After 15 years, couple decides to quit NPA

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 27, 2019): After 15 years, couple decides to quit NPA
(By Alexander Lopez)




NEW LIFE. A couple and another member of the New People’s Army (NPA) were welcomed by the 75th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army during their surrender on Thursday (Dec. 26, 2019) in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur. The NPA couple, who worked by the rebel movement for 15 years expressed hope the government will help them rebuild their family and return to their community. (Photo courtesy of CMO, 75th IB, Philippine Army)

Too much exhaustion and disillusionment forced a couple in Surigao del Sur to finally leave the New People’s Army (NPA), armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) that they served for more than 15 years.

The Army’s 75th Infantry Battalion, through its commanding officer, Lt. Col. Warren C. Munda, welcomed couple alias “Jun” and alias “Ursula”, together with alias “Jean” when they formally turned themselves on Thursday, December 26 in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur.

Munda expressed appreciation to the decision of the three former rebels and assured them of the full support of the government.

“The government and the Philippine Army will assist and support you in starting anew with your families and children,” Munda said.

“Jun” and “Ursula” belonged to NPAs guerrilla front 19 while “Jean” belonged to guerrilla front 30 of North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) operating in the hinterlands of Surigao del Sur.

The three also surrendered to the Army one M16A1 Rifle with one long steel magazine loaded with 28 rounds ammunition and two Norinco AK47 Rifles, each with magazines loaded with 29 rounds ammunition.

“Let's work hand in hand for us to achieve sustainable peace and inclusive development,” Munda told the three former rebels after they formally turned over the weapons and ammunition.

In a statement issued on Thursday, “Jun” said he and his wife have wasted 15 years with the communist movement, risking the lives of their families and jeopardized the future of their children.

“We were part of the movement (NPA) for 15 years but we got nothing. We experienced adversities, hunger, and scores of difficulties in the mountains,” “Jun” added, as he spoke in a local Visayan dialect.

He also expressed hope the government and the Army will help him build back his family and finally return to his community.

“We have no doubts the government will extend help for us to rebuild our lives,” he said.
Munda said the surrender to the NPA couple and another rebel was in time with the 51st anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

He added that the couple is among the hundreds who surrendered during the year that signifies the effectiveness of the Whole-of-National approach being done by the government to end the local communist armed conflicts in Surigao del Sur.

Munda also cited the support of the various government agencies and the local government units (LGUs) in winning back more NPA rebels.

He added that the three will receive immediate cash and livelihood assistance and the remuneration of the firearms they surrendered.

The former rebels will also be evaluated for their enrollment to the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the government.

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/1089612

Rally vs. NPA staged in different areas in Caraga Region

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 27, 2019): Rally vs. NPA staged in different areas in Caraga Region (By Alexander Lopez)



FED UP. The Police Regional Office in Caraga Region (PRO-13) reported of the simultaneous conduct of indignation rally against the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the New People’s Army (NPA) in different sites in the region on Thursday ( Dec. 26, 2019) in time for the 51st anniversary of the CPP. The PRO-13 said people in the region are already fed up with the atrocities done by the NPA to the people of Caraga. (Photo courtesy of PRO-13 Information Office)

A number of anti-communist rallies were held in different locations in Caraga Region on Thursday, December 26, in time for the 51st anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

In a report, the Police Regional Office in Caraga Region (PRO-13) said the rallies were conducted in strategic towns and cities in different provinces in the region that was attended by different sectors, including the youth.

PRO-13 Police Director Brig. Gen. Joselito T. Esquivel, in a statement on Thursday, said police personnel and the members of the Philippine Army also expressed their full support to the rallies that condemned the continued atrocities done by the NPA in the region.

The activities included a march on major streets with placards condemning the NPA, speeches of former rebels during the rallies and the burning of the NPA's flag.

In Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, an indignation rally against the communist movement was joined by representatives from various government agencies, the private sector, and other stakeholders.

The activity was held at the Luneta Park, Barangay Washington, Surigao City.

The participants to the rally denounced the CPP-NPA and its political arm, the National Democratic Front (NDF) for violence, terrorism, and atrocities done to the people of Surigao del Norte.

The activity in Surigao City was highlighted by the testimonies given by two former rebels identified as Rosel Dagante alias “Wela”, a former political instructor of guerrilla front 16-A and Roel Borimbao alias “No Name”, a former commander of propaganda group of guerrilla front 16-B of the NPA in the area.

The two former rebels shared with the participants the hardships they encountered while serving the communist movement and the realization they have been deceived for years that made them decide to go back to the folds of the law.

In Agusan del Sur, an indignation rally against the NPA was also conducted on Thursday in the town of San Francisco.

Hundreds of stakeholders also joined the activity together with representatives from government agencies.

The local government unit of San Francisco was represented during the anti-communist rally by Vice Mayor Bernardino S. Ursos and Councilor Dante H. Miro, the Association of Barangay Captain President in the area.

In the province of Surigao del Sur, three major indignation rallies were held on Thursday in the cities of Bislig and Tandag and in the municipality of Lianga.

More than 100 stakeholders joined the police and the army during the rally in Bislig City while 80 Indigenous Peoples (IPs) joined the rally in Lianga town.

“Our people are already fed up with the human rights violations of the terrorists. In fact, in some areas, the flag of the CPP-NPA was burned by the people,” Esquivel said in a statement.

