7 Sayyaf fighters surrender in Southern Philippines (Photos)

From the Mindanao Examiner (Jan 21): 7 Sayyaf fighters surrender in Southern Philippines (Photos)





Major General Gerardo Barrientos, Jr, commander of the 1st Infantry Division and anti-terror Joint Task Group ZAMBASULTA, and Colonel Rolando Joselito Bautista, the army commander in Basilan, one of 5 provinces under the Muslim autonomous region, receive the 7 Abu Sayyaf rebels who surrendered in Ungkaya Pukan town in Basilan province. (Mindanao Examiner Photo – E. Dumaboc)



The Philippine military has paraded 7 alleged Abu Sayyaf rebels who surrendered in the restive province of Basilan where security forces are battling the jihadist group which pledged allegiance to ISIS or Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

Major General Gerardo Barrientos, Jr, commander of the 1^st Infantry Division and anti-terror Joint Task Group ZAMBASULTA, said the rebels also surrendered their weapons – four automatic rifles, a grenade launcher and a pistol – to Colonel Rolando Joselito Bautista, the army commander in Basilan, one of 5 provinces under the Muslim autonomous region.

Barrientos praised Bautista, also the commander of Joint Task Group Basilan, for a job well done. “The surrender of the Abu Sayyaf fighters is a clear victory for the people of Basilan who yearn for peace and desire to live lawfully and peacefully,” he said.

In his report, Bautista said the rebels voluntarily surrendered in two groups on January 18 and 19 in Camalig village in Ungkaya Pukan town, a stronghold of Abu Sayyaf and Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which signed a peace deal with Manila in 2014.

The rebels have been identified as Sulaiman Kasaran, Marwin Asan Kasaran, Derwin Asan Kasaran, Halid Asan Kasaran, Hadzmin Kuluman Kasaran, Faisal Laudmin Kasaran and Salman Najallon Kasaran.

“The Abu Sayyaf members successively surrendered on Monday and Tuesday and subsequently underwent custodial debriefing. They will be duly endorsed to the ARMM Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman for rehabilitation and integration into the mainstream of our society,” Bautista said.

“The Abu Sayyaf members realized that fighting the government and enduring hard life in the mountains is a lost cause. The surrender was made possible through the help of the populace and local government of Ungkaya Pukan. The sincere coordination and passion of the government in delivering the message for peace and reconciliation on the ground made the pivotal role to convince the other Abu Sayyaf members to return to the folds of the law,” he added.

It was not immediately known whether the rebels would be criminally charged or pardoned, but the Aquino government has made no peace offer or amnesty to the Abu Sayyaf – blamed by police and military for the spate of terror attacks and kidnappings for ransom in the region.

Bastion of power

Just recently, Abu Sayyaf leader in Basilan – Isnilon Hapilon – has renewed their pledged of allegiance to ISIS.

In a propaganda video released by the Abu Sayyaf and picked up by international and local media, more than two dozen gunmen – including child warriors – led by Hapilon were seen hiking in the hinterlands of Basilan while chanting the “Dawlah Islamiyah (Islamic State)” after which they recited an Arabic script of  bayah or pledge of allegiance.

Hapilon, alias Abu Abdullah, was named as the new leader of the “Harakatul Islamiyah” (Islamic Movement)” the new name given to the Abu Sayyaf by its founder Abdurajak Abubakar Janjalani who was slain in a police shootout in Basilan in December 1998.

The Abu Sayyaf evolved to a notorious group known for having carried out kidnappings, bombings and other criminal activities in southern Philippines. The US government has offered a $5 million bounty for Hapilon’s head – dead or alive.

In the video, Hapilon was shown with Abu Harith Al-Filibbieni, who is reported to be deputy commander of the al-Ansar Infantry Division of the ISIS, and Mohd Najib Husen (Hussein) alias Abu Annas Al Muhajir, a division head of the Ansar al-Sharia of the ISIS.

The rebels explained in the video that they had previously done the bayah, but did it again in front of their new leaders. It was unknown when the video was recorded, but it was released just after the military’s Western Mindanao Command in Zamboanga City claimed last month that Husen was killed during offensive operations against the Abu Sayyaf in the troubled province of Basilan in December.

