Kalinaw News: Joint AFP-PNP Marijuana Eradication isinagawa sa Mountain Province

Posted to Kalinaw News (May 28, 2020): Joint AFP-PNP Marijuana Eradication isinagawa sa Mountain Province (By 5th Infantry Division)



CAMP MELCHOR F DELA CRUZ, Gamu, Isabela – Ang pinagsanib na pwersa ng 54th Infantry (Magilas) Battalion, Sagada MPS/PNP, Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, PDEA CAR at ibat-ibang ahensya ng Gobyerno ay matagumpay na isinagawa ang Marijuana eradication sa Brgy. Fidelisan, Sagada, Mountain Province noong ika-24 ng Mayo 2020 na nagresulta sa pagkadiskubre at pagkawasak ng dalawang plantasyon ng Marijuana na may kabuuang sukat na 60 square meters na matatagpuan sa lupaing pangkomunidad.

Naisagawa ang operasyon dahil sa tulong at sumbong ng mga residente na may plantasyon ng Marijuana sa nasabing lugar kung saan agad namang binigyang aksyon ng mga awtoridad at nakapagbunot sila ng 230 punla ng “Fully Grown Marijuana” na nagkakahalaga ng Php 92,000.00.

Hindi man naabutan ng mga operatiba ang mga nagtanim nito ay nagpapasalamat pa rin ang mga mamamayan ng Brgy. Fidelisan, Sagada sa pagkakadiskubre ng mga taniman ng naturang ipinagbabawal na gamot.

Pinuri naman ni MGen Pablo M Lorenzo, Commander, 5th Infantry (STAR) Division ang matagumpay na pinagsanib-pwersa ng mga kasundaluhan at mga kapulisan sa tulong at pakikipag-ugnayan sa iba’t-ibang ahensya ng gobyerno. “Tunay na malaki ang magagawa natin kung tayo ay patuloy na magkaisa para sa iisang hangarin. Sana, ito na ang maging hudyat upang masukol pa ang iba’t-ibang illegal na gawain kasama na ang pagsugpo sa mga terroristang NPA hindi lamang sa Sagada kundi sa buong Northern Luzon.

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/joint-afp-pnp-marijuana-eradication-isinagawa-sa-mountain-province/

Kalinaw News: Local Folks Condemn NPA, as Church, 4 Houses Set Ablaze in Misamis Oriental

Posted to Kalinaw News (May 28, 2020): Local Folks Condemn NPA, as Church, 4 Houses Set Ablaze in Misamis Oriental (By 403rd Infantry “Peacemaker” Brigade)



Camp Osito D Bahian, Malaybalay City- May 28, 2020- At 3:30 Thursday morning, local residents strongly condemn the dastardly act of the New People’s Army as it torch four (4) houses and a church at Zone 2, Brgy Limonda, Municipality of Opol, Misamis Oriental.

The NPA was headed by a certain alias Decoy of, Guerilla Front 12, Sub Regional Committee 5 (SRC5), North Central Mindanao Regional Committee that operates in the boundaries of Bukidnon, West Misamis Oriental and Iligan City.

“Grabe ilang katawa, malipayon kaayo sila samtang nanunog, shaget pa silag mabuhi ang NPA samtang naglakaw (They were cheering and laughing while burning, they even cheered Mabuhay ang NPA on their way out of the village)” a local said.

“Dile mi magpadala sa ilang pagpanghadlok ug mao na ilang paglaum. Sumo nami nga sa unang panahon pangpatyon sab nila ang ilang mga masa dinhi sa amo human sila pangalagaran. Musukol mi kauban ang gobyerno. (We will not be cowed if that is their intent, we were already used to them killing their massbase supporters after serving them during the old days)” an old man, and relative of the victim said.

Prior to the burning, the terrorist NPAs have forced the villagers to produce food items but the villagers refused. This enraged the NPAs who immediately set ablaze the church and houses, Cpt Rene Belmonte, 403 Brigade spokesman said.

