From Panay News (Mar 2, 2020): 2 NPA rebels killed in Negros Oriental clash (By Cyrus Garde)
BACOLOD City – Two suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in an encounter with military troops at Sitio Agpapatao, Barangay Binobohan, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.
The slain rebels were identified as Edgar Bonifacio and Randy Canumay, both residents of the said village. They were alleged members of the NPA’s Special Partisan Unit (Sparu) tagged in the killing of civilians in the cities of Guihulngan and Canlaon.
Philippine Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion commander, Lieutenant Colonel Egberto Dacoscos, said their unit – along with the 94th Infantry Battalion Alpha Company – were sent Friday to the area after residents complained of harassment and extortion from the rebels.
While the troops were approaching the area, about 10 armed men reportedly fired at them, forcing them to retaliate. The firefight lasted for about 12 minutes, leaving two casualties.
The troops recovered during their clearing operation were two .45-caliber pistols, a .38-caliber pistol, four magazines loaded with live ammunition, improvised shotguns, and several subversive documents.
Dacoscos said the two casualties were part of the group that continuously threatens the people who do not cooperate with them. Additional troops were dispatched in the area to conduct pursuit operations against communist insurgents.
Following the incident, Dacoscos again urged NPA rebels to surrender as they will not stop hunt them.
“Through the ‘whole-of nation approach,’ I am encouraging the people of Guihulngan City as well as the whole of Negros that it is now time we work together against the NPA,” he added./PN
https://www.panaynews.net/2-npa-rebels-killed-in-negros-oriental-clash/
Sunday, March 1, 2020
3 hurt when alleged NPAs lobbed grenade at a house
From the Mindanao Times (Mar 1, 2020): 3 hurt when alleged NPAs lobbed grenade at a house (BY RHODA GRACE SARON)
Three civilians were wounded in an alleged attack by New People’s Army in Sitio Emerald, Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur on Feb. 21.
In a belated army report, communist guerrillas reportedly lobbed an M203 grenade on the house that injured the occupants, including a five-year-old girl.
The attack also forced 67 Manobo families to evacuate their homes to avoid being caught in a crossfire between government troops and NPA rebels.
1Lt Krisjuper Andreo Punsalan, the civil-military operations officer of the 3rd Special Forces Battalion, identified the wounded as Andrea Gallergo, 55; Marimar Terse, 19; and Reynafe Calipay, 5.
The Community Support Team medics immediately applied first-aid and brought the wounded to the Lianga District Hospital.
Last Jan. 22, the 3rd SFBn claimed, alias Uway shared about the alleged conspiracy between the NPA and the group Mapasu to conduct harassments on the community and pin the blame on the military.
“This only proved that the allegation that Mapasu and the CNTs (NPA) conspired to terrorize the community. We already have a lead on the suspected criminals, mostly Mapasu members, who conspired with the CNTs,” Lt. Col. Joey B. Baybayan, 3rd SFBn commanding officer, said.
But he said the government will continue to fulfill its mandate of delivering basic services to the communities in the Andap Valley Complex, “especially now that the momentum is in favor of the government.”
Last Feb. 19, the NPAs also torched the dump truck owned by the Provincial Engineering Office. The truck was used to deliver gravel for the installation of culverts to rehabilitate farm-to-market roads in Sitio Emerald.
The IP community previously condemned the NPA and asked the military to establish a patrol base at Km. 9 to protect them.
Baybayan said that the attack could a retaliation following the recent arrests of Renan Cantos, a ranking NPA leader with 10 standing warrants of arrest, and Juanito Tejero Calipay, 28, a resident of Sitio Emerald and an active member of the Guerrilla Front 19, Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee. Calipay had six standing warrants.
Three civilians were wounded in an alleged attack by New People’s Army in Sitio Emerald, Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur on Feb. 21.
In a belated army report, communist guerrillas reportedly lobbed an M203 grenade on the house that injured the occupants, including a five-year-old girl.
The attack also forced 67 Manobo families to evacuate their homes to avoid being caught in a crossfire between government troops and NPA rebels.
1Lt Krisjuper Andreo Punsalan, the civil-military operations officer of the 3rd Special Forces Battalion, identified the wounded as Andrea Gallergo, 55; Marimar Terse, 19; and Reynafe Calipay, 5.
The Community Support Team medics immediately applied first-aid and brought the wounded to the Lianga District Hospital.
Last Jan. 22, the 3rd SFBn claimed, alias Uway shared about the alleged conspiracy between the NPA and the group Mapasu to conduct harassments on the community and pin the blame on the military.
“This only proved that the allegation that Mapasu and the CNTs (NPA) conspired to terrorize the community. We already have a lead on the suspected criminals, mostly Mapasu members, who conspired with the CNTs,” Lt. Col. Joey B. Baybayan, 3rd SFBn commanding officer, said.
But he said the government will continue to fulfill its mandate of delivering basic services to the communities in the Andap Valley Complex, “especially now that the momentum is in favor of the government.”
Last Feb. 19, the NPAs also torched the dump truck owned by the Provincial Engineering Office. The truck was used to deliver gravel for the installation of culverts to rehabilitate farm-to-market roads in Sitio Emerald.
The IP community previously condemned the NPA and asked the military to establish a patrol base at Km. 9 to protect them.
Baybayan said that the attack could a retaliation following the recent arrests of Renan Cantos, a ranking NPA leader with 10 standing warrants of arrest, and Juanito Tejero Calipay, 28, a resident of Sitio Emerald and an active member of the Guerrilla Front 19, Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee. Calipay had six standing warrants.
Army seizes NPA firearms in series of operations across Mindanao
From MindaNews (Mar 1, 2020): Army seizes NPA firearms in series of operations across Mindanao (By FROILAN GALLARDO)
CAGAYAN DE ORO (MindaNews / 01 March) — Army soldiers seized a number of firearms and explosives from the New People’s Army in a series of operations across Mindanao last week.
Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao spokesperson Lt. Col. Ezra Balagtey said the latest cache of firearms and explosives seized by soldiers was in Sitio Salyan, Barangay Sapu Masla, Malapatan town in Sarangani province last Saturday.
CAGAYAN DE ORO (MindaNews / 01 March) — Army soldiers seized a number of firearms and explosives from the New People’s Army in a series of operations across Mindanao last week.
Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao spokesperson Lt. Col. Ezra Balagtey said the latest cache of firearms and explosives seized by soldiers was in Sitio Salyan, Barangay Sapu Masla, Malapatan town in Sarangani province last Saturday.
Firearms recovered by soldiers in Sarangani province last Saturday. Photo handout from the Eastern Mindanao Command
Balagtey said a former NPA rebel, a certain “Tarzan” who recently surrendered informed the troops that two M16 and one AK47 rifles were buried in Sitio Salyan.
He said last Feb. 25, soldiers recovered an AK 47 and a Garand rifle also in Malapatan.
Balagtey said on the same day, the 66th Infantry Battalion also recovered 11 firearms in Sitio Danawan, Barangay Manurigao, New Bataan town in Davao de Oro.
Balagtey said NPA rebels who had surrendered gave most of the information where the NPA hid their firearms and explosives.
