Kalinaw News: Communist terrorists, attack soldiers in Camarines Norte despite Christmas truce

Posted to Kalinaw News (Dec 23, 2019): Communist terrorists, attack soldiers in Camarines Norte despite Christmas truce (By 9th Infantry Division)

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur-Members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) launched another violent attack against the military hours after the declaration of Suspension of Military Operations (SOMO) Monday, December 23.

According to the report, one platoon of 92nd Division Reconnaisance Company (92DRC) was supposed to conduct security operation but was pulled out in compliance with the existing SOMO which took effect from 12AM of December 23 until January 7, 2020.

However, while on their way back at Barangay Baay of Labo town around 9 o’clock in the morning today, an undetermined number of communist terrorists fired upon them and detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) killing one (1) and wounding (6) six militay personnel.

Joint Task Force Bicolandia (JTFB) under MGEN FERNANDO TRINIDAD AFP condemned the CTG’s treacherous act and their gross violation of the ceasefire.

The use of IED on the other hand is also a clear violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).

Gen. Trinidad expressed his strong disappointment with the terrorist group’s defiance of the agreed Christmas truce which aims to give Bicolanos a peaceful way to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

This action is a clear manifestation of their deceptive and ill motives as well as their use of terror and violence to show their strength which, for so long a time, hampers the government’s campaign to attain sustainable peace and development.

It can be recalled that Communist Party of the Philippines Central Committee was the first to declare a truce and called all its guerilla units nationwide to suspend military operations which took effect right after the government’s declaration of SOMO and Suspension of Police Operations (SOPO).

JTFB maintain its stand to comply with the ceasefire and assured the public that it will not compromise their safety and security hence all military units are still on alert to preempt any atrocities that the CTG’s plan to spread.

https://www.kalinawnews.com/communist-terrorists-attack-soldiers-in-camnorte-despite-christmas-truce/

Eastmincom cites decline in encounter with Reds

From Politiko Mindanao (Dec 24, 2019): Eastmincom cites decline in encounter with Reds



The military’s Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) has recorded a downward trend in the number of atrocities with the communist New People’s Army (NPA).

According to Eastmincom, there were 45 atrocities recorded in the first quarter of 2018 (1Q18), 38 in 2Q18, 46 in 3Q18, 28 in 4Q18, 23 in 1Q19, 24 in 2Q19, 17 in 3Q19, down to nine in 4Q19.

“This is attributed to the surrender of 696 regular NPA members, the arrest of 85, and the death of 56 others during encounters,” it said.

The reduction in rebels’ firearms was also a big factor, military said, citing that for 2019, a total of 689 firearms were surrendered, while 364 were captured during encounters.

It also cited the continuous loss of mass base and space, with 6,283 mass supporters and members of the underground mass organization dissociating themselves and severing their ties with the Maoist group.

An overwhelming number of local government units – nine provinces, four cities, 46 municipalities, and 24 organizations in the whole area of the Eastmincom–declared the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) as persona non grata, forcing the latter to be mobile and to consolidate in the political boundaries of the provinces, it added.

“Sadly, there were 17 soldiers, 15 CAFGU active auxiliaries, and three PNP (Philippine National Police) members who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of peace in the Eastmincom area,” military said.

With the improved security situation, Eastmincom said it expects a faster delivery of services in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) and former conflict-affected areas.

It also noted the effective implementation of Executive Order No. 70 or the Whole-of-Nation Approach to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) that addresses the non-military dimensions of insurgency which is being operationalize at all levels by the different LGUs in the Command’s area of responsibility.

https://mindanao.politics.com.ph/eastmincom-cites-decline-in-encounter-with-reds/

TFD sends soldiers to churches ahead of mass

From the Mindanao Times (Dec 23, 2019): TFD sends soldiers to churches ahead of mass (By Rhoda Grace Saron)

Following the series of explosions in Cotabato and Maguindanao, the Task Force Davao (TFD) has imposed strengthen security measures in churches.

Col. Consolito Yecla said troopers will be deployed at the churches early – at least 30 minutes before the start of mass.

The “pro-active measures” aims to check any possible means of emplacing Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in the surrounding of the churches.

