2 BIFF leaders yield in Maguindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 20, 2019): 2 BIFF leaders yield in Maguindanao (By Noel Punzalan and Edwin Fernandez)



PEACEFUL SURRENDER. Lt. Col. Glen Caballero, the Army’s 34th Infantry Battalion commander, welcomes one of the two ranking leaders of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters who yielded to government forces in Northern Kabuntalan, Maguindanao on Thursday (Dec. 19, 2019). The BIFF surrenderers say they want to live peaceful lives once more together with their families. (Photo courtesy of 34IB)

Wanting to be reunited with their families, two ranking leaders of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) surrendered to military authorities on Thursday.

Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon, the commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division and chief of Joint Task Force Central, said the BIFF sub-leaders worked under the group of Sheik Esmael Abubakar alias “Commander Bungos” that operates in the marshlands of Maguindanao.
The surrenderers were identified as Ibrahim Odin, described as a brigade commander, and Daud Paglas, a battalion-level administrative officer.

“They voluntarily surrendered to the Army’s 34th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Indatuan, Northern Kabuntalan, Maguindanao at 9 a.m. on Thursday,” Carreon said.

The two turned over a .50-caliber Barrett sniper’s rifle, an M-16 rifle, a rocket-propelled grenade, an improvised explosive device (IED), and pieces of ammunition.

“We want peace and be with our families that is why we voluntarily surrender,” Odin told military officials during debriefing prior to their formal surrender.

He added that their comrades who earlier surrendered and now living normal lives also convinced them to yield.

More than 20 BIFF members have surrendered to the government and were enrolled in the Expanded Comprehensive Local Integration Program since 2017.

Carreon said while the government is using military solutions to solve the problem, it remained open for reconciliation even to hardcore members of outlawed groups.

“They have the chance to rebuild their lives as we are serious in extending peaceful mechanisms to those who contemplate to turn themselves in,” Carreon said.

Western Mindanao commander, Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, said peace entails inclusive and participative solutions necessary to convince the rebels to surrender.

“With our success, we think this is an effective resolution, and we mean to sustain this campaign,” Sobejana added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1089218

Military, police officials act as godparents for ex-rebels' kid

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 20, 2019): Military, police officials act as godparents for ex-rebels' kid (By Jason De Asis)



RETURN TO THE FOLD OF LAW. Lt. Col. Jose Mari Torrenueva II, commander of the Army's 91st Infantry Battalion, touches the forehead of the daughter of the former members of the New People's Army (NPA), during the baptismal ceremony at the Philippine Army’s 7th Infantry Division Headquarters, Fort Magsaysay, Palayan City, Nueva Ecija on Friday (December 20, 2019). Torrenueva is one of the godparents of the first child of the former rebels. (Photo by Jason de Asis)

FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija -- Shaira Mae B. Perez, daughter of former members of the New People’s Army (NPA), was baptized on Friday at the Philippine Army’s 7th Infantry Division Headquarters, in this sprawling camp with some military and police officials standing as godparents of the child.

The seven-month-old baby is the first child of Julius L. Perez and Nelva V. Badbaran, who voluntarily surrendered to the troops of 91st Infantry (Sinagtala) Battalion and 1st Provincial Mobile Force (PMF) Company, Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office in Barangay Villa Aurora, Maria Aurora in the province of Aurora last November 22.

The couple said they decided to return to the fold of the law for the welfare of their daughter, after being with the insurgent group for several years.

“We came to the point that as parents, we really need to make a decision that would define our lives and more importantly, that of our daughter, we do not want her to suffer the same burden of insecurities because of senseless communist ideology,” Perez said.

“We want peace since we already had a child. We want peace of mind, especially that Christmas is coming,” he added.

The couple thanked the military officials for treating them well and taking care of them.

Col. Andrew Costelo, commander of the 703rd Brigade of the Philippine Army and one of the godparents of the child, said that “since the family is the foundation of the Filipino society, we should always endeavor to enhance the Filipino family”.

“Sponsoring the baptism of the child of these former rebels is a privilege for us”, Costelo said.

He encouraged other NPA members to return to their families and loved ones especially this Yuletide season.

He also attributed this development to the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) coupled with the implementation of Executive Order (EO) 70 or the "whole-of-the-nation approach" against the local insurgency that activates the Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC).

After the baptism of the child, Lt. Gen. Ramiro Manuel Rey, commander of the Northern Luzon Command, presented the 12 NPA rebels who voluntarily surrendered to the authorities, including their firearms.

The surrendered firearms include 23 high-powered and three other firearms and several rounds of ammunition.

Major Gen. Lenard Agustin, commander of the 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division, said the occasion is seen to cement the good relationship between former rebels and soldiers.

