TFD taps vendors as ‘assets’ vs. terrorists, criminals

From the Mindanao Times (Nov 27, 2019): TFD taps vendors as ‘assets’ vs. terrorists, criminals

“Weakest link” no more!

The Task Force Davao (TFD) is now tapping the vendors as its “eyes and ears” against terrorists and criminals, especially during major events in the city.

Col. Consolito Yecla, TFD commander, said vendors are often considered as the easy targets in any terrorism activities due to their vulnerability.

But the vendors, if given proper directions, can be utilized even as a means to stop terrorists’ plans.
With this, the TFD is organizing vendors to secure themselves and help authorities in countering those with criminal minds.

Presently, the TFD has conducted at least 20 anti-terror seminars, including the institutionalization of the culture of security, to around 2,600 individuals selling goods at the Roxas Night Market, San Pedro Square, Bankerohan Market, transport terminals, various parks, and busy streets.

As part of its preparations for the Pasko Fiesta 2019, the TFD gathered street vendors and massage therapists from San Pedro Square and Roxas Night Market last Nov. 20 at Almendras Gym to discuss the plans.

“The engagement with the vendors is assessed to be crucial in implementing the concept of maximum security zone during Pasko Fiesta and other big events in Davao City,” Yecla said.
At least two bombing incidents in the city victimized vendors in the city.

On April 3, 2003, a bomb exploded at Sasa Wharf, killing 30 persons and wounding 100 others. The Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was placed in a vendor’s open stall.

On Sept. 13. 2016, a bomb exploded at the city’s night market in Roxas Avenue, killing 15 persons and wounded 70 others, mostly vendors. The bomb was planted at the message area of the crowded market.
http://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2019/11/27/tfd-taps-vendors-as-assets-vs-terrorists-criminals/

3 militants killed in Maguindanao offensive

From MindaNews (Nov 27, 2019): 3 militants killed in Maguindanao offensive

COTABATO CITY (MindaNews / 27 Nov) – Three members of the Dawlah Islamiyah turned into ashes as 105mm Howitzer fire directly hit them while hiding in Pusao, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao on Monday as intensified surgical operation was conducted against terror groups hiding in the rebel infested marshland of the region.

Some of the firearms and explosives seized by the military in the Maguindanao offensive. Photo courtesy of Western Mindanao Command

Maj. Arvin Encinas, spokesperson of the Western Mindanao Command, said that the main target of the Joint Task Force Central’s surgical operation were rebels under the Kumander Bungos faction of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

Government troopers seized several explosives and firearms during the offensive against the local terror group after combat clearing operations conducted by combined troops of the 601st Infantry Brigade, including the 33rd Infantry Battalion, 12th Special Forces Company and 5th Special Forces Company.

Earlier, troops of the 57th Infantry Battalion conducted combat clearing operations in Barangay Pamalian, Shariff Saydona Mustapha that led to the seizure of three M16 rifles, three improvised explosive devices, and six improvised hand grenades.

Col. Jose Narciso, 601st Infantry Brigade commander, narrated the difficulty in the operation as activated IEDs were planted to ambush his troops but managed to outsmart the enemy.

“This all started in our Mamasapano campaign last week until we reached today in Datu Piang. The threat of activated IEDs is enormous as some were found to have been attached to phones, which were ringing when our men came close to their locations,” Narciso narrated.

But aside from Bungos, the officer said they also came across members of the Dawlah Islamiyah Maguindanao, a local ISIS group led by Abu Toraife, an ally of the BIFF.

Charred bodies of the militants after being hit by 105mm Howitzer fire. Photo courtesy of Western Mindanao Command

He said they had to coordinate air assets, ground troop offensives and artillery fire.

Narciso added that the coordination and help of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), whose elements served as blocking force, in the Liguasan Marsh has been effective and led to the success of operation.

After clearing and securing the area, operating troops coordinated with barangay officials of Pusao led by Kagawad Abo Kalim to identify the bodies and subsequently facilitate the proper burial of the slain BIFF fighters.

Meanwhile, in Lanao del Sur, troops from two Army battalions are pursuing a band of 30 former Maute militants in Mount Malingao in the borders of Madamba and Madalum towns.

Col. Jose Maria Cuerpo, commander of the Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade, said the militants fled to that direction after the troops captured their camp in Madalum town last Nov. 22.

Cuerpo said the troops found 14 tents and personal belongings, including black ISIS shirts popular among the Maute rebels.

“Based on the size of the tents and camp layout, we estimated their strength to be around 30,” Cuerpo said.

Cuerpo said the remnants of the Daesh-inspired Maute militants have been on the run since government troops killed their leaders, Abdullah and Omar Maute, during the 2017 siege in Marawi City.

Philippine ISIS leader Isnilon Hapilon was killed along with the Maute brothers during the Marawi siege.

Cuerpo said the remnants of the Maute group are now led by a certain “ Zacaria” who replaced Owaidah Benito Marohombsar or Abu Dar, who was killed early this year.

Marohombsar, an imam, was designated as successor to the Maute brothers and was considered to replace Hapilon as the ISIS emir in Asia.

https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2019/11/3-militants-killed-in-maguindanao-offensive/

Negrenses avail of medical help from Serbisyo Caravan

Posted to the Philippine Information Agency (Nov 27, 2019): Negrenses avail of medical help from Serbisyo Caravan

Free consultations and medicines during the Serbisyo Caravan in Brgy. DobDob, Valencia. (PIA Negros Oriental)

NEGROS ORIENTAL, Nov. 21 (PIA) -- Thousands of residents from the six towns and cities identified as conflict areas benefited from the one-stop shop Dagyawan sa Barangay: Serbisyo Caravan of the Negros Oriental Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NOTF ELCAC).

The sixth and last leg of Dagyawan brought the basic government services to the remotest barangay of Valencia town, Brgy. Dobdob, with about 860 residents from the area who availed of the free consultation, seedlings, and medical, dental, and other basic services.

Valencia Acting Mayor Romeo Alviola welcomed the creation of the local task force and for bringing the services of the government to Dobdob.

Village chief Jayson Saycon along with his barangay council lauded the move of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo who pledged to allocate funds for road concreting leading to their barangay.

Degamo, who also sits as NOTF ELCAC Chairperson, announced that P54 million has been set aside for the concreting of roads going to Brgy. Dobdob.

Saycon said the access road makes their farm produce easier to transport, reducing the four-hour trip to around one hour down to the Poblacion area and help improve the lives of his constituents.

Aside from bringing together various national government agencies in one place for the Talakayan sa Mamamayan, the Department of Health (DOH) distributed free medicines to 15 conflict barangays, such as oral rehydration salts, gastroenteritis, antibiotics and maintenance medicines for high blood and diabetes, mosquito nets, hygiene kits and the like.

Dr. Socrates Villamor of DOH said other needs like medical equipment will be assessed and will depend on the availability of funds and other medical supplies from the DOH Regional Office.

Dr. Socrates Villamor (standing) of the Department of Health speaking before the officials of national government agencies and barangay councils of the 11 barangays of the municipality of Valencia during the Dagyawan. (PIA Negros Oriental)

“Actually our role in the DOH in terms of health services, we will augment the services of the LGUs because primarily, it is the LGU that will give primary health services,” explained Villamor.

The antibiotic medicines that the DOH distributed to the barangays need to have a prescription from the municipal or rural health doctor.

It is in the law that not anyone can dispense antibiotics, including anti-TB drugs, neither the midwives nor the nurse in the barangay health station can dispense antibiotics, Villamor said.

However, the patients should be referred to the Rural Health Unit doctor to see if the antibiotics available in the barangay health stations are appropriate for prescription.

“Our number one problem is still the dengue cases but we can see in our weekly monitoring in the province that the trend is gradually lowering, but there are still few barangays wherein the cases are rising,” Villamor explained.

DOH is also focusing on addressing polio epidemic and he strongly encouraged parents to submit their children for immunization to be safe from polio.

Villamor advised those who will travel outside the country to have their vaccines taken at the Bureau of Quarantine (BoQ) in Cebu City.

Some countries abroad require travellers from the Philippines to present polio vaccines certificate from BoQ. (jct/PIA7 Negros Oriental)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1030698

Farmers point location of anti-personnel mine in AgSur

From the Philippine Information Agency (Nov 27, 2019): Farmers point location of anti-personnel mine in AgSur (By 3rd Special Forces Battalion, PA)

BAYUGAN CITY, Agusan del Sur, Nov. 27 -- Concerned civilians, mostly farmers have reported recently to the 8th Special Forces “Dragoons” Company (8SFC) and 3rd Special Forces “Arrowhead” Battalion (3SFBn), a claymore-type improvised explosive device (IED) emplaced by the Communist New People’s Army (NPA) Terrorists (CNTs) in their farmlands in Purok-7, barangay Mabuhay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.

