ADF and military partners train in humanitarian relief during Balikatan 19

From Defense Connect (Apr 2, 2019): ADF and military partners train in humanitarian relief during Balikatan 19

A major international military exercise in the Philippines, jointly hosted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and US Indo-Pacific Command, has launched from Manila.

Exercise Balikatan 19 is designed to enhance regional military co-operation and interoperability during times of disaster or humanitarian crisis. This year’s focus is the ability to respond effectively to humanitarian and civic assistance events and security operations in south-east Asia.

The exercise also includes a range of military training and community relations activities, which involve Australian Defence Force Special Forces, medical, engineering, and chaplaincy personnel. This is the 36th year for Balikatan and the sixth year of the ADF actively participating.

Chief of Joint Operations, Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld said the Australian Defence Force’s ongoing support to the annual exercise underscores Australia’s commitment to regional security and stability.

"The exercise allows us to build our relationship with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States Indo-Pacific Command," AIRMSHL Hupfeld said.

"Through this partnership, we aim to increase our ability to co-ordinate a multilateral response to a disaster or humanitarian crisis in a complex and ever-evolving regional security environment."

Conducted on Luzon and Palawan islands, Exercise Balikatan focuses on delivering humanitarian civic assistance programs, role playing maritime security scenarios and conducting a field training exercise.

More than 60 ADF personnel from the Navy, Army, Air Force and Defence Science and Technology are taking part in the exercise.

Exercise Balikatan allows the ADF to further build its Defence ties and military-civilian co-ordination skills with the Philippines and US, as well as enhancing Asia-Pacific regional security and stability.

"The United States, the Philippines and Australia’s long-standing relationship has resulted in a significant and ongoing contribution to regional security," AIRMSHL Hupfeld said.

This year is the fifth time the ADF has participated in Exercise Balikatan. Exercise Balikatan 19 concludes on 12 April 2019.

https://www.defenceconnect.com.au/key-enablers/3821-adf-and-military-partners-train-in-humanitarian-relied-during-balikatan-19

US Navy’s USS Wasp and F-35B aircraft join Balikatan exercise

From Naval Technology (Apr 3, 2019): US Navy’s USS Wasp and F-35B aircraft join Balikatan exercise

The US Navy’s amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) and the US Marines Corps’ F-35B Lightning II aircraft are taking part in the annual military exercise Balikatan.

Balikatan 2019 is the 35th iteration of the exercise between the Philippines and the US. It also involves participation from Australia for humanitarian and civic assistance projects and special operations forces training.

USS Wasp commanding officer captain Colby Howard said: “We are excited to visit the Philippines for the first time since Wasp was forward deployed to Seventh Fleet. Balikatan is a great opportunity for the Navy, Marine Corps team and our allies from the Republic of the Philippines to learn from one another, and further improve our ability operate together.”

“The 35th iteration of Exercise Balikatan is aimed at improving both Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and US Forces’ interoperability.”

The exercise will involve around 4,000 Filipino, 3,500 American and 50 Australian troops and will run until 12 April.

This is the first time the F-35B aircraft is participating in the exercise. According to the US Navy, the participation of USS Wasp alongside the F-35B represents increased military capability to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.

It will also demonstrate the ability of these naval assets to forward deploy to support an ally in the event of a crisis or natural disaster.

Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are also expected to join Balikatan 2019 for an International Observers Program, which aims to promote greater defence cooperation with ASEAN and other key allies and partners.

The current iteration will focus on enhancing maritime security and amphibious capabilities. The drills will also seek to improve multinational interoperability through military exchanges.

Philippines Exercise Director lieutenant-general Gilbert Gapay said: “The 35th iteration of Exercise Balikatan is aimed at improving both Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and US Forces’ interoperability through trainings that are focused on mutual defence operations and counterterrorism.

“The goal of such is to enhance both militaries’ employment of forces and assistance in the event of crises that threaten the safety and security of the nation.”

https://www.naval-technology.com/news/us-navys-uss-wasp-and-f-35b-aircraft-join-balikatan-exercise/

Balikatan exercises useless, waste of money, must be stopped —solon

From GMA News (Apr 3, 2019): Balikatan exercises useless, waste of money, must be stopped —solon

Anakpawis Party-list Representative Ariel Casilao called for the end of Balikatan joint military exercises between Filipino and American soldiers as it is 'useless' and a 'waste of resources'.

In Divine Reyes' report on Super Radyo DzBB, Casilao said, "This annual Balikatan exercises, annually reminds us of how it is useless for the Filipino people as obviously, it failed to enable the armed forces to defend the national territory from foreign aggressors."

Since 1998, the yearly "Balikatan" has not improved the capability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to defend the country against Chinese "encroachment" in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the lawmaker said.

According to him, China has been building structures on some islands in the WPS since 1995 and Sino expansion activities in the disputed sea have continued to date.

Even the territorial waters of the island municipality of Pag-asa is now under Chinese control despite the Visiting Forces Agreement forged in 1998 with US, paving the way of the Balikatan exercises, Casilao said.

"Filipino taxpayers have paid $11.6 million or about P600 million for these missiles, but they are unused against foreign aggressors, to uphold national sovereignty and territory," he said, asserting that it is apparent that Balikatan exercises was never designed against foreign aggression, but for counter-insurgency and facilitation of US military intervention.

However, according to GMA News Online's interview with the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Chief of Public Affairs Noel Detroyato, the conflict with China is exactly why they train themselves because they train for any eventualities.

Detroyato emphasized that trainings and exercises are a big part of preparing soldiers for any possible security issue.

He said, "Resources are never wasted on training... Kasi for us hindi naman pang giyera lang to. We are also the country's first line of defense kapag may calamities and other eventualities."

"Preparation for calamities, anti-terrorism is never a waste of money. It must be a continuous training," Detroyato added.

This year's joint US-Philippine military drills began with humanitarian activities in mid-March. Proper military exercises were set from April 1 to 12, 2019.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/690102/balikatan-exercises-useless-waste-of-money-must-be-stopped-solons/story/

Antique to declare 5 towns election ‘hotspots’

From Panay News (Apr 3, 2019): Antique to declare 5 towns election ‘hotspots’

SAN JOSE, Antique –The Provincial Joint Security Coordinating Center (PJSCC) has recommended five additional towns categorized as election “hotspots” in the province.

“The five towns are Culasi, Hamtic, Sebaste, Sibalom, and Valderrama,” said Antique Provincial Police Office deputy director for operations Lieutenant Colonel Norby Escobar on Tuesday.

Escobar said these five towns are infested with New People’s Army (NPA) rebels.

The recommendation was submitted by the PJSCC to its regional office about two weeks ago and still waits for approval.

“The PJSCC’s recommendation will be approved by its regional and national offices,” said Escobar.

Placing the five towns under election hotspot will serve as basis for the deployment of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), especially in hinterland areas.

“As of now, there is only one hotspot, which is San Remigio,” he said.

He said that San Remigio was the first town to be recommended by the PJSCC months ago to be categorized as election hotspot because of the presence of the NPA. 

https://www.panaynews.net/antique-to-declare-5-towns-election-hotspots/

NPA leader, 2 others fall in Negros Occidental

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Apr 3, 2019): NPA leader, 2 others fall in Negros Occidental

Clashes also erupt in cities of Kabankalan and Himamaylan

TOP REBEL Police say Abraham Villanueva (right), secretary of the New People’s Army’s Southwest Front (Armando Sumayang Command), has pending arrest warrants for arson and frustrated murder. Seized from Villanueva and his companions, Jomar Villarojo and Rona Magbanua, during their arrest in Kabankalan City were a gun and hand grenades. —CARLA P. GOMEZ

BACOLOD CITY — A high-ranking leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Negros Occidental province and his two companions were arrested on Monday night by a team of policemen and soldiers in Kabankalan City.

Brig. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said the rebel leader, Abraham Villanueva, secretary of the NPA Southwest Front, or the Armando Sumayang Command, had pending arrest warrants for arson and frustrated murder.

Villanueva is also known by his aliases “Tikboy” and “Gamay.” Arrested with him were Rona Magbanua, alias “Cheche,” 18, of Hinobaan town, and Jomar Vilarojo, alias “Tiny,” 28, of Kabankalan.

Magbanua, known as Cheche, is the finance and logistics officer of Southwest Front Platoon 1, while Villarojo, known as Tiny, is among the NPA’s fighters, said Lt. Col. Patricio Tomales, 15th Infantry Battalion commander, said.

Seized from the group were a .45-caliber pistol and three fragmentation grenades.

Armed men

Their arrest came six days after former Catholic priest Frank Fernandez, Kometing Rehiyonal-Negros head and National Democratic Front of the Philippines consultant, was arrested with his wife and another companion in Laguna province.

Arevalo said they received a tip about the presence of armed men at Sitio Amian Ilawod in Barangay Tampalon, Kabankalan. When government troops went to the village, they saw the three wearing shirts marked “PKP @50,” which were used by rebels to mark the NPA’s 50th founding anniversary.

Arevalo said Villanueva and his companions did not resist arrest.

A 20-minute clash, however, ensued early on Tuesday in the area when soldiers and policemen encountered a group of NPA rebels who were believed to be companions of Villanueva.

Recovered from the clash site were an M16 rifle, bullets, cellular phones, electronic gadgets, a transistor radio, a pair of binoculars, medical kit and antigovernment documents.

Hacienda attack

Police said another group of NPA rebels on Tuesday burned four tractors, a truck, a sugarcane loader and bunk houses of farm workers at Hacienda Nieva in Barangay Tooy, Himamaylan City, about 28 kilometers north of Kabankalan.

Police Lt. Col. Ervin Glen Provido, Himamaylan City police chief, said about 30 armed rebels attacked the hacienda and gathered 20 farm workers in one place, before they started burning the vehicles and equipment.

The hacienda’s lone security guard escaped and reported the incident to the police.

The suspects, who identified themselves as NPA rebels, fired their guns as they left, Provido said.

On Monday, more than 1,700 people evacuated after a clash between government soldiers and rebels broke out at Barangay Quintin Remo in Moises Padilla town.

A soldier was hurt while three improvised bombs were recovered after the exchange of gunfire between soldiers and about 20 NPA rebels believed to be among those who shot and killed reelectionist Moises Padilla Councilor Jolomar Hilario in neighboring Barangay Inolingan on Sunday.

Graduation ceremonies in some schools in the remote village of Quintin Remo were disrupted by the skirmishes.

At least 1,700 residents in the subvillages of Santos-Santos, Lomlom and Upper Mamballo fled their homes.

Farming, tourism suspension

In Mountain Province, all farming and tourism activities had been suspended in Bauko town on Monday due to pursuit operations conducted by the police against communist rebels who killed a policeman and wounded another during a March 29 clash at Mt. Kapuwaw.

Arsenia Addon, Bauko tourism officer, advised residents to “confine their activities to barangay centers or populated areas,” and to steer clear of the rugged mountains straddling Bauko and Tadian town in Mountain Province, and parts of Buguias town in Benguet province.

On Sunday, residents reported hearing gunfire and explosions in the borders of Bauko and Tadian.

Members of the NPA Leonardo Pacsi Command fled toward this area after engaging the Cordillera police’s Regional Mobile Force Battalion in a 15-minute firefight in Bagnen village.

Pat. Wilfredo Padawil was killed in the clash that injured Police Cpl. Irpeel Lapniten.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1102452/npa-leader-2-others-fall-in-negros-occidental

Communist front’ tags on NGOs shrink democratic spaces — group

From the Philippine Star (Apr 3, 2019): ‘Communist front’ tags on NGOs shrink democratic spaces — group

In this September 25, 2018 photo, members of local rights group Karapatan condemn the killing of human rights defender Mariam Uy Acob (Facebook/Karapatan, Released)

The “baseless” accusations of government officials that some non-governmental organizations are fronts of communist rebels worsen the situation of democratic and civic spaces in the country, a network of development workers said.

In a press release, the Council for People’s Development and Governance said that tagging the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines, IBON Foundation and Karapatan as front organizations of the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People’s Army, is an attempt to discredit their work.

“Political and economic interests wish to veer attention away from legitimate concerns on rights violations and development problems in the country. That is why they’re orchestrating allegations that ‘communists have infiltrated’ the United Nations, that rights defenders have supposedly been ‘projecting false news’ internationally,” Liza Maza, CPDG spokesperson, said.
CPDG also slammed the move of the government to send a delegation to a UN session in Europe last February, wherein government officials responded to issues of human rights abuses in the country.

The network of development workers said the purpose of the trip was to “deodorize” the human rights situation in the Philippines, while shifting the blame to some NGOs through “baseless” claims that funds from the European Union and Belgian government are being diverted to communist rebels.

The European Union said it would investigate the claims that funds from the regional bloc are going to communist insurgents after the Philippine government formally requested the probe in March. Karapatan said it is open to an “impartial and participative audit.”

“Their disinformation campaign is part of the trend in the last years: from the sweeping ‘terrorist’ tag against more than 600 persons in 2018; the killings of farmers, unionists, indigenous peoples, and lawyers; to the new Securities and Exchange Commission memo for non-governmental organizations that subjects them to unnecessary exposure and risks,” Maza said.

She added: “As we go further into the Duterte administration, democratic spaces shrink even further.”

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/04/03/1906984/communist-front-tags-ngos-shrink-democratic-spaces-group

Preemptive evacuation ordered in 3 Mt. Province villages after series of PNP-NPA clashes

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Apr 3, 2019): Preemptive evacuation ordered in 3 Mt. Province villages after series of PNP-NPA clashes

Local officials in Bauko, Mountain Province have ordered the preemptive evacuation of residents in at least three communities following the series of clashes between the police and communist rebels there.

The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in Bauko town has asked residents in the sub-villages of Cotcot, Luagan, and Malupa to temporarily seek shelter at the town’s multipurpose function hall as government troops launched a pursuit operation against the rebels.

Police and members of the New People’s Army (NPA) have been engaging in gunfights since March 29 in the forested area bordering the towns of Bauko and Tadian.

The latest clash took place on Tuesday, killing Cpl. Marlon Casil and wounding eight of his companions, according to Police Regional Office Cordillera Spokesman Maj. Carolina Lacuata.

Wounded from the government troops were Corporals Marcelo Bayeng, Ramadick Meloy, Clifford Gama, Edwin Keya, John Calcaligong, Pat. Erwin Calixto, Staff Sergeant Salvador Agallatiw and Master Sergeant Alphedes Alvaro.

The policemen belong to the Cordillera Regional Mobile Force Battalion.

On March 29, Pat. Wilfredo Padawil was also killed during an encounter with the NPA while the government troops were conducting Internal Security Operations in Bauko.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1102798/preemptive-evacuation-ordered-in-3-mt-province-villages-after-series-of-pnp-npa-clashes

EASTMINCOM: Community prevented NPA landmine attack

Posted to the Eastern Mindanao Command (EASTMINCOM) Website (Apr 3, 2019): Community prevented NPA landmine attack

NSFA, Panacan, Davao City - Communities have prevented two instances of NPA landmine attacks after they tipped-off the location of the laid landmines in Maco, Compostela Valley on April 1, 2019.

In a report made by Ltc Esteveyn E Ducusin, Battalion Commander of 71st Infantry Battalion to Lt. Gen. Felimon T. Santos Jr., Commander of Eastern Mindanao Command, the first instance came when responding troops were able to locate a seven kilos International Humanitarian Law banned landmine and 150 meter trip wire laid along the barangay road at Junction, So. Banban, Special Barangay of Manasa, Barangay Anitapan, Mabini, Compostela Valley.

On a second instance, another information coming from the community led to the recovery of three ten kilos and one 15 kilos IHL banned landmine interconnectedly laid along the Barangay road in Barangay Magangit, Maco, Compostela Valley Province.

The crude improvised landmine has been an alternative weapon of the CNTG to augment their dwindling number of firearms brought about by the significant numbers of firearms being surrendered and captured.

For the first quarter, a total of 218 firearms and 69 IHL banned landmine were captured and surrendered in the Eastern Mindanao Command's whole area of responsibility; most of which were accomplished because of the support and information of the communities.

Meanwhile, Lt. Gen. Santos expressed his appreciation for the cooperation and expression of support from the communities.

"We appreciate the continuous support of the communities. Providing information on the plans and whereabouts of the CNTGs is another form of expression of the communities in denouncing the presence of CNTGs and their realization on the destructive and anti-people ideology being spoused by the CNTG," Lt. Gen. Santos said.

For the first quarter of 2019, 21 Barangays, Tribal Groups, Municipal, and Provincial Government in Eastern Mindanao passed their Resolutions declaring the CNTGs as persona-non-grata in their respective communities.

Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP

http://www.eastmincomafp.com.ph/2019/04/community-prevented-npa-landmine-attack.html

Rebels burn farm equipment,bunk houses in Himamaylan

From the Visayan Daily Star (Apr 3, 2019): Rebels burn farm equipment,bunk houses in Himamaylan

Suspected New People’s Army rebels burned farm equipment and bunk houses of farm workers in Hacienda Nieva, Brgy. Tooy, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, Monday night.

Torched by three suspected NPA rebels were four tractors, a 10-wheeler truck, and a sugar cane loader, and two bunk houses, Police Lt. Col. Ervin Glen Provido, Himamaylan City police chief, said yesterday.

The burned farm equipment are owned by businessman Miguel Hinojales.

Estimated damage was placed by the police at more than P1 million.

Police investigation showed that about 30 armed rebels swooped down on the hacienda compound, and gathered 20 farm workers in one place, before burning the equipment.

Before burning the bunk houses the rebels also told the farm workers to get their personal belongings.

The lone security guard managed to escape, and report the incident to the police.

The suspects, who identified themselves as NPA members, fired their guns while withdrawing from the scene of incident, Provido said.

The motive for the burning was still being established by the Himamaylan police, although the armed suspects told the farm workers that they are angry with Hinojales, Provido added.

Recovered from the scene of incident were three fired cartridges and live ammunition of an M-16 assault rifle, and two empty containers of gasoline.*

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2019/April/03/topstory9.htm

‘Category Red’recommended forMPadilla

From the Visayan Daily Star (Apr 3, 2019): ‘Category Red’recommended forMPadilla

The Provincial Joint Security Control Center has recommended placing Moises Padilla town under “Category Red” or an election area of grave concern, and five other areas in Negros Occidental under “Category Orange”, Acting Provincial Election Supervisor Salud Milagros Villanueva said yesterday.

The PJSCC, composed of the Comelec, Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Police, made the recommendation to the Western Visayas Regional Joint Security Control Center that is set to convene of Friday, she said.

Moises Padilla was recommended to be placed under Category Red because of intense political rivalry, and the presence of armed groups, Villanueva said.

She cited the presence of the New People’s Army in Moises Padilla where killings, the latest of which was of Councilor Jolomar Hilario on Sunday, have occurred.


Recommended to be placed under “Category Orange”, or areas of immediate concern, are Isabela, Kabankalan City, Himamaylan City, Hinoba-an and Toboso because of the presence of armed groups, she said, citing encounters between the Army and NPA in those areas.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2019/April/03/topstory5.htm

11 rebels face rapsfor councilor’s slay

From the Visayan Daily Star (Apr 3, 2019): 11 rebels face rapsfor councilor’s slay

Eleven suspected members of the New People’s Army believed to be fleeing from an encounter site in Brgy. Quintin Remo, Moises Padilla, were intercepted and arrested by the police on Monday in Brgy. Sebucawan, Isabela, Negros Occidental.

Four of the 11 arrested suspected NPA rebels were positively identified by witnesses as among those involved in the killing of Moises Padilla Councilor Jolomar Hilario on Sunday in Brgy. Inolingan, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, town police chief Capt. Junji Liba yesterday said.

Liba said that the 11 suspected NPA rebels, who included two minors, were intercepted by 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company troops, who had served as the blocking force of the 62nd Infantry Battalion soldiers, who figured in an encounter on Monday in Sitio Santos-Santos, Brgy. Quintin Remo, Moises Padilla, a barangay adjacent to Brgy. Sebucawan, Isabela.

Moises Padilla police investigation showed that the 11 persons claimed to be cane cutters. However, no cane cutting tools were recovered from the intercepted persons, who were

inconsistent in their statements given to the police, Liba said.

Liba added that Misel Hilario, wife of the slain Moises Padilla councilor, identified the four suspects who had entered their compound on Sunday.

Murder charges are now being readied by the police against the 11 suspected NPA rebels, now detained at Moises Padilla Police Station jail.

Additional police personnel have already been dispatched by the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office to augment the Moises Padilla Police Station, in response to the series of violent activities perpetrated by the New People’s Army in the hinterland barangays of the town.

The running gun battle between Army soldiers and NPA rebels in Brgy. Quintin Remo, Moises Padilla, led to the dislocation of more than 2,700 residents, who yesterday began returning to their homes, Liba said.

Other evacuees were temporarily staying at the Mamballo, Montilla, Coyaoyao barangay covered courts, and the Nacorohan Elementary School, while waiting for advice from authorities to return to their homes.

The 62nd Infantry Battalion soldiers, who were scouring the encounter site, recovered three anti-personnel mines, including detonating accessories, such as a 300-meter electric wire, blasting caps, M-203 grenade launcher ammunition, two magazines of a AK-47 rifles, and two back packs containing personal belongings.

Brig. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, yesterday said that the running gunbattle lasted for more than one hour, as the NPA rebels tried to delay the pursuing troops while trying to extricate their injured companions, to the extent of detonating two anti-personnel mines.

An Army soldier was slightly injured in the gunbattle.

Arevalo also said residents of the area had mistaken injured and killed communist rebels,who were wearing military uniforms, as Army soldiers.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2019/April/03/topstory3.htm

NPA leader, 2 others nabbed

From the Visayan Daily Star (Apr 3, 2019): NPA leader, 2 others nabbed

Another ranking leader of the New People’s Army and his two companions were arrested Monday night by the military and police at Sitio Amian llawod in Brgy. Tampalon, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.

The capture of Abraham Villanueva, alias Tikboy and Gamay, who is the secretary of the NPA South West Front, also known as the Armando Sumayang Command, was followed by an encounter yesterday in the same place, that yielded war materials.
Villanueva has pending arrest warrants for arson and frustrated murder, Arevalo said.

Also captured were Rona Magbanua, alias CheChe, 18 of Brgy. Asia, Hinobaan, and Jomar Vilarojo, alias Tiny, 28, of Brgy. Camansi, Kabankalan City.
Brig. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said yesterday that Villanueva and his two companions, were wearing black NPA sweat shirts printed with PKP (Partido Komunistang Pilipinas) @50 and black jogging pants, when they were captured.

The arrest of Villanueva and his companions, that was made through information relayed to the 15IB, 604th Regional Mobile Force Company and the Kabankalan police by concerned residents, also yielded a.45 caliber pistol with a magazine containing five ammunition and three fragmentation grenades, Arevalo said.

Magbanua served as finance and logistic officer of South West Front platoon 1, where Villarojo also served as a red fighter, Lt. Col. Patricio Tomales,15IB commander, said.

The continued combat operations in the area by 15IB and 604th RMF Company also led to an encounterwith about 20 NPA rebels believed to be the companions of Villanueva, yesterday morning.

After an almost 20-minute gunbattle, the rebels scampered in various directions, leaving behind an M-16 rifle with a magazine containing 20 live ammunition, 175 rounds of a M-60 machine gun link, 21 ammunition for an AK-47 assault rifle, two cellular phones, a Smart phone, tablet with charger, netbook, storage device for a laptop, transistor radio, Pentax binoculars, a medical kit, blood pressure apparatus, and subversive documents.

The arrest of Villanueva came more than a week after Communist rebel leader Frank Fernandez, secretary of the Komiteng Rehiyonal-Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor, and his wife and deputy, Cleofe Lagtapon, were arrested in Laguna.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2019/April/03/topstory2.htm

Photo: Abraham Villanueva, secretary of the NPA South West Front, captured along with two companions

From the Visayan Daily Star (Apr 3, 2019): Photo: Abraham Villanueva, secretary of the NPA South West Front, captured along with two companions

Abraham Villanueva (left), secretary of the NPA South West Front, also known as the Armando Sumayang Command, and his two companions, Jomar Villarojo and Rona Magbanua, who were captured Monday night in Brgy. Tampalon, Kabankalan City. (Army photo)

http://www.visayandailystar.com/

52 clashes, 15 rebel deaths recorded from Jan-March

From the Mindanao Times (Apr 4, 2019): 52 clashes, 15 rebel deaths recorded from Jan-March

Since January this year, the army recorded a total of 52 clashes, resulting in the death of 15 rebels and the arrest of nine others.Capt. Regie Go, the spokesperson of 4th Infantry Division, said that in the first three months, they also received 495 surrenderees from the regular NPA guerrillas and members of the Militia ng Bayan, Sangay sa Partido sa Lokalidad, and underground mass organizations.

They also recovered 111 firearms and 34 anti-personnel mines, and dismantled 41 NPA hideouts.

He said the members of the New People’s Army have nowhere to hide as more and more local government units have proclaimed them persona non grata.

The barangay and municipal councils, as well as the provincial boards of Surigao del Sur, in the municipality of Sibagat and Brgy San Pedro; San Luis in Agusan del Sur; Barangay Camam-onan, Gigaquit, Surigao Del Norte; and nine barangays in the province of Bukidnon have passed resolutions in this regard.

A case was filed by the 403rd Infantry Brigade, headed by its commander, Col. Edgardo De Leon, against the NPA for violating the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) in the first quarter of 2019.

“They violated the IHL and harmed civilians in Bukidnon province. They burned a banana harvesting machine, backhoes, and a boom spraying machine owned by the different private companies in the area. They also brutally killed two soldiers in Barangay Dalwangan, Malaybalay City on Valentine’s Day. They must pay for the crimes they have committed,” De Leon said.

On the other hand, Caraga and Northern Mindanao vowed to adopt and implement Executive Order 70, known as Peace and Development Zones. The Regional Peace and Order Council and the Regional Development Council have pledged to effectively address the root causes of insurgency, as part of the government’s “whole of nation approach.”

Maj. Gen. Franco Nemesio M. Gacal, commander of the 4th ID, said, “I am very happy that the LGUs (local government units), LGAs (local government agencies) and other sectors in Northern Mindanao and Caraga regions are standing up and are now ready to fight with us in our “peaceful war” efforts.

“I hope more barangays, municipalities, cities, and provinces will join us so that we will be able to achieve the long-lasting peace we have longed for,” he said.

“I am expecting more surrenders to come as we continue with our localized peace efforts and I am seeing how the CPP-NPA terrorists continue to disintegrate in our area because of the concerted efforts of government forces, LGUs, LGAs and other stakeholders,” he added.

http://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2019/04/04/52-clashes-15-rebel-deaths-recorded-from-jan-march/

18 hurt in Isulan blast

From MindaNews (Apr 3, 2019): 18 hurt in Isulan blast

The blast site outside Carlitos Chicken restaurant. Photo courtesy of 6th Infantry Division

DATU ODIN SINSUAT, Maguindanao – Eighteen persons were wounded when an improvised explosive device went off in front of Carlitos Chicken restaurant in Brgy Kalawag 2, Isulan, Sultan Kudarat around 3pm on Wednesday.

The victims were immediately brought to nearby hospitals.

A mechanized military team proceeded to the area to secure and cordon the explosion site.

An EOD team inspects the blast site. Photo courtesy of 6th Infantry Division

An Army explosive and ordnance disposal team conducted an investigation at the blast site and all military checkpoints were ordered to implement security measures.

“We expressed our sympathy to the victims of this barbaric act perpetuated by the peace spoilers who are sowing terror and fear to the community,” said Joint Task Force Central Commander, Major General Cirilito E. Sobejana.

“We will strengthen further the security measures in Isulan and other parts of the AOR. We will also exert our best efforts to apprehend the perpetrators and give justice to the victims,” Sobejana added.

https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2019/04/18-hurt-in-isulan-blast/