Soldiers in Escalante NPA clash receive medals

From the Sun Star-Bacolod (Nov 29): Soldiers in Escalante NPA clash receive medals



SAGAY. Colonel Benedict Arevalo, commanding officer of the Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade, pins a medal to one of the troopers who encountered the suspected rebels in Escalante City on November 16. (Brown Eagle)

SOLDIERS who encountered suspected rebels in Escalante City, Negros Occidental on November 16 were recognized at the 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) headquarters in Barangay Bato, Sagay City on Monday, November 26.

Colonel Benedict Arevalo, commanding officer of the 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde) based in Murcia town, awarded the members of the 79th IB and 6th Special Action Force (SAF) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) with military commendation medals.

“As a commander, I want to ensure that my troops will always be in the highest state of morale by giving them medals and due recognition for what they've worked hard for because well-motivated troops can easily win the campaign against the New People’s Army (NPA),” Arevalo said.

The SAF personnel were also recognized as a manifestation of the government forces strong collaboration and commitment to put an end to NPA's extortion and violence in the province.

“The Army and police in Negros will continue to strengthen collaboration to fight the terrorist NPAs,” Arevalo said.

On November 16, military troopers and SAF personnel engaged in a firefight with suspected rebels in Barangay Washington, resulting in the reported deaths of two rebels.

Following the reported sightings of armed men in the village, the military conducted clearing operations in the area when they encountered about 10 alleged NPA members, who were reportedly seeking refuge at one of the houses.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1776376

Army exec in Bicol says more troops needed to crush NPA

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Nov 29): Army exec in Bicol says more troops needed to crush NPA

A top military officer admitted that the deployment of more troops in the Bicol region is needed in the fight against insurgency.

Brigadier General Greg Almerol, Sorsogon-based 903rd Infantry Brigade commander, said he supports the pronouncement of President Duterte, of including Bicol region in Memorandum Order 32 as one of the areas which need additional forces “to suppress lawless violence.”
“The incidents of violence recorded in Bicol region is high for the past few months, particularly the attacks by New People’s Army (NPA) in Camarines provinces,” he said.

Almerol also admitted that Bicol lacks Army troops because most of the soldiers here have been deployed in Mindanao.

“We need additional armed forces to address the threats,” he said.

Asked about the strength of the New People’s Army and other terrorist groups in the region, Almerol said: “Actually they are almost eliminated, but we really need more troops in order to fasten the time frame in crushing them.”

On Monday, 107 members of the NPA operating in the towns of Claveria and Aroroy in Masbate province surrendered to authorities, turning over 19 firearms.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1058447/army-exec-in-bicol-says-more-troops-needed-to-crush-npa

1 soldier killed, another wounded in NPA ambush in Northern Samar

From Rappler (Nov 29): 1 soldier killed, another wounded in NPA ambush in Northern Samar

NPA rebels attack two soldiers buying food in a market

AMBUSHED. Corporal Jape V. Malbas of the Community Support Program team of the 20th Infantry Battalion is being treated for wounds sustained in an ambush. Photo courtesy of DPAO, 8ID

CATBALOGAN CITY, Philippines – Less than a week after President Rodrigo Duterte declared a state of national emergency, members of the Special Partisan Unit (SPARU) of the New People’s Army ambushed two soldiers of the 20th Infantry Battalion, Tuesday afternoon, November 27, in barangay San Miguel, Las Navas in Northern Samar.

Through Memorandum Order No. 32, Duterte ordered Friday, November 23, the deployment of more soldiers and police to the Bicol region and the provinces of Samar, Negros Oriental, and Negros Occidental to "suppress lawless violence and acts of terror"

Captain Francis Agno, spokesperson of the 8th Infantry Division Philippine Army based here, told Rappler that PFC Rommel C. Debuton and Corporal Jape V. Malbas of the Community Support Program team of the 20th IB were on their way to buy food in the Barangay San Miguel public market when they were ambushed by members of the SPARU of the NPA,

Debuton was killed while Malbas was wounded in the attack.

