Anti-terror bill to curb recruitment of youth combatants: group

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 9, 2020): Anti-terror bill to curb recruitment of youth combatants: group (By Lade Jean Kabagani)

The passage of the proposed anti-terrorism bill would help address the recruitment of young people into terrorist outfits, a youth group said Monday.

"The passage of the bill will definitely benefit the future generations -- us, the youth," Amorsolo Guerrero, chairman of the Youth for Peace and Development (YPAD) coalition, said in a statement.

He said the youth should not be swayed by "emotional and political rhetorics" being implored by militant organizations that are exerting efforts to block the passage of the bill.

These organizations, he said, are just "using political dramatizations" to intimidate the government.

"Sino ba yung naniwala sa (who would believe that) political power grows from a barrel of a gun, na ang tanging solusyun sa lahat ng usaping bayan ay digmaang bayan, insureksyun at welgang bayan (that the only solution to everything is people's war, insurrection or strikes?)," he said, noting that those pushing for democratic rights are the same people violating the law.

Guerrero urged the youth not to believe in the deceptions of groups who are explicitly helping rebel groups spread wrong ideologies.

He said there are many groups in the country impudently spreading violent extremism, exploiting youths, and indoctrinating minors into radicalism.

"Huwag po nating hayaang magpatuloy ito. Ito na po ang pagkakataon natin na gumawa ng kasaysayan bilang mapagpasyang pwersa ng lipunan, mga kabataang Pilipino (We should not let this continue. It's now our time to make history as a united Filipino youth force of this society)," Guerrero said.

He said the anti-terrorism bill, if enacted into law, will address armed insurgency, atrocities, and killings of innocent people caused by the terrorist groups.

"Alisin po natin ang ating pangamba sa sinasabi nilang pang-aabuso o paglabag sa karapatang pantao sa nasabing bill. Wala pong mangyayaring ganun, dahil nandyan naman ang anti-terrorism council para bantayan ang lalabag na otoridad (the fear of possible abuses and human rights violations on the bill should be discarded. It will not happen since an anti-terrorism council will watch over authorities abusing power)," he said, adding that a strong Philippine Constitution is in place whenever a violation committed by a government authority is done.

The coalition, composed of out-of-school youth organizations, young professionals, and student organizations, among others, urged President Rodrigo Duterte to sign the bill.

"On behalf of the 107 youth national organizations under YPAD coalition, we plead to you Mr. President Duterte, please sign this anti-terrorism bill," Guerrero said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1105357

Senate probe of fake Facebook accounts sought

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 9, 2020): Senate probe of fake Facebook accounts sought (By Jose Cielito Reganit)

Senator Francis Pangilinan on Tuesday filed a resolution asking the Senate to investigate the proliferation of fake Facebook accounts that use identities of students, government officials, journalists, and other users, stressing such online acts could imperil one's security and privacy.

In filing Senate Resolution No. 444, the minority lawmaker urged the appropriate Senate committee to conduct an inquiry to find out if there is a need to amend Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 and other pertinent laws to make them more responsive to the situation.

Pangilinan said the inquiry would also help determine "possible regulation of social media platforms, in accordance with the policy that respects the rights and freedoms of all Filipinos guaranteed by the Constitution."

In the resolution, Pangilinan said it is the declared policy of the State to protect and safeguard the integrity of communications systems, networks, and databases, and the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information and data stored therein, from all forms of misuse, abuse, and illegal access.

“There is a need to look into our existing laws to increase the extent of liability and possible regulation of service providers or content hosts such as Facebook and other social media platforms," he said.

He added that legislation must be carefully crafted so as to balance the rights and freedoms accorded to every Filipino by the Constitution and the public interest to be protected from dangerous acts online.

"We should not be utterly defenseless against social media manipulation and threats. We must use our laws to fight the fakes online," Pangilinan said.

Pangilinan filed SR 444 following the surge of fake accounts on Facebook last June 7.

The majority of the dummy accounts on the social media platform do not have a profile picture and friends, and their profile links have the same format: first name (dot) last name (dot) number.

The social media giant said it already investigating the “suspicious activity on its platform” and vowed to take action on any accounts that it finds to be in violation of its policies.

The Department of Justice has also announced that its Office of Cybercrime will look into the matter in coordination with the cybercrime units of the National Bureau of Investigation and Philippine National Police.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1105406

DOJ assures anti-terror bill to undergo thorough review

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 9, 2020): DOJ assures anti-terror bill to undergo thorough review (By Benjamin Pulta)



Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra. (File photo)

Malacañang will thoroughly scrutinize the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Tuesday.

