Cagayan guv urges public to help fight insurgency

From the Philippine Information Agency (Nov 1, 2019): Cagayan guv urges public to help fight insurgency

Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba during the recent management committee
meeting of Provincial Government. (Photo by Francis Villanueva Jorque)

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan - This province governor is urging everyone to help fight the decade-old insurgency problem in the region following the creation of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

Governor Manuel Mamba, who is also the chairperson of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) for Cagayan Valley, made the statement during their recent management committee meeting held Thursday.

The governor is hoping that everyone will do his or her share in bringing the local insurgency to its conclusion with no less than President Rodrigo Duterte's decisive actions to counter communist groups.

Governor Mamba took his oath of office as the chairperson of the RPOC for Cagayan Valley before President Duterte on Oct. 28 at the Malacañang Palace.

As the RPOC chairperson, the governor is expected to help in maintaining the peace and order in the region, as well as to strengthen the campaign to end insurgency. (MDCT/PIA-2)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1029578

62 militants nabbed, guns seized in Bacolod raids

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 1, 2019): 62 militants nabbed, guns seized in Bacolod raids



RAID. Some of those apprehended during the search warrant operation of police and military operatives at the Kilusang Mayo Uno office in Bacolod City late Thursday afternoon (Oct. 31, 2019). The simultaneous raids in the offices of progressive groups led to the arrest of 62 persons, including minors, and the recovery of firearms and a hand grenade. (Photo courtesy of Adrian Bobe)

At least 62 persons, including several minors, were arrested while firearms were seized in simultaneous raids launched by police and military operatives in the offices of progressive groups here late Thursday afternoon.

The operations, supported by search warrants issued by a Regional Trial Court in Quezon City, were conducted in the local headquarters of Kilusang Mayo Uno, Gabriela, and Anakpawis in Barangay Bata, and two other offices, including the one occupied by the National Federation of Sugar Workers, in Barangay 33.

Col. Henry Biñas, director of Bacolod City Police Office, said on Friday the operations were part of the implementation of the national government’s initiative to end local communist armed conflict.

“We are preparing to file the cases,” he added.

Those arrested were believed to be members of the so-called legal fronts of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

Capt. Cenon Pancito III, public affairs head of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, said they have received reports from concerned citizens that people occupying these offices have firearms and explosives.

Search warrants were then obtained by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Western Visayas.

At the KMU office in Barangay Bata, operatives apprehended 49 persons, of whom at least 13 were minors. Four were identified as leaders of progressive groups.

Pancito said the site serves as a “training center” of young people who could later become NPA combatants and part of liquidation squads.

Based on the police report, operatives seized 14 caliber .45 pistols, nine caliber .38 revolvers, and a hand grenade.

The structure has a conference room and a library, where subversive documents were found.

At the Gabriela Negros Center, nine persons were rounded up, and four others in the other offices.

The minors were endorsed to the local social welfare office while the other arrested persons were placed under the custody of the police.

Reacting to the arrest of his colleagues, Michael de la Concepcion, secretary-general of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Negros, claimed that the recovered firearms and explosive were planted.

He also said the arrested persons do not have links to the CPP-NPA.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1084804

2 militant leaders’ arrest based on search warrant: NCRPO

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 1, 2019): 2 militant leaders’ arrest based on search warrant: NCRPO



NCRPO chief, Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas. (File photo)

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Friday denied reports of an ongoing crackdown on progressive groups following the arrest of two militant leaders in Manila on Thursday.

NCRPO director, Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas, said they are only implementing the arrest warrant for illegal possession of firearms and explosives secured by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) against Cora Agovida, Gabriela spokesperson, and her husband Michael Bartolome, an official of Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) in Metro Manila.

"I don't think so that there is a crackdown against militant (personalities and groups.) It was just an ordinary implementation (of a search warrant) and it ended in a success," Sinas told reporters during a press briefing held at Quezon City Police District (QCPD).

"When out allied forces ask for our help, especially those armed with a valid search warrant, we are very willing to extend help at the NCRPO," he added.

He said Manila Police District (MPD) director, Brig. Gen. Bernabe Balba, implemented the search warrant at a building on Nakpil St., in Malate.

Agovida and Bartolome yielded firearms and explosives during the raid.