Malbas is now being treated in the hospital.

Soldiers of the 20th IB are now hunting the NPA rebels in the mountainous part of Las Navas.

Meanwhile, Major General Raul Farnacio, army chief of Eastern Visayas extended his condolences to the family of Debuton whom he said "offered and sacrificed his life while performing his duty."

According to Farnacio, Northern Samar is a "traditional hot spot area" and "these terrorists are depriving the people to act, think and live normally."

"Your Army will be more steadfast in its campaign, now, that we are under a state of national emergency, in suppressing lawless elements from sowing fear in the hearts and minds of vulnerable communities located in remote areas," Farnacio said.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/217868-soldier-killed-in-npa-ambush-in-northern-samar

Officials: Philippines to Launch Military Operations against Militants

From BenarNews (Nov 26): Officials: Philippines to Launch Military Operations against Militants



Members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters rest inside their stronghold in the southern Philippine province of Maguindanao, Aug. 17, 2011. AP                    

The Philippine military said Monday it would conduct sustained operations to flush radical groups out of their jungle camps ahead of the January 2019 plebiscite in the south.

Maj. Gen. Bienvenido Datuin, chief of the Armed Forces Civil Relations Service, said plans for the military operations were in the final stages, more than a year after pro-Islamic State (IS) militants were defeated in the southern city of Marawi.

“Definitely the areas controlled by the extremists will be targeted before the Jan. 21 plebiscite,” Datuin told reporters.

 

Presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza said the military had identified 12 villages in the town of Patikul on the remote Jolo island as areas of concern; as well as several territories in central Mindanao that are known to be strongholds of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and two areas in the Lanao provinces that have been identified as camps occupied by IS-linked militants.

The plebiscite is meant to ratify the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) that was passed in July by President Rodrigo Duterte’s government, four years after Manila and the 11,000-strong Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) inked a peace deal.

The BOL is aimed at giving the people in the impoverished south control over many local government functions, including taxation and education, and allowing Muslim Filipinos to incorporate Islamic law into their justice system.

It is also designed to give self-determination to the minority four million Muslims in the south by giving them powers to elect their own parliament. As part of the deal on the BOL, the MILF had also agreed to disband its fighting force.

Authorities hope that the BOL would end a nearly 40-year conflict that has killed more than 120,000 people in the country’s second-largest island of Mindanao.

The plebiscite is to take place in the predominantly Muslim provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur. It will also include six towns in Lanao del Norte and the cities of Cotabato and Isabela in Basilan.

Dureza said “there are areas in these provinces that government troops find it hard to gain entry because rebels control them.”

Violence in these areas could mar the plebiscite, he said.

“The military even advised me not to go to these areas,” Dureza said. “The government will have to deal with these potential trouble makers if we have to have an orderly plebiscite in the south.”

The BIFF have so far been the largest, most-organized group that is threatening the plebiscite. Composed of more radical and younger fighters, it had broken away from the MILF when the latter opted to negotiate autonomy for Muslims in the south.

BIFF had pledged allegiance to the IS, but did not send fighters when IS-linked militants led by Isnilon Hapilon, backed by foreign fighters, seized Marawi last year. The five-month battle destroyed Marawi and left 1,200 dead, most of them militants.

 

Duterte had not lifted martial law he had declared in the south, saying that many militants were known to have escaped during the Marawi fighting and joined armed groups in Mindanao’s vast jungle areas.

https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/philippine/philippines-militants-11262018094742.html

Two suspected Abu Sayyaf members jailed five months over immigration offence

From The Star Online (Nov 27): Two suspected Abu Sayyaf members jailed five months over immigration offence

KOTA KINABALU: Two suspected Abu Sayyaf members, who were arrested in a nationwide police swoop on militants early this month, were sentenced to five months' jail under an immigration offence.