He said troops from the 88th Infantry Battalion also recovered seven shotguns, a Garand rifle, several landmines and detonating cords in Valencia City, Bukidnon. (Froilan Gallardo / MindaNews)
Balagtey said a former NPA rebel, a certain “Tarzan” who recently surrendered informed the troops that two M16 and one AK47 rifles were buried in Sitio Salyan.
He said last Feb. 25, soldiers recovered an AK 47 and a Garand rifle also in Malapatan.
Balagtey said on the same day, the 66th Infantry Battalion also recovered 11 firearms in Sitio Danawan, Barangay Manurigao, New Bataan town in Davao de Oro.
Balagtey said NPA rebels who had surrendered gave most of the information where the NPA hid their firearms and explosives.
He said troops from the 88th Infantry Battalion also recovered seven shotguns, a Garand rifle, several landmines and detonating cords in Valencia City, Bukidnon. (Froilan Gallardo / MindaNews)
Troops push for the kill in Sulu
From the Mindanao Examiner (Mar 1, 2020): Troops push for the kill in Sulu
SULU – Military forces continue its assault on Abu Sayyaf lairs in the southern Filipino province of Sulu where fighting killed at least 2 militants and also wounded two soldiers, officials said.
“Pursuit and deliberate offensives continue to pressure and pound down Abu Sayyaf fighters, constricting their movement and pre-empting terror ploys in the ZamBaSulTa area,” Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, said referring to Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi provinces.
Sobejana said troops were targeting Abu Sayyaf leaders Radulan Sahiron and Hajan Sawadjaan, who pledged allegiance to ISIS. The assault began last week in Bakong village in Patikul town where security forces pounded the Abu Sayyaf strongholds.
“We build up combat and intelligence operations to debilitate the militants in Sulu,” he said, adding, members of the 15th Scout Ranger Company were running after the militants and their leaders.
Sobejana described Sunday’s fighting as “ferocious” after two of his soldiers were injured in the clash. Troops retaliated with a barrage of mortar fires as ground forces pushed for the kill.
“Two brave soldiers were also slightly wounded in a fierce of gunfire. Mortar teams immediately delivered fire support to the engaged troops,” he said.
Joint Task Force Sulu under the command of Major General Corleto S. Vinluan Jr. said one of the slain militant was identified as Baby Abdurasa, a notorious Abu Sayyaf fighter.
The Abu Sayyaf is believed to be holding five Indonesian fishermen kidnapped in January off Sabah and brought by boat to Sulu, one of 5 provinces under the restive Muslim autonomous region.
Eight masked gunmen hijacked their trawler near Tambisan Island and seized five of the 8 crew - Arsyad Abdullah, the skipper; and crew members 41; La Baa, 32; Riswanto Hayano, 27; Edi Lawalopo, 53; and Syarizal Kastamiran, 29, - all based in Sandakan.
They were snatched from the same area where the Abu Sayyaf captured 3 Indonesian fishermen in September last year and brought to Sulu. The trio - Muhammad Farhan, 27, Samiun Maneu, 26, and Maharudin Lunani, 26, were all rescued separately by Filipino troops in Sulu. (Mindanao Examiner)
https://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2020/03/troops-push-for-kill-in-sulu.html
SULU – Military forces continue its assault on Abu Sayyaf lairs in the southern Filipino province of Sulu where fighting killed at least 2 militants and also wounded two soldiers, officials said.
“Pursuit and deliberate offensives continue to pressure and pound down Abu Sayyaf fighters, constricting their movement and pre-empting terror ploys in the ZamBaSulTa area,” Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, said referring to Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi provinces.
Sobejana said troops were targeting Abu Sayyaf leaders Radulan Sahiron and Hajan Sawadjaan, who pledged allegiance to ISIS. The assault began last week in Bakong village in Patikul town where security forces pounded the Abu Sayyaf strongholds.
“We build up combat and intelligence operations to debilitate the militants in Sulu,” he said, adding, members of the 15th Scout Ranger Company were running after the militants and their leaders.
Sobejana described Sunday’s fighting as “ferocious” after two of his soldiers were injured in the clash. Troops retaliated with a barrage of mortar fires as ground forces pushed for the kill.
“Two brave soldiers were also slightly wounded in a fierce of gunfire. Mortar teams immediately delivered fire support to the engaged troops,” he said.
Joint Task Force Sulu under the command of Major General Corleto S. Vinluan Jr. said one of the slain militant was identified as Baby Abdurasa, a notorious Abu Sayyaf fighter.
The Abu Sayyaf is believed to be holding five Indonesian fishermen kidnapped in January off Sabah and brought by boat to Sulu, one of 5 provinces under the restive Muslim autonomous region.
Eight masked gunmen hijacked their trawler near Tambisan Island and seized five of the 8 crew - Arsyad Abdullah, the skipper; and crew members 41; La Baa, 32; Riswanto Hayano, 27; Edi Lawalopo, 53; and Syarizal Kastamiran, 29, - all based in Sandakan.
They were snatched from the same area where the Abu Sayyaf captured 3 Indonesian fishermen in September last year and brought to Sulu. The trio - Muhammad Farhan, 27, Samiun Maneu, 26, and Maharudin Lunani, 26, were all rescued separately by Filipino troops in Sulu. (Mindanao Examiner)
https://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2020/03/troops-push-for-kill-in-sulu.html
Murad Ebrahim, tikom ang bibig!
From the Mindanao Examiner (Mar 1, 2020): Murad Ebrahim, tikom ang bibig!
‘Mga armadong MILF naharang sa Bukidnon’
Tikom naman ang bibig ni MILF chieftain Murad Ebrahim na siya rin Chief Minister ng Bangasamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao sa pagkakadakip ng kanyang mga tauhan.
Si Ebrahim rin ang nagmatigas noon na isuko sa awtoridad ang mga rebeldeng pumatay sa 44 na mga miyembro ng Special Action Force noong Enero 25, 2015 sa bayan ng Mamasapano sa Maguindanao.
Pinaslang ng MILF ang mga SAF matapos na lusubin ng mga police commandos ang hideout ni Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan na nasa loob ng teritoryo at protektado ng MILF.
Nabatid na ang MILF 118 Von Basher Unit ay isa sa mga grupong kasama sa pagpatay sa SAF 44.
Hindi naman agad mabatid kung ikinulong ba ang mga nadakip sa Bukidnon, ngunit ayon sa Benar News ay ipinasa diumano ang kahat ng mga armado sa pangangalaga ng Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process sa ilalim ni Sec. Carlito Galvez na kaibigan naman ni Ebrahim.
Walang pahayag si Ebrahim o Galvez sa paglabag ng mga armadong MILF sa peace accord. (Mindanao Examiner)
https://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2020/03/murad-ebrahim-tikom-ang-bibig.html
‘Mga armadong MILF naharang sa Bukidnon’
SA KABILA ng peace agreement ng pamahalaan sa Moro Islamic Liberation Front, patuloy pa rin ang paglabag ng dating rebeldeng grupo sa batas at mistulang bandido pa rin ang ilang mga miyembro nito.