In the three blasts that hit the island on Sunday, one exploded few meters from the Immaculate Conception Cathedral that wounded 14 persons, seven of them soldiers and seven civilians, along Sinsuat Avenue, Cotabato City at around 6 p.m. Sunday (see related story on page 2).

“We emphasized on early deployment,” Yecla said. The early position of soldiers outside the church will counter attempt by the terrorists to place EID.

“We have coordinated with the police and its auxiliary guarding the gate of the churches,” Yecla said.

While police officers are inspections bags and other portable containers of churchgoers at the gate, TFD soldiers are detailed outside the church to inspect civilians carrying backpacks and wearing jackets to prevent suicide bombing and grenade throwing.

Earlier, the TFD is urging church workers to do their part in securing their respective churches.

The Davao City Police Office also imposed a one-entrance, one-exit program to deter the entry of criminals and terrorists.
https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2019/12/24/tfd-sends-soldiers-to-churches-ahead-of-mass/

Lanao Sur municipal police chief killed in ambush

From MindaNews (Dec 24, 2019): Lanao Sur municipal police chief killed in ambush (By FERDINANDH B. CABRERA)

The police chief of the municipality of Binidayan in Lanao del Sur and a village watchman were killed in a daring ambush that turned into a fierce exchange of fire early Tuesday evening in the same town.

Binidayan, Lanao del Sur. Map courtesy of Google

Col. Madzgani Mukaram, Lanao del Sur police chief, confirmed the death of Executive Master Sergeant Amen Lucman Macalanggan, his former close aide and driver, who was officer-in-charge of Binidayan police.

A member of the Barangay Police Action Team (BPAT) was also killed, while a patrolman and a non-uniformed personnel survived the attack.

The incident took place around 6:30 p.m. “It’s really work-related after his series of law enforcement operations during his short stint as municipal officer-in-charge,” Mukaram said.

He added that Macalanggan had shown his gallant bravery as he drew his firearms and fired against armed perpetrators despite wounds inflicted from the first burst of fire until he was overpowered by his enemies while taking cover behind the tires of his police car.

Mukaram said that in Macalanggan’s short stay of three weeks as town police chief, he had shown tremendous accomplishments, like running after illegal logging activities and confiscation of carnapped vehicles and contrabands, and among others.

Macalanggan came from the yearend meeting of the provincial police office in Marawi City where he showcased his accomplishments, Mukaram said.

The slain police officer, who is in his middle 40s, was a former Marine officer before he joined the Philippine National Police.

This was the second attempt on his life; the first was in Balabagan town, also in Lanao del Sur, years ago.

Mukaram vowed justice to his fallen former aide. (Ferdinandh Cabrera / MindaNews)

https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2019/12/lanao-sur-municipal-police-chief-killed-in-ambush/

Series of attacks in South disturb yuletide season

From the Mindanao Examiner (Dec 24, 2019): Series of attacks in South disturb yuletide season

COTABATO CITY – Gunmen ambushed Tuesday the deputy mayor of Shariff Aguak town in the restive Muslim province of Maguindanao, police said.

Police said Akmad Mitra was travelling in a car in his hometown when armed men opened fire that seriously left him wounded.

No individual or group claimed responsibility for the ambush, but it was the third attack since Monday in the region. 

Ambushers also killed the municipal police chief of Binidayan town in neighboring Lanao del Sur.

Executive Master Sergeant Amen Lucman Macalangan and his driver were both slain in the ambush in Pagayawan town, but 2 others survived the attack, according to Colonel Madzgani Mukaram, the provincial police commander.

He said the victims were on their way to the police headquarters from an earlier meeting in Marawi City. “Macalangan and his driver, his trusted BPAT (Barangay Police Action Team) of Binidayan, Ramel Pangcatan, died when ambushed last night. They were on their way to Binidayan from a weekly oversight meeting at the provincial police headquarters in Marawi City,” Mukaram said.

The two attacks coincided with the ambush of an army patrol in Cotabato City that left at least 8 soldiers wounded. Military officials blamed the attack on pro-ISIS militants fighting for the establishment of a caliphate in the mineral-rich, but dangerous region of Mindanao.