After the incident, the perpetrators hurriedly left the area while shouting, “Mabuhay ang NPA!”.The four houses are owned by Edward Villarias, Ronny Tingkang, Edmar Burlat and Avelinon Sambulay, who are all residents of the said barangay. Meanwhile, the church building belongs to the Born Again Christian religious sect, Belmonte added.

“It can be recalled also that last May 22, 2020, a group of NPA also attacked a village and killed an innocent civilian at Sitio Spring, Brgy Kawayan, San Fernando, Bukidnon. This only showed that these NPAs are not respecting the rights of the civilians that live peacefully in the far flung areas which is contrary to their claim that they are fighting for the people. This blatant acts are clear violations of the provisions of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and these are crimes against humanity that only added to the suffering of the people”, said Col Ferdinand Barandon, 403rd Brigade Commander.

“We strongly condemn the NPA on this inhumane act and challenge KARAPATAN, who claims to be a human rights group, to do the same”, Barandon concluded.

Hon Maximino B Seno, the Municipal Mayor of Opol, Misamis Oriental pledged to help the victims of the said atrocities. He asked the Army and the PNP to assist the LGU in providing the needs of the victims. The Mayor also condemn the attacks of the NPA specifically the burning of the structures since most of the residents living in those areas are poor people.

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/local-folks-condemn-npa-as-church-4-houses-set-ablaze-in-misamis-oriental/

NPA leader slain in Samar clash

From the Philippine Star (May 28, 2020): NPA leader slain in Samar clash (Miriam Desacada, John Unson)

A New People’s Army (NPA) leader was killed in an encounter with soldiers in Samar on Tuesday.

The military said Allan Aguilando, secretary of the Sangay ng Partido sa Platun Sub-Regional Committee Emporium, was with a group of NPA rebels harassing residents of Barangay New Rizal in Catarman when they clashed with soldiers of the 43rd Infantry Battalion.

In North Cotabato, NPA finance officer Cirilo Amit and his companions Alex Zurita and Roberto Aspura were arrested in Matalam town, also on Tuesday.

Brig. Gen. Roberto Capulong of the 602nd Infantry Brigade said local government executives and barangay officials led police and military operatives to the hideout of the rebels.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2020/05/28/2016997/npa-leader-slain-samar-clash

NPA denies sexual abuse

From the Visayan Daily Star (May 28, 2020): NPA denies sexual abuse

The Apolinario Gatmaitan Command of the New People’s Army strongly debunked military claims of alleged sexual abuses on female members and recruits of the New People’s Army and dismissed it as “age-old lies brought out of the blue and downright illogical”.

Ka Juanito Magbanua, spokesperson of the Apolinario Gatmaitan Command, said in a statement on Tuesday that the NPA strictly adheres to the “3-8” or “tres-otso”, or three main rules of discipline and eight points for attention, which includes a point against the exploitation of women.

Magbanua also said that romantic relationships and marriage are considered as serious matters for the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the NPA, stressing that their comrades and the masses are educated in family planning.

Col. Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, earlier said that the recovery of anti-pregnancy pills left behind by NPA rebels encountered by 94th Infantry Battalion soldiers in Brgy. Buenavista, Himamaylan City, confirms the reports of ongoing and rampant sexual abuses perpetrated by NPA commanders among their female members.

Recovered from the encounter site were a backpack containing personal belongings, including assorted medical paraphernalia, among them, three stubs of anti-pregnancy pills, food, subversive documents, and a camouflage Army T-shirt.

Magbanua explained that the People's Democratic Government has several statutes that involve the respect of women's rights and their emancipation. In the NPA, women are treated equally with men, and enjoy every right the same as a male comrade.

He alleged that it is the AFP, PNP with their commander-in-chief Rodrigo Duterte at the helm, who have consistently violated women's rights.

He said some of their misogynistic feats include Duterte's command of “shooting the NPA fighters directly in the vagina” among other various rape jokes.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2020/May/28/topstory10.htm

Surigao Sur tribal leaders laud progress of school construction

From the Philippine News Agency (May 28, 2020): Surigao Sur tribal leaders laud progress of school construction (By Alexander Lopez)



SCHOOL FOR IP CHILDREN. Indigenous people leaders in Lianga, Surigao del Sur, led by Jawudon Jumar Bucales (center) express gratitude to the government for the progress of the construction of a tribal school in Sitio Simuwao, Barangay Diatagon. The tribal leaders, along with local and military officials, inspect the ongoing construction of the school on Wednesday (May 27, 2020). (Photo courtesy of 3SFBn)

Manobo tribal leaders in the Surigao del Sur town of Lianga have commended the continuing progress of the construction of the indigenous people (IP) school in Sitio Simuwao, Barangay Diatagon.

“This school will ensure the good future of our children,” said Datu Constancio Duhac, the tribal chieftain in Lianga, in a statement issued Thursday (May 28).

Duhac said the construction of the IP school kicked-off early this month and is now 60 percent completed.

The tribal leader visited the construction site Wednesday along with Lianga officials led by Mayor Novelita Sarmen, officials of the Army's 3rd Special Forces Battalion, and representatives of the Department of Agriculture and the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Duhac said the school will be named Sitio Simuwao School of Living Traditions and will replace the Tribal Filipino Program of Surigao del Sur (TRIFPSS).

TRIFPSS and the Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development, Inc. (ALCADEV), which maintained schools in the area, are under fire for their alleged links with the communist New People’s Army (NPA).

Both schools, the military said, act as recruitment grounds for the communist rebel movement.

“We are thankful for the new hope provided for our children through this school because, during our time, we lived in a life where Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs) continuously exploit us and even recruit us to be like them using their communist school of thought,” Duhac said.

He added that with the support of the government, the LGU, and the military, most of the IP communities in the area “are liberated after a long time of being exploited by the CNTs”.

The tribal leader also underscored the role of the Army and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the Manobos’ pursuit to achieve genuine peace and development in their communities.

“We cannot allow our tribe to suffer further in the hands of these brutal Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs) that is why we requested the military’s presence to advance and protect various government programs for our IP communities even if it will cost our lives,” Duhac said.

Another Manobo leader, Hawudon Jumar Bucales, the Indigenous People Mandatory Representative (IPMR) of Lianga, expressed gratitude for the establishment of government IP school in the area.

“This school in Sitio Simuwao is just the beginning. There will be more government IP schools to be established in different areas in Diatagon, especially in areas that need to be liberated from the influence of the CNTs,” Bucales said.

He also warned of NPA harassments to hamper the continuing initiatives of the government for the IPs in Lianga.

“We will face harassments and resistance but with the military and the government present, we believe that the tribe will overcome all the trials,” Bucales said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1104238

IPs grateful in new life without NPAs in Surigao del Sur

From the Manila Bulletin (May 28, 2020): IPs grateful in new life without NPAs in Surigao del Sur (By Mike Crismundo)

LIANGA, Surigao Del Sur — The Indigenous Peoples (IPs) community in the highland conflict-affected areas in Surigao del Sur on Wednesday, May 27, expressed utmost gratitude towards the continuous flow of government services and protection to them.



3rd SFBn-CMO / MANILA BULLETIN

As the tribal leaders expressed gratitude to the government, they also asked for their continuous protection from the government security forces in the area.

Tribal leaders made these statement during the ocular visit by the local government unit officials to the ongoing construction of the IP DepEd school to be called Sitio Simuwao School of Living Traditions at Sitio Simuwao (Kilometer 9), Barangay Diatagon, Lianga town, and Surigao del Sur.

The school will replace an alleged Communist New People’s Army Terrorist (CNT)-linked Tribal Filipino Program of Surigao del Sur (TRIFPSS).

Lianga Mayor Novelita M. Sarmen and Sangguniang Bayan council, and officials from Lianga IP Tribal Council, Surigao del Sur Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Agriculture, ground commanders and officers of 3rd Special Forces (Arrowhead) Battalion (3rd SFBn), 544th Engineer (Pioneer) Battalion, and the Lianga Municipal Police Station were present in the event.

Sitio Simuwao had been categorized as Communist CNT-influenced barangay based on the revelations of rebel surrenderees, IP leaders, and the community.