The Mabuhay Citizen Armed Force Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) Patrol Base under the 8SFC immediately composed a team to disable, recover and dispose the IED to prevent any damages from both the civilians and government troops.

The Municipality of Prosperidad, Mabuhay Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the farmers strongly condemned the terroristic act of the CNTs citing that they (NPAs) are the reason why there is a decrease of farm production in some of their areas.

“The NPAs are the reason why most of the farmers don’t attend to their farmlands anymore. We are worried because we might become victims if the IEDs explode anytime. The NPA terrorists severely disturb our farming activities because aside from planting IEDs they always ask for their share during harvests even if they did not work hard for it. The farmers get less than what they deserve,” said alias “Jun.” (true name undisclosed)

The NPA terrorists and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) are declared by the Philippine government as terrorist organizations in 2017 and declared by the U.S. State Department, European Union Common Foreign and Security Policy as a foreign terrorist group.

Meanwhile, the 3SFBn under the 401st Infantry “Unite and Fight” Brigade (401BDE) lauded the efforts of the citizens who acted promptly to prevent further damage to any potential targets of opportunities of the CNTs.

Col. Allan Hambala, commander of 401st Brigade said that this is the positive effect of the whole-of-nation approach to end local communist armed conflict.

“The peoples’ support greatly hurts these terrorists because they have nowhere to run. This is the reason why they try so hard to discredit the Executive Order 70, military’s presence and the construction of Patrol Bases in the conflict-affected communities. The masses, whom they can terrorize before, already found their genuine ally towards ending the NPAs’ atrocities through the Task Forces to end communist insurgency,” he said. (1Lt. Krisjuper Andreo Punsalan, CMO officer, 3SFBn/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1030649

Leyte town organizes Municipal Task Force-ELCAC

From the Philippine Information Agency (Nov 27, 2019): Leyte town organizes Municipal Task Force-ELCAC



TACLOBAN CITY, Nov. 26 (PIA) -- One of the latest additions to the growing number of Municipal Task Forces to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF ELCAC) in Eastern Visayas, is that of Leyte town in the province of Leyte.

The Joint Municipal Peace and Order Council and Municipal Development Council meeting of the Municipality of Leyte moved for the creation of the MTF-ELCAC in Leyte, Leyte on Nov. 22, 2019 at the Municipal Training Center.

The creation was done after being oriented by the RTF8 ELCAC's Situational Awareness and Knowledge Management (SAKM) Cluster on EO 70 NTF-ELCAC, Call to Action, CPP/NPA Infiltration, and about the Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) by the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

About 60 council members composed of LGU department heads, Punong Barangays, community service officers, Sangguniang Bayan members led by Vice Mayor Armando Ysidoro were present.

Officers of the 93IB PA Bravo Company and PNP Regional Maneuver Force also attended the meeting.

MLGOO Alejandrino showed the DILG’s 7-minute video presentation on the Retooled Community Support Program and gave a quick explanation on the role of the LGU in the implementation of the EO 70 at the municipal and barangay levels. (PIA 8/NICA 8)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1030771

Gov’t to build Halfway House for Former Rebels

From the Philippine Information Agency (Nov 27, 2019): Gov’t to build Halfway House for Former Rebels

PAGADIAN CITY, Nov. 27 (PIA) - A P5million Halfway House for Former Rebels (FRs) will soon rise in Zamboanga del Sur as its groundbreaking ceremony held on Tuesday signals commencement of its construction.

The Government thru the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) will build a facility for FRs, a reflection of its sturdy commitment and strong message that it is serious and laser focused on ending local communist armed groups and conflicts.

The said facility will be constructed inside the 16 hectare military reservation of the 53rd Infantry Battalion Headquarters, situated at Camp Sabido, Poblacion, Guipos, this province .

Of the 16 hectare military reservation, six is actually occupied by the battalion, while the ten is being used for its various projects for rebel returnees like the construction of the Halfway House and its “Arms to farms” projects.