“This will also give opportunity for those still hiding and active in the combat operations against the government to finally lay down their arms for the attainment of peace in the whole nation,” Agustin said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1089220

ASG member surrenders in Sulu

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 20, 2019): ASG member surrenders in Sulu (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)

SURRENDERER. Al-amin Jul-ambri, a member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), receives financial assistance and a sack of rice from the Army's 1st Brigade Combat Team (1BCT). Jum-ambri surrendered on Wednesday (Dec. 18, 2019) to the 1BCT troops in Patikul, Sulu. (Photo courtesy of Joint Task Force Sulu)

A member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) has surrendered and yielded a high-powered rifle to military authorities in the province of Sulu, officials said Friday.

Brig. Gen. Leopoldo Imbang Jr., commander of the Army’s 1st Brigade Combat Team (1BCT), identified the ASG surrenderer as Al-amin Jul-ambri alias Albura, who belonged to the Abu Sayyaf’s Ajang-Ajang faction.

Imbang said Jul-ambri surrendered to the Task Force 92 (TF92) of the 1BCT in Barangay Buhanginan, Patikul, Sulu at about 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

He said Jul-ambri turned over a US-made caliber .30 M1 Garand rifle and several rounds of ammunition, and received financial assistance and a sack of rice from the military.

Jul-ambri, a follower of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Alkam Uljamal Hadjail, was placed under the custody of TF92 for custodial debriefing.

“All military and non-military actions are intensified by our ground forces to dissuade and convince more militants to lay down their arms and abandon their cause to put an end to terrorism in the province,” Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said.

“Constant efforts by your armed forces will be exerted to win the hearts of rebels, that they may heed our call and reconsider crossing the line for good,” said Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief.

“We want lasting peace and development in Mindanao, so genuine reconciliation should be made,” Sobejana said.

2 NPA ‘militiamen’ nabbed in Surigao Sur

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 20, 2019): 2 NPA ‘militiamen’ nabbed in Surigao Sur
(By Alexander Lopez)



ARRESTED. Antonio Vasquez Lamigo, 71, is arrested after yielding a firearm and a grenade during a court-ordered search on his house in Cagwait town, Surigao del Sur, on Thursday (December 19, 2019). He is suspected of being a member of the Milisya ng Bayan of the communist New People’s Army. (Photo courtesy of PRO-13 Information Office)

Police have arrested two alleged members of the Militia ng Bayan of Guerrilla Front 19 of the New People’s Army (NPA) in separate operations in Surigao del Sur on Thursday.

In a statement on Friday, the Police Regional Office in Caraga Region (PRO-13) identified the suspects as Antonio Vasquez Lamigo, 71, and Bebelito Luna Lozala, 46.
PRO-13 said Lamigo, local chapter president of Kahugpungan sa Mag-uuma sa Surigao Sur (KAMASS), yielded a .45-caliber pistol, a hand grenade, and ammunition during a court-ordered search on his residence in Cagwait town on Thursday.

On the same day, Lozala, also described as an official of KAMASS, also yielded two firearms and ammunition during a court-ordered search on his residence in the same town, police said.

PRO-13 said the arrested suspects were turned over to Cagwait Municipal Police Station for custody.

Additional charges related to fraud are also being prepared against the suspects, police said, without elaborating.

PRO-13 director, Brig. Gen. Joselito Esquivel, Jr. vowed the police will continue to strengthen its campaigns against insurgency, lawlessness, and criminalities in Caraga Region.

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, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1089213

17-year old lad leaves NPA

Posted to the Philippine Information Agency (Dec 19, 2019): 17-year old lad leaves NPA (By Jeanevive Abangan)

An NPA surrenderee, who together with Saddam returned to the folds of the law in Davao del Norte.

DAVAO DEL NORTE (PIA)—Saddam. Sounds like a husky man but he is a 17-year old boy who recently returned to the mainstream society having been with the New People’s Army (NPA) for about six months.

In a brief conversation with Saddam at the provincial office of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Davao del Norte, Saddam told Philippine Information Agency XI that he is currently enrolled as Grade 9 at Sto Nino High School in Talaingod, Davao del Norte.

He was one of the nine former rebels who received P65,000 cash assistance from DILG through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

Saddam confided of having gone with the rebel group, duped with lies about the government which according to the NPA, “is just taking advantage of the Indigenous Peoples”.

Armed by the NPA with M16 long rifle issued to him without prior training and orientation on how to use it, he was told by NPA comrades that he would be killed by government authorities when caught.

“Wala man. (Not true.),” he said when asked if his life was threatened by government authorities.

To the contrary, he is sent to school by the 56th Infantry Battalion, which shoulders his schooling expenses and provides him food, clothing, daily allowance and living space to rest.