It was also revealed that some militant-CNT front group and communist shadow government had long been manipulating the IP community to refuse government’s peace and development intervention to maintain the sitio’s poor status so that they will have the reason to continually blame the government and use social issues to arouse, organize and mobilize agitated IPs in militancy and armed revolution.

“We cannot allow our tribe to suffer further in the hands of these brutal terrorists (CNTs) that is why we requested the military’s presence to advance and protect various government programs for our IP community even if it will cost our lives,” said Datu Constancio Duhac, Lianga Tribal Chieftain.

“We are thankful for the new hope provided for our children through this school because during our time, we lived in a life where Communist NPA Terrorists would continuously exploit us and even recruit us to be like them using their communist school of thought. We feel liberated after a long time,” Duhac, added.

Meanwhile, Hawudon Jumar S. Bucales, Lianga IP Mandatory Representative, said that Sitio Simuwao is just the beginning because there are a lot more sitios in Diatagon that need to be liberated and cleared from the communist terrorists influence.

“This is just the beginning. We have so much to do and we hope that the End of Local Communist Armed Conflict will soon be realized following our recent successes with the Task Force. We will still face a lot of harassment and resistance but with the military and government present, we know we can overcome all trials the tribe is facing,” said Bucales, in vernacular.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/05/28/ips-grateful-in-new-life-without-npas-in-surigao-del-sur/

3 NPA leaders captured in Cotabato

From the Manila Bulletin (May 28, 2020): 3 NPA leaders captured in Cotabato (By Malu Cadelina Manar)

Authorities arrested in Matalam, Cotabato three alleged top leaders of the New Peoples’ Army (NPA) operating in the hinterlands of North Cotabato, Wednesday, a top police official said.

Police identified the suspected guerillas as Cirilio Amit; Alex Zurita; and Roberto Tubiano Asupra, 78, all top leaders of the NPA Guerilla Front 53.
Asupra had been with the rebel movement for decades now.

Intelligence reports said Amit is the Front’s finance officer and was allegedly involved in extortion activities in North Cotabato.

The rebels were cornered at Barangay Alimodian in Matalam, Cotabato by troops from the Magpet Police, Matalam Police, Army’s 90th Infantry Battalion, and Regional Mobile Force of the Police Regional Office 12.

Authorities seized several bomb making materials, explosives, hand guns, and mobile phones from the apprehended rebels.

Court records showed that the rebels are facing murder and other criminal charges.

Police said that after their arrest in Matalam town, they were immediately brought to Magpet Police Station where they were detained while preparing to turn them over to the local court for proper disposition.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/05/28/3-npa-leaders-captured-in-cotabato/

[ANALYSIS] Philippine defense spending 2019: What’s in the data?

From Rappler (May 28, 2020): [ANALYSIS] Philippine defense spending 2019: What’s in the data? (By Ava Patricia Avila)

'The Philippines has enjoyed strong economic growth in recent years, but a sharp slowdown as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic could upend planned defense spending'



The following piece was first published on the Strategic and Warfare Studies Initiative's site.

Defense experts have long recognized the need for the Philippines to modernize its military capability. While the Department of National Defense (DND) budget has seen consistent growth since 2010, the defense and security sector within the Philippines remains one of the least resourced in Southeast Asia due to decades of neglect and endemic corruption.

The latest figures released in April by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) showed that the collective military spending in Southeast Asia (SIPRI groups East Timor with the 10 ASEAN member states) increased by 4.2% in 2019, totaling US$40.5 billion. Eight of the 11 states (excluding Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam, for which data is not made public) increased their military spending between 2010 and 2019. Nearly two-thirds of the US$40 billion is concentrated amongst the 3 largest spenders with Singapore (28%), Indonesia (19%), and Thailand (18%) substantially outspending neighboring states.

For some ASEAN states, increases in military spending within the decade are partly to fund the expansion of capabilities in response to Chinese claims and coercive actions in the South China Sea.



Source: SIPRI Military Expenditure Database https://www.sipri.org/databases/milex

In 2019, the Philippines’ defense expenditure was US$3.5 billion, a 22% increase from 2018. The relatively substantial increase coincided with a growing Philippine economy, which averaged 5.9% growth in 2019 — the slowest in 8 years due to the delayed passage of the public budget in the first half of the year and the reduced expenditure that followed.