 The two, rubber tapper Hassan Ali, 47, and construction worker Din Abdilla, 34, were also ordered to be given a stroke of the rotan.

Both pleaded guilty before Sessions Court judge Azreena Aziz to charges under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for having no documents in their possession.

The court also ordered that the duo be referred to the Immigration Department for deportation and have their biometric details recorded.
 
Hassan, a father of 10 children, has been living in Sabah for the last 38 years, while Din, who has six children, has been living in the state for the last 13 years.

The two, who were brought to the Kota Kinabalu courthouse Tuesday (Nov 27) under a tight security ring, were arrested on Nov 1 at Kampung Unggusan in Tenom about 200km from here during anti-terror operation by Bukit Aman.

The prosecution was led by Asst Supt Sabrina Jimius, while the duo were not represented.
 
On Nov 16, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said that seven Filipino-based Abu Sayyaf Group militants and a Malaysian Islamic State member were rounded up by the federal police in anti-terror swoops in Putrajaya and Sabah.

He said that the suspects were arrested by the Bukit Aman Special Branch Counter Terrorism Division between Oct 30 and Nov 12.

Hassan and Din were among three Filipinos arrested in Tenom whom police suspect were members of the kidnap-for-ransom group linked to the southern Philippines-based Abu Sayyaf group.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/11/27/two-suspected-abu-sayyaf-members-jailed-five-months-over-immigration-offence/

‘Siege’ on Duterte turf triggers panic; tougher sanctions vs cyberterrorism eyed

From the Business Mirror (Nov 28): ‘Siege’ on Duterte turf triggers panic; tougher sanctions vs cyberterrorism eyed

A pre-dawn raid on Monday on a New People’s Army (NPA) safehouse triggered a scare and sowed panic among residents here, as they reposted and shared supposed accounts of an encounter and labeled these as yet another attempt by the Maute Group to lay siege to the home turf of President Duterte reminiscent of what transpired in Marawi City last year.

At the Senate, the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs is mulling over the passage of remedial legislation imposing tougher penalties not just against those who commit terrorist acts, but also expands its coverage to include “those who abuse social media and money transfer services” to further terrorist ends, according to the panel chairman, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson Sr. He also confirmed members of his committee are “studying the inputs on the issues” raised at the committee hearing on anti-terrorism legislation.

Many schools in the southern suburbs in Davao suspended regular classes early afternoon and students were told to go straight home as parents milled outside the school gates to demand access to their children as Facebook posts popped up panic messages about the Maute Group staging a repeat of the violent and devastating siege of Marawi City a year ago.

The police later posted an account of the predawn raid it jointly conducted with the military at a former beach resort turned slum area in Talomo, some 10 kilometers west of downtown.

It said the raid was intended to serve an arrest warrant of a guerrilla leader bearing the nom de guerre Jeffrey, alleged commander of the NPA Pulang Bagani Command, which is known to operate in the northern hinterlands of the city.

The Davao City Police Office said the target of the joint military and police operation was a house in Purok 10, Talomo Cemento, formerly the popular public Victorio Beach Resort. The raid was conducted at 1:30 a.m. but it said the raiding and arresting team appeared to have been detected.

The police said the team of Jeffrey shot it out with the arresting team and hurled grenades as they fled the area.

Police Chief Supt. Marcelo Morales, the regional police chief, said Jeffrey was wanted for murder, serious illegal detention, robbery in band, and attempted murder.

He said the NPA guerrillas escaped in the dark through the cramped alleys and houses in what was once a beach resort.

There was no casualty from the government side during the encounter. Police recovered an M16-A1 rifle with a magazine loaded with 20 bullets and another spare short magazine loaded with 16 bullets. Operatives also found five pieces of Claymore mines and two improvised explosives.

Police power vs. terror

“WE must be clear,” Lacson said. “The State must take immediate action in the exercise of its exercise of its police powers to address the threat of terrorism.”