Several civilians were also wounded in separate bomb explosions in North Cotabato’s Libungan and North Upi towns.

https://mindanaoexaminer.com/series-of-attacks-in-south-disturb-yuletide-season/

Sara cautions vs. reopening talks with Reds after deadly attacks

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 24, 2019): Sara cautions vs. reopening talks with Reds after deadly attacks (By Danilo Adorador, III)



Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte. (PNA file photo)

DAVAO CITY -- Mayor Sara Z. Duterte has cautioned the government against reopening talks with communist rebels after a string of deadly attacks believed to have been perpetrated by the New People's Army (NPA).

In a statement on Monday, Mayor Sara also asked the national government to exclude Davao City from the Christmas truce, which began on December 23 and would last until January 7 next year.

"We respectfully caution the Duterte administration over its move to reopen the peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP)," she said, warning the government of the "evil character and duplicitous nature" of the communist rebel movement.
"While the declaration of (the) Christmas truce and the prospects to reopen formal peace negotiations are acts of goodwill on the part of the Duterte government, demonstrating its strong political will to resolve the insurgency problem plaguing some parts of the country for the past years, we must be always reminded by the evil character and duplicitous nature of (the) NDFP and its revolutionary organization, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA)," Mayor Sara added.

The NDFP is the political wing of the CPP, which represents the rebels in peace negotiations.

Just hours after the ceasefire went into effect, however, suspected NPA bomb attacks in Iloilo and Camarines Norte killed a soldier and wounded at least eight others.

Maj. Gen. Fernando Trinidad, commander of Joint Task Force Bicolandia, blamed the NPA for the "treacherous” attack that occurred while members of the Philippine Army’s 92nd Division Reconnaissance Company were withdrawing from initial deployment.

Sara noted that previous deadly attacks carried out by the NPA had effectively scuttled the prospects for peace negotiations.

"Why the past peace negotiations sorely failed could only be blamed on the countless criminal acts and treachery of (the) NDFP-CPP-NPA — displayed even during times when ceasefires were supposed to be in place," she said.

Sara described such attacks as "spoilers of peace," saying that "the Christmas truce will be used by the terrorist groups as an opportunity to regain communities previously cleared of their presence, consolidate their forces, and derail the progress of existing government rural development projects."

If at all, she said, the truce, "however commendable," has only proven to be "useless and deleterious to the accomplishments of our local peace initiative, the Peace 911."

Peace 911 is a comprehensive peace-building program of the Davao City government for conflict-affected areas of the city. It is primarily focused on Paquibato District and Barangay Dominga in Calinan District, areas identified as NPA strongholds.

From June to December this year, the program had successfully sprung Paquibato District and Barangay Dominga from the shackles of the NPA terrorists. Paquibato is dominated by Ata-Manobo natives.

Sara noted that the civilian-led peace group has opened roads and bridges, health centers, and schools. It also capacitated Indigenous Peoples IPs) by introducing Peace Economy, which helped farmers receive proper literacy in farming and marketing, linking them directly to buyers.

"For the first time in many years, people were given access to government agencies and non-government organizations that could help in the development of their communities — the Cooperative Development Authority, Department of Trade and Industry, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Social Work and Development," she said.

Sara also said an increasing number of NPA members and their supporters have been turning themselves to the government through the program.

"To be covered by the ceasefire or the peace negotiations will only disrupt and threaten the gains of our process of peace and development in these communities formerly controlled by the terrorists," she said.

She also described the CPP-NPA-NDFP as "terrorist organizations" to whom "sincerity is a strange word."

"To believe that they desire a peaceful end to the insurgency problem would be playing ignorant of their bloody habit — how they slaughtered countless civilians in the past and made many countryside communities suffer from poverty and underdevelopment, and blaming the government for it," Sara said. "These and more are the reason why these groups are called terrorists. And we should never negotiate with terrorists."

