From the Journal Online (Apr 4): Trillanes warns on communist infiltration
SENATOR Antonio Trillanes IV has warned that some communist rebels might use the housing projects in Pandi, Bulacan, occupied by the militant Kadamay group, as their “safe haven” amid a report that insurgents are already “employed” in some government agencies.
Trillanes was replying to a question whether New People’s Army (NPA) rebels had already “infiltrated” the idle government housing project in Pandi.
“Definitely, ‘yan ‘yung kanilang mass base. So, andyan na (sila). Nakita mo hindi ni-re-resolve?”
“Pa-sweldo ng gobyerno na ‘yung mga NPA. P’wede na ‘yan maging safe haven ng mga komunista, ng kanilang armed regulars. So, ang hirap May security implications din ‘yan,” said Trillanes.
He lamented that the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines (CPP-NPA-NDFP) is taking advantage of the Duterte administration, especially now that the government has resumed peace talks with them.
Trillanes confirmed that his office had received intelligence report about some communist rebels working as government employees.
Asked in which agencies they were employed, he said: “Nandidiyan ginagamit nila ‘yung DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) at itong DAR (Department of Agrarian Reform).”
“Tapos ‘yung mga hawak nila, sa DoLE (Department of Labor and Employment) meron din sila, sa NAPC (National Anti-Poverty Commission). So, they are spread throughout the bureaucracy at kinukuha nila yung mga cadre nila on the ground,” he said.
The “social activists” in the Duterte Cabinet include Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo, Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano, and NAPC lead convenor Liza Masa.
http://www.journal.com.ph/news/top-stories/trillanes-warns-on-communist-infiltration
Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Revolutionary tax derails truce between govt, Reds
From ABS-CBN (Apr 5): Revolutionary tax derails truce between govt, Reds
http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/05/17/revolutionary-tax-derails-truce-between-govt-reds
http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/05/17/revolutionary-tax-derails-truce-between-govt-reds
NPA eyed in burning of trailer truck in Makilala
From MindaNews (Apr 4): NPA eyed in burning of trailer truck in Makilala
A trailer truck loaded with bananas was “intentionally burned” by suspected New People’s Army (NPA) along the national highway here Monday night.
Police reports reaching Mayor Rudy Caoagdan said unidentified armed men believed to be members of the NPA “intentionally burned” a trailer truck of the Cowboy Trucking of La Frutera, Inc. at around 7:45 p.m. Monday along Sitio Flortam, Barangay Batasan.
The burning came barely four hours after the fourth round of formal peace talks between government (GRP) and the National Democratic Front (NDF) opened in The Netherlands.
“I feel bad and disappointed about these incidents knowing that our national leadership had opened the doors for peace in our country. Talks about building peace have just been reopened. I hope we could give this effort a chance for the sake of our children. I am sure all of us want peace and hopefully our generation will be able to experience it,” Mayor Caoagdan told MindaNews.
The truck was bound for Davao City from the La Frutera plantation in Datu Paglas, Maguindanao.
A trailer truck carrying bananas was burned at around 7:45 p.m. Monday, 03 April 2017, in Barangay Batasan, Makilala, North Cotabato. Police said the truck was “intentionally burned” burned by suspected members of the New People’s Army. MindaNews photo by Carolyn O. Arguillas
Toto Omar, the driver of the truck, told MindaNews he was flagged down by around 10 men carrying short and long firearms on both sides of the highway.
Omar said he and his son, the truck helper, were ordered to disembark and as soon as they did, the armed men set the truck on fire and fled.
“Kalit ra kaayo” (it was so sudden), he said.
Omar narrated there were three trucks on convoy from the plantation in Datu Paglas and he was in the middle. The first truck had passed while the last truck was spared because the driver was still finishing dinner nearby.
He said they were delivering the bananas to Unifrutti in Davao City which is exporting the bananas to the Middle East, Japan and South Korea.
Ramon Macaraeg, supervisor at Cowboy Trucking, told MindaNews they estimate at least P7 million losses for the truck, the refrigerated container van filled with nearly 1,200 boxes of bananas.
The trailer truck that was set on fire Monday night, 03 April 2017 in Barangay Batasan, Makilala, North Cotabato carried nearly 1,200 boxes of bananas, MindaNews photo by Carolyn O. Arguillas
He said it was the first time in the 20-year history of La Frutera that a company truck was burned.
Monday night’s truck burning was the second vehicle burning in Makilala in less than a month.
On March 13, a newly-acquired passenger bus of the Yellow Bus Lines was burned by suspected NPA guerrillas at Purok 6 in Barangay Taluntalunan at around 8:30 a.m. after asking its passengers and drivers to disembark.
The bus was on its second day of plying the Marbel-Tacurong-Davao route.
