Kalinaw News: NPA Ex Team Leader surrenders in Agusan del Norte

Posted to Kalinaw News (Aug 10, 2019): NPA Ex Team Leader surrenders in Agusan del Norte

DEL PILAR, Cabadbaran City, August 05– The former team leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) voluntarily surrendered to the Community Support Team (CST) under Lt.Col. Isagani O. Criste, Commanding Officer of 29th Infantry “Matatag” Battalion at Barangay Del Pilar, Cabadbaran City on August 5, 2019.

Alias Cyrus, 25 years of age and a member of Sandahang Yunit Pangproganda (SYP) 21B, Guerilla Front Committee (GFC) 21C, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) surrendered and brought along his issued AK47 rifle and subversive documents of high intelligence value.

Alias Cyrus is a son of alias Giveheart who surrendered to 29IB on January 11, 2019. In his statement alias Giveheart said, “Nagpasalamat ko ug dako sa ginoo ilabi na sa 29IB sa walay hunong nga pagtabang nila sa mga membro sa NPA nga gusto na mubalik sa sabakan sa balood. Atong una naglisod ko ug kombinsi sa akong anak tungod kay gahi kaayo siya pasabton ug dili siya gusto musurender kay patyon radaw siya sa sundalo. Ako siyang gipasabot nga dili kana tinood tungod kay ako mismo nakasaksi kung unsa ka buotan ang mga kasundaluhan karon ilabi na ang 29IB. Ako syang giingnan nga ayaw paminawa ang gisulti sa mga NPA kay ila lamang kanang propaganda aron punggan ug hadlukon ka nga musurender. (I am thankful to the Lord and the troops of 29IB for their never-ending efforts to reach out to the members of the NPA who want to return to the folds of the law. At first, it was so hard for me to convince my son because he is so hard-headed and would not listen. He thought that the military will kill him if he surrenders. I made him understand that his expectation had no basis, for I have proven how good the military is, especially the 29IB. I also told him not to listen to the NPA because it’s part of their propaganda to threaten him and stop him from surrendering.)”

Alias Cyrus said, “Nakamata nako karon sa tinood nga katuyuan sa NPA ug akong nasabtan nga wala silay maayong nabuhat sa katawhan kung dili puro pagpatay sa inosenteng tao, pagpanunug ug mga kabtangan ug pagguba sa kaugmaon sa mga kabatan-onon. Mao ng nangita ko ug pamaagi nga makaikyas sa ilaha.Naningkamot ko nga makaikyas sa kalihukan kay gikapoy nako ug pakigbisog sa walay hinungdan nga idilohiya tumong nga idilohiya. Nagpasalamat ko sa 29IB sa higayon nga gihatag nila sa ako para musurender ug para akong makauban ang akong pamilya ug usab. (I have been awakened now to the real intent of the NPA, and realized that they bring nothing beneficial to the people- they kill the innocent, burn properties, and destroy the lives of the young people. And so, I tried to make a way to escape from them, because I’m already tired fighting for an ideology that doesn’t make any sense. I’m grateful to the 29IB for giving me a chance to surrender and be with my family once again.)”

Lt.Col.Isagani O. Criste, Commanding Officer of 29IB said, “Alias Cyrus made the right decision. I admire him for the courage he had shown to turn his back to the NPA to live a new life with his family. It wasn’t easy for him, but he has shown that it is possible if one has the desire to change. To those others who are still in the snares of the NPA, surrender now while you still have the chance. The government is here to support you, with its arms of help extended to all of you who will have the desire to surrender,” Criste ended.