He added that the relentless counterinsurgency campaign of the Army and the PNP has been successful in the region as manifested by the large number of rebels who returned to the folds of the law and the decreasing support of the masses to the NPA armed struggle.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1089618

NorMin 2019: Tales of 2 Lanao, mass surrenders, call for justice

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 27, 2019): NorMin 2019: Tales of 2 Lanao, mass surrenders, call for justice (By Nef Luczon)



PLEBISCITE. City Hall employees in Marawi City prepare the ballot boxes on Jan. 20, 2019 for distribution to different polling precincts for the plebiscite on the Bangsamoro Organic Law. The Lanao del Sur Provincial Plebiscite Board of Canvassers officially recorded a total of 503,420 voters who answered "yes" and 9,735 "no" to the question on whether or not they want their respective localities to become part of the new region that would replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. In Marawi City alone, 58,688 voted "yes," while only 112 voted "no." (Photo by Nef Luczon)

The first month of 2019 marked a new chapter in Mindanao's history when the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) was ratified through a plebiscite on January 21.

The Lanao del Sur Provincial Plebiscite Board of Canvassers (PPBC) officially recorded a total of 503,420 voters who answered "yes" and 9,735 "no" to the question whether they want their respective localities to be part of the new region that would replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). In Marawi City alone, 58,688 voted "yes," while only 112 voted "no."

The majority of votes led to the creation of the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), with Cotabato City, and some barangays in North Cotabato as new part of the territory.

But the province of Lanao del Norte refused to let go of its six towns to be part of the new BARMM.

In its separate BOL plebiscite on February 6, the provincial office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said the province's 22 towns have a total of 352,518 registered voters, but only 242,667 actually cast their ballots.

Under the BOL, the six towns planned to be included in the BARMM are Balo-i, Munai, Nunungan, Pantar, Tagoloan, and Tangkal.

Lanao del Norte 1st District Rep. Mohamad Khalid Q. Dimaporo casts his vote in a precinct in Tubod town on Feb. 6, 2019. Dimaporo and his family holding elective posts in the province already expressed their objection to let the six towns to be part of BARMM due to socio-economic grounds, and the history of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front attacking its towns in the previous decades. (Photo by Nef Luczon)

Anti-communism drive

When President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order (EO) 70, which led to the creation of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), calls for rebels and supporters to surrender intensified throughout the year.

ELCAC has its localized versions, through the local government units, which were crucial in implementing EO 70 to the grassroots with the help of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Individuals who claim to be members of the communist rebel group, New Peoples' Army, surrender to the military along with their firearms and ammunition. This is one of the many instances the military claimed it facilitated the surrender of rebels and its supporters mostly from Bukidnon province in the year 2019. (Photo courtesy of the 8th Infantry Battalion)
Most of the mass surrenders happened in Bukidnon province, with raids and offensives undertaken by the military that said to expose hideouts, including alleged abuses and crimes committed by the rebels.

This also prompted the AFP, specifically the 403rd Infantry Brigade under the 4th Infantry Division, to file charges against the Communist Party of the Philippines.

In addition, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Jose Ruperto Martin Andanar was appointed to be the officer-in-charge for the Cabinet Officers for Regional Development and Security (Cords) in Region 10.

Cords-10, under Andanar's leadership, was tasked to implement and supervise EO 70 in the region, which according to Andanar will remain unhampered.

In one of the gatherings participated by the media here on December 13, Andanar said that the Regional TF-ELCAC in Northern Mindanao tops the country for being the most active region in implementing EO 70 and yielding rebel surrenders.

These surrenders were then screened so that they will be qualified to avail of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip), a government program that provides livelihood and financial aid to the former rebels and their families.

The death of Philippine Military Academy's (PMA) Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio on September 18, became a national headline. But his story in his home city, Cagayan de Oro, gave more perspective to the cadet's family in calling for justice.

Not only Dormitorio's family but also the community of the schools he attended prior to PMA, held prayer rallies in remembrance of him. His death has caused the resurgence of the conversation and debate surrounding the Anti-Hazing Law.

Eventually, suspects were arrested, who were Dormitorio's upperclassmen, and PMA officials were replaced due to the incident.

Dormitorio was laid to rest in Cagayan de Oro City, while charges against the suspects are pending in the courts. (PNA)

Soldiers of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division salute Philippine Military Academy (PMA) cadet 4th class Darwin Dormitorio before his remains are buried at the Cagayan de Oro Gardens in Barangay Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro City, on Sept. 25, 2019. Col. Claro Unson, PMA deputy dean for academics, said failure to strictly enforce the Anti-Hazing Law was one of the shortcomings of officials of the PMA that led to Dormitorio’s death. (Photo by Jigger J. Jerusalem)

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1089620

Sison needs to ‘disengage self from fantasy’: Palace

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 27, 2019): Sison needs to ‘disengage self from fantasy’: Palace (By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos)



RALLY VS. CPP-NPA. Southern Police District (SPD) Director Nolasco Bathan puts a spray paint on the caricature of Jose Ma. Sison, founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA), during a rally against the communist group participated in by almost 300 civilians including former rebels in Baclaran, Parañaque City on Thursday (December 26, 2019). The group condemned the atrocities of the CPP-NPA, which is marking its 51st anniversary today. (PNA photo Avito C. Dalan) 

Malacañang on Friday expressed dismay that Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria Sison’s “hallucination” continues when he claimed that President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration is “going downhill to hell.”
Sison’s latest claim against the Duterte government merely demonstrates that he is “really living in an illusory world he has created for himself,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

“His remarks to his cadres on the occasion of the CPP anniversary entitled, ‘Duterte regime goes downhill as revolutionary movement rises,’ is proof of his hallucination,” Panelo said.

“It is his movement that is on downhill while the Duterte presidency keeps on rising and the surge in his popularity and trust rating is a resounding proof,” the Palace official added.

