BCDA takes over Camp John Hay leased area

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 6, 2025): BCDA takes over Camp John Hay leased area (By Liza Agoot)

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Camp John Hay opens to the public around 11 a.m. Monday (Jan. 6, 2025) after a brief closure earlier in the day to make way for the implementation of the Notice to Vacate for the clients of private developer, Camp John Hay Development Corporation. The takeover adheres to the Supreme Court’s October 2024 decision that ordered the private developer to transfer to the government, through the Bases Conversion Development Authority, the management of the leased property. (Contributed photos/Jimmy Ceralde)

BAGUIO CITY – Monday’s turnover of the 240-hectare leased areas of Camp John Hay to the government did not encounter hitches.

The Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) has gained control of different facilities following a Supreme Court decision in October 2024 that ordered the private developer, Camp John Hay Development Corporation (CJHDevCo), to turn over management of the leased property.

Leilani Macasaet, BCDA vice president for public affairs, said in a statement that they have gained control of The Manor, Forest Lodge, golf club, CAP Convention Center, Commander’s Cottage, open spaces and other areas

“BCDA assures the public that businesses will continue to operate and thrive in Camp John Hay,” she said.

All gates going inside the Camp John Hay facilities were closed on Monday prior to the takeover, but were opened to the public around 11 a.m.

Col. Ruel Tagel, Baguio City Police Office Director, said in a phone interview that officers were deployed during the process upon request.

“The notice was orderly and there was no untoward incident that happened in the implementation of the court’s order,” he said.

The John Hay Leisure, which operates The Manor, Forest Lodge and Cap Convention Center, said they support the transition but called for the protection of their more than 400 direct employees and contractors.

CJH Golf Club, for its part, said it also wants its more than 1,000 members protected.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1241079

Gov’t forces seek to end terror financing in Western Visayas

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 6, 2025): Gov’t forces seek to end terror financing in Western Visayas (By Nanette Guadalquiver)

COLLARED. The arrest of Dharyl Albañez (left), accused of terrorism financing, in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental, on Jan. 2, 2024. He is one of the three facing terrorism financing charges before the Regional Trial Court Branch 31 in Iloilo City, arrested in the province on the same day. (Photo courtesy of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office)

BACOLOD CITY – Top officials of the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Army in Western Visayas welcomed the arrest of the three individuals accused of terrorism financing in Negros Occidental.

In a statement on Monday, Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky, director of Police Regional Office (PRO)-6, said terrorism financing is the lifeblood of the operations of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

“It remains the single, most utilized strategy in their desperate bid to overthrow our democratic government. Cutting the source and prosecuting those who facilitate the generation of these funds will put an end to the CPP-NPA-NDF,” he added.

Joint police and military personnel served warrants of arrest to Dharyl Albañez, 41; Perla Pavillar, 57; and Federico Salvilla, 63, all members of the Paghidaet sa Kauswagan Development Group Inc. based in Kabankalan City, in separate operations on Jan. 2.

Albañez was first arrested in La Carlota City, followed by Pavillar in Cauayan town, and Salvilla in the municipality of Pulupandan.

Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division (ID), said the arrest is “a crucial step in curbing the flow of funds and resources” to the CPP-NPA-NDF.

“The 3ID recognizes the insidious nature of this terrorist financing network, which operates through various front organizations disguised as legitimate entities,” he said in a separate statement.

Sison said these groups “exploit both international and local sources to provide vital material, financial and logistical support to sustain terroristic activities and exploitation of communities in far-flung areas.”

Last December, the three accused were among the five individuals charged by the Department of Justice with violation of Section 8 of Republic Act 10168 or the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012 before the Regional Trial Court Branch 31 in Iloilo City.

Both Albañez and Salvilla were charged with two counts, while Pavillar, with three counts, with a bail of PHP200,000 for each count.

In a statement posted on Facebook on Sunday, the Defend NGOs Alliance said Albañez has already posted a bail of PHP400,000.

The two other accused were Clarissa Ramos and Felipe Levy Gelle.

The complaints were filed by the PRO-6, which is part of the Special Task Group on Countering Communist Terrorist Resource Generation for Region 6 (STG-CCRG), before the DOJ, which conducted the preliminary investigation proceedings before elevating the cases before the court.

“We stand firmly behind the STG-CCRG’s move to expose and dismantle these terror-financing networks, ultimately depriving the (CPP-NPA-NDF) of the resources they need to recuperate and resurge after suffering major debacles,” Sison said.

In a separate statement, the Joint Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict-6 said, “the government’s task is to unmask these groups and to uncover their schemes so that the CPP-NPA-NDF will eventually lose their source of funds to support their terrorism-related activities.”