29th Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Division Philippine Army
MAJ RONALD C PUTOL (INF) PA
Civil Military Operations Officer
Contact Number: ‎09173065872

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace by the Philippine Army. It provides information on the activities of Army Units nationwide in the performance of their duty of Serving the People and Securing the Land. This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
Contact us: contact@kalinawnews.com]
https://www.kalinawnews.com/npa-ex-team-leader-surrenders-in-agusan-del-norte/

SOLCOM: Online Flier/Poster: Malapit na ang Katapusan ng CPP-NPA sa Buong Bansa

Posted to the Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) Facebook Page (Aug 6, 2019): Online poster/flier: Malapit na ang Katapusan ng CPP-NPA sa Buong Bansa (End of CPP-NPA Nationwide)



Maraming salamat po sa pagkakaisa natin upang makakamit ang kapanatagang matagal ng mithiin(Thank you very much for being united in achieving the long-term goal.)

https://www.facebook.com/SouthernLuzonCommandAFP/photos/a.1503968379863230/2321795798080480/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/SouthernLuzonCommandAFP/

SOLCOM: Online Flier/Poster: Don't join the legal fronts of the CPP-NPA-NDF, like the Kabataan (Youth) Partylist, League of Filipino Students and Anakbayan

Posted to the Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) Facebook Page (Aug 7, 2019): Online Flier/Poster: Don't join the legal fronts of the CPP-NPA-NDF, like the Kabataan (Youth) Partylist, League of Filipino Students and Anakbayan

https://www.facebook.com/silip.pinoy/photos/a.1373735342722186/2267679033327808/?type=3&theater

Huwag sumali sa mga legal na prente ng CPP-NPA-NDF, gaya ng KABATAAN Partylist, League of Filipino Student at Anakbayan, dahil sila ang mga organisasyon sa eskwelahan na sumusuporta sa mga komunistang teroristang NPA sa kabundukan!


Warning to the young people:

Don't join the legal fronts of the CPP-NPA-NDF, like the Kabataan (Youth) Partylist, League of Filipino Students and Anakbayan, because they are the organizations in the school that support the communist terrorist NPA in the mountains!

#OustAnakbayan
#OustKabataanPartylist
#OustLFS
#EndCPPNPANDF

https://www.facebook.com/SouthernLuzonCommandAFP/

SOLCOM: Online Flier/Poster: Anakbayan and Kabataan STOP Communist Exploitation of Students in State Colleges and Universities in the Philippines

Posted to the Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) Facebook Page (Aug 7, 2019): Online Flier/Poster: Anakbayan and Kabataan STOP Exploitation of Students in State Colleges and Universities in the Philippines



https://www.facebook.com/SouthernLuzonCommandAFP/photos/a.1503968379863230/2323051811288212/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/SouthernLuzonCommandAFP/

SOLCOM: Alagaan po natin ang mga kabataan

Posted to the Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) Facebook Page (Aug 8, 2019): Alagaan po natin ang mga kabataan (Let's look after the youth)



https://www.facebook.com/SouthernLuzonCommandAFP/photos/a.1503968379863230/2323204491272944/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/SouthernLuzonCommandAFP/

SOLCOM: Government troops encounter NPAs in Mindoro, recover one M16 rifle

Posted to the Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) Facebook Page (Aug 9, 2019): Government troops encounter NPAs in Mindoro, recover one M16 rifle



https://www.facebook.com/4thInfantryBattalionOfficialPage/photos/a.2174409746163450/2408640766073679/?type=3&theater

CAMP CAPINPIN, Tanay, Rizal - Combined elements of the Army's 203rd Brigade and PNP MIMAROPA while conducting focused military operations encountered more or less 20 Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs) belonging to Kilusang Larangang Gerilya Mark Anthony Velasco (KLG MAV) and Main Regional Guerilla Unit (MRGU) of Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee (STRPC) in Sitio Mantay, Barangay Monteclaro, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro at 12:00 p.m. on August 08.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Arbolado, Commanding Officer of 4th Infantry Battalion who is directly supervising the ongoing focused military operations, “the mastery of terrain and the active community engagements enabled the troops to close-in with the enemy which resulted to a 10-minute intense firefight followed by 40 minutes of intermittent engagements and the recovery of one M16 rifle" reportedly left by the scampering terrorists.