The Halfway House will serve as temporary shelter for FRs while their documents for reintegration to mainstream government are being processed. The facility will serve as their home while preparing them for their benefits under the Enhance Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP).

The facility will also serve as training center for the FRs, like skills and livelihood training; education and other related seminars and orientations.

“Kinasing-kasing namong pasalamat sa mga ahensya sa gobyerno nga nagtabang sa among mga ni surender labi na sa pagpatukod aning halfway center” (our heartfelt gratitude to agencies of government who helped us surrenderees, specially for the construction of this halfway center) said former NPA rebel aka Tingul.

“Sa tanang kauban nako nga naa sa kabukiran, dili ni binutbut, tinuod nga ang gobyerno mutabang sa atoa,” (to all my colleagues who are still in the mountains, this is not a lie, it is true, that there really is a government willing to help us) he added.

The Provincial Government will oversee the implementation of the Halfway House including the welfare of the surrenderees .

The groundbreaking ceremony was lead by Usec. Rene Glen O. Paje, DSWD Undersectary/RTF9-ELCAC Chairman and Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Governor Victor Yu along with officials of the DILG and Philippine Army. (EDT/JPA/PIA-Zamboanga del Sur)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1030805

19 rebels surrender in Bukidnon in 3-day span

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 27, 2019): 19 rebels surrender in Bukidnon in 3-day span



MORE SURRENDERERS. Along with their firearms, five more persons who claimed to be active combatants of the communist New People’s Army surrendered on Monday (Nov. 25, 2019) to the Army's 8th Infantry Battalion based in Bukidnon. (Photo courtesy of Army's 8th IB)

IMPASUGONG, Bukidnon -- Five more persons who claimed to be active combatants of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered on Monday to the Army's 8th Infantry Battalion (8IB).

This came following the surrender of 14 NPA members on Saturday (November 23), putting the total number of surrenderers within the three-day span to 19, according to the 8IB.

The NPA surrenderers belong to the same group, the Sub-regional Committee 2 of the NPA's North Central Mindanao Regional Command who are harassing residents in Cabanglasan town, Bukidnon, the military said.

All of them surrendered along with their firearms, said Lt. Colonel Ronald Illana, 8IB commanding officer.

Illana said the heightened promotion of the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip) by the Army Community Support Program Teams and the continuous military operations played major role in their surrender.

One of the surrenderers identified only as "Branch," 31, a former squad leader of SRC 2, was quoted by 8IB as saying that his surrender was prompted by the government's program for rebel returnees.

“I received information about the ECLIP, that it is a program of the government intended for us so I decided to yield as the others did," he was quoted in the dialect.

Illana said they are expecting "more NPA members to surrender as we intensify our combat operation and CSP (community support program) immersion. We will not allow them to rest until they choose to surrender".

He reiterated his call for the remaining members of the rebels in Bukidnon to "surrender now to the CSP Teams in their community because the government is there ready to help them".

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1087109

Air, ground assaults kill 3 BIFF militants in Maguindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 27, 2019): Air, ground assaults kill 3 BIFF militants in Maguindanao



SEIZED. The guns and improvised bombs recovered by the military from their ongoing operation against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao on Tuesday (Nov. 26, 2019). Three BIFF militants were also killed in the continuing military operations in the area. (Photo courtesy of the Army's 6th Infantry Division)

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao -- Three members of Islamic State-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) were killed in military air and ground assaults in Maguindanao Tuesday, an official said.

Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Central (JTFC), said the continuing "surgical operation" is focused against the BIFF faction under commander Bungos in Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao.

After the air strikes, ground troops from the 33rd Infantry Battalion (33IB) and 12th Special Forces Battalion conducted clearing operations that led to the recovery of cadavers of three slain BIFF in Barangay Pusao, Shariff Saydona Mustapha.

Carreon said troops also recovered one 5.56 mm K2 assault rifle and one .454-caliber pistol in the rebels' hideout.

Ground troops turned over the remains of the slain BIFF members to local officials, led by village councilman Abo Kalim, so they can be given burial rites in accordance with Islamic tradition.

Continuing operations also led to the recovery of three M16 rifles, improvised explosive devices and six improvised hand grenades in Barangay Pamalian, also in Shariff Saydona Mustapha.