Lacson, however, affirmed that his committee will “make sure such provisions do not violate the constitutional rights to freedom of speech and freedom of expression.”

He clarified that this is “in the context of the State dealing with terrorism, and as such it needs immediate action in the exercise of its police powers to abate terrorism.”

This, even as Atty. Marwil Llasos of the Institute of International Legal Studies informed the committee during the hearing that social media has been used as a means of radicalization. Anything harmful to public safety and public order can be regulated by the state, he added. Moreover, Llasos noted law-enforcement agencies like the National Bureau of Investigation can take down social-media accounts for offenses such as cyberlibel.

The committee, likewise, learned other countries also have the authority to shut down social-media accounts deemed inimical to the national interest.

The Lacson committee indicated they are also keen to study another issue brought up during the hearing involving the potential “use of money transfer services to finance terrorist activities.”

At the same time, Lacson asserted the need for a mechanism in the Executive department that would keep President Duterte updated on terrorist threats.

“In the United States, the President receives a daily executive brief,” the senator said, adding: “There is need for a regular update to allow quick analysis, submitted on a regular basis. If not daily, at least weekly or monthly, to assist in the decision-making process.”

He explained that such a mechanism can also avoid repeat of the problems encountered by authorities in the 2001 Dos Palmas incident, where the Abu Sayyaf abducted 20 hostages at the Dos Palmas resort in Palawan.

Lacson, who headed the Philippine National Police from 1999 to 2001, filed Senate Bill 1956 seeking to enhance the Human Security Act of 2007 with provisions on foreign terrorists and aditional predicate crimes, after noting that “gaps in the law prevented authorities from implementing it properly.”

https://businessmirror.com.ph/siege-on-duterte-turf-triggers-panic-tougher-sanctions-vs-cyberterrorism-eyed/

Staff sergeant injured in 'NPA' attack

From the Sun Star-Bacolod (Nov 28): Staff sergeant injured in 'NPA' attack

A MEMBER of the Philippine Army was wounded after suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA) attacked the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit detachment in Barangay Asia, Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental on November 27.

Colonel Benedict Arevalo, commanding officer of the Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade based in Murcia town, identified the victim as Staff Sergeant Ricky Ignacio of the 12th Infantry Battalion.

The victim sustained a gunshot wound on his right buttock. He is now in stable condition.

Arevalo said the two suspected rebels reportedly harassed the new detachment, which is still being constructed.

He said the military troopers were able to retaliate, but they have yet to confirm if there were casualties on the rebels side.

Arevalo said rebels attacked the detachment because it will definitely affect their movements in the area.

The pursuit operation is ongoing.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1776214

12 NPA rebels surrender

From the Sun Star-Zamboanga (Nov 28): 12 NPA rebels surrender

TWELVE New People’s Army (NPA) rebels surrendered on November 26 in the towns of Kapai and Tagoloan, Lanao del Sur.

Lieutenant Colonel Jayson Jumawan, Army’s 82nd Infantry Battalion commander, said in a statement that the surrenderers also turned over a .30 Carbine rifle and a caliber 45 pistol.
He said they were part of the NPA’s organizing group. They have been placed under custodial debriefing to determine the extent of the group’s influence.

Major General Roseller Murillo, Army’s 1st Infantry Division commander, commended the efforts of the troops that led to the surrender of the rebels.

He vowed that the campaign against the NPA will remain relentless and will continue to insulate communities from their terroristic activities.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1776248

Duterte sends military division to Jolo after 5 soldiers die in clash

From the Manila Bulletin (Nov 28): Duterte sends military division to Jolo after 5 soldiers die in clash

An entire military division will be deployed to Jolo, Sulu to address the peace and order problem in the province and nearby places, President Duterte said last Tuesday.



President Rodrigo Roa Duterte
(KING RODRIGUEZ/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)

The President announced the imminent troop movement after expressing dismay with the violent clash between government forces and the Abu Sayyaf bandits in Patikul, Sulu several days ago.

