Davao Oriental localizes EO 70 to curb poverty, insurgency

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 14, 2019): Davao Oriental localizes EO 70 to curb poverty, insurgency



In a continuous and serious bid to provide long-term solutions to poverty and insurgency, Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang localized Executive Order 70 of President Rodrigo Duterte by conducting immersions in the villages of the province.

In an interview on Saturday, Karen Lou Deloso, Davao Oriental Information officer, said the governor wanted the program to reach and be felt in all 183 barangays of the province.

“He is also active in his community engagement to convince rebels to surrender. He created various strategies in support to peace and order which became a template to other LGUs (local government units),” Deloso added.

She said the province sustained the operation of the country’s first halfway house as well as the implementation of Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) program for rebel returnees.

The localization of EO 70, Deloso said, piloted in Barangay Taocanga, Manay, Davao Oriental, has rolled out to Barangay Marayag, Lupon, Davao Oriental.

Barangay Marayag is one of the biggest villages of Lupon with a history of Communist Party of the Philippines- New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) influence.

During the two-day immersion activity, the Provincial Task Force on Ending Local Communist Insurgency (PTF-ELCAC) composed of 12 clusters was able to converse with the locals and diagnose their community’s needs through a Comprehensive Needs Analysis.

Deloso bared that the activity gave the task force a concrete and realistic guide on the interventions needed by the community.

“Our strategies are localized peace talk with the families so that the message will go down quickly. We will also strategize through community immersion and sectoral dialogue.

What is really important is the participation of our people, and this is empowering them and gaining mutual respect,” said Ednar Dayanghirang, vice chair of PTF-ELCAC.

Deloso added that the immersion resulted in the identification of the needs of the barangay which include: water system, employment, livelihood, education, activity centers for the schools, land tenure security, tribal hall for the indigenous people, and sanitation, among others.

“Those needs that can be accommodated by the barangay will be addressed by the barangay. Needs that require bigger attention and budget will be referred to the local government and to the province.

This way, we inculcate a sense of belongingness to the measures that will be undertaken to find solutions to the problems, of which everybody must be a part of the solution,” Dayanghirang explained.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1074903

Soldiers unearth rebels’ firearms in Batangas town

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 14, 2019): Soldiers unearth rebels’ firearms in Batangas town



CAMP CAPINPIN, Tanay, Rizal – Soldiers conducting their intelligence operation uncovered on Sunday two high-powered firearms in Barangay Piña, Taysan, Batangas, believed buried by members of the New People’s Army (NPA) who have given up their lost cause.

Brig. Gen. Arnulfo Marcelo B. Burgos Jr., newly-assumed commander of the 2nd Infantry “Jungle Fighter” Division (2ID) which has operational jurisdiction over Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) and the provinces of Mindoro, Marinduque and Romblon in Region 4-B (Mimaro), said the intelligence operation was an off-shoot of the 1st Infantry Battalion’s (1IB) clash with the NPAs in San Juan, Batangas last April 28.

He said the skirmish resulted in the death of a communist terrorist and the recovery of an M16 rifle, and the fleeing rebels may have buried them, and abandoned their cause.

“The NPAs’ act of leaving their rifles behind by burying them is a concrete manifestation of their waning will to fight brought about by the series of decisive losses which they suffered from government troops defending Calabarzon and Mimaro,” Burgos said.

According to Col. Alex Rillera, commander of 202nd Brigade which operates in the Calabarzon Region, troops of the 1IB have received and validated information from concerned citizens on an arms cache in the Sitio (sub-village) Gabihan in Barangay Piña.

“This information tipped by concerned citizens only shows the NPAs no longer enjoy mass base support because the people are already tired of the extortion and terroristic acts of the enemies of the state,” Rillera said.

"What the people long for is lasting peace and progress, and that armed struggle as espoused by the desperate NPA will never be embraced by the God-fearing Filipino people," he added.