Suspected members of the New Peoples Army (NPA) torched a bus of the Yellow Bus Line (YBL) in Purok 6, Barangay Taluntalunan, Makilala, North at around 8:30 a.m. 13 March 2017. The bus was bound fro Davao City from Koronadal City via Tacurong. MINDANEWS PHOTO
Its burning came a day after Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza announced from Utrecht, The Netherlands that the GRP and NDP had agreed to put the peace process back on track after month-long skirmishes and that they would each restore the unilateral ceasefire they lifted in February, before the fourth round of formal peace talks.
Both sides did not declare a unilateral ceasefire. But the fourth round of formal talks opened at 10 a.m. on April 3 (4 p.m. in the Philippines) at the Radisson Blu Palace Hotel in Noordwijk aan Zee, The Netherlands to tackle the Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms and discuss the forging of a bilateral ceasefire.
http://www.mindanews.com/peace-process/2017/04/npa-eyed-in-burning-of-trailer-truck-in-makilala/
A trailer truck loaded with bananas was “intentionally burned” by suspected New People’s Army (NPA) along the national highway here Monday night.
Police reports reaching Mayor Rudy Caoagdan said unidentified armed men believed to be members of the NPA “intentionally burned” a trailer truck of the Cowboy Trucking of La Frutera, Inc. at around 7:45 p.m. Monday along Sitio Flortam, Barangay Batasan.
The burning came barely four hours after the fourth round of formal peace talks between government (GRP) and the National Democratic Front (NDF) opened in The Netherlands.
“I feel bad and disappointed about these incidents knowing that our national leadership had opened the doors for peace in our country. Talks about building peace have just been reopened. I hope we could give this effort a chance for the sake of our children. I am sure all of us want peace and hopefully our generation will be able to experience it,” Mayor Caoagdan told MindaNews.
The truck was bound for Davao City from the La Frutera plantation in Datu Paglas, Maguindanao.
A trailer truck carrying bananas was burned at around 7:45 p.m. Monday, 03 April 2017, in Barangay Batasan, Makilala, North Cotabato. Police said the truck was “intentionally burned” burned by suspected members of the New People’s Army. MindaNews photo by Carolyn O. Arguillas
Toto Omar, the driver of the truck, told MindaNews he was flagged down by around 10 men carrying short and long firearms on both sides of the highway.
Omar said he and his son, the truck helper, were ordered to disembark and as soon as they did, the armed men set the truck on fire and fled.
“Kalit ra kaayo” (it was so sudden), he said.
Omar narrated there were three trucks on convoy from the plantation in Datu Paglas and he was in the middle. The first truck had passed while the last truck was spared because the driver was still finishing dinner nearby.
He said they were delivering the bananas to Unifrutti in Davao City which is exporting the bananas to the Middle East, Japan and South Korea.
Ramon Macaraeg, supervisor at Cowboy Trucking, told MindaNews they estimate at least P7 million losses for the truck, the refrigerated container van filled with nearly 1,200 boxes of bananas.
The trailer truck that was set on fire Monday night, 03 April 2017 in Barangay Batasan, Makilala, North Cotabato carried nearly 1,200 boxes of bananas, MindaNews photo by Carolyn O. Arguillas
He said it was the first time in the 20-year history of La Frutera that a company truck was burned.
Monday night’s truck burning was the second vehicle burning in Makilala in less than a month.
On March 13, a newly-acquired passenger bus of the Yellow Bus Lines was burned by suspected NPA guerrillas at Purok 6 in Barangay Taluntalunan at around 8:30 a.m. after asking its passengers and drivers to disembark.
The bus was on its second day of plying the Marbel-Tacurong-Davao route.
Suspected members of the New Peoples Army (NPA) torched a bus of the Yellow Bus Line (YBL) in Purok 6, Barangay Taluntalunan, Makilala, North at around 8:30 a.m. 13 March 2017. The bus was bound fro Davao City from Koronadal City via Tacurong. MINDANEWS PHOTO
Its burning came a day after Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza announced from Utrecht, The Netherlands that the GRP and NDP had agreed to put the peace process back on track after month-long skirmishes and that they would each restore the unilateral ceasefire they lifted in February, before the fourth round of formal peace talks.
Both sides did not declare a unilateral ceasefire. But the fourth round of formal talks opened at 10 a.m. on April 3 (4 p.m. in the Philippines) at the Radisson Blu Palace Hotel in Noordwijk aan Zee, The Netherlands to tackle the Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms and discuss the forging of a bilateral ceasefire.
http://www.mindanews.com/peace-process/2017/04/npa-eyed-in-burning-of-trailer-truck-in-makilala/
Sara Duterte suspends localized peace talks with NPA amid GPH-NDF negotiations
From GMA News (Apr 5): Sara Duterte suspends localized peace talks with NPA amid GPH-NDF negotiations
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte on Wednesday announced that the local government would suspend its peace talks with the New People’s Army (NPA) while the national government and the National Democratic Front (NDF) resume the fourth round of the negotiations in The Netherlands.