The encounter, which left five soldiers dead and several others wounded, was considered a “flashpoint” by the President.

“We visited a wake at Cauayan. I was with (Defense) Secretary (Delfin) Lorenzana and (Interior and Local Government) Secretary (Eduardo) Año. I talked to them and complained about why so many of my soldiers in Jolo are dying,” he said during a visit to a military camp in Bohol.

“By December 1, I told Secretary Lorenzana, ‘I want one division there’ so I will provide you with a Glock and three magazines,” he told the government troops.

In a later media interview at the inauguration of a new Bohol Panglao International Airport, the President explained that he wanted a bigger military presence in Jolo following the recent attack by the Abu Sayyaf group.

“In Jolo, I also expressed my dismay about the losses that’s why I went to Cauayan to visit the five soldiers who were killed in Sulu and I went to Zamboanga last night to commiserate with the troops there. Twenty-five wounded soldiers and I gave them medals,” Duterte said.

“There will be a division size. Talagang isang division ilagay ko [I will put a division there]. Not only a company, not only a battalion, not a regiment but I’m going to place an entire division for the islands there towards Sabah,” he added.

The President earlier conferred the Order of Lapu-Lapu with rank of Kampilan on 23 soldiers wounded in a recent clash with the Abu Sayyaf group in Sulu. The slain soldiers were also posthumously awarded by the President.

The planned troop movement to Sulu comes amid the President’s decision to deploy more soldiers and cops to some parts of the country where incidents of lawless violence were reported.

Duterte earlier issued Memorandum Order No. 32 directing additional troops to the provinces of Samar, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, and the Bicol region to prevent the spread of violence.

The government forces have also been reminded to respect the constitutional rights of persons in performing their duty. “No civil or political rights are suspended during the existence of a state fo national emergency on account of lawless violence,” the order read.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/11/28/duterte-sends-military-division-to-jolo-after-5-soldiers-die-in-clash/

Hit squad vs NPA 'sparrows' a license to kill for Duterte - Sison

From ABS-CBN (Nov 28): Hit squad vs NPA 'sparrows' a license to kill for Duterte - Sison

 

 

 

President Rodrigo Duterte forming a hit squad to target members of a liquidation team commanded by leftist rebels is a "dangerous proposal" which aims to allow military officials to kill suspected fighters, Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairman Jose Maria Sison said Wednesday.

 

The chief executive said he would one day be forced to create his own Special Partisan Unit--referred to by the military as "SPARU" or "sparrows"--which will do nothing else but hunt down suspected New People's Army fighters.

Duterte says to form hit squad vs NPA ‘sparrows’

But Sison said these units "don’t exist anymore in the way they existed in the 1970s and 1980s." While he acknowledged that there were incidents of NPA teams hitting elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, he said these are "not necessarily Sparrow units."

"Duterte is just inventing the imagined and multiplying them as if Sparrow units are already under his own bed in Malacañang Palace," Sison told ANC's Headstart.

"He is giving out the license again for military officers to just kill anyone in bus terminals, trunk lines in urban areas, just because they don’t like the looks of anyone who is on standby and suspected as a candidate for being a red fighter of the New People’s Army," he said.

Such a scenario would be similar to the "Oplan Tokhang" of the government's war on drugs, as Duterte "would like to probably kill NPA suspects by the tens of thousands," said Sison.

He added that Duterte was making up the prevalence of Sparrow units to "justify his own death squads."