Lt. Col. Jonathan Manio, commanding officer of the 1IB, disclosed his troops were able to dig a M16 Bushmaster and another M16 rifle believed to be owned by members of the NPA Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee’s Platoon Silangan.

“Your soldiers will not waver and will be unrelenting in ensuring that the NPAs will never again be able to terrorize the people of Batangas,” Manio assured the locals.

Military officials recalled that last April 28, the government troops decimated remnants of the NPA’s GF Honda unit which used to operate in Batangas and Cavite.

GF Honda unit was finally dismantled by soldiers of the 202nd Brigade under 2ID, following their successive military offensives in 2018.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1074914

NUPL continued whining over ‘writs’ loss expected

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 14, 2019): NUPL continued whining over ‘writs’ loss expected

Major General Antonio Parlade, Jr., AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations, reiterates that exposing the truth about the real agenda of communist-front organizations like NUPL, Karapatan, Gabriela, among others, is not red-tagging and never a harassment. (PNA File photo)

In the wake of its loss over the writs of Amparo, habeas data, and kalikasan filed by Karapatan, Gabriela, and Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP) against the government, an official of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC) on Saturday said they expect militant human rights defenders’ group, National Union of People's Lawyers (NUPL), to keep on complaining.

Major General Antonio Parlade, Jr., who is also Armed Forces of the Philippines Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations, however, said regardless of the Court of Appeals (CA) ruling, the NTF ELCAC will ensure that NUPL members will be protected from more attacks from their own ranks that portray a ruthless government and prove their point that they are indeed in danger.

“This is not new. These killings of CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines) cadres including simple activists by their own hit squad have been a modus operandi of the CPP. In fact, that is what Vicente Ladlad, a communist rebel, and not a simple activist, is accused of. He, together with a handful of CPP cadres, including CPP founding chair Joma Sison, are accused of killing their own cadres during the purging of their ranks in the 1980s,” Parlade told the Philippine News Agency .

The CPP Anniversary Statements published by the CPP in 2018, he added, admitted to the torture and killing of more than 950 cadres as part of “Oplan Missing Link” and “Kadena de Amor”.

“These deaths were later blamed on the government of (then presidents) Marcos and Aquino, and later included on the list of 625 Desaparecidos cases of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances.

Parlade reiterated that exposing the truth about the real agenda of CPP front organizations like NUPL, Karapatan, Gabriela, among others, is not red-tagging and never a harassment, adding that it is the sworn duty of State officials to protect its citizens, especially from exploitation of violent organizations like the CPP, and dissuade them from joining the armed rebellion that the CPP has been espousing.

“Let this be a reminder to all that the cunning and evil ways of the CPP-NPA is true and imminent. As they push for a UN probe on human rights violations in the Philippines, we anticipate more killings by the NPA hit squads of activists, especially those that the CPP considers as irrelevant already, or those who have violated CPP rules on financial and sexual opportunism” he added.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

He also clarified that activism, especially by open mass organizations like Anakbayan, is not a crime but violent activism, especially by underground mass organizations like Kabataang Makabayan (KM) is violent extremism, which is only a notch away from terrorism.

“Let us all defend our democracy and protect the gains of our freedom from these fake nationalists and harbingers of destruction” he added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1074886

Central Luzon declares Reds ‘persona non grata’

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 14, 2019): Central Luzon declares Reds ‘persona non grata’



Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez, Jr.

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – The Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) 3 has declared the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) as ‘persona non grata’ in Central Luzon.

This was among the several resolutions issued by the RTF-ELCAC III at the Kingsborough International Convention Center in this city, which strongly condemned the “unlawful and illegal activities” being carried out by the CPP-NPA in the area.

“We are gathered here with one common objective: to finally put an end to the communist insurgency in Region 3,” Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez Jr. said during the first meeting of the RTF-ELCAC 3 here on Saturday (July 13).

“And we are going to address it by the strong cooperation as mandated by the Executive Order (EO) 70,” said Galvez, who has been designated by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte as the Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) for Region 3.

