Kalinaw News: Government communicators stepped up skills on documentary production to be more effective storytellers

Posted to Kalinaw News (Sep 19, 2020): Government communicators stepped up skills on documentary production to be more effective storytellers

DAVAO – Provincial information officers, multimedia specialists, and members of the communication team of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) from all over Region XI have gathered at the Davao De Oro Provincial Capitol to attend a Documentary Production Workshop hosted by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA XI) in partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), the 10th Infantry Division and the Provincial Government of Davao De Oro.

The activity aims to prepare each province in Region XI to produce their respective documentaries on the experiences of former rebels and their transformed lives after receiving government interventions and services.

The workshop is in-line with Executive Order No. 70 or the whole-of-nation approach in ending local communist armed conflict (ELCAC) by showcasing stories from communities in the region to raise awareness of the threat of communist insurgencies to peace and order, and development in the community.

The workshop is part of the first phase activities to be followed by the production phase and the showing of these documentaries through the different platforms.

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/government-communicators-stepped-up-skills-on-documentary-production-to-be-more-effective-storytellers/

Roadside bomb hits military truck; 1 Marine dead, 4 injured

 From the Mindanao Examiner (Sep 19, 2020): Roadside bomb hits military truck; 1 Marine dead, 4 injured (By FERDINANDH B. CABRERA)

COTABATO CITY (MindaNews / 19 September) — A member of the 5th Marine Company of the Philippine Marine Battalion Team-5 was killed while four others were injured after an improvised bomb exploded on the roadside and hit their KM-3 truck in Datu Hoffer, Maguindanao, a few meters from the provincial hospital shortly before 8 p.m. Friday.

Outgoing Maguindanao Provincial Police Director Col. Arnold Santiago said the Marines had just come out of the mountainous part of Barangay Salman in Ampatuan, Maguindanao when an improvised explosive device believed to have been fashioned from an 81mm mortar went-off on the roadside of Barangay Limpongo in Datu Hoffer town.

Roadside blast site in Barangay Limpongo in Datu Hoffer town, Maguindanao on 18 September 2020. Photo courtesy of Joint Tsak Force Central.

The impact of the explosion killed a Private surnamed Angot and injured two sergeants and two privates first class.

The Marine troopers were among those deployed in the preemptive military operation of the Joint Task Force Central in Maguindanao against the Islamic State-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

Air assaults and ground offensives were conducted by the Joint-Task Force Central since early Friday morning.

The blast site is a few meters away from the provincial hospital of Maguindanao and Camp Akilan, the provincial police headquarters in Shariff Aguak town where an explosion also happened last month that hit a convoy of police personnel.

Lt. Col. Anhouvic Atillano, spokesperson of the 6th Infantry Division, the bombing may hae been a “diversionary tactic” of the BIFF to divert the military’s attention from the still ongoing military operations against them. (Ferdinandh B. Cabrera / MindaNews)

https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2020/09/roadside-bomb-hits-military-truck-1-marine-dead-4-injured/

Kidnapped Fil-Am is still within Sirawai, says WestMinCom chief

From the Mindanao Examiner (Sep 19, 2020): Kidnapped Fil-Am is still within Sirawai, says WestMinCom chief (By FRENCIE CARREON)

ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews / 19 September) – Filipino-American kidnap victim Rex Triplet is still being held by his abductors within the victinity of Sirawai in Zamboanga dlel Norte, the town where he was abducted, Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, chief of the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom), said.

The Sirawai Municipal Police earlier reported that the 64-year old Fil-Am, a resident of Piacan in the coastal town of Sirawai, was abducted in Barangay Tapanayam at around 6 p.m. on Wednesday, September 16.

Filipino-American Rex Triplet, 64. Kidnapped in Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte. Photo courtesy of Sirawai Municipal Police Office

The report said Triplet and his wife Celsa Maani, 23, were on their way home aboard a black Honda XRM when four men wearing camouflage uniforms stopped them.

According to Sirawai Police, the abductors, armed with three short firearms, forcibly took Triplet while his wife managed to escape and sought the help of barangay officials.

The perpetrators fled to the hinterlands of Tapanayan, the report said.

Vinluan said the military launched a rescue and manhunt operation, as troops of the 1st Infantry (TABAK) Division, together with other security forces.

“Naval forces are continuously conducting seaborne patrol as well as checkpoint along strategic areas were established to block and capture the perpetrators,” Vinluan said.

“Coordination with the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) and MNLF(Moro National Liberation Front) leadership was also realized in order for them to support and provide vital information on the exact location of the group and the victim for future rescue operation,” WestMinCom said in a statement.

Police and the military have yet to determine the motive behind the kidnapping as Triplet is not known to be a wealthy person. (Frencie Carreon / MindaNews)

https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2020/09/kidnapped-fil-am-is-still-within-sirawai-says-westmincom-chiefz/

Bombing kills Marine, 4 others wounded in Maguindanao

Posted to the Mindanao Examiner (Sep 19, 2020): Bombing kills Marine, 4 others wounded in Maguindanao

COTABATO CITY - A bomb explosion had killed a Philippine Marine and wounded four others in a daring roadside attack in the province of Maguindanao in the war-torn Muslim autonomous region in the South.



A Philippine Army photo shows an improvised explosive device recovered by soldiers in Maguindanao's Mamasapano town. On Friday, a roadside bombing killed a Marine and wounded 4 others in nearby Datu Hoffer town which the military claimed is a terror attack.

Officials have confirmed the attack and said the explosion targeted a convoy of the 5th Military Company of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 5 in the village of Lipongo in Datu Hoffer town.

The Friday attack came barely 2 days after soldiers recovered an improvised explosive device in the village called Pimblakan in Mamasapano town, not far from Datu Hoffer.

The commander of the 6th Infantry Division, Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, said the attacker used an anti-personnel mine in blasting the route where the Marine convoy passed.

“The explosion resulted in the death of one Marine and the wounding of four others,” he said, adding, no individual or group claimed responsible for the bombing. “Investigation is ongoing to identify the perpetrators of this inhumane act of terrorism,”

The identities and rank of the casualties were not made public with Uy saying they have yet to inform the families of what had happened.

Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., chief of the Western Mindanao Command, branded the attack as “horrendous” and tagged terrorists as behind the bombing. But he did not say whose group was behind the attack, although several pro-ISIS groups are operating in the restive province.

“This horrendous act perpetrated by the terrorists is simply unacceptable,” he said. “Rest assured that we will exhaust every available resource to bring the perpetrators to justice.”

On Tuesday evening, soldiers in Mamasapano town recovered an explosive made from flash power - a pyrotechnic mixture of oxidizer and metallic fuel which burns quickly - and assembled with assorted nails and complete with a blasting cap, a battery and a wireless remote control switch. (Rhoderick Benez)

http://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2020/09/bombing-kill-marine-4-others-wounded-in.html

Army-LGU collaboration continues in fight vs insurgency

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 18, 2020): Army-LGU collaboration continues in fight vs insurgency

TALACOGON, Agusan del Sur, Sept. 18 – The municipality of San Luis, Agusan del Sur, together with the Army's 26th Infantry (Ever Onward) Battalion continues its collaboration in fighting insurgency during the conduct of Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) Meeting on September 17, 2020 at the municipal conference room.

To ensure the alignment of efforts between the military and LGU for the past months in ending the local communist armed conflict, both have shared and discussed the actions conducted to fulfill the said endeavor.

According to Charles V. Lim, the Municipal Local Government Operations Officer (MLGOO), the Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) has focused on giving basic services on Conflict-Affected Areas (ConAAs) and Geographically Isolated barangays in order to counter the issues and propaganda that are being used and uttered by the Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs) in organizing and recruiting the locals to utilize them on CNT activities.

"During our immersion, besides on giving basic services to the locals, we also assisted the barangay councils on drafting the Barangay Development Plan of every affected barangay, and we prioritized on depicting their primary concerns on the said plan for endorsement to the national government and fund allotment next year," Lim said.

Likewise, Municipal Mayor Phoebe L. Corvera, once again embarked on her commitment to support the military especially on providing the essential needs and morale to the troops of 26IB. "As per EO70, we will be your partner on your intensified effort to defeat the communist insurgency in the area. For that, we will also exert more effort in order to address the root cause of insurgency in our municipality in order to pave the way for development especially on far-flung areas," she said.

Relatively, Lt. Col. Reynald Romel A. Goce, commanding officer of 26IB, appreciated the untiring support of LGU San Luis to the unit. He also emphasized the importance of unity among the line agencies in fighting the communist insurgents in the area. "Insurgency is not a mere responsibility of the military. We cannot address the needed programs and projects of the populace in which if not given attention, it will be used by the CNT to undermine the government to the people," he stated.

"With your help, we will continue to put pressure on the CNT because this will entice more surrenders and finally defeat the insurgency problem in our area," added Goce. (1Lt. Percivl Carido, CMO, 26IB/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1053601

Cebuano News: Opisyal sa NPA intelligence unit sa Mindanao, nasikop sa Bohol

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 19, 2020): Cebuano News: Opisyal sa NPA intelligence unit sa Mindanao, nasikop sa Bohol (By Rey Anthony H. Chiu)

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Sept. 18 (PIA) -- Dili na gyud luwas alang sa mga sakop sa New People’s Army (NPA), ang armadong kusog sa Communist Party of the Philippines (NPA) nga dinhi magpabugnaw sa Bohol.

Kini maoy leksyon nga nakuha ni Junifie Dagale, nga giila usab sa alias nga Chang, Tanya, Habagat ug Inang, 43 anyos kinsa nasikop sa hiniusa nga operasyon sa Philippine National Police (PNP) ug sa Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Septembre 17, 2020, taho pa ni 47IB Civil Military Operations Officer First lieutenant Elma Grace Remonde-Abulencia.

Matud sa mga militar, si Dagale, gituohan nga usa ka taas nga opisyal sa NPA nga tua mag operate sa Southern Mindanao Regional Committee isip sakop sa Intelligence Unit sa Regional Operational Command.

Si Dagale nasikop sa mga tinugyanan samtang nagpabugnaw dinhi sa Bohol ug didto temporaryo nga mipuyo sa balay sa paryente sa iyang bana didto sa isla sa Aguining, sa isla nga lungsod sa President Carlos P. Garcia.

Si Dagale nalusotan og arrest warrant sa kaso nga pagpatay nga gipagawas ni Judge Virginia Tejano-Ang sa Branch 1, Regional Trial Court 11 sa Tagum City, Davao del Norte.

Naabtan sa hiniusang bahan sa kapolisan ug kasundalohan si Dagale sa balay nga gisak-an mga alas 8:30 dihang gitunol sa kapolisan ang warrant, matud pa sa 47IB.

Nagsugod sa pagka-aktibista hangtud nga nahimong aktibo nga lider sa Guerilla Front 33 nga nag-bahasbahas sa Davao Region, si Dagale naduhig sa daghanang mga buhat pang terorismo sama sa pag-sulong sa mga kampo, pagpangdaub sa mga kabtangan ug kabalayan, pagpangsakmit sa mga tawo aron lukaton, ug pagpang-ambush gamit ang Improvised Explosive Device (IED) nga nakapatay nag daghang sibilyan ug sakop sa kagamhanan, butyag sa mga militar.

Sa iyang pwesto isip sakop sa Intelligence Unit, sa iya nagagikan ang kasayuran sa malampuson nga pagsulong sa Linda Patrol Base sa Barangay Linda, Nabunturan niadtong 2008, sa Napungas Patrol Base sa Asuncion Devao del Norte sa 2010 ug bisan ang pribado nga Earth Savers Security Agency sa Libertad, Butuan City, wa pasayloa ug ilang gisulong niadtong 2012.

Niadtong 2013, si Dagale gilangkob sa pagsakmit sa Compostela Provincial jail Warden ug ang pagpahimutang sa laraw pag-ambush sa mga tropa sa kagamhanan nga gikamatay sa usa ka opisyal sa kasundalohan, kinsa nag-escort sa mga sakop sa Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) sa Kapalong, Davao del Norte niadtong 2014.

Naapil, matud pa usab si Dagale sa pagsulong sa Mining Compound sa Monkayo, Davao de Oro ug Mati Police station niadtong 2014, nga gikamatay sa tulo ka sakop sa army nga miresponde, saysay ni 1Lt Abulencia.

Gilambigit usab si Dagale sa pagsulong sa Lapanday Corporation Plastic Plant sa Buhangin District niadtong Abril 2017 ug sa Lorenzo Farm sa Calinan District, nga ilang gipang dauban.

Didto naangin intawon ang usa ka mamaligyaay ug lab-as nga isda dihang maoy nakaagi sa IED nga gipabuto sa mga komunista nga terorista pagpamatay unta sa mga sakop sa Task Force Davao nga mingresponde sa pag-sulong, segun sa taho.

Lakip usab si Dagale sa pagdaub sa Macondray Plastic Plant sa Panabo City; ang tulo ka pagsamok mingresulta sa binilyon nga pagkasayangs a puhunan ug pagka-undangs a trabaho sa mga sinuholan niini.

Si Dagale, giila nga eksperto sa lansis ug pangilad ug pagpanghaylo sa mga kabatan-onan sa mga pagtulon-an sa mga rebelde ug balikog nga ideyolohiya.

Isip sakop sa Intelligence Unit, iyang trabaho ang mang rekrut sa mga kabatan-onan aron masakop sa Asdang Kultura, nga giila nga usa ka nagpaka-aron ingnon ga grupo sa mga kabatan-onan naa sa teyatro ug pasundayag apan diay gibansay aron maoy tigmonitor ug tigtaho sa deployment ug presensya sa tropa sa kagamhanan.

Ang pagkasikop ni Dagale, nagsumikad sa pagtaho sa mga Bol-anon sa pag-abut sa katingad-an nga dagway sa ilang lugar, segun pa sa taho ni Lt. Abulencia. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1053651

33 Ilocos Norte residents renounce support to CPP-NPA’s front groups

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 19, 2020): 33 Ilocos Norte residents renounce support to CPP-NPA’s front groups (By Freddie G. Lazaro)

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, Sept. 19 (PIA) - - Army Brigadier General Audrey L. Pasia, the commander of the army’s 702nd Infantry Brigade, announced that a total of 33 Ilocos Norte residents renounced their support to the three front organizations of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

In a joint meeting of the Regional Peace and Order Council – Regional Development Council (RPOC-RDC) meeting on Thursday, Pasia said the 33 mass supporters of the Gabriela, Anakpawis Partylist, and Stop Exploitation (Stop-Ex) have voluntarily took their oath of allegiance to the government in a ceremony held at the covered court in Barangay Cacafean, Marcos, Ilocos Norte on September 13, 2020.

Marcos town’s Mayor Antonio V. Mariano officiated the oath of allegiance of the surrendered NPA supporters.

Pasia called on the supporters of the CPP-NPA including its front organizations to return to the fold of the law and cooperate with the government in ending the local communist armed conflict.

“The residents have the primary role in ending the problem on insurgency in the countryside; if you (residents) love your country, let us cooperate and help with one another because no one could help us against the CPP-NPA terrorists but ourselves,” said Pasia.

Lieutenant Colonel Ulysis V. Laude, the commander of the army’s 24th Infantry Battalion that covers Ilocos Norte, said the withdrawal of support of the 33 sympathizers of the CPP-NPA is vital in the fight against local insurgency problem.

“With a lessen mass base, the three NPA’s front party lists will have a hard time mobilizing women and youth,” said Laude.

Further, Laude said that the 33 mass base supporters were victims of the deceptive approach of the CPP-NPA as they didn’t know that the two-party lists and one peasant group were affiliated with communist terrorist organizations.

AKA “Tita”, 55, a surrendered NPA rebel in 2003, admitted that she joined the Gabriela Partylist in 2015 because the organizers convinced them that they were defenders of the abused women.

Later, she realized that they were just organized to be used in preparation for the 2016 elections.

AKA “Tita” disclosed that it was just during the orientation conducted on September 13, Sunday when they learned the truth about the party lists and was surprised about it.

I want peace and I don’t want to become a victim of deception strategy of the CPP-NPA anymore,” AKA Tita said. (JCR/FGL, PIA1)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1053540

Village residents condemn CPP-NPA’s deception activities in Ilocos Sur

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 19, 2020): Village residents condemn CPP-NPA’s deception activities in Ilocos Sur (By Freddie G. Lazaro) 

SUYO, Ilocos Sur, Sept. 19 (PIA) - - Residents in an outskirt village of this town have condemned the deception activities of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) terrorists in Ilocos Sur.

In the joint meeting of the Regional Peace and Order Council – Regional Development Council (RPOC-RDC) meeting on Thursday, army’s 702nd Infantry Brigade Commander Brigadier General Audrey L. Pasia said that at least 240 residents and local officials in Suyo town have successfully conducted an indignation rally on Wednesday.

The local officials and residents assembled infront of the town’s public market before they started a motorcade rally going to Sitio Kimpatubbog, Barangay Poblacion, Suyo, Ilocos Sur.

The main activities of the rally were held in Sitio Kimpatubbog, the area where the operating troops of the army’s 81st Infantry Battalion foiled a reported plan of the CPP-NPA terrorists to set an encampment in the place after an encounter on July 26, 2020. No one was hurt during the firefight.