"What Gen. Balba did was to implement the search warrant with us not knowing our targets. We have no complete details (on our targets) until they staged a protest rally in front the MPD headquarters. So I directed our intelligence unit to coordinate with our allied units and it was then we realize they are militant personalities," Sinas noted.

Sinas said Gabriela lawyers have showed up at the MPD headquarters to represent Agovida and Bartolome.

Balba said Agovida and Bartolome are now detained at the CIDG field office in Manila pending their transfer to the court that issued the search warrant.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1084813

Evidence vs. 62 nabbed militants in Bacolod not planted: PCOO

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 1, 2019): Evidence vs. 62 nabbed militants in Bacolod not planted: PCOO



Communications Secretary Martin Andanar

The seized firearms and documents from the 62 suspected militants arrested during joint police and military operations in Bacolod City were “not planted,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar said on Friday.

Andanar came to the defense of soldiers and police officers who raided the offices of progressive groups in Bacolod City, following the claim of Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Carlos Zarate and Bayan Negros secretary-general Michael de la Concepcion that the recovered firearms and explosives were planted evidence by the raiding teams.

“We decry any claim that they were planted by our law enforcement authorities as we have proof they were obtained through legal means,” said Andanar, who also serves as the communications chief of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), in a statement.“We assert that any allegations that the raids conducted were a form of harassment are simply false and we have hard evidence secured to prove our argument."

Armed with search warrants, the military, and the police raided the local headquarters of Kilusang Mayo Uno, Gabriela, and Anakpawis in Barangay Bata in Bacolod City, as well as two other offices occupied by the National Federation of Sugar Workers in Barangay 33 in Bacolod City.
Arrested during the operations were 62 people who are believed to be members of the so-called legal fronts of the Communist Party of the Philippines’ armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), which is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

Andanar lauded the joint efforts of the local police and military that led to the conduct of “bloodless” operations in Bacolod.

He said the raids were done in a “lawful, safe, quick, and precise manner,” as a result of the close coordination of the agencies in the NTF-ELCAC.

“These operations show the government’s respect for democracy and its adherence to the rule of law,” Andanar said.

“Acting proactively from citizens’ reports of suspected illegal possession of firearms and explosives by members of the NPA, our law enforcement authorities secured search warrants on four locations in Bacolod City,” he added.

Andanar noted that the evidence recovered from those arrested include assorted short caliber firearms, sub-machine guns, machine guns, live ammunition, hand grenades, bladed weapons, Kilusang Mayo Uno flags, megaphones, microphones, and voluminous subversive documents.

He added that the data contained in the confiscated documents “will be carefully inspected and used as grounds to file a new set of cases.”

“We condemn the deceptive revolutionary tactics that these communist terrorist organizations have employed by masking themselves as ‘progressive groups’ to destroy the reputation of the government,” he said.

The NTF-ELCAC, he said, remains committed in its aggressive push in attaining peace through legitimate law enforcement operations and peaceful civilian measures, upon the call of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1084822

11 NPA mass base supporters yield to gov’t

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 1, 2019): 11 NPA mass base supporters yield to gov’t



Google map of Senator Ninoy Aquino municipality in Sultan Kudarat province

ISULAN, Sultan Kudarat -- Eleven members of the communist mass base “Militia ng Bayan” (MB) have surrendered to military and police authorities in Senator Ninoy Aquino town, Sultan Kudarat on Friday.

Brig. Gen. Alfred Corpus, police regional director for the Soccsksargen, said the surrenderers belonged to the group of Ka Mac-mac of the New People's Army (NPA) Guerilla Front 73.

“Among the surrenderers was a female fighter,” Corpuz said. He identified those who opted to rejoin the mainstream society as Adong Poling, 42; Eddi Timbangan, 31; Fabien Etang, 29; Sukal Timbangan, 24; Maoy Sakila, 25; Esing Sakilan, 22; a 16-year-old female; Rico Sakilan, 22; Bente Timbangan, 56; Udis Etang, and Pernan Sakilan, 24; all of Sitio Sebing, Barangay Midtungok, Senator Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat.

Corpus said the surrenderers decided to return to the fold of the law due to fear for their lives, hardship, and seeing no progress and improvement on the ideologies that they were fighting for.

"This shows that the terrorists’ movement had already weakened,” Corpus said.

The MB refers to individuals, who have been indoctrinated and may or not directly involved in the violent armed struggle but when organized, can provide mass support to the communist movement as revolutionary enforcement in the barrios.

The NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, 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/1084779

'Reds' torch classrooms of IP children in Sarangani

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 1, 2019): 'Reds' torch classrooms of IP children in Sarangani



BURNED. Suspected New People’s Army rebels burned Wednesday midnight a three-classroom building being constructed for Indigenous Peoples’ schoolchildren in Sitio Lanao, Barangay Sapu Masla in Malapatan. The still-unfinished project is funded by the World Bank-supported Kapitbisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services or Kalahi-CIDSS. (Photo courtesy of the Sarangani police)

Suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA), armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), burned on Wednesday night a three-classroom building being constructed in an indigenous peoples (IP) community at an upland village in Malapatan town, Sarangani province.

Lt. Col. Teody Condesa, spokesperson of the Sarangani Police Provincial Office, said on Friday the suspected rebels burned the still unfinished classroom building of the Sitio Lanao IP Elementary School in Barangay Sapu Masla, Malapatan.

Citing reports from village residents, he said at least 10 NPA rebels led by the notorious “Dawang brothers” stormed the area and set the classroom on fire.

He said the attackers also burned the construction materials stockpiled at the site and intended for the project’s completion.

The suspects, two of whom were identified as Willie and Bagil Dawang, left the scene after the attack.

“This is very unfortunate because the classroom was being built for the IP schoolchildren there,” Condesa said in a phone interview.

The classroom building project is funded by the World Bank-supported Kapitbisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services or Kalahi-CIDSS.

Malapatan is among the priority areas in Region 12 (Soccsksargen) of the Kalahi project, which is implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Condesa said the damage to the destroyed classroom building and construction materials was estimated at PHP2.5 million.

He said they are determining the possible motive of the attack and the other involved suspects, who will be charged with arson and destruction of property.

Members of the Army’s 73rd Infantry Battalion have launched pursuit operations in the hinterlands of Malapatan against the rebels, he added.

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/1084795

Ancan named Central Command head

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 1, 2019): Ancan named Central Command head



NEW CENTCOM CHIEF. AFP chief, Gen. Noel Clement (left) hands over the flag of the Central Command to newly-appointed commander, Maj. Gen. Roberto Ancan in a ceremony at Camp Lapu-Lapu, Cebu City on Thursday (Oct. 31, 2019). Prior to his new post, Ancan served as commander of the 1st Infantry Division (ID), 25th Infantry Battalion, 72nd Infantry Battalion, 66th Infantry Battalion and as a UN military observer in Timor Leste. (Photo courtesy of AFP Public Affairs Office)

Maj. Gen. Roberto Ancan, the commander of the Zamboanga Del Sur-based 1st Infantry Division (ID), formally assumed leadership of the Cebu-headquartered Central Command (Centcom) Thursday.

He replaced Centcom acting commander, Maj. Gen. Dinoh Dolina in a ceremony presided by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff, Gen. Noel Clement held at Camp Lapu-Lapu, Cebu City.

Clement was previously Centcom commander prior to his appointment to the military's top position.

Ancan, a member of Philippine Military Academy Class of 1987, was appointed 1st Infantry Division commander in February.

“During his stint as the 1st ID (Infantry Division) Commander, he has led his unit to several successes and among them were notable accomplishments on the neutralization of high valued individuals and clearing of several guerrilla fronts,” Clement said.

Prior to his present position, he was designated as head of the 1002nd Infantry Brigade and the commanding officer of the AFP Peacekeeping Operations Center that managed the organization, training, and deployment of AFP units to the United Nations peacekeeping missions.

He was also the commander of the 25th Infantry Battalion, 72nd Infantry Battalion, and 66th Infantry Battalion and was posted as a UN military observer in Timor Leste.

“Based on his long list of accomplishments of which I have personally witnessed, we can deduce that Major General Ancan (has) the characteristic of leader that we are looking for to sustain and even intensify our efforts to enforce EO 70 and other initiatives of the command,” Clement added.

Ancan is a graduate of the Basic Airborne, Scout Ranger, Field Artillery, Explosive Ordnance and Disposal, and Peacekeeping courses; and finished at the top of his Command and General Staff Course class at the AFP Command and General Staff College.

