PH Army sends off 453 new lieutenants

From the Manila Bulletin (May 27, 2020): PH Army sends off 453 new lieutenants (By Martin Sadongdong)

The Philippine Army (PA) has commissioned into service 453 new second lieutenants (2LT) who are expected to boost the troops’ force in the fight against various threats on the ground, including the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the military said on Wednesday (May 27).



Philippine Army (MANILA BULLETIN)

Army chief Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay led the reception and send-off ceremonies for the officers, composed of graduates from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Masidlawin Class of 2020 — bannered by valedictorian 2LT Gemalyn Sugui; Officer Preparatory Course (OPC) Class 71-2019, and Officer Candidate Course (OCC) Class 53-2020.
The ceremonies were held at Camp O’Donnell in Capaz, Tarlac on Tuesday.

Aside from COVID-19 duty, Gapay said the new officers will be fielded to various units of the Army to lead in the frontlines against the New People’s Army (NPA), Abu Sayyaf Group, and other security threats.

“To the new lieutenants of the Army, you have just completed your commissioning courses but contrary to most of you may think, your training has not ended,” Gapay told the new officers.

“We cannot be complacent. The nation expects so much from us. We have to win, and you must learn more and lead well to win,” he added.

Sugui recently made headlines after she bested 195 other cadets of the PMA Masidlawin Class of 2020 to graduate at the top of her class.

Aside from Sugui, three other Masidlawin graduates included in the Top 10 joined the Army: 2LT Jade Villanueva, Top 2; 2LT Rojes Gaile Jamandre, Top 4; and 2LT Catabay Ladyong, Top 6.


Prior to the send-off, Gapay also spearheaded the joint graduation ceremony of the OPC Class 71-2019 and OCC Class 53-2020 at Camp O’Donnell.

A total of 70 graduates from OPC and 192 graduates from OCC were commissioned into service and deployed to the different units of the Army all over the country.

Gapay addressed the graduates as the event’s guest of honor and speaker, commending them for their hard work in preparation for their duties.

“Recall when you signed up for the Army. That single step you made for this journey is now culminating and the succeeding step to your dream has begun,” he said in his address to the graduates.

“No matter how it will end, the most important thing is that you mustered enough courage to enter the door of many possibilities,” he added.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/05/27/ph-army-sends-off-453-new-lieutenants/

1 NPA killed, 3 high powered firearms seized in Agusan del Sur clash

From the Manila Bulletin (May 27, 2020): 1 NPA killed, 3 high powered firearms seized in Agusan del Sur clash (By Mike Crismundo)

A New People’s Army (NPA) fighter was killed, while an undetermined number of other rebels were wounded, in a fierce gun battle with the Army’s 26th Infantry Battalion (26th IB) in Pigdusuan area, Barangay Mahagsay, San Luis, Agusan del Sur province late Sunday afternoon, May 24, the military reported Wednesday.



via Mike Crismundo / MANILA BULLETIN

The 26th IB Civil Military Operations (CMO) Officer First Lt. Percival J. Carido, Jr. told The Manila Bulletin late Tuesday afternoon that troops of the 26th IB also seized three high powered firearms after the armed skirmish.

“The Communist terrorists extorted food stuffs and cash from rice and corn farmers in the nearby barangay who have just sold their produce,” he said.

“The gun battle took place after villagers reported their presence in Pigdusuan area,” the 26th IB CMO officer added.

Reports from the locals of an NPA movement in the area reached the army unit, thus, a focused military operation (FMO) was launched, he averred.

Carido said that, as a result of the gunfight, a rebel was killed, while an undetermined number of his comrades were believed wounded as evidenced by bloodstains that were seen along their escape route.

He said operating troops also recovered AK47 rifles, with three magazines and other live ammunition left behind by the retreating rebels.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/05/27/1-npa-killed-3-high-powered-firearms-seized-in-agusan-del-sur-clash/

Alleged NPA leader slain in Northern Samar clash

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (May 27, 2020): Alleged NPA leader slain in Northern Samar clash (By: Joey Gabieta)

An alleged rebel leader was killed in an encounter with government troops in Catarman town, Northern Samar about 5:50 a.m. on Tuesday, May 27.