“Let me underscore that my peace offer is aligned with the national government's peace agenda vis-à-vis the 4th round of talks between the National Democratic Front of the Philippines and the Government of the Philippines peace panel in the Netherlands where a bilateral ceasefire is being passionately pursued,” she said in a statement.
“In view of this recent development, I would like to put on hold, in the meantime, our agreement to conduct localized peace talks here in Davao City,” she added.
“Instead, let us wait and see how the efforts of the national government to end the insurgency problem will unfold.”
When President Rodrigo Duterte cancelled the peace talks with the communist rebels in February, Sara Duterte, his daughter, invited the NPA to talk peace with the local government of Davao City to avoid clashes.
Sara, in her statement on Wednesday, expressed her support for the GPH-NDF peace talks pursued by her father’s administration.
“The Local Government of Davao is also supportive of President Rodrigo Duterte's demand for the declaration of a ceasefire as a primary condition to the peace process,” she said.
However, she said they “share the position that the NPA must end its taxation or extortion activities, must release all captured soldiers/cops, and must cease from claiming so-called revolutionary territories.”
Sara also thanked the NPA for being cooperative when she offered to engage them in local peace talks.
“I would like to extend my gratitude to the New People's Army for promptly responding to my peace offer. At the same time, I would like to apologize to all the stakeholders, especially the people of Davao, for the delay in – what I believe is – our collective pursuit of peace because of my pregnancy,” Sara Duterte said.
“The City Government of Davao remains aggressive in this worthwhile pursuit of a lasting peace, knowing very well that only after we are able to claim peace that we can achieve justice, transform our communities, and empower and liberate our people,” she added.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/605939/news/regions/sara-duterte-suspends-localized-peace-talks-with-npa-amid-gph-ndf-negotiations
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte on Wednesday announced that the local government would suspend its peace talks with the New People’s Army (NPA) while the national government and the National Democratic Front (NDF) resume the fourth round of the negotiations in The Netherlands.
“Let me underscore that my peace offer is aligned with the national government's peace agenda vis-à-vis the 4th round of talks between the National Democratic Front of the Philippines and the Government of the Philippines peace panel in the Netherlands where a bilateral ceasefire is being passionately pursued,” she said in a statement.
“In view of this recent development, I would like to put on hold, in the meantime, our agreement to conduct localized peace talks here in Davao City,” she added.
“Instead, let us wait and see how the efforts of the national government to end the insurgency problem will unfold.”
When President Rodrigo Duterte cancelled the peace talks with the communist rebels in February, Sara Duterte, his daughter, invited the NPA to talk peace with the local government of Davao City to avoid clashes.
Sara, in her statement on Wednesday, expressed her support for the GPH-NDF peace talks pursued by her father’s administration.
“The Local Government of Davao is also supportive of President Rodrigo Duterte's demand for the declaration of a ceasefire as a primary condition to the peace process,” she said.
However, she said they “share the position that the NPA must end its taxation or extortion activities, must release all captured soldiers/cops, and must cease from claiming so-called revolutionary territories.”
Sara also thanked the NPA for being cooperative when she offered to engage them in local peace talks.
“I would like to extend my gratitude to the New People's Army for promptly responding to my peace offer. At the same time, I would like to apologize to all the stakeholders, especially the people of Davao, for the delay in – what I believe is – our collective pursuit of peace because of my pregnancy,” Sara Duterte said.
“The City Government of Davao remains aggressive in this worthwhile pursuit of a lasting peace, knowing very well that only after we are able to claim peace that we can achieve justice, transform our communities, and empower and liberate our people,” she added.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/605939/news/regions/sara-duterte-suspends-localized-peace-talks-with-npa-amid-gph-ndf-negotiations
Government, Reds agree on joint interim ceasefire
From the Philippine Star (Apr 5): Government, Reds agree on joint interim ceasefire
In the fourth round of talks held in the Netherlands, the government peace panel and the NDF represented by Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman Jose Ma. Sison (left) agreed on a joint interim ceasefire as they discuss the conditions that will be included in the bilateral ceasefire agreement. Berit Roald / NTB scanpix via AP, File
MANILA, Philippines - The government and the National Democratic Front (NDF) yesterday agreed on a joint interim ceasefire.
In the fourth round of talks held in the Netherlands, the government peace panel led by its chairman Silvestre Bello III and the NDF represented by Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman Jose Ma. Sison agreed on a joint interim ceasefire as they discuss the conditions that will be included in the bilateral ceasefire agreement.
“We welcome the openness of NDF to undertake a forging of this round of talks of an agreement on joint interim ceasefire that will accompany our peace negotiations throughout,” Bello said.
Under the bilateral ceasefire agreement, the government and the NDF are expected to discuss the revolutionary tax collection of the CPP’s New People’s Army, hostile acts, strength of military forces and the NPA, and the release of political prisoners.
NDF peace panel chairman Fidel Agcaoili said the ceasefire agreement should not be pursued as an end in itself because “ceasefires, whether unilateral or bilateral or joint, are just a means to an end.”