“To be the commander of the Central Command is not an easy task, you have to hurdle challenges, defy odds, and offset the threats that loomed in every corner of your area of responsibility, it is upon you to formulate cohesive strategies and plans to definitively address the communist threat, allow development to progress, and uphold peace and security in the whole of the Visayas region,” Clement said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1084773

Reds harassment rants on Bacolod raids nothing new: Parlade

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 1, 2019): Reds harassment rants on Bacolod raids nothing new: Parlade



Major General Antonio Parlade, Jr. (left), of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, and Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Carlos Zarate

So what else is new.

This was the reaction of Major General Antonio Parlade, Jr., of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC), after Bayan Muna Party-list Representative Carlos Zarate and progressive human rights group Karapatan again scored the military and police for its legitimate operations in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental on Thursday afternoon which resulted in the arrest of several underground members of communist front organizations.

"Rep. Carlos Zarate is once again complaining of government harassment of progressive groups with the arrest of underground members of the CPP NPA in four different underground offices run by Bayan Muna, Gabriela, KMU (Kilusang Mayo Uno), and ACT (Alliance of Concerned Teachers)," he said in a statement forwarded to the Philippine News Agency Friday.

Zarate, in earlier reports, denied claims by the security forces that of those arrested individuals, numbering to 57, including 10 minors, were undergoing firearms and explosive training. Also seized were assorted weapons and documents.

Zarate also scored the conduct of the operation as it was held during the eve of a long weekend as to ensure that the courts are closed and that the planted evidence cannot be challenged.

Parlade, who is also Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Deputy Chief-of-Staff for Civil-Military Operations, said Zarate used the same argument in defending the late Manabo Datu Kaylo Bontulan of the PASAKA Lumad Confederation during a previous press conference with former Gabriela Party-list Representative Luz Ilagan.

Zarate's efforts to defend Bontulan went to naught as the Lumad leader, member of the New People's Army (NPA) -- armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) -- was killed in April 2019 following an encounter with government troops.

"So where is this argument of Rep. Zarate leading? That this is another effect of 'red tagging' of groups critical of government policies? Let's identify a few of those captured and see if (CPP founding chair) Jose Maria "Joma" Sison and the NTF ELCAC is consistent with these groups which 'Joma' identified as his progressive allies," he added.

Parlade said one of those arrested in the Bacolod City operations was Romulo Bito-on known as "Muloy", who is working above ground as Deputy Secretary for Education Komiteng Rehiyon (KR)-Negros Cebu Bohol Siquijor.

Bito-on is also known as "Text", "Misoy" and "Derby" by the communist rebel ranks because he was former Platoon Leader, Regional Security Force/Sentro de Gravidad (SDG) of the CPP-NPA.

"To illustrate further their duplicitous nature as legal front and underground at the same time, Romulo was arrested with Analyn/Memalyn Bito-on alias 'Dobol' or Chin Chin to fellow teachers with Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT). But Analyn is also Secretary of Regional Unified White Area Committee KR-NCBS (Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros Cebu Bohol Siquijor) More importantly she is also Finance (Officer) of KR-NCBS, so that husband and wife won't let go of the funds of their regional party," he added.

Parlade added that the Bito-on couple was nabbed in Barangay Taculing, Bacolod.

While teachers in Negros know Analyn as Secretary-General of ACT Negros, a legal organization, he said what these educators don't know is that Bito-on is also the Secretary of the "Katipunan ng mga Gurong Makabayan" (KAGUMA) for the entire Visayas.

"KAGUMA" is the CPP underground party group hiding within ACT,” he said.

Aside from these positions in the communist rebels' legal and underground organizations, Analyn is also a platoon leader of the CPP-NPA's Leonardo Panaligan Command, Parlade revealed.

"Not too far was the arrest of Noli Rosales alias 'Talisa' in Barangay Bata. He is the Deputy Secretary for Trade Union of RUWAC (Rural Workers' Association) KR-NCBS. That is his current legal cover. But 'Talisa' was a former member of Sentro De Grabidad, Far South Regional Party Committee before he was assigned to NCBS, because his cover in Mindanao was already blown. This is probably why Zarate is so interested in this case, the former being a close associate of Rosales, as he was dead NPA Datu Kaylo," he added.

Also arrested with Rosales is John Milton Lozande alias "Butch" and is known as the Second Deputy Secretary for United Front of KR-NCBS and National Chair of Unyon ng mga Mangagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA), another legal front organization of farmers aligned with KMU and Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) and other communist rebel front organizations.