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/1089429

Lanao Sur town police chief, driver killed in ambush

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 24, 2019): Lanao Sur town police chief, driver killed in ambush (By Divina Suson)



AMBUSHED. The bullet-riddled police patrol car of Binidayan Municipal Station after an ambush in Pagayawan, Lanao del Sur, past 6 p.m. Monday (Dec. 23). The town police chief, Executive Master Sgt. Amen Lucman Macalangan, and his driver, died on the spot. (Photo courtesy of Lanao del Sur Provincial Police Office)

A police chief and his driver were killed during an ambush by armed men past 6 p.m. Monday Pagayawan town, Lanao del Sur, an official said.

Lanao del Sur police director, Col. Madzgani Mukaram, identified the police officer as Executive Master Sgt. Amen Lucman Macalangan, the police chief of Binidayan town, while the driver is identified as Ramel Pangcatan.

Murakam said their two companions on the vehicle--police non-uniform personnel Asliah Adiong and another police, Patrolman Nasser Arafat-- were unhurt.

Mukaram said the victims were returning to Binidayan from a weekly oversight meeting at the provincial police headquarters in Marawi City when they were waylaid.

The ambush area, LtC. Ian Noel Ignes, commander of the Army's 55th Infantry Battalion said, is a national road that is 400 to 500 meters from a Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit detachment.

Ignes said few days after Macalangan was assigned as officer-in-charge of the Binidayan town police, the latter had sought help from the military after he received threats that his police station would be harassed because of the smuggled cigarettes and illegal logs the police had seized.

Mukaram said the owner of the confiscated smuggled cigarettes is now a person of interest in the case.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1089438

Iloilo town denounces Red's Yuletide attack

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 24, 2019): Iloilo town denounces Red's Yuletide attack
(By Gail Momblan)



REDS UNWELCOME. Tubungan Mayor Roquito Tacsagon on Tuesday (Dec. 24, 2019) plans to declare the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) unwelcome following the attack on police officers in Singon village on Monday. Tacsagon said the Municipal Peace and Order Council of Tubungan will convene on Dec. 27 for the declaration. (PNA photo by Gail Momblan)

ILOILO CITY -- The mayor of Tubungan town, Iloilo said he will push for the declaration of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) as persona non grata following the ambush in Singon village on Monday.

In a press conference at Tubungan municipal hall on Tuesday, Mayor Roquito Tacsagon condemned the attack by the rebels against the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (1st PMFC) using an anti-personnel mine.

The police were on their way back to the headquarters after the declaration of the bilateral ceasefire between the government and the CPP-NPA when they were ambushed.

Two police officers were injured during the attack.

“We condemn the activity of the rebels given that the ceasefire was effective already at midnight (of December 2 to 3), but their action has affected the people, economy, and the tourism in the town,” Tacsagon said.

He had called on the town’s board members immediately after the incident on Monday to come up with countermeasures on the peace and order problem.

Tacsagon said they agreed to convene the Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) on Friday to declare the rebels persona non grata.

He said insurgency is considered as the "perennial" problem in Tubungan and it is high time to declare the Reds unwelcome.

“In my six months term, I do not want that the problem in the past will return, that Tubungan was known to be infested by the CPP-NPA. We are working on steps to address insurgency,” he said.

He estimated that there are around nine to 11 upland villages affected by the presence of the rebels.

Recruitment was also monitored, he said, as rebels approach and influence young farmers to join the armed struggle.

With the declaration of the Reds unwelcome, Tacsagon said the town is promoting peace.

“We in the local government of Tubungan is ready to welcome surrenderers. They still have time to return to the fold of the government and the government will not neglect you. I also appeal to them not to make our town a playing ground because this is not the solution for genuine peace,” he said.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Joel Benedict Batara, commander of the 61st Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, welcomes the plan of Tubungan to declare the CPP-NPA persona non grata.

“If they declare the communist terrorists persona non-grata, down the line, the village chiefs will be more motivated and they will see it as a driving force on their part. They will not hesitate to support the move of the municipal task force in ending local communist armed conflict,” Batara said in the same press conference.

He said the Army has consistently coordinated with the Philippine National Police to secure Tubungan town.

In the remaining days of the ceasefire, the commander said they could not predict any harassment by the CPP-NPA.

He said the guidelines of the ceasefire were disseminated up to the lowest unit of the troops an assured the Philippine Army respects the guidelines.

