NegOr formally launches task force to end insurgency

From the Philippine Information Agency (Aug 24, 2019): NegOr formally launches task force to end insurgency

Officials leading the launch of NOTF ELCAC on Aug. 14, 2019, at Negros Oriental Convention Center, Dumaguete City: (L-r) PNP Region 7 Director BGEN. Debold Sinas, DILG - 7 Director Leocadio Trovela, DILG Sec. Eduardo Año, DND Sec. Delfin Lorenzana, Gov. Roel Degamo, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, AFP CentCom Commander LTGEN. Noel Clement, Philippine Army 3rd Infantry Division Commander MGEn. Dinoh Dolina, Philippine Army 302nd Infantry Brigade Commander BGEN. Ignacio Madriaga, and Provincial Administrator Dr. Henry Sojor. (PIA7-NegOr)

DUMAGUETE CITY, Neros Oriental -- Negros government authorities formally launches to the public the Negros Oriental Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NOTF ELCAC) on Wednesday in a ceremony held at the Provincial Convention Center.

Negros Oriental Governor and NOTF ELCAC Chair Roel Degamo spearheaded the activity with Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Sec. Eduardo Año, Department of National Defense (DND) Sec. Delfin Lorenzana, and National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon as guests of honor.

Representatives from different sectors in the province, officials from line agencies comprising the NOTF ELCAC, local chief executives from some towns and cities in Negros Oriental, and employees of the provincial government attended the event.

NOTF ELCAC was created by virtue of Executive Order 18 - 2019 Gov. Roel Degamo.

It is patterned from the National Task force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC) which aims to bring together agencies of the government for a “whole of nation” approach to end the insurgency problem in the country.

Sec. Año commended the people of Negros Oriental under the leadership of Governor Degamo for being the first province in the Visayas to organise its own provincial task force to end communist conflict.

“This launching of NOTF ELCAC signifies your collective vision to establish a progressive future anchored on attaining genuine and lasting peace,” Sec. Año said.

Sec. Año also underscored that the success of the national task force will be defined in the grassroots.

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon explained that since the establishment of the NTF ELCAC by virtue of Executive Order 70 signed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, there is now a shift from a military-based approach to civilian-led approach in countering insurgency.

“I just want to emphasize that the national task force is a whole of nation approach in prioritizing and harmonizing the delivery of basic services and social development packages in conflict areas and also in vulnerable communities. Since we are talking about vulnerable communities, the cooperation of the local government executives is of primary importance,” Esperon elaborated.

“Through good governance, we can address the lingering problems that we have especially in the countryside, especially in impoverished areas,” Esperon further said.

The National Security Adviser believes that Negros Oriental is capable to solve local issues associated with insurgency problem in the province now that the provincial task force is in full gear.

On the other hand, Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana agrees that the government has come up with a winning strategy in solving insurgency through the NTF ELCAC and its counterparts in the provincial level.

Sec. Lorenzana also assured NegOrenses that the national task force is ready to provide support interventions to enhance the delivery of social services and usher in opportunities for those in living in the areas affected by insurgents.

Meanwhile, Gov. Roel Degamo reiterated that attaining lasting peace in the province cannot be achieved by guns and bullets.

“Effective and efficient delivery of basic services to the communities and people is the call of the times. As workers in the government, it is our call to maximize public service to the least, the lost, and the last,” Gov. Degamo emphasized.

“Our activity seals Negros Oriental’s commitment to end local armed conflict through good and transparent governance,” Gov. Degamo added.

Also part of the program is a People’s Dialogue with DILG Sec. Eduardo Año and the signing of the Commitment to Support the “Dagyawan sa Barangay”with the agencies comprising the NOTF ELCAC.

Dagyawan sa Barangay is a series of Open Government and Participatory Governance town hall meetings that provide avenues for productive, valuable, sincere and visible engagement between the government and the citizens at the grassroots level to ensure access to frontline government services and vital programs and projects.

Another highlight of the NOTF ELCAC launching is the awarding of cash assistance to two former rebels who returned to the folds of government under the Enhanced Comprehensive Livelihood Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the DILG.

Each rebel returnee received a ceremonial check with the amount of P65, 000 and additional cash incentive from the provincial government. (ral/PIA7-Negros Oriental) 

 
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1025975

IATF-7 brings violent extremism forum to Bantayan

From the Philippine Information Agency (Aug 24, 2019): IATF-7 brings violent extremism forum to Bantayan

CEBU -- The Inter-agency Task Force Region-7 delivered a seminar on preventing and countering violent extremism last Friday, August 9, 2019, to the Sta. Fe Sports Complex in Bantayan Island Cebu.