MILF chieftain and Chief Minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with President Benigno Aquino. (Library Photo)
Kamakailan lamang ay naharang ng pulisya sa bayan ng Talakag sa lalawigan ng Bukidnon ang isang truck na may lulang 40 mga rebelde na pawang armado ng matataas na kalibre ng armas at mga pampapasabog.
Nabatid na mga miyembro sila ng MILF 118 Von Basher Unit sa lalawigan ng Maguindanao at patungo sa naturang bayan upang tulungan ang kanilang mga kasamahan na nakapatay ng isang landowner doon. Ayaw umanong isuko ng MILF ang kriminal at sa halip ay reinforcement ang ipinadala sa lalawigan.
Kamakailan lamang ay naharang ng pulisya sa bayan ng Talakag sa lalawigan ng Bukidnon ang isang truck na may lulang 40 mga rebelde na pawang armado ng matataas na kalibre ng armas at mga pampapasabog.
Nabatid na mga miyembro sila ng MILF 118 Von Basher Unit sa lalawigan ng Maguindanao at patungo sa naturang bayan upang tulungan ang kanilang mga kasamahan na nakapatay ng isang landowner doon. Ayaw umanong isuko ng MILF ang kriminal at sa halip ay reinforcement ang ipinadala sa lalawigan.
Ang mga naharang na MILF members. (PNP Photo)
Nakumpiska mula sa mga MILF ang ibat-ibang kalibre ng baril, granada, mga bala, radio communication sets at mga identification cards at pawang mga tauhan ni MILF Commander Abdulbasser Sulaiman Tahir.
Nakumpiska mula sa mga MILF ang ibat-ibang kalibre ng baril, granada, mga bala, radio communication sets at mga identification cards at pawang mga tauhan ni MILF Commander Abdulbasser Sulaiman Tahir.
Tikom naman ang bibig ni MILF chieftain Murad Ebrahim na siya rin Chief Minister ng Bangasamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao sa pagkakadakip ng kanyang mga tauhan.
Si Ebrahim rin ang nagmatigas noon na isuko sa awtoridad ang mga rebeldeng pumatay sa 44 na mga miyembro ng Special Action Force noong Enero 25, 2015 sa bayan ng Mamasapano sa Maguindanao.
Pinaslang ng MILF ang mga SAF matapos na lusubin ng mga police commandos ang hideout ni Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan na nasa loob ng teritoryo at protektado ng MILF.
Nabatid na ang MILF 118 Von Basher Unit ay isa sa mga grupong kasama sa pagpatay sa SAF 44.
Hindi naman agad mabatid kung ikinulong ba ang mga nadakip sa Bukidnon, ngunit ayon sa Benar News ay ipinasa diumano ang kahat ng mga armado sa pangangalaga ng Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process sa ilalim ni Sec. Carlito Galvez na kaibigan naman ni Ebrahim.
Walang pahayag si Ebrahim o Galvez sa paglabag ng mga armadong MILF sa peace accord. (Mindanao Examiner)
https://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2020/03/murad-ebrahim-tikom-ang-bibig.html
Aurora steps up info drive vs. CPP-NPA recruitment
From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 1, 2020): Aurora steps up info drive vs. CPP-NPA recruitment (By Jason De Asis)
INFO DRIVE. Lt. Col. Reandrew P. Rubio, acting commanding officer of the Philippine Army’s 91st Infantry Battalion, delivers his message during an information and awareness campaign at the Mount Carmel College campus in Barangay Pingit, Baler, Aurora on Saturday (Feb. 29, 2020). The campaign aims to counter the recruitment efforts of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army, particularly among students. (Photo by Jason de Asis)
BALER, Aurora – The Philippine Army’s 91st Infantry Battalion (91IB) has stepped up its information and education campaign to counter the recruitment efforts of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), particularly among students in this province.
Lt. Col. Reandrew P. Rubio, acting commanding officer of 91IB, said an awareness campaign was conducted Saturday at the Mount Carmel College (MCC) campus in Barangay Pingit in this town and was attended by some 400 Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) cadets from MCC, Aurora State College of Technology and Wesleyan University of the Philippines.
He said the whole-day activity was in collaboration with the MCC ROTC Unit, 307th (Aurora) Community Defense Center, 3rd Regional Community Defense Group, Aurora Reserve Command.
Rubio said the initiative is part of the implementation of Executive Order 70 and the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF ELCAC) through the Information and Education Campaign and Resource Control Operations to prevent the communist terrorist groups (CTGs) from conducting recruitment in various schools.
During the activity, Rubio said that the legal-left organizations of the CTGs are continuously infiltrating the different sectors such as labor, indigenous people, farmers and students/youth to fill in their ranks and serve as future Red fighters.
He also discussed the adverse effects once the CTGs are able to organize the student sector.
"The Army will continue to support the ROTC programs and collaborate with the different LGUs and national government agencies in this province in an effort to win peace and bring the basic services closer to the people," Rubio said.
Col. Andrew D. Costelo, commander of Army’s 703rd Infantry Brigade, instructed his unit commanders in Central Luzon to persistently engage the different sectors to sustain the gains and initiatives of EO 70.
“This is an effective way of insulating the students from CTG recruitment and infiltration works targeting the said sector,” he said.
In December 4, 2018, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order 70, creating a national task force to end local communist armed conflict and institutionalized the so-called whole of nation approach.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1095218
INFO DRIVE. Lt. Col. Reandrew P. Rubio, acting commanding officer of the Philippine Army’s 91st Infantry Battalion, delivers his message during an information and awareness campaign at the Mount Carmel College campus in Barangay Pingit, Baler, Aurora on Saturday (Feb. 29, 2020). The campaign aims to counter the recruitment efforts of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army, particularly among students. (Photo by Jason de Asis)
BALER, Aurora – The Philippine Army’s 91st Infantry Battalion (91IB) has stepped up its information and education campaign to counter the recruitment efforts of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), particularly among students in this province.
Lt. Col. Reandrew P. Rubio, acting commanding officer of 91IB, said an awareness campaign was conducted Saturday at the Mount Carmel College (MCC) campus in Barangay Pingit in this town and was attended by some 400 Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) cadets from MCC, Aurora State College of Technology and Wesleyan University of the Philippines.
He said the whole-day activity was in collaboration with the MCC ROTC Unit, 307th (Aurora) Community Defense Center, 3rd Regional Community Defense Group, Aurora Reserve Command.
Rubio said the initiative is part of the implementation of Executive Order 70 and the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF ELCAC) through the Information and Education Campaign and Resource Control Operations to prevent the communist terrorist groups (CTGs) from conducting recruitment in various schools.
During the activity, Rubio said that the legal-left organizations of the CTGs are continuously infiltrating the different sectors such as labor, indigenous people, farmers and students/youth to fill in their ranks and serve as future Red fighters.
He also discussed the adverse effects once the CTGs are able to organize the student sector.
"The Army will continue to support the ROTC programs and collaborate with the different LGUs and national government agencies in this province in an effort to win peace and bring the basic services closer to the people," Rubio said.
Col. Andrew D. Costelo, commander of Army’s 703rd Infantry Brigade, instructed his unit commanders in Central Luzon to persistently engage the different sectors to sustain the gains and initiatives of EO 70.