As the CPP marked its 51st year of insurgency on December 26, Sison claimed that the “traitorous, tyrannical, murderous, corrupt and deceptive” Duterte regime has “aggravated the chronic crisis of the ruling system.”

The communist founder also alleged that the current administration is escalating oppression and exploitation of people, prompting them to wage people’s war and all forms of resistance.

He, nevertheless, believed that Duterte’s administration is “going downhill to hell and cannot find enough relief from its imperialist masters to overcome the rising revolutionary movement of the Filipino people.”

Sison’s remarks came even as he expressed openness to Duterte’s call for the resumption of peace talks between the national government and the CPP’s political wing, the National Democratic Front (NDF) in a bid to end the decades-long insurgency of its armed component, the New People’s Army (NPA).

Sison should stop living in a fantasy, as it was likely for him to cause harm to others, Panelo said.

“Mr. Sison must disengage himself from his fantasy before his illusions develop into something medically perilous,” the Palace official said.

Sison blinded by his ‘comfortable, luxurious’ self-exile

Sison, who has been in self-exile in the Netherlands since 1987, apparently failed to see the progress in the Philippines under Duterte’s watch because he was already blinded by his “comfortable and luxurious” life in Amsterdam.

Panelo added that Sison seemed to be unaware that many of the communist rebels are realizing that their past struggles and sacrifices “have led to nothing except the shedding of bloodshed among and between Filipinos, family members being separated from each other, productive lives of young, ideal and even brilliant minds wasted on the hills, and always on the run fighting a lost cause abandoned even by those who advanced it.”

“His decade-long comfortable and luxurious self-exile in Europe has placed blinders in his eyes hence he could not see the transformation of society initiated and propelled by the strong-willed leadership of the former Mayor of Davao City,” he said.

“The fact is, a growing number of their members are turning a new leaf in their lives as they begin to go back to the mainstream of society,” Panelo added.

Panelo also belied Sison’s claim of “worsening” conditions of underdevelopment, high unemployment, low income, soaring prices of basic commodities and mass poverty in the Philippines.

To dispute Sison’s remarks, Panelo noted that foreign financial organizations foresee the Philippines as the “fastest growing economy in the Asia-Pacific in 2020.”

The Palace official also cited that employment hits a 14-year high, high inflation is “now a thing of the past," and nearly six million Filipinos have already been lifted out of poverty.

Panelo also reacted to Sison’s demand from the government to suspend the military and police operations against the communist rebels.

The holiday ceasefire between the state forces and the communists, which took effect on Dec. 23, will expire at 11:59 p.m. on January 7, 2020.

The Palace official found it satirical for Sison to issue a threat to lift the holiday truce with the government troops, considering that it was the NPA insurgents who are violating the temporary ceasefire deal.

“He threatens to cancel the ceasefire if these orders are not shown to the NDF panel. These orders are not forthcoming, Sison and his comrades can proceed with the cancellation of the ceasefire and the President will oblige them,” Panelo said.

“In the first place, they have violated their own declared unilateral ceasefire. So there is not even logic in their threat,” he added.

Accept one-on-one talk with Duterte

Following Sison’s remarks, it was not surprising that Duterte, who was his “serious student of political history,” slammed the former’s “pontifications of the ageing and ailing revolutionary,” Panelo said.

“Such a pitiful and tragic ending of someone whose brilliance, used to be revered by the youth of the seventies, has since then been dulled, by failing to embrace the realities of world politics and to accept the comatose state of a dying ideology,” he said.

“Even their former allies are distancing themselves from them. The European Union which has been releasing funds to the local communist fronts has vowed to stop its financial aid after their money-making scams have been unmasked,” Panelo added.

Panelo said that instead of criticizing the government, Sison should accept the President’s challenge for a one-on-one dialogue in the Philippines.

Duterte’s plan for a meeting with Sison came following the series of attacks by the NPA rebels against the government forces despite the implementation of holiday truce and amid intent to revive the peace negotiations.

Should Sison refuse to hold a dialogue with Duterte, the communist founder only proves that he is insincere to revive the peace talks, Panelo stressed.

“We dare Mr. Sison to come to the Philippines for a one-on-one meeting with the President to forge a lasting peace agreement. (President Duterte) guarantees that he will not be arrested upon his arrival and after the meeting he can freely leave for Netherlands when he so desires,” the Palace official said.

“His refusal to have a personal dialogue with his former student in the Philippines betrays his insincerity,” he added.

Duterte, who used to have good relations with the communists, was forced to formally scrap the national government’s peace talks with NDF consultants through Proclamation 360 signed on Nov. 23, 2017.

The Chief Executive also signed Proclamation 375, tagging the CPP-NPA as a terrorist group.

The CPP-NPA has also been branded as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1089570

DND chief sees no security threat in hosting Rohingya refugees

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 27, 2019): DND chief sees no security threat in hosting Rohingya refugees (By Priam Nepomuceno)



Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (File photo)

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana does not see any security threat should the Philippines continue with its offer to host Rohingya refugees.

Preventing a humanitarian crisis is the goal of the Philippines in declaring its intentions to accept the refugees, Lorenzana said Thursday.

"When one offers his territory to refugees out of humanitarian motive, I believe concern for security is temporarily set aside," Lorenzana said.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday reiterated his willingness to accept Rohingya refugees fleeing war and persecution in Myanmar.

The Rohingya, often described as "the world's most persecuted minority", are an ethnic group, majority of whom are Muslim, who have lived for centuries in Myanmar. Currently, there are about 1.1 million Rohingyas in the Southeast Asian country.