The task force, led by Philippine Army's Col. Noel Baluyan talked to tourism from hotels, resorts, and restaurants association in Cebu province about being prepared for possible terrorist attacks by foreign entities.
As Sta. Fe Bantayan Island is home to one of the tourists-frequented beaches in the province, it is known to have numerous beach stops and resorts, famous spots and in fact, is now being dubbed as growing tourist haven, says its Mayor, Ithamar P. Espinosa.

He said records show the island is now flocked with an overwhelming volume of visitors.

With this, there is all the more reason to strengthen the security measures to be taken up to be able to protect locals and tourists alike, IATF-7 members stressed.

The seminar aimed at increasing the stakeholders’ awareness of terrorism, as well as educate and capacitate them on their roles to prevent violence.

Guest speakers from different agencies who are a part of the task force traveled from the city and the metro to share their lectures to the locals in Bantayan Island.

The guests included Emil Respeto from the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency VII, Fayette Rinen from the Philippine Information Agency VII, Marlon Barrientos from the Department of Tourism VII, PLtCol Rene Kyamco from Cebu Police Provincial Office, Maricel Lim from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency VII, LtJG Michael Encina from the Philippine Coast Guard, and Major Melode Dooma Jr. from the Philippine Army Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD).

EOD Major Dooma talked about how each stakeholder in every hotel and resort, and even various locals can play a critical role in countering insurgency. Dooma presented different tips of detecting bombs hidden or abandoned in public places, and also discussed the measures to be taken when such an event occurs.

Rinen from the Philippine Information Agency expressed the many dangers of the digital age through her talk with the responsible use of social media.

Fake news causing danger was one of the highlights of the talk with such news able to give the public the wrong notion and cause chaos.

Col. Baluyan, head of the task force, explained how the tourism industry goes hand in hand with the mandate of safety, as the primary driving force of tourists is the promise that in their travels, everything will be safe.

With this, the task force calls on all the stakeholders of the island’s hotels, resorts, restaurants, and other attractions, to always be vigilant and be equipped with the necessary precautionary measures to maintain the peace and order, not only in the island but the entire region, too. (smb/PIA7)

Stakeholders from hotels, resorts, and restaurants in Bantayan Island, Cebu listen to the lectures by different departments and agencies from the Anti/Counter-Terrorism Cluster of the Inter-Agency Task Force Region 7.

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1025965

Bodies of 3 NPA victims exhumed in Bukidnon

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 24, 2019): Bodies of 3 NPA victims exhumed in Bukidnon

NPA ATROCITY. A team of police and military personnel exhumes the remains of one of the three individuals abducted and killed by the New People's Army sometime in August 2017 in Kitaotao town, Bukidnon. The gravesites were discovered after a rebel militiaman who surrendered to government authorities two months ago revealed the location of the gravesites. (PNA photo by Rhoda Grace Saron)

KITAOTAO, Bukidnon -- Police and military authorities led the exhumation on Thursday of three bodies that witnesses said belonged to individuals abducted and later on killed by communist rebels three years ago.

The military identified the bodies as that of Joel Rey Galendez, a retired policeman, 43, resident of Bunawan Agusan del Sur; Dionisio Camarillo Havana, 37, resident of Sto. Nino, Carmen in Davao del Norte, and a tribal leader in Agusan del Sur; and Sgt. Reynante Havana España, 42, a resident of San Francisco town, Agusan del Sur, who was then assigned at an Army unit in Surigao del Sur.

Authorities and relatives said the three victims and a minor were heading home on board a vehicle from Cagayan de Oro City on Aug. 22, 2017 when they were intercepted at a roadblock set up by the New People's Army (NPA) in Sitio Nabunturan, Barangay Digonga, Kitaotao.

Evelyn Galendez, sister of Joel Rey, said the latter was accompanied by his 15-year old son who was eventually released - two months later - by the NPA.

Closure

Galendez, who said the three victims were relatives, was one of the family members who joined the authorities during Thursday's exhumation, hoping to bring closure to their kin’s disappearance and eventual death.

Aida España, wife of Sgt. Reynante who also witnessed the recovery of the remains, sobbed as she narrated how she learned about what had happened to her husband and her relatives.