"The guidelines are strict that there will be no combat operations but we are not tied to defend ourselves and the community because we have to do our mandate,” he said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1089452

Maguindanao vice mayor, escort hurt in ambush

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 24, 2019): Maguindanao vice mayor, escort hurt in ambush (By Edwin Fernandez)



AMBUSHED. The bullet-riddled vehicle of Shariff Aguak Vice Mayor Akmad Ampatuan after he was ambushed along the national highway on Tuesday (Dec. 24, 2019). An escort of the vice mayor was also wounded in the incident. (Photo courtesy of Shariff Aguak MPS)

SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao – Unidentified gunmen riding on a motorbike ambushed Tuesday Vice Mayor Akmad M. Ampatuan of Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao, police said.

Technical Sgt. Omar Dirangaren, Shariff Aguak police desk officer, said Ampatuan, the father of Shariff Aguak Mayor Marop Ampatuan, was on board a red Toyota Innova(LFT-737) heading home from the town hall when the suspects opened fire around 1 p.m. along the national highway in Barangay Poblacion.

Ampatuan and his escort were injured and were rushed to the Maguindanao provincial hospital and later transferred to an undisclosed hospital in nearby Sultan Kudarat.

“Investigation is still going on,” Dirangaren said.

The motive and identities of the attackers remained unknown as of posting time, police said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1089462

Duterte visits soldiers wounded in Mindanao blasts

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 24, 2019): Duterte visits soldiers wounded in Mindanao blasts (By Azer Parrocha)



PRRD VISITS SOLDIERS. President Rodrigo R. Duterte confers the Order of Lapu-Lapu Rank of Kampilan on one of the wounded soldiers he visited at the Camp Siongco Station Hospital in Maguindanao on Monday (Dec. 23, 2019). Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go joined President Duterte in his visit. (Presidential photo by Toto Lozano)

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday visited soldiers who were wounded after a series of blasts rocked Central Mindanao on Sunday.

Photos released by Malacañang showed Duterte personally checking the condition of wounded-in-action (WIA) soldiers at the Camp Siongco Station Hospital in Maguindanao.

His visit took place after he led the distribution of the certificates of land ownership award (CLOA) to qualified agrarian reform beneficiaries coming from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The President conferred the Order of Lapu-Lapu Rank of Kampilan on the soldiers.

The Order of Lapu-Lapu is given to those “deserving of merit and recognition and to fully express the President’s appreciation of the Filipino people’s contributions to the success of the campaigns and the programs of the government.”

He also extended assistance to their families.
Reports showed that at least 23 individuals, including nine soldiers, were wounded in the series of explosions, nine days before martial law in Mindanao expires on December 31.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo earlier condemned the attacks, assuring that the government would "pursue the perpetrators" and "crush all evil forces or enemies of the state, as well as their supporters."

“Any attempt to sow fear, hatred, and violence is doomed to fail," Panelo said.

ASSISTANCE. President Rodrigo Duterte extends assistance to the family of one of the wounded soldiers he visited at the Camp Siongco Station Hospital in Maguindanao. (Presidential photo by Toto Lozano)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) suspected the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) to be behind the explosions.

The BIFF is an offshoot of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which is now in power in the newly-established Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The BARMM replaces the now-defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao following the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law that is anchored on the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro government inked between the national government and the MILF in 2014.

Despite the explosions, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said it will not recommend an extension of martial law in Mindanao.

Earlier, Duterte said he was willing to allow the BARMM to have its armed forces to "kill terrorists" who threatened the region’s development.

“To be honest, when you are already evolved into something regional and you have your own armed forces or police, I will agree to let you bear arms. But you know you have to kill the terrorists,” he said during the distribution of CLOAs in Cotabato City.

Panelo later clarified that the BARMM used to have a security force overseen by the AFP and the PNP.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1089439

Shortlist for AFP chief’s successor now being created

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 24, 2019): Shortlist for AFP chief’s successor now being created (By Priam Nepomuceno)



Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Noel Clement

A shortlist on the possible successor of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief-of-Staff Gen. Noel Clement is being drawn up, military spokesperson, Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, said Monday.