“Actually parang adopted na namin si Saddam,” 56th IB civil military operations officer (CMO), Capt John Louie Dema-ala said.

His current situation was a reverse to his life with the NPA which he described as “Lisod, walay kaon (difficult, no food to eat.).”

Saddam's stint with the NPAs was a loss to his mother who, he said, was not aware where he was at that time when the NPA was tagging him along.

“Ninghilak si Mama. (Mama cried),” when asked about the reaction of his mother upon finding him, having been rescued by the Philippine Army from the hands of the NPA.

Saddam is determined to finish his schooling and dreams of becoming a soldier someday while the rest of his E-CLIP co-beneficiaries intend to make use of the skills provided them by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) through a skills training organized by the 56th IB of the Philippine Army.

Lt. Col. Norman Valdez, 56th IB commander said the latest batch of mainstreamed male former rebels had gone through livelihood trainings on masonry, carpentry, wielding, while the women were engaged in bead-craft with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Valdez attributed the continued outflow of armed NPA members to the Philippine local and national governments, to hunger and hardship in life they had experienced in the underground movement.

“Ang buhay nila doon sa kilusan, naranasan nila gaano ka hirap at gutom. Hirap na pamumuhay plus ang continuous combat operations. (They experienced hunger and hardship in life with the movement, plus the continuous combat operations.),” he said.

The visible service delivery of the government through Community Support Program (CSP) and other peace and development program such as at the Oplan TABANG rolled out in partnership with local government units (LGUs) and national line agencies in conflict-affected areas are also crucial to bringing them back to the government, he said.

Meanwhile, Valdez renewed his call for the rest of those still with the NPAs to turn back against the rebel movement for the sake of bringing peace and development in the Ata-Manobo indigenous communities of Talaingod.

On the other hand, Valdez noted the crucial importance of access roads to far-flung and hinterland Talaingod communities which need to be accessed.

“If may daan makakapag deliver na tayo ng serbisyo.(if there are roads, we can deliver services)” he said. (PIA XI/ Jeanevive Duron-Abangan) 

 
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1031797

Retooled Community Support Program immersion, idinaos sa San Jose

Posted to the Philippine Information Agency (Dec 19, 2019): Retooled Community Support Program immersion, idinaos sa San Jose (By 4th Infantry Battalion, 2 ID)

Pinangungunahan ni Governor Eduardo Gadiano (kaliwa) ang pamamahagi ng food packs sa mga residente ng Sityo Danlog Brgy Monteclaro ng bayan ng San Jose. Ang mga katutubong residente sa nasabing sitio ay kabilang sa mga hinihikayat ng NPA upang sumali sa kanilang hanay. (4th Infantry Battalion, 2ID)

SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro, Dis. 19 – Matagumpay na idinaos sa pangalawang pagkakataon ang Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) immersion sa Sitio Danlog, Barangay Monteclaro, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro noong Disyembre 11-14.

Ang RSCP ay isa sa mga konsepto ng Executive Order 70 ng ating pangulo na naglalayong gamitin ang lahat ng ahensya ng gobyerno pati mga pribadong sektor para tapusin ang lokal na insurhensya sa ating bansa. Ang RCSP Team ay isang mekanismo ng Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC) na pinamumunuan ng Punong Bayan na kung saan ay aalamin ang mga isyu na kinakaharap ng isang lugar at malaman kung paano ito matugunan.

Nangyari ang nasabing aktibidad sa pagtutulungan ng Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) Occidental Mindoro sa pamumuno ni Governor Eduardo B. Gadiano at MTF-ELCAC San Jose sa pamumuno naman ni Mayor Romulo DM Festin kasama ang ilang mga tanggapan ng pamahalaang panlalawigan at lokal na pamahalaan (LGU) ng San Jose tulad ng Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) at katuwang na tanggapan sa munisipalidad (MSWDO), Provincial at Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO at MDRRMO), Indigenous Peoples Affairs Office (IPAO), Office of the Provincial at Municipal Agriculturist (OPA) at katuwang na tanggapan sa munisipalidad (MAO), Municpal Engineering Office (MEO) at Municipal Civil Registrar (MCR). Kabilang din ang mga ahensya ng Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Education (Dep-Ed), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), PhilHealth, Philippine National Police (PNP) at ang tropa ng 4th Infantry (Scorpion) Battalion na pinamumunuan ni LTC Alexander M. Arbolado.

Sa loob ng dalawang araw ay nakatanggap ang mga residente ng Sitio Danlog ng libreng pagsusuri sa kalusugan na may kasamang libreng gamot, programa para sa kabuhayan, ibat-bang uri ng pananim at mga gamit sa pagtatanim, libreng pagkain at Noche Buena gift packs.