Meanwhile, presidential adviser on the peace process Jesus Dureza said that any agreements reached by the two panels will be reflected on the ground.
“It will move us forward. It’s difficult when we sign an agreement and no one is following it,” Dureza said.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/04/05/1687785/government-reds-agree-joint-interim-ceasefire
In the fourth round of talks held in the Netherlands, the government peace panel and the NDF represented by Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman Jose Ma. Sison (left) agreed on a joint interim ceasefire as they discuss the conditions that will be included in the bilateral ceasefire agreement. Berit Roald / NTB scanpix via AP, File
MANILA, Philippines - The government and the National Democratic Front (NDF) yesterday agreed on a joint interim ceasefire.
In the fourth round of talks held in the Netherlands, the government peace panel led by its chairman Silvestre Bello III and the NDF represented by Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman Jose Ma. Sison agreed on a joint interim ceasefire as they discuss the conditions that will be included in the bilateral ceasefire agreement.
“We welcome the openness of NDF to undertake a forging of this round of talks of an agreement on joint interim ceasefire that will accompany our peace negotiations throughout,” Bello said.
Under the bilateral ceasefire agreement, the government and the NDF are expected to discuss the revolutionary tax collection of the CPP’s New People’s Army, hostile acts, strength of military forces and the NPA, and the release of political prisoners.
NDF peace panel chairman Fidel Agcaoili said the ceasefire agreement should not be pursued as an end in itself because “ceasefires, whether unilateral or bilateral or joint, are just a means to an end.”
Meanwhile, presidential adviser on the peace process Jesus Dureza said that any agreements reached by the two panels will be reflected on the ground.
“It will move us forward. It’s difficult when we sign an agreement and no one is following it,” Dureza said.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/04/05/1687785/government-reds-agree-joint-interim-ceasefire
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Army official lauds local militia members for surrendering
From the Philippine Information Agency (Apr 4): Army official lauds local militia members for surrendering
ASIPULO, Ifugao - - The commander of the 54th Infantry Battalion lauded 10 members of the local militia force of the New People’s Army who voluntarily surrendered to government forces on Monday, April 3.
“I truly commend the bravery and strong desire of our brothers to denounce their allegiance to the NPA,” Lt. Colonel Nicolas Quemado, Jr. said as he appealed to others to do the same to clear their names.
Asipulo Vice Mayor Tomas Pullupul and Namal punong barangay Grace Tayaban accompanied the local militia members to the headquarters of the 54th IB at Barangay Baguinge in Kiangan’ Ifugao and took their oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines administered by Quemado.
It can be recalled that on February 12 this year, soldiers from the 54th IB overran a rebel camp in barangay Namal, Asipulo and recovered high power firearms, laptops, cameras and subversive documents containing the list of organized local militia forces.
http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/161491291252/-army-official-lauds-local-militia-members-for-surrendering
ASIPULO, Ifugao - - The commander of the 54th Infantry Battalion lauded 10 members of the local militia force of the New People’s Army who voluntarily surrendered to government forces on Monday, April 3.
“I truly commend the bravery and strong desire of our brothers to denounce their allegiance to the NPA,” Lt. Colonel Nicolas Quemado, Jr. said as he appealed to others to do the same to clear their names.
Asipulo Vice Mayor Tomas Pullupul and Namal punong barangay Grace Tayaban accompanied the local militia members to the headquarters of the 54th IB at Barangay Baguinge in Kiangan’ Ifugao and took their oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines administered by Quemado.
It can be recalled that on February 12 this year, soldiers from the 54th IB overran a rebel camp in barangay Namal, Asipulo and recovered high power firearms, laptops, cameras and subversive documents containing the list of organized local militia forces.