Duterte scrapped peace negotiations with the communist underground last year, citing continued attacks by the communist rebels. His Department of Justice also moved to have the CPP and the NPA declared as terrorist organizations.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/28/18/hit-squad-vs-npa-sparrows-a-license-to-kill-for-duterte-sison

Bulatlat: Lumad school forcibly closed by paramilitary forces

From the pro-Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), National Democratic Front (NDF), and New People's Army (NPA) online propaganda publication Bulatlat (Nov 29): Lumad school forcibly closed by paramilitary forces


Nov. 28, Save Our Schools Network (SOS Network) reported that paramilitary group Alamara padlocked the Dulyan Campus of Salugpongan Ta’Tanu Igkanogon Community Learning Center Inc. (STTICLC) in sitio Dulyan, Palma Gil village, Talaingod Davao Del Norte. (Photo courtesy of Save our Schools Network-Southern Mindanao Region)
Members of the 56th IBPA blocked the entry of school and food supplies for the said boarding school despite coordination with the local government unit.

A Lumad school was forcibly closed by alleged members of the paramilitary group known to be under the command of the 56th Infantry Battalion Philippine Army.

At around 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 28, Save Our Schools Network (SOS Network) reported that paramilitary group Alamara padlocked the Dulyan Campus of Salugpongan Ta’Tanu Igkanogon Community Learning Center Inc. (STTICLC) in sitio Dulyan, Palma Gil village, Talaingod Davao Del Norte. This is the main school of the STTICLC and was also awarded a status of recognition by the Department of Education.



Around 100 students and teachers from the STTICLC were forced to evacuate from the school. (Photo courtesy of Save our Schools Network-Southern Mindanao Region)

According to the report of the Mindanao-based The Breakaway Media, around 100 students and teachers from the STTICLC were forced to evacuate from the school.

Meggie Nolasco, STTICLC executive director condemned the most recent in a series of attacks against the indigenous schools in Mindanao. She called the paramilitary group and the 56th IBPA as criminals who blatantly violate the people’s right to education.

“This criminal act perpetrated by State forces is unconscionable. These schools were built through the initiative and solidarity of indigenous communities to provide education for their children; their efforts deemed necessary on account of years of government neglect,” she said in a statement.



Delegates of the mission was blocked by state agents from entering the community. (Photo courtesy of Save our Schools Network-Southern Mindanao Region)

Also on Tuesday, Nov. 27, members of the 56th IBPA blocked the entry of school and food supplies for the said boarding school despite coordination with the local government unit. According to SOS Network-Southern Mindanao Region the school personnel presented a courtesy letter duly received by the local government regarding the delivery of goods as soldiers arbitrarily demanded for a mayor’s permit.



Pia Malayao of Katribu (standing), ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro and former Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo along with two others inside the police station in Talagaingod. (Photo from The Breakaway Media Group)

The 56th IBPA and the paramilitary group have been harassing the school in the said area and had attempted to forcibly close the school prior to the incident.

On Nov. 28, a National Solidarity Mission to Talaingod was set to deliver school supplies and goods. Members of the mission include former Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo, ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro and Pia Malayao of KATRIBU. However, at around 11:00 p.m. on the same day, the delegates reported that they were also blocked by soldiers of the 56th IBPA in sitio Upaw, Palma Gil village.



(Photo from The Breakaway Media Group)

“At least two shots were fired, a stone was thrown at one of their vehicles and wired-nails hit the tire of at least two vehicles,” the statement read.

Also according to the SOS, “the convoy of 5 vans that rescued children and teachers were also held up at Sto. Niño. They were interrogated by elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police and the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office.” The license of the driver of the van was also confiscated.



(Photo from The Breakaway Media Group)
As of 5:00 a.m. today, 75 people including 29 students and 12 teachers of Lumad schools are still being detained by the state forces.

 The Makabayan bloc in Congress has already filed House Resolution No. 2331 “condemning the efforts of the elements of the 56th IB and the paramilitary group Alamara to forcibly close the “Lumad school Salugpongan Learning Center in Talaingod, Davao Del Norte through threats, harassment, and intimidation of teachers, students, and community members.”

http://bulatlat.com/main/2018/11/29/lumad-school-forcibly-closed-by-paramilitary-forces/

UPDATE: Ex-congressman Satur Ocampo nabbed in Davao del Norte for human trafficking–police

From the Manila Times (Nov 29): UPDATE: Ex-congressman Satur Ocampo nabbed in Davao del Norte for human trafficking–police



Former Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo and ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro were arrested along with 72 others for conducting a solidarity mission in Davao del Norte on Wednesday night. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

FORMER Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo and 72 others were arrested in Talaingod, Davao Del Norte on Wednesday night for alleged human trafficking, according to police, although his companions claimed that they were on a “solidarity mission.”

With Ocampo was ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro. They joined human rights groups to support students and teachers of a Lumad school that was forcibly shut down by the 56thInfantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, Castro’s fellow ACT representative, Antonio Tinio, said.

A spot report from Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 said the arrests were made at about 9 p.m. at a checkpoint operation by joint forces of the police and army in Barangay Palma Gil.

Fourteen minors, aged 14 to 17 years old, were rescued on board rented vans. The group allegedly came from Salugpungan Learning Center, a community school in the area, said Chief Insp. Jason Baria, spokesman of PRO11.

Baria also said the arrest stemmed from a complaint by tribal leaders in the area who said that they were just protecting their community.

“The tribal leaders are questioning why every night, they pull out children without the permission from the parents,” he said.

Tinio, however, in a text message to reporters, told a different story: “Last night, we were stopped at a military road block, the solidarity mission convoy was attacked by men believed to be members of the paramilitary group known as Alamara. Tires of some of their vehicles were spiked, the windshield of the van ridden by Rep. Castro and Ka Satur was broken, and gunshots were fired in their vicinity.”

Tinio added that instead of going after the attackers, the police brought the mission participants to the Talaingod police station in Davao del Norte, where they are being held as of posting time.

The Makabayan Bloc said that the National Solidarity Mission (NSM) on Wednesday night was a delegation of 74 people, including 29 students and 12 teachers, of Lumad schools in the region.

It also said that all the protesters were facing charges of “human trafficking in relation to child abuse law.”

“It would be a blatant and outrageous lie to accuse progressive lawmaker and former public school teacher Castro, former solon and peace advocate Ocampo, as well as the administrators of the Lumad school as child traffickers. Gabriela said that the arrest of Castro shows “a pattern of heightened violence and intimidation against women activists,” Makabayan said.

“We will not back down. We will expose and fight these attacks among our ranks,” said Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas.

Ocampo, Castro and their companions face charges of Republic Act 7610 in relation to child abuse, exploitation, and discrimination.

Ocampo was arrested four months after the Philippine National Police conducted a manhunt against him and other leftist personalities in connection to a murder case filed 12 years ago.

https://www.manilatimes.net/ex-congressman-satur-ocampo-nabbed-in-davao-del-norte-for-human-trafficking-police/475365/

Critics warn of ‘militarization’ of OPAPP after Dureza’s resignation

From the Philippine Star (Nov 28): Critics warn of ‘militarization’ of OPAPP after Dureza’s resignation

Communist Party of the Philippines founding chair Jose Maria Sison and former National Democratic Front peace consultant Satur Ocampo warned about the possibility of designating a military man to lead the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.

 

The two stressed this point after Jesus Dureza resigned as President Rodrigo Duterte’s top peace official.

Related Stories
Jesus Dureza resigns; 2 OPAPP execs fired

In an interview on ANC’s “Headstart” Wednesday, Sison said that the resignation of Dureza may not affect the peace process “since there are many good people in the negotiating panel” such as Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello.

He, however, stressed that there will be problems if Duterte appoints a former military man to head OPAPP.

“We surmise that Duterte would like the military, like the outgoing [Armed Forces of the Philippines] chief of staff Carlito Galvez, to take over OPAPP and militarize it,” Sison, also the chief political consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, said

He added: “The problem is when the military comes in, they impose conditions for the surrender of the New People’s Army.”

Last week, Galvez expressed interest to serve as consultant at the OPAPP. He is set to retire on December 12.

Ocampo, for his part, said that the possibility of appointing a former military officer “would not be good” for the possible resumption of peace negotiations.

“A peace negotiation where the military will have the last say is not going to result into any acceptable agreement,” the former Bayan Muna party-list representative said in a separate interview on ANC’s “Headstart.”

Duterte earlier admitted his preference to designate military men in his Cabinet, saying they get the job done.

The chief executive on Tuesday announced that he had accepted the resignation of Dureza. The sacking of undersecretary for support services Ronald Flores and Assistant Secretary Yeshter Donn Baccay prompted Dureza to resign as OPAPP head.

In a Facebook post, Dureza said he is taking full responsibility in the corruption at OPAPP.

“I am sad because despite my efforts to be compliant with your strong advocacy against corruption, I failed,” he said.

Sison called Dureza “a more reasonable person to talk to” than Duterte.

 
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/11/28/1872459/critics-warn-militarization-opapp-after-durezas-resignation

Galvez gets support as next peace adviser

From the Manila Bulletin (Nov 28): Galvez gets support as next peace adviser

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana Wednesday said if rumors are true that outgoing Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Carlito Galvez Jr. will be the next presidential peace adviser, he will strongly endorse him.


Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr.
(OPS / MANILA BULLETIN)
“Bago yan, ah (That’s new). I have not heard that. But if true, I would strongly endorse him,” Lorenzana said.

Rumors of General Galvez, who is set to retire from the military service on December 12, 2018, possibly taking over as head of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) came about following the resignation of Secretary Jesus Dureza from his post on Tuesday.

Dureza said he is resigning from his post to take full responsibility for the corruption reportedly happening at the OPAPP.

Dureza’s resignation came following President Duterte’s dismissal of his two subordinates for alleged corruption. The two were identified as Undersecretary Ronald Flores and Assistant Secretary Yeshter Donn Baccay. Both officials were involved in the OPAPP support services and PAMANA national program.

Lorenzana said Dureza showed high professionalism by taking the fall for the mistakes of his people.

“He is a friend from the way back in the mid 80s. We worked beautifully with each other. He showed high professionalism by taking the fall for the mistakes of his people. In the military, we call this command responsibility (the commander is responsible for whatever his unit does or fails to do). Truly an admirable trait of a great leader and patriot,” Lorenzana said.

Dureza said that he will continue in the promotion of peace in the country despite his resignation from the government agency.

Dureza said as an advocate of peace, it will be his lifetime passion to work for peace in any capacity he can.

“Work for peace, as I always say, is a work of a lifetime. And we can all do this in whatever sector or in any capacity,”Dureza said.

Dureza, however, was mum or silent when asked if he will accept another government post if ever President Duterte offers it to him.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/11/28/galvez-gets-support-as-next-peace-adviser/

Eastern Mindanao Commander Benjamin Madrigal tops list for Armed Forces chief — Lorenzana

From the Mindanao Times (Nov 28): Eastern Mindanao Commander Benjamin Madrigal tops list for Armed Forces chief — Lorenzana

THE head of the Davao City-based Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) is in the front line to replace Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. as military chief of staff, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Wednesday.

Lt. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. is “number one” on the list of recommendees, Lorenzana said after the Board of Generals (BOG) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines convened on Tuesday.

Lorenzana told reporters in a text message that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) would submit “at least three names” for President Rodrigo Duterte to choose from, as what has been the practice.

Madrigal graduated from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) under the “Sandiwa” Class of 1985, which includes Galvez.

Galvez will retire on December 12, months after he was named to the top military post in April, replacing then-general Rey Leonardo Guerrero, who is now the commissioner of the Bureau of Customs.

Prior to being the EastMinCom commander, Madrigal was first assigned to the Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) after being head of the Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division based in Cagayan de Oro.

https://www.manilatimes.net/eastern-mindanao-commander-benjamin-madrigal-tops-list-for-armed-forces-chief-lorenzana/474889/