Inalam din ng RCSP Team ang mga pangangailangan sa iba’t-ibang sitio ng Monteclaro tulad ng pagkakaroon ng hanging bridge, pagkumpuni sa naunang tram line na nakatayo na doon para sa produkto at tao, pagkakaroon ng malinis na pagkukunan ng maiinom na tubig, irigasyon para sa kanilang mga sakahan at pagkakaroon ng Sitio Development Plan na tiniyak ng butihing Gobernador kasama ang mga empleyado ng LGU San Jose na agad nilang aaksyunan.

Malaki ang naging pasasalamat ng mga residente ng nasabing barangay sa pamumuno ni Kapitan Bon Joseph Ortelano sa mga biyayang kanilang natanggap.

Kung tuloy-tuloy ang pagtutulungan ng lahat ng ahensya ng gobyerno, kasama ang pribadong sektor, para matugunan ang mga isyu at pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan lalong-lalo na ng mga katutubo (na siyang laging ginagamit at hinihikayat ng mga komunista) ay hindi malayong makamit ng Task Force ang layunin nito at tuluyang wakasan ang insurhensya sa bansa. (4th Infantry Battalion, 2ID)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1031740

Caraganon IP youth passes army course class

From the Philippine Information Agency (Dec 19, 2019): Caraganon IP youth passes army course class (By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales)

BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 19 -- A Manobo youth, who once served as a Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) Active Auxiliary (CAA), successfully graduated from the Candidate Soldier (CS) Course Class of the 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division (4ID), Philippine Army on December 14 at the division's training school at Camp Osito, Bahian, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

Private Marvin T. Banglid, 23, a Manobo from Brgy. Kasapa-1, Loreto, Agusan del Sur, served the military as a CAA for five years before joining the course. To inspire fellow indigenous people (IP) youth to serve the country and their people was his motivation for finishing the course.

“I am humbled with our government’s endless service to my people and I wish to repay it with by serving the military,” he said.

Banglid is one of the 243 CS who were promoted to new privates after completing the 24-week Basic Military Training (BMT) and Jungle Warfare Mountain Operations (JWMOC) and are now ready to serve the people of regions 10 and Caraga.

Over 88% of the total graduates are from the said regions while the remaining 12% came from regions 1, 7, 8, 9, and 12.

Batches 608 and 609 of 2019 also take pride in their IP candidates who endured immense hardships to pass the course class and help oversee the welfare of the IPs in the country.

Commander of the 4ID MGen. Franco Nemesio M. Gacal congratulated the batches for having completed the course and imparted a piece of advice to the new batch of military personnel to ‘prepare to assume different roles’ in the attainment of peace and development.

“The Philippine government and your fellow countrymen are expecting a lot from you. You are now catalysts for change. Let this serve as a reminder for you to find the courage and discipline to do what is right and just,” he added. (with a report from 4ID, Philippine Army/PIA-Caraga)


https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1031829

2 high ranking NPA officials die in clash with security forces

From the Philippine Information Agency (Dec 19, 2019): 2 high ranking NPA officials die in clash with security forces (By William L. Beltran)

Two high ranking officials of the New People’s Army died during a clash with security forces Thursday morning. The firefight happened as an interagency operation conducted by the Army and Police were about to serve an arrest warrant against the suspects in their safe house in Caloocan City. (7th Infantry Division)

FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija, Dec.19 (PIA) -- Two high ranking officials of the New People’s Army (NPA) died during a clash with security forces Thursday morning.

The firefight happened as an interagency operation conducted by the Army and Police were about to serve an arrest warrant against the suspects in their safe house in Caloocan City.

The suspects' action prompted the arresting officers to fire back which resulted to the deaths of Eleuterio Sadyaw Agmaliw who served as Commanding Officer of Komiteng Larangang Gerilya Sierra Madre's Front Operational Command otherwise known as the Domingo Erlano Command of Komiteng Rehiyon Gitnang Luzon (KRGL). This is a unit of NPA that is in charge of armed partisan works that carried out series of killings, arsons and extortion activities.
Also killed were Freddie Daileg who was Deputy Secretary of Larangang Gerilya sa Patag 1 of the KRGL and one still unidentified suspect.

“This could be the final nail on the coffin of KLG Sierra Madre. With their leaders gone, I see their imminent destruction,” Army 7th Infantry Division (7ID) Commander Major General Lenard T. Agustin said in a statement.
Recovered from the safe house were one M16 rifle with loaded magazine, one loaded caliber 38, two hand grenades, improvised explosive device components, cellphones, a laptop and subversive documents.

From November to December 2019, two encounters between NPA and 7ID troops resulted to the demise of three rebels.

This latest development will total the encounter to three and the body counts to six, if the still unidentified killed suspect is proven to be member of the NPA. Moreover, for 7ID’s 2019 final quarter, five NPA members were captured and one was arrested.