“It hurts deeply. I expected that he's still alive but this is what had happened to him,” Aida said.

“We are somehow relieved that our long search has ended, but it really hurts that things turned out this way,” she added.

According to Aida, the families only knew of the victims' abduction by the NPA when several people approached them to inform that a ransom was needed for their release.

She said her family had sent emissaries and even paid money for his release. She did not specify the amount paid but said the abductors demanded the payment to cover for supposed custodial expenses.

“There were negotiations for my husband’s release. However, nothing came out of it but they kept on asking (for) money from us because my husband was still alive. They said they will use the money for expenses," Aida told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

Lt. Col. Silas Trasmontero, commander of the Army's 89th Infantry Battalion, said they discovered the location of the victims' remains by chance during one of their community meetings in the area recently.

In one of those meetings, Trasmontero said several community members themselves offered information concerning the victims' murder and their burial site.

Pleading for life

He said the village and neighboring areas were teeming with NPA supporters and militiamen that this year alone, more than a thousand rebel militias, underground mass supporters, and regulars have surrendered or have withdrawn their support for the communist rebel movement.

A former NPA militiaman who surrendered to authorities two months ago gave the crucial information that led to the discovery of the victims' graves.

Dino (not his real name), told the PNA that he saw the killings in his own eyes. After all, he was the one who dug the victims' graves.

According to Dino, who was then a member of the NPA's Milisya ng Bayan, seven NPA combatants approached him in the same month that the victims were abducted.

“They told me that there is something that they want(ed) me to do," Dino said, adding that the rebels brought him to an area nearby and was told to wait.

Minutes later, he said, the armed men brought the three victims with them.

“After they shot the three, they instructed me to bury them since they will be leaving already,” he added.

The three victims, he said, were pleading for their lives when the armed men suddenly shot them dead.

The military said the rebels who kidnapped and executed the victims were under the NPA's Guerilla Front 55.

Maj. Gen. Jose Faustino Jr., commander of 10th Infantry Division, said the evidence collected at the gravesite will be used to charge the NPA in the killings.

The gruesome details of the victims' deaths, Faustino said, showed that the NPA has no regard for human rights.

The NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1078651

Westmincom holds another bloodletting for dengue patients

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 24, 2019): Westmincom holds another bloodletting for dengue patients

Soldiers donate blood for dengue patients in a bloodletting activity held Thursday, August 22, at the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) headquarters in Zamboanga City. The activity was the second held by Westmincom intended for dengue patients. (Photo courtesy: Westmincom Public Information Office) 

The Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) has contributed 46,850 cubic centimeters (cc) of blood for dengue patients here in the region.

Maj. Arvin John Encinas, Westmincom spokesperson, said Friday the blood was collected during two bloodletting activities at the Westmincom headquarters and the Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade headquarters in Carmen, North Cotabato.

Encinas said the Westmincom, through the Office of the Assistant Chief of Unified Command Staff for Civil-Military Operations, collected 46 bags or 23,000 cc in the bloodletting activity in Camp Navarro here Thursday.

Westmincom has tapped the assistance of the Rotary Club of Zamboanga, Ticket 1, Philippine Red Cross, and Universidad de Zamboanga (UZ) to ensure the success of the bloodletting activity, he said.

Blood donors include personnel of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao, Tactical Operations Wing-Western Mindanao, the Army’s 74th Infantry Battalion, and UZ students, Encinas said.

He said the remaining 23,850 cc were collected through a bloodletting activity at the Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade headquarters on Tuesday.

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Westmincom chief, assured that the military will always respond to the needs of the people to save lives.
“We are one in the fight against the proliferating cases of dengue in the entire country," he said.

The bloodletting activity in Camp Navarro was the second to be held in two months. The first was held on July 23, where some 42,300 cc of blood were collected.

Sobejana said they conducted the activity in partnership with other organizations in response to the increasing cases of dengue fever and the short supply of blood.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1078635

Peace viable for NegOcc under whole-of-nation approach: guv

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 24, 2019): Peace viable for NegOcc under whole-of-nation approach: guv



PEACE AGENDA. Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson speaks before the participants of the End Local Communist Armed Conflict Planning Workshop held at the Negros First Residences in Bacolod City on Thursday (August 22, 2019). The activity was a prelude to the creation of the Negros Occidental Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict. (Photo courtesy of PIO Negros Occidental/Richard Malihan)

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has said that peace is viable for Negros Occidental under the whole-of-nation approach.

Lacson, who led the End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) Planning Workshop at the Negros First Residences here on Thursday, acknowledged that the “walk of peace is a long one, and the process of attaining peace cannot be achieved overnight.”

“However, with this initiative, I am positive that peace is indeed viable, that peace is not a Utopian aspiration for the Philippines and Negros Occidental,” the governor said.

The whole-day activity, attended by local chief executives, military and police officials, planning officers, and representatives of concerned government agencies, was a prelude to the creation of the Negros Occidental Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NOCTF-ELCAC) in compliance with President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order (EO) 70.

The President’s directive institutionalizes the whole-of-nation approach in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace, creating a national task force to end local communist armed conflict, and directing the adoption of a national peace framework.

“The issuance of EO 70 is a remarkable development in the peace process of our country,” Lacson said, adding that it has been reaffirmed by the Joint ASEAN Communique as the more effective approach as opposed to a purely military option.

Negros Occidental is considered a hotbed of insurgency, with the continued presence of the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army (CPP-NPA) cadres mainly in the first, fifth and six districts of the province, although the military said their number has dwindled in recent years.

The Philippine Army maintains two brigades in Negros Island for internal security operations.

The 303rd Infantry Brigade based in Murcia, Negros Occidental supervises the 94th, 79th, and 62nd infantry battalions (IB) while under the jurisdiction of 302IB stationed in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental are the 15th, 11th, and 47th IBs.

Brig. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, commander of the 303IB, who attended the planning sessions, thanked Lacson for initiating the ELCAC activity.

“I’m optimistic about the upcoming creation of NOCTF-ELCAC, as an opportunity for us to work together as part of the government and the whole-of-nation approach to address the problem on CPP-NPA. This task force acknowledges the fact that the solution to end the insurgency problem is not in the hands of the security forces alone,” Arevalo said.

Under EO 70, there is a shift from a traditional military-centric approach to a civilian-led way in confronting the communist terrorist groups (CTGs) to a whole-of-nation approach, in which the military solution should be just one of the many components in addressing the communist insurgency.

“It is important that local government units and national agencies are able to deliver their services to far-flung barangays whose residents are usually being victimized by the deception and manipulation of the CPP-NPA and its political wing, the National Democratic Front,” Arevalo said.

Provincial Planning and Development Officer Ma. Lina Sanogal said on Friday that initiatives supporting the whole-of-nation approach to peace and development were already being implemented in Negros Occidental through the Provincial Peace Integration and Development Program.

She noted that the Provincial Peace and Integration and Development Unit or Pro-PIDU is the action arm of the Provincial Peace and Order Council in bringing services to the conflict-affected areas.

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1078632

PMA encourages qualified Ilonggos to take entrance exam

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 24, 2019): PMA encourages qualified Ilonggos to take entrance exam



PMA ENTRANCE EXAMS. Philippine Military Academy (PMA) first-class cadets Trexy Janniele Hopida and Robemer Laurencio (2nd and 3rd from left) on Thursday (August 22, 2019) encourage their fellow youth to take the PMA entrance examination on August 25, 2019. The examination in Iloilo will be at the University of Iloilo (UI) and processing of applications will start at 7 a.m. (PNA photo by Gail Momblan)

The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) has called on interested applicants for the entrance examination that will be conducted in 41 locations across the country on Sunday.

The entrance examination in Iloilo will be at the University of Iloilo (UI) along Rizal Street in this city.

Lt. Lelemie Bandillon, officer-in-charge of the proctor team for the Iloilo examination, said they received 535 online applicants from Iloilo as of Thursday.

She said walk-in applicants will be accommodated on the day of the examination. The processing of regular and walk-in applicants will start at 7 a.m., she said.

The first set of the examination will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. while the second set is scheduled from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Bandillon advised examinees to arrive early at the venue.

Applicants should be a natural-born Filipino citizen, at least 5 ft. in height for both male and female, physically fit, of good moral character, single and has not given birth to a child, with no administrative or criminal case, between 17 years to 22 years old and high school graduate.

Bandillon said senior high school students may apply, provided they graduate before June 1, 2020.

Two PMA first-class cadets Robemer Laurencio and Trexy Janniele Hopida encouraged their fellow youth on Thursday to take the PMA entrance examination, being the first stage in the selection process for cadetship in the premier leadership training school in the country.