The increase in defense spending was also partially driven by the Duterte administration’s greater emphasis on internal threats such as insurgency, criminality, illegal drugs, and terrorism. Within the budget, more than half (US$1.8 billion) was allocated to the Philippine Army (PA), US$548 million went to the Philippine Navy (PN), US$485 million to the Philippine Air Force (PAF), and US$721 million to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) General Headquarters (of which US$492 million was allotted for modernization efforts). The rest of the budget were allocated to other agencies the DND administers, including the Office of Civil Defense, the National Defense College, Arsenal, and the Veterans Memorial Medical Center.

Some wins

The Revised AFP Modernization Program signed in 2012 by former President Aquino is divided into 3 phases, with each implemented in a period of 5 years: Horizon 1 (FY2013-17), Horizon 2 (FY2018-22), and Horizon 3 (FY2023-28). The first horizon involved the acquisition of military hardware mainly for internal security operations, and some air and naval acquisitions intended for external defense such as combat utility helicopters, 3 cutters, several assault crafts, and strategic sealift vessels.

Recent developments in the second phase of the AFP Modernization Program suggests continued efforts under President Duterte for the AFP to shift defense acquisitions strategy from internal security to territorial defense. In early 2019, the Air Force has acquired an Air Defense Radar System and an FA-50PH flight simulator; and 6 A-29B Super Tucano aircrafts are expected to be delivered. With a projected yearly allocation of P300 billion (about US$5.9 billion) over a period of 5 years, the AFP seeks to purchase more heavy-lift helicopters, multirole fighters, and maritime patrol aircraft for the Air Force; two corvettes, and multirole offshore patrol vessels for the Navy. (READ: Lorenzana defends buying attack helicopters: It's to fight NPA)

While the Duterte administration has concentrated resources to the Army and internal threats, the Philippines has also advanced its security relationship with Malaysia and Indonesia under the Trilateral Cooperative Arrangement on Immediate Measures to Address Security Issues in the Maritime Areas of Common Concern in the Sulu and Celebes Seas. The security cooperation has contributed to the 9% decrease in terrorist activity during 2018, according to the 2019 Global Terrorism Index report. Despite this reduction, the Philippines remained the only ASEAN nation in the report, which ranked among the top 10 countries most impacted by terrorism.

Streamlining the force: A strategic concern

According to SIPRI, the Philippines spent 1% of GDP on its armed forces, slightly below the ASEAN average of 1.73% in 2019. Even with the myriad of internal and external security challenges the country is facing, 62.2% ($2.3 billion) of the budget were allotted to personnel costs. Of this, $1.1 billion was allocated for pensions of retired AFP servicemen and this is projected to increase by 24% in 2020. While the issue is not unique to the Philippines, this reality poses sustainability concerns to the DND’s overall strategy. As a consequence, Defense Secretary Lorenzana has pushed for the refiling of the military pension reform bill that recommends setting the compulsory retirement age of servicemen to 60, instead of the current 56. In February 2020, President Duterte certified the bill as urgent.

On the horizon

The Philippines has enjoyed strong economic growth in recent years, but a sharp slowdown as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic could upend planned defense spending. According to Secretary Lorenzana, military modernization projects with contracts and those already provided with funds will continue, but other longer term projects are likely to be postponed. This might not be a bad thing as it may provide the government — through the leadership in the DND and AFP — a window of opportunity to scrutinize resource allocation and further ensure a more balanced portfolio of investments in defense capabilities. – Rappler.com

Ava Patricia Avila is Strategic Fellow at Verve Research, an independent research collectively focused on the relationship between militaries and societies in Southeast Asia. She holds a PhD in Defense and Security from Cranfield University, UK. She is based in Washington, DC.

https://www.rappler.com/thought-leaders/262081-analysis-philippine-defense-spending-2019-what-data

Army extends food aid to former NPAs

From the Manila Bulletin (May 28, 2020): Army extends food aid to former NPAs (By Mike Crismundo)

Former communist-New People’s Army (NPA) rebels who voluntarily surrendered to the Army’s 30th Infantry (Python) Battalion (30th IB) in Surigao del Norte province received food aid from Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) amidst the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.



