Ar-Ar” told police he was tired of running away from government forces, adding that his life in the forest with his comrades has been challenging the past months, forcing him to consider laying down his firearm.

Parreño extended financial aid and a sack of rice to the former combatant, who will also be enrolled in the E-CLIP program.

Both Egos and Parreño have called on other rebels to avail of the government’s reconciliation program.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1228841

Abra tightens security as PBBM expected in 37th Cordillera Day

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 12, 2024): Abra tightens security as PBBM expected in 37th Cordillera Day (By Liza Agoot)

SECURITY MEASURES. The Abra Provincial Police Office has heightened security measures in the province particularly in the capital town, Bangued, and its entrances and exits ahead of the 37th Cordillera Day celebration on July 15, 2024. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has been invited as the guest of honor and speaker. (PNA file photo by Liza T. Agoot)

BAGUIO CITY – The province of Abra has been placed on alert following two grenade explosion incidents this week, and as the province prepares for hosting the 37th Cordillera Day celebration on July 15, expected to be attended by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

Abra Police Provincial Director Col. Jeremias Oyawon, in a phone interview on Friday, said they have intensified the conduct of checkpoints and added personnel in all entrances leading to the capital town as basic security measure.

“There is nothing to worry about because the tightening of security is a preventive measure as droves of people start arriving in Abra,” he said.

Oyawon said personnel from the Police Mobile Forces are expected to augment the security in Abra to ensure that no untoward incident occurs before and during the major event on Monday.

The Philippine Army is also expected to send personnel to help with security.

The police are still investigating the grenade blast at the residence of Pidigan Councilor Arnulfo Bisares last July 8 and at the residence of La Paz municipal administrator Perfecto Cardenas on July 11.

Meanwhile, Marcos has been invited as guest of honor and speaker for the event on July 15, along with the heads and personnel of regional lines agencies, representatives from the private sector, and local officials of the provinces and 27 municipalities, among others.

Cordillera leaders continue to lobby for the Chief Executive’s issuance of an order making the passage of a law on the region’s longtime clamor for autonomy and self-determination.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1228851

1.9K Reds surrender in H1 2024 thru localized peace talks

From the Philippine News Agency Jul 12, 2024): 1.9K Reds surrender in H1 2024 thru localized peace talks (By Priam Nepomuceno)

MANILA – The government's Local Peace Engagement (LPE) initiative has led to the surrender of 1,904 communist insurgents in the first half of the year, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) said Friday.

In a statement, the anti-insurgency body said these surrendered former New People's Army (NPA) members came from 299 cleared barangays across the country.

The figure comprises 1,266 full-fledged NPA fighters and 638 Militia ng Bayan members.

"This period marks a remarkable achievement. This accomplishment will serve as the foundation for us to accelerate and advance," Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) Undersecretary for the Local Conflict Transformation Cluster Wilben Mayor said during the NTF-ELCAC's first semestral conference at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Thursday.

He was referring to Tracks 1 and 2 of the LPE and Transformation program, which include community consultation, and problem-solving sessions and local peace dialogue, respectively.

Meanwhile, Department of National Defense (DND) Undersecretary Angelito De Leon, head of the NTF-ELCAC's Peace, Law Enforcement, and Development Support Cluster, reported that the NPA's strength has decreased to only 1,251 from 24,000 in the 1980s.

"Significantly, during this period, 37 key leaders of the NPA have been neutralized," De Leon said, noting that these rebel leaders played crucial roles in the terror strategies of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

He said the NTF-ELCAC is on the right path to finally ending local communist armed conflict.

To further strengthen the collective spirit of the former rebels, De Leon commended security partners for establishing Peace and Development Centers (PDCs), which serve as a convergence point between the government's whole-of-nation approach and the former rebels.

Meanwhile, NTF-ELCAC executive director, Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr., cited the need to innovate mechanisms that can effectively and efficiently serve the government's ultimate goal of resolving the root causes of insurgency that would result in ending the communist movement.

He made the statement after reporting that 89 active NPA guerilla fronts had been dismantled since 2018.

"Now, we are only dealing with seven weakened fronts. We must innovate our tactics and mechanisms," Torres added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1228827

300 former NPA members seek amnesty

 From the Daily Guardian (Jul 13, 2024): 300 former NPA members seek amnesty

Some former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels applied for amnesty during a five-day application schedule held at Bacolod City College (BCC) in Barangay Taculing, Bacolod City on July 10. (Photo courtesy of 303rd IBde)

BACOLOD CITY – A total of 300 former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Western Visayas have applied for amnesty as of July 11.