Husen was with other Malaysian jihadists – Mahmud Ahmad, Muhammad Joraimee Awang Raimee, Amin Baco and Jeknal Adil – who fled to southern Philippines reportedly to recruit militants and send them to “Dar al-Harb (place of war),” referring to Syria and Iraq, where the ISIS established its own caliphate state.

The Abu Sayyaf hoisted a black flag similar to those being used by the Khilafah Islamiyah Movement and other hard-line radical jihadist groups like the Boko Haram in Africa.

In Maguindanao and nearby provinces, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and the Ansarul Khilafah also pledged allegiance to the ISIS. Radical militants in Indonesia and Malaysia, including the Southeast Asian terror group Jema’ah Islamiyah had also done the same.

Just last month, the jihadists also released a video of the ISIS’s Alhayat Media Center which shows the Philippines as among countries in Southeast Asia they were planning to expand its “Khilafah (caliphate).”

The Abu Sayyaf is now using the Daesh flag and also the Khilafah Islamiyah Movement and other radical groups in Lanao del Sur, also in the Muslim autonomous region where local militants of the Ghuraba (Strangers) – both the Ghuraba and Khilafah Islamiyah Movement are headed by a leader called Humam Abdul Najid, who was implicated in the 2013 Cagayan de Oro City bombings.

In October 2014, the jihadists Ghuraba had claimed that they established the Khilafah after courting other radical jihadists in the South to vow their allegiance to the Muslims’ caliph al-Baghdadi.

The Ghuraba is reportedly harboring foreign militants, including an agent of the Jama’at al-Tawhid wal-Jihad, a group believed to be the original name of now infamous international threat group ISIS.

The Khilafah Islamiyah Movement and Ghuraba militants declared jihad or holy war in February 1, 2013 following a deadly against security forces in Marawi City.

http://mindanaoexaminer.com/7-sayyaf-fighters-surrender-in-southern-philippines/

Maguindanao land dispute settled as claimants agree to peaceful resolution

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 21): Maguindanao land dispute settled as claimants agree to peaceful resolution

Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Toto Mangudadatu on Wednesday brokered an interim peace deal between warring groups fighting over ownership of vast track of lands in Datu Abdullah Sangki town in Maguindanao.

In the interim peace deal, parties to the bloody land dispute agreed to a peaceful resolution of ownership issue.

Mangudadatu summoned local officials of Datu Abdullah Sangki and representatives of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to help mediate and come up with a “win-win” solution to the conflict which already claimed lives from both sides.

The governor said he tasked the provincial offices of the natural resources and agrarian reform to determine real owners of vast agricultural lands in the village of Banaba in Datu Abdullah Sangki.

"All parties agreed to allow concern government agencies to address the issue peacefully," Mangudadatu told reporters.

Witnessing the peace pact signing were Brig Gen. Glen Macasero, chair of the government ceasefire panel and Butch Malang, his counterpart in the MILF. They too signed the document.

Under the GPH-MILF peace accord, both sides are mandated to help settle security concerns in identified areas in Mindanao.

Christian settlers have been arming themselves to protect the 60 hectares of rice fields in the village of Banaba against harassment by lawless groups trying to protect Moro farmers.

On Christmas Eve, BIFF attacked the village of Banaba and Kauran in adjacent Ampatuan town and killed 11 settlers. Government forces chased the attackers and killed four members of outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

With the peace accord, Mangudadatu said he was hoping the conflict will cease and land ownership will be finally settled.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=848766

North Cotabato town exec mediates warring MILF families

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 21): North Cotabato town exec mediates warring MILF families

PIGCAWAYAN, North Cotabato -- Local officials here have been mediating an in-fighting involving Moro rebels that already affected civilians and students in a farming village here.

”We are doing our best, we reached out to warring families,” Pigcawayan Mayor Herminio Roquero assured residents of the farming village of Burikain.

More than 200 pupils of Burikain Elementary School have skipped classes on advise of the local government to ensure their safety as warring members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) had been trading bullets in and around the village of Burikain.