“This is an effective way of insulating the students from CTG recruitment and infiltration works targeting the said sector,” he said.
In December 4, 2018, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order 70, creating a national task force to end local communist armed conflict and institutionalized the so-called whole of nation approach.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1095218
Ex-NPA rebel killed by former colleagues in Iligan City
From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 1, 2020): Ex-NPA rebel killed by former colleagues in Iligan City (By Richel Umel)
RECOVERED. A .45-caliber pistol with magazine and ammunition, spent shells from various high-powered firearms, subversive documents and personal belongings recovered by the Army in Damulog, Bukidnon Friday (Feb. 28, 2020). Army personnel confirmed the death of Eduardo Arnado, a New People’s Army combatant whom authorities said has had records of extortion. (Photo courtesy of 3IB)
ILIGAN CITY – A former combatant of the New People's Army (NPA) who surrendered to the government was gunned down by assailants believed to be his former "comrades" in the rebel group on February 29 in the hinterland community of Kalilagan village, this city.
The victim, known as Darwin Saparo, around 30 years old, was killed in his residence around 6 p.m. He belongs to the Higaonon tribe, several of indigenous peoples’ groups in Mindanao.
Lt. Col. Dominggo Dulay, commanding officer of the Army's 4th Mechanized Infantry Battalion, said the victim originally came from Talakag, Bukidnon and got married in Kalilangan.
"Sitio Lemon has only 15 households and based on witnesses' account, Saparo visited his mini poultry farm as his means of livelihood after he surrendered to the 51st Infantry Battalion mid last year and received cash assistance from the government. Na tsambahan ng mga armadong rebelde (the rebels got him by chance)," he said.
Dulay said Saparo was supposed to undergo an arc welding skills training with the Technical Education Skills Development Authority in Iligan City scheduled for the second batch in March, "but was gunned down by four suspected New People's Army terrorists belonging to Platoon Uno, Ace Company, Sub Regional Committee 5 of North Central Mindanao Regional Committee."
"The Barangay Council of Kalilagan recently declared the Communist Party of the Philippines/NPA as persona non-grata and denounced the presence of terrorists as threat to their peace, security and development initiatives. The residents of Kalilangan strongly condemned the brutal killing of Saparo who died from the multiple gunshot wounds from an AK-47 based on empty shells recovered in the crime scene," he said, adding that a proper filing of cases will be made after police authorities, the barangay council and military gather the necessary evidence against the suspects.
Dulay also said the Army will not stop in running after the perpetrators responsible in the brutal murder and give due justice to the bereaved family of Saparo.
Alleged NPA extortionist killed
Meanwhile, an alleged high-ranking NPA combatant was killed after an encounter between government troops and a group of communist rebels in Damulog, Bukidnon Friday afternoon.
Lt. Col. Oscar Partuza, commanding officer of 3rd Infantry Battalion (3IB), identified the slain NPA combatant as Eduardo Arnado alias Choi, Deputy Secretary of Guerilla Front 53 (GF 53) and had records of being head extortionist of NPA groups in North Cotabato, northern part of Davao Del Sur, and southern Bukidnon
The encounter ensued shortly after the troops from the 3rd and 19th Infantry Battalions were conducting security operations in the said area after receiving a tip from local residents on the presence of the armed group in a remote area at Sitio Lamparuc, Barangay Sampagar in the said town.
The guerillas scampered to different directions after a 10-minute exchange of fire, leaving the dead body of Arnado.
Army troops also recovered from the encounter site one .45-caliber pistol with magazine and ammunition, spent shells from various high-powered firearms, subversive documents and personal belongings left by the fleeing NPA rebels.
Town mayor Melino Buro later conducted a site assessment to check the condition of the residents nearby while Scene of Crime Operatives personnel are now on the process of conducting legal procedure and operations in the encounter site.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1095238
RECOVERED. A .45-caliber pistol with magazine and ammunition, spent shells from various high-powered firearms, subversive documents and personal belongings recovered by the Army in Damulog, Bukidnon Friday (Feb. 28, 2020). Army personnel confirmed the death of Eduardo Arnado, a New People’s Army combatant whom authorities said has had records of extortion. (Photo courtesy of 3IB)
ILIGAN CITY – A former combatant of the New People's Army (NPA) who surrendered to the government was gunned down by assailants believed to be his former "comrades" in the rebel group on February 29 in the hinterland community of Kalilagan village, this city.
The victim, known as Darwin Saparo, around 30 years old, was killed in his residence around 6 p.m. He belongs to the Higaonon tribe, several of indigenous peoples’ groups in Mindanao.
Lt. Col. Dominggo Dulay, commanding officer of the Army's 4th Mechanized Infantry Battalion, said the victim originally came from Talakag, Bukidnon and got married in Kalilangan.
"Sitio Lemon has only 15 households and based on witnesses' account, Saparo visited his mini poultry farm as his means of livelihood after he surrendered to the 51st Infantry Battalion mid last year and received cash assistance from the government. Na tsambahan ng mga armadong rebelde (the rebels got him by chance)," he said.
Dulay said Saparo was supposed to undergo an arc welding skills training with the Technical Education Skills Development Authority in Iligan City scheduled for the second batch in March, "but was gunned down by four suspected New People's Army terrorists belonging to Platoon Uno, Ace Company, Sub Regional Committee 5 of North Central Mindanao Regional Committee."
"The Barangay Council of Kalilagan recently declared the Communist Party of the Philippines/NPA as persona non-grata and denounced the presence of terrorists as threat to their peace, security and development initiatives. The residents of Kalilangan strongly condemned the brutal killing of Saparo who died from the multiple gunshot wounds from an AK-47 based on empty shells recovered in the crime scene," he said, adding that a proper filing of cases will be made after police authorities, the barangay council and military gather the necessary evidence against the suspects.
Dulay also said the Army will not stop in running after the perpetrators responsible in the brutal murder and give due justice to the bereaved family of Saparo.
Alleged NPA extortionist killed
Meanwhile, an alleged high-ranking NPA combatant was killed after an encounter between government troops and a group of communist rebels in Damulog, Bukidnon Friday afternoon.
Lt. Col. Oscar Partuza, commanding officer of 3rd Infantry Battalion (3IB), identified the slain NPA combatant as Eduardo Arnado alias Choi, Deputy Secretary of Guerilla Front 53 (GF 53) and had records of being head extortionist of NPA groups in North Cotabato, northern part of Davao Del Sur, and southern Bukidnon
The encounter ensued shortly after the troops from the 3rd and 19th Infantry Battalions were conducting security operations in the said area after receiving a tip from local residents on the presence of the armed group in a remote area at Sitio Lamparuc, Barangay Sampagar in the said town.
The guerillas scampered to different directions after a 10-minute exchange of fire, leaving the dead body of Arnado.
Army troops also recovered from the encounter site one .45-caliber pistol with magazine and ammunition, spent shells from various high-powered firearms, subversive documents and personal belongings left by the fleeing NPA rebels.