The list, Arevalo said, will be forwarded to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who will then give it to President Rodrigo R. Duterte.
"All of the recommendees possess the character, the competence, managerial expertise, leadership and the respect of our troops (which is needed) to follow the (AFP) Transformation Roadmap," he said.

Clement was appointed AFP chief last September 24. He is scheduled to retire early January when he reaches the mandatory military retirement age of 56.

Clement, a member of Philippine Military Academy Class of 1985, succeeded his classmate, Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr., who left the service after reaching the mandatory military retirement age.

The AFP chief was born Jan. 5, 1964 in Lipa, Batangas.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1089423

AFP to be more vigilant, alert despite truce with Reds

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 24, 2019): AFP to be more vigilant, alert despite truce with Reds (By Priam Nepomuceno) 



AFP spokesperson, Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief-of-Staff Gen. Noel Clement has directed all front-line military unit commanders to intensify their intelligence-gathering activities to foil possible attacks of communist rebels during the holiday truce.

"Front-line unit commanders are ordered to be extra vigilant and their personnel very cautious and intensify intelligence gathering about possible attacks as they conduct humanitarian assistance and disaster response during calamities or other non-combat missions from quarters who are out to sabotage the truce during the period," military spokesperson, Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, said in a statement Monday.

The ceasefire took effect midnight on Monday and will end at 11:59 p.m. on January 7 next year.

Clement also ordered all field commanders to faithfully observe the unilateral and reciprocal ceasefire with the Communist Party of the Philippine - New People's Army - National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) declared by President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

The CPP-NPA has been tagged as a terror group by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, and the Philippines.

"We exercise guarded optimism and assure our people that the AFP will be, as always, faithful to its commitment to peace. We sternly warn violators to this armistice that we will deal with them under military rules and regulations," Arevalo said.

Units of the AFP were ordered to stop all conduct of combat operations targeting terrorists in their hideouts.

However, patrols intended to secure military bases and camps, as well as the communities within their areas of responsibility, are allowed.

"They may enforce arrest of persons who are illegally bearing firearms and doing unlawful acts like arson, extortion, and the like," Arevalo added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1089422

NBI to probe Cotabato City bombings

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 24, 2019): NBI to probe Cotabato City bombings (By Benjamin Pulta December)

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct a probe on the December 22 bombings in Cotabato City.

In issuing Department Order 682 on Monday, DOJ Undersecretary Ferdinand Sugay directed and authorized NBI Director Dante A. Gierran to "conduct an investigation and case build-up on the bombing in Cotabato City and other related incidents in the nearby provinces on December 22."

The order took effect immediately and will remain in force until otherwise directed.

Reports said at least 14 persons were hurt in the grenade early evening of December 22 along Sinsuat Avenue near the entrance at Pedro Colina Hall and a few meters from the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Cotabato City.

Later that night, five persons were injured in an explosion near the town plaza of Libungan, North Cotabato.

Bomb disposal experts said a rigged 60-mm. mortar shell was used by the attackers.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1089434

NPA rebels don't listen to Joma anymore: Lacson

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 24, 2019): NPA rebels don't listen to Joma anymore: Lacson (By Azer Parrocha)



Senator Panfilo Lacson 

Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson raised the possibility that New People's Army (NPA) rebels no longer heed the orders of Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria "Joma" Sison after suspected communist guerillas launched separate attacks in Iloilo and Camarines Norte provinces despite declaring a ceasefire that was reciprocated by President Rodrigo Duterte.

"The latest attack on our soldiers by NPA rebels despite the ceasefire simply means that they don’t listen to Joma Sison anymore," Lacson said in a tweet.

Sison downplayed the NPA attacks, saying they “do not mean willful and systematic violations of ceasefire" since they were isolated cases.

The CPP founder earlier expressed openness to resume with negotiations with government in a country near the Philippines.
Lacson also raised another possibility that if indeed the NPA rebels still listened to Sison, he could have been lying about his desire to resume peace talks.

"Either that, or he cannot and should not be trusted. Localizing the peace talks is still the better way, I think," he added.

On Sunday, Duterte ordered a 15-day ceasefire from December 23 until January 7 next year as a confidence-building measure ahead of the resumption of formal peace talks with consultants of the CPP’s political arm, the National Democratic Front (NDF).