Abdullah Maraguir, secretary of Barangay Burikain, said classes are still suspended to ensure the safety of teachers and pupils.

He said the suspension has been going on for a week now.

Roquero said pupils are accommodated in nearby barangay school so their studies are not affected while efforts are underway to settle the land dispute.

Maraguir said more than 60 percent of the residents of Barangay Burikain have moved to nearby villages for security reason.

He refused to identify the protagonists in the land dispute but said they all belonged to Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Maraguir believed a third party was involved that ignited the armed conflict.

The conflict erupted in December when armed men stormed the village killed a farmer who are related to another MILF leader. Retaliatory attacks followed, forcing residents to flee.

Roquero said some of the displaced families are now housed at the municipal gymnasium while others return to their farms at day time move back to town gymnasium at night.

Roquero said involved in the peaceful settlement of the conflict are members of the International Monitoring Team and the GPH-MILF ceasefire panel.

Government forces were also deployed in the village to serve as peacekeepers and ensure the safety of civilians.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=848772

Basilan-based Abu Sayyaf Group members surrender, yield firearms

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 21): Basilan-based Abu Sayyaf Group members surrender, yield firearms

Seven members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) surrendered to government troops in the province of Basilan, a top military official announced Thursday.

Maj. Gen. Gerardo Barrientos Jr., Joint Task Force Zambasulta, said the seven members of the ASG surrendered,with firearms, on two separate days--Monday and Tuesday—in Sitio Bohe-Bohe Pahu, Barangay Camalig, Ungkaya Pukan, Basilan.

Barrientos identified the ASG surrenderers were Sulaiman Kasaran alias Abu Jaid, Marwin Asan Kasaran alias Hadjie, Derwin Asan Kasaran alias Dikki, Halid Asan Kasaran alais Nasirin Awwalin, Hadzmin Kuluman Kasaran alias Ammin, Faisal Laudmin Kasaran alias Issa and Ballie, and Salman Najallon Kasaran alias Sat and Mhanz.

They were the first group to surrender to the government since the ASG was organized in the 90s.

Barrientos said they turned in assorted high-power firearms that include three M-16 Armalite rifles, one caliber .30 M1 Garand rifle, one M-79 grenade launcher, and one caliber .45 pistol.

Barrientos said they will be duly endorsed to the Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) “for rehabilitation and integration into the mainstream of our society.”

“The ASG members realized that fighting the government and enduring hard life in the mountains is a lost cause,” he said.

He said surrender of the seven ASG members was made possible through the help of the populace and municipal government of Ungkaya Pukan.

He said the sincere coordination and passion of the government in delivering the message for peace and reconciliation on the ground made the pivotal role to convince the other ASG members to return to the folds of the law.

Meanwhile, Barrientos, who is also the Army’s 1st Infantry Division commander, lauded the efforts of the troops of Joint Task Group Basilan headed by Col. Rolando Joselito Bautista for a job well done.

He said that their surrender is a clear victory for the people of Basilan who yearn for peace and desire to live lawfully and peacefully.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=848906

NPA rebel dies, 2 wounded in Zambo Sur clash

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 21): NPA rebel dies, 2 wounded in Zambo Sur clash

A New People’s Army (NPA) rebel was killed while two others were wounded in a clash with government troops in the nearby town of Lapuyan, this province, a military official announced Thursday.

Lt. Col. Alvin Luzon, Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion commander, said the clash broke out around 7 a.m. Wednesday in Purok 2, Barangay Tiguha, Lapuyan.

Luzon said the troops of the Bravo Company led by 2Lt. Abner Pilando were checking on the reported presence of 20 NPA rebels intimidating and extorting the residents when they spotted them in the area.

Luzon said a firefight ensued and lasted for about an hour after which the NPA rebels fled dragging along with them their three wounded comrades.

However, Luzon said intelligence report indicated that one of the three wounded NPA rebels had died.

He said the NPA rebels belong to the Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda (SYP) Platoon of Natarang Guerilla “Kara” operating in this province.

He said the troops have recovered from the clash site the following: M-16 Armalite rifle; improvised bomb; assorted ammunition; subversive documents of high intelligence value; food stuffs; and, personal belonging.