“I am very proud of how Joint Task Force NCR and Joint Task Force Kaugnay worked together. The support of the people and the local government units are crucial too. Although it is regretful that lives were lost, we must act to stop insurgency or else, more lives will be lost, and more will be ruined. My condolences go to the bereaved families, but my respect rides high for my troops who are doing the best they can to convince other enemies to surrender instead of talking through the barrel of a gun. But if it is a fight they want, then by all means we shall give it to them. To the remaining members of KLG Sierra Madre, we can only help you if you allow us to. Our doors will always remain open for your surrender,” Agustin added.

KLG Sierra Madre is one of the main active guerilla fronts of NPA that operates in the mountain ranges of Sierra Madre, where some parts are under the area of responsibility of the 7ID. (CLJD/WLB-PIA 3)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1031833

Young activist’s family to skip Christmas; yearns for her return

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 19, 2019): Young activist’s family to skip Christmas; yearns for her return (By Christine Cudis)



SKIPPING CHRISTMAS. Luisa Espina reminisces her time with daughter Louvaine Erika, whom she says has become a full-time activist under progressive youth group Anakbayan. She said they are not excited to celebrate Christmas this year because Louvaine has not yet come home. (PNA photo)

MANILA -- Filipinos, no matter the distance, come home every Christmas Day to celebrate the Yuletide season with their loved ones.

But a particular household in Quezon City does not seem to anticipate what’s supposed to be the happiest time of the year.

Luisa Espina’s daughter, 19-year-old Louvaine Erika, has not come home for a year now.

And the whole family who waits for return decided not to put any decorations in their home; they said there is nothing to celebrate about.

“As you notice, we do not have a Christmas tree or any decoration. We do not want to remember this occasion because this is the second Christmas that she is not here with us,” Louvaine Erika’s mother, Luisa said in an interview with the Philippine News Agency.

But unlike a typical Filipino family separated by overseas work, Louvaine is not far.

She could probably be in the same city, but the youngest member of the family has refused to come home and communicate with them.

Recruitment
Things were going smoothly for the family until Louvaine met people who offered a "friendly conversation". She was then a student leader at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP).

Little did they know that a simple gesture would be the start of the gradual change of their precious Louvaine.

“In 2016, my daughter reprimanded some noisy people at the other classroom because they are having a hard time hearing each other in their own class. It turned out that those were the members of Anakbayan. Maybe that’s how they have seen that she has potential, that’s where it started,” Luisa said in Filipino.

From there, Luisa said her daughter began going out and they were unsure whether her errands were part of school activities.

“Louvaine told me they were having a group study for three days. I asked her sisters who are also from PUP if there are academic activities to work on but they said ‘No’,” she said.

“Those days really changed her. After it, I noticed that her Facebook posts were already different. Before, she would only share and post about Korean drama or K-Pop, but after that, she started getting mad with the government. And her happy relationship with us changed, she won't talk to us anymore. But at that time, we did not know she was already deep with her involvement with Anakbayan,” Luisa added.

Anakbayan, a progressive youth organization, has won Louvaine’s mind and heart over. Yet her mother and her family have not given up on her.

They did everything they could to reach out to her.

When Louvaine disappeared again without means to contact her, Luisa and her other daughter searched for her in Pandi, Bulacan.

“I asked the mother of the person whom Louvaine was seen with, and she said they are in Bulacan with Kadamay, another group of activists. We searched far and wide yet we did not see her,” she said.

“Maybe I already said all the kinds of advice a parent could give her child. I even allowed her to be with Anakbayan but only if she would tell me her whereabouts and that she continue schooling. But she said she already chose a path, and that she won’t go to school anymore because she is now facilitating new recruits in the organization,” she added.

'Hands Off our Children'

In her quest, Luisa found herself in the company of other mothers who have been longing for their children to come home and reunite with their families.

Luisa is a member of the "Hands Off Our Children" group, which is composed of parents in the Philippines who accuse progressive youth organizations like Anakbayan and Kabaatan Party-list of exploiting the young minds of children and take advantage of their vulnerability by deceiving them to join protests against the government.

The parents, who have pressed charges to the recruiters coddling their children, said the groups use activism as a gateway to fool their children into the path of communism.

Luisa and other member-parents hold an awareness drive to colleges and universities in the metro so other students will be spared from the leftists’ propaganda.

They have also sought the help of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa who leads the Senate probe on the alleged recruited children who ran away from their homes.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) are also helping in the effort to claim the children who have stopped their studies and left home to become full-time activists.

This move is in support of the order of President Rodrigo Duterte, who created the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac), which seeks to address the 50-year-old communist insurgency in the country.