"But the illegal in him is his being a former intelligence officer of Regional Operations Command (ROC), KR-NCBS, CPP NPA. What this means is that he is very much involved in the series of killings of policemen, farmers, and progressive members in Negros, as narrated by James Durimon alias 'Juros'. Durimon is a SPARU (Special Partisan Unit) of NPA Negros who was recruited since age 14 until he surrendered last month to tell his story," he said.

Also arrested in the same operation was Proceso Quiatzon, coordinator of Karapatan-Negros, which led Parlade to ask what a human rights defender was doing in an NPA safe house with communist rebels.

"Now Karapatan's (Secretary-General) Cristina Palabay has a big problem how to explain all these. Karapatan-Negros has been bailing out captured NPAs ever since. In Mindanao Karapatan Secretary Gen Honey Mae Suazo, wife of NPA leader Donald Suazo, secured the release of Far South Mindanao Regional Party Committee head Canete. In 2012 during the term of Karapatan-Negros Secretary General Fred Caña, he bailed out NPA ROC Head Romeo Nanta. They also bailed out NPA Northern Negros head Hernando Llorente and NPA wife Faith Basergo. Now Palabay's coordinator is the one captured with these terrorists, even as they continue to deny their involvement with CPP terrorist acts. Bailing them all out will be a big problem especially after Karapatan's funds from Europe have dried up," he added.

Another captured CPP-NPA personality, according to Parlade, is Anne Villasica Kruger alias "Em-em" –known as Deputy Secretary for "Cultural/Propaganda" of KR-NCBS and Deputy Secretary for Social Media.

"She is also a former chair of BIEN South Manila. Activist? No, she is a former political instructor of an NPA Sandatahang Yunit sa Platun (SYP) Southern Luzon Regional Political Committee," he added.

He said these individuals were arrested in three different barangays and four different underground safehouses by joint military and police operatives by virtue of four Search Warrants issued by the court for violation of Republic Act 10591 otherwise known as Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition and RA 9516 or Illegal Possession of Explosives.

Also seized from them were 24 assorted firearms of different caliber, including a KG submachine gun, fragmentation grenades, and terrorist documents, items not commonly used by progressive activists as they claimed themselves to be.

"I wonder what NUPL's (National Union of Peoples' Lawyers) Edre Olalia and Neri Colmenares has to say about these. Planted evidence?" Parlade asked. "Let's see who will red-tag who when they raise their clench fist during the presentation to media next week. Better yet, let's see what Joma Sison has to say against the arrest of his armed 'social activists' which he also calls his progressive allies.”

He also attributed the precision of the raid against the communist underground members in Bacolod to the seamless coordination with the NTF ELCAC Legal Cluster with other agencies which resulted in the suspects' arrest, all unharmed.

"The raid was conducted with precision so they complain it was Gestapo-like. How lucky these people are the NTF ELCAC Legal Cluster interagency coordination and operations was seamless (so) they did not have time to react and shoot. They wish they can invoke EJK (extra-judicial killings) so there is no need for them to raise bail money. But they are so alive, thanks to democracy and this government's respect and adherence to the rule of law," he added.

The CPP-NPA, which has been waging a five-decade armed struggle against the government, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1084809

3ID head bids farewell

From the Visayan Daily Star (Oct 31, 2019): 3ID head bids farewell

Maj. Gen. Dinoh Dolina, 3rd Infantry Division commander, yesterday said goodbye to Army troops in Negros Island, whom he cited for his accomplishments as Army commander of Western and Central Visayas.

“All the accomplishment I received as your commander are because of all of your efforts. It's not for me, but it's for all of you,” Dolina told the 303rd Infantry Brigade troopers, whom he visited Camp Maj. Nelson Gerona in Murcia town, Negros Occidental, yesterday.

Dolina is scheduled to retire from the military service on Nov. 14. He, however, will relinquish the command of the 3rd Infantry Division to his successor, who has yet to be identified, two days earlier.

The name of Brig. Gen. Eric Vinuya, assistant division commander of 3ID and concurrent Joint Task Force Negros chief, has surfaced as among the candidates for the position to be vacated by Dolina.

There are six Army battalions under the supervision of 3ID in Negros, Panay and Bohol.