http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/161491291252/-army-official-lauds-local-militia-members-for-surrendering
Photo: Westmincom chief visits wounded soldiers
From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 3): Westmincom chief visits wounded soldiers
Maj. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, on Monday visits the troops who were wounded in a clash Sunday against the Abu Sayyaf bandits as military operations continue to rescue the remaining hostages in the province of Sulu. The wounded troops were admitted at Camp Navarro General Hospital in Zamboanga City. (PNA photo courtesy of Westmincom)
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=212
Maj. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, on Monday visits the troops who were wounded in a clash Sunday against the Abu Sayyaf bandits as military operations continue to rescue the remaining hostages in the province of Sulu. The wounded troops were admitted at Camp Navarro General Hospital in Zamboanga City. (PNA photo courtesy of Westmincom)
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=212
Photo: New Zealand frigate Te Kaha visits PHL
From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 4): New Zealand frigate Te Kaha visits PHL
Her Majesty's New Zealand Ship (HMNZS) Te Kaha (F77), the first Anzac class frigate operated by the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) and skippered by Commander Stephen John Lenik arrives Tuesday (April 4, 2017) at Pier 15, South Harbor, Manila for a goodwill visit to the Philippines that will conclude on April 7, 2017. (PNA photo by Ben Briones)
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=21
Her Majesty's New Zealand Ship (HMNZS) Te Kaha (F77), the first Anzac class frigate operated by the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) and skippered by Commander Stephen John Lenik arrives Tuesday (April 4, 2017) at Pier 15, South Harbor, Manila for a goodwill visit to the Philippines that will conclude on April 7, 2017. (PNA photo by Ben Briones)
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=21
Photo: Navy Captain Lincuna briefs crew and officers of the New Zealand Ship "Te Kaha"
From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 4): Navy Captain Lincuna briefs crew and officers of the New Zealand Ship "Te Kaha"
Philippine Navy (PN) Captain Lued L. Lincuna (left) briefs Commander Stephen John Lenik (center) of Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) upon arrival of New Zealand Ship "Te Kaha, " on Tuesday (April. 4, 2017) at Pier 15, South Harbor, Manila for a four-day goodwill visit to the Philippines that will conclude on April 7, 2017. At right is Commodore Albert A. Mogol, Flag Officer--In-Attendance, Armed Forces of the Philippines. (PNA photo by Ben Briones)
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=21
Philippine Navy (PN) Captain Lued L. Lincuna (left) briefs Commander Stephen John Lenik (center) of Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) upon arrival of New Zealand Ship "Te Kaha, " on Tuesday (April. 4, 2017) at Pier 15, South Harbor, Manila for a four-day goodwill visit to the Philippines that will conclude on April 7, 2017. At right is Commodore Albert A. Mogol, Flag Officer--In-Attendance, Armed Forces of the Philippines. (PNA photo by Ben Briones)
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=21
Photo: Welcome ceremony for New Zealand Ship Te Kaha
From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 4): Welcome ceremony for New Zealand Ship Te Kaha
Commodore Albert A. Mogol (at rostrum) of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) welcomes Her Majesty's New Zealand Ship (HMNZS) Te Kaha (F77), (in background), the first Anzac class frigate operated by the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) and skippered by Commander Stephen John Lenik (left, beside him), upon arrival Tuesday (April 4, 2017) at Pier 15, South Harbor, Manila. The frigate will conclude its goodwill visit to the Philippines on April 7, 2017. Others in photo are Captain Lued L. Lincuna (right) Director, Naval Public Affairs Office, Philippine Navy; and RNZN Maratime Component Commander, Commodere James Gilmour (behind Lenik). (PNA photo by Ben Briones)
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=21
Commodore Albert A. Mogol (at rostrum) of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) welcomes Her Majesty's New Zealand Ship (HMNZS) Te Kaha (F77), (in background), the first Anzac class frigate operated by the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) and skippered by Commander Stephen John Lenik (left, beside him), upon arrival Tuesday (April 4, 2017) at Pier 15, South Harbor, Manila. The frigate will conclude its goodwill visit to the Philippines on April 7, 2017. Others in photo are Captain Lued L. Lincuna (right) Director, Naval Public Affairs Office, Philippine Navy; and RNZN Maratime Component Commander, Commodere James Gilmour (behind Lenik). (PNA photo by Ben Briones)
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=21
Photo: HMNZS Te Kaha Commander Stephen John Lenik speech
From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 4): HMNZS Te Kaha Commander Stephen John Lenik speech
New Zealand frigate "Te Kaha" Commander Stephen John Lenik (with Sampaguita lace) sees great opportunity to further deepen maritime relationship between New Zealand and the Philippines. Lenik skippers Her Majesty's New Zealand Ship "Te Kaha", which arrived at Pier 15, South Harbor, Manila on Tuesday (April 4, 2017) for a goodwill visit to the Philippines. Among others in photo are Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Flag Officer in Command, Commodore Albert A. Mogol; Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) Maritime Component Commander, Commondore James Gilmour; Philippine Navy (PN), Director, Naval Public Affairs Office, Captain Lued L. Lincuna. (PNA photo by Ben Briones)
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=21
New Zealand frigate "Te Kaha" Commander Stephen John Lenik (with Sampaguita lace) sees great opportunity to further deepen maritime relationship between New Zealand and the Philippines. Lenik skippers Her Majesty's New Zealand Ship "Te Kaha", which arrived at Pier 15, South Harbor, Manila on Tuesday (April 4, 2017) for a goodwill visit to the Philippines. Among others in photo are Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Flag Officer in Command, Commodore Albert A. Mogol; Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) Maritime Component Commander, Commondore James Gilmour; Philippine Navy (PN), Director, Naval Public Affairs Office, Captain Lued L. Lincuna. (PNA photo by Ben Briones)
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=21
Police file raps vs NPA rebels in Davao Sur ambush
From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 4): Police file raps vs NPA rebels in Davao Sur ambush
The special investigation Task Group “Sibayan” has filed four counts of murder, robbery, destruction of government property and frustrated murder against the New People’s Army (NPA) for the ambush that killed four members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Bansalan town, Davao del Sur.