Town mayor Melino Buro later conducted a site assessment to check the condition of the residents nearby while Scene of Crime Operatives personnel are now on the process of conducting legal procedure and operations in the encounter site.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1095238
Journos sans links to Reds need not worry: Palace
From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 1, 2020): Journos sans links to Reds need not worry: Palace (By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos)
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo
Media organizations that have no links to communist movement should be worry-free, Malacañang said on Sunday.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo assured principled journalists in the country that President Rodrigo Duterte and his administration would not take actions that could potentially harm them.
“Alam mo, kung wala kang ginagawa, hindi ka dapat matakot. Nakita mo naman si Presidente, kahit anong criticized mo sa kanila, hindi naman niya pinapansin (You know, if you are not doing anything wrong, you should not be afraid. In fact, the President ignores those who keep on criticizing him),” he said in an interview with DZIQ.
Panelo gave the assurance, a day after the Cagayan de Oro Press Club (COPC) denounced the renewed red-tagging of local journalists in the city.
In a statement issued on Saturday, COPC president Manuel Jaudian condemned in “strongest terms” the “black, cheap” propaganda to put its officials and members in jeopardy by accusing them of being left-leaning individuals.
Red-tagged were MindaNews writer and Inquirer correspondent Froilan Gallardo, Mindanao Goldstar Daily associate editor Cong Corrales, Mindanao Goldstar Daily photojournalist Joey Nacalaban, and Sunstar-Cagayan de Oro editor Pamela Jay Orias, Jaudian noted.
Gallardo, Nacalaban, and Orias were attending a solidarity protest in support of ABS-CBN at the television network’s regional office in Bulua village in Cagayan de Oro City on Friday afternoon when a courier delivered copies of bond paper-sized posters that accused the media practitioners of being members of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
The posters were distributed at the provincial capitol grounds on Friday.
Jaudian urged the police and the military to look into the “seemingly witch-hunting efforts of some misguided elements.”
Panelo guaranteed that the state forces would rely on “basis and evidence” when it comes to those who have been suspected to be CPP members.
“Kapag ikaw ay sinabing kumikiling ka sa kaliwa at meron kang sinasabi laban sa gobyerno ibig sabihin, meron silang basehan, may ebidensya sila na ‘yun nga ang ginagawa mo (They have basis and evidence, if they say that you have left-leaning activities and you are criticizing the government),” he said.
The CPP and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), are branded as a terror group in the Philippines.
Apart from the Philippines, the CPP-NPA has also been tagged as a terror organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1095221
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo assured principled journalists in the country that President Rodrigo Duterte and his administration would not take actions that could potentially harm them.
“Alam mo, kung wala kang ginagawa, hindi ka dapat matakot. Nakita mo naman si Presidente, kahit anong criticized mo sa kanila, hindi naman niya pinapansin (You know, if you are not doing anything wrong, you should not be afraid. In fact, the President ignores those who keep on criticizing him),” he said in an interview with DZIQ.
Panelo gave the assurance, a day after the Cagayan de Oro Press Club (COPC) denounced the renewed red-tagging of local journalists in the city.
In a statement issued on Saturday, COPC president Manuel Jaudian condemned in “strongest terms” the “black, cheap” propaganda to put its officials and members in jeopardy by accusing them of being left-leaning individuals.
Red-tagged were MindaNews writer and Inquirer correspondent Froilan Gallardo, Mindanao Goldstar Daily associate editor Cong Corrales, Mindanao Goldstar Daily photojournalist Joey Nacalaban, and Sunstar-Cagayan de Oro editor Pamela Jay Orias, Jaudian noted.
Gallardo, Nacalaban, and Orias were attending a solidarity protest in support of ABS-CBN at the television network’s regional office in Bulua village in Cagayan de Oro City on Friday afternoon when a courier delivered copies of bond paper-sized posters that accused the media practitioners of being members of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
The posters were distributed at the provincial capitol grounds on Friday.
Jaudian urged the police and the military to look into the “seemingly witch-hunting efforts of some misguided elements.”
Panelo guaranteed that the state forces would rely on “basis and evidence” when it comes to those who have been suspected to be CPP members.
“Kapag ikaw ay sinabing kumikiling ka sa kaliwa at meron kang sinasabi laban sa gobyerno ibig sabihin, meron silang basehan, may ebidensya sila na ‘yun nga ang ginagawa mo (They have basis and evidence, if they say that you have left-leaning activities and you are criticizing the government),” he said.
The CPP and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), are branded as a terror group in the Philippines.
Apart from the Philippines, the CPP-NPA has also been tagged as a terror organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1095221
Possible new PH-US military pact has no blessing of PRRD
From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 1, 2020): Possible new PH-US military pact has no blessing of PRRD (By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos)
File photo
President Rodrigo Duterte has not given his nod on efforts to craft another military deal between the Philippines and the United States as a replacement for the scrapped Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), Malacañang said on Sunday.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo stressed that Duterte’s stance on boosting the Philippines’ defense capabilities sans the help of other countries “remains unchanged.”
“Even assuming na totoo yun, eh yun puro rekomendasyon lang kay Presidente (Even assuming that is true, that’s just a recommendation to the President),” he told DZIQ. “Gusto niya pa rin na matanggal ang VFA. Gusto niya talagang maging self-reliant talaga. ‘Yun ang pinaka-punto niya (He wants VFA scrapped. He wants the country to be really self-reliant. That’s his main point).”
On Friday, Philippine Ambassador to US Jose Manuel Romualdez said talks are ongoing between Manila and Washington to “come up with something similar” to VFA.
Panelo, however, said Duterte did not give Romualdez the authority to negotiate with his counterpart, US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim, to craft a new military agreement between the two countries.
He added that it could be the US’s initiative to create a new military pact with the Philippines.
“Walang basbas ni Presidente. Initiative siguro ‘yun ng counterpart ni Ambassador Romualdez. Syempre, sila ang apektado eh. Kaya sila ang mag-i-initiate ng magandang panukala (It has no blessing from the President. Perhaps, it’s the initiative of Ambassador Romualdez’s counterpart. They are the ones affected. That’s why they’re initiating such proposal),” he said.
The VFA, a 1998 agreement between the Manila and Washington, allows American forces to enter the Philippines without passport and visa to allow them to participate in joint military drills in the host country.
The Philippines, however, sent a formal notice of termination to the US on February 11.
The 22-year-old military deal is effectively abrogated, 180 days after the US received the termination notice.
Panelo reiterated that Duterte revoked the VFA because he wants the Philippines to rely on its own.
“Talagang ang paniniwala niya, ang bansa natin ay dapat tumayo bilang isang bansa. On our own. Hindi pu-pwedeng palagi na lang tayong umaasa sa ibang bansa para ipagtanggol natin ang ating mga sarili (His belief is our country should stand on its own feet, on our own. We could not always rely on other countries to defend our country),” he said.
Eventual abrogation of 2 other military deals
Panelo also maintained that the Philippines would eventually scrap the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) and the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the US.
“Okay pa ‘yun hanggang ngayon pero eventually papunta na tayo doon (The two agreements are still there, but eventually, these will be terminated. In other words),” he said, referring to MDT and EDCA.
Asked if there is already an order from Duterte to review MDT or EDCA, Panelo said: “They don’t have to be told by the President. Palaging merong review. (There is always a review.”)