Meanwhile, Luzon acknowledged the cooperation of the barangay folks through providing timely information which is of big help in keeping their community NPA-free area.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=848938

NPA rebels gun down suspected military asset

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 21): NPA rebels gun down suspected military asset

New People's Army (NPA) rebels shot dead a 43-year-old farmer who they accused of being an informer of the military and the police inside his house in Barangay Jagna-an, San Jacinto, Masbate at about 2:30 p.m. Thursday.

A police report said victim Jason Escorel was resting inside his house when six young-looking rebels, all armed with M-16 armalite rifles, barged in and peppered his head and body with bullets, causing his instantaneous death. The dissidents casually left the place after the execution.

Relatives said Escorel had already been receiving threats on his life from the rebels who accused him of being a military-police asset in their village, giving information to the authorities about their activities.

The victim, however, had vehemently denied the accusation.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=849007

500 government troops deployed to stabilize peace in Surigao del Sur

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 21): 500 government troops deployed to stabilize peace in Surigao del Sur

About 500 government troopers of the Army’s 16th Infantry Battalion arrived in the city to augment the 402nd Army brigade here, the military announced Thursday.

Lt. Karl Jan Devaras, the spokesperson of the Army 402nd brigade here, said that the contingent arrived Wednesday on board a C-130 aircraft, which landed at the Tandag City airport.

Devaras said that the 16IB were originally stationed in Oriental Mindoro in Luzon prior to its deployment in Surigao Del Sur this week.

He said that Surigao del Sur Gov. Johnny Pimentel personally welcomed the contingent and expressed the optimism that the arrival of the additional troops could help “stabilize the peace and order in the province.”

In welcoming the troops, Pimental said that he has requested for additional government troopers, three years ago and the arrival of the 16IB was an answered prayer.

“I hope that the deployment of the army’s 16th IB will greatly contribute to the stabilization of the peace and order in the province,” he said.

Pimentel said that the provincial government also assures the newly arrived troops of full support to all its endeavors in the pursuit of peace and security development in his province.

Col. Isidro L. Purisima, commander of the 402nd Infantry Brigade based in Surigao Del Sur, also welcomed the troops with stern warnings of the necessity to respect the Human Rights, International Humanitarian Law and the Rule of Law in the performance of the battalion’s duties.

Purisima reminded the troops that their deployment in Surigao Del Sur is to protect and serve the people and the communities under the leadership of the local chief executives. The army’s 16IB would operate under the command of the 402nd brigade.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=849096

Many nations interested in selling military equipment to PHL

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 21): Many nations interested in selling military equipment to PHL

A lot of countries have expressed willingness to sell arms and other equipment to the modernizing Armed Forces of the Philippines, a ranking defense official said Wednesday

"Actually, many countries are offering to provide us with what we need to modernize our AFP. But we have to follow a process," Defense undersecretary for finance, munition and materiel Fernando Manalo said in a message to the PNA.

Manalo did not name such nations but said these need to follow some procedures.

When asked on this, Manalo replied:"They have to follow (Republic Act) 9184."

This is also known as "An Act Providing For The Modernization, Standardization And Regulation Of The Procurement Activities Of The Government And For Other Purposes."

This is in line with the government's transparency and accountability efforts.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin earlier gave President Benigno S. Aquino III very high marks for jump-starting the military modernization program.

"President Benigno Aquino’s administration provided unprecedented levels of funds to support the AFP's modernization with a sufficient defense budget made available through good governance policies," he said.

Gazmin was referring to the acquisition of many new assets for the AFP which include the South Korean-made FA-50PHs, AgustaWestland attack AW-109E helicopters, Bell 205 combat utility helicopters, Airbus Military C-295 transport aircraft, new M-4 rifles and refurbished armored personnel carriers.

Having these assets on hand will greatly enhance the capability of the AFP to defend and protect the country's vast territories.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=848789

PNP activates dedicated office to assist OPAPP, peace process efforts

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 21): PNP activates dedicated office to assist OPAPP, peace process efforts

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has activated an ad hoc peace process and development office under the Office of the Chief PNP. The office is dedicated to supporting the efforts of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and other government instrumentalities involved in peace processes with the different rebel groups in the country.