However, suspected communist guerrillas ambushed policemen and soldiers in separate attacks in Iloilo and Camarines Norte provinces on Monday morning.

Reports showed that one soldier was killed while two policemen and six others were wounded in the attacks.

Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa were not enough to recommend the immediate cancellation of the ceasefire.

Malacañang said the government is prepared for possible NPA attacks, saying it did not matter if the NPA does not honor its word because the purpose of terrorist organizations is to “put the government down.”

“Let me put it this way: The communist rebels will always want this government to fall; that is precisely the purpose by which this organization has been conceived from the very beginning,” Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

“So it is not far-fetched that they want to eliminate all the officials running this government. But we are prepared for that. We are ready for that, they have been trying to do that for the last 50 years and they have failed,” he added.

Panelo said should the NPA continue to launch attacks despite the ceasefire, it will immediately destroy the presumption of its sincerity in resuming the peace talks.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1089458

Attacks despite truce show Reds ruthless form: Parlade

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 24, 2019): Attacks despite truce show Reds ruthless form: Parlade (By Priam Nepomuceno)



Major General Antonio Parlade, Jr., Armed Forces of the Phili[pines Deputy Chief-of-Staff for Civil-Military Operations (PNA File photo)

A ranking official of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday said the communist rebels revealed their ruthless form by conducting attacks against military and police personnel in clear violation of the recently ceasefire agreed upon by the government and their political leaders.

Adding insult to injury is that these attacks were carried out when the truce was only starting, AFP Deputy Chief-of-Staff for Civil-Military Operations, Major General Antonio Parlade, Jr., said in a statement to the Philippine News Agency.

"Only a few hours after the declaration of ceasefire by the GRP (Government of the Republic of the Philippines) and NDFP (National Democratic Front of the Philippines), the NPAs attacked the Army in an ambush-land mine in Labo, Camarines Norte, and the police in Iloilo," he added.

The truce took effect around 12 a.m. of December 23 and will end at 11:59 p.m. of January 7 next year.

Parlade said these unprovoked attacks, which in itself are horrible violations of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA of the truce agreement, was further made worse by the communist rebels' use of land mines which are clear violations of international conventions as well.

He also scored the leadership of the CPP-NPA for alleging that the purported attacks on military and police units were based on news reports which is short of saying that the military and police could be engaging in propaganda.

"In a statement, (Luis) Jalandoni (NDF senior adviser) has the gall to say that the reports were just based on news reports? Is he insinuating that the AFP and PNP (Philippine National Police) could just be propagandizing, and staging a fake attack? After a soldier was killed and scores wounded from the Army and PNP?" Parlade said. "Is he adding insult to injury by trying to ignite the sentiments of soldiers and policemen whom we know are not agreeable to peace talks, but are nonetheless, supportive of the decision of the Commander-in-Chief?"

Despite the series of attacks by communist rebels, he said Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Zarate is still to issue any statement condemning these violations of the ceasefire agreement.

He said he finds this disturbing as the lawmaker was quick to allege that the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC) is full of "saboteurs" and "that security officials are spoilers of peace?"

"Clearly now who are the saboteurs here? To those who have been red-tagged by 'Joma' (CPP founding chair Jose Maria Sison) and the CPP what can we say about these attacks? Where is Bayan's Renato Reyes who had a lot to say about the peace talks?" he added.

With these treacherous attacks by the CPP-NPA, families of soldiers and policemen are mourning and spending Christmas in the morgue and hospital, Parlade added.

"It has happened before but this is the price of the government's genuine pursuit for peace," he said.

While the lives of these poor soldiers can never be brought back, he said Bayan and the Makabayan bloc, which are all reportedly affiliated to the CPP-NDF, can start demonstrating goodwill by condemning this barbaric act of the NPA terrorists.

"Let us all contribute to paving the way for genuine peace. This treachery and the undefiant stance of Kamatayan (Makabayan) bloc to denounce violence only serve to cast doubt on the NDFP's agenda for seeking a truce. Cui bono? (to whom it is a benefit)," he said.

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.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1089467