“If you want challenge in your life, take the PMA entrance exam. We learn academic and moral discipline inside the academy, more privileges, and stability. If you want to serve the community, take the PMA exams,” Laurencio said.

Meanwhile, Hopida reminded applicants that the examination permit is not for sale. Taking the PMA examinations is free of charge and applicants “should not be swayed on permits being sold.”

The PMA cadets enjoy a full government scholarship and therefore do not pay a single centavo during all the years of training in the Academy.

Laurencio shared that the courage and wit of students will be tested during their first two months in the Academy but all of the sacrifices will be worth it.

Successful applicants taking the August 25 examinations will compose PMA Class 2024.

Cadets will be at the receiving end of the state-of-the-art training facilities and equipment in PMA, such as model classrooms, new cadet barracks, computer rooms, simulation rooms, fitness center, and PMA station hospital.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1078569

Army dares Karapatan to probe NPA’s rights violations

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 24, 2019): Army dares Karapatan to probe NPA’s rights violations



PROOF OF ATROCITY. Personnel of the Army's 403rd Infantry Brigade and police officers from the Scene of the Crime Operatives exhume the skeletal remains of three individuals that the New People's Army abducted and killed in 2017 in Kitaotao town, Bukidnon, on August 23. Authorities say the remains belong to a soldier, a retired police officer, and a tribal leader. (Photo courtesy of Eastmincom)

Officials of the Army's 4th Infantry Division (4ID) on Saturday renewed their condemnation of the atrocities of the communist New People's Army (NPA), daring the leftist human rights group Karapatan to investigate the rebels' violent acts.

Brig. Gen. Edgardo de Leon, commander of the Army's 403rd Brigade, challenged Karapatan to investigate the 2017 abduction and killing of three individuals, whose remains were exhumed in Kitaotao town, Bukidnon on Thursday.

"I call on Karapatan, the self-declared watchdog of IHL (International Humanitarian Law), to investigate this case and release its findings to the public. Maybe the media would want to seek comment from Karapatan on this particular incident," De Leon said.

Thursday's exhumation of the remains of the abducted victims were led by the police and the Army's 89th Infantry Battalion and joined by the victims’ relatives who have long been seeking justice for the disappearance and death of their family members in August 2017.

Authorities said the remains, buried in Barangay Digongan, belonged to retired policeman Joel Rey Miqu Galendez, Army Sgt. Reynante Havana Espana, and tribal leader Datu Dionisio Camarullo Havana. (See related story)

According to de Leon, the witness to the killing was proven accurate as the police's crime scene personnel exhumed the three cadavers that were later identified by the relatives as the missing individuals.

De Leon said the exhumed cadavers and the revelation of the eyewitness, who himself was a former member of the NPA's Milisya ng Bayan, proved that the rebels are the ones perpetrating extrajudicial killings.

"The execution carried out by the NPA is a clear violation of IHL. They killed non-combatants. If they would claim that those cadavers were captives, then the more that they are liable for IHL violation, punishable under RA (Republic Act) 9851 (under which) captives are supposed to be taken care of," he said.

RA 9851 refers to the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity.

"If they are sick and wounded, they should be sent to the health service provider. Moreover, the datu (tribal chief), who was a civilian, should not have been held captive because he has no direct participation in the armed conflict," de Leon added.
He said the autopsy on the victims' remains may reveal how the NPA carried out the execution.

"But many people have seen how ISIS (Islamic State) terrorists execute people, and I am certain that the victims were executed the ISIS way. Therefore, the NPAs are really terrorists, worthy of public condemnation and (should) be declared by communities as persona non-grata," he said.

Losing ground

Meanwhile, the military claimed that the NPA is losing ground in Bukidnon after another town, Cabanglasan, condemned the rebel's atrocities.

In a resolution passed by the town council, local officials enumerated the alleged "inhumane" acts of the communist rebels in Cabanglasan, "including arson, shooting incidents, detonation of anti-personnel mines, ambuscades, and continuous extortion activities to ongoing projects in the area."

"These gruesome acts have affected the peace and order situation of the community. It has also disrupted and immobilized business activities, stifled economic growth that led to discouragement and withdrawal of potential investors and caused undue fear to the civilians," the resolution reads.

Town mayor Renante Inocando said the persona non-grata declaration against the NPA reflects the town's effort to pursue "peace and development”.

“We strongly condemn the CPP-NPA terrorist attacks on the lives and properties of the people of Cabanglasan. We are sick of them," Inocando said, referring to the rebels' founding organization, the Communist Party of the Philippines.