"Averting a humanitarian crisis is front and foremost. Furthermore, I don’t think the Rohingyas will reciprocate our kindness with bad behavior," Lorenzana said.

The Philippines’ open-door policy to refugees can be traced back to 1923 when the country took in the first wave of White Russians fleeing from the Socialist Revolution, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

The country also admitted Jewish refugees in 1934, Spanish Republicans in 1939, Chinese refugees in 1940, White Russians in 1949, Vietnamese “boat people” in 1975, Iranian refugees in 1979, Indo-Chinese refugees in 1980, and East Timor refugees in 2000.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1089566

PRRD orders immediate ban on 2 US senators supporting de Lima

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 27, 2019): PRRD orders immediate ban on 2 US senators supporting de Lima (By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos)

President Rodrigo R. Duterte has barred American Senators Richard Durbin and Patrick Leahy from entering the Philippines following their role in the United States' travel ban imposed on Philippine officials responsible for Senator Leila de Lima's arrest.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte's directive, which was made through a phone call on Thursday night, was meant to dispute Durbin and Leahy's claim that de Lima was "wrongfully" detained.

He, however, clarified that the President was "calm" when he gave the order.

Panelo said the President arrived at the decision to remind other countries that they cannot dictate upon the Philippines, which is an "independent and sovereign state."

"The President is immediately ordering the Bureau of Immigration to deny US Senators Dick Durbin and Patrick Leahy, the imperious, uninformed and gullible American legislators who introduced the subject provision in the US 2020 Budget, entry to the Philippines," Panelo said in a press conference. "No other state can dictate upon our officials, judges, and justices the method upon which we enforce or interpret our laws vis-à-vis those who are believed to have committed a violation against the same."

Philippine officials who allegedly have a hand in the "wrongful" detention of de Lima are now banned from entering Washington, as stated in the provision included in the USD1.4-trillion US budget for 2020 signed by US President Donald Trump.

De Lima has been detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center at Camp Crame in Quezon City since February 2017 following her supposed involvement in the rampant narcotics trade inside the national penitentiary when she was still justice secretary.

The travel ban imposed on de Lima's alleged jailers was part of the amendments to the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Section of the budget program introduced by Durbin and Leahy days before the signing of the document last week.

The “Prohibition on Entry” section states that the US Secretary of State “shall apply sub-section (c) to foreign government officials about whom the Secretary has credible information have been involved in the wrongful imprisonment of… Senator Leila de Lima who (was) arrested in the Philippines in 2017.”

Panelo, however, maintained that de Lima was not politically persecuted.

He said the Philippine court ruled to arrest de Lima, based on sufficient evidence that proves her links to illegal drugs.

"The case of Senator de Lima is not one of persecution but of prosecution. In fact, it is already being heard by our courts. The Philippine Supreme Court, the highest court of our land, has affirmed the incarceration of Senator de Lima as valid and lawful," Panelo said.

Possible visa application for US citizens

Panelo said the US' travel ban was deemed ineffective, considering that de Lima was "not wrongfully imprisoned."
He also debunked the claim that the US Secretary of State has obtained "credible" information about de Lima's supposed political persecution.

"The Palace has explained that the subject provision is inefficacious given that the Filipina senator is not 'wrongfully imprisoned' and therefore, the impossibility for the US Secretary of State to receive 'credible information' with regard thereto," Panelo said.

He said any form of pressure by other states that is tantamount to interference in the Philippines' established justice system "shall be reciprocated in accordance with our municipal law, as well as public international law or the law of the nations."

Panelo then warned that the Duterte government might be compelled to impose a visa application for all US citizens who wish to visit the Philippines, in case Washington denies entry to Filipino officials linked to de Lima's arrest.

"Should a ban from entry into US territory be enforced against Philippine officials involved in -- or by reason of -- Senator de Lima's lawful imprisonment, this government will require all Americans intending to come to the Philippines to apply and secure a visa before they can enter Philippine territory," he said.

"Napakaswerte nga sila, hindi sila binibigyan ng visa samantalang tayo nagpapakahirap. Masyado silang naging privileged (They are very fortunate because they do not need to apply for visa, while we are having a difficult time getting a US visa. They have become too privileged)."

Panelo said the President would not hesitate to issue an executive order that would require all US citizens to secure a visa before they can go to the Philippines.

Not a 'knee-jerk reaction'

Panelo said Duterte's fresh order should serve as a reminder to the US that the Philippines is "no longer under (its) control."

He denied that the Chief Executive made a "knee-jerk" reaction, noting that it was just a "natural" response of a head of state when the sovereignty of his country is "being assailed."

"Unang-una (First and foremost), we can't even understand why they consider the detention of de Lima wrongful kasi may processes tayo (because we have processes)," Panelo said. "That is why I said, I hope and I think, I believe the US Secretary of State will render an educated and informed judgment on this particular issue."

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1089605

Duterte won’t heed Sison’s preconditions for resumption of talks

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 27, 2019): Duterte won’t heed Sison’s preconditions for resumption of talks (By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos)

President Rodrigo Duterte will not give in to the preconditions set by Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chair Jose Maria Sison for the possible resumption of peace negotiations, Malacañang said on Friday.

“Sabi ni Presidente, kung ayaw niya (Sison), eh 'di huwag (The President said if he does not want it, then he’s fine with it),” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo told Palace reporters. “(It will be) no deal.”

In a message for the CPP’s 51st founding anniversary, Sison said the communists’ holiday truce with government troops until Jan. 7, 2020 is aimed at creating an environment “favorable to the resumption of peace negotiations."