According to PNP General Order DPL-15-26, the Ad Hoc Peace Process and Development Office shall be placed under the direct functional supervision of the PNP’s Directorate for Operations and shall be primarily responsible for monitoring the development and implementation of peace agreements and pertinent laws.

Aside from closely coordinating with the OPAPP and other government agencies involved in peace processes, the PNP peace process office with the acronym of PPDO-OCPNP is also expected to “consolidate and integrate inputs which may be required in furtherance of the peace process agenda of the government” as well as to “consolidate, integrate, and disseminate the implementation of the government’s peace process agenda”. It is also tasked to "prepare position papers for the effective implementation of the peace process program."

The OPAPP, all in all, has a total of five peace and development tracks in various stages of completion: closure to the peace track with Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa – Pilipinas (RPM-P) / Revolutionary Proletarian Army (RPA) / Alex Boncayao Brigade (ABB); complete implementation of signed Final Peace Agreements with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA) and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF); and the resumption of the talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) / New People’s Army (NPA) / National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

The PPDO-OCPNP, according to the general order, shall be headed by a police commissioned officer with the rank of Police Chief Superintendent and shall maintain four sections to correspond to the needs of the peace process: (1)Research and Planning Section, (2) GPH-MILF/MNLF Peace Process Section, (3) GPH-Other Rebel Groups Peace Process Section, and, (4) Monitoring Section.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), similarly, has a unit also dedicated to the peace agenda of the government headed by Brigadier General Buenaventura C. Pascual. Together with the AFP, the PNP also has an active participation in the Bangsamoro peace process specifically its normalization component.

Under the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), the negotiated peace settlement between the government and the MILF that served as basis for the drafting of the original BBL draft, AFP and PNP personnel together with MILF combatants shall form joint peace and security teams (JPSTs) tasked to maintain peace and order in areas mutually identified by the government and the MILF. Accordingly, PPDO-OCPNP is also in-charge of supervising PNP personnel detailed to the JPSTs.

The office and the GPH Panel for Talks with the MILF have been conducting updates and briefings on the CAB among municipal police officers in the different regions of Mindanao. As of today, these whole day conferences have been held in the Davao and CARAGA regions as well as Cagayan de Oro.(

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=848889

PN to cooperate with probe on Marine officer bagged in PHP320-M drug bust

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 21): PN to cooperate with probe on Marine officer bagged in PHP320-M drug bust

In wake of reports claiming that one of its Marine officers were nabbed by anti-narcotics agents during operations in Sta. Cruz, Manila along with a suspected Chinese drug dealer Thursday, the Philippine Navy (PN) said it is committing its full cooperation to any investigation.

"The PN does not condone any illegal activities of its members. If the person reported is indeed a member of the Navy and clearly in violation of our laws, it will cooperate actively in the implementation of the law," PN spokesperson Col. Edgard Arevalo said in a message to the PNA.

The Marine officer arrested during the operation which yielded PHP320 million worth of shabu was identified as Lt. Col. Ferdinand Marcelino.

Also arrested in the raid was 33-year-old Yan Yi Shou. Both of them were apprehended by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency agents at Felix Huertas corner Batangas Streets in Sta. Cruz, Manila.

"We have one Ferdinand Marcelino as among active Marine personnel. As of this time however, we are yet to receive a formal report of the incident or a notice to indicate that he is the same person allegedly apprehended in the raid. We only learned this incidents from news reports," Arevalo stressed.

As of this time, the PN is not aware either of the circumstances of the arrest or if the person arrested and the one in our record are the same.

"Assuming that he is the same person, the Navy is not aware of the reason for his alleged presence in the location of the raid. What the Navy knows is that Lt. Col. Ferdinand Marcelino in our list has just assumed his post Jan. 18, 2016 as Superintendent of the Navy Officer Candidate School stationed at the Naval Education and Training Command in Zambales," the PN spokesperson disclosed.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=848917

Escudero asks MILF to help secure NGCP towers in Mindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 21): Escudero asks MILF to help secure NGCP towers in Mindanao

Vice presidential candidate and Senator Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero called on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Thursday to play an active role in ensuring the success of the May elections in Mindanao by helping secure the transmission towers of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) that have been the subject of at least 17 bomb attacks since last year.