According to Pasia, 24 members of the underground movement organization (UGMO) of the CPP-NPA bandits in the area have left their support to the communist-terrorist movement.

“I’m calling all the UGMO members and NPA members to return now to the fold of the government. No other individual will love and takes care of the Philippines but the Filipinos; and no one could help the Filipinos but the fellow Filipinos,” said Pasia.

Suyo town Mayor Mario Subagan administered the oath of allegiance of the 24 UGMO members to the government.

In a phone interview, Mayor Subagan said that all villages in his town are continuously under close watch by the authorities to deter any infiltration activities of the communist terrorists.

“We cannot afford that the CPP-NPA terrorists will influence the residents of our peaceful and productive town,” said Subagan, a retired police colonel.

Mayor Subagan said that they conducted the rally as their mode of expressing their united stand not to support the terrorist group as well as its allied organizations.

Subagan led the local officials and the residents in burning the effigies of Jose Maria Sison, the NPA flags and the faces of the NPA leaders of the Komiteng Larangang Guerilya – Southern Ilocos Sur (KLG-SIS) operating in Ilocos Sur.

The bursting of red balloons and the releasing of white doves were held as their expression of resistance on the presence of the CPP-NPA terrorists in the town but are united in achieving peace and development in the area.

During the program, a former rebel (FR) talked about the ill-effect of supporting the communists.

Army Lieutenant Colonel Rodrigo A. Mariñas Jr., the commander of the army’s 81st Infantry Battalion cited the efforts of the members of the Suyo Municipal Task Force to End the Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC) including the residents for complimenting the efforts of the government against the CPP-NPA bandits. (JCR/FGL, PIA 1)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1053619

Soldier killed, 4 hurt in Maguindanao roadside bombing

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 19, 2020): Soldier killed, 4 hurt in Maguindanao roadside bombing (By Noel Punzalan)

Google map of Datu Hofer, Maguindanao province.

A roadside bomb ripped through a Philippine Marine vehicle on Friday evening in Datu Hofer, Maguindanao, killing a serviceman and wounding four others.

An initial report sent to Col. Arnold Santiago, Maguindanao police director, identified the fatality only as a certain Private Angot, a member of the 5th Marine Battalion Landing Team under the 1st Marine Brigade.

The wounded were only identified as Sergeants Erasmo and Ahmad, and Privates 1st Class Nolledo and Ullanes, the report added.

“The Marine vehicle was negotiating a hilly section of Barangay Limpongo in Datu Hofer town around 10 p.m. when a roadside bomb went off,” Santiago said, quoting the report from the Datu Hofer police office.

He said the bomb contained pieces of shrapnel.

Initial police investigation showed that the bomb bore the signature style of the Daesh-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters operating in the area.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1115947

Army exec urges Caraga LGUs to ‘rise up’ vs. NPA

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 19, 2020): Army exec urges Caraga LGUs to ‘rise up’ vs. NPA (By Alexander Lopez)

Brig. Gen. Maurito Licudine, commander of the Army's 402 Infantry Brigade. (PNA photo by Alexander Lopez)

Amid the series of surrenders by communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels and supporters in the Caraga Region, a ranking Army official here has called on local government units (LGUs) to “rise up” to win more rebels back to the fold of the law.

In a statement Saturday, Brig. Gen. Maurito Licudine said the shift of support of the former NPA members and supporters is expected because of the development interventions initiated by the LGUs.

However, the commander of Army's 402nd Brigade (402Bde) said the LGUs must strengthen their anti-insurgency advocacies by tapping the support of national line agencies as well as the private sector to encourage the remaining NPA members to lay down their arms.

“Local chief executives need to rise up and be the voice of their people in addressing this menace plaguing our communities for several decades,” Licudine said.

Licudine acknowledged the efforts of the Esperanza municipal government in Agusan del Sur after 321 NPA members and supporters surrendered en masse and pledged allegiance to the government earlier this week.

Mayor Leonida Manpatilan, soldiers from the Army's 26th Infantry Battalion, and various government agencies welcomed the surrenderers in a ceremony on Sept. 15.

“We call on the other local chief executives to strengthen their resolve to fight these terrorists. Much is expected from our local leaders as they are the key element in leading their respective constituents in driving away from the communist terrorist from their communities,” Licudine said.

He said a united front consisting of all community stakeholders remains key to defeat the communist insurgency, which he said has hampered the region's economic development for the past decades.