The bulk of the applicants were from Negros Island with 210, followed by the Panay area with 90.

Lieutenant Colonel J-jay Javines, head of the Division Public Affairs Office (DPAO) of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (ID), said these applicants surrendered to the government since 2018.

A total of 175 applicants were from the 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde), 35 from the 302nd IBde, and 90 from the 301st IBde.

Under the 303rd IBde, 92 were from the 94th Infantry Battalion (IB), 53 from the 79th IB, and 30 from the 62nd IB. For the 302nd IBde, 24 were from the 11th IB, and 11 from the 15th IB.

Under the 301st IBde, 31 were from the 61st IB, 30 from the 82nd IB, 20 from the 12th IB, and nine from the 3rd Military Intelligence Battalion (MIB).

Javines said the application for the amnesty program would run from March this year to March 2026.

He mentioned that the amnesty might only be granted to former NPA rebels with offenses in pursuit of political beliefs, such as rebellion, insurrection, scandal, and disturbance, among others.

With the granting of amnesty, former rebels would be exonerated from their offenses covered by the program.

“This means if a former rebel has a warrant, they will not be imprisoned or arrested,” Javines said, stressing that the amnesty enables former rebels to be absolved of their crimes, regardless of the number of offenses committed in pursuit of political beliefs.

He stated that the applicants were screened by the Local Amnesty Board, after which they would be recommended to the National Amnesty Council.

Before applying for amnesty, a former rebel should have been charged or convicted for a crime or an offense, he added.

In November 2023, the President issued Proclamations 403, 404, 405, and 406 granting amnesty to members of the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB), Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA-National Democratic Front (NDF), Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), respectively.

As provided in Article VII, Section 19 of the 1987 Constitution, the President shall have the power to grant amnesty with the concurrence of a majority of all members of Congress.

Meanwhile, Brigadier General Orlando Edralin, 303rd IBde commander, reiterated the commitment of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to assisting the National Amnesty Commission and other relevant local and national agencies in effectively implementing the government’s amnesty program.

He emphasized the AFP’s role in providing essential security, intelligence, and logistical support, and expressed a strong willingness to collaborate closely with the Local Amnesty Board in all peace process-related initiatives.

https://dailyguardian.com.ph/300-former-npa-members-seek-amnesty/#google_vignette

NAC starts accepting amnesty applications of Negros ex-rebels

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 8, 2024): NAC starts accepting amnesty applications of Negros ex-rebels (By Nanette Guadalquiver)

BACOLOD CITY – The National Amnesty Commission (NAC), through the Local Amnesty Board (LAB) in this city, is accepting amnesty applications from former rebels in Negros Island and the neighboring provinces of Siquijor, Bohol and Cebu this week.

The five-day processing of enrollment, which started Monday, is being held at Bacolod City College.

The acceptance of applications came after the LAB-Bacolod, chaired by Negros Occidental Provincial Prosecutor Hermes Ariño, convened here for the first time last month.

In an interview on Monday, Lt. Col. J-Jay Javines, public affairs chief of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, said at least 100 former rebels are processing their applications.

“We are closely coordinating with our LABs. These applicants are under the coverage areas of 302nd and 303rd Infantry Brigades,” he added.

Proclamation Nos. 403, 404, 405, and 406 in 2023, grant amnesty to members of the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade, Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front and their front organizations, Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and Moro National Liberation Front.

After the assessment, LAB will forward its recommendations to the NAC, which will further review the applications for the President’s final approval.

Applicants facing arrest warrants and who want to submit their applications personally can request the LAB for a provisional safe conduct pass, while those incarcerated will be assisted by supervisory officers within their detention centers.

The window for amnesty applications, according to the NAC, spans two years from the effective dates of the proclamations (March 4 and March 13, 2024).

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1228512

Commentary: Too good to be true? Unpacking Jemaah Islamiyah’s self-declared disbanding

Posted to BenarNews (Jul 10, 2024): Too good to be true? Unpacking Jemaah Islamiyah’s self-declared disbanding (Commentary by Zachary Abuza)

Police officers inspect the ruins of a nightclub destroyed by a bomb blast in Kuta, Bali, Indonesia, Oct. 13, 2002.  AP file photo

At an event organized last month by the Indonesian counter-terrorism agency (BNPT), Abu Rusydan and 15 other leaders of Jemaah Islamiyah announced their group’s dissolution.