Allan Aguinaldo, the secretary-general of the Sangay ng Partido sa Platon of the New People’s Army, which operates in several towns in the province, was gunned down during the 10-minute firefight in Barangay New Rizal, about 5 km away from the town center of Catarman, a military official said.

Captain Ronald Aljas, civil-military operations officer of the 803rd Infantry Brigade based in Catarman, said the government troops went to the area to verify information about the presence of five armed men, which turned out to be the group of Aguinaldo.

“This led to an encounter which resulted in the death of Aguinaldo,” he said in a phone interview. Aguinaldo’s companions, he said, managed to escape.

Alas considered Aguinaldo’s death a victory in the government’s battle against members of the NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

“For us, his death is a victory considering that he was a high-ranking rebel leader,” he said.

A .45-caliber gun was recovered by soldiers belonging to the 43rd Infantry Battalion led by Lt. Col. Raymundo Picut, Jr. Aguinaldo’s body was brought to a funeral home in Catarman.

“We will just wait until today for his relatives to claim the body. Otherwise, we will bury him,” Aljas said.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1281696/alleged-npa-leader-slain-in-northern-samar-clash

Abu Sayyaf targeting kidnapping from vessels off East Malaysia

Posted to Sea Trade Maritime News (May 26, 2020): Abu Sayyaf targeting kidnapping from vessels off East Malaysia (By Marcus Hand)



Vessels have been warned of potential kidnappings by Abu Sayyaf Group militants in the waters off East Malaysia.

The ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre issued a warning that according to the Philippines Coast Guard group of approximately five ASG members armed with assorted firearms is planning to conduct kidnapping activities in undisclosed areas in Sabah, Malaysia

“They are targeting wealthy businessmen or crew of fishing boats and other slow moving ships plying within the waters off Sabah, Malaysia,” ReCAAP said.

Related: Imminent threat of seafarer kidnap for ransom remains off Southern Philippines, warns ReCAAP

“Ship masters and crew are strongly urged to exercise extra vigilance when transiting the waters off Eastern Sabah and in the Sulu-Celebes Seas.”

ASG has periodically targeted seafarers for kidnap in Sulu and Celebes sea area. Generally the group has targeted smaller vessels although has attacked larger merchant vessels sailing between Australia and China as well.

Related: Abu Sayaaf seeking to kidnap seafarers and businessmen off Sabah - ReCAAP

A very similar warning to the latest was issued by ReCAAP in October 2018.

https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/ship-operations/abu-sayyaf-targeting-kidnapping-vessels-east-malaysia

MGen Andres Centino to assume 4ID post

From MindaNews (May 28, 2020): MGen Andres Centino to assume 4ID post (By FROILAN GALLARDO)

Then BGen Andres Centino in a conference hosted by Balay Mindanaw at Ateneo de Davao University on Dec. 3, 2018. MindaNews file photo by H. MARCOS C. MORDENO
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews / 28 May) – The 4th Infantry Division (4ID) based in Camp Evangelista in Barangay Patag here will welcome its new commander in a simple ceremony Friday that will be attended by less than 50 officers and guests.

Current 4ID commander MGen Franco Nemesio Gacal will be replaced by MGen Andres Centino of Philippine Military Academy Maringal Class of 1988.

4ID spokesperson Capt. Al Anthony Pueblas said Philippine Army chief LGen Gilbert Gapay and Armed Forces of the Philippines Eastern Mindanao Command chief MGen Jose Faustino will witness the turnover.

Gacal will be transferred to Camp Bonifacio where he will assume command of the AFP Inspectorate.

Centino was born in Tacloban City, Leyte on Feb. 4, 1967.

He was the AFP deputy chief of staff for operations before his transfer to the 4ID.