Licudine also called on the remaining members and supporters of the NPA in the area to avail of the opportunities offered by the government through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP).

Maj. Francisco Garello Jr., the civil-military operations officer of 402Bde, said Friday a total of 607 NPA regulars have been killed, apprehended, or surrendered in the provinces of Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Misamis Oriental, and Bukidnon, since January this year.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1115960

4 'Super Tucano' attack aircraft now in Clark Air Base

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 19, 2020): 4 'Super Tucano' attack aircraft now in Clark Air Base (By Priam Nepomuceno)

DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong. (File photo)

Four out of the six new Embraer Defense and Security A-29 "Super Tucano" close-air support aircraft, which are intended to beef up the Philippine Air Force (PAF)'s close-air support capabilities, have landed in Clark Air Base, Angeles City, Pampanga on Saturday.

Department of National Defense (DND) spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said the four aircraft have landed in Clark Air Base around 1:06 p.m. while the other two are still in New Delhi, India, awaiting for clearance and would be flown to the Philippines at a later date.

Embraer company pilots flew the aircraft from the company airfield in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and made fueling stops in the Canary Islands, Portugal, Malta, Egypt, Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates, India, Thailand, and Vietnam before landing in the Philippines.

Andolong said Embraer pilots will train PAF pilots selected to fly the "Super Tucano" for two months as part of the agreement under the Technical Inspection and Acceptance Committee.

The A-29s were earlier scheduled to be delivered by the end of July but the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic and subsequent travel bans have skewed the delivery timetables.

The aircraft, which will be part of the PAF's 15th Strike Wing, will beef up the remaining North American Rockwell OV-10 "Bronco" attack aircraft used by the Air Force in strike missions.

"They are a welcome and much-needed replacement for the PAF's aged, close air support aircraft, and their mission versatility and capability to carry a variety of ordnance will be very useful in the field," Andolong said.

The Super Tucano is a turboprop aircraft designed for light attack, counter-insurgency, close air support, aerial reconnaissance missions in low threat environments, as well as providing pilot training.

The contract for the six aircraft is worth PHP4.968 billion and was issued in late 2017.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1115966

This docu on Kumander Dante and post-EDSA NPAs took 32 years to have a Philippine screening

 Posted to ABS-CBN/ANCX (Sep 18, 2020): This docu on Kumander Dante and post-EDSA NPAs took 32 years to have a Philippine screening

The film will take audiences back to the social and political unrest after the EDSA People Power.

It also features a young lieutenant by the name of Bato dela Rosa, and music from Hotdog, David Byrne, the Bee Gees and Joey Ayala.ANCX Staff

The Los Angeles Times describes it as “disturbing, comprehensive, illuminating…. [with] a raw immediacy that is engaging, fair-minded.”

Hollywood Reporter says the film runs along "at a refreshingly fast gait and sparkles with deadpan wit and shrewd observations". The magazine also does not fail to note the "further wallop of panache and comic editorial counterpoint" given by the film’s "eclectic and zippy music"—which includes selections from David Byrne and The Talking Heads, the Bee Gees, and Filipino composer-performer Joey Ayala.

Documentary filmmaker Nettie Wild in the Philippines in 1987.

We are talking about "A Rustling of Leaves: Inside the Philippine Revolution," a film that aims to take audiences back to the political and social unrest after the People Power revolution, fresh from the overthrow of Marcos and the victory of Cory Aquino. It is part of the opening program of Daang Dokyu, the Philippines’ first documentary festival of its kind.

The documentary was made by acclaimed Canadian documentary filmmaker Nettie Wild. It waited three decades to finally have its Philippine debut. 

Wild dedicates the film to "the Filipinos who offered friendship to me, an outsider."

"It is only now that the film will face its most important audience - the Filipinos," says Wild. "It’s time for 'A Rustling of Leaves' to come home. It’s only a pandemic that stops me from being on a plane to be in the Philippines for this first official screening." Wild offers the online screenings to the Filipinos she met while making the film, "the Filipinos who offered friendship to me, an outsider."

The documentary was filmed in 1987. It follows the lives of Kumander Dante, founder of the guerilla New People’s Army, and Father Navarro, rebel priest and guerrilla fighter. Also featured in the film are former radical priest Ed dela Torre and the young lieutenant, now senator, Ronald dela Rosa. 