He added that "no casualty was recorded on the part of the government forces after the troops overrun the rebels' encampment while we believe that numerous NPAs were believed to have been wounded or killed due to heavy bloodstains seen along the terrorists' route of withdrawal".

Government troops are now conducting pursuit operations to ensure the security and safety of the civilians in the area and to run after the fleeing NPA terrorists.

Brigadier General Marceliano V Teofilo, Commander of 203rd Infantry Brigade which has operational jurisdiction over Mindoro, said that "as the lead agency in the the implementation and operationalization at the provincial level of National Task Force to End Local Communists Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC) and with the support of the PNP through the Peace, Law Enforcement and Security (PLEDS) Cluster, we will continue our mandate to help the local government in putting an end to NPA insurgency, thus, we will continue to protect every Mindoreños against the threats of violence while ensuring peace and development in this part of our land.”

He ended his statement by assuring the public that “strict observance of human rights, rule of law and rules of engagement while conducting follow-on operations in the area will be observed," ended BGen Teofilo.

It can be recalled that on July 27, combined Army and PNP troops in Sta Cruz, Occidental Mindoro confiscated anti-personnel improvised explosive device (IED), different calibers of firearms, live ammunition and voluminous enemy documents after arresting two high ranking NPA leaders who were later identified as Reynaldo Malaborbor Jr alias Ace/Ocram and Nadeline Fabon Corazon alias Cali/Raya, a terrorist intelligence officer and a former PUP student and now a Political Instructor of MRGU, respectively. 

The successive neutralization of NPA leaders in Southern Tagalog has caused demoralization among the terrorists which led to influx of surrenderers.

Meantime, Brigade General Arnulfo Marcelo B Burgos Jr, Commander of the 2nd Infantry (Jungle Fighter) Division, said that “the apprehension of the NPA leaders and the series of encounter in Mindoro is a clear manifestation that the enemies-of-the-state have already reached irrelevancy and no longer enjoy support from their so-called masses”, a direct result of PRRD unprecedented trust rating as well as the implementation of Executive Order 70 which calls for a whole of nation approach in ending local communist insurgency.

He concluded his statement by “reaffirming the soldiers’ unwavering commitment to serve the people of Southern Tagalog and secure the area from communist terrorists’ atrocities so that the Filipino people may continue to enjoy the fruits of peace, prosperity and development” in this part of the country.

https://www.facebook.com/SouthernLuzonCommandAFP/

Two injured soldiers stable, slain Army man to be honored

From the Visayan Daily Star (Aug 10,2019): Two injured soldiers stable, slain Army man to be honored

The Philippine Army is set to honor another hero, who was killed in the performance of his duty on Thursday in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental,

Brig. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, yesterday said that the cadaver of PFC Joel Farinas was shipped last night to his family in Panay.

Farinas was the first casualty of the 303rd Infantry Brigade under the leadership of Arevalo in 12 encounters with New People’s Army rebels since October last year up to yesterday.

Arevalo said that the two injured soldiers, Sgt. Froilan Tosalem and Cpl. Oliver Porten, are now in stable condition.

Tosalem and Porten are up to receive Wounded Personnel Medal, while Farinas is also expected to get a posthumous award for his bravery.

Arevalo reported that three communist rebels also died in the short distance of gunbattle, although they failed to recover their bodies who were retrieved by their fleeing comrades.

Recovered from the encounter site were assorted live ammunition and empty shells of various caliber of firearms and components of improvised anti-personnel landmine.

Pursuit operations against the fleeing rebels are still ongoing, as of this time, Arevalo said.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2019/August/10/topstory7.htm

Philippines on Alert amid Warnings of new IS-Linked Group in North

From BenarNews (Aug 6, 2019): Philippines on Alert amid Warnings of new IS-Linked Group in North

Government security forces conduct inspections at a roadblock in Cotabato City, January 2019.  Mark Navales/BenarNews

Philippine security officials have been placed on heightened alert following a report that a group allied to the Islamic State (IS) was targeting churches and establishments for bomb attacks in the north, officials said Tuesday.