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Western Mindanao Command, said the recovery of the remains of BIFF combatants "connote operational success while our troops on the ground build up their focused military operations to hunt and pound the remaining terrorists in Central Mindanao,” said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1087181

Butig town execs turn over loose firearms

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 27, 2019): Butig town execs turn over loose firearms

LOOSE GUNS. Municipal government officials of Butig, Lanao del Sur on Monday (November 25) turn over high-power firearms to military authorities in response to the ongoing campaign against loose firearms. (Photo courtesy of the Western Mindanao Command Public Information Office)

The municipal government officials of Butig, Lanao del Sur, surrendered four high-powered firearms in response to the military’s campaign against loose firearms, officials said Wednesday.

Butig is where the Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (ISIS)-inspired Maute group was founded, with brothers Abdullah and Omar Maute as the founding-leaders.

Lt. Col. Edgar Allan Villanueva, Army’s 49th Infantry Battalion commander, said the firearms consisting of a caliber 50 Barret sniper rifle, an M-203 grenade launcher, and two handguns, as well as magazines and ammunition, were surrendered to his command around 1 p.m. Monday

“The successful handing over of firearms was made possible through the concerted effort and intensified collaboration among our troops, local communities, local chief executives, and other stakeholders,” Villanueva said.

Col. Jose Maria Cuerpo II, the Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade commander, said the surrender of the firearms is a result of the campaign against the proliferation of loose firearms “so that the locals would feel more secured and safe in their daily activities.”

Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Bagnus Gaerlan Jr., Joint Task Force ZamPeLan acting commander, lauded the troops, the local government unit and stakeholders of Butig for the accomplishment.

“I urge everyone to continue our efforts in pursuing lasting peace not just for Mindanao but for the whole country. Let us conquer the challenges ahead of us and step up the momentum in sustaining our gains for our common aspiration,” Gaerlan said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1087172

Halfway house for ex-NPAs to rise in Zambo Sur town

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 27, 2019): Halfway house for ex-NPAs to rise in Zambo Sur town

HALFWAY HOUSE. Zamboanga del Sur Gov. Victor Yu (3rd from left) on Tuesday (Nov. 26), leads officials of government agencies and of the military in the groundbreaking ceremony that signals the start of the construction of a PHP5 million-halfway house for former New People's Army rebels in Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur. The house will serve as the center for livelihood training for the former rebels as they return to mainstream society. (PNA photo by Leah D. Agonoy)

A PHP5 million-halfway house will rise in Guipos town to serve as a temporary shelter for former communist rebels as they prepare to return to the mainstream of society.

Gov. Victor Yu led Tuesday's groundbreaking ceremony along with the officials of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), signaling the start of the project.

The halfway house is located inside Camp Sabido, which houses the headquarters of the Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion (IB) in the municipality of Guipos.

Lt. Col. Marlowe Patria, 53rd IB commander, said the facility will serve as a temporary dwelling of former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels while they are under documentation process. It will also serve as the center for livelihood education and training for the surrenderers.

DSWD Undersecretary Rene Glen Paje expressed optimism that the project will entice more NPA rebels to surrender to live peaceful lives.

“Ako’y nananawagan na mag-isip-isip sila dahil yung mga pinaglalaban nila ay patuloy namang tinutugunan ng gobyerno (I urge them to think it over since what are they fighting for is continuously being address by the government),” Paje said.

Meanwhile, Yu underscored the significance of peace and the cooperation of everyone to attain progress in this province.

“The halfway house is where you will stay to let you feel that the government is concerned with your plight,” Yu said.

The PHP5 million fund to construct the halfway house was sourced from the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), one of the flagship programs of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte that seeks to address social healing and national unity for a just and lasting peace.

The Communist Party of the Philippines, along with its armed wing, 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/1087240

ROTC plays significant role in times of disaster

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 27, 2019): ROTC plays significant role in times of disaster



SUPPORT ROTC. The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Lambunao has been awarded as Best DRRM Advocate of 2019 by the Office of the Civil Defense Western Visayas. Albert Galan (4th from right) said ROTC graduates or reservists play significant roles in terms of disaster preparations. (PNA photo courtesy of MDRRMC Lambunao)

ILOILO CITY -- A former Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) instructor and now reservist of the Philippine Army (PA) believes that reviving the ROTC program should have been done a long time ago.