30th IB-CMO / MANILA BULLETIN

In coordination and with the assistance of 30th IB personnel, the former NPAs received 180 food packs containing 3 kilos of rice, 4 assorted can goods, 2 noodles, coffee and sugar at the headquarters of the 30th IB in Placer town, Surigao del Norte province, on Tuesday (May 26).

So far, 49 former communist rebels in the area of operations of the 30th IB have already received food assistance from the government, 30th IB Civil Military Operations (CMO) Officer 2nd Lt. Benjamin Elisand De Dios said.

“These former rebels were among the populace who were much affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,” the 30th IB CMO officer told The Manila Bulletin late Wednesday afternoon.

As part of the continuing effort with close collaboration between government agencies and security sectors, such endeavor significantly contributed to the overall effort to aid the communities within the province taking care of the former rebels in the midst of COVID-19 pandemic, 2nd Lt. De Dios added.

The distribution of food packs from PSDWO was facilitated by 30th IB Executive Officer Maj. Jasper Gacayan.

PSWDO Head Officer Ms. Fe Saumat said, “May these food packs be of great help to our former rebels to ease up and sustain their daily needs amid this present COVID-19 crisis.

Meanwhile, 30th IB commander Lt. Col. Ryan Charles G. Callanta also said that these former rebels were also affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

“Our former rebels who decided to return to the folds of law were also affected by the implementation of General Community Quarantine,” he said.

“These food assistance from our local government units and government agencies will help sustain the needs of our former rebels,” the 30th IB commander said.

It can be remembered that the very reasons why they left the movement without having second thoughts are the hardships they endured. He added that the former rebels firmly believe that the cause they are fighting are going nowhere at the expense of their own sacrifices.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/05/28/army-extends-food-aid-to-former-npas/

Family of young NPA rebel executed by comrades cries for justice

From the Manila Bulletin (May 27, 2020): Family of young NPA rebel executed by comrades cries for justice (By Liezle Basa Inigo)

The family of a slain New People’s Army (NPA) recruit wants justice for their kin who claimed that he was unjustly executed by his group.



7TH ID / MANILA BULLETIN

Brigadier General Audrey L. Pasia of the 702nd Infantry Brigade disclosed that 20-year old Jeffrey G. Reyes of Barangay Talampac, Lacub, Abra was about to leave the NPA when he was sentenced to death by his own comrades, tagging him as spy of the government on May 19.

Reyes, according to his family, had expressed his plan to leave the organization because he could no longer endure the hardships of living in the mountains and the food deprivation he experienced after joining the group on December 30 last year.

The group, under the command of a certain Florencio Baluga, who is also known as Ka Bram, apparently resented his plan and executed him.

The victim’s family is now preparing all the necessary documents so that they can file the necessary charges against the perpetrators.

Meanwhile, Pasia issued a warning to the youth to think twice before joining the NPA.

“Ito sana ay maging babala sa ating mga kabataan bago sumapi sa grupo ng bandidong NPA,” Pasia said as he vowed to pursue the fight until justice is served for Jeffrey and the others who suffered the same fate.

He said the act was a clear manifestation that the NPA does not recognize human rights and a sign that their forces were now weakening for lack of support from the community.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/05/27/family-of-young-npa-rebel-executed-by-comrades-cries-for-justice/

MSU professor slain in General Santos

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (May 27, 2020): MSU professor slain in General Santos
By: Taher G. Solaiman

A professor of the Mindanao State University (MSU) here was gunned down by motorcycle-riding gunmen Tuesday afternoon, a former colleague said.

Bangsamoro parliament member Aida Silongan said Mohammad Taha Abdulgapor was shot in front of the KCC Warehouse in Barangay Apopong past 4 p.m.

He was with an unnamed woman in the car, when the shooting took place.

Silongan said Abdulgapor was rushed to the Sarangani Bay Specialists Medical Center, where he died four hours later.

Silongan used to work for the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) where Abdulgapor is a top official.