CORDS is a mechanism that aims to link regional and sub-regional levels of government to national agencies in order to harmonize peace, development and security efforts, and consequently, formulate solutions to resolve the nation’s decades-long insurgency problem.

“Ang persona non grata ay ginagawa po natin para ipaabot sa kanilang grupo (CPP-NPA) na ang kanilang mga ginagawa ay hindi katanggap-tanggap sa lahat ng tao sa rehiyon (We have been declaring persona non grata to let this group know that what they have been doing is unacceptable to everyone in the region),” Galvez said.

Meanwhile, RTF-ELCAC 3 members gave recommendations on how the body can address the communist insurgency using local solutions.

“A political problem can only be solved by a political solution,” said Zambales Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr.

“What we are doing here (RTF-ELCAC) is that political solution,” Ebdane added.

For his part, 7th Infantry Division commander Brig. Gen. Lenard Agustin echoed Ebdane’s suggestion, noting that the government is on the right track in resolving the communist rebellion with the implementation of Executive Order 70.

“We all believe that the marching order of the President, this EO 70, is the right strategy to end the local communist armed conflict situation,” Agustin said.

In December 2018, the President signed EO 70 institutionalizing the “whole-of-nation approach” wherein local government units and members of the community can initiate “localized peace engagements” with the communist insurgents.

The said EO also led to the creation of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) which will provide the structure and mechanisms for the implementation of the whole-of-nation approach, as well as the adoption of a National Peace Framework.

The RTF-ELCACs are under the oversight of the NTF-ELCAC and will be responsible for implementing the latter’s programs and policies at the regional level.

Four other resolutions were approved by the RTF-ELCAC III during the meeting:

• A Resolution to include scouting and ROTC in the school curriculum;

• A Resolution designating NICA Regional Director Rolando Asuncion as the deputy CORDS for Region 3;

• A Resolution expressing support to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte as the NTF-ELCAC chairperson and adopting the National Peace Framework that will advance the inclusive and sustainable peace and development agenda for Central Luzon; and

• A Resolution granting fund support to the AFP’s 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division relative to the implementation of its peace-building initiatives that support RTF-ELCAC 3’s aim of ending local communist armed conflict in Region 3.

The CORDS 3 meeting was attended by governors and mayors of the region, representatives from the Regional Peace and Order Council II, Regional Development Council III, Department of the Interior and Local Government, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, National Security Council, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1074913

Court orders gov't to comment on Vic Ladlad's plea for urgent medical attention

From GMA News Online (Jul 12, 2019): Court orders gov't to comment on Vic Ladlad's plea for urgent medical attention

A Manila court has ordered the Department of Justice to comment on National Democratic Front of the Philippines consultant Vicente Ladlad's motion to be given urgent medical attention.

The Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 32 on Friday gave government prosecutors 24 hours to file its comment or opposition to the request of the activist, who his lawyer, Chel Diokno, says has several ailments.

Ladlad faces charges for 15 counts of multiple murder in connection with the killing of New People's Army cadres suspected of being government spies in 1985.

His defense is that he was detained at Camp Nakar in Lucena City, and not in Leyte, when the killings happened.

Ladlad was arrested in November 2018 for what police said was illegal possession of firearms and explosives, evidence that his wife, Fides, said was planted.

The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan denounced the arrest, saying it was an attack in relation with suspended peace negotiations between the government and communist groups.

Meanwhile, the same Manila court gave former Bayan Muna party-list representative Satur Ocampo, who is also accused of murder, to file his comment or opposition to prosecutors' motion for an order for his recommitment within 10 days.

The motions will be considered submitted for resolution after the comments are filed, according to the court order.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/700844/court-orders-gov-t-to-comment-on-vic-ladlad-s-plea-for-urgent-medical-attention/story/

Negros-based rebels ‘have new leader’

From the Panay News (Jul 14, 2019): Negros-based rebels ‘have new leader’

The New People’s Army (NPA) in Negros Island has a new leader, according to 303rd Infantry Brigade (IB) commander Brigadier General Benedict Arevalo.