MDT seeks to step up the defense and security cooperation between the US and Philippine troops, while EDCA aims to enhance military ties in maritime security and domain.
The other existing military pact between the Philippines and Washington is the 1947 Military Assistance Agreement, which intends to give advice and training to the Armed Forces of the Philippines through the Joint US Military Assistance Group.
Military deals with other states ‘still safe’
Meantime, Panelo said other existing military agreements with other countries remain “safe,” unless there is a “compelling” reason for Duterte to scrap the deals.
Panelo, however, ensured that Duterte would make a move based on “national interest and general welfare.”
“‘Yung (The) compelling reason will depend on the President. That’s his call,” he said. “Si Presidente, he’s very calculating person. Nag-iisip iyan. Matagal niyang pinag-iisipan iyan. Dahan-dahan. Ganoon ang Presidente natin (He thinks and it takes time for him to think. He’s not in a rush. That’s how the President acts).”
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1095227
File photo
President Rodrigo Duterte has not given his nod on efforts to craft another military deal between the Philippines and the United States as a replacement for the scrapped Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), Malacañang said on Sunday.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo stressed that Duterte’s stance on boosting the Philippines’ defense capabilities sans the help of other countries “remains unchanged.”
“Even assuming na totoo yun, eh yun puro rekomendasyon lang kay Presidente (Even assuming that is true, that’s just a recommendation to the President),” he told DZIQ. “Gusto niya pa rin na matanggal ang VFA. Gusto niya talagang maging self-reliant talaga. ‘Yun ang pinaka-punto niya (He wants VFA scrapped. He wants the country to be really self-reliant. That’s his main point).”
On Friday, Philippine Ambassador to US Jose Manuel Romualdez said talks are ongoing between Manila and Washington to “come up with something similar” to VFA.
Panelo, however, said Duterte did not give Romualdez the authority to negotiate with his counterpart, US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim, to craft a new military agreement between the two countries.
He added that it could be the US’s initiative to create a new military pact with the Philippines.
“Walang basbas ni Presidente. Initiative siguro ‘yun ng counterpart ni Ambassador Romualdez. Syempre, sila ang apektado eh. Kaya sila ang mag-i-initiate ng magandang panukala (It has no blessing from the President. Perhaps, it’s the initiative of Ambassador Romualdez’s counterpart. They are the ones affected. That’s why they’re initiating such proposal),” he said.
The VFA, a 1998 agreement between the Manila and Washington, allows American forces to enter the Philippines without passport and visa to allow them to participate in joint military drills in the host country.
The Philippines, however, sent a formal notice of termination to the US on February 11.
The 22-year-old military deal is effectively abrogated, 180 days after the US received the termination notice.
Panelo reiterated that Duterte revoked the VFA because he wants the Philippines to rely on its own.
“Talagang ang paniniwala niya, ang bansa natin ay dapat tumayo bilang isang bansa. On our own. Hindi pu-pwedeng palagi na lang tayong umaasa sa ibang bansa para ipagtanggol natin ang ating mga sarili (His belief is our country should stand on its own feet, on our own. We could not always rely on other countries to defend our country),” he said.
Eventual abrogation of 2 other military deals
Panelo also maintained that the Philippines would eventually scrap the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) and the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the US.
“Okay pa ‘yun hanggang ngayon pero eventually papunta na tayo doon (The two agreements are still there, but eventually, these will be terminated. In other words),” he said, referring to MDT and EDCA.
Asked if there is already an order from Duterte to review MDT or EDCA, Panelo said: “They don’t have to be told by the President. Palaging merong review. (There is always a review.”)
MDT seeks to step up the defense and security cooperation between the US and Philippine troops, while EDCA aims to enhance military ties in maritime security and domain.
The other existing military pact between the Philippines and Washington is the 1947 Military Assistance Agreement, which intends to give advice and training to the Armed Forces of the Philippines through the Joint US Military Assistance Group.
Military deals with other states ‘still safe’
Meantime, Panelo said other existing military agreements with other countries remain “safe,” unless there is a “compelling” reason for Duterte to scrap the deals.
Panelo, however, ensured that Duterte would make a move based on “national interest and general welfare.”
“‘Yung (The) compelling reason will depend on the President. That’s his call,” he said. “Si Presidente, he’s very calculating person. Nag-iisip iyan. Matagal niyang pinag-iisipan iyan. Dahan-dahan. Ganoon ang Presidente natin (He thinks and it takes time for him to think. He’s not in a rush. That’s how the President acts).”
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1095227
Saturday, February 29, 2020
67 Manobo families flee homes in Surigao del Sur
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Feb 29): 67 Manobo families flee homes in Surigao del Sur (By: Chris V. Panganiban)
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur, Philippines — Sixty-seven families in the hinterlands of Lianga, Surigao del Sur have fled their homes again, fearing hostilities between government troops and New Peoples Army (NPA) rebels might escalate.
The families — coming from the Sitios Simowao and Emerald of Barangay Diatagon — evacuated due to tensions between soldiers and the NPA that started with a grenade attack on a house in Emerald last Feb. 21, which resulted in the wounding of three civilians, including a five-year-old girl.
The group Malahutayong Pakigbisog Alang sa Sumusunod (Persevering Struggle for the Next Generation) or Mapasu blamed the attack on government forces while the Army’s 3rd Special Forces Battalion pinned the responsibility on the NPA.
The attack blew off the roof of the house and wounded Andrea Gallergo, 55, Marimar Terse, 19, and Reynafe Calipay, 5, all residents of Sitio Emerald. They were said to be watching television inside the house at the time.
First Lt. Krisjuper Andreo Punsalan, a civil-military officer of the Army unit, said soldiers immediately responded to the scene, providing first aid to the victims and bringing them to the Lianga District Hospital.
The displaced residents sought refuge in the neighboring Sitios of Km. 16, Han-ayan, and Kabulohan.
Among the evacuees are four teachers and 62 students of the Simowao Community Learning Center, which is run by the Tribal Filipino Program of Surigao del Sur (Trifpss).
The teachers were forced to suspend their classes due to the incident.
The evacuees said they lost sleep thinking about the brewing tension in their communities hence they decided to leave.
Some of the evacuees allegedly heard threats from soldiers that, if there would be another NPA attack, they would fire upon civilians in retaliation.
But the military said the grenade attack was a conspiracy of the NPA and Mapasu to feign harassment by the Army in order to trigger the evacuation of residents.
Lt. Col. Joey Baybayan, commanding officer of the Army’s 3rd Special Forces Battalion, said an informant has already described the plot to them.
Col. Allan Hambala, commander of the Army’s 401st Brigade, said the NPA was threatened by the march of development into the hinterland villages which would render them irrelevant.
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur, Philippines — Sixty-seven families in the hinterlands of Lianga, Surigao del Sur have fled their homes again, fearing hostilities between government troops and New Peoples Army (NPA) rebels might escalate.
The families — coming from the Sitios Simowao and Emerald of Barangay Diatagon — evacuated due to tensions between soldiers and the NPA that started with a grenade attack on a house in Emerald last Feb. 21, which resulted in the wounding of three civilians, including a five-year-old girl.