Chief Insp. Andrea dela Cerna, chief information officer of the Police Regional Office (PRO) XI, said Tuesday the four counts of murder, robbery and destruction of government property were docketed as XI-04-INQ-17C-00087 and XI-04-INQ-17C-00086 for the frustrated murder case.
The Task Force Sibayan named as respondents to the criminal charges barangay captain of Sibayan Eddie Dicdican, Brendel Terado alias "Gab/Val", Gilbert Amado alias "Bayan", Chargelyn Casquejo alias "Jellan/Megan’, and personalities who carry the aliases of "Soy-soy", "Kiram", "Bordz", "Kevin" and "Laklak", and four John Does.
It may be recalled that at around 7:30 a.m. last March 8, elements of the Bansalan PNP and a member of the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) from Davao del Sur PNP were ordered to proceed to Barangay Sibayan to conduct investigations on a shooting incident that transpired the night before.
Before reaching Sibayan, the PNP team was waylaid by NPA rebels that resulted to the killing of four PNP members, including the SOCO member, and the wounding of another.
Two days after the ambush, the NPA in the area admitted responsibility to the ambush.
President Rodrigo Duterte and PNP Chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa condemned the incident and personally visited the families of the victims and provided them with financial and moral support.
The Commission on Human Rights in Davao region also condemned the incident while other sectors expressed concern over its effects to the peace negotiations between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.
Dela Cerna said cases of double murder, docketed as XI-04-INV-17C-00085 at the Davao del Sur Provincial Prosecutor’s Office, were also filed against the persons of alias “Soy-soy”, “Laklak” and two John Does for the killing of Marlon Lumantas and Orlan Albopera last March 31.
Lumantas and Albopera were executed by the NPAs on the evening of March 7 in Sibayan.
She added that the cases are now being handled by Prosecutor Katrina Kris Gabrielle S. Givero.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=977360
The special investigation Task Group “Sibayan” has filed four counts of murder, robbery, destruction of government property and frustrated murder against the New People’s Army (NPA) for the ambush that killed four members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Bansalan town, Davao del Sur.
Chief Insp. Andrea dela Cerna, chief information officer of the Police Regional Office (PRO) XI, said Tuesday the four counts of murder, robbery and destruction of government property were docketed as XI-04-INQ-17C-00087 and XI-04-INQ-17C-00086 for the frustrated murder case.
The Task Force Sibayan named as respondents to the criminal charges barangay captain of Sibayan Eddie Dicdican, Brendel Terado alias "Gab/Val", Gilbert Amado alias "Bayan", Chargelyn Casquejo alias "Jellan/Megan’, and personalities who carry the aliases of "Soy-soy", "Kiram", "Bordz", "Kevin" and "Laklak", and four John Does.
It may be recalled that at around 7:30 a.m. last March 8, elements of the Bansalan PNP and a member of the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) from Davao del Sur PNP were ordered to proceed to Barangay Sibayan to conduct investigations on a shooting incident that transpired the night before.
Before reaching Sibayan, the PNP team was waylaid by NPA rebels that resulted to the killing of four PNP members, including the SOCO member, and the wounding of another.
Two days after the ambush, the NPA in the area admitted responsibility to the ambush.
President Rodrigo Duterte and PNP Chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa condemned the incident and personally visited the families of the victims and provided them with financial and moral support.
The Commission on Human Rights in Davao region also condemned the incident while other sectors expressed concern over its effects to the peace negotiations between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.
Dela Cerna said cases of double murder, docketed as XI-04-INV-17C-00085 at the Davao del Sur Provincial Prosecutor’s Office, were also filed against the persons of alias “Soy-soy”, “Laklak” and two John Does for the killing of Marlon Lumantas and Orlan Albopera last March 31.
Lumantas and Albopera were executed by the NPAs on the evening of March 7 in Sibayan.
She added that the cases are now being handled by Prosecutor Katrina Kris Gabrielle S. Givero.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=977360
Troops pursue communist rebels who burned cargo truck in N. Cotabato
From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 4): Troops pursue communist rebels who burned cargo truck in N. Cotabato
MAKILALA, North Cotabato -- Police and Army forces here are hunting down the suspected New People's Army (NPA) rebels who torched Monday night an 18-wheeler container truck loaded with bananas for export along a highway here.
Chief Inspector Elias Colonia, Makilala police chief, said the joint pursuit operation was immediately conducted following the burning of the truck at around 8 p.m. in Sitio Flortam, Barangay Batasan here.
Colonia said elements of the Makilala police and 39th Infantry Battalion quickly put up roadblocks to prevent the suspects from fleeing towards Mt. Apo, the country’s highest peak.
According to the cargo truck driver, Toto Omar, the armed men ordered him to disembark at gunpoint. They told him he won’t be harmed and that they were only after the truck. After the driver disembarked, the suspects poured gasoline on the truck.
The trailer truck is owned and operated by Paglas Corporation of Vice Mayor Tong Paglas of Datu Paglas, Maguindanao.