"The Palace statement that the anti-terror bill will be reviewed is not a mere perfunctory statement. From my experience as former senior deputy executive secretary, I know that all enrolled bills are carefully scrutinized with the help of the relevant executive agencies before they are submitted to the President for appropriate action," Guevarra said in a statement.

Gueverra said President Rodrigo Duterte, being a lawyer himself, has a good grasp of any legal or constitutional issues involved.

He also assured that any implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the proposed measure will iron out any rough spots.

"Perhaps this is the more significant thing to know: should the anti-terror bill be enacted into law, the DOJ (Department of Justice) will endeavor to define more clearly, in the IRR that the ATC (Anti-Terrorism Council) and the DOJ will be tasked to promulgate, the parameters within which the law will be implemented and enforced, in order to erase any latitude for misapplication or abuse," Guevarra said.

Data from the National Prosecution Service (NPS) showed prosecutors secured 17 convictions representing 100 percent of terrorism cases in 2019 and 35 convictions in 2018.

In a letter to House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano last week, Duterte certified as urgent House Bill 6875 which seeks to give the country’s anti-terrorism law more teeth “to address the urgent need to strengthen the law on anti-terrorism in order to adequately and effectively contain the menace of terrorist acts for the preservation of national security and the promotion of general welfare”.

The Senate passed a similar measure on third and final reading in February.

On Tuesday, Malacañang received a copy of the anti-terrorism bill which is now up for the President's signature.

Under the bill, persons who voluntarily and knowingly join any organization, association, or group of persons knowing that such is a terrorist organization, shall suffer imprisonment of 12 years.

Suspected persons can be detained for 14 days without a warrant of arrest with an allowable 10-day extension.

A 60-day surveillance on suspected terrorists can also be launched by the police or the military, with an allowable 30-day extension.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1105398

Pag-asa Island dev't projects to go full blast with beaching ramp

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 9, 2020): Pag-asa Island dev't projects to go full blast with beaching ramp (By Priam Nepomuceno)



BEACHING RAMP. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (center) and some military officials lead the inauguration of the beaching ramp at the Pag-asa Island on Tuesday (June 9, 2020). The completion of the beaching ramp at Pag-asa Island is expected to help in the construction of more development projects to improve the living conditions of the island's residents. (Photo courtesy of DND)

Development projects in Pag-asa Island are expected to go full blast with the completion and turnover of its beaching ramp, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Tuesday.

"Once operational (beaching ramp), we can go full blast already. Any project here, mga barracks ng mga sundalo (barracks of soldiers) bahay ng mga tao dito (houses of people living here) eskwelahan (schools), electricity, power, solar siguro tsaka (and) diesel hybrid, everything, we will improve this," he said in a media interview.

Lorenzana said the purpose of these developments is to develop Pag-asa Island into a viable community.

Among these development plans, he added, is the installation of a radio broadcasting center.

"We will put out money here. Si (Department of Transportation) Secretary (Arthur) Tugade, kita niyo yung fishermen's shelter? (You saw his fishermen's shelter?) Magtatayo din siya ng ice plant (he will also put up an ice plant) so that the fishermen can deposit their catch para hindi masisira ang mga huli (so that their catch will not spoil)," Lorenzana said.

He is also looking at the possibility of constructing another beaching ramp to carry equipment and supplies to other Philippine-claimed territories in the Spratlys Island chain.

Out of the seven islands and two reefs being controlled by the Philippines in the Spratlys, Pag-asa is the largest measuring 37.2 hectares.

Other Philippine possessions in the area include Likas Island which measures 18.6 hectares, Parola Island, 12.7 hectares; Lawak Island, 7.93 hectares; Kota Island, 6.45 hectares; Patag Island, 0.57; Panata Island, 0.44; Rizal and Ayungin Reefs.

Lorenzana said there are no plans to militarize Pag-asa Island and soldiers deployed are only armed for protection.

"We will not militarize this. I call it militarization if we bring in other weapons that are heavy like cannons or missiles. We will not do that here," he added.

Lorenzana earlier said transportation of materials needed to repair and then maintain the Rancudo Airfield will be made easier with the completion of the Pag-asa Island beaching ramp.

"Very significant (as with) the beaching ramp, we can now bring in materials, equipment to continuously repair and later on to maintain our runