Military sees drop of NPA guerrilla units in Eastern Mindanao

From Politiko Mindanao (Jul 13, 2019): Military sees drop of NPA guerrilla units in Eastern Mindanao



The military’s Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) said there was a “notable decrease” in the communist New People’s Army (NPA) guerrilla units in its area of jurisdiction during the first semester of this year.

Lt. Gen. Felimon T. Santos Jr., Eastmincom commander, said that from January to June, 36 NPA regulars were killed during the encounters, while 55 others were arrested during the military and law enforcement operations.

A total of 339 NPA regular members and 424 Milisyang Bayan surrendered, while 1,985 members of the Underground Mass Organizations (UGMO) dissociated from Communist Terrorists Groups (CTGs).

Eastmincom has also recorded 305 firearms that were surrendered, while 224 firearms were captured during encounters and combat operations.

“As a result, there is a notable decrease in NPA guerrilla units in Eastern Mindanao as some were unfilled and dissolved,” Santos said.

“With these gains, let us support other agencies through the Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict’s (TF-ELCAC) mechanism as they will solidify the peace gains that our troops have worked for, by addressing the issues that are being used by the CTGs in agitating the communities for them to join the armed group,” he added.

https://mindanao.politics.com.ph/military-sees-drop-of-npa-guerrilla-units-in-eastern-mindanao/

Agusan Norte leaders converge in stakeholders’ security forum

Posted to the Philippine Information Agency (Jul 12, 2019): Agusan Norte leaders converge in stakeholders’ security forum

BUTUAN CITY, July 12 -- Local leaders in the province of Agusan del Norte have converged for a Stakeholders Security Forum on July 5, 2019 held at the 402nd Infantry Brigade headquarters in Brgy Bancasi, this city.

The Stakeholders Security Forum was an initiative of Agusan del Norte 1st district representative Maria Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba in partnership with the 402nd Brigade led by Brigade Commander Col. Maurito Licudine.

The forum intends to apprise the local chief executives (LCEs) and key decision makers on the nature, developments and impact of the insurgency situation vis-a-vis the government’s internal security operations and elicit support and commitment in achieving peace and inclusive development in their respective areas.

In response to the call to unite and support the Whole of Nation Approach embodied in the Executive Order 70, the local leaders of the province led by the newly-elected governor Dale Corvera, and the LCEs of the city and municipalities to include mayor Judy C. Amante of Cabadbaran City; Napoleon M. Montero of Jabonga; Aristotle E. Motante of Kitcharao; Richard P. Daquipil of Remedios T. Romualdez; Franklin D. Lim of Santiago; and Fidel E. Garcia, Jr. of Tubay together with the police and DILG officials attended the event.

The officials were informed regarding the security situation in the brigade’s area of responsibility stressing the issues and concerns affecting the political and security environment in the province.

The convergence has generated a unified voice among the local leaders to support and commit in addressing the security problem.

It also tackled the situations of the IP being the most vulnerable target of the exploitation and abuse by the CPP-NPA Terrorist.

“As the governor of the province, I am committing full support to the efforts to address the insurgency problem,” Gov. Corvera declares along with the six LCEs assuring their unwavering support to the AFP and PNP and in working together for the peace and development initiatives. (Cpt Francisco P Garello Jr, CMO Officer, 402IB/PIA Agusan del Norte)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1024302

Tagalog News: Rebeldeng nais magbalik loob, handang kupkopin ng Agusan Norte

Posted to the Philippine Information Agency (Jul 12, 2019): Tagalog News: Rebeldeng nais magbalik loob, handang kupkopin ng Agusan Norte

BUTUAN CITY -- Handang kupkopin ng probinsya ng Agusan del Norte ang mga rebelde na gustong magbalik loob sa gobyerno at mabuhay ng mapayapa kasama ang kanilang mga mahal sa buhay.



Sa katunayan, ipinapatayo na ang isang halfway house upang maging pansamantalang maging tahanan ng mga gustong magbalik sa gobyerno. Ito ay isang transition home at rehabilition center para sa mga former rebels at militia ng bayan.

Ayon kay Ali Kazim Marcaban, coordinator ng Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program o E-CLIP Agusan del Norte, patuloy ang pagpapatupad ng e-clip sa probinsya kung saan ito ay nagbibigay ng psychosocial interventions, gumagawa ng individual case management sa bawat former rebels, pinafacilitate ang chosen livelihood project ng mga ito at tinutulongan silang ecapacitate ang kanilang reintegration sa kumonidad.

Maliban ito sa binibigay na financial assistance sa mga former rebels.

Nanawagan din si dating Ka Tina/Ka Jorge/Ka Yolly at political officer ni Sotero Llamas sa Bicol regional party committee na si Agnes Lopez Fernadez sa mga dati nyang kasamahan sa bundok na bumaba na at magkaroon ng normal na pamumuhay.

Ayon pa kay Fernandez, may magandang programa ang gobyerno para sa kanila at magkakaroon pa ng mapayapang buhay kapiling ang mga mahal sa buhay.

Bilang isang former rebel o FR, malaki ang pasalamat ni Fernadez sa probinsya ng Agusan del Norte sa mga ginagawang tulong lalo na ang pagbibigay ng pondo at mga programa para sa kapwa nya FRs.

Samantala ginanap din ang isang formulation workshop para halfway house manual of operations para sa maayos na implementasyon ng halfway house sa susunod na taon. (NCLM/PIA Agusan del Norte)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1024374

Army conducts security awareness drive to students of Butuan City

Posted to the Philippine Information Agency (Jul 12, 2019): Army conducts security awareness drive to students of Butuan City

BUTUAN CITY -- The 402nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army recently conducted a security awareness drive to selected senior high school students of Butuan City held at the 402nd Brigade Headquarters, Brgy. Bancasi, Butuan City.

In line with the Project S.U.R.O.Y. (Simple Unwinding and Recreational Outing for the Youth) spearheaded by Butuan City Police Office (BCPO), personnel of 402nd Brigade led by Civil Military Operations Officer Major Francisco P. Garello, Jr. conducted a security awareness drive to 35 senior high school students coming from Barangays San Mateo, Nong-Nong and Tungao, all of Butuan City.

“The army recognizes its duty to inform the youth about the nature of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) – New People’s Army (NPA) Terrorists or CNTs and their deceptive and manipulative recruitment strategy. Our youth is one of the most vulnerable sector in our society and we must protect them from being used as pawns by the CPP-NPA-NDF against our government troops,” Garello said.

Likewise, the senior high school students were educated through a static display of the Infantry Brigade squad and a film showing highlighting the different facets of being a soldier.

They were also given lecture on how to join the Philippine Army and its recruitment process.

The baranagays of San Mateo, Nong-Nong and Tungao were identified as CNT-affected areas but have withdrawn their support through their declaration of the CNTs and its allied left-leaning groups as persona non grata in their respective barangays.

According to Col. Maurito L. Licudine, commander of 402nd Infantry Brigade, the youth is the hope of tomorrow and we are pleased that in partnership with the PNP we were able to reach out to this group of young people so that they will not be easily swayed by the sweet talking of the CNTs.

"The youth must be wary of those who exploit their youthful idealism, agitating them with the social problems of our country and dragging them into the armed struggle. It is right to take active part in looking for peaceful solutions but it is not right to bear arms to solve these problems,” he said.

Licudine is appealing to the CNTs to spare the children from their violent way of life. “Give them a chance to grow up; a chance to achieve their aspirations; and be successful in life.

"As for the CNTs, heed our call to surrender, avail the E-CLIP and live peacefully with your families and love ones,” urged Licudine. (402nd Infantry Brigade/PIA-Caraga)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1024476

4ID chief: CAPDdev addresses armed conflict in peaceful manner

Posted to the Philippine Information Agency (Jul 12, 2019): 4ID chief: CAPDdev addresses armed conflict in peaceful manner



Awarding of military merit and commendation medals highlights the 46th anniversary celebration of the 8th Infantry (Dependable) Battalion in Impasug-ong, Bukidnon. (PIA/Bukidnon)

IMPASUG-ONG, Bukidnon -- The Convergence Areas for Peace and Development (CAPDev) program is an attempt of the government in Northern Mindanao to address conflict and various issues in a peaceful manner.

Major General Franco Nemesio Gacal, commanding officer of the 4thInfantry Division of the Philippine Army, said this during the 46th anniversary celebration of the 8th Infantry (Dependable) Battalion.

Gacal said there are things which could be addressed using other approaches and government interventions that would somehow alleviate the conditions of kababayans so that they will not be recruited by the political catalysts of NPA and become enemies of the government.

He said the CAPDev is the banner program of the region to put an end to local communist conflict and insurgency.

Addressing the Dependable troopers, Gacal urged them to throw in all their efforts to CAPDev and continue building on their gains particularly in the operationalization of Executive Order 70.

The celebration, he said, should serve as a reminder that they cannot rest on their laurels. “There is more to be done especially now that we are rallying all our efforts to end communist insurgency,” he added.

He also told the troopers to make sure that no one will harm or threaten the people and disturb the peace in their areas of operations.

“Let us make CPP-NPA and other terrorist and lawless groups feel that they are not welcome in the communities unless they drop their arms and walk in the path of peace.”

The 46th anniversary of the 8th IB was highlighted by the awarding of military medals.

Merit medal was given to Sergeant Junday Gealon, Sergeant Danilo Simbajon, Private First Class Vergel Suazo, and Private Jhon Paul Del Ayre while Staff Sergeant Ricardo Mendoza and Private First Class Janmary Nanolan received commendation medal. (APB/PIA10)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1024160

AgNor to adopt rebels willing to surrender to government

Posted to the Philippine Information Agency (Jul 12, 2019): AgNor to adopt rebels willing to surrender to government



BUTUAN CITY, July 12 (PIA) - To give chance to former rebels (FRs) and let them experience a better life, the province of Agusan del Norte has expressed willingness and interest to adopt those rebels who wanted to surrender and live a normal life in the mainstream society and be with their family.

With this development, a half-way house for the former rebels is being constructed for their temporary shelter once they surrender to the government. This also serves as a transition home and rehabilitation center for the FRs and Militia ng Bayan.

According to Ali Kazim Marcaban, coordinator of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) in Agusan del Norte, the provincial government continues to implement the program, where it provides psychosocial interventions; individual case management to each former rebel; facilitate their chosen livelihood project; and capacitate them in their reintegration to the communities.

This is apart from the regular financial assistance to former rebels, he said.

Political officer of Sotero Llamas of Bicol Regional Party Committee, Agnes Lopez Fernandez also known as “Ka Tina/Ka Jorge/Ka Yolly,” also called on to her former comrades to leave the organization and return to the folds of the law, and live a peaceful life.

As a former rebel, Fernandez is thankful to the provincial government of Agusan del Norte for its constant support especially in providing funds, programs and services for her co-former rebels.

Meanwhile, a formulation workshop for the halfway house manual of operations was also conducted to ensure rightful implementation of the halfway house rules by next year. (JPG/NCLM/PIA-Caraga)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1024423

Tagalog News: Mahigit 1,000 nakinabang sa PNP outreach program sa Surigao Sur

Posted to the Philippine Information Agency (Jul 12, 2019): Tagalog News: Mahigit 1,000 nakinabang sa PNP outreach program sa Surigao Sur

LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Hulyo 12 (PIA) - Mahigit isang-libong indibidwal ang nakinabang sa community outreach program ng Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga sa Barangay Javier, Barobo, Surigao del Sur.

Lubos naman na ikinatuwa ng mga residente ang libreng medikal and dental check-up. Maging ang libreng gupit, gamot, food packs, school supplies, tsinelas, at eyeglasses.

Ang nasabing aktibidad ng PNP ay kanilang 'Project Kasing-kasing' o ‘Project Heart.’ Ito ay flagship program ng Police Regional Office 13 na naglalayung matulungan ang mga residenteng nasa liblib na komunidad ng rehiyon.

Ayon kay PNP Caraga regional director Police Brigadier General Gilberto DC Cruz, layun din nito na mas palakasin pa ang magandang relasyon at patuloy na koordinasyon ng mga residente at PNP tungo sa epektibong pagsugpo ng problema sa insurhensiya.

Dagdag pa ng opisyal, isa ang Barangay Javier sa bayan ng Barobo sa mga lugar napabilang sa conflict-affected areas ng rehiyon, at nagdeklarang persona non-grata sa Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) na siyang nagdudulot ng kaguluhan sa lugar.

Ayon kay Cruz, ilan-ilang violent incidents na rin ang naitala sa nasabing barangay at isa na riyan ang pagsunog umano ng mga npa sa container vans na may lamang export-quality bananas noong 2013.

