Hundreds of Novo Ecijanos benefit from Army's outreach program

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 20, 2019): Hundreds of Novo Ecijanos benefit from Army's outreach program



BALER, Aurora -- The Philippine Army’s 91st Infantry (Sinagtala) Battalion (91IB) on Tuesday conducted a community outreach program, benefitting some 450 residents, mostly indigents and children in Barangay Labi, Bongabon, Nueva Ecija.

Sinagtala commanding officer Lt. Col. Jose Mari F. Torrenueva II on Wednesday said that the activity was made possible through the collaboration with the local government unit (LGU) of Bongabon, Fort Magsaysay Army Station Hospital, 7th Infantry Division Dental Dispensary, and the 7th Civil-Military Operations (7CMO) Battalion.

Under the activity themed "Tulong at Magkaisa para sa Kaunlaran at Kapayapaan", some 152 residents availed of free medical checkups, 62 availed of dental services, 36 children were given free haircut and 200 others were beneficiaries of a feeding program.

Part of the program was a theater art play of the 7CMO Battalion aimed at raising awareness about the terrorist acts being perpetuated by the communist terrorists.

Torrenueva assured the townsfolk that the 91IB will continue to implement the community outreach program, especially in areas where the presence of rebels is being monitored to protect the people and prevent the terrorists from exploiting the populace as conduits in their logistics and recruitment.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065129

More clashes seen as NPA anniversary nears: Army

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 20, 2019): More clashes seen as NPA anniversary nears: Army



The military will conduct more operations as more encounters are to be expected as the 50th founding anniversary of the New People’s Army will be on March 29, says Lt. Col. Sisenado Magbalot Jr. (right), commanding officer of the Philippine Army 61st Infantry Battalion on Wednesday (March 20, 2019). (File photo)

ILOILO CITY -- At least three armed encounters between government troops and members of the New People’s Army (NPA) took place in Iloilo and Antique provinces in just a span of four days.

The series of clashes occurred in Barangay Mulangan, Igbaras, Iloilo on Sunday; Barangay Osorio-2 in San Remegio, Antique on Tuesday; and in Sitio Igburay, Barangay Lacay Doldol, Igbaras, Iloilo on Wednesday.

Lt. Col. Sisenado Magbalot Jr., commanding officer of 61IB, said government troops will not let the rebel group celebrate its 50th founding anniversary on March 29.

“We continue our combat operations especially that they are nearing their golden anniversary. We will not let them celebrate that occasion,” Magbalot said in an interview on Wednesday.

The 61IB troops on early Wednesday morning clashed with more or less 10 members of a rebel group in Sitio Igburay, Barangay Lacay Doldol, Igbaras.

“We received information on the location of these rebels and conducted strike operations,” he said.

The clash between government troops and rebels believed to be members of the Sibat Platoon, South Front, Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay lasted for 15 minutes.

Magbalot said one soldier from the 61IB sustained a slight injury on his right cheek but he is now in stable condition.

“But for the enemies, we are very sure that we left some of them wounded. Our men reported they saw blood at the encounter site,” he said.

The 61IB troops recovered one Claymore mine, seven backpacks, two detonators for improvised bombs, two Baofeng radios, two cellular phones, two handcuffs, two magazines for M16, and 14 7.62-mm live ammunition.

Magbalot said the recent encounter is attributed to deployment of additional soldiers in the area following the first encounter in Barangay Mulangan, Igbaras on Sunday.

“We are continuously tracking their location. We deployed additional forces and even our K9 units in the area after the encounter on Sunday,” he said.

The first encounter on Sunday led to the capture of three NPA rebels -- Ramon “Toto” Elamparo, 48; Roberto “Nono” Elbao, 50; and Ruperto “Bebot” Elamparo, 50.

“They are considered the force multipliers of the NPA,” he said.

The arrest of the three will not necessarily lead the soldiers in capturing more rebel group members but Magbalot emphasized that “what’s important is we now know their other schemes”.

This, as the government troops also recovered nine anti-personnel mines from Ruperto’s house.

“Aside from deceiving ordinary members in joining community farmers’ organization, we found out that they also use houses of civilians in hiding the bombs,” he said.

Citing the statement of the captured rebel members, Magbalot said they plan to use the bombs to attack government forces.

Meanwhile, the 61IB troopers also fought with more or less 15 NPA rebels in a separate encounter in Barangay Osorio-2, San Remegio, Antique on Tuesday.

Soldiers were patrolling the area when they encountered the rebels, Magbalot said.

Recovered from the Antique clash were 200-meter electric wire, 37 empty shells of 5.56mm cartridges, three empty shells of 7.62mm cartridges, and four empty shells of 12-gauge shotgun.

“As of now, we do not know how they are going to celebrate the 50 years of killings of civilians, extortion and other terroristic activities but they definitely want to show that they still have the force,” he said.

Magbalot said the government troops are also preparing for focus operations in Central Panay and added that they “will inflict more casualty” on the NPA rebels.

He added that more encounters between the government troops and rebels are expected as the NPA anniversary draws near.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065159

6K displaced families in Maguindanao get aid

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 20, 2019): 6K displaced families in Maguindanao get aid

Displaced families in Maguindanao listen as a soldier explains the mechanics of a relief distribution in Datu Salibo, Maguindanao on Tuesday. (Photo courtesy of BARRM-HEART)

COTABATO CITY -- The Ministry of Social Services of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOSS-ARMM) intensified Wednesday its humanitarian mission in seven towns of Maguindanao where some 6,595 families have been displaced by the ongoing skirmishes between military forces and the Islamic State-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

“It (relief operation) will go on full swing today (Wednesday) amid drizzles in Maguindanao area due to a low-pressure area affecting the province,” said Myrna Jocelyn Henry, information officer of the BARMM Humanitarian Emergency Action Response Team (HEART).

The BARMM-HEART is a confluence of various regional agencies, which includes MOSS-BARMM, tasked to provide coordinated actions to limit the impact of disasters in the region.

On Monday, the BARMM HEART, together with the Maguindanao People’s Medical Team, served evacuees at the town of Shariff Aguak where the bulk of the displaced families are staying at several evacuation centers.

Other affected towns are Mamasapano, Datu Salibo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Unsay, Datu Piang, and Shariff Saydona Mustapha.

On Tuesday, at least 812 families from the towns of Datu Unsay, Datu Salibo, and Datu Saudi Ampatuan received food packs containing six kilos of rice, canned goods and packs of coffee during a relief operation.

“The relief operation is continuing and intensified to attend to the needs of the displaced people,” Henry said.

Henry noted that most the evacuees were from Datu Shariff Saydona Mustapha and many of them fled to the towns of Datu Salibo and Datu Saudi Ampatuan as well as in Shariff Aguak to escape the raging conflict.

The focused military operations against the BIFF began on March 11 after the terror group-initiated attacks on both Army installations and state troopers in the province.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065096

Guns, ammo recovered after NPA-Army skirmish in Kalinga

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 20, 2019): Guns, ammo recovered after NPA-Army skirmish in Kalinga

CAMP MELCHOR DELA CRUZ, Isabela -- A platoon of Army soldiers recovered high-powered guns and explosives after a 30-minute skirmish with some 20 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels on the mountains of Barangay Buaya in Balbalan, Kalinga around 4:50 a.m. on Wednesday, the military said.

Recovered were an M-16 Armalite rifle, two fragmentation grenades, 150 pieces of assorted bullets, personal belongings and anti-government documents.

Colonel Henry Doyaoen, 503rd Infantry Brigade commander, told the Philippine News Agency that 50th Infantry Battalion soldiers and Citizens Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) volunteers were conducting foot patrol after receiving a tip from villagers on communist guerillas' presence somewhere between the Buaya and Mabaca villages, when they encountered the rebels belonging to the Alejo Cawilan Command operating in the Cordillera region.

An unknown number of NPA members were believed hurt in the clash as bloodstains were seen at their withdrawal route.

A pursuit operation against the rebels is ongoing as of this writing.

The NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by both the United States and European Union.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065124

Troops overrun ASG lair in Basilan

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 20, 2019): Troops overrun ASG lair in Basilan

An Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandit was killed while an ASG lair was overrun by troops following two separate gunfights in Basilan province, military officials said Wednesday.

Col. Gerry Besana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) information officer, said the first firefight that broke out around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday in Ungkaya Pukan, Basilan resulted in the death of ASG bandit Adam Asarakil, one of the followers of Basilan-based ASG leader Furudji Indama.

Besana said the troops were on security operation when they clashed with the group of Indama. He said Indama’s group fled and was pursued by the troops.

He said the ASG lair was overrun when another firefight ensued around 8:35 a.m. between the pursuing troops and fleeing ASG bandits a few hundred meters away from the site of the first clash.

The fallen ASG lair has two makeshift houses that can accommodate 15 persons, the Army official said, adding that troops recovered an M-16 Armalite rifle from the hideout.

Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, commander of Westmincom, said: "Ground troops are determined to hunt militants and penetrate enemy lairs, taking prudent actions to neutralize terrorists in Basilan."

Dela Vega said tactical offensives will continue "to crush terrorists and maintain internal security in the province of Basilan".

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065138

Gov't forces allay fear over poll hotspot tag for Mindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 20, 2019): Gov't forces allay fear over poll hotspot tag for Mindanao



Lt Col. Ezara Balagtey, spokesperson of the Eastern Mindanao Command, and Police Major Jason Baria, allay fears on the Comelec's declaration of Mindanao as election hotspot under Category Red during the AFP-PNP press briefing on Wednesday in Davao Cityl. (PNA photo by Lilian Mellejor)
DAVAO CITY – The Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) and the Police Regional Office-11 (PRO-11) on Wednesday said the Commission on Elections (Comelec) declaration of Mindanao as election hotspot should not alarm the public.

Lt. Col. Ezra Balagtey, Eastmincom spokesperson, noted that Mindanao remains under martial law where tighter security measures are in place.

“He said people should even feel more secure. This is still in line with the declaration of martial law,” Balagtey said during Wednesday’s AFP-PNP press briefing at the Royal Mandaya Hotel here.

Balagtey said that Eastmincom has yet to receive the Comelec guidelines relating to Mindanao's designation as an election hotspot.

Police Major Jason Baria, PRO-11 spokesperson, said placing Mindanao under Category Red may have been based on the government's thorough assessment.

Baria said PRO-11 has already designated specific areas under the Comelec's election watchlist to guide them in deploying personnel.

Baria said that security forces and the local Comelec officials are also closely coordinating through the Joint Security Committee on matters relating to security.

On Tuesday, the Comelec has declared the entire Mindanao under Category Red for the May 2019 midterm election.

This means that places under Category Red have records of politically-motivated violent incidents that may occur during the elections due to the intense political rivalry and have serious armed threats posed by organized threat groups such as the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), the Bangsamoro Independent Freedom Fighters (BIFF), the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), and others.

In the PRO-11 EWAS list, Baria said there are 823 barangays in Davao Region placed under Category Green; 233 under Category Yellow; 86 under Category Orange, and 13 under Category Red.

The 13 areas under Category Red are all in the province of Davao del Sur, which also has the most areas under Category Orange.

Areas under Category Yellow are: 132 in Davao del Sur; 37 in Davao del Norte; 18 in Davao Oriental; and seven in Davao Occidental.

The election watch list areas are classified under four categories: Areas placed under Category 1 are those that have records of politically-motivated violent incidents that may occur during the elections due to the intense political rivalry;

Areas under Category 2 have serious armed threats posed by organized threat groups like the CPP-NPA, BIFF, and the ASG.

Areas falling under Category 3 are areas where the threats under category 1 and 2 are present, while Category 4 are areas affected by political rivalry that could motivate people to engage in violence, violence may be facilitated by the employment of private armed groups, loose firearms fall into the hands of unqualified individuals, serious armed threats by the CPP-NPA, BIFF, ASG and other armed groups;

Areas under Category 4 are placed under the immediate and direct control and supervision of Comelec.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065146

CA junks Trillanes plea to stop trial on rebellion raps

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 20, 2019): CA junks Trillanes plea to stop trial on rebellion raps

The trial of opposition senator Antonio Trillanes IV before a Makati Court will proceed as the Court of Appeals (CA) turned down his plea to stop his indictment for rebellion.
In a resolution dated March 18, the CA's Ninth Division through Associate Justice Apolinario D. Bruselas Jr. denied the application for a temporary restraining order (TRO) filed by Trillanes’ counsel.

"We may not temporarily restrain or preliminarily enjoin the prosecution of the criminal action for rebellion at this stage because to do so would be to grant the principal prayer for certiorari without the benefit of hearing," the CA ruled.