Image from "A Rustling of Leaves" which won the People's Choice Award at the Berlin International Film Festival in 1989.

The film won the People’s Choice Award at the 1989 Berlin International Film Festival, the Prix du Public award on the 50th anniversary of the National Film Board of Canada, the Grand Prize at the Houston Film Festival, and Best Cinematography at the Society of Canadian Cinematographers.

Jewel Maranan, festival director of Daang Dokyu, says "A Rustling of Leaves" is a pioneering effort, having come before foreign film productions started looking into the political situation in the Philippines. “In my opinion, no sharper and more in-depth analysis of our nation's conflicts and contradictions has been made in film," Maranan says. "We are screening it now at Daang Dokyu, 32 years late, but it remains very relevant today. It is an important film for people seeking to understand the roots of conflicts in the country and for those concerned about the peace process.”

The film will have an introduction from the filmmaker during the online screening, as well as a question and answer with Prof. Roland Tolentino, member of the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino.

The online screenings are set from September 19 to 21.

Other featured documentaries in the program are Kiri Dalena’s "Alunsina" (2020), ABS-CBN’s documentary "Marcos: A Malignant Spirit" (1986), Lito Tiongson’s "Mendiola Massacre" (1987), and Ramona Diaz’ "Imelda" (2003).

"A Rustling of Leaves: Inside the Philippine Revolution" will have a re-run from October 9 to 15 as part of Daang Dokyu’s festival proper.

More information on Daang Dokyu, the film festival that showcases a selection from the largest collection of Philippine documentaries from the past one hundred years, is available at daandokyu.ph.

Streaming of "A Rustling of Leaves" starts September 19, 9AM at daangdokyu.com/watchnow.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/movies/09/18/20/this-docu-on-kumander-dante-and-post-edsa-npas-took-30-years-to-have-a-philippine-screening

Suspected NPA ‘spy’ nabbed in Bohol

From the Manila Bulletin (Sep 18, 2020): Suspected NPA ‘spy’ nabbed in Bohol (By Martin Sadongdong)

A suspected spy for the New People’s Army (NPA) was arrested in a joint military and police operation in Bohol on Thursday.

First Lieutenant Elma Grace Remonde, civil military operations (CMO) officer of the Bohol-based 47th Infantry Battalion (47IB), identified the suspect as 43-year-old Junifie Dagale with aliases “Chang,” “Tanya,” “Habagat” and “Inang.”

Dagale is allegedly a member of the Intelligence Unit of Regional Operational Command under the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC) operating in Davao region.

She was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest for murder issued by Judge Virginia Tehano-Ang, of Tagum, Davao del Norte Regional Trial Court.

The warrant of arrest was served while Dagale was inside the house of her husband’s relative in Barangay Aguining, Carlos P. Garcia town at 8:30 a.m.

“Ka Chang/Tanya/Habagat/Inang is an expert in the deception and exploitation of mass and youths with the CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines – NPA – National Democratic Front) fraud ideologies,” Remonde said.

“As a member of the Intelligence Unit, her recruited youths became members of ‘Asdang Kultura,’ a pseudo-cultural theater group composed of children and teenage youths (who) were harnessed for gathering information and monitoring of the presence of government troops during assaults,” she added.

Remonde said Dagale has been monitored by the authorities after she became the leader of the Guerilla Front 33 of the SMRC. The guerilla front operates in Davao region.

Remonde said Dagale is involved “in major acts of terrorism,” citing the rebel leader’s alleged participation in raids, arson, kidnapping and ambush using improvised explosive device (IEDs).

The most recent of these attacks include the burning of Lapanday Corporation Plastic Plant in Buhangin District and Lorenzo Farm in Calinan District both in Davao City in April 2017, according to Remonde.

The incident resulted in the death of a fish vendor during the explosion of an IED, the military officer noted.

Dagale’s team was also tagged in the burning of Macondray Plastic Plant in Panabo City.

When Dagale became a member of the intelligence unit of SMRC in Davao region, she allegedly got involved in NPA raids in Linda Patrol Base, Nabunturan, Davao de Oro in 2008; Napungas Patrol Base in Asuncion, Davao del Norte in 2010; and the Earth Savers Security Agency in Libertad, Butuan City in 2012.

Dagale was also linked in the abduction of a provincial jail warden in Panabo City, Davao del Norte in 2013; and in the planned ambush of government troops and members of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Kapalong, Davao del Norte in 2014 that caused the death of an army officer.