Intelligence officials told BenarNews that a group calling itself Suyuful Khilafa Fi Luzon (SKFL) was scouting for targets to make its presence felt in an area where IS-linked groups are not known to operate. To date, IS affiliates have mostly been concentrated in the country’s south.

Little is known about the group, but loosely translated, its name means “soldiers of the caliphate in Luzon.” Most of its members were once allied with the Rajah Solaiman Movement (RSM), the sources said.

The RSM, composed of Filipino Christians who converted to Islam, pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda two decades ago. Government forces subsequently killed its leaders, leading to the apparent collapse of the RSM.

The new group has aligned with IS, according to the intelligence officials.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo confirmed Tuesday that the military was on heightened alert in the north, amid intelligence reports that members of the SKFL group were plotting attacks. The national police earlier in the day said troops were on the ground checking to determine if an IS-linked group was preparing attacks.

In addition, President Rodrigo Duterte is aware of the threat, Panelo confirmed.

“The president said that he was afraid that this ISIS group would reach here. The fear and apprehension will always be there for as long as terrorism led by this godless group is still present,” Panelo told reporters, using another acronym for the Islamic State.

A directive from the military last week that was leaked to the media showed it had ordered intelligence units to “heighten intelligence monitoring” because of reports that IS was targeting public establishments and Roman Catholic churches.

The report, which was confirmed by the military on Tuesday, said the attacks would be spearheaded by Filipino militants with the help of two Sri Lankan bombers who were supposed to train them.

Panelo said the report was subject to validation, but he did not deny it.

“That’s raw intelligence. That’s precisely why the president is praying because it would be really bloody. We know that the ISIS group is so brutal in slaying people and we will be fighting back – and that will mean bloody encounters,” Panelo said.

IS-claimed terror attacks on hotels and churches in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, April 21, killed more than 250 people. Shortly afterward, IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi praised the attacks in his first video appearance in five years.

Military seeks to ‘contain the threat’

Military spokesman Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said troops were investigating details of the report.

“Our standard operating procedure dictates never to take chances by dismissing the information outright or believing it as gospel truth. Because no matter how doubtful or credible information is, we do verification. We have to take, as we have been instituting, appropriate security measures in either case,” Arevalo said.

“Our intelligence personnel, in cooperation with other relevant government agencies, are vigorously pursuing leads to validate the veracity of the report, deter its occurrence if found true, secure and protect the people and contain the threat,” he added.

Anti-terror analyst Rom­mel Ban­laoi, chairman of Philip­pine In­sti­tute for Peace, Vi­o­lence and Ter­ror­ism Re­search, said he was aware of reports about the new SKFL group. Citing intelligence sources, he said the group appeared to be small but “can make big trouble by training suicide bombers.”

“I saw the intelligence report and the churches under bomb threat locations are called ‘crusader cities’ in Luzon,” Banlaoi told BenarNews.

He said militant groups in the country’s south, including Abu Sayyaf and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, had welcomed the entry of foreign militants there, in part to cause chaos after the country’s main Muslim rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, gave up the fight for independence and signed a peace deal with Manila in 2014.

Previously, Banlaoi was among the first to identify as foreigners those involved in the Jolo church bombings.

In January, at least 23 people died and dozens of others were injured in a twin suicide bombing inside a Catholic church in Jolo, the capital of Sulu province. Officials in Indonesia recently confirmed the attacks were carried out by an Indonesian couple.

The attack was planned by Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, who took over as new IS leader in the Philippines after Isnilon Hapilon was killed in the battle of Marawi two years earlier.

More recently, three civilians and three soldiers were killed when two suicide bombers blew themselves up on June 28 outside a military camp on Jolo.

https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/philippine/militant-threat-08062019141500.html

Two terrorists from Sri Lanka slip into the Philippines to prepare for attacks in Luzon

From the Straits Times (Aug 9, 2019): Two terrorists from Sri Lanka slip into the Philippines to prepare for attacks in Luzon

MANILA - At least two terrorists from Sri Lanka have sneaked into the Philippines to train local militants on making bombs and attacking churches and other soft targets north of the country.

A watch list from the Manila International Airport Authority identified the two as Mark Kevin Samhoon and Victoria Sophia Sto Domingo. Both were tagged as "suicide bombers", with kin in the Philippines.

Samhoon has ties to the National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ), the terrorist group accused of carrying out the Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka in April this year that killed at least 250 people, according to the watch list. His mother is a Filipino working as a maid in Dubai.

Samhoon is said to be "connected" to Sto Domingo, though it is unclear what is the link between them.

Sto. Domingo is described as a "black-belter" who had trained children and women in bomb-making. She holds a Philippine and a Sri Lanka passport.

She arrived in the Philippines in November 2018. Samhoon followed her, possibly in June this year.

Mr Rommel Banlaoi, head of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research, told The Straits Times that Sto Domingo was involved in plotting the suicide attack in January this year on a Roman Catholic cathedral in Sulu province, that killed 23 people and wounded at least 100. Indonesian police tagged Indonesians Rullie Rian Zeke and Ulfah Handayani as the bombers.

BenarNews reported that Samhoon and Sto Domingo were already with a faction of Filipino militants in the main Philippine island of Luzon, some 1,000km north of where most extremist groups linked to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) normally operate.

A group called Suyuful Khilafa Fi Luzon, formed by remnants of the Rajah Sulaiman Islamic Movement, is purportedly planning to bomb churches in Luzon, with help from Samhoon and Sto Domingo.

The capital Manila and other densely populated cities are in Luzon.

Militants are seeking to bomb targets in Luzon to send a message that their influence is spreading in places far from their strongholds, security officials said.

President Rodrigo Duterte's spokesman Salvador Panelo on Tuesday (Aug 6) confirmed that security forces in Luzon were on heightened alert to thwart such attacks.

According to Mr Banlaoi, a third Sri Lankan, Anarkalie Dulara Palliyaguruge, was also involved in these plots. "Anarkalie is the financier," he said.

The Sri Lankan has so far been unable to sneak into the Philippines.

Besides the Sri Lankans, an Egyptian couple, both veterans of the fighting in Syria and Afghanistan, were also reported to be in the Philippines to train a younger crop of militants on suicide bombing.

Some 200 Indonesians had also made their way to jungle camps of ISIS-linked groups in war-torn Mindanao island.

"There are dangers ahead. I share the apprehensions of President Duterte," said Mr Banlaoi.

The President on Monday (Aug 5) voiced concerns over possible ISIS-inspired attacks in Luzon.

"I have ISIS, and this is what I am most afraid of," he said in a speech. "I am praying, really praying, kneeling before God, to spare us the kind of brutality and cruelty (ISIS brings) because it will really be bloody, bloody as it can be."

Mr Duterte said he was looking at recruiting thousands more to augment the military's special forces units.

"We are facing so many fronts. I need more soldiers," he added.

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/two-terrorists-from-sri-lanka-slip-into-the-philippines-to-prepare-for-attacks-in-luzon

AFP verifying reports of Sri Lankan terrorists in PH

From Rappler (Aug 10, 2019): AFP verifying reports of Sri Lankan terrorists in PH

The military is on heightened alert as it verifies pieces of information about alleged terror threats to churches and other establishments in Luzon



ON ALERT. Military and police personnel at a ceremony on May 7, 2019. Photo by Jire Carreon/Rappler

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it was verifying information on two supposed terrorists from Sri Lanka reported to be training bombers to launch attacks in Luzon.

"We already have some information that we are checking with another agency. We will update you,” AFP spokesperson Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo said in a message to reporters on Saturday, August 10.

On Friday, August 9, the Straits Times reported that terror suspects Mark Kevin Samhoon and Victoria Sophia Sto. Domingo have “slipped” into the Philippines, adding that both were tagged as “suicide bombers” and were on a watch list of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA).

Rappler has sought to verify this with MIAA but the agency has yet to respond to the query as of posting time.

The report connected Samhoon to the Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka in April that killed more than 200 people. It said Samhoon’s mother is Filipino.

Sto. Domingo, whose links to Samhoon were unclear, holds Sri Lankan and Philippine passports, the report said.

Samhoon and Sto. Domingo were said to be operating with the Suyuful Khilafa Fi Luzon (SKFL) militant group and were planning attacks on churches and other establishments, according to a report by BenarNews.
The SKFL has possible links to the Islamic State (ISIS) terror group, the report said.

On Monday, August 5, Arevalo confirmed that the AFP Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) was on heightened alert following unverified reports of possible terror attacks in its area of responsibility.

“Our intelligence personnel, in cooperation with other relevant government agencies, are vigorously pursuing leads to validate the veracity of the report, deter its occurrence if found true, secure and protect the people, and contain the threat,” Arevalo said in a statement.

Arevalo then confirmed the existence of a memo to NOLCOM intelligence units that warned of possible terror attacks on a “Crusader City with business establishments” and “Crusader Churches,” in Northern Luzon.

"Meanwhile, we urge the public to remain calm and continue their routine. But they should remain vigilant and alert,” Arevalo said on Saturday. He asked the public to report any “unusual observations” to the AFP and to the Philippine National Police.

ISIS calls its target areas "Crusader Cities," and historic Roman Catholic churches "Crusader Churches," according to the memo.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/237494-armed-forces-verifying-reports-sri-lankan-terrorists-philippines

DepEd gives hope to IPs in Davao Norte town

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 10, 2019): DepEd gives hope to IPs in Davao Norte town



PROJECT FOR IPs. Education Secretary Leonor Briones (holding the microphone) visits the Nasilaban Integrated School in Talaingod, Davao del Norte on Friday (August 9, 2019) to extend projects to the community. Briones pledged to put up a three-story building with nine classrooms, a dormitory, a solar panel project for electricity supply, and a rainwater collector. (Photo courtesy of PIA-11)

DAVAO CITY -- The top official of the Department of Education (DepEd) visited the Nasilaban Integrated School in Barangay Palma Gil Talaingod in Davao del Norte on Friday, to give Indigenous People (IP) communities new hope through various projects.

Being the first Cabinet official to set foot in the village, Secretary Leonor Briones bared her plans to the community to provide better education to IP children.
“Talaingod was the IP area I failed to visit last year due to security concerns. But today, I have proven that the town is peaceful,” she added.

During the visit, Briones pledged to put up a three-story building with nine classrooms, a dormitory, a solar panel project for electricity supply, and a rainwater collector.

She called on her undersecretaries, assistant secretaries and DepEd officials, from the municipal to provincial levels, to make sure that the projects are delivered before the Duterte administration’s term expires in 2022.

“Every sitio (sub-village) in Talaingod would have its set of kinder, elementary, junior and senior high schools,” she said.

Meanwhile, Talaingod Mayor Jonnie Libayao conveyed to Briones that it is crucial to establish a college in the area.

Briones, however, said priority would be given to basic education for children.

“I understand her for it needs a lot of process, but I am thankful that DepEd initiated a move for senior high school graduates to land for a job,” Libayao said, in reaction to Briones’ statement that the DepEd and the Civil Service Commission had talked about the possibility of accepting senior high graduates for jobs in local and national government offices.

The projects offered by DepEd have a big impact on the lives of the IPs, he said. “Despite her age, she managed to visit us and provided government services to this far-flung area,” he added.

Libayao also said that Briones got the chance to talk to the IP residents, teachers and students and promised to solve the shortage of school buildings and the needs of the schoolchildren.

Briones also went to the adjacent Salugpongan school and saw that nothing was left of it since the residents dismantled the school.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1077512

CPP-NPA declared persona non grata in Bulacan

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 10, 2019): CPP-NPA declared persona non grata in Bulacan



BULACAN REJECTS CPP-NPA PRESENCE. The province of Bulacan, headed by Governor Daniel Fernando, declares Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines (CPP-NPA-NDFP) as "persona non grata", through a resolution approved during the Bulacan Provincial Peace and Order Council meeting at Francisco Balagtas Hall, Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center on Thursday (Aug. 8). (Photo courtesy of the Bulacan PNP)

CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan – The province of Bulacan has declared the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines (CPP-NPA-NDFP) as "persona non grata".

The declaration was made through a resolution approved during the third quarter joint meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC)-Bulacan at the Francisco Balagtas Hall, Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center here Thursday.

Resolution No. 01, Series of 2019 declaring CPP-NPA as persona non-grata in Bulacan was approved by Gov. Daniel R. Fernando, members of the Board and Sangguniang Panlalawigan representatives.

The resolution condemns the unlawful, illegal and unauthorized activities committed by the CPP-NPA-NDF, recognizing them as detrimental to peace and development.

It also states that the threat posed by the radical organization presents an imminent danger to people’s right to life, liberty, and security throughout the country.

Maj. Gen. Lenard T. Agustin, commander of the 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division, Philippine Army, said on Friday the province of Bulacan has been very active in the fight against terrorism.

“The passing of the resolution declaring CPP-NPA-NDF persona non grata is a stepping stone and a good start of the province to avert and deter possible infiltration in any sector in the society,” Agustin said.

Lt. Col. Felix Emetrio M. Valdez, commanding officer of the 48th Infantry Battalion, said: “It is through this resolution that we are able to converge our efforts together towards a common goal.”

“The infiltration and exploitation of the CPP-NPA-NDF call the attention of the society especially the local government units to prevent it from worsening. With this, your Philippine Army will continue to help every sector in order for them to see the real intentions of spoilers of peace,” Valdez added.

Meanwhile, Col. Chito G. Bersaluna, Bulacan Police Provincial Office director, called for the cooperation of everyone to help address the decades-long communist insurgency.

“We need to create communities that are conflict-resilient, and we need the constant cooperation of local and national government agencies to attain peace,” Bersaluna said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1077522

Lady peace advocate named TESDA-BARMM head

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 10, 2019): Lady peace advocate named TESDA-BARMM headLady peace advocate named TESDA-BARMM head



NEW HEAD. Minister Mohagher Iqbal of the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education – BARMM announces the appointment of new Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) – BARMM Director Ruby Andong (inset) during the regional skills competition in Maguindanao on Friday (August 9, 2019). Andong pledged to continue the TESDA programs implemented by her predecessor. (Photo courtesy of TESDA-BARMM)

COTABATO CITY -- The minister of education of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has named a lady peace advocate to head the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) - BARMM.

Director Ruby Andong assumed office on Friday after Minister Mohagher Iqbal of the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE-BARMM) announced her appointment during the opening program of the regional skills competition 2019 in Barangay Rebuken, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao. 

Andong has been at the forefront of women advocacy groups in the region and has helped lobby for the passage of the organic law for the Bangsamoro region. Outgoing TESDA-BARRM Director Omar Dalagan was moved to TESDA-Zamboanga.

Speaking to reporters, Andong said her priority as head of TESDA is to promote moral and values formation among trainees and clients.

She vowed to cleanse the regional office of corruption and irregularities, if any, and promote transparency, accountability, and moral governance.

She also pledged to continue the TESDA programs that were implemented by her predecessor.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1077509

IP children get help from women group, soldiers, NGOs

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 10, 2019): IP children get help from women group, soldiers, NGOs



IP ASSISTANCE. Aileen Usob Hualde (left), executive director of the Women Organization of Rajah Mamalu Descendants (WORMD), prepares the slippers for distribution to IP children during an outreach program in South Upi, Maguindanao on Friday (August 9, 2019). WORMD is a United Nations’ Women partner organization. (Photo courtesy of WORMD)

SOUTH UPI, Maguindanao -- A total of 135 pupils of a far-flung primary school in Maguindanao have benefitted from an outreach program organized by the Women Organization of Rajah Mamalu Descendants (WORMD) and participated in by multi-sectoral groups here on Friday.