JI, the Southeast Asian affiliate of al-Qaeda, had carried out a string of devastating attacks in the 2000s, including Indonesia’s deadliest-ever terror attack – the 2002 Bali bombings. But now it was “ready to actively contribute to Indonesia’s progress and dignity,” Abu Rusydan declared as he read from a prepared statement during the event on June 30.

This is not the first time that a militant group has disbanded itself. The Provisional Irish Republican Army unilaterally broke up in 2005, throwing itself solely into legal activities through its political arm, Sinn Féin. In 2018, the Basque separatist organization ETA also unilaterally disbanded.

But Jemaah Islamiyah’s announcement surprised many people, and left others feeling skeptical.

There are three interrelated questions that need to be asked about the move by JI: How did we get here? Is this for real? And what does this mean for regional security?

How did we get here?

Jemaah Islamiyah, which has its roots in the Darul Islam movement, was founded in Malaysia in 1993, when its two founders, Abdullah Sungkar and Abu Bakar Bashir, were on the run from Suharto’s New Order government in Indonesia.

While in Malaysia, they served as a way-station for several hundred militants who traveled to Pakistan to join the anti-Soviet jihad in Afghanistan, putting them in direct contact with al-Qaeda.

In 1996, a charter (the PUPJI) created the group’s organizational structure and codified JI’s Salafi ideology. At the time, the group also reached an agreement with the Philippine armed separatist organization, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, to allow al-Qaeda to establish training camps in the southern Philippines.

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In Indonesia, JI perpetrated terrorist attacks on Christian churches and established two paramilitary organizations to wage sectarian conflict in the Maluku Islands and Central Sulawesi province.

Following the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in October 2001, the al-Qaeda leadership called for diversionary attacks. One of these was the twin Bali bombings that killed 202 people a year later.

Police officers escort suspected militant Zulkarnaen (center), who is also known as Aris Sumarsono and believed to be the military leader of the al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah network, upon his arrival at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Indonesia, Dec. 16, 2020. [Achmad Ibrahim/AP]

Between 2002 and 2007, JI perpetrated a major attack almost every year. But each attack left the organization weaker as counterterrorism forces became more adept and better resourced.

This led to an ideological split in the organization between proponents of the line of targeting the “far enemy,” versus those who wanted to foment sectarian conflict in order to rebuild their depleted ranks.

The government legally banned JI in 2008, but allowed it to operate as an entity as long as it refrained from violence.

In 2010, more than 100 JI members were swept up, including Abu Bakar Bashir, breaking the organization’s back. JI’s last terrorist act took place that year.

Yet, from 2020-2023, Indonesian counter-terrorism efforts were as focused on JI as it was on the pro-Islamic State umbrella group, Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD). Security forces originally saw JI as an off-ramp for the more radical JAD, but attitudes hardened.

In 2019, when counterterrorism police arrested JI’s emir, Para Wijayanto, they were shocked by the group’s size and national reach. Its madrassas and charitable arms had grown, while its corporations and publishing arms had created a steady revenue stream. As many JI members were arrested in 2021 and 2022 as JAD suspects.

Indonesian counter-terrorism forces have applied a softer approach. Though seemingly campy, they’ve held mass rallies where former militants pledge allegiance to the republic.

Former militants have established madrassas for the children of incarcerated militants, so they are not raised in JI or JAD-run schools, breaking terrorist social networks.

They’ve gotten leaders, including the JAD Emir Aman Abdurrahman, who is on death row, and Umar Patek, to publicly renounce violence.

Indonesian militant Umar Patek (right) uses his mobile phone to make a video call as his long-time friend Ali Fauzi, a former bomb maker who now runs a program aimed at de-radicalizing militants, joins during their meeting in Lamongan, East Java, Indonesia, Dec. 13, 2022. [Trisnadi/AP]

Meanwhile the conflict in Poso, which served as a rallying point for all militant groups in Indonesia, has been stamped out.

Internationally, there has been more cooperation amongst the regional security services. And while ungoverned space and institutional weakness remains in the southern Philippines, militant groups are no longer attracting JI and other foreign militants.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front continues to implement the peace process and build up institutions that will help the autonomous Muslim region transition to self-governance. There has been an unprecedented sustained attack on the Abu Sayyaf, which is now fighting for survival.

Is this for real?

While JI has not been in a position to engage in terrorism, until now, it has never renounced violence. Many in the organization were simply waiting for the right circumstance to resume operations.