In an interview Wednesday, Albert Galan, the municipal disaster risk reduction and management (MDRRM) officer of the municipality of Lambunao, said the ROTC plays a big role in nation-building in terms of instilling discipline.

Likewise, in providing support to various programs of the local government unit (LGU) like disaster preparations; environment such as cleanup drive and tree planting; health like the conduct of blood drive and local community events like fun runs and preparation for fiestas, among others.

“I support more than 100 percent the revival,” he said.

He explained that as an MDRRM officer, in terms of disasters, the reservists serve as the personnel component such as for search and rescue. He emphasized that you cannot find a person in a hard-hit area to volunteer.

“But if they are military trained, once they are called to report on a certain date and time, they will report. The chain of command of the military is different from the chain of command of civilians. The nature of leadership training in the military is different from leadership training in private institutions. The leadership training of the military is one of the most effective leadership trainings,” he said.

He added that military leadership training is not only for military organizations. And if it is effective within the military, then it will be more effective on civilians.

Galan served as an officer of the ROTC in 1998. He graduated in ROTC Advanced Course and as a reserve officer of the Philippine Army in 1992.

He became an ROTC instructor from 1992 until 1998. In 2000, he was the Operations and Intelligence Officer of the West Visayas State University –Lambunao Campus (WVSU-LC) and worked to make Lambunao as an independent unit.

Lambunao, he said was consistent No. 1 or 2 among Category A ROTC units in Western Visayas. Category A means more than 800 cadet-enrollees.

“Upon graduation from ROTC, one automatically becomes a reservist; you will have an assigned serial number,” he said.

In terms of reservists, he said Iloilo has one brigade of reservists (802nd Brigade) and one battalion (1st Ready Battalion) ready to be dispatched.

He added that those who are against the revival of the ROTC could be those who have not experienced it or “tolerate the younger generation” of having too much “freedom” that sometimes they forget to respect the freedom of others.

He said that the problem is the lack of discipline. Galan could not help but compare the products of the ROTC before and the National Service Training Program (NSTP).

He said the NSTP only did not help but it resulted in the deterioration of the youth as it failed to inculcate discipline.

But with the ROTC, deep in your heart, even if they are already graduates, they could still remember the guidance that they learned when it comes to discipline, he said.

“In ROTC you obey not because there are reminders or consequences but you develop that instinct of discipline that you can still use even in private life,” he added.

On Dec. 5, around 2,500 ROTC cadets from selected colleges and universities and uniformed personnel in the country will attend a summit in Quirino Grandstand to celebrate and drum up support for the ROTC.

The event is being organized by the Office of the President through the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) and Presidential Security Group, in coordination with the Department of National Defense and the AFP through the Office of the Reservist and Retiree Affairs (OJ9).

The activity will feature the silent drill competition from among the best in the Philippine Military Academy, Philippine National Police Academy, Philippine Merchant Marine Academy, Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific, Philippine Army Officer Candidate School, Philippine Navy Officer Candidate School, and Philippine Air Force Officer Candidate School.

The units are vying for the top prize of P300,000; the second placer will receive PHP200,000, and the third will get PHP100,000.

A PHP50,000 consolation prize will be given to each of the four other units.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1087245

Army leads series of anti-NPA recruitment info drive

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 27, 2019): Army leads series of anti-NPA recruitment info drive



AGAINST NPA RECRUITMENT. Students of San Sebastian National High School in San Sebastian, Samar attend a campus peace awareness dialogue held in their school on Oct. 29, 2019. A series of school-based information drive is part of inter-agency efforts in protecting children from being misled to join anti-government groups and eventually as armed combatants. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army)

The Philippine Army has organized 75 awareness drives meant for students in the Eastern Visayas region from July to November this year to save teens from persuasions of the New People’s Army (NPA).

Capt. Reynaldo Aragones, spokesperson of the Philippine Army's 8th Infantry Division, said anti-NPA recruitment activities have been strengthened in the region this year through various activities attended by thousands of students.

These engagements include career guidance symposium, information drive, youth leadership summit, and campus peace awareness dialogue.
“The lectures served as eye-openers for the teachers and students as experts revealed the communist terrorist group’s (CTG) schemes on infiltrating different schools in the region. The concept is to increase awareness among the students and faculty members on the CTG’s deceptive recruitment scheme in schools,” Aragones said in a phone interview Wednesday.