Lt. Col. Ronald M. Illana, commander of the Army's 8th Infantry Battalion, lauded the decision of the local officials, describing it as "proof that the people are now realizing the deceptions of the CNTs (CPP-NPA terrorists)."

"We believe that there will be no more hindrance to the government in delivering basic services," Illana said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1078657

Probe NPA killings in Bukidnon, Andanar tells Karapatan

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 24, 2019): Probe NPA killings in Bukidnon, Andanar tells Karapatan



Communications Secretary Martin M. Andanar

Communications Secretary Martin M. Andanar on Friday dared human rughts group Karapatan to investigate the execution of three missing persons in Kitaotao, Bukidnon after their bodies were exhumed on Thursday.

Andanar, Region 10 (Northern Mindanao) representative under the Cabinet Officers for Regional Development and Security (CORDS), said the supposed watchdog of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) in the Philippines should prove that it is not linked to terrorist group New People’s Army (NPA) - armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) - which abducted the three victims in 2017.

“Clearly, this proves that the NPA is carrying out extra-judicial killings in the Philippines. As the Cabinet officer for Region 10, I condemn this terrorist act and all their other atrocities against civilians, especially Indigenous Peoples,” Andanar said.

“If Karapatan is really a human rights watchdog of the Philippines and a defender of International Humanitarian Law, they should investigate this case and convince us that they are not connected with the NPA as they claim,” he added.

Philippine Army’s 89th Infantry Battalion commander, Lt. Col. Silas Trasmontero, 10th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Jose Faustino Jr., and 1003rd Infantry Brigade commander Col. Nolasco Mempin led the exhumation of the bodies on Thursday.

Authorities said the bodies were missing since August 2017 after they were taken by NPA members while passing a road blockade in Sitio Nabunturan, Barangay Digonga, Kitaotao, Bukidnon.

“The execution that they carried out is a clear violation of IHL. They killed non-combatants. If they would claim that those cadavers were captives, then the more that they are liable for IHL violation, punishable under RA 9851. Captives are supposed to be taken care of. If they are sick and wounded, they should be sent to health services provider,” said Brig. Gen. Edgardo de Leon, commander of the Army's 403rd Infantry Brigade.

“We don't know how they executed them, autopsy would show later how. But you can imagine how ISIS terrorists execute people, there is a certain similarity. So the NPAs are really terrorists, worthy of public condemnation,” he added.

The Presidential Communications Operations Office Chief meanwhile said the government will continue to push for stronger civilian anti-insurgency efforts on top of law enforcement operations.

“Through CORDS and the NTF-ELCAC (National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict), we renew our commitment to promote the establishment of durable peace and development while empowering communities in the priority focus areas such as Mindanao,” he said.

“Through peacebuilding and reconciliation, socio-economic transformation, good governance, and institution building, we can end this conflict,” Andanar said.

An offshoot of the NTF-ELCAC that was created by President Rodrigo R. Duterte through Executive Order No, 70, CORDS takes a whole-of-nation approach to address the issues of insurgency in the country.

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/1078686

AFP-CRS: CPP-NPA at ‘Front Organizations’, dineklarang persona non grata sa Cagayan Valley

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Aug 23, 2019): CPP-NPA at ‘Front Organizations’, dineklarang persona non grata sa Cagayan Valley



https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2655639864454721/?type=3&theater

[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]

https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/?fref=photo

AFP-CRS: Surigao del Sur Establishes Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Aug 23, 2019): Surigao del Sur Establishes Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict



https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2655645127787528/?type=3&theater

[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]

https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/?fref=photo

AFP-CRS: CPP-NPA declared persona non grata in Negros town

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Aug 23, 2019): CPP-NPA declared persona non grata in Negros town



https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2655642204454487/?type=3&theater

[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]

https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/?fref=photo

AFP-CRS: DND chief hails president’s order on foreign warships passing PH waters

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Aug 23, 2019): DND chief hails president’s order on foreign warships passing PH waters



https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2655646137787427/?type=3&theater

[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]

https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/?fref=photo

AFP-CRS: Ang Tala Magazine goes online

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Aug 23, 2019): Ang Tala Magazine goes online

ANG TALA MAGAZINE GOES ONLINE!

Check out our digital edition of the magazine here:

https://www.afpcrs.com/ang-tala

And feel free to peruse 'Feedback box' if you have any more questions. We'd love to hear your thoughts. Happy reading!