Aileen Usob Hualde, WORMD executive director, has partnered with the local government of South Upi, Army’s 6th Infantry (Redskin) Battalion, Army Warrior Angels and other civil society organizations to bring food and services to the Tumbaga Primary School in Sitio Linamas, Barangay Romongaob, South Upi.

WORMD is a United Nations’ Women partner organization.

The outreach program includes feeding, distribution of medicine, slippers, dental kits and free haircut for 135 pupils.

Those who brought goodies to the Indigenous Peoples (IP) children had to walk for several kilometers to reach the school that was named after Timuay Andres Angias Tumbaga.

Tumbaga, a tribal leader, donated the land for the one-hectare school compound. The Lumad Development Center Incorporated contributed the school main building while another classroom building was built by the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund through BALAY Non-Government Organization.

Hualde said it was her passion to extend help in whatever way to the less fortunate people of the upland towns of Maguindanao.

“It’s a personal passion, I am happy when I see children smile for what I have done,” Hualde said, adding that she was glad the soldiers and the Army Warrior Angels, an association of women composed of soldiers’ spouses, readily extended help.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1077513

Army shields youth from Red’s recruitment

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 10, 2019): Army shields youth from Red’s recruitment



PROTECTING THE YOUTH. 1st Lt. Hazel Joy Durotan, Civil Military Operations officer of the Philippine Army's 61st Infantry Batallion, leads the conduct of the peace symposium and insurgency awareness in a high school in Iloilo province. Lt. Col. Joel Benedict Batara, commander of the 61st IB on Saturday (August 10, 2019), said the Army intensifies its effort to guard the youth against recruitment by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA). (Photo courtesy of 61IB)

ILOILO CITY -- The Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB) has intensified its effort to prevent young people from being deceived and recruited by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA).

Among the efforts being done by the Army is the conduct of peace symposium and insurgency awareness in national highs schools, and youth leadership training in municipalities.

"The rebel group’s recruitment ruins the future of the students who are the future of their families and the country," Lt. Col. Joel Benedict Batara, 61st IB commander, said in a phone interview Saturday.

The peace symposium and insurgency awareness campaigns were done in 10 high schools in the provinces of Iloilo and Capiz since it started in June this year, Batara said.

“We target junior and senior high schools, especially in schools located in the upland because they are the most vulnerable to CPP-NPA’s recruitment,” he said.

Video clips tackling the consequences of joining the armed conflict and the strategies of the rebels in deceiving the young minds were shown to the students.

The three-day youth leadership summit also left a positive impact on the youth. The Army organizes workshops during the summit, which builds camaraderie among the youth.

“They find new friends through the summit,” he said, adding that the summit also awakens the sense of volunteerism among the youth.

The Army conducts two youth leadership summits every quarter, Batara said.

Batara said the rebels deceive the students through presenting societal issues that were allegedly not addressed by the government.

Students in the upland villages are most exposed to recruitment as they seldom witness the development in cities and provinces, Batara added.

“They (rebels) exploit the students first, and then encourage them to go on villages for 'immersion'. Eventually, they will give the students firearms,” he said.

He said the recruitment by the rebels has put some of the teenager’s life at risk.

“Sometimes, in the encounters (between the soldiers and the rebels), we can see students being involved,” Batara noted.

He also pushed for the institutionalization of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) that will develop nationalism and patriotism among the youth.

“It is time, we make compulsory the ROTC to protect our youth and students,” he said.

The army commander also advised parents to always check on their children.

“Ask them of their activities and monitor their schooling. We can hear that some students change attitude, go into rallies, and eventually become the target of the NPA because they are potential members. Let us protect our children,” he said.

Batara assured that the Army will continue to do its best to keep the youth away from the CPP-NPA recruitment activities and the armed conflict.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1077523