He also served as 401st Infantry Brigade commander in Surigao del Sur, a hotbed of the New People’s Army insurgency. (Froilan Gallardo/MindaNews)

https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2020/05/mgen-andres-centino-to-assume-4id-post/

AFP clashes with NPA in Iligan City hinterlands

From the Philippine Information Agency (May 28, 2020): AFP clashes with NPA in Iligan City hinterlands (By 4th Mechanized Infantry Battalion)



BALOI, Lanao del Norte, May 28 – A clash erupted between the 4th Mechanized Infantry 'Kalasag' Battalion (4th Mech) and New People’s Army (NPA) at Sitio Pudong, Brgy. Mainit, Iligan City past 12 p.m. Wednesday, May 27.

4th Mech Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. Domingo G. Dulay Jr, said the unit responded to information tipped-off by concerned residents saying that members of the NPA were terrorizing the community by extorting foodstuff and money from them.

During the 30-minute firefight, one soldier was wounded and had been immediately brought to the city for medical attention. The wounded soldier is now in stable condition while other troops continue to search and conduct pursuit operations against fleeing members of the communist-terrorist group.

The troops are confident that some NPA members were also wounded in the clash based on bloodstains in the encounter site.
The AFP is closely working with the local government of Iligan City and the members of the City Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (CTF-ELCAC) to ensure that services of the government reach far-flung barangays like Brgy Mainit, and protect the community from NPA influence.

In 2019, Brgy. Mainit has passed a resolution denouncing the presence of NPA terrorists and declaring them as persona non grata.

The terrorist group is suffering from a lack of food supplies which has pushed them to extort from the residents who are also affected by the limited movement caused by COVID19.

The government has repeatedly called on members of the NPA to take advantage of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) for them to come back to the folds of the law and live peacefully.

BGen Facundo Palafox IV, Commander of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade, who has operational jurisdiction in Lanao del Norte and Iligan City said the AFP will continue to go after these communist-terrorists wherever they are; and will execute the mandate to protect the people from all forms of threat.

“We call on all members of the NPA to surrender and join the mainstream society. You all have been deceived but the government is willing to help rebuild your lives together with your family," he said. (4th Mech)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1043101

Alleged NPA leader, 2 followers arrested in NoCot op

From the Philippine News Agency (May 28, 2020): Alleged NPA leader, 2 followers arrested in NoCot op (By Edwin Fernandez(



ARRESTED. The suspected communist New People’s Army rebels and the subversive documents, guns, and explosives recovered from them during law enforcement operations in Matalam, North Cotabato on Wednesday (May 27, 2020). The suspects are now detained at Matalam municipal police office awaiting the filing of formal charges against them. (Photo courtesy of 602IBde)

A team of military and police personnel arrested a ranking officer of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) and two of his followers in Matalam, North Cotabato Wednesday.

Brig. Gen. Roberto Capulong, commander of the Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade, identified the arrested suspects as Cirilo Amit, the finance officer of NPA in North Cotabato province, and two companions, Alex Zurita and Roberto Aspura.

“They are now in the custody of the Matalam municipal police undergoing documentation and processing,” Capulong said.

Elements of the Matalam municipal police and the Army’s 90th Infantry Battalion arrested the suspects in the village of Alemodian in Matalam around 5 a.m.

Capulong thanked the local officials and residents for providing vital and accurate information to security sectors that led to the arrest of the suspects.

Government forces recovered two handguns, improvised explosives devices, and subversive documents on top of the suspects’ personal belongings.

Military and police officials said they are validating information that Amit was allegedly a leader of a group of extortionists preying on businessmen in North Cotabato.

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1104110

Anakbayan preys on young minds to join NPA, Cabinet exec says

From the Philippine News Agency (May 28, 2020): Anakbayan preys on young minds to join NPA, Cabinet exec says (By Che Palicte)



Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado, Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security in the Davao region. (PNA file photo)

The Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) for the Davao region has appealed to the public to condemn youth organization allegedly affiliated with the communist rebel movement, saying its sole aim is to prey on young minds and lure them into the communist terrorist group.

In a statement on Wednesday, Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado appealed to leftist youth group Anakbayan to return Relisa Lucena’s daughter, Alicia Jasper, or AJ, 17, who left home in July last year to join the militant organization.

Avisado said Anakbayan's sole aim is to "brainwash, disown, and leave their parents in order to join the Communist Party of the Philippines - National Democratic Front (CPP-NDF)."

The CPP and its armed wing, New People's Army (NPA), is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

“Return her daughter back to (the) love and comfort of her family and spare our youth from a lifetime of trauma by being victims of their deception. As parents ourselves, we commiserate with Mrs. Lucena, as we have also felt the agony of a mother who took care of her child from her womb, to the day her daughter learned to speak (a) few words and called her mama and took her little steps and eventually grow up to be (a) smart, loving, and caring daughter only to be taken away by these deceptive, exploitative people in the guise of 'fighting for the country' for their own criminal, political advantage,” he said.

AJ, then 16, was in Grade 11 and a consistent honor student at the Far Eastern University when she was recruited by Anakbayan in 2018.

Avisado said AJ's mother believed that her daughter is a victim of an "evil ideology" aimed at destroying "the very fabric of society by first destroying the relationship within families."

“She believes that her daughter had fallen prey to an illusory ideology thought by this terrorist group and is gripped by constant worry about her safety and health,” he said.

He lauded the efforts of the Lucena couple to save their daughter "from the deceitful hands of (the) two-faced organization called Anakbayan."

“Ms. Lucena and her husband, together with the members of the League of Parents of the Philippines, have fought the good fight amidst insurmountable odds, all with a purpose in mind of saving their children, and in effect, of our own, from the devil clutches of this godless communist terrorist,” he said.

Avisado said the couple, through their lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, filed before the Supreme Court a writ of habeas corpus and writ of Amparo against Kabataan Party-list Rep. Sarah Elago, whose cohorts have allegedly recruited, brainwashed, and spirited AJ away.

“We, as a people, should express our support to this family, whose only fervent hope is to reunite with their daughter. Let us condemn this CTG (communist terrorist group) that is led by the CPP and its armed criminal group, the New People’s Army,” he said. “Let us not wait that we ourselves or one of our kin become victims of their malicious deceptions."

Our children are the heirs of our future, let us take good care of them and if need be, fight against those whose goal is to destroy their innocence, he added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1104154

45 ex-NPA rebels to undergo tech-voc training in SoCot

From the Philippine News Agency (May 28, 2020): 45 ex-NPA rebels to undergo tech-voc training in SoCot (By Richelyn Gubalani)



Rafael Abrogar II, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority-Region 12 director. (PNA GenSan file photo)

At least 45 rebel returnees in South Cotabato province will undergo technical-vocational (tech-voc) training through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Rafael Abrogar II, TESDA-Region 12 director, said Thursday they are processing the enrolment of the former rebels into their training programs in partnership with various government agencies.

Abrogar said the move, which would give the returnees with better livelihood opportunities, was in support of the national government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.

The beneficiaries are all indigenous peoples (IP) and former members of the NPA’s militia organization who surrendered early this month in Barangay Ned, Lake Sebu town in South Cotabato, he said.

Abrogar said the former rebels will be trained under the agency's IP Empowered as Agripreneurs towards a Collective End (IPEACE), which is among the priority programs of TESDA Director General Secretary Isidro Lapeña.

“This is centered on providing appropriate (tech-voc training) programs for the IPs, especially on agriculture,” Abrogar said.

He said the tech-voc training will complement the financial and livelihood assistance provided to former NPA members by the local governments of South Cotabato and Lake Sebu and other government agencies.

Early this year, some 25 former NPA rebels from Barangay Ned, Lake Sebu graduated and received national certificates (NC) on Electrical Installation and Maintenance-NC II.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1104183

2 Sierra Madre NPA rebels surrender in Nueva Ecija

From the Philippine News Agency (May 28, 2020): 2 Sierra Madre NPA rebels surrender in Nueva Ecija (By Jason De Asis)



NO FUTURE. One of the two members of the New People's Army who surrendered to authorities in Barangay Malinao, Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija on Wednesday (May 27, 2020). Lt. Col. Reandrew P. Rubio, acting commanding officer of the 91IB, said the two rebels voluntarily turned themselves in as they realized they could not have a good future with their families while in the underground movement. (Photo courtesy of Army's 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion)

BALER, Aurora – Two members of the New People’s Army (NPA) have surrendered to authorities following a series of operations conducted by the 1st Provincial Mobile Group Company of Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office (PMFC-NEPPO) and the Philippine Army’s 91st Infantry Battalion (91IB).

Lt. Col. Reandrew P. Rubio, acting commanding officer of 91IB, on Thursday said the two rebels yielded voluntarily to the government troops in Barangay Malinao, Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija on Wednesday.

He identified the surrenderers only as alias Jex/Lei/Mali/Carding/Supremo, a youth organizer of the militant group Anakbayan, and Jerome, a medic and assistant gunner of Platoon Dos under Komiteng Larangang Guerrilla (KLG) Sierra Madre, an armed NPA front that operates in the said mountain range.
Rubio said the rebels realized that there is no chance for them to have a good future with their families while in the underground movement.

“The two rebels said that they (are) just used by the communist terrorist groups to recruit, organize and mobilize the different sectors against the government,” he said.

Rubio lauded the efforts of the military and police personnel for their hard work that resulted in the surrender.

“We will continue to remain steadfast in accomplishing our mission in partnership with the Philippine National Police, local government units and national government agencies to dismantle the KLG Sierra Madre,” he said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1104209

Church, houses razed by alleged NPA rebels in MisOr

From the Philippine News Agency (May 28, 2020): Church, houses razed by alleged NPA rebels in MisOr (By Nef Luczon and Jigger Jerusalem)



BURNED DOWN. Residents check on to the debris of their houses in Zone 2, Barangay Limonda, Opol town, Misamis Oriental on Thursday, looking for materials to salvage. Ten armed men believed to be communist New People's Army combatants attacked the community in a predawn raid Thursday. (Photo courtesy of Opol Municipal Police Station)

Armed men believed to be communist New People’s Army (NPA) combatants burned down a Born Again Christian church and four houses in the Misamis Oriental town of Opol in a predawn raid Thursday, police said.

Maj. Evary E. Bacunawa, chief of the Opol Municipal Police Station, said the incident occurred at around 3:30 a.m. in Zone 2, Barangay Limonda, Opol.
Police said the houses were owned by Edward Villiarias, Ronny Tingkang, Edmar Burlat and Avelino Sambulay.

Citing witnesses' accounts, police said at least 10 armed men were involved in the attack.

Col. Roy V. Bahian, director of the Misamis Oriental Provincial Police Office, said the attack was a handiwork of the NPA's Ace Company led by a certain Decoy.
"The Misamis Oriental Police Provincial Office strongly condemns the burning incident allegedly done by a group of NPA. The NPA’s nefarious activity is a clear manifestation of their motive to pursue their lawless acts and adds burden and suffering to the innocent civilians and the community as a whole amidst this Covid-19 pandemic. These atrocities are contrary to their claim of protecting the people," the Misamis Oriental PPO said in a statement Thursday.

Lt. Theofratus Pia, Misamis Oriental PPO information officer, said additional military and police reinforcement have been deployed in the village and nearby communities.

"They were already there around 4:30 a.m., including police personnel under the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company, conducting hot pursuit operations," Pia said.

Pia said the provincial police is mulling criminal charges against the perpetrators.

Meanwhile, Bahian assured the public that security measures are implemented to ensure the safety of NPA's potential targets in the province, including vital government installations, places of convergence, power lines, private companies and all police stations.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1104200

2 Navy ships in India resume voyage to PH

From the Philippine News Agency (May 28, 2020): 2 Navy ships in India resume voyage to PH (By Priam Nepomuceno)



Photo courtesy of Naval Public Affairs Office

The Naval Task Force (NTF) 82, which consists of the landing dock, BRP Davao Del Sur (LD-602), and the newly-repaired offshore patrol vessel, BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS-16), have finally resumed their voyage home from the Port of Cochin, India on Wednesday.

Philippine Navy (PN) public affairs office chief Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas, in a statement, said the two ships will make a brief stop at the Port of Colombo, Sri Lanka on Friday to repatriate 12 more Filipino tourists and overseas workers stranded due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

The two ships originally sailed from the Port of Cochin on May 7 for their voyage home but a fire on the engine room of BRP Ramon Alcaraz a few hours after departing forced the offshore patrol vessel back into the Indian port for repairs.