Dolina will reach the mandatory retirement age of 56 on Nov. 14.*

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2019/October/31/topstory7.htm

‘Declare NPA rebels unwelcome in Baguio’

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Nov 1, 2019): ‘Declare NPA rebels unwelcome in Baguio’

But gov’t peace officer sees poverty, not insurgency, as bigger problem

Baguio City had always been considered a peace zone, but Mayor Benjamin Magalong on Thursday was asked to declare the communist New People’s Army (NPA) persona non grata, like in many cities in the country.

During a briefing for Agriculture Secretary William Dar, the Cabinet officer for peace and security in the Cordillera, local government and military officials gave an outline of the counterinsurgency and economic programs for the region.

But Dar said he saw poverty, not insurgency, as the bigger problem, and crushing the 50-year-old NPA in the Cordillera would require the government to improve the quality of life in at least 47 villages considered as “rebel influenced.”

These villages in Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao and Kalinga have been frequented by rebels or have residents suspected of supporting the NPA.

When asked if a ceasefire with the rebels can be pursued under the government’s “Whole of Nation Approach” policy to resolve insurgency, Dar, a former university professor, said he preferred dialogues to convince rebels to surrender and join mainstream society.

Enforced by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, the policy requires government agencies to focus their programs on the NPA.

White zone

But Baguio would be key to these programs if it no longer welcomed rebels, said Maj. Gen. Pablo Lorenzo, commander of the Army’s Fifth Infantry Division.

Throughout five decades of clashes, both government and NPA have respected Baguio as a “white zone” where no clashes take place, said Magalong, a retired police general who joined the briefing as chair of the Cordillera peace and order council.

“Rebels spent their R&R (rest and recreation) here,” he said.

Blocking their access to Baguio would have a strategic and a psychological impact on the armed rebel movement, Lorenzo said, adding that 27 towns in Abra province and seven towns in Kalinga province had declared the NPA as persona non grata.

It was not clear whether such a declaration in Baguio would make a distinction between the armed rebels and leftist groups based in the city.

These groups had brought attention to issues like indigenous peoples’ rights and Cordillera autonomy shortly after strongman Ferdinand Marcos was ousted in a people’s uprising in 1986.

Marijuana cultivation

The briefing also centered on marijuana cultivation which Magalong said had been financing rebel activities in the Cordillera.

According to him, rebels take 30 percent of marijuana profits, given that the illegal weed used to be abundant in outlying and uninhabited Cordillera outskirts.

This matter was raised because of pending bills in Congress that would legitimize marijuana cultivation for medical purposes.

Marijuana production areas have since dwindled due to the crackdown of the police and the military, Magalong said, adding that Cordillera officials would adjust should Congress pass the measure harnessing the weed for treating ailments.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1184328/declare-npa-rebels-unwelcome-in-baguio

Reds mull temporary ceasefire in tremor-hit Mindanao

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Nov 1, 2019): Reds mull temporary ceasefire in tremor-hit Mindanao

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) announced on Friday that the New People’s Army (NPA) in Mindanao is studying the possibility of declaring a temporary unilateral ceasefire to help earthquake victims and assist relief and aid workers in far-flung areas.

“The regional Party committee and NPA command can consider declaring a temporary ceasefire so that Red fighters can concentrate on relief work for a few days,” Marco Valbuena, CPP public information officer, told the Inquirer in an online interview.

But he added: “However, they will have to weigh the relentless brutal military operations being carried out by the 73rd and 39th IB, and the SAF and RPSB forces (these are units serving as company guards of the Tampakan Mines and other big companies), in the areas of devastation.”

Valbuena said the CPP has ordered its armed wing, the NPA, to exert efforts to help tremor victims.

“The Party calls on the revolutionary forces under its Far South Mindanao Regional Committee and the NPA units to exert maximum effort to help the peasant masses and minority people in the affected areas,” Valbuena said.

He said the Maoist-inspired guerrillas and their allies could assist in rebuilding damaged homes, and repairing farms and community facilities.

“The NPA can secretly work with relief organizations who wish to deliver food and other supplies to the difficult-to-reach areas,” Valbuena said.

He confirmed that the series of strong tremors also affected some NPA units and areas under the influence of the communist rebels, although the CPP has yet to receive final reports on the extent of the damage.

“But since most of the areas are mountainous and farmlands, there are threats of landslides. But we have also yet to receive reports about that,” Valbuena said.