Associate Justices Myra V. Garcia Fernandez and Geraldine Fiel Macarang concurred with the decision.

The CA also gave the Department of Justice 10 days to comment on the resolution and five days for Trillanes to reply to such comment.

Meanwhile, the Makati City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 150 reset Trillanes' hearing from March 20 to May 27.

In an order dated March 18, Judge Elmo Alameda granted the request of Trillanes' counsel Reynaldo Robles to defer the hearing, citing that he has a previous commitment to appear in another trial.

Robles also serves as defense counsel of former Bureau of Corrections chief Franklin Bucayu, one of detained Senator Leila de Lima's co-accused on drug charges filed before the Muntinlupa RTC Branch 256.

In September last year, Alameda issued a warrant of arrest against Trillanes for rebellion over his involvement in the 2007 Oakwood mutiny.

The reinstatement of charges came after President Rodrigo Duterte signed Proclamation 572 which declared the former Navy Lt. Senior Grade’s amnesty as void ab initio (from the beginning).

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065065

Mission to curb armed groups in Mindanao ongoing

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 20, 2019): Mission to curb armed groups in Mindanao ongoing

 

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will just continue its mission of suppressing armed groups in Mindanao to ensure the peaceful conduct of mid-term elections in May.

AFP public affairs office chief Col. Noel Detoyato made the remark Wednesday when asked on what security adjustments the military will make following the declaration of the entire island as an election hotspot by the Commission of Elections (Comelec).

"We will just continue our current mission that is, run after armed groups in Jolo, Basilan, Central Mindanao and parts of Surigao and Davao to ensure that the election will push through peacefully and voters can cast their votes and express themselves," he said in a message to the Philippine News Agency.

Also, Detoyato said all AFP units in Mindanao are maintaining established checkpoints to protect growth areas in tandem with mobile checkpoints to catch violators who are evading checkpoints off guard.

"The Unified Commands and Joint Task Forces in Mindanao have the prerogative to relocate, detach and attach units to address the ever changing security situation especially during the intense campaign period. The AFP units in Mindanao, while accomplishing their counter-insurgency mission and anti-terrorism operations will also take the cue from Comelec when it is an election related administrative movement or security operation," he stressed.

In line with this, Detoyato said AFP units implementing the martial law are still gaining headway with the cooperation of the local government officials in the surrender and confiscation of loose firearms.

"We are also taking this opportunity to thank the Mindanawans for the overwhelming support to our martial law implementers and the cooperation they extend in the checkpoints. The (AFP) Chief-of-Staff, Gen. Benjamin Madrigal, expresses his profound thanks to all the AFP units in Mindanao for the excellent accomplishments in the past few days against the different enemies of the state and to the (Mindanaoans) who are all out in support to the government’s local peace efforts," he added.

Aside from Mindanao, the poll body also declared the entire province of Abra and the towns of Jones in Isabela and Lope de Vega in Northern Samar as areas of grave concern.

The decision to declare the four areas as election hotspots was based on cases of poll-related violence in the past two electoral exercises, as well other threats from insurgent groups.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065062

Navy conducts maritime activity with USS Blue Ridge

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 20, 2019): Navy conducts maritime activity with USS Blue Ridge



The visit of 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) to the country concluded with a maritime cooperative activity or "PASSEX" with BRP Ramon Alcaraz (FF-16) off Mariveles, Bataan Tuesday afternoon.

"This maritime cooperative activity concluded the visit of the USS Blue Ridge in the country, which was highlighted by its port visit in Manila and the conduct of the annual PN-US 7th Fleet Staff to Staff Talks. The latter activity provided a venue to discuss matters of mutual concern focusing on interoperability between the two navies and regional security issues," Philippine Navy (PN) spokesperson Captain Jonathan Zata said.

In a statement Wednesday, Zata said the maneuvers were conducted around 1 p.m. PASSEX is short for "passing exercise" which is a series of drills done to ensure synchonization of communication and cooperation between two participating navies.

The American ship arrived in the Philippines last March 13.

The events highlights the PN's ability to perform its distinct role, in terms of naval diplomacy, by engaging with other navies in the region in order to further strengthen, not only its ties, but also enhance its capabilities in performing its missions in a combined environment.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065063

DND chief vows more streamlined, transparent procurement

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 20, 2019): DND chief vows more streamlined, transparent procurement



The country's defense chief vowed to further streamline and rid the procurement process of corruption.