“With the arrest and the prosecution of those engaged in terrorism financing, we are confident that Western Visayas will soon break free from this menace,” it added.

The filing of the cases against the five accused from Negros Occidental followed the landmark conviction of Ian Arevallo, a taxation unit member of the CPP-NPA-NDF Komiteng Rehiyon Panay, who pleaded guilty to being an accomplice in terrorism financing, before the RTC Branch 2 in Kalibo, Aklan in September last year.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1241099

Army dismantles 2 NPA platoons in Samar Island

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 7, 2025): Army dismantles 2 NPA platoons in Samar Island (By Sarwell Meniano)

FIGHTING INSURGENCY. Soldiers patrolling a remote area in Eastern Samar in this undated photo. The Philippine Army has dismantled two platoons of the New People’s Army that operated in some parts of Samar and Eastern Samar provinces. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Philippine Army has dismantled two platoons of the New People’s Army (NPA) that operated in some parts of Samar and Eastern Samar provinces.

After decades of fighting government forces in the southern part of Samar Island, the "Bugsok" and "Apoy" platoons are now considered officially dismantled, Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, commander of the Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade, said.

The two platoons are the remaining rebel formations under the sub-regional committee (SRC) Sesame of the NPA’s Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC).

The National Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Center (NJPSCC) approved the declaration through the signing of resolution No. 13 on Dec. 11, 2024, according to Vestuir.

He recalled that in middle of 2023 during the relocation of the Army's 802nd Brigade headquarters to Borongan City, Eastern Samar, the Apoy platoon had 44 fighters while the Bugsok platoon had 23 combatants.

“Through synchronized efforts and the right force mix utilizing combat, intelligence, and civil-military operations, 47 active NPA fighters were neutralized, and 87 assorted firearms and 54 banned anti-personnel mines were seized until year-end 2024,” Vestuir told the Philippine News Agency.

Currently, there are only 16 members left, five of whom are more than 60 years old, and they have no direction from the Communist Party of the Philippines, as their secretary already surrendered because of hardships, hunger, and inhospitality of the communities towards the NPA, he said.

In an earlier interview, Realyn Basada, 38, a former secretary of the sub-regional committee Sesame under the NPA’s EVRPC, said the absence of provision from previously supportive upland farmers influenced her decision to escape from their lair at about midnight on the third week of November 2024.

“We starved for many days because we did not get any donations from farmers after the military conducted the RCSP (retooled community support program) in previously NPA-influenced areas. We’re not getting any support, unlike in the past,” Basada said.

This development prompted the joint evaluation board from the military and police to recommend the SRC Sesame as dismantled during its meeting on Dec. 23, 2024. The board is just waiting for the resolution from the NJPSCC.

“The troops and stakeholders in the communities are optimistic in pursuing these 16 remnants for this year's campaign to once and for all achieve the total victory of winning the peace in the southern half of Samar Island against the NPA, who waged anti-community development actions since the 1970s,” Vestuir added.

He commended all troops for their bravery, discipline, and sacrifice for the successful dismantling of the two remaining platoon formations.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1241176

4 NPA rebels surrender in Bicol

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 9, 2025): 4 NPA rebels surrender in Bicol (By Connie Calipay)

Police Regional Office-5 Headquarters in Legazpi City (PNA file photo)

LEGAZPI CITY – Four members of the New People's Army (NPA) operating in Bicol voluntarily surrendered to authorities early this week.

In a report on Wednesday, Lt. Col. Malu Calubaquib, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO-5), said the returnees are from the provinces of Masbate and Sorsogon.

Three of them identified as alias "Dado", "Ting", and "Ando", all of legal age and members of Platoon 1, Larangan 2, Kilusang Larangan Guerilla South Sub Regional Committee 4 of the NPA's Bicol Regional Party Committee, surrendered to a joint team from the Revitalized Pulis Sa Barangay (RPSB) in Baras village, Esperanza town in Masbate province, the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC), and the Esperanza Municipal Police Station.

"The surrenderers are currently under the custody of the RPSB Team Baras and the 2nd PMFC for debriefing and documentation," Calubaquib said.

In Sorsogon, another NPA member, known only as "Juan," surrendered to the joint team from the 502nd Mobile Company, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 5, Matnog Municipal Police Station, and the 22nd Infantry Battalion Alpha Company of the Philippine Army.

He turned over a .45 caliber pistol loaded with six rounds of ammunition.