These series of school-based information drive is part of inter-agency efforts in protecting children from being misled to join anti-government groups and eventually as armed combatants.

The military confirmed NPA recruitment in schools following the arrest of Rey Christian Sabado, 22 in Las Navas, Northern Samar; Louie, 17 in Hinabangan, Samar; and Aljon Cardenas, 19 in Victoria, Northern Samar.

On Oct. 3, government troops arrested Sabado and two others while conducting extortion activities in Las Navas, Northern Samar.

Sabado was a 20-year-old sophomore accounting student at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Manila when he joined the communist terrorist group through youth activism.

Louie, a Grade 11 student from Pinabacdao, Samar was recruited by NPA through his friend. Soldiers rescued Louie carrying an M16 rifle after the NPA fighters abandoned him at the encounter site in upland Lim-ao village, Hinabangan, Samar on November 3.

Cardenas, a senior high school learner was one of the 50 NPA rebels who attacked the Victoria, Northern Samar municipal police station on March 28, 2019. The three-hour gun battle killed three rebels while four were arrested, including Cardenas.

“Their revelations confirm the NPA’s deceptive recruitment in schools. They often poison the minds of the students to take up arms against the government, join rallies and shouting to overthrow of the government,” Aragones added.

The military asked parents to monitor their student’s activities diligently and teachers to be vigilant of the misleading recruitment schemes being employed by NPA front organizations.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1087243

NegOcc-based former rebel group gets P25-M infra projects

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 27, 2019): NegOcc-based former rebel group gets P25-M infra projects



PEACE AND DEV’T PROJECTS. Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson delivers a message during Tuesday's (Nov. 26, 2019) turnover of completed projects to the Kapatiran para sa Progresong Panlipunan, Inc. (Kapatiran), which is finalizing a closure peace agreement with the Philippine government. The group received PHP25.181 million worth of infrastructure projects from the Negros Occidental provincial government. (Photo courtesy of Richard Malihan/PIO Negros Occidental)

The Kapatiran para sa Progresong Panlipunan, Inc. (Kapatiran), which is finalizing a closure peace agreement with the Philippine government, has received PHP25.181 million worth of infrastructure projects from Negros Occidental’s provincial government.

Kapatiran was the name assumed by the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa - Pilipinas/ Revolutionary Proletarian Army - Alex Bongcayao Brigade (RPM-P/RPA-ABB) as part of its institutional transformation. The RPA-ABB is a breakaway group of the New People’s Army (NPA).

The completed projects are located in the peace and development community sites of Kapatiran in sitios Ilan and Mambinay in Barangay Locotan, Kabankalan City.

“For peace to be real, we must address, preserve and respect the core of humanity and human dignity and it must be the kind that leaves no one behind,” Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said in his message during the turnover of projects held on Tuesday.

Under the 2014 Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) projects of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), completed were the concreting and improvement of the Locotan Road with canal lining worth PHP3 million and additional units of classroom worth PHP1.5 million.

Funded under the 2011 Development Acceleration Program (DAP) are the construction of four classroom school buildings amounting to PHP3 million; construction of a day-care center, PHP1 million; construction of a multi-purpose building, PHP1.5 million; construction of a health center, PHP1.5 million; construction of one phase line and installation of two 15KVA transformer and accessories, PHP2.278 million; and rehabilitation of the Locotan-Mambinay Road, PHP11.4 million.

As part of the turnover rites, Lacson, Kabankalan City Mayor Pedro Zayco, and Kapatiran Chairperson Veronica Tabara signed a memorandum of understanding to seal their partnership.

The signing was witnessed by Defense Undersecretary Cesar Yano; Col. Noel Baluyan, commander of the Philippine Army’s 302nd Infantry Brigade; Locotan village chief Zhawrigley Dayon; and 6th District Board Member Jeffrey Tubola.

During the activity, more than 800 residents of Locotan also availed of government services, such as free medical and dental services, skills and livelihood training, free massage and haircut, and enrolment in the Negros Occidental Comprehensive Health Program.

The turnover of the projects to Kapatiran was among the highlights of the Provincial Peace Week observed from the last week of November to the first week of December.

On Dec. 6, 2000, the RPM-P/RPA-ABB signed a peace agreement with the government but later split into two -- the Tabara-Paduano Group (TPG) led by Veronica Tabara and now Abang Lingkod party-list Rep. Stephen Paduano; and the Nilo de la Cruz Group.