It’s easy to be cynical about the group’s prepared statement, especially at an event stage-managed by the BNPT. Some of those who were on hand had been arrested and gone through government disengagement programs.

To young radicals, they’re sell-outs, and past their prime. The average age of the men who renounced violence was in the late 50s or older.

To what degree will younger members follow the leadership and pursue a legal-political alternative?

In many ways, this is more promising. JI’s campaign of militancy failed to bring about the establishment of an Islamic State governed by Sharia. Democratic politics have advanced their political agenda more effectively.

It’s not that Islamist parties do terribly well at the national level. Indeed, in Indonesia’s 2024 general election, they collectively represented about 20% of the electorate and won 101 of 580 seats. But they are important members of political coalitions, which tend to give them a disproportionate voice.

It’s at the local level where we see faith-based parties make their mark, especially in the passage of public policy and Sharia compliant codes, which the majority of provinces and districts now have.

Islamist parties are riddled with rivalries and have never formed a cohesive bloc.

Perhaps for that reason, JI saw an opening for a tactical shift. In May 2021, JI established the Indonesian People’s Dakwah Party (PDRI). Yet, counter-terrorism forces arrested its founder, Farid Ahmad Okbah, that November for being a senior member of JI. Two others were arrested.

The PDRI did not contest the 2024 elections. But it seems likely that with JI’s dissolution, the government will give former members more political space.

What does this mean for regional security?

JI’s manpower and locus were largely-Indonesian based, but it remains a Southeast Asian organization.

Some affiliates gravitated elsewhere. Darul Islam Sabah, for example, went from facilitating JI and the movement of foreign militants in and out of the southern Philippines to working with the JAD and other groups.

There has always been more fluidity between Southeast Asian militant groups than those in the Middle East or South Asia. Abu Bakar Bashir defected from being pro-al Qaeda to being pro-Islamic State, with large numbers of acolytes, without consequence.

As such, many younger militants who are committed to using violence to achieve their political aims are likely to defect to other groups.

What those groups may be, though, is unclear. The JAD is decimated and leaderless, though to be fair, it was always far more horizontally structured. It has not executed a major terrorist attack since 2019.

At present there is no apparent charismatic leader for militant Salafists to coalesce around. And while one would expect external events, such as the war in Gaza, to serve as a catalyst, to date it has not.

Ailing radical cleric Abu Bakar Bashir (center), arrives for medical treatment at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital in Jakarta, Indonesia, March 1, 2018. [Dita Alangkara/AP]

JI still runs a network of madrassas, including some very large ones like al-Mukmin and Pesantren Hidayatullah in Balikpapan. These continue to be ideological incubators and hate factories.

It’s hard to see state educational personnel intervene and change their curriculum. But Indonesian security forces have not let up, despite the decline in organizational strength or the tempo of operations.

Terrorism will be a persistent but manageable threat in Indonesia. JI’s dissolution makes it more so, providing a legal-political alternative that is more moral, but also proven to be more effective.

[Zachary Abuza is a professor at the National War College in Washington and an adjunct at Georgetown University. The views expressed here are his own and do not reflect the position of the U.S. Department of Defense, the National War College, Georgetown University or BenarNews.]

https://www.benarnews.org/english/commentaries/jemaah-islamiyah-dissolves-indonesia-zachary-abuza-07102024105010.html

93 more former rebels seek amnesty

From the Visayan Daily Star (Jul 12, 2024): 93 more former rebels seek amnesty (By GILBERT P. BAYORAN)

Ninety-three more former New People’s Army rebels in central and southern Negros have applied for amnesty.

The 93 former rebels were escorted on July 10 by the 94th Infantry Battalion and 303rd Infantry Brigade in facilitating the filing of amnesty before the Local Amnesty Board in Bacolod City.

They bring to 176 the total number of former rebels who have applied for government amnesty in Negros Occidental, from July 8 to 10.

On November 22, 2023, President Marcos issued Proclamations 403, 404, 405 and 406 granting amnesty to members of the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB), CPP-NPA-NDF, Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), respectively.

The application period for amnesty of the members of the RPMP-RPA-ABB, Moro Islamic Liberation Front and MNLF will be up to March 4, 2026, while the application period for the former members of the CPP-NPA-NDF will end on March 13, 2026.

As provided in Article VII, Section 19 of the 1987 Constitution, the President shall have the power to grant amnesty with the concurrence of a majority of all members of Congress.