“There can be no better time for the MILF to show good faith and sincerity than now when the BBL (Bangsamoro Basic Law) is under consideration in the legislature,” Escudero said.

Escudero said that while the NGCP has issued urgent appeals to the military, police and local residents to help secure its towers, the MILF should take it upon itself to be involved in the security since most of the bombed transmission towers are located in its bailiwick, particularly the provinces of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur.

“These are the areas where the MILF has presence and wields some form of authority. Surely, they will be in a position to secure the NGCP towers,” Escudero explained.

As of last week, at least 17 NGCP towers have already been bombed by unidentified suspects, although many residents have blamed the renegade Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) for most of the attacks.

Escudero said the BIFF involvement is an issue that could be contained by the MILF since many of its officials and members have relatives and friends aligned with the group.

At the same time, Escudero said the MILF could also be “instrumental in settling, negotiating for and mediating land claims and zonal problems which have kept the NGCP from throwing a more reliable blanket security around its towers.”

“With its formidable and respected position in Muslim society, the MILF could also intervene in these matters to assure the uninterrupted and efficient operation of the NGCP which will be tantamount to peace, order and development in that part of Mindanao,” he averred.

The NGCP and President Benigno S. Aquino III himself have lamented that land claims, zonal problems and unreasonable land owners have stood in the way of the power transmission firm’s objective to provide constant power to Mindanao.

“The MILF holds the key to solving these problems. And should the BBL come into fruition, the MILF leaders should start considering themselves as partners in progress, especially in the power industry,” Escudero said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=848948

16th IB deployed to Surigao Del Sur

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 21): 16th IB deployed to Surigao Del Sur

The 16th Infantry Battalion, a field unit of the Tanay-based 2nd Infantry Division, was formally deployed to Surigao Del Sur on Tuesday.

It will now be under the operational control of the Cagayan De Oro-based 4th Infantry Division.

In a statement Thursday, 2nd Infantry Division spokesperson 1st Lt. Xy-Zon Meneses said send-off ceremonies took place at Villamor Air Base, Pasay City.

It will augment the 4th Infantry Division's anti-insurgency patrols and operations.

In attendance were 2nd Infantry Division commander Major Gen. Romeo G. Gan and other ranking officials of the unit.

The 16th Infantry Battalion had just finished its disaster and risk reduction operation mission in Mindoro prior to its deployment to Surigao Del Sur. The former is commanded by Lt. Col. Andres C. Ferrer.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=849004

SOCOM to celebrate 25th founding anniversary Friday

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 21): SOCOM to celebrate 25th founding anniversary Friday

The Philippine Army (PA)'s Special Operations Command (SOCOM) will celebrate its 25th founding anniversary at Fort Magsaysay, Palayan City, Nueva Ecija on Friday.

With this milestone, PA spokesperson Col. Benjamin Hao said the unit would continue to provide committed and excellent service to the country and the people.

SOCOM is a home to the Army's elite forces - the First Scout Ranger Regiment, the Special Forces Regiment (Airborne), and the Light Reaction Regiment.

Since its establishment, SOCOM units have figured prominently in most Armed Forces of the Philippines campaigns.

Hao said SOCOM's mission was to organize, train, equip, and sustain the Army's special operation forces in the conduct of special operations in support to the PA's mission of securing the motherland.

The First Scout Ranger Regiment, popularly known as the Scout Rangers, specializes in anti-guerilla warfare.

The Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) are also trained in counter-insurgency operation, primarily in unconventional warfare and psychological warfare operations.

They are referred to as the "Silent Warriors". The Light Reaction Regiment, on the other hand, is the Army's premier frontliner in counter-terrorism operations.

One of the highlights of the 25th anniversary celebration is the recognition of personnel who distinguished themselves both in combat and administrative duties.