With backing from the administration, families like Luisa’s, who still yearn for their children's embrace, still hopes that they will be together again.

“I hope that you realize that whatever they put inside your heads, it’s not for the country. Learn to value your family first and go to school. What kind of help will you be able to give if you are not going to school and you have isolated yourselves from the community? Help, but it should be in a correct way, and not through armed struggle,” she said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1089169

NegOcc cops step up security measures for holidays

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 19, 2019): NegOcc cops step up security measures for holidays (By Nanette Guadalquiver)



SAFE, SECURED HOLIDAYS. Lt. Col. Adrian Acollador, deputy provincial director for administration of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, discusses security operations for the Christmas and New Year holidays with Corporal Julie Enrile of the Public Information Office during a Facebook Live interview in Bacolod City on Thursday (Dec. 19, 2019). All units of the provincial police are on a full alert status from December 15 to January 5. (Video grab from NOCPPO Public Information Office)

BACOLOD CITY -- The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) has placed all of its units on full alert status to carry out various measures under the "Ligtas Paskuhan 2019" to ensure a safe and secure Christmas and New Year holidays.

Lt. Col. Adrian Acollador, deputy provincial director for administration, said on Thursday that full alert status will be in effect from December 15 to January 5, 2020.

He added that the deployment of personnel during the holidays is aligned with the identified crime-prone areas, and policemen are assigned per beat, mobile, and motorcycle operations, as well as for intelligence work.

“We also have border control operations,” Acollador said.

Earlier, Col. Romeo Baleros, police provincial director, said that to effectively secure activities during the Yuletide season, NOCPPO is utilizing the Enhanced Managing Police Operations (EMPO) Strategy through the implementation of Implementing Plan (IMPLAN) 2019-67.

“We are ready to secure the Negrenses during the Christmas season,” he said.

Baleros, however, reminded the public to still be cautious of their security and guard their properties to prevent being victims of crimes.

Under the IMPLAN, the provincial police sustain regular law enforcement operations and focused law enforcement operations along with security measures to protect vital installations and for border control/ checkpoint operations.

The plan also highlights the deployment of security personnel in areas where people are expected to converge such as churches and the public plaza.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1089193

Army conducts Christmas outreach for Surigao Sur IPs

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 19, 2019): Army conducts Christmas outreach for Surigao Sur IPs (By Alexander Lopez)



SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS. More than a thousand residents from tribal communities in the towns of Lianga and Tago in Surigao del Sur receive gifts from the Army's 3rd Special Forces Battalion and support groups during the three-day Christmas activity conducted from December 14 to 17 this year. The Army unit says the recipients live in areas affected by armed conflicts brought by the presence of communist rebels. (Photo courtesy of 3SFBn Civil-Military Operations Office)

The Philippine Army based in Surigao del Sur conducted Christmas outreach in several Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities in the province through a series of gift-giving activities this week.

“No road is long and no mountain is high if we are sincere to bring sustainable and genuine peace in these conflict-affected areas,” said Lt. Col. Joey B. Baybayan, commander of the Army's 3rd Special Forces Battalion (3SFBn), in a statement issued on Wednesday.

The 3SFBn December 14-17 gift-giving activities benefited residents of the Manobo communities in Sitio Supon, Barangay Magsaysay and Sitio Simowao (Kilometer 9), Barangay Diatagon in the town of Lianga, and in Caras-an in the municipality of Tago, Baybayan said.

“These villages are affected by communist conflicts and considered as traditional routes of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the area,” the Army official said.

During the three-day activities, Baybayan said government troopers had the chance to immerse themselves with the IP communities "through gift-giving, sharing of food, provision of school supplies to children, distribution of goods and noche buena packages to IP households, and the giving of toys to children."

More than 1,000 members of the Manobo tribe directly benefited from the three-day activity, he added.

Baybayan also expressed gratitude to different government agencies and private organizations that supported the Army's outreach activities.

“The collaborative efforts of the various agencies and private organizations exemplified the "whole-of-nation" approach of the government to finally end the local communist conflicts in Surigao del Sur, particularly in IP communities,” he said.

Among the government entities that provided support to the activity are the local government units (LGUs) of Lianga and Tago, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

The private organizations that participated in the activity include Philippine Red Cross chapters of Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur, the Rotary Club of San Francisco, Agusan del Sur, and the Propelling our Inherited Nation Through our Youth (POINTY) Agusan and Surigao del Sur Chapters.

Baybayan also thanked the 7th Special Forces Company, 8th Special Forces Company, 9th Special Forces Company, the 41st CMO Company, and the Philippine National Police for the support they provided to the activity.