The National Amnesty Commission (NAC) is looking forward to processing at least 20,000 amnesty applications of former rebels with the creation of more local amnesty boards.

Lt. Col. Arnel Calaoagan, 79th Infantry Battalion commander, who also facilitated the filing of amnesty of 33 rebels that surrendered to his unit, said the amnesty program aims to provide reintegrated individuals involved in insurgent activities a chance to return to normal life, with the support of the community and government.

Calaoagan said the program has already seen a substantial number of applicants during its first phase, with many more expected to follow.*

https://visayandailystar.com/93-more-former-rebels-seek-amnesty/

Former ASG members receive farm inputs

From the Sun Star-Zamboanga (Jul 9, 2024): Former ASG members receive farm inputs

ZAMBOANGA. The Army’s 21st Infantry Battalion facilitates the distribution of farm inputs in support of the livelihood of former members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the province of Sulu on Saturday. The farm inputs were donated by a non-government organization (NGO) known as the Gagandilan Mindanao Women Incorporated headed by Wahida Abdulla. (SunStar Zamboanga)

THE Army’s 21st Infantry Battalion facilitated the distribution of farm inputs in support of the livelihood of former members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the province of Sulu, the military said Tuesday, July 9.

The 4th Civil Relations Group (4CRG) said the recipients of the farm inputs are the former ASG members residing in Sitio Bud Bawis in Bangday village, Panamao, Sulu.

The 4CRG said the farm inputs that were distributed on Saturday, July 6, consisting of 39 rolls of hog wire for fencing and assorted seedlings benefitted 30 families.

The farm inputs were donated by a non-government organization (NGO) known as the Gagandilan Mindanao Women Incorporated headed by Wahida Abdulla.

The 4CRG said the organization strongly supports the advocacy to establish income-generating projects that will support the former ASG’s needs for daily living.

“This project will pave the way to help them have a sustainable livelihood that will reduce poverty and sustain peace in the community,” the 4CRG said.

The 4CRG said the 2IIB will continuously support the government’s advocacy in promoting livelihood programs for the former ASG members with the convergence effort of the NGO. (SunStar Zamboanga)

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/zamboanga/local-news/former-asg-members-receive-farm-inputs#google_vignette

Marcos lauds AFP troops for weakening Abu Sayyaf in Mindanao

From the Philippine Star (July 6, 2024): Marcos lauds AFP troops for weakening Abu Sayyaf in Mindanao (By Kristine Daguno-Bersamina)

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the 1st Semester Armed Forces of the Philippines Command Conference at Camp Aguinaldo on July 4, 2024.  Presidential Communications Office

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday commended the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for their success in reducing the threat of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Mindanao.

During a visit to the 11th Infantry Division headquarters at Camp Teodulfo Bautista, the commander-in-chief thanked the military for their efforts and sacrifices to curb the capabilities of the ASG.

“I have to congratulate all of you who have worked to achieve this success, who have worked very hard and have made many sacrifices so that we can now say that the capabilities of the main threat, which is the ASG, have been severely reduced,” Marcos said.

But the president reminded them to stay vigilant as the mission is far from over.

“Now, that does not mean that the mission is over. As you can imagine, mayroon pa diyan na papasok na baka gustong mag-organize ulit kaya’t kailangan pa rin nating bantayan,” Marcos said.

(Now, that does not mean that the mission is over. As you can imagine, there may still be some who want to reorganize, so we must remain watchful.)

According to the president, he was briefed on the steady decline in the insurgents’ operational capacity, including their manpower and arsenal.

“Ang assessment na nga ay ‘yung threat is only from individual actors. Wala na silang units na gumagalaw as a unit. They are … basically (neutralized)… We have dismantled their machinery for causing, for bringing terror,” Marcos said.

(The assessment is that the threat is now only from individual actors. They no longer have units operating as a group. They are … basically (neutralized)… We have dismantled their machinery for causing, for bringing terror.)

The president also mentioned the reduced threat from other terrorist groups inspired by Al-Qaeda and ISIS.

There has been a shift to external defense amid emerging tensions, particularly in the West Philippine Sea, according to Marcos.

He also added the establishment of a task force with a maritime force and the Navy to bolster the Philippine Coast Guard’s presence and security operations in the region.

Last Tuesday, the Philippines and China agreed on Tuesday to "de-escalate tensions" over the West Philippine Sea following a violent encounter in the disputed waters last month.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/07/06/2368212/marcos-lauds-afp-troops-weakening-abu-sayyaf-mindanao