He said the CPP extends its sympathies to the people gravely affected by the earthquakes, particularly those in Tulunan, Cotabato, and other nearby towns./lzb

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1184528/reds-mull-temporary-ceasefire-in-tremor-hit-mindanao

Wife recounts militiaman’s last moments in hands of NPA

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 1, 2019): Wife recounts militiaman’s last moments in hands of NPA



WIFE’S CRY. A screen grab from the video interview of Elizabeth dela Torre, live-in partner of Pablo Omblero, a CAFGU member in Valencia City, Bukidnon. The couple were forcibly taken by alleged members of New People’s Army as she saw the rebels execute Omblero on the night of October 27. (Video courtesy of Army’s 403rd IB)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The wife of a Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) member recounted the last words of her husband before he was executed by alleged members of the New People's Army (NPA) last October 27.

"He was asked (by the NPA) how long was he serving as a CAFGU, and he said he was a CAFGU for eight years. After he said those, I heard gunshots," Elizabeth dela Torre said of her husband in Visayan dialect as she began crying in a two-part video clip from the Army on Oct. 31.

In the video clip, dela Torre said she and her husband, Pablo Omblero were taken from their residence in Barangay Batangan, Valencia City, Bukidnon by seven gunmen to an undisclosed location.

Dela Torre recalled that she feared being killed next after her husband.

"I thought it was my turn, but they went close to him (Omblero) and shot him in the chest the second time," she said. The first shot was aimed at Omblero's head.

She added that throughout the eight years as a CAFGU, she doesn’t know Omblero had personal conflicts with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) - NPA, that is why she was shocked that the rebels abducted them and executed Omblero in front of her.

In the video, an interviewer asked her what she was going to do next, of which dela Torre replied that she will not cease to call for justice for Omblero.

"To those who killed my husband, you should be afraid now because I will fight back. I will find justice for my husband. Justice is all I wanted. I will have my vengeance, you better watch out because many will help me," she said.

In an earlier statement, Brig. Gen. Edgardo de Leon, the 403rd Infantry Battalion commander, said Omblero was considered a captive when he was forcibly taken by the NPA from his home.

He said under the International Humanitarian Law, a captive is not a combatant so he has the right to life and must be treated humanely.

“The NPA should have respected his rights enshrined by the IHL as he can no longer be considered combatant because he was already captured, disarmed, and therefore has no capacity to fight the armed NPA,” de Leon said.

He said they will be recommending to the city government of Valencia to create a fact-finding committee on IHL to investigate the shooting.

“We also ask the Commission on Human Rights and IHL watchdog Karapatan to join the investigation of this NPA-perpetrated IHL violation,” he added.

The CPP-NPA s 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/1084787

101 ex-NPA rebels who surrendered to military in Masbate get P1.9-M aid

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Nov 1, 2019): 101 ex-NPA rebels who surrendered to military in Masbate get P1.9-M aid

Some 101 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels who surrendered from Masbate received P1.9 million worth of cash and livelihood assistance, an Philippine Army official said on Friday.

Maj. Ricky Aquilar, 9th Infantry Division public affairs office chief, said the rebel returnees received their benefits at a military-sponsored Peace Caravan on Wednesday at the Cawayan Sports Gymnasium in Cawayan town.

Aguilar said the rebel returnees were former NPA regulars and mass-base supporters operating in various towns in Masbate province.

He said the rebel surrenderers, after undergoing evaluation and processing, received from the Department of Interior and Local Government the P15,000 cash assistance each.

Four former rebels were given P50,000 each as livelihood assistance while one received P78,000 for surrendering a firearm.

The Peace Caravan was also highlighted by a signing of a resolution declaring the NPA and its allied fronts “persona-non-grata” (unwelcomed)./lzb

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1184563/101-ex-npa-rebels-who-surrendered-to-military-in-masbate-get-p1-9-m-aid

Kalinaw News: 6th ID activates new sniper company

Posted to Kalinaw News (Oct 31, 2019): 6th ID activates new sniper company

SIONGCO, Maguindanao – The 6th Infantry Division activated the newly organized 61st Division Sniper Company in the morning of October 28, 2019 at Kampilan Grandstand here in Camp Siongco, Awang, Datu Odin, Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

Assistant Division Commander, Brig. Gen. JuvymaxUy, presided over the activation ceremony along with the celebration of 29th year of the AFP Code of Conduct Day.