Meanwhile, 1Lt. Krisjuper Andreo J. Punsalan, 3SFBn civil-military operations officer, told Philippine News Agency that a Christmas-related activity was also conducted on Thursday (December 19) in Sitio Hugmakan, Barangay San Juan, Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur.

Punsalan Sitio Hugmakan, a conflict-affected area in Bayugan City, has 45 households with more than 60 children.

“Our troops also distributed goods to households, toys and school supplies to IP children,” Punsalan said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1089118

400 MILF forest rangers train on greening program

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 19, 2019): 400 MILF forest rangers train on greening program (By Edwin Fernandez and Noel Punzalan)



GREENING PROGRAM. The forest rangers of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) undergo training on Integrated Bangsamoro Greening Program in Cotabato City on Wednesday (Dec. 18, 2019). Some 400 former Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels-turned-forest rangers would initially be assigned to guard the forests of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, two provinces belonging to the BARMM political entity. (Photo courtesy of MENRE-BARMM)

COTABATO CITY -- Some 400 former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants who are now forest rangers participated in the capacity training of the environment office of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in Cotabato City on Wednesday.

The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources and Energy (MENRE-BARMM) facilitated the capacity training for tree planters and forest rangers (also known as Palaw rangers) in preparation for the Integrated Bangsamoro Greening Program (IBGP).

The PHP300-million IBGP targets to plant trees initially in 6,600 hectares of land in Maguindanao. A flagship program of BARMM, the greening program aims to implement a massive seedling production as well in the entire region.

“Since we lived in the forest before and part of our duty then was to protect the environment, this program will take us back again to the forest to protect it,” MENRE Minister Abdulraof A. Macacua told reporters here.

Forester Doming Dagadas, provincial environment officer for Maguindanao, led the Orientation Course on IBGP for the Palaw rangers of the Maguindanao cluster and discussed what the program is all about and the components of the project.

“Palaw rangers will be given livelihood opportunities and a chance to be a part of the successful implementation of IBGP,” Dagadas said.

Dagadas is joined by CENREOs Forester Miling S. Pagayao of Maguindanao 1st district and Engr. Mohalidin Kasid of Maguindanao 2nd district in administering the capacity training.

The Orientation Course Cum Workshop on IBGP is currently being held at EM Manor Hall, Cotabato City and will cater 400 participants in three batches on December 18, 19, and 24, 2019.

BARMM and MENRE launched IBGP last November 23, 2019, with the initiative set on initially reforesting 10,000 hectares of open and denuded forests in Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur provinces.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1089125

‘Aggrieved’ NPA member yields in Lake Sebu

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 19, 2019): ‘Aggrieved’ NPA member yields in Lake Sebu
(By Allen Estabillo)



SURRENDER. Another “aggrieved” member of the New People’s Army (NPA) identified as alias “Gamo” surrenders on Thursday (Dec. 19, 2019) to the Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion in Lake Sebu town, South Cotabato province. The rebel decided to yield following a series of negotiations facilitated by local government officials. (Photo courtesy of the Army’s 27IB)

An “aggrieved” member of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered on Thursday afternoon to government troops in Lake Sebu town, South Cotabato province.

1Lt. Efren Halawig, civil-military operations officer of the Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion (IB), said the rebel decided to yield following a series of negotiations facilitated by concerned local government officials.

Halawig said the returnee, who was only identified as alias “Gamo,” was a member of the Platoon West of the NPA’s Sub-Regional Committee-Musa or Guerilla Front 73, Far South Mindanao Region.

Alias “Gamo” gave up an M16 Armalite rifle reportedly issued by his unit, which mainly operates in the hinterlands of Lake Sebu and the neighboring localities, he said.

Halawig said the rebel, who hails from Barangay Ned in Lake Sebu, had long been planning to surrender as he reportedly had enough of the “unfair treatment” by their leaders.

Aside from their difficult situation in the mountains, he said the rebels were reportedly forced to extort and loot from civilians in order to survive.

“This was in the guise of a scheme called Rebulosyonaryong Buwis sa Kauri at Kaaway, wherein the NPA members were used to threaten business owners and ransack their establishments to obtain food supplies,” he said, citing statements issued by the surrenderer.

Lt. Col. Jones Otida, 27IB commanding officer, said in a statement such actions mainly showed that the NPA is not “pro-people or pro-masses” as it has been espousing.

“These complemented its brand as a terrorist group,” said Otida, who personally received the returnee at their base in Barangay Kablon, Tupi town.

Otida said they will immediately process the enrolment of the former rebel into the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.

Under the program, returnees will be given financial and livelihood assistance as well as other support interventions to facilitate their integration into the mainstream of the society.