Ang community outreach program ng PNP ay parte rin ng kanilang ginagawang hakbang upang maipalaganap pa ang implementasyon ng Executive Order 70 o 'whole of nation' approach sa pagsugpo ng insurgency. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1024451

Tagalog News: Programang 'Usapang Pangkapayapaan, Usapang Pangkaunlaran' inilunsad sa Palawan

Posted to the Philippine Information Agency (Jul 13, 2019): Tagalog News: Programang 'Usapang Pangkapayapaan, Usapang Pangkaunlaran' inilunsad sa Palawan

Pinangunahan ni Col. Gerardo M. Zamudio, Jr., Assistant Chief of Air of Staff ng Civil Military Operation ng Philippine Air Force (PAF) ang paglulunsad ng Usapang Pangkapayapaan, Usapang Pangkaunlaran sa Palawan (UP-UP Palawan). Makikita sa larawan sina (L-R) Asec. Victor Del Rosario ng National Youth Commission, Dir. Eugene Earl, Jr. ng PCOO; John Vincent Fabello, Spokesperson ng PSCD; Col. Zamudio, Puerto Princesa City Council; Jimmy L. Carbonell, CDR; Federico Vicente M. Alcantara IV ng Wescom; LTC Joel R. Jonson at LTC Joseph Marlon Famoso ng NTF-ELCAC. (Larawan ni Orlan C. Jabagat/PIA-Palawan)

PUERTO PRINCESA, Palawan, Hulyo 10 (PIA) --- Inilunsad ngayon araw ang Usapang Pangkapayapaan, Usapang Pangkaunlaran sa Palawan o UP-UP Palawan sa pangunguna ni Col. Gerardo M. Zamudio, Jr. Assistant Chief of Air of Staff ng Civil Military Operation ng Philippine Air Force (PAF).

Ang programang ito ay bahagi ng UP UP Timog Luzon na ipinatutupad ng PAF bilang pagsuporta sa National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) partikular sa pagpapatupad ng Executive Order No. 70 na inilabas ng Malacañang kung saan ito ay whole-of-nation approach upang mawakasan ang mga armadong pakikibaka. Isinagawa ito sa Marquez Hall ng Tactical Operation Wing West sa Lungsod ng Puerto Princesa.

“Ito pong project na ito ay nais naming buksan sa Air Force para i-support po ito sa aming unified command sa pagnanais na matulungan naman yong Palawan, na makamit natin yong kapayapaan dito sa lugar na ito, because yong kapayapaan na yan, kapag tayo ay nagtulong-tulong kung gusto nating pitasin ‘yan ngayong taon, kaya nating pitasin yan,” pahayag ni Col Zamudio.

Isa pa sa layunin ng hakbang na ito ng unified command ani Zamudio na mailigtas ang mga kababayan nating namundok o sumapi sa mga makakaliwang grupo tulad ng New People’s Army (NPA) sa pamagitan ng pagtutulungan o pagbabayanihan partikular na ang pagpapa-abot ng mga impormasyon sa ating mga otoridad.

“Ang problema lang ayaw natin sa armado [mga teroristang grupo] pero ayaw natin itong sabihin in public. Ayaw natin itong ipagsigawan, ayaw natin itong ipagmalaki. Dapat, itong paninindigan na ito, dapat ‘yan ay isinisigaw natin ‘yan, pinoproclaim natin, bakit? Kinakailangang i-proclaim natin, para ma-save natin ang buhay ng mga kapatid natin, diyan sa sa kabundukan,” Dagdag pa ni Col. Zamudio.

Binanggit din ni Col. Zamudio na ang kakulangan sa impormasyon ang dahilan kung bakit sila sumasapi sa NPA at namumundok. Naniniwala aniya siya na ang mga ito ay biktima lamang ng maling paniniwala at ang armadong pakikibaka ng mga ito ay walang patutunguhan.

Pinasalamatan naman si Col. Zamudio ang media sa napakahalagang papel nang mga ito sa pagpaparating ng tamang impormasyon sa bawat Palawenyo.

Kasama ni Col. Zamudio sa paglulunsad ng UP-UP Palawan sina Asec. Victor Del Rosario ng National Youth Commission, Dir. Eugene Earl, Jr. ng Presidential Communication Operations Office (PCOO), CDR Federico Vicente M. Alcantara IV ng Western Command U7, LTC. Joseph Marlon Famoso at LTC Joel R. Jonson ng NTF-ELCAC.

Dumalo rin dito sina Dr. Ben Caralde, ang Founder ng Bantay Bayan Foundation, Ernie Alcanzare ng Yes for Peace, Puerto Princesa City Councilor Jimmy L. Carbonell at John Vincent Fabello ang tagapagsalita ng Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD). (OCJ/PIA-MIMAROPA, Palawan)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1024433

RDC, RPOC declare communists as ‘persona non-grata’

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jul 13, 2019): RDC, RPOC declare communists as ‘persona non-grata’



Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity and Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security for Region III Carlito G. Galvez Jr (2nd from right) briefs the media following the 1stmeeting of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict. Also in photo are (from left) Police Regional Director and Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) Vice Chairperson Police BGen. Joel Napoleon M. Coronel, National Economic and Development Authority Regional Director and Regional Development Council Vice Chairperson Leon M. Dacanay Jr and Army 7th Infantry Division Commander and RPOC Vice Chairperson MGen. Lenard T. Agustin. (Carmela Jane F. Villar/PIA 3)

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, July 13 (PIA) -- Regional Development Council (RDC) and Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) issued a joint resolution declaring the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) as “Persona Non-Grata” or Undesirable in Central Luzon.

“As part of the first meeting of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict III (RTF-ELCAC III), we have signed resolutions including a condemnation of the CPP-NPA’s unlawful and illegal activities,” Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity and designated Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) for Region III Carlito G. Galvez Jr said.

CORDS is a mechanism that aims to link regional and sub-regional levels of government to national agencies in order to harmonize peace, development and security efforts, and consequently, formulate solutions to resolve the nation’s decades-long insurgency problem.

“Pursuant to Executive Order No. 70 series of 2018 or the whole-of-nation approach in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace, members of RDC and RPOC have gathered to unite efforts in addressing the communist insurgency, guided by the principle of good governance,” Galvez added.

RTF-ELCAC III is under the National Task Force (NTF-ELCAC) which was formed under Executive Order 70. NTF-ELCAC’s role is to provide efficient mechanism and structure for the implementation of the whole-of-nation approach in combating communist insurgency.

“RTF-ELCAC III is focused on the sub-national level in order to swiftly address security, socio-economic and other related problems on the ground,” Galvez explained.

Apart from this, four other joint resolutions were passed by RDC and RPOC during the first RTF-ELCAC III meeting.

These include: a) Inclusion of Scouting and Reserved Officer Training Corps in the school curriculum; and b) Designation of National Intelligence Coordinating Agency Regional Director Rolando Asuncion as the Deputy CORDS for Region III.

Also, c) Expressing support to President Rodrigo R. Duterte as the NTF-ELCAC Chairperson and adopting the National Peace Framework that will advance the inclusive and sustainable Peace and Development Agenda for Central Luzon; and d) Granting fund support to the Army 7th Infantry Division relative to the implementation of its peace building initiatives that support RTF-ELCAC III’s aim of ending local communist armed conflict in Central Luzon. (CLJD-PIA 3)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1024531

Suspected Red killed in encounter with gov’t troops

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 13, 2019): Suspected Red killed in encounter with gov’t troops

Google map of the boundary of Ayungon, Negros Oriental and Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental

A suspected member of the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), was killed during an encounter with government troops on the boundary of Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental provinces early Saturday.

Initial reports from the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office and the Philippine Army said that at about 5 a.m., troops of the 62nd Infantry Battalion encountered about 15 suspected NPA members between Upper Carol-an in Ayungon, Negros Oriental and Barangay Carol-an, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.

The firefight lasted for about 20 minutes before the suspected insurgents fled.

The body of the slain rebel was recovered, as well as one high-powered firearm, an anti-personnel mine, two bandoliers, and alleged subversive documents.

As of press time, the soldiers were continuing their clearing operations. No other details were made available to the media.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1074857

Army division inspector-general named new JTF Kutawato chief

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 13, 2019): Army division inspector-general named new JTF Kutawato chief

The patch of the Joint Task Force Kutawato (Photo courtesy of 6ID)
Army colonel Joel Abregana has been named as new chief of the military-led Joint Task Force Kutawato (JTFK) here Friday.

Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID), presided over the turnover of command at the JTFK headquarters in Pedro Colina Hill, this city.

Abregana, concurrent 6ID inspector-general, replaced Col. Jose Narciso as task force chief -- who was designated to head the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade based in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao.

As JTFK commander, Abregana has over-all supervision of the security of Cotabato City and its immediate environs.

In his speech following the turnover, Abregana appealed to all law enforcement units, village officials, and the private sector to join the military in preventing terrorism and petty crimes occurring in the city.

“Help your armed forces and the police,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi echoed Abregana's appeal by also urging the public to be vigilant at all times against any form of criminality.

“Let us assist our authorities in order to have a peaceful and progressive city,” she said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1074865

More cops off to Negros Oriental

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 13, 2019): More cops off to Negros Oriental



MEETING WITH THE GENERAL. Police Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas (right), the regional police director of Central Visayas, meets with the different police chiefs of Negros Oriental under the leadership of provincial police director Col. Raul Tacaca (left). The Police Regional Office 7 held a regional command conference in Dumaguete on Friday (July 12, 2019). (Photo by Judy Flores Partlow)

The Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NOPPO) is expecting new police personnel to be assigned in the province, an official said Friday.
Provincial Police Director Col. Raul S. Tacaca said Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas, regional director of the Police Regional Office 7 (PRO-7) covering the Central Visayas, has promised to deploy additional police personnel for Negros Oriental.

However, it was not immediately known how many police officers will be sent to Negros Oriental, Tacaca said.

He said the ideal ratio would be one police officer for every 500 persons.

He said this is one of the concerns he raised during the PRO7 regional command conference here.

Among the Army officials who attended the conference were Lt. Col. Ramir Redosendo, commander of the 11th Infantry Battalion and Lt. Col. Randy Pagunuran of the 94th Infantry Battalion.

Officials from the 302nd and 303rd Army brigades were also present as the brigade commanders were at a meeting at the Central Command (Centcom) in Cebu, Pagunuran said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1074840

Army lauds MisOr villages in isolating NPA

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 13, 2019): Army lauds MisOr villages in isolating NPA



The cooperation of rural communities has greatly helped the military in isolating communist rebels operating in the provinces of Northern Mindanao, particularly in Misamis Oriental.

Capt. Leoden Bajado, civil-military officer of the Army’s 58th Infantry Battalion, said residents in hinterland villages in Misamis Oriental have been coordinating with government armed forces to curtail the movement of the New People’s Army (NPA).
Bajado cited the recent encounter between government troops and NPA rebels in Barangay Mat-i, Claveria town on Friday as another instance of "community’s vigilance and their desire to rid their place of insurgents."

Bajado said rural villagers around the region are no longer hesitant to provide the military with information on NPA sightings in their communities.

He said Friday's clash occurred at around 6:30 a.m., resulting in undetermined number of casualties on the part of the rebels and the wounding of a soldier.

He said the retreating NPA fighters also left behind some personal belongings such as backpacks, a piece of landmine, a grenade, a bandolier, and ammunition.

Bajado said the rebels belong to the Sentro de Grabidad and Manuel “Tamtam” Jabagat Command of Guerrilla Front 4B, NPA’s fighting units based in Misamis Oriental.
“These [NPA] units want to regain the trust and support of the communities who are now supporting the government’s peace efforts,” he said.

Under the 58IB jurisdiction, Bajado said there are now 136 NPA members and sympathizers, who have surrendered to the government under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip) since 2017.
“We expect that number (of surrenderees) to increase in the coming days,” the Army official added.

Bajado also dismissed the report circulating on social media that the Claveria-Gingoog diversion road was not passable due to the fighting.

“There was no encounter near the highway. It happened in the mountains. That report was a disinformation effort concocted by the enemy to project that there is a widespread conflict,” he said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1074879

Ibon Foundation no credibility to back UN resolution: Parlade

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 13, 2019): Ibon Foundation no credibility to back UN resolution: Parlade

Maj. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations

Citing its lack of credibility, a ranking official of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC) has scored the Ibon Foundation for supporting the United Nations-adopted resolution, seeking for a comprehensive written report on the human rights situation in the Philippines.

"What's the fuss about this Iceland resolution on Human Rights? What credibility does Ibon Foundation have for supporting the call for UN probe in the Philippines?" Maj. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr., said in a statement forwarded to the Philippine News Agency (PNA) Saturday.

He also accused the group of "partly responsible for fabricating false data and information" about the country for the last 40 years.

Parlade, also the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Deputy Chief-of-Staff for Civil-Military Operations, said the deliberate twisting of facts and figures is aimed at projecting the country as an oppressive state to justify more funding from the foreign sources.
"Ibon Foundation has been getting funds from foreign governments and organization to conduct 'research on human rights' amongst many other topics, and has been twisting facts and figures, to project the Philippine state as oppressive, tyrannical, and in a dire state, even before PRRD (President Rodrigo R. Duterte) became President. This is to justify more funding from donors," he added.

Ibon Foundation, he said, has been involved in the publication of manuals and books for Filipino children using falsehoods like the Jabidah Massacre in Corregidor to incite sedition among the country's Muslim population.

Parlade took exception of the group's efforts to promote the Communist Party of the Philippine-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) rebels and their supporters as an icon of heroism among children enrolled in their Salugpungan schools.
The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

"Ibon Foundation have been promoting false heroes and rebels as icons of heroism among children like Fr. Pops Tentorio, an Italian communist priest killed in Mindanao is being hailed by Ibon Foundation as a National Hero in their Salugpungan school manuals," Parlade said.

He said Ibon Foundation manuals are produced by the rebel groups, with CPP cadres and wives of NPA fighters sitting and acting as the board of editors.

This is not unusual as the Ibon Foundation is known to be CPP-front organization which has been delivering well in its mandate which is to deliver CPP propaganda, he said.
He added that it is not surprising to find out that the Ibon Foundation has been a major source of European states and the UN of their negative narrative about the Philippines.

“Ibon Foundation has, in fact, been fomenting rebellion amongst young children and students, pushing them to violence, and then promote themselves, together with Karapatan and other CPP front organizations as champions of human rights. Then they have the temerity to complain to SC for harassment? The height of hypocrisy and deception," he said.

The Iceland-initiated resolution was adopted with 18 votes in favor, 14 against, and 15 abstentions by the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Thursday night. The resolution expressed concern over reported cases of extrajudicial killings in line with the illegal drugs campaign but also raised the issue of reported violations targeting critics and human rights defenders.

"This resolution was not universally adopted. Therefore, its validity is highly questionable. It does not represent the will of the Council, much less that of the developing countries who are always the target of such resolutions," Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. said in an earlier statement.

"Western countries pushed for this resolution in the confidence that the world has forgotten what they did and what should have been done to them had there been a Human Rights Council. It was pushed with the arrogance that developing countries must not stand up to them even if we can and as we hereby do. There will be consequences," Locsin said.

Locsin described the Iceland resolution as politically partisan and one-sided, reiterating the Philippines' position to reject it.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1074864

US, PH to hold 8th bilateral strategic dialogue on Monday

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 13, 2019): US, PH to hold 8th bilateral strategic dialogue on Monday

The United States and the Philippines are scheduled to hold their eight Bilateral Strategic Dialogue (BSD) on Monday in Manila, with focus on bolstering the two nations' ties in defense, criminal justice, and economics.

US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim will join the US delegation co-chaired by Assistant Secretary David Stilwell of State Department East Asian and Pacific Affairs and Assistant Secretary Randall G. Schriver of the US Department of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs.

The Philippine delegation will be co-chaired by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Enrique Manalo and Defense Undersecretary for Operations Cesar Yano.

The BSD is an annual consultation mechanism to discuss the full range of political, security and economic cooperation between the Philippines and the US.

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Emmanuel Fernandez said this year’s discussions will focus on strengthening cooperation on counter-terrorism, defense and security, economics, law enforcement, and criminal justice, among others.

Aside from Kim, Stilwell and Schriver, the US delegation will include Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia Joseph Felter, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs Hugo Yon, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Jorgan Andrews, and Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Southeast Asia Mark Clark.

This will be Assistant Secretary Stilwell’s first trip to the region since becoming Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs last month.

The previous BSD was held in Washington, D.C. from November 30 to December 1, 2017, while the last BSD took place in Manila in January 2015.

The dialogue will run from July 15 to July 16 in Manila this year.

In the seventh BSD, the two sides explored ways to increase cooperation in the areas of science and technology, agriculture and fisheries, and health and environment.

They also looked forward to expanding a free, fair and reciprocal bilateral trade, including through exploring a potential Free Trade Agreement.

Both sides also reiterated their commitment to uphold freedom of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the sea in the South China Sea, and stressed the importance of peacefully resolving disputes in accordance with international law, as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1074868