The newly activated company will be commanded by Cpt. Judy M. Valera as he also assumed Command during the installation.
The activation of the company is a force multiplier to provide sniping capability to the Infantry Battalions of the Division for them to be more effective and efficient in accomplishing their respective assigned combat missions.

It also aimed to enhance the capability of land defense and support combat operations with minimum risk involved as well as conduct reconnaissance and surveillance operations to the supported unit.

The 61st DSC is composed of personnel that are sniper-qualified and qualified rifle experts that will undergo regular organizational training to further enhance their skills and capacitate them with the required needed skills.

“My experience in unit and sniper training will help me train you in the specialized skill that required us of what is expected from us. We should be proud of being chosen to be part of this unit of 6th ID since we are the pioneers,” said Cpt. Valera.

Brig. Gen. Uy in his remarks, emphasized that training and discipline are important to every member of the company and stressed the need of the personnel for evaluation every 6 months for them to be properly managed.

“The activation of your company is part of the organization and you must always remember that the accomplishment of the organization’s missionprecedes over individual objectives,” he said.

Meanwhile, the troops also commemorated the 29th year of the AFP Code of Conduct Day following the activation of 61st DSC, where they took their oath of allegiance to the Code of Conduct led by Maj. William S. Gallanta, Deputy Chief of the Office of the Ethical Standards and Public Accountability of 6th ID.

Division Public Affairs Office 6th Infantry Division Philippine Army
Maj Arvin G Encinas
Chief, Public Affairs Office, 6ID, PA
Camp Siongco, Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao
+6391775226469

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace by the Philippine Army. It provides information on the activities of Army Units nationwide in the performance of their duty of Serving the People and Securing the Land. This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
Contact us: contact@kalinawnews.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/6th-id-activates-new-sniper-company/

Kalinaw News: MGen Ancan assumes as Commander of Central Command

Posted to Kalinaw News (Oct 31, 2019): MGen Ancan assumes as Commander of Central Command

CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City—Major General Roberto Ancan assumed as Commander of the Cebu-based Central Command today, October 31, replacing acting commander MGen Dinoh Dolina.

A member of the Philippine Military Academy Hinirang Class of 1987, MGen Ancan is currently the commander of the 1st Infantry Division, Philippine Army based in Labangan, Zamboanga Del Sur, a position he held since February 2019.

“During his stint as the 1ID Commander, he has led his unit to several successes and among them were notable accomplishments on the neutralization of high valued individuals and clearing of several guerrilla fronts.” Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Noel Clement said.

Prior to his present position, he was designated as Commander of the 1002nd Infantry Brigade and the Commanding Officer of the AFP Peacekeeping Operations Center that managed the organization, training, and deployment of AFP units to United Nations peacekeeping missions.

He was also the Commander of the 25th Infantry Battalion, 72nd Infantry Battalion, and 66th Infantry Battalion and was posted as a UN Military Observer in Timor Leste.

“Based on his long list of accomplishments of which I have personally witnessed we can deduce that MGen Ancan is indeed a fierce and both leader, the characteristic of leader that we are looking for to sustain and even intensify our efforts to enforce EO 70 and other initiatives of the command” Gen Clement added.

MGen Ancan is a graduate of the Basic Airborne, Scout Ranger, Field Artillery, Explosive Ordnance and Disposal, and Peacekeeping courses; and finished at the top of his Command and General Staff Course class at the AFP Command and General Staff College.

“To be the commander of the Central Command is not an easy task, you have to hurdle challenges, defy odds, and offset the threats that loomed in every corner of your area of responsibility, it is upon you to formulate cohesive strategies and plans to definitively address the communist threat, allow development to progress, and uphold peace and security in the whole of the Visayas region.” Gen Clement said.

Former CENTCOM Commander and now Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Noel Clement presided over the ceremony held at the Camp Lapu-lapu, Cebu City.

Division Public Affairs Office 1st Infantry Division Philippine Army
CPT CLINT ANTIPALA
Chief, Division Public Affairs Office, 1st Infantry Division
E-mail: tabakdpao@gmail.com
Mobile Number: 09177938341

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace by the Philippine Army. It provides information on the activities of Army Units nationwide in the performance of their duty of Serving the People and Securing the Land. This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
Contact us: contact@kalinawnews.com]
https://www.kalinawnews.com/mgen-ancan-assumes-as-commander-of-central-command/