“Our government agencies are waiting to give assistance to NPA members who desire to lay down their arms. We thank the people who accompanied us in our efforts in adding social pressure for these terrorists to finally surrender,” he added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1089189

Netizens laud AFP, PNP for ‘neutralizing’ 2 NPA leaders

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 19, 2019): Netizens laud AFP, PNP for ‘neutralizing’ 2 NPA leaders (By Christine Cudis)



Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) troops file photo

Supporters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) expressed their gratitude online about a report that leaders of New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in a firefight.

Kalinaw News, a social media news site supportive of the AFP, published on its site about NPA leaders Eleuterio Sadyaw and Freddie Daileg’s death during a PNP law enforcement operation joined by AFP troops in Novaliches, Quezon City on Thursday.

Netizen Luis Villamor congratulated government troops "for a successful operation and good intel," as he expressed prayers "for the full and speedy recovery of the wounded PNP personnel”.

The 45-minute firefight which started 3:30 a.m. Thursday also resulted in the death of another unidentified NPA member and wounding of two PNP personnel.

The post gained a thousand shares and 1.8K reactions from the netizens as of posting.

Rose Feniza commented: “Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! God bless PNP and AFP personnel, a big salute to all of you!!!”

Another netizen named Magdadaro Arnel also cited that AFP-PNP operations should be funded more because their information gathering and other activities are extensive.

“The government must give their full support to our law enforcement agencies most especially to the AFP to [keep on gathering] more information [regarding] rebel groups nationwide so that they can easily search and create combat operations against them,” he said.

President Rodrigo Duterte, in an effort to solve communist insurgency, signed Executive Order (EO) 70, which seeks to institute a "whole of government" approach in addressing communist insurgency.

AFP spokesperson, Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, in a statement, also lauded the troops’ victory, saying this struck another devastating blow to one of the groups that is determined to carry out “liquidation missions” against government officials from the security sector in Manila and other key cities.

"Residents near their safehouse in Damong Maliit, Novaliches were relieved to know that these fugitives who are wanted for destructive arson, murder, frustrated murder, and rebellion were neutralized," Arevalo said.

"We thank the people in community for the valuable information and the diligence and dedication of our soldiers and policemen that led to the death of the named wanted terrorists," he added.

In an interview Thursday, Jimson Masangkay, CMO Officer of the 703rd Brigade who has operational supervision of the 84th Infantry Battalion, said this victory means a lot because government enemies in Central Luzon will be demoralized at the loss of their leaders.

“This is an indication that all agencies of the government are coordinating to fast-track the campaign against insurgency under this administration,” he said.

The operation was supposed to just serve warrants of arrest to Sadyaw and Daileg for destructive arson, murder, frustrated murder, and rebellion.

The initial spot report added that the suspects fired at the arresting officers.

Recovered from the safe house were an M16 rifle, .45-caliber pistol, hand grenades, improvised explosive device components and subversive documents.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1089177

CPP/NPA-Negros Island: Reply to TV Patrol Negros’ query on the AGC-NPA’s reaction to 3ID’s declaration of no ceasefire this holiday season

NPA-Negros Island propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Dec 19, 2019): Reply to TV Patrol Negros’ query on the AGC-NPA’s reaction to 3ID’s declaration of no ceasefire this holiday season

JUANITO MAGBANUA

NPA-NEGROS ISLAND

APOLINARIO GATMAITAN COMMAND

NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY

DECEMBER 19, 2019

All guerrilla fronts under the Apolinario Gatmaitan Command – Negros Island will adhere to a ceasefire if and when it is declared by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the National Operational Command of the New People’s Army (NPA).

However, war hawks in Duterte’s military-laden cabinet are working against GRP-NDFP peace talks resumption and are actively sabotaging goodwill measures including the ceasefire for the holidays from Christmas to New Year and the GRP’s release of sickly and elderly political prisoners on humanitarian grounds such as Ka Frank Fernandez and Ka Cleofe Lagtapon.

The 3rd Infantry Division’s announcement of more troops to be deployed to Negros Island in early 2020 is a manifestation of their recruitment crisis, not strength. The NPA’s tactical offensives this year has effectively resulted to AFP casualties no matter how much the 3ID denies it. The Joint Task Force-Negros’ December 2019 deadline of dismantling the NPA north and central fronts has even been postponed to “early part 2020.” The AFP’s commanders and spokespersons are like broken records each year forever singing the same song of destroying the NPA. So much for Vinoya’s claim of the whole-of-nation approach “winning the war.”

I reiterate my statement last night, the Negrosanons cherish the NPA. That is a fact. The Negrosanons will celebrate the 51 years of CPP leadership of the revolutionary movement in Negros and the Philippines this December 26, 2019. That is truth.

https://cpp.ph/statement/reply-to-tv-patrol-negros-query-on-the-agc-npas-reaction-to-3ids-declaration-of-no-ceasefire-this-holiday-season/