Retired MSU Prof. Rufa Cagoco-Guiam said Abdulgapor taught at the Department of Islamic Studies under the College of Social Sciences and Humanities in MSU’s campus in General Santos City.

He was a member of the Board of Directors of the BDA and, concurrently, a member of the Local Monitoring Team (LMT) of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

BDA is the MILF’s development arm, while the LMT is part of the ceasefire mechanism of the Bangsamoro peace process.

Former MSU-General Santos chancellor Moner Bajunaid mourned the death of Abdulgapor, whom he described as “a nice guy.”

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1281613/msu-professor-slain-in-general-santos

Duterte meets with Army, Air Force officers in Malacañang

From GMA News Online (May 26, 2020): Duterte meets with Army, Air Force officers in Malacañang (By JULIA MARI ORNEDO)

President Rodrigo Duterte met with officers of the Philippine Army and Philippine Air Force at the Malacañang Golf Clubhouse on Tuesday night.
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In a short message, Duterte lauded troops for their service to the public.

“Saludo ako sa ginawa ninyo. I’m not paying you. I know that you are not mercenaries,” he said.

“You do not do it for money. You do it out of passion, for the love of country, because we are all Filipinos and we know where to place ourselves when the time comes,” Duterte added.

The President also recalled that he used to negotiate with the New People's Army (NPA) for the release of captives during his time as mayor of Davao City.

“At times galing ako sa bukid, nakikiusap ako sa mga NPA. I’m not trying to really pull my own chair but ‘yung mga sundalo pati pulis na nabihag ng... Lahat ‘yan, ako ang kumukuha, pati si Bong [Go],” Duterte said.

He earlier offered a P2-million reward for killers of NPA commanders.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines previously said they neutralized four NPA leaders in a series of operations in Gingoog City and Agusan del Norte from May 10 to 13.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/739924/duterte-meets-with-army-air-force-officers-in-malacanang/story/

6,000 flee as clashes erupt anew in Maguindanao

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (May 27, 2020): 6,000 flee as clashes erupt anew in Maguindanao



GENERAL SANTOS CITY, South Cotabato, Philippines —Days before the end of Ramadan, more than 1,000 families were forced to leave their homes in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town, Maguindanao province, after mortar shells hit their villages, a report from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) said.

The BARMM’s Ministry of Social Welfare and Development said 1,282 families, or 6,410 residents from the villages of Daplawan, Elian, and Kitango in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, fled their communities and sought refuge in neighboring areas.

It said the shelling started after armed men, believed to be members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), attacked three Army detachments in the villages of Elian, Madia and Salbu around 9 p.m. on May 21. The attack lasted at least three hours.

The report said mortar shelling started the next day at Sitio Bayog in Daplawan, where a 70-year-old man was hit and killed. Two days later, as Muslims were deep in their 3 p.m. prayer during Eid al-Fitr, another round of mortar shelling began at Sitio Amai Zailon in Kitango, where two children were killed.

Seeking justice

President Rodrigo Duterte’s peace adviser, Carlito Galvez Jr., ordered an investigation on Tuesday.

Galvez, who is also chief implementer of the government’s national policy on addressing the coronavirus pandemic, said he was saddened by the incident that also wounded at least 15 people.

“We would like to assure our Moro brothers and sisters that we shall leave no stone unturned as we seek justice for the victims,” he said.

“I would like to appeal to the residents who have been affected by the ongoing armed conflict, as well as the leadership of the BARMM, for calmness and sobriety as authorities conduct an investigation,” Galvez added.

Naguib Sinarimbo, regional interior and local government minister, on Monday said he met with Maj. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the military’s Western Mindanao Command, and Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon, 6th Infantry Division commander.

Avoiding conclusions

“[We intend] to get to the bottom of this incident and avoid making hasty conclusions pending the completion of the investigations,” Sinarimbo said.

He said BARMM Chief Minister Al-Haj Murad (also known as Ahod Ebrahim) directed appropriate offices in the regional autonomous government to conduct an “impartial investigation to unearth the truth.”

‘Bayanihan’ spirit
“We will let the ‘bayanihan’ spirit work to give justice to the victims and ensure protection of the people from harm,” Sobejana said.