The group Malahutayong Pakigbisog Alang sa Sumusunod (Persevering Struggle for the Next Generation) or Mapasu blamed the attack on government forces while the Army’s 3rd Special Forces Battalion pinned the responsibility on the NPA.
The attack blew off the roof of the house and wounded Andrea Gallergo, 55, Marimar Terse, 19, and Reynafe Calipay, 5, all residents of Sitio Emerald. They were said to be watching television inside the house at the time.
First Lt. Krisjuper Andreo Punsalan, a civil-military officer of the Army unit, said soldiers immediately responded to the scene, providing first aid to the victims and bringing them to the Lianga District Hospital.
The displaced residents sought refuge in the neighboring Sitios of Km. 16, Han-ayan, and Kabulohan.
Among the evacuees are four teachers and 62 students of the Simowao Community Learning Center, which is run by the Tribal Filipino Program of Surigao del Sur (Trifpss).
The teachers were forced to suspend their classes due to the incident.
The evacuees said they lost sleep thinking about the brewing tension in their communities hence they decided to leave.
Some of the evacuees allegedly heard threats from soldiers that, if there would be another NPA attack, they would fire upon civilians in retaliation.
But the military said the grenade attack was a conspiracy of the NPA and Mapasu to feign harassment by the Army in order to trigger the evacuation of residents.
Lt. Col. Joey Baybayan, commanding officer of the Army’s 3rd Special Forces Battalion, said an informant has already described the plot to them.
Col. Allan Hambala, commander of the Army’s 401st Brigade, said the NPA was threatened by the march of development into the hinterland villages which would render them irrelevant.
The U.S. Navy Can’t Afford to Lose the Philippines
Posted to gCaptain (Feb 27. 2020): The U.S. Navy Can’t Afford to Lose the Philippines (By Admiral James Stavridis, USN, retired (Bloomberg)
President Rodrigo Duterte salutes while passing members of custom police REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco
The first time I sailed into Manila Bay, I was a young ensign on a Navy destroyer. It was in the late 1970s. I felt I was part of an unbroken line of U.S. sailors going back to 1898, when Admiral George Dewey destroyed the Spanish fleet in that natural harbor at the start of the Spanish-American War.
The U.S. took the place of Spain as a colonizing power, and the Filipinos fought a long insurgent struggle for independence until World War II. After the war, thankfully, the U.S. granted independence, but the two nations have maintained very close political, military and person-to-person ties.
Now, thanks to the country’s brash president, Rodrigo Duterte, that alliance is facing its toughest test in decades. The U.S. needs to act quickly or face letting the Philippines drift closer to China. That would be bad for America and worse for the Filipinos.
It’s hard to overstate the closeness of the U.S.-Philippines relationship. There have been waves of immigration to the U.S. — some 4 million Filipino-Americans today make up the second-largest Asian ethnic group in the country. The U.S. Navy in particular has had a huge number of sailors who are descended from those islands, including my close friend Vic Mercado, a retired admiral now in a top civilian job at the Pentagon.
For decades, U.S. ships and aircraft have pulled into the Philippines – Naval Base Subic Bay and nearby Clark Air Force Base were at one point the American military’s largest foreign installations. (Both were turned over to the Filipino government in the early 1990s.) And perhaps most important, the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, signed in 1951, stipulates that either nation will respond militarily in the event of an attack on the other.
Relations have not always run smoothly, but the military-to-military plank of the alliance has always been strong. Even during the erratic presidency of Duterte — who vacillates among the U.S., China and Russia, trying to play one against the other for concessions — military operations have continued. U.S. Special Forces trainers have been deeply involved with their Filipino counterparts, working against al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups waging a vicious insurgency in the southern part of the archipelago.
The U.S. provided a half-billion dollars in security assistance from 2016 to 2019. So it was shocking when the Philippines notified the U.S. this month that it intended to withdraw from the Visiting Forces Agreement, which since 1999 has allowed the presence of American troops. U.S. officials were surprised and dismayed; Secretary of Defense Mark Esper put it very mildly when he called it a “move in the wrong direction.”
It appears that the decision would immediately stop U.S. forces from operating with their Filipino counterparts, canceling nearly 300 annual training exercises on land and sea. Many observers think it is Duterte’s retaliation for U.S. criticism of his harsh campaign against drug dealers, which permits the police to apply deadly force liberally and extra-judicially. While many in the Philippine Senate want to reverse the decision to withdraw from the agreement — there is a 180-day “cooling off” period before it would take full effect — Duterte appears determined to diminish what he sees as unwarranted American influence in his country.
Assuming this breakdown in relations goes forward, what will be the effect on American strategy in the region? In blunt terms, how important are the Philippines to the U.S.?
The short answer is that the Philippines, an archipelago of over 7,000 islands, is critically important to American security and geopolitical influence. First and most immutably is the geography: The Philippines are essentially the “backboard” of the eastern part of the South China Sea, which carries 35% of the world’s maritime trade and sits over billions of barrels of oil and trillions of cubic feet of natural gas. China asserts sovereignty over the entire sea, and has pushed its claims in recent years through economic pressure, military expansion (including building artificial islands as bases), the sinking of its neighbors’ fishing boats, and other provocations.
Add to this both the deep generational connections between the U.S. and the Philippines and the significant military-to-military ties, and you can see how fundamental the visiting-forces agreement is to security and diplomacy for both nations. For the Philippines to walk away from staunch U.S. help against the terrorist-led insurgency in the southern islands would be a significant mistake.
Washington needs to do all it can to keep the communications open at the highest political and military levels, and yet not get dragged into Philippine domestic politics. The backup plan, if Duterte follows through on his threat, should be to craft a sort of “visiting forces agreement lite” acceptable on both sides; point out to the Filipino people that drawing closer to China over time will lead to a relationship favoring Beijing that the U.S. will not be able to undo; and rely on the deep cultural and historical ties.
Relations between the U.S. and the Philippines have always been fraught, but this is the biggest crisis since the fall of the dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986. Washington should not allow Duterte to push his people into the arms of China, which can use proximity and a perceived lack of U.S. engagement in ways that America’s friends in the Philippines, and across the entire South China Sea, will come to regret in the decades ahead.
https://gcaptain.com/the-u-s-navy-cant-afford-to-lose-the-philippines/
President Rodrigo Duterte salutes while passing members of custom police REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco
The first time I sailed into Manila Bay, I was a young ensign on a Navy destroyer. It was in the late 1970s. I felt I was part of an unbroken line of U.S. sailors going back to 1898, when Admiral George Dewey destroyed the Spanish fleet in that natural harbor at the start of the Spanish-American War.
The U.S. took the place of Spain as a colonizing power, and the Filipinos fought a long insurgent struggle for independence until World War II. After the war, thankfully, the U.S. granted independence, but the two nations have maintained very close political, military and person-to-person ties.
Now, thanks to the country’s brash president, Rodrigo Duterte, that alliance is facing its toughest test in decades. The U.S. needs to act quickly or face letting the Philippines drift closer to China. That would be bad for America and worse for the Filipinos.