“The package here is that we will get the best equipment, the process is transparent and fair for everyone and at the end of the day, everybody should be happy. With this forum, we may able to have a seamless, trouble-free procurement process. Let’s work together, we assure the proponents that we will make the procurement process to be fair and we will see to it that corruption to be eliminated, practices of the past will not bother us again because we will have a more credible defense especially through the PN,” Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in his speech at the Philippine Navy Procurement Forum on Tuesday.

The event, which was held at the Rizal Park Hotel, South Road Drive in Ermita, Manila, highlighted the means of collective effort as a primary key to ensure that the Navy’s procurement system is resistant to corruption -- with the proper institutions and mechanisms in place to deter it.

This system is integral to the PN to meet its national and regional security obligations, not only to address a wide range of threats, but also to become an indispensable tool for nation-building.

Around 300 participants from the Department of National Defense, General Headquarters, logistics officers from the Philippine Navy, Army and Air Force, as well as representatives from the local and foreign proponents of PN projects took part in this event.

The forum focused on the issues of procurement activities as part of the PN’s initiatives to strengthen systems and procedures to ensure check and balance and transparency in the procurement system.

“Today’s activity is a testament to the PN’s mission of ensuring that our procurement system is strategic and sustainable -- one that is not only responsive to our naval requirements, but more importantly free from corruption and other forms of malpractices," PN flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad said.

The highlights of the forum are the inputs shared by the invited guest speakers, as well as the discussions that underscored the importance of a responsive procurement system for the strategic and operational needs of the Navy.

Col. De Silva Joe Ronesh, Defense Attaché of Singapore to the Philippines, shared the best practices within Singapore’s procurement systems, anti-corruption framework and innovative ways for acquisition and procurement that may be considered by the PN.

Meanwhile, the Navy's experiences on the procurement process were discussed by Commodore Alberto B. Carlos, the chairman of PN Bids and Awards Committee. He said the PN will establish a one-stop shop for all procurement needs of the Navy.

This is to ensure not only streamlined processes but of the system to be unified and centralized to avoid being tainted with any assumptions.

DND Assistant Secretary Jesus Rey R. Avilla highlighted the importance of the AFP’s Defense Acquisition System (DAS) on the PN’s acquisition to respond more effectively and efficiently to security challenges and defense needs.

Meanwhile, Director Amanella D. Arevalo of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) comprehensively appraised participants on DBM Execution of CY2019 Budget through the Annual Cash Based Appropriations, which puts emphasis on accelerating program delivery.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065069

Joma is the ‘brazen liar’, AFP execs say

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 20, 2019): Joma is the ‘brazen liar’, AFP execs say



Military officials on Wednesday dismissed Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chair Jose Maria "Joma" Sison's allegations that Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) deputy chief of staff for civil-military operations, Brig. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr., is a "brazen liar" for claiming that some militant organizations in the country are communist fronts.
"Between the two of them, (General) Parlade Jr. and Mr. Jose Sison, as to who is the "brazen liar", the latter definitely qualifies with flying colors," AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said.

"Mr. Sison has been in the business of prevarication since the CPP has been founded. The Party was able to survive for decades by perfecting the art of deception and perjury. So excellently that Mr. Sison himself believed his falsehood," he added in a text message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

Sison earlier called Parlade a "brazen liar" for claiming that patriotic and progressive organizations in the Philippines are communists for merely communicating with him as International League of Peoples' Struggle (ILPS) chairperson.
He added that the communication is merely an invitation for the 6th international assembly of the ILPS in Hongkong on June 23 to 26.

According to the IPLS website, "The Assembly Registration Fee is USD$ 350 and covers food and accommodation for the duration of the 6th Assembly (5 nights, four days) along with assembly materials and transport to and from Hong Kong International Airport."

Meanwhile, AFP public affairs office chief, Col. Noel Detoyato, said Sison's claim against Parlade is a "fallacy."

"Argumentum ad hominem. He is attacking the man instead of answering the issues and accusations. He must premise his arguments and answers based on logic and facts not on the circumstances of the man. But, with his age and his ignorance of the current situation in the Philippines, we have to understand his predicament," Detoyato said.