Arevalo identified the new NPA leader as Rogelio Posadas, who also leads NPA groups based in Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor.

Posadas, according to the Army commander, took over after Frank Fernandez – a murder suspect and an alleged NPA leader – was arrested earlier this year in Laguna.

Fernandez has been placed under hospital arrest at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City, Metro Manila since.

The 303rd IB, meanwhile, is conducting military operations against Posadas.

https://www.panaynews.net/negros-based-rebels-have-new-leader/

2 policemen dead in clash with NPA in CamSur town

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jul 14, 2019): 2 policemen dead in clash with NPA in CamSur town

Two policemen were killed in an encounter with suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in a remote village in Bato town, Camarines Sur early Sunday morning.

Major Maria Luisa Calubaquib, spokesperson of the Bicol police, said two platoons of policemen were on an intelligence operation when they engaged an 18-man NPA group in Barangay (village) Payak at around 5 a.m.

She said the 20-minute firefight resulted in the death of Police Master Sergeant Sotero Javier and Patrolman Prince Lagdameo, both members of the 2nd Camarines Sur Provincial Mobile Force.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1141505/2-policemen-dead-in-clash-with-npa-in-camsur-town

Kabataan party-list challenges Matteo Guidicelli to also see struggle of marginalized sectors

From the Philippine Star (Jul 14, 2019): Kabataan party-list challenges Matteo Guidicelli to also see struggle of marginalized sectors

This April 2019 photo shows Filipino-Italian actor Matteo Guidicelli taking an oath for the Philippine Army.  Instagram/Matteo Guidicelli

Youth party-list Kabataan slammed Filipino-Italian actor Matteo Guidicello for protecting and enabling the supposed “state fascism.”

For the party-list, Guidicelli’s Scout Ranger training with the Armed Forces of the Philippines is still not enough.

“We appreciate it when celebrities speak out and involve themselves in politics and advocacies. However, for actor Matteo Guidicelli being a part of state and army-sponsored fascist propaganda, this ain't it,” the party-list said in a statement Saturday.

Guidicelli took his oath as one of the reservists of the AFP in the Army Reserve Command headquarters in Tanza, Cavite last April 15.

He recently completed his Scout Ranger Orientation Course at Camp Tecson in San Miguel, Bulacan.

READ: Matteo Guidicelli on the ‘best experience’ of his life

However, despite Guidicelli’s move to offer his service to the country, the actor recently drew flak from online users after telling a critic to “stop talking.”

“A month after his training as a Scout Ranger, Guidicelli has been portraying a more militaristic character in his recent statements: from openly calling the showbiz industry in following his footsteps of joining the military to openly telling a critic to just ‘stop talking,’ the actor has been playing the role as protector and enabler of state fascism on point,” Kabataan said.

The party-list then schooled Guidicelli and cited that the AFP enabled martial law in Mindanao and “taken the lead in militarizing schools and communities especially in Mindanao and Negros.”

It added that under the Duterte administration, thousands of Lumads were displaced by state agents from their ancestral lands in Mindanao while hundreds of farmers have been killed in Bicol and Visayas due to the Synchronized Enhanced Managing Police Operations or Oplan Sauron and other security operations in Bicol and the Visayas.

“And then there're the issues of Mandatory ROTC for Senior High School, the Lowering of the Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility, the possible revival to the death penalty, amendments to the Human Security Act, Charter Change, and of course the battle for our country's sovereignty. The people are openly opposing such policies as immediate attacks to their rights,” Kabataan added.

“As far as their numerous acts have shown, serving in the military did not instill nationalism and patriotism, it only teaches blind obedience to authority. And we cannot have that anymore,” the party-list stressed.

Kabataan said that while it welcomes Guidicelli’s call to unite Filipinos it challenged the actor and other personalities to join the broad masses in mobilizing against attacks to democratic rights and livelihood. The party-list said it is the “best way to instill nationalism and patriotism.”