Only the TPG continued the process of finalizing a draft closure agreement with the government.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1087259

Early Christmas for residents of insurgent-affected barangay

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 27, 2019): Early Christmas for residents of insurgent-affected barangay



EARLY HOLIDAY TREAT. The Mandirigmang Mang-aawit of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO 6) holds a concert during the gift-giving and medical and dental mission in Barangay Magsaysay, Culasi, Antique on Nov. 23, 2019. The activity was organized by the PRO 6 Ladies Club together with the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict as an early Christmas treat for barangays affected by the Communist Party of the Philippines -New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) terrorist group. (Photo courtesy of Antique Provincial Police Office)

SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique -- The Western Visayas Police Regional Office (PRO 6) Ladies Club has brought Christmas joy to residents of a barangay in Culasi town in this province affected by the Communist Party of the Philippines -New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) Terrorists or CNT group.
Lt. Col. Norby Escobar, Antique Provincial Police Office Deputy Director for Operations, said in an interview Wednesday that the PRO6 Ladies Club headed by Dr. Maria Asuncion Pamuspusan, wife of PRO6 Regional Director Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan, in partnership with the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC), conducted gift-giving and medical and dental mission in Barangay Magsaysay, Culasi on November 23.

“The Ladies Club and Provincial Task Force ELCAC had gift-giving to 100 households in the barangay,” he said. The gifts are assorted grocery items and rice.

Escobar said barangay residents availed of the medical and dental mission conducted by the Regional Health Service 6 together with personnel of the Police Regional Office 6, Antique Provincial Police Office and the Culasi Municipal Police Station personnel.

“The Police Regional Office 6 personnel who are the Mandirigmang Mang-aawit also had a sort of concert during the activity that brought joy especially to the children in the community,” he said.

The activity with the theme "Helping People, Changing Lives” was conducted to let the people in the affected barangay avail of the PNP and PTF-ELCAC services, especially as the Christmas season is fast approaching.

The PTF-ELCAC was created last September 26 for a convergence effort of the different government agencies in addressing the insurgency problem in the province by bringing in basic government services.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1087249

P5-M temporary shelter for ex-rebels to rise in Sorsogon

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 27, 2019): P5-M temporary shelter for ex-rebels to rise in Sorsogon



LEGAZPI CITY-- With many rebels surrendering to the government, another half-way house is set to be constructed in Sorsogon province to help them in rejoining mainstream society.

In an interview on Wednesday, Army Major Ricky Aguilar, spokesperson of the Philippine Army's 9th Infantry (Spear) Division, said the facility will serve as temporary shelter for rebel returnees as they undergo the process of reintegration.

“The PHP5 million worth half-way house for the Happy Home Project in Barangay Cogon in Juban town can accommodate at least 100 rebel returnees,” he said.

Aguilar said the facility will be the third in the Bicol region.
“We have a five-story half-way house building in Masbate and one ongoing construction in Camarines Norte,” he added.

Major General Fernando Trinidad, commander of Joint Task Force Bicolandia (JTFB), thanked the provincial government for helping the former rebels to reestablish their lives outside the armed movement under the government's campaign to end insurgency in the region.

“Sa pagtatayo ng half-way house na ito, nakakasiguro ako na mas magiging ligtas ang ating mga dating rebelde habang kasalukuyang sumasailalim sa mga programa ng E-CLIP (Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program). Kaugnay nito, patuloy pa rin naming hinihikayat ang ating mga local chief executives na pamarisan ang ganitong mga gawain upang mas maitaguyod ang kapakanan ng ating mga kapwa Bicolano na nais magbagong buhay na malayo sa kaguluhan (With the construction of this half-way house, I am confident that former rebels are safe while undergoing the E-CLIP program of the government. In connection with this, we are continuously encouraging other local chief executives to do the same and help us in uplifting the lives of our fellow Bicolanos who want to start a more peaceful life,”) he added.

With the full-swing implementation of Executive Order No. 70 (EO 70) or the Whole-of-Nation Approach, more public facilities and projects are being undertaken to address the needed services in every community and stop the communist terrorist group from discrediting the government and mislead the people.

JTFB continues to magnify its call for unity and cooperation of everyone to attain lasting peace in the region.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1087251