The shelling came days after Army detachments were attacked by members of the BIFF, a group that splintered from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The MILF signed a peace deal with the government in 2014 and now controls the BARMM. As part of the peace deal, former MILF fighters have turned over their weapons to the government under a decommissioning process.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1281407/6000-flee-as-clashes-erupt-anew-in-maguindanao

Tip from former rebels leads to capture of NPA fugitive in Agusan del Sur

From the Manila Bulletin (May 26, 2020): Tip from former rebels leads to capture of NPA fugitive in Agusan del Sur (By Mike Crismundo)

A tip provided by former rebels and the Barangay Intelligence Network (BIN) led to the arrest of a New People’s Army (NPA) member in the town of Esperanza, Agusan del Sur, a ranking official in the region on Tuesday said.

Caraga Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13) Regional Director Brig. Gen. Joselito T. Esquival, Jr. disclosed that suspect Ispan J. Tumanan, 28 of Barangay Remedios, Esperanza town, Agusan del Sur was captured at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 23, in his residence by operatives of the Regional Intelligence Unit 13 and Esperanza Municipal Police Station.

He had a warrant of arrest for alleged kidnapping and serious illegal detention.

Esquivel said that, based on the investigation, the suspect was a member of the Guerilla Front 88 of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA North Central Mindanao Regional Committee operating in the areas of Agusan del Sur and west of Agusan River.

He said the suspect was one of the NPA terrorists who attacked the New Tubigon Patrol Base in Sibagat, Agusan del Sur on December 19, 2018. The group kidnapped two Army soldiers and 12 members of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU).

“Our intelligence monitoring is underway to arrest his other cohorts and we will make sure they will face the full wrath of the law because kidnapping and serious illegal detention is punishable under Art. 267 of the Revised Penal Code,” Esquivel added.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/05/26/tip-from-former-rebels-leads-to-capture-of-npa-fugitive-in-agusan-del-sur/

AFP soldiers not mercenaries — Duterte

From the Manila Bulletin (May 27, 2020): AFP soldiers not mercenaries — Duterte (By Genalyn Kabiling)

The country’s soldiers are “not mercenaries” who work for money but are loyal troops who render service out of “love for country,” President Duterte declared last Tuesday night.



President Rodrigo Roa Duterte congratulates the personnel of the Philippine Army and Philippine Air Force for their successful operations against the New People’s Army as he delivers a speech following a meeting at the Malago Clubhouse in Malacañang, Manila on May 26, 2020. (TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)

The President praised the government troops for their service to the nation during a meeting with Philippine Army and Philippine Air Force officers in Malacañang Tuesday night.

The commander-in-chief’s meeting with the military officers came following the military’s successful operations against the rebel New People’s Army (NPA) in Mindanao. The intensified operations were made after the President denounced the spate of rebel attacks during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Bilib ako. Saludo ako kung ginawa ninyo (I’m proud of you. I salute you for you have done). I’m not paying you. I know that you are not mercenaries. You do not do it for money,” Duterte said during the assembly held at the Malago clubhouse inside Malacañang Park.

“You do it out of passion for the love of country because we are all Filipinos and we know where to place ourselves when the time comes,” he added.

The President recently warned about the government’s intensified operations against the communist rebels involved in atrocities. He said there will be “more fighting spirit” against the rebel group after they attacked troops involved in relief operations during the coronavirus pandemic.

Duterte also said he wanted the troops to kill the rebels if their lives are put in danger.

“Magsabi ako ng totoo ha? Ang gusto ko — kasi pinapatay ‘yang sundalo ko pati pulis — ang gusto ko, ang order ko, patayin ninyo. Patayin ninyo. Kasi kung hindi kayo patayin, p*** papatayin talaga kayo (I will tell the truth. Because my soldiers and policemen are being killed, I want you, my order is you to kill them. Kill them because son of a b*** if you don’t they will really kill you),” he said in his remarks last May 12.

A P2-million reward has also been offered by the President for any information leading to the capture of a top commander of the communist rebel group.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/05/27/afp-soldiers-not-mercenaries-duterte/