Investigators said the incident damaged at least PHP7 million worth of bananas for export and the vehicle.
Last month, communist rebels also torched a passenger bus owned by Yellow Bus Line, Inc. in the secluded area of Barangay San Vicente, also in Makilala.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=977404
MAKILALA, North Cotabato -- Police and Army forces here are hunting down the suspected New People's Army (NPA) rebels who torched Monday night an 18-wheeler container truck loaded with bananas for export along a highway here.
Chief Inspector Elias Colonia, Makilala police chief, said the joint pursuit operation was immediately conducted following the burning of the truck at around 8 p.m. in Sitio Flortam, Barangay Batasan here.
Colonia said elements of the Makilala police and 39th Infantry Battalion quickly put up roadblocks to prevent the suspects from fleeing towards Mt. Apo, the country’s highest peak.
According to the cargo truck driver, Toto Omar, the armed men ordered him to disembark at gunpoint. They told him he won’t be harmed and that they were only after the truck. After the driver disembarked, the suspects poured gasoline on the truck.
The trailer truck is owned and operated by Paglas Corporation of Vice Mayor Tong Paglas of Datu Paglas, Maguindanao.
Investigators said the incident damaged at least PHP7 million worth of bananas for export and the vehicle.
Last month, communist rebels also torched a passenger bus owned by Yellow Bus Line, Inc. in the secluded area of Barangay San Vicente, also in Makilala.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=977404
MILF's Camp Bushra gets PHP10M worth of projects as part of transformation process
From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 4): MILF's Camp Bushra gets PHP10M worth of projects as part of transformation process
At least PHP10 million worth of socio-economic and infrastructure projects were turned over to residents of Camp Bushra, one of the recognized camps of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Lanao del Sur, as part of the transformation process "to rehabilitate camps into productive, resilient and civilian-led communities."
Irene Santiago, chairperson of the government’s implementing panel, said the initiative is part of the confidence-building measures under the Annex on Normalization of the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).
“It actually shows the community that there are peace dividends,” Santiago said.
Under the three-year-old peace agreement, Camp Bushra is one of the six MILF camps recognized by the Philippine government. The others are camps Abubakar, Omar, Bad’r, Rajamuda and Bilal.
The socio-economic projects that were turned over on Monday included a solar dryer with warehouse and rice milling machine, two tire paths, a water system, a pathway and around PHP2 million worth of farm inputs.
Task Force Camp Transformation (TFCT), which is composed of representatives from the government and the MILF, oversees the projects.
It is financed under the Mindanao Trust Fund for Reconstruction and Development Program (MTF-RDP) for the six previously acknowledged MILF camps.
The MTF-RDP is a multi-donor funding facility managed by the World Bank (WB) with technical assistance from the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) and Community and Family Services International (CFSI).
Camp Bushra is the camp of MILF’s Eastern Mindanao Front. It is named after “the brave Caliph Ali.”
The camp is the home of former MILF Vice Chair Aleem Azis Mimbantas and has served as sanctuary of the late MILF Chair Ustadz Hashim Salamat during the all-out-war in 2000. Years later, both leaders were laid in peace at a secluded area of the camp.
Mohammad Salem, MILF coordinator for the TFCT, said part of the program is to capacitate the people’s organization in the area to “ensure that there is sustainability of the projects.”
Santiago said the camps transformation program is just one of several components under the peace deal.
She said there is a need for the people on the ground to feel the peace dividends, especially those areas that experienced “long deprivation” of basic services.
Meanwhile, the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) also turned over on Monday a solar dryer with warehouse to residents in Barangay Ulitan, Unkaya Pukan and Barangay Guiong in Sumisip, Basilan.
The project is implemented by the BDA through the Bangsamoro Assistance for Development and Community Empowerment, a component of the MTF-RDP.
It is also a confidence building measure of the GPH-MILF as provided in the peace agreement.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=977431
At least PHP10 million worth of socio-economic and infrastructure projects were turned over to residents of Camp Bushra, one of the recognized camps of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Lanao del Sur, as part of the transformation process "to rehabilitate camps into productive, resilient and civilian-led communities."
Irene Santiago, chairperson of the government’s implementing panel, said the initiative is part of the confidence-building measures under the Annex on Normalization of the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).
“It actually shows the community that there are peace dividends,” Santiago said.
Under the three-year-old peace agreement, Camp Bushra is one of the six MILF camps recognized by the Philippine government. The others are camps Abubakar, Omar, Bad’r, Rajamuda and Bilal.
The socio-economic projects that were turned over on Monday included a solar dryer with warehouse and rice milling machine, two tire paths, a water system, a pathway and around PHP2 million worth of farm inputs.
Task Force Camp Transformation (TFCT), which is composed of representatives from the government and the MILF, oversees the projects.
It is financed under the Mindanao Trust Fund for Reconstruction and Development Program (MTF-RDP) for the six previously acknowledged MILF camps.
The MTF-RDP is a multi-donor funding facility managed by the World Bank (WB) with technical assistance from the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) and Community and Family Services International (CFSI).
Camp Bushra is the camp of MILF’s Eastern Mindanao Front. It is named after “the brave Caliph Ali.”
The camp is the home of former MILF Vice Chair Aleem Azis Mimbantas and has served as sanctuary of the late MILF Chair Ustadz Hashim Salamat during the all-out-war in 2000. Years later, both leaders were laid in peace at a secluded area of the camp.
Mohammad Salem, MILF coordinator for the TFCT, said part of the program is to capacitate the people’s organization in the area to “ensure that there is sustainability of the projects.”
Santiago said the camps transformation program is just one of several components under the peace deal.
She said there is a need for the people on the ground to feel the peace dividends, especially those areas that experienced “long deprivation” of basic services.
Meanwhile, the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) also turned over on Monday a solar dryer with warehouse to residents in Barangay Ulitan, Unkaya Pukan and Barangay Guiong in Sumisip, Basilan.
The project is implemented by the BDA through the Bangsamoro Assistance for Development and Community Empowerment, a component of the MTF-RDP.
It is also a confidence building measure of the GPH-MILF as provided in the peace agreement.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=977431
Joint Task Force Sulu: Safety of Abu Sayyaf hostages a 'top concern'
From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 4): Joint Task Force Sulu: Safety of Abu Sayyaf hostages a 'top concern'
The Joint Task Force Sulu (JTFS) assured Tuesday that the safety of the hostages is of "primary concern" amid the intensified "focused military operation" (FMO) against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the province of Sulu.
Col. Cirilito Sobejana, JTFS commander, made the assurance as he revealed that they are tightening the noose around the Abu Sayyaf bandits in the town of Talipao.
“There are positive indicators,” Sobejana told the Philippines News Agency when asked if the assault team sighted any kidnapped victims in their ongoing focused military operation against the Abu Sayyaf bandits that started on Sunday.
The ongoing FMO in Talipao targets the group of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan. It is not clear if how many of the 28 hostages is being held by the group of Sawadjaan.
The hostages consist of 12 Vietnamese, nine Filipinos, seven Indonesians and a Dutch.
“Our operation is sustained, non-stop. We recovered two high-powered firearms and one dead ASG member,” Sobejana said.
“From the bloodstains we’ve seen on the ground, we are sure that the ASG suffered heavy casualties,” Sobejana said.
The offensive, which started on Sunday, left 32 soldiers from the 41st Infantry Battalion wounded.
“Troops were advancing towards their target when M-203 rounds were directed towards them, causing shrapnel wounds to the forward flank of the operating troops. However, the soldiers were still able to maneuver and take the advantage, pushing the bandits to scamper to different directions after hours of firefight,” a statement from the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) said.
“Our Joint Task Force Sulu continues to exhaust all efforts and means to contain the Abu Sayyaf and constrict its movement. We are continuously intensifying the conduct of focused military operations, in coordination with the local government and the people of Sulu, to rescue the kidnap victims and to neutralize the terrorist group," Maj. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Westmincom chief, said.
“We are confident that we can achieve this with the support of the people of Sulu and the local government,” he added.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=977453
The Joint Task Force Sulu (JTFS) assured Tuesday that the safety of the hostages is of "primary concern" amid the intensified "focused military operation" (FMO) against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the province of Sulu.
Col. Cirilito Sobejana, JTFS commander, made the assurance as he revealed that they are tightening the noose around the Abu Sayyaf bandits in the town of Talipao.
“There are positive indicators,” Sobejana told the Philippines News Agency when asked if the assault team sighted any kidnapped victims in their ongoing focused military operation against the Abu Sayyaf bandits that started on Sunday.
The ongoing FMO in Talipao targets the group of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan. It is not clear if how many of the 28 hostages is being held by the group of Sawadjaan.
The hostages consist of 12 Vietnamese, nine Filipinos, seven Indonesians and a Dutch.
“Our operation is sustained, non-stop. We recovered two high-powered firearms and one dead ASG member,” Sobejana said.
“From the bloodstains we’ve seen on the ground, we are sure that the ASG suffered heavy casualties,” Sobejana said.
The offensive, which started on Sunday, left 32 soldiers from the 41st Infantry Battalion wounded.
“Troops were advancing towards their target when M-203 rounds were directed towards them, causing shrapnel wounds to the forward flank of the operating troops. However, the soldiers were still able to maneuver and take the advantage, pushing the bandits to scamper to different directions after hours of firefight,” a statement from the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) said.
“Our Joint Task Force Sulu continues to exhaust all efforts and means to contain the Abu Sayyaf and constrict its movement. We are continuously intensifying the conduct of focused military operations, in coordination with the local government and the people of Sulu, to rescue the kidnap victims and to neutralize the terrorist group," Maj. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Westmincom chief, said.
“We are confident that we can achieve this with the support of the people of Sulu and the local government,” he added.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=977453
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