Meanwhile, the BRP Davao Del Sur which proceeded alone on May 9 and has already reached Sri Lanka on May 11, opted to return to India port due to rough weather caused by Cyclone "Amphan" that battered eastern India and Bangladesh.

Roxas said the 12 other repatriates will join the 19 Filipino tourists earlier picked up in India aboard the BRP Davao Del Sur in separate rooms.

"(These repatriates) in separate rooms inside LD-602 (will be monitored 24-hours) by an onboard medical team. LD602 originally left for Manila by itself on May 9 and already reached Sri Lanka when it was compelled to return to India to take shelter from the brewing storm in the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea," she added.

Roxas said the delay gave ample time for BRP Ramon Alcaraz, the other component of NTF 82, to complete repairs to its damaged engine room with help from the Indian government.

"The Philippines' existing defense cooperation with India paved the way for the latter's Navy to provide expertise and assistance to our PN personnel, leading up to the restoration of the ship's main propulsion, generators, auxiliary systems and other essential equipment. PS-16 has been restored to being seaworthy and is now sailing in convoy with LD-602," she added.

However, transport of materiel and other support from US Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) was delayed due to the unavailability of flights amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Earlier, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said NAVSEA will assist the Philippines in repairing the BRP Ramon Alcaraz which was acquired in the US in 2013.

However, Roxas said NAVSEA subject matter experts and needed logistics will be available once BRP Ramon Alcaraz reaches Subic Bay, Zambales.

"This journey has truly magnified the resiliency and determination of our personnel amid these turbulent times, that no matter what obstacles are faced along the way, they will carry on with the mission, which becomes even more worthy as NTF 82 aims to bring home safely displaced Filipinos and face masks essential to our efforts against the coronavirus disease," she added.

The two ships were deployed to Oman last February as a contingency measure should a large evacuation of overseas Filipino workers be needed following tensions between the United States and Iran.

They sailed from Sultan Qaboos, Oman last April 21 and arrived in India on April 29 to fetch a donation of 200,000 pieces of face mask from a Filipino businessman based in that country, as well as Filipino tourists who were stranded due to the Covid-19 outbreak. (

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1104138

Robinson is new 9th Infantry Division head

From the Philippine News Agency (May 28, 2020): Robinson is new 9th Infantry Division head (By Priam Nepomuceno)



NEW 9ID HEAD. Philippine Army commander, Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay (right), leads the change-of-command ceremony of the 9th Infantry Division in Camarines Sur on Wednesday (May 27, 2020). Brig. Gen. Henry Robinson Jr. (left) assumed as the new head of the 9th Infantry Division, replacing Maj. Gen. Fernando Trinidad (center) who mandatorily retired from the service. (Photo courtesy of Army Chief Public Affairs Office)

Brig. Gen. Henry Robinson Jr. took over the helm of the Camarines Sur-based 9th Infantry Division on Wednesday.

Philippine Army (PA) commander, Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, led the change-of-command ceremony at Camp Elias Angeles, Barangay San Jose in Pili town, said Army spokesperson, Col. Ramon Zagala, in a statement.

Robinson Jr. replaced Maj. Gen. Fernando Trinidad, who mandatorily retired from the service.

In his speech, Gapay urged the troops to continue protecting the region from all forms of threats.

"Binding you all across time is the desire to build a strong Army in Bicol—and the mission to provide the region security, peace, and stability. You share the vision and action to make this a reality for the Bicolanos. And that is 'Bayanihan'," he said.

Robinson served as assistant division commander of the 7th Infantry Division; the head of the 702nd Infantry Brigade and commander of Task Force Davao of the 10th Infantry Division; and the 23rd and 29th Infantry Battalions of the 4th Infantry Division.

He also holds a Master's degree in in Public Management Major in Development Security.

Meanwhile, the 9th Infantry Division under Trinidad's leadership neutralized 540 New People's Army terrorists, seized 164 assorted firearms and 133 anti-personnel mines, and the clearing of two NPA guerilla fronts.

Trinidad was also responsible for making the 9th Infantry Division named as the "Best Philippine Army Major Unit for Operations" in the first quarter of 2019.