#AFPyoucanTRUST

https://t.co/vXBqWkthDe

The Ang Tala magazine, published quarterly by the Information Development

Group of the Civil Relations Service, Armed Forces of the philippines, is an informational tool designed to keep its internal and external audiences aware of the AFP's activities, administrative and operational thrusts, and accomplishments. This publication can also be utilized to present novel ideas related to soldier's service to the country and the people.

[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]

https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/?fref=photo

Andanar to Karapatan: Investigate NPA killings in Bukidnon

From PTV 4 (Aug 23, 2019): Andanar to Karapatan: Investigate NPA killings in Bukidnon

Communications Secretary Martin M. Andanar on Friday dared communist front organization Karapatan to investigate the execution of three missing persons in Kitaotao, Bukidnon after their bodies were exhumed on Thursday.

Andanar, the Region X representative under the Cabinet Officers for Regional Development and Security (CORDS), said that the supposed watchdog of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) in the Philippines should prove to the public that it is not affiliated with the terrorist group New People’s Army (NPA) that abducted the three victims in 2017.

“Clearly, this proves that the NPA is carrying out extra-judicial killings in the Philippines. As the Cabinet officer for Region X, I condemn this terrorist act and all their other atrocities against civilians, especially Indigenous Peoples,” Andanar said.

“If Karapatan is really a human rights watchdog of the Philippines and a defender of International Humanitarian Law, they should investigate this case and convince us that they are not connected with the NPA as they claim,” he added.

Philippine Army’s 89th Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Col. Silas Trasmontero, 10th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Jose Faustino Jr., and 1003rd Infantry Brigade commander Col. Nolasco Mempin led the exhumation of the bodies on Thursday.

According to authorities, the bodies were missing since August 2017 after they were taken by members of the new People’s Army (NPA) while passing a road blockade in Sitio Nabunturan, Barangay Digonga, Kitaotao, Bukidnon.

“The execution that they carried out is a clear violation of IHL. They killed non-combatants. If they would claim that those cadavers were captives, then the more that they are liable for IHL violation, punishable under RA 9851. Captives are supposed to be taken care of. If they are sick and wounded, they should be sent to a health services provider,” Brigadier General Edgardo De Leon, commander of the Army’s 403rd Infantry Brigade.

“We don’t know how they executed them, autopsy would show later how. But you can imagine how ISIS terrorists execute people, there is a certain similarity. So the NPAs are really terrorists, worthy of public condemnation,” he added.

The Presidential Communications Operations Office Chief meanwhile said that the government will continue to push for stronger civilian anti-insurgency efforts on top of law enforcement activities.

“Through CORDS and the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), we renew our commitment to promote the establishment of durable peace and development while empowering communities in the priority focus areas such as Mindanao,” Andanar said.

“Through peacebuilding and reconciliation, socio-economic transformation, good governance, and institution building, we can end this conflict,” Andanar said.

An offshoot of the NTF-ELCAC that was created by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte through Executive Order No, 70, CORDS takes a whole-of-nation approach to address the issues of insurgency in the country.

https://ptvnews.ph/andanar-to-karapatan-investigate-npa-killings-in-bukidnon/

DSWD DROMIC Report #1 on the Armed Conflict in Brgy. Ceboleda, Laak, Compostella Valley as of 22 August 2019, 4PM

From the Relief Web (Aug 22, 2019): DSWD DROMIC Report #1 on the Armed Conflict in Brgy. Ceboleda, Laak, Compostella Valley as of 22 August 2019, 4PM

REPORT from Government of the Philippines

Published on 22 Aug 2019 —View Original

Download PDF (137.11 KB)


SUMMARY

On 20 August 2019, an encounter transpired between the New People’s Army and military troops in Brgy. Ceboleda, Laak, Compostella Valley which resulted to the displacement of families and individuals in the area. Source: DSWD-FO XI

I. Status of Affected Families / Persons

A total of 40 families or 149 persons were affected by the armed conflict in Brgy. Ceboleda, Laak, Compostella Valley (see Table 1).

II. Status of Displaced Families/ Persons

There are 40 families or 149 persons who are currently staying at 3 Evacuation Centers in Brgy. Ceboleda, Laak, Compostella Valley (see Table 2).

https://reliefweb.int/report/philippines/dswd-dromic-report-1-armed-conflict-brgy-ceboleda-laak-compostella-valley-22