Parlade, on the other hand, said 50 years of lying has made Sison think that what he is saying is true.

"Fifty years of scamming people and organizations of funds that could have been put to better use like legitimate schools to educate children rather than radicalize and recruit them to become child warriors, agricultural assistance to farmers rather than combat boots for your Red fighters, genuine educational materials rather than radical literatures and manuals for future rebels. Billions wasted by you, Joma, for your lost cause, and fake advocacies," he added.

Sison is the founding chairman of the CPP, which along with its armed wing, he New People’s Army, has been listed as a terrorist organization by the United States and European Union.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065114

Mindanao IPs come forward, offer help to end insurgency

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 20, 2019): Mindanao IPs come forward, offer help to end insurgency



Screenshot from DWDD radio FB page

Worn out from the conflict brought by the communist movement in the region, some members of the indigenous people (IP) on Wednesday called on the government to intensify efforts to get rid of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army in Mindanao.

Datu Ramon Dayaan, in an interview with the DWDD radio on Monday, said he is willing to lend a hand to the government in ending the decades-long insurgency in area.

"Gusto na naming tapusin ang laban na ito dahil kami ang kawawa, kami ang pinapatay. Itong grupo namin, gusto naming tumulong sa gobyerno para kung may maitulong kami, itutulak namin para matapos na itong laban na ito (We would like to end this fight because we are ones badly affected, we are the ones who are killed. Our group wants to help the government to end this insurgency)," he said.

Another IP member, Datu Diolito Diarog, said dozens of IPs have been killed for the communists' cause and whenever they refuse to bow to the CPP-NPA and the laws it imposes.

"Ang nangyari sa ancestral domains, naging front. Mayroon na silang batas na in-impose sa tribo, kaya 'yong iba ayaw sumapi, 'yong iba takot kaya sumasapi (Our ancestral domains became fronts. They have laws they want to impose on the tribes so many joined [the communist movement] out of fear)," he said.

He said those who defy the communist laws were killed.

Although he fears for his life after coming forward, Diarog committed to testify against the group and asked the Armed Forces of the Philippines to guarantee their security once they return to their homes.

"Kami ay nakakaranas rin ng takot... Sana magkaroon din ng programa ang gobyerno para sa amin dahil talagang mapapatay kami pag-uwi namin (We also fear for our lives. We hope the government comes up with a program for us because we could be killed when we go back home," he said.

Dayaan shared similar sentiments but assured the government of his cooperation.

"Kung di naman ako aabot ng 200 years, ang importante may kabuluhan buhay ko na makatulong sa tao at matigil na ang NPA sa aming pamayanan (Even if I don't live up to 200 years old, what is important is that my life has meaning and I dedicate it to help my fellowmen and stop the NPA in our community)," he said.

Last year, tribal leaders representing the Mindanao Indigenous Peoples Council of Elders (MIPCEL) cited several human rights violations committed by the CPP-NPA against IPs.

The list called "17 atrocities" committed by the communist group was submitted to the Commission on Human Rights as well as the Philippine National Police, which is currently looking into the alleged violations by collating all affidavits of the tribal leaders and victims.

The 17 atrocities include the June 25, 1989 massacre in the village of Rano, Barangay Binaton, Digos, Davao del Sur, where 39 churchgoers were massacred by armed men believed to members of the NPA.

Records obtained from the Police Regional Office in Region-11 (Davao Region) showed there are already more than 300 IPs reported killed by the NPA from 1983 to 2007 -- most of them from Region 11 (114 killed) and Region 13 or Caraga Region with 110.

From 2012 to 2017, the recorded killings reached 87, PRO-11 records showed.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065128

PH first ASEAN nation to get excess Japanese defense equipment

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 20, 2019): PH first ASEAN nation to get excess Japanese defense equipment



Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Tuesday said the Philippines is very lucky as it is the first country in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to receive excess Japanese defense equipment.

He made this statement during the turn-over and acceptance ceremony for the UH-IH "Huey" spare parts donated by the Japan Ministry of Defense, which was held at the Haribon Hangar in Clark Air Base, Pampanga.

During the event, Lorenzana expressed the country's support to the recent amendment of the Japan Self Defence Force Act that would allow the Japanese government and its Ministry of Defense "the needed flexibility and allowance" for the Japanese military to play a "greater and increased role" in maintaining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific Region.

"With such growing Japanese role for regional security, the Philippines is very fortunate to be (the) very first country in the ASEAN Group of Nations to receive Japanese excess defense equipment," the DND chief said.

Moving forward, Lorenzana expressed hope that the increasing and growing defense alliance and close partnership between Manila and Tokyo would expand further in the years to come.

In line with this, Lorenzana said the Philippines is looking to acquire other excess defense equipment like radars and planes from Japan, which, he said, are still being discussed at this time.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065067

GRP panel to be reconstituted for localized peace talks

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 20, 2019): GRP panel to be reconstituted for localized peace talks

The termination of appointments of the members of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) Negotiating Panel will pave the way for the creation of an inclusive panel that will supervise localized peace engagements, Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. said on Wednesday.

Galvez said the composition of the new panel will be based on the Colombian model which includes representatives from different sectoral groups, local government units, and the military whose presence are essential to the peace negotiations.

“The discontinuance of the services of the members of the GRP panel is in line with the termination of peace talks with the NDFP (National Democratic Front Panel). But we will reconstitute the panel at a national scope in accordance with the whole-of-nation approach. We are advocating to achieve inclusive and sustainable peace,” he said.

As contained in a letter from Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea addressed to the GRP panel members, their services were officially terminated by the Office of the President last March 18.

The peace talks between the government and NDFP, which represents the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), has been intermittent since it began in 1986.

From 2016, there has been four rounds of talks between the two parties, but the formal negotiation was terminated along with Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) through Proclamation 360 by President Rodrigo Duterte in November 2017 because of intensified NPA offensives on government forces and private installations.

“For 32 years, we didn’t gain anything from the talks, and it is being used by the CPP-NPA as a leverage for them to strengthen their forces and take advantage of the sincerity of the government,” Galvez said.

Galvez said President Duterte has ordered the review of past agreements with the NDFP.

“That is why we are temporarily suspending the implementation of Hague Declaration and Comprehensive Agreement for the Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Laws (CARHRIHL) until it is fully evaluated by the Office of the President,” he said.

LGUs: Vital partners in peace engagements

The peace adviser also stressed that the participation of the local government in the peace engagements is essential in resolving social issues that have been the root causes of the decades-old insurgency.

“OPAPP (Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process) and other national government agencies will pour in its resources in support of our local chief executives and local peace bodies in their facilitation of their engagements and interventions,” he said.

In December 2018, President Rodrigo Duterte issued EO 70 which institutionalized a whole-of-nation approach in attaining peace and created a National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

During his visit in Negros Occidental last March 8, the peace adviser committed to provide assistance packages to former members and families of Revolutionary Proletarian Army – Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB) as well as ex-NPA rebels.

“The EO 70 is very effective in ensuring the delivery of services and social development packages to everyone affected by conflict. We are very confident that the insurgency and its causes will be addressed and resolved under the current administration,” he said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065171

PRRD terminates appointment of GRP panel members

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 20, 2019): PRRD terminates appointment of GRP panel members

Malacañang on Wednesday confirmed the termination of the appointments of government peace negotiators with communist rebels "in view of the termination of the peace negotiations" with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea signed the termination letters “by order of the President” on March 18.

“To ensure uninterrupted delivery of public service, you are hereby directed to turn over all official documents, papers and properties in your possession to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity,” the letter read.

Among those whose appointment papers were terminated include that of Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III who served as the chairperson of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines GRP) panel.

Other GRP members whose appointment have been terminated are Antonio Arellano, Hernani Braganza, Angela Librado-Trinidad and Rene Sarmiento.

The termination of their appointment as government’s peace negotiators is “effective immediately”.

A series of attacks staged by the NPA rebels against government troops and civilians have prompted Duterte to terminate the peace talks with CPP-NPA which have been declared by the US and European Union as a terrorist organization.

Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. said the termination will pave the way for the creation of an inclusive panel that will supervise localized peace negotiations.

“The discontinuance of the services of the members of the GRP panel is in line with the termination of peace talks with the NDFP (National Democratic Front Panel). But we will reconstitute the panel at a national scope in accordance with the whole-of-nation approach. We are advocating to achieve inclusive and sustainable peace,” Galvez said in a statement.

In December 2018, Duterte issued EO 70 which institutionalized a whole-of-nation approach in attaining peace and created a National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065173