Alias "Juan" was identified as an active informant for communist terrorist group (CTG) operations from 2007 to 2009 and again from 2019 to 2023, particularly in Barangay Mapaso, Irosin town.

He is now under the custody of the 502nd Mobile Company and the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 5 for further processing.

The surrendered individuals will be enrolled in the government’s "Balik-Loob" program through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

The E-CLIP is designed to promote reconciliation in a non-violent manner and offers a package of assistance, including immediate support, help with the reintegration process, capital for livelihood, and remuneration for surrendered firearms.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1241342

MILF member killed in Cotabato City ambush

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 9, 2025): MILF member killed in Cotabato City ambush (By Edwin Fernandez)

ATTACK. Police officers investigate the site where Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members were ambushed in Cotabato City on Wednesday (Jan. 8, 2025). One MILF member was killed and four others were injured. (Photo courtesy of DXMS-Cotabato)

COTABATO CITY – Police are pursuing a gunman who killed a Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) member and wounded four others, including two MILF commanders, in an ambush Wednesday afternoon.

Capt. Teofisto Ferrer Jr., city police station 2 chief, identified the victim as Ahma Utto, 25, a resident of Barangay Barurao, Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao del Sur.

“It was a case of 'rido' (family feud) in Sultan sa Barongis,” Ferrer said Thursday.

Also injured were MILF field commanders Marathi Felmin and Jaypee Emran, Alladin Utto, all of Sultan sa Barongis, and Tahir Tega Sam, 61, of Cotabato City.

Five other MILF members escaped unharmed.

Ferrer identified the attacker as Kanandok Mukadas, 33, of Sultan sa Barongis.

The victims were heading to Sultan sa Barongis after visiting the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao compound when Mukadas attacked them at Sinsuat and Gov. Gutierrez Avenues, Ferrer said.

Mukadas escaped with an accomplice on a motorbike, police said.

Cotabato City Mayor Bruce Matabalao ordered an investigation into why no police officers were at the intersection during the ambush.

“Heads will roll,” Matabalao said if officers were remiss in their duties.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1241381

5 NPA rebels yield in Agusan Sur

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 9, 2025): 5 NPA rebels yield in Agusan Sur (By Alexander Lopez)

SURRENDER. Lt. Col. Jose Redentor Gilbuena (center), commander of the Army's 26th Infantry Battalion, welcomes five New People's Army guerrillas who surrendered in Talacogon, Agusan del Sur, on Tuesday (Jan. 7, 2025). The five rebels also handed over five high-powered firearms. (Photo courtesy of 26IB)

BUTUAN CITY – Five New People's Army (NPA) rebels surrendered to the military Tuesday in Talacogon, Agusan del Sur, an Army official said Thursday.

Lt. Col. Jose Redentor Gilbuena, commander of the Army's 26th Infantry Battalion (26IB), said the surrenderers were regular combatants under the NPA North Central Mindanao Regional Committee.

“Continued focused military operations, support from locals, and strengthened partnerships with local government units and tribal leaders paved the way for the surrender,” he said.

The rebels surrendered five firearms, including one AK-47 rifle, two Carbine rifles, and two Garand rifles.

Gilbuena said the surrenderers, fearing for their lives, returned to mainstream society due to hunger, the desire to reunite with families, and unfulfilled promises from NPA leadership.

The surrenderers will be assessed for enrollment in the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program. (PNA)

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1241386

Suspect arrested in Eastman kidnapping

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 9, 2025): Suspect arrested in Eastman kidnapping (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)

(Image courtesy of SAF Facebook page)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Authorities have arrested the alleged mastermind in the kidnapping of American blogger Elliot Eastman in Zamboanga del Norte, police said Thursday.

Lt. Col. Ramoncelio Sawan, acting information officer of the Police Regional Office 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), identified the suspect as Jackaria Jamani, 35, of Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte.

Sawan said Jamani was arrested aboard a ferry plying the Basilan Strait at about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, with support from the police’s 55th Special Forces Company.

Jamani was arrested on a warrant for kidnapping and serious illegal detention issued on Dec. 25, 2024 by a court in Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte.

The alleged Abu Sayyaf Group supporter was placed in the custody of the Sibuco Municipal Police Station.

Eastman was kidnapped by four gunmen from his home in Barangay Poblacion, Sibuco on the evening of Oct. 17, 2024.

One of the suspects shot Eastman when he resisted. He was then taken to a waiting motorboat.

On Dec. 5, 2024, authorities confirmed that Eastman died the night he was abducted and that his body was dumped into the sea.

Eastman, a native of Vermont, had been living in Sibuco for five months with his wife when he was kidnapped.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1241408