“If you can serve 30 days with the military, why not try serving 30 days in a farm, a factory, in a Lumad community, or in an urban poor community to see what it's like to struggle to be free from all forms of oppression?” the party-list said.

“We further challenge Guidicelli and other personalities in the industry and beyond to use their platform, to call on the people to unite with the basic masses, the marginalized & oppressed, and the militant youth of whom have long been mobilizing to uphold the democratic rights of the people and the role of collective action in genuine nation building,” it added.

In April, Guidicelli said he joined the military because he loves the Philippines.

RELATED: Matteo Guidicelli bares why he joined the Philippine Army

He quoted Major General Bernie Langub, commander of the Army Reserve Command: “The rank is emplaced near their heart because it means only those who have the heart to serve will be fit to wear the uniform. It is beyond the uniform, it is all about willingness to serve the country and being prepared for any eventuality.”

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/07/14/1934667/kabataan-party-list-challenges-matteo-guidicelli-also-see-struggle-marginalized-sectors

No soldier will support any coup – Army official

From the Manila Bulletin (Jul 14, 2019): No soldier will support any coup – Army official

A coup d’etat against President Duterte will not prosper since no military personnel will support it, a top official of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) disclosed.



Philippine Army (PA) Chief Lt. Gen. Macairog S. Alberto (Philippine Army / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

Lieutenant General Macairog Alberto, commanding general of the Philippine Army, said the military will not participate in a coup since only those who want to “destroy the Philippines” would want to oust the President.

“Puro (Full of) talks, only talks. Naririnig natin ‘yan (We hear those rumors.) Well, there is no reason para magkaroon ng ganyang sitwasyon (for that situation to happen,)” Alberto stated.

“Mostly, ang makikinabang lang kung mayroong coup ay hindi ang sambayanang Pilipino, hindi ang Armed Forces, kundi ‘yong masisira tayo, ang buong Pilipinas ang masisira (Only those who want to destroy the Philippines will benefit from that coup, not the Filipinos, not the Armed Forces),” he added.

President Duterte had repeatedly warned the military and police not to stage a coup against him.

Instead, he told the state forces to just tell him if they are no longer happy with his administration and he will step down from office.

Earlier, Palace spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the President may have received information that the military might be plotting against him that’s why he was mentioning it in his recent speeches.

But the Army Chief said a coup against Duterte is unlikely since he remains “popular” among the public, citing the record-high 80-percent satisfaction rating he got in the second quarter of 2019.

As far as the Philippine Army is concerned, Alberto said there were no reports so far of recruitment in their ranks to assemble a force that would try to topple the government.

“Our soldiers are already professional and we are not inclined… we have no tendency to join this adventurism,” he said.

“I can assure that 100 percent of the Armed Forces is loyal to the flag and the Constitution,” he added.

Some of the most destructive coup attempts against past Philippine presidents were backed by the military, believing that they had witnessed corruption in the government.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/07/14/no-soldier-will-support-any-coup-army-official/

MILF: Duterte, CM Ebrahim meet over concerns on Sec. Piñol’s appointment as Point Man in BARMM

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Website (Jul 12, 2019): Duterte, CM Ebrahim meet over concerns on Sec. Piñol’s appointment as Point Man in BARMM



BTA Chief Minister Murad Ebrahim updates President Rodrigo Duterte on the BARMM. Malacañang file photo

Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao— Philstar reported on July 12 that President Duterte met with Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Chief Minister Al Hajj Murad Ebrahim over their concerns on the appointment of resigned agriculture secretary Emmanuel Piñol as head of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA).

“We are trying to fine-tune. That is why the truth of the matter is I really transferred Piñol to assist them. This is not husbandry. It’s there already,” Duterte told Philstar in a chance interview at Malacañang on July 11.

Duterte emphasized that Piñol’s role would focus on overseeing the development in the region to speed up progress there since he feels it has not jumpstarted yet despite the creation of the new independent entity.

I don’t have a point man who was born and raised there, said Duterte.

I’m sure he can help the BARMM and the government to fast track everything,” Duterte added.