It’s hard to overstate the closeness of the U.S.-Philippines relationship. There have been waves of immigration to the U.S. — some 4 million Filipino-Americans today make up the second-largest Asian ethnic group in the country. The U.S. Navy in particular has had a huge number of sailors who are descended from those islands, including my close friend Vic Mercado, a retired admiral now in a top civilian job at the Pentagon.
For decades, U.S. ships and aircraft have pulled into the Philippines – Naval Base Subic Bay and nearby Clark Air Force Base were at one point the American military’s largest foreign installations. (Both were turned over to the Filipino government in the early 1990s.) And perhaps most important, the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, signed in 1951, stipulates that either nation will respond militarily in the event of an attack on the other.
Relations have not always run smoothly, but the military-to-military plank of the alliance has always been strong. Even during the erratic presidency of Duterte — who vacillates among the U.S., China and Russia, trying to play one against the other for concessions — military operations have continued. U.S. Special Forces trainers have been deeply involved with their Filipino counterparts, working against al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups waging a vicious insurgency in the southern part of the archipelago.
The U.S. provided a half-billion dollars in security assistance from 2016 to 2019. So it was shocking when the Philippines notified the U.S. this month that it intended to withdraw from the Visiting Forces Agreement, which since 1999 has allowed the presence of American troops. U.S. officials were surprised and dismayed; Secretary of Defense Mark Esper put it very mildly when he called it a “move in the wrong direction.”
It appears that the decision would immediately stop U.S. forces from operating with their Filipino counterparts, canceling nearly 300 annual training exercises on land and sea. Many observers think it is Duterte’s retaliation for U.S. criticism of his harsh campaign against drug dealers, which permits the police to apply deadly force liberally and extra-judicially. While many in the Philippine Senate want to reverse the decision to withdraw from the agreement — there is a 180-day “cooling off” period before it would take full effect — Duterte appears determined to diminish what he sees as unwarranted American influence in his country.
Assuming this breakdown in relations goes forward, what will be the effect on American strategy in the region? In blunt terms, how important are the Philippines to the U.S.?
The short answer is that the Philippines, an archipelago of over 7,000 islands, is critically important to American security and geopolitical influence. First and most immutably is the geography: The Philippines are essentially the “backboard” of the eastern part of the South China Sea, which carries 35% of the world’s maritime trade and sits over billions of barrels of oil and trillions of cubic feet of natural gas. China asserts sovereignty over the entire sea, and has pushed its claims in recent years through economic pressure, military expansion (including building artificial islands as bases), the sinking of its neighbors’ fishing boats, and other provocations.
Add to this both the deep generational connections between the U.S. and the Philippines and the significant military-to-military ties, and you can see how fundamental the visiting-forces agreement is to security and diplomacy for both nations. For the Philippines to walk away from staunch U.S. help against the terrorist-led insurgency in the southern islands would be a significant mistake.
Washington needs to do all it can to keep the communications open at the highest political and military levels, and yet not get dragged into Philippine domestic politics. The backup plan, if Duterte follows through on his threat, should be to craft a sort of “visiting forces agreement lite” acceptable on both sides; point out to the Filipino people that drawing closer to China over time will lead to a relationship favoring Beijing that the U.S. will not be able to undo; and rely on the deep cultural and historical ties.
Relations between the U.S. and the Philippines have always been fraught, but this is the biggest crisis since the fall of the dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986. Washington should not allow Duterte to push his people into the arms of China, which can use proximity and a perceived lack of U.S. engagement in ways that America’s friends in the Philippines, and across the entire South China Sea, will come to regret in the decades ahead.
https://gcaptain.com/the-u-s-navy-cant-afford-to-lose-the-philippines/
AFP-CRS: CPP-NPA Commander Dead, NPA Hideouts Overrun in Bukidnon
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Feb 26, 2020): CPP-NPA Commander Dead, NPA Hideouts Overrun in Bukidnon
“Once again, we are calling on the remaining CNTs to surrender; abandon your futile armed struggle to avoid unnecessary waste of lives, avail the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program and take the chance to live peacefully with your families and love ones.”
-MGen FRANCO NEMESIO M GACAL AFP
Commander, 4th Infantry Division
#AFPyoucanTRUST| www.afpcrs.com
“Once again, we are calling on the remaining CNTs to surrender; abandon your futile armed struggle to avoid unnecessary waste of lives, avail the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program and take the chance to live peacefully with your families and love ones.”
-MGen FRANCO NEMESIO M GACAL AFP
Commander, 4th Infantry Division
#AFPyoucanTRUST| www.afpcrs.com
[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]
AFP-CRS: OPAPP Condemns NPA Slay of Returnee
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Feb 26, 2020): OPAPP Condemns NPA Slay of Returnee
“We cannot achieve peace if the other side continues murdering people with impunity. These killings do not achieve anything but perpetuate the cycle of violence. We know that the CPP-NPA organization has a lot of legal fronts. If this is the case, then why don’t these groups just file a case against their former comrades instead of murdering them? The means simply does not justify the end.”
-Sec. Carlito G. Galvez Jr.
Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
#AFPyoucanTRUST| www.afpcrs.com
“We cannot achieve peace if the other side continues murdering people with impunity. These killings do not achieve anything but perpetuate the cycle of violence. We know that the CPP-NPA organization has a lot of legal fronts. If this is the case, then why don’t these groups just file a case against their former comrades instead of murdering them? The means simply does not justify the end.”
-Sec. Carlito G. Galvez Jr.
Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
#AFPyoucanTRUST| www.afpcrs.com
[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]
AFP-CRS: Former Abu Sayyaf Members, Get Government Aid
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Feb 26, 2020): Former Abu Sayyaf Members, Get Government Aid
“As I always say, peace is a shared responsibility. I am happy that our partners and stakeholders are always there to support us in our peace campaigns. Through our convergence, we are able to sustain the momentum and attain positive results in our journey toward peace and sustainable development here in the region [Southern Mindanao].”
-LTGEN CIRILITO E SOBENOJA AFP
Commander, Western Mindanao Command
#AFPyoucanTRUST| www.afpcrs.com
“As I always say, peace is a shared responsibility. I am happy that our partners and stakeholders are always there to support us in our peace campaigns. Through our convergence, we are able to sustain the momentum and attain positive results in our journey toward peace and sustainable development here in the region [Southern Mindanao].”
-LTGEN CIRILITO E SOBENOJA AFP
Commander, Western Mindanao Command
#AFPyoucanTRUST| www.afpcrs.com
[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]
AFP-CRS: Community Information Led to Discovery of Dwindling CPP-NPA Group's Arm Cache
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Feb 26, 2020): Community Information Led to Discovery of Dwindling CPP-NPA Group's Arm Cache
An arms cache of a dwindling CPP-NPA group in the Northern boundary of Davao Oriental and Davao De Oro was discovered by the troops of 66th Infantry Kabalikat Battalion in an isolated area of New Bataan, Davao de Oro.
#AFPyoucanTRUST| www.afpcrs.com
An arms cache of a dwindling CPP-NPA group in the Northern boundary of Davao Oriental and Davao De Oro was discovered by the troops of 66th Infantry Kabalikat Battalion in an isolated area of New Bataan, Davao de Oro.
#AFPyoucanTRUST| www.afpcrs.com
[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]
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