"I congratulate the brave and dedicated soldiers of the Special Operations Command on the occasion of their Silver Anniversary. I urge you all to continue working for the attainment of our mission. Let us deliver more this 2016 to guarantee and sustain the gains we have achieved," PA chief Lt. Gen. Eduardo M. Año said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=849037

Military official, Chinese national nabbed in anti-drug raid

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 21): Military official, Chinese national nabbed in anti-drug raid

Operatives of the PNP- Anti-Illegal Drugs Group and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) arrested a military official and a Chinese national and seized an estimated PHP320 million worth of methamphetamine hydrocloride also known as ‘shabu’ during a anti-drug operation in Manila early on Thursday morning.

PNP Anti-Illegal Drugs Group Legal and Investigation Division chief Roque Merdeguia identified the suspects as Lt. Col. Ferdinand Marcelino, a member of the Philippine Marines and a former official of the PDEA Special Enforcement Services office and Yan Yi Shou, 33, a Chinese national, who also worked for PDEA as an interpreter.

Merdeguia said the suspects were arrested around 12:30 a.m. in a town house in Felix Huertas corner Batangas Streets, Sta. Cruz, Manila in the police operation based on the virtue of search warrant issued by Executive Judge Fernando Sagun Jr. of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.

Merdeguia said based on the search warrant, the house serves as a storage area of illegal drugs but to their surprise, they discovered that it was actually a shabu laboratory.

He said over 64 kilos of shabu amounting to PHP320 million, other drug paraphernalia and three cellular phones allegedly used for illegal transactions were seized in the operation.

Merdeguia said they were also surprised by Marcelino's presence in the area since he never appeared in the intelligence radar of the PNP and PDEA and he is also not in the “watch list” of persons involved in illegal drugs operation.

Merdeguia said they will probe the activities of Marcelino to identify his ties with the arrested Chinese national and other persons involved in illegal drugs activities.

For his part, PDEA Director General Arturo Cacdac said since Marcelino is present in clandestine laboratory area during the operation, he is now considered as a suspect.

Cacdac who rushed to the area, ordered the investigation against Marcelino, who accompanied the Chinese national. However, Marcelino denied involvement in the operation of the illegal drugs laboratory, explaining that he was doing intelligence work in the area.

”I supposed they know each other because they arrived in the area together. We need to charge him in court so that he can defend himself and prove his innocence,” Cacdac said.

Marcelino is the head of the special enforcement service of PDEA during the leadership of former PDEA director general Dionisio Santiago from 2006 to 2011.

He led the arrest of one of the “top-level” drug peddlers, the “Alabang Boys” in 2008.

However, he was dismissed from PDEA after his men revealed that he is planting pieces of evidences to supposed drug suspects.

The suspects will be charged for violation of Cases for violation of Section 8 and 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=849013

Troops kill five, overrun Maoist camp in Mindanao

From The Gulf Today (Jan 32): Troops kill five, overrun Maoist camp in Mindanao

Army soldiers killed five members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) when they overrun their camp in a heavily-forested area in Agusan del Sur province in volatile Mindanao, the military reported on Wednesday.

Colonel Alexander Macano, an Army battalion commander, said his men, who did not suffer any casualty, captured the camp after a fierce gunbattle on Tuesday morning in a remote village in the town of Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.

Macano said that aside from killing the five Maoist insurgents, the soldiers also seized from the camp assorted heavy weapons, anti-tank and anti-personnel landmines, bomb-making as well as subversive materials. The camp can accommodate at least 70 people and included huts and a lecture hall which can also be used for dining, according to Macanao.

He said the capture of the camp was part of the military’s intensified campaign to protect villagers especially from remote areas who were threatened if they did not support the movement by paying them tribute such as food and money.

The NPA with about 4,000 members is the armed component of the Communist Party of the Philippines that has been waging a Maoist-style insurgency against the government for more than 45 years, considered the longest in Asia and the Pacific.

In 2012, President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino initiated the resumption of peace talks with the Maoists through their political arm the National Democratic Front (NDF) in Oslo, Norway which has been brokering the negotiations.

But the talks again bogged down in late 2013 due to what the government panel said were the NDF’s “unreasonable” demands especially the release of 30 of their “consultants” arrested on orders by the lower courts where they were facing non-bailable criminal charges such as murder, kidnapping and serious illegal detention.

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