He also told Philstar during the interview that he is focused on improving the welfare of the Moro people who have been longing for peace and progress in the region.

In a televised interview recently, CM Ebrahim said Piñol remains to be “very unpopular among the Bangsamoro people,” even with his efforts to help the region.

“Despite Piñol expressing support to the Bangsamoro region even when he was still agriculture secretary, he is still not okay for some other people,” Ebrahim said.

http://www.luwaran.com/news/article/1845/duterte--cm-ebrahim-meet-over-concerns-on-sec--pi--ol---s-appointment-as-point-man-in-barmm

MILF: DBM releases funds for BTA officials and staff wages

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Website (Jul 12, 2019): DBM releases funds for BTA officials and staff wages



The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) and cash allocation, in the total amount of Php59.4 million to cover additional funding for the salaries and other personnel services of 273 support staff of the BTA (Bangsamoro Transition Authority) for the months of July to December this year, the agency said in a statement posted in its website.

The DBM said the release was made after receipt of the complete documentary requirements from the BTA.

“Last month, the DBM released a total Php180.6 million for the FY 2019 personnel services of the 80 member-officials of the BTA,” the agency further stated.

“The above-releases are in addition to the Php214.9 million (PS - Php184.7 million and MOOE - Php30.2 million) released on May 2 to the Regional Legislative Assembly (RLA) for its operating requirements pursuant to Section 14, Article XVI of Republic Act No. 11054,” the DBM said.

On June 25, BTA Minister Maleiha B. Candao raised the issue of their delayed salary in a statement posted in social media saying, “The Office of the Interim Chief Minister thru his Executive Secretary Mike Pasigan has been moving heaven and earth to fastrack the release of the salaries of the BTA members but all of these depend largely on the Department of Budget and Management.”

“Government protocol and the delay of services do not necessarily mean the lack of commitment by the BARMM leadership,” she added.

Established in February this year, the BTA will serve in an interim capacity of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao until June 2022.

http://www.luwaran.com/news/article/1844/dbm-releases-funds-for-bta-officials-and-staff-wages

MILF: Some Moro leaders cautious about Piñol’s appointment as point man in Bangsamoro-CM Ebrahim

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Website (Jul 11, 2019): Some Moro leaders cautious about Piñol’s appointment as point man in Bangsamoro-CM Ebrahim



Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao— Some Moro leaders who still remember the role Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol played in the junking of the memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain (MOA-AD) in 2008 are cautious about President Rodrigo Duterte’s plan to make him the government’s “point man” in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), CM Al Haj Ahod Ebrahim said as quoted by PDI on July 9.

However, he said he would respect the President’s prerogative to choose the person he would want to represent him in the BARMM, instead of dwelling on the Moro people’s reaction to Piñol’s prospective appointment.

Ebrahim added that they would instead focus their attention on the creation of the body that would function as the official link between the BARMM and the central government, particularly the Office of the President.

In a text message sent to PDI Monday, July 8, Ebrahim said the reality is that Manny Piñol is not popular among the Bangsamoro people, having been known in the past as principally and vocally against the struggle of the Bangsamoro.

Piñol’s negative comments against the Moro Struggle was further aggravated when he led the petition in the Supreme Court against the MOA-AD that would have been the first framework agreement to be signed between the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) and the government before it was struck down as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court,” Ebrahim further said.

He said BARMM officials wanted to push for the creation of the Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) Body under the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

“What we want to push is the immediate creation of the IGR because that is the one provided in the BOL as go-between [for] the central government, including the Office of the President, and BARMM,” Ebrahim said.

Ebrahim stressed that the post of point man to the BARMM is not provided by law but I think it is still the prerogative of the President as an extension of his supervisory function,” he added.

“Piñol is not welcome among the Moro (people). He was once hated by the Moros for his role in the junking of MOA-AD in 2008,” said Drieza Lininding, chair of the Marawi-based Moro Consensus Group.