Sison also said the planned revival of talks can only be realized “by reaffirming the mutual agreements since the Hague Joint Declaration of 1992, by superseding the presidential issuances that previously terminated and prevented peace negotiations, and by laying the ground for the Interim Peace Agreement.”

The communist founder said the interim peace deal should be a package of agreements, which include the “general amnesty and release of all political prisoners; the approval of articles of the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms, particularly those on agrarian reform and rural development and national industrialization and economic development; and coordinated unilateral ceasefires.”

Panelo said Sison has no right to make demands for the possible resumption of peace talks between the national government and the CPP’s political wing, the National Democratic Front (NDF).

He added that Sison appeared to have no interest to revive the peace negotiations, as the communist leader tends to use the temporary ceasefire to “reorganize and strengthen” the CPP’s armed component, the New People’s Army (NPA).
“In the first place, he doesn’t have the right to demand. Pinagbibigyan na nga sila. Sila ang humihingi, hindi naman si Presidente (It’s the President who’s giving them the chance. They are the ones who asked for it, not the President),” Panelo said.

“Humingi sila, dami silang pinapupunta kay Presidente na ituloy ang peace talks, nag-lobby sa mga senador, Congress, kaya pinagbigyan sila ni Presidente (They sent their emissaries to the President for the resumption of peace talks. They lobbied for talks through senators, Congress, that’s why the President gave them a chance),” he added.

Earlier this month, Duterte expressed willingness to give the peace talks another chance, despite his Nov. 23, 2017 signing of Proclamation 360, which formally shelved the peace talks between the national government’s peace negotiators and NDF consultants.

The President admitted that he could not be totally harsh on the communists because he considers them as his “friends.”

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1089625

PRRD bending backward to talk with Reds for lasting peace: Badoy

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 27, 2019): PRRD bending backward to talk with Reds for lasting peace: Badoy (By Priam Nepomuceno)



Presidential Communications Operation Office Undersecretary for New Media Lorraine Marie T. Badoy (RTVM screengrab)

MANILA – President Rodrigo R. Duterte's desire to forge a lasting peace cannot be doubted or sneered at as he is willing to negotiate with hardcore communist rebels and their allies despite the numerous atrocities carried out by the New People's Army (NPA).

This, according to Presidential Communications Operation Office Undersecretary for New Media Lorraine Marie T. Badoy who is also one of the executives of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC).

"This is where you see the deepest longing of our President for peace: that he bends himself over backward to try, YET AGAIN, to reason with a coward and a dyed in the wool terrorist," Badoy said in a statement sent to PNA Friday.

This desire for peace, she added, is the reason why the Chief Executive is not using everything in its authority to arrest and bring the leaders of these terrorist groups for a trial at a court of law despite their innumerable atrocities committed against the Filipino people.

"Instead of dragging Joma Sison (Communist Party of the Philippine founding chair Jose Maria Sison) by the hair and into a court of law --- like he rightfully deserves --- to make him answer for the innumerable crimes he has committed against the Filipino people and for the untold death and destruction, he and his band of terrorists have wrought on our country for over five decades, the President is saying, 'Come. Let us be reasonable men. Let us end this war where there are no winners and let us usher in a new era in our country's history where Filipinos will stop killing fellow Filipinos,' " she said.

Rallies by parents of missing kids

Badoy said she is incensed when Bayan General Secretary Renato Reyes condemned the NTF ELCAC for allegedly conducting anti-CPP-NPA-National Democratic Front rallies last December 26, which incidentally is the CPP's 51st founding anniversary.

Reyes called these protest actions as "attempts of peace spoilers" to impede the peace talks between the Philippine government and the communist rebels.

"I saw the tweet of one of their ranking party members, Renato Reyes, who takes the NTF ELCAC to task for conducting anti-CPP-NPA-NDF rallies and because he suspects we don't want those peace talks to happen," she added.

Badoy clarified that the various rallies were organized by parents who lost their children to the communist terrorist groups, of which Reyes is a spokesperson.

"A group that has, at its crosshairs, our children. Our children whom they have stolen from us by radicalizing them so they harbor deep hate and mistrust against the very government that tries its best to protect and defend them from these terrorists," she said.

She added these minors, whom the communist rebels and their allies recruited, were sent to deaths in the front-lines and buried in shallow graves.

"Children whom their parents will forever search for to the ends of the earth but will never find because they had deeply miscalculated and laid their hearts open to the biggest, most duplicitous liars on the face of the earth," she said.

These are children, whom upon NPA recruitment and deployment, are given new names thus, making it impossible for worried and grieving parents to locate.

"Children they will never find because they no longer bear the names their parents lovingly gave them at birth," she said.

To add insult to injury, she said these names will be recycled to new recruits unluckily enough to be recruited by the CPP-NPA when their bearers get killed battling with government troops.

"When they die fighting this grievous war, the names given to them by these bastards will be recycled and given to another child warrior they have lured into their trap," Badoy said."So see, these parents will search the ends of the earth and they will never again find their children because the bastard, Renato Reyes and his terrorist group, have swallowed them whole and used our children like disposable trash.”

Although not directly involved in Thursday's series of rallies against the communist rebels, Badoy said there is no reason for NTF ELCAC not to support these parents' quest to locate and reunite with their missing children.

"Tell me again, Mr. Reyes, WHY would the NTF ELCAC not support these parents when they go out on the streets to fight for their children?" she added.

Peace talks used to regroup

Badoy admitted that Reyes' claim that NTF ELCAC is not interested in pursuing talks with the communist rebels is true as this is being used by the CPP-NPA in replenishing their depleted numbers and furthering their armed struggle.

"For once, this bastard is correctamundo. Yes, sir, you got that RIGHT," she said, adding that the day the President said he was going to resume peace talks with the communist terrorists is the day noted for where they all looked at each other with the hollowest of expressions on their faces.

She added that it is quite clear now that international peace talks are nothing but a tool used by the duplicitous bastard, Joma Sison and his gang of terrorists to further their armed struggle.

“Historically, the body count on the side of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and PNP (Philippine National Police) is highest during ceasefires. Their recruitment skyrockets as well," she added.

With these factors, Badoy said the biggest lesson to the government is not to deal with terrorists especially those belonging to the CPP-NPA-NDF "who must be the biggest bunch of liars this side of the galaxy".

"So yes, Nato Reyes, the NTF ELCAC abhors the idea of international peace talks -- to be differentiated from local peace talks which is highly effective and highly successful with over 12,000 coming back into the fold of the law and leading productive lives," she said.

Peace talks not for murderous terrorists

She added that the entire NTF ELCAC abhors peace talks with the CPP-NPA as the group is nothing but plain terrorists.

"Terrorists. Nothing more. Nothing less. Not progressives. Not leftists. Not socialists. Not even communists. But terrorists," she said.

Being good soldiers and supporters of the President, however, Badoy said they just follow the lead of the Chief Executive who stayed their hand.

"And who has asked us to hold our peace as he, once again, makes the monumental effort of healing our land and bringing peace that has eluded us forever," she said.

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1089637

Moro rights group calls for inquiry into Cotabato blast

From the often pro-Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) online publication the Davao Today (Dec 25, 2019): Moro rights group calls for inquiry into Cotabato blast



Suara Bangsamoro national spokesperson Amirah Lidasan condemn the recent bombing in Cotabato City and in town of Libungan in Cotabato province, and town of Upi in Maguindanao province last Dec. 22 that left at least 19 persons injured.

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Moro human rights group Suara Bangsamoro called for an independent investigation on the recent bombings in Cotabato City and neighboring municipalities in Cotabato and Maguindanao that happened as the extended martial law is about to expire on December 31.
Suara Bangsamoro national spokesperson Amirah Lidasan, in a phone interview, strongly denounced the series of explosions on Sunday that left at least 19 persons injured.

READ: 19 hurt in series of blasts in Mindanao days before martial law expires

“We are (asking that) not another bomb explode especially (because) it’s currently…the holidays when families are together,” Lidasan said.

She also said she hoped that the recent bombings will not be used to justify another round of martial law declaration and/or call for the passage of stronger anti-terror measures.

Authorities are still investigating the separate incidents of blasts. But in previous interviews, the military raised the possibility that members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) were behind the explosions.

Lidasan, however, said that the incidents should be investigated thoroughly first before the military assign responsibility to any group.

“These [bombings] happened not only recently. It has long been a call of different groups to investigate the bombings occurring in different areas in Mindanao, even following Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law,” Lidasan said.

She cited the New Year’s Eve blast in Cotabato City last December 31, 2018 and bombing in a catholic cathedral in Jolo, Sulu on January 27, 2019.

During the Arroyo administration in 2003, Lidasan recalled that human rights advocates also led a fact-finding mission to look deeper on the same “questionable” series of bombings in Mindanao.

She said that the investigation showed that security officials then had plans on pushing the government for stronger measures “in an objective to control” the security.

“That’s why we are calling now for an independent investigation to know who is behind it…(B)ecause we can see that it was done in a context of a political agenda, with not only the local government units but as well as the national government proposing for strict measures like the amendments to the Human Security Act or strengthening its Oplan Kapanatagan,” Lidasan said.

Duterte’s martial law declaration in 2017 was further extended in 2018 and until the end of this year, as the government said that other “terrorist groups” continue to pose threats to the security of Mindanao.

Malacañang announced earlier this month that Duterte will not be asking for another extension of martial law following the assessment of his security and defense advisers of the weakening of the “terrorist and extremist rebellion” in the island. (davaotoday.com)

http://davaotoday.com/main/politics/moro-rights-group-calls-for-inquiry-into-cotabato-blast/

Plan for drones to monitor Sabah waters still in discussion stage: Muhyiddin

From CNA (Dec 26, 2019): Plan for drones to monitor Sabah waters still in discussion stage: Muhyiddin

PUTRAJAYA: A proposal to use drones to beef up security along Sabah's waters is still in the discussion stage, Malaysia's Home Affairs Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has told Bernama.

Earlier this month, the minister said that the government was studying the possibility of using drones along Sabah's waters and border areas, in light of frequent abductions and cross-border crime.
The proposal is still in the discussion stage, said the minister, adding that he hopes the government will enable his ministry to conduct test runs, Bernama reported on Thursday (Dec 26).

The Eastern Sabah Security Command has strengthened security, but the sea borders along Sabah's waters are too long, and more efficient measures are needed, said the minister.

Launched in 2013, the Eastern Sabah Security Command was established to safeguard the security of the state's east coast, following intrusion by terrorists from southern Philippines.

READ: Philippine troops rescue two abducted Indonesians

The waters between the eastern state of Sabah and the southern Philippines have for years seen repeated kidnappings by the Abu Sayyaf militant group.

Earlier this week, two Indonesian sailors who had been abducted by militants off Malaysian waters near the southern tip of Philippine island Mindanao were rescued by Philippine troops.

Indonesians Maharudin Lunani, 48, (second from right) and Samiun Maneu, 27, (right) posing for photographs in Jakarta on Dec 26, 2019. They were abducted by militants off Malaysian waters in September and were rescued by Philippine troops on Dec 22, 2019. With them are Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi (second from left) and Indonesian ambassador to the Philippines Sinyo Harry Sarundajang. (Photo: Kiki Siregar)

SINGLE BORDER AGENCY

The proposal for a new border agency to oversee security along national borders is also in the works.

At present, the task of managing Malaysia's national borders is handled by around 28 bodies, associations and companies, contributing to congestion and delay in managing border-related mattes, said Muhyiddin.

The government has accepted the proposal for a single body responsible for the country's gateways, he said.

“If possible, we want all matters relating to the setting up of the border agency to be settled and finalised within the next two years," he said. “The matter has been discussed with the Home Ministry’s secretary-general and I will push to speed up its establishment."  Source: Bernama/nc

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/malaysia-drones-security-sabah-waters-border-12213208

Indonesia, Philippines join hands to free sailor kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf terror group

From the Straits Times (Dec 26, 2019): Indonesia, Philippines join hands to free sailor kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf terror group

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi (above) said Philippine Defence Minister Delfin Lore

nzana has promised to work hard to set the hostage free. PHOTO: EPA-EFE

JAKARTA (XINHUA) - The Indonesian and Philippine governments are working together to secure the release of an Indonesian national being held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group in the Philippines.

Mr Muhammad Farhan, 27, and two fellow sailors were kidnapped by the group in September in the waters off Sabah in Malaysia, but the other two were freed recently.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi on Thursday (Dec 26) said Philippine Defence Minister Delfin Lorenzana has promised to work hard to set the hostage free.


"I have communicated with the Philippine Defence Minister over the effort to free one hostage. We asked for a rescue effort to immediately free the hostage alive, and the Philippine Defence Minister said that he will work hard for the rescue mission," said Ms Retno.

Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto will meet his Philippine counterpart to discuss the mission, said Ms Retno, according to local media.

The kidnap of the three Indonesian nationals by the Abu Sayyaf group came to light when a hostage video was released some weeks ago, with one of the hostages stating that the abductors were demanding a ransom of 8 billion rupiah (S$777,317), according to the Foreign Ministry.

The three Indonesians worked for a fishing firm in Malaysia.

Get exclusive insights of Asia from our network of correspondents

The abduction of the three persons took the number of Indonesian nationals kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf group to 36 since 2016. Most of them were freed, according to the ministry.

The latest kidnapping occurred despite a trilateral agreement between Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines for joint patrols in the waters located at the borders of the countries.

Related Story
Philippine security forces find nine 'sea gypsies' kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf off Sabah

The Abu Sayyaf group is notorious for kidnapping, bombing and beheading incidents in western Mindanao of the Philippines.

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/indonesia-philippines-join-hands-to-free-abductee-of-abu-sayyaf

Two Indonesians held hostage by Abu Sayyaf return home

From Antara (Dec 26, 2019): Two Indonesians held hostage by Abu Sayyaf return home

Indonesia Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi (left) with Maharudin (middle), one of the ex-hostages of Abu Sayyaf Group who reunites with his wife (right) in Jakarta, Thursday, December 26, 2019. (ANTARA FOTO/Aditya Pradana Putra/Sw)

We are officially ensuring that Mr Maharudin and Mr Samiun get together with their families after 90 days where they were doubtful about their future and felt anxious of being detainees in the PhilippinesJakarta (ANTARA) - The two Indonesians who were held hostage by militant group Abu Sayyaf in southern Philippines, are returning home to their families at a handover ceremony by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jakarta, Thursday. Maharudin (48) and Samiun (27) were rescued on December 22, 2019, in a military operation undertaken by the Philippines Army, which resulted in one soldier being killed.

“We are officially ensuring that Mr Maharudin and Mr Samiun get together with their families after 90 days where they were doubtful about their future and felt anxious of being detainees in the Philippines,” Retno Marsudi, Foreign Affairs Minister, stated.

The families were also anxious for these last two months, while they waited for the hostages to return safely, Retno added.

“This release could only happen through the remarkable cooperation of Indonesia’s inter-authorities as well as between the two countries, Indonesia and the Philippines,” she noted.

Earlier, at a high-level negotiation, Indonesian President Joko Widodo emphasized the handling of the hostage crisis during a meeting with Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte in Busan, South Korea.

“At that time, President Duterte conveyed his immediate commitment to solving this case with all the powers at his disposal,” Retno said.

On the occasion, Retno also held talks with the Philippines Minister of Defense about the case.

The last two negotiations led to some follow-up action by each government, including the intensive communication between the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Western Mindanao Command.

Maharudin and Samiun are Baubau residents of Buton, Southeast Sulawesi, who worked as migrant workers of a Malaysian fishing vessel’s crew, along with another worker, Muhammad Farhan —Maharudin’s son.

The three were captured at Tambisan Sea, Lahad Datu in Sabah, Malaysia, and later transferred to Sulu Sea, according to the Foreign Ministry's director for citizen protection, Judha Nugraha.

While Maharudin and Samiun were rescued, Muhammad Farhan is still being detained

“We are making maximum efforts to ensure the release of the hostage,” Retno assured.

Related news: Indonesia, neighbors work closely to release abducted citizens

Related news: Indonesian held hostage in South Philippines set free

Related news: Govt secures release of two Indonesians held by Abu Sayyaf

https://en.antaranews.com/news/138747/two-indonesians-held-hostage-by-abu-sayyaf-return-home

CPP 51st anniv: Nothing to celebrate, says AFP; Invincible, Joma counters

From GMA News Online (Dec 26, 2019): CPP 51st anniv: Nothing to celebrate, says AFP; Invincible, Joma counters (By AMITA LEGASPI)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines said Thursday there is nothing to celebrate about the Communist Party of the Philippines’ 51st founding anniversary as the latter, together with the New People’s Army and National Democratic Front, have been rejected by most of the Filipinos in the countryside.

“There is nothing to celebrate in 51 years of duplicity! The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) has been fooling many of our people for more than half a century now,” military spokesperson Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo said in a statement.

Arevalo said the CPP has destroyed the future of the children, ruined the fibers of Filipino family values, prevented economic growth, and divided the nation.

“The CPP that Mr. Jose Ma. Sison founded has lost relevance in a world that has rejected communism. It has become insignificant in a nation governed by strong political will to end insurgency that is bereft of any ideology,” he said.

He added that the people have awakened and now support the National Task Force Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCA) “anchored on good governance that the AFP helps foster.”

“It will not be long until the CPP dies a natural death,” he added.

‘Growing strength’

On the other hand, Sison congratulated the CPP for the growing strength and responding to the demands of the people for revolutionary change.

“The CPP and revolutionary mass movement are invincible. They have been tempered by more than 50 years of revolutionary struggle against the ruling system… They keep on growing because the objective conditions for waging armed revolution are increasingly favorable and the broad masses of the people demand revolutionary change,” Sison said in a Facebook post.

He added that the Duterte administration is now going downhill “and cannot find enough relief from its imperialist masters to overcome the rising revolutionary movement of the Filipino people.”

“Despite being able to retain overall dominance over the Philippines, the US is increasingly looking at Duterte as more of a liability than an asset as he fails to fulfill his pledge to destroy the revolutionary movement and as he allows China to gain advantages that prejudice the economic and security interests of the US in the Philippines,” he said. — RSJ, GMA News

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/720242/cpp-51st-anniv-nothing-to-celebrate-says-afp-invincible-joma-counters/story/

Bohol groups slam CPP-NPA for ‘anti-people acts’

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Dec 26, 2019): Bohol groups slam CPP-NPA for ‘anti-people acts’ (By Leo Udtohan)



A peace rally was held on Thursday, December 26 in Tagbilaran City, Bohol as the CPP-NPA celebrates its 51st founding anniversary today.

TAGBILARAN CITY — Several groups gathered on Thursday here to condemn the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

The peace rally was held at the capital city of Tagbilaran to condemn the “anti-people activities” of the CPP-NPA, as it celebrates its 51st founding anniversary today, Dec. 26.

“It has been 51 years of senseless killings. The Philippine National Police wants peace and development for Bohol. We don’t want the gains of progress and development of Bohol be wasted,” said Police Colonel Jonathan Cabal, director of the Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO).

BPPO said the number of participants in the event was around 600.

A peace walk was held with participants from the Muslim communities, BPPO personnel, Philippine Army, and members of force multipliers composed of Bantay Bayan, barangay tanod and barangay officials walked at least 2.5 km from the New Provincial Capitol to Tagbilaran City Square bringing placards and streamers condemning the CPP-NPA.

During the program, three former rebels shared their “bitter” experiences with the CPP-NPA. They said the “cause is fake” and “palpak” (failure).

After the short program, Sovereign Grace Band and the all-police Tarsius Band rendered songs.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1206111/bohol-groups-slam-cpp-npa-for-anti-people-acts

Calabarzon PNP leads ‘peace parade’ on CPP anniversary

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Dec 26, 2019): Calabarzon PNP leads ‘peace parade’ on CPP anniversary (By Mar S. Arguelles, Maricar Cinco)



Anti-communism. Civilian volunteers joined a PNP-led rally against insurgency on the 51st anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines. Contributed by CALABARZON PNP

SAN PEDRO CITY — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday led a parade of at least 2,000 people in support of the administration’s policy to end the communist insurgency.

The activity, dubbed as a “Walk for Lasting Peace,” coincided with the 51st anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

It was the first time for such kind of event, simultaneously held across Calabarzon and was meant to create some semblance of a mass civilian support to the anti-communist propaganda.

The participants, who wore white shirts, carried streamers with messages supporting President Duterte’s Executive Order 70 that took a “whole-of-nation” approach against armed conflict since last year.

In a phone interview, regional police chief spokesperson Lt. Col. Chitadel Gaoiran said most of those who joined were members of the PNP-Highway Patrol Group’s civilian multipliers and of civic groups, like Hands Off Our Children.

Hands Off Our Children campaigns against the alleged recruitment of university students to the the New People’s Army, the CPP’s armed wing.



Contributed by CALABARZON PNP

The main parade started at the monument of national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal in Calamba City, Laguna and ended with a program at the city’s crossing, ironically, where militant protest actions were also commonly held.

An alias “Marco,” who claimed to be a former rebel and concealed his face by wearing a bull cap, gave a testimony on stage.

“The NPA claims to be pro-masses but why would they eat in civilian houses or burn construction equipment of companies that refused to pay (revolutionary) taxes,” he said in Filipino.

Another woman also spoke to the audience about how her son was recruited by the NPA.

Gaoiran said the PNP in Calabarzon would abide by the president’s order to suspend offensive operations against the NPA for the holiday truce.

She said they have yet to monitor any threat of an attack by the group.

A similar rally was also held and attended by hundreds in Legazpi City, Albay also on Thursday morning.

The so-called indignation rally against the CPP-NPA-NDF was held at the Albay Peñaranda Park.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1206089/calabarzon-pnp-leads-peace-parade-on-cpp-anniversary