He is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1987.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1104141

Navy deploys another vessel to deliver PPE sets, med supplies

From the Philippine News Agency (May 28, 2020): Navy deploys another vessel to deliver PPE sets, med supplies (By Priam Nepomuceno)



EN ROUTE TO VISAYAS. Navy personnel load boxes of medical supplies and personnel protective equipment (PPE) sets into the BRP Batak (LC-299) at the Sangley Point in Cavite on Wednesday (May 27, 2020). The ship was deployed to transport these equipment as well as military personnel to various provinces in the Visayas. (Photo courtesy of the Naval Public Affairs Office)

The Philippine Navy (PN) on Wednesday deployed one of its heavy landing craft, BRP Batak (LC-299), to transport military personnel, personal protective equipment (PPE) sets, and assorted medical supplies to various provinces in the Visayas.

In a statement Thursday, Navy public affairs office chief, Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas said the mission is part of the government's ongoing efforts to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19 threat.

"LC-299 will conduct sealift of military personnel, assorted cargoes and deliver a thousand sets of PPE and assorted medical supplies from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Naval Task Force against Covid-19," she added.

Roxas said the BRP Batak will first embark on Catbalogan City, Samar, and will proceed to Ormoc City in Leyte and in the provinces of Cebu and Iloilo before returning to Cebu City.

The ship is among the logistic vessels of the Sealift Amphibious Force (SAF) of the Philippine Fleet and under the operational control of Naval Task Force-50 of the Naval Forces Central based in Cebu.

Other SAF vessels that were deployed in this kind of mission include BRP Davao Del Sur (LD-602) and BRP Bacolod City (LS-550) among others, Roxas added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1104233

Checkpoints, curfew part of 'new normal': Joint task force chief

From the Philippine News Agency (May 28, 2020): Checkpoints, curfew part of 'new normal': Joint task force chief (By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan)

Checkpoints and curfew regulations will remain a part of the "new normal" situation with the easing of community quarantine restrictions and as the country awaits availability of a vaccine against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), a ranking police official said on Thursday.

In a press statement, Joint Task Force Corona Virus Shield (JTF CV Shield) commander, Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, said this is because the Covid-19 threat remains, despite easing of some community quarantine restrictions.

“Our President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has allowed the lifting of some restrictions in order to re-open the economy and to turn the situation into the most normal as possible because we cannot afford to have strict quarantine rules at the expense of our economy and our people,” Eleazar said.

He added that minimum health standards should still be implemented such as wearing face masks, observance of physical distancing, and prohibition of unnecessary travel.

Currently, quarantine control points (QCPs) are deployed in specific areas for private vehicles while dedicated control points (DCPs) inspect cargo and delivery trucks. Meanwhile, mobile checkpoints conduct random inspections of private motorists.

Currently, there are 4,398 QCPs and 115 DCPs across the country.

The QCPs are manned and supervised by the police and the military while the DCPs are manned and supervised by the PNP Highway Patrol Group (HPG).

Eleazar said that the HPG will be in charge of the conduct of mobile checkpoints in coordination with the local police force.

HPG director, Brig. Gen. Eliseo Cruz earlier said the mobile checkpoints will also be augmented by the deployment of motorcycle-riding personnel under "Oplan Habol" wherein motorists who would avoid the mobile checkpoints would be chased and checked for violation of quarantine rules.

“We cannot check all the vehicles because it will defeat the purpose of partially re-opening the economy. The solution here is to have mobile checkpoints,” he added.

The QCPs and the mobile checkpoints, Eleazar said, will be complemented with the frequent beat patrol in various communities, especially in urban areas, not only as part of the anti-crime measures but also for the implementation of curfew.

“The strict implementation of curfew is not only for the protection of our workers who go out for a nightshift or who go home during nighttime but it is also necessary to ensure that those who have no business going out should stay at home and make the most of the time bonding with their families instead of risking themselves to be infected by the (Covid-19),” he said.

Eleazar explained that the strict implementation of the community quarantine rules which include curfew has been found to be effective in preventing more infection and deaths as revealed by the study of experts from the University of the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1104160