For her part, Maranao leader Samira Gutoc-Tomawis has also urged the President to reconsider his decision, saying Piñol is perceived by many Moro communities as anti-Moro. (Source: PDI)

http://www.luwaran.com/news/article/1843/some-moro-leaders-cautious-about-pi--ol---s-appointment-as-point-man-in-bangsamoro-cm-ebrahim

NDF/CPP: Reaction to the UNHRC resolution to investigate Duterte killings 12 July 2019

Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) propaganda comment posted to the National Democratic Front Philippines (NDFP or NDF) Website (Jul 11, 2019): Reaction to the UNHRC resolution to investigate Duterte killings 12 July 2019

Communist Party of the Philippines
July 12, 2019

1. The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) welcomes the resolution of the UN Human Rights Commission seeking a comprehensive report on the widespread killings carried out both by police and state-endorsed death squads in the course of the Duterte government’s so-called drug war.

The tactic of mass killings against drug suspects and its terror effect is now being widely used against the patriotic and democratic forces and against all forms of opposition to stifle dissent and put down the people’s resistance and stifle their demand for justice.

2. The statement of the PNP Chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde that the CPP is behind the UNHRC resolution is extremely laughable and shows the extent to which Duterte’s minions would invent scenarios and act stupid in their desperation to keep the truth from coming out. In their anti-communist delusion, Duterte’s minions have resorted to red-tagging even the UNHRC itself.

3. It is utterly hypocritical and self-serving for Duterte to claim national sovereignty in the face of the UNHRC’s resolution, when at the same time, it conveniently sets aside the sovereignty and national patrimony questions in the face of China’s intrusions into the Philippine exclusive economic zone and maritime territory, as well as presence of US military troops in the country.

Duterte makes false claims the UNHRC resolution violates Philippine national sovereignty. The bigger question is how Duterte seeks to suppress the people’s sovereign power, their demand for an end to the mass killings and a stop to Duterte’s tyrannical abuse of power.

4. The UNHRC resolution will surely boost the Filipino people’s struggle to defend their rights and civil liberties. The people will surely welcome the representative and investigators of the UNHRC and provide them will all the support and security.

https://www.ndfp.org/reaction-to-the-unhrc-resolution-to-investigate-duterte-killings/

NDF/Sison: On Duterte fixing the plunder cases of biggest crooks in previous regimes

Jose Maria Sison propaganda comment posted to the National Democratic Front Philippines (NDFP or NDF) Website (Jul 11, 2019): On Duterte fixing the plunder cases of biggest crooks in previous regimes

Comment by Jose Maria Sison

NDFP Chief Political Consultant

July 11, 2019

Arroyo unwittingly exposes the fact that Duterte has been responsible for having the corrupt and obedient Supreme Court dismiss the plunder case against her. Duterte and the Supreme Court are exposed as major factors of corruption in the Philippines.

Duterte pretends to hate corruption. But his strongest alliance is with the plunderers like Arroyo, the Marcoses, Estradas, Enrile and others. He is now the chieftain of the biggest Filipino crooks in Philippine history.

Against the interest of the people, he has fixed all the plunder cases against these Luzon-based plunderers in exchange for their giving him some 14 percentage points in addition to the 25 percentage points of Bisayas votes to make him president at 39 percentage points in 2016.

The Luzon-based plunderers delivered the crucial bailiwick votes that made Duterte president, contrary to the notion that the troll armies made the difference for him. The troll armies were only good for hyping him and putting down his opponents.

Now, the people are at the mercy of a president who is hell-bent on surpassing the corruption of Marcos and who is in alliance with the most successful plunderers in past regimes. Duterte and his evil alliance of the biggest crooks in the Philippines will continue to wreak havoc, unless the people rise up to end their reign of greed.

https://www.ndfp.org/on-duterte-fixing-the-plunder-cases-of-biggest-crooks-in-previous-regimes/

AFP-CRS: AFP committed to Philippine development, security

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Jul 11, 2019): AFP committed to Philippine development, security



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