Remonde added that Dagale’s group conducted two more raids in 2015 targeting a mining compound in Monkayo, Davao de Oro and the Mati Police station.

“The successful apprehension of Junifie Dagale simply means that the Province of Bohol is not a safe haven for NPA members who want to hide and flee from their outrages,” Remonde said

“Boholanos are far more vigilant in sending reports whenever they see new faces around their community,” she said.

https://mb.com.ph/2020/09/18/suspected-npa-spy-nabbed-in-bohol/

Top CPP official nabbed in Bohol town

 From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Sep 18, 2020): Top CPP official nabbed in Bohol town (By: Leo Udtohan)

An alleged high-ranking official of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) was arrested in a joint operation of the police and military in the municipality of President Carlos P. Garcia (PCPG) on Thursday.

Junifie Veloso Dagale, 43, was the subject of an arrest warrant issued by Judge Virginia Tehano-Ang of the Regional Trial Court Branch 1 in Tagum City, Davao del Norte.

She will be facing murder charges, a non-bailable offense.

1Lt. Elma Grace Remonde, Civil-Military Operations Officer of the 47th Infantry (Katapatan) Battalion, Dagale is a member of the Intelligence Unit of Regional Operational Command under the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee operating in Davao Region.

Dagale was an activist before she reportedly became a leader of the Guerilla Front 33.

An investigation showed that she was involved in terroristic acts such as raids, arson, kidnapping, and ambush of both government forces and civilians using Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

Remonde said the arrest of Dagale in Bohol meant that the province is not a safe haven for NPA members who want to hide and flee from their outrages.

“Boholanos are far more vigilant in sending reports whenever they see new faces around their community,” she said.

Dagale is currently detained at the PCPG police station.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1337084/top-cpp-official-nabbed-in-cebu-town

20 former NPAs reap in the ‘Arm-to-Farm Program’ in Bukidnon

From the Manila Bulletin (Sep 17, 2020): 20 former NPAs reap in the ‘Arm-to-Farm Program’ in Bukidnon (By Mike Crismundo

Living a peaceful and productive life now, former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels reap substantial amount of vegetable root crop (camote) under the “Arm-to-Farm Program” (AFP) of the Army’s 8th Infantry (Dependable) Battalion (8th IB) in Bukidnon province.

The plantation is situated just adjacent to the location of the 8th IB headquarters at Impasug-ong Magbuliga Development Complex, Barangay Poblacion, in Impasug-ong, Bukidnon province, which is currently owned by the local government unit (LGU) of Impasug-ong.

These former rebels (FRs) considered the time of harvesting the products as a way of bonding with their respective families.

Their effort in planting and taking care of the root crop greatly paid off as they harvested and substantially gained from the sales thereof.

Joyous “Ka Helen”, a former NPA rebel, shared her story while harvesting the vegetable crops with her family last week (Sept. 7).

“I am thankful to the 8IB especially to the LGU of Impasugong for accepting me and for helping me start a new life,” 8th IB Civil Military Operations (CMO) officer 2nd Lt. Camille M. Bumatay, quoting the statement in vernacular of “Ka Helen”.

“My life is very different when I was still in the NPA where life was so difficult, and now I am delighted to start anew along with my family and I am hopeful that this program would last because it greatly helped us former rebels,” she added.

The commanding officer of the 8th IB Lt. Col. Edgardo V. Talaroc, Jr. assured of the unit’s continued support to the former NPAs.

“It is a vivid example of how this unit works to seek and bring efforts in providing interventions to the former rebels as they temporarily live inside the camp and prepare themselves in reintegrating into mainstream society,” he said.

“This unit together with other government agencies will continue to provide interventions to those who are willing to return to the folds of the law,” stressed the 8th IB commander.

The AFP project was crafted by the 8th IB in coordination with the LGU Impasugong to provide agriculture-based livelihood opportunities for former rebels while they temporarily live inside the military camp.

The remaining .7 hectare of the donated farmland are planted with Adlai crops that will soon be harvested in December 2020.

Further, the LGU of Impasug-ong lend another 3 hectares of land which are currently planted with corn seeds from the Department of Agriculture and are expected to be harvested also in December, this year, 2nd Lt. Bumatay also said, in a statement sent to The Manila Bulletin on Monday afternoon.

https://mb.com.ph/2020/09/17/20-former-npas-reap-in-the-arm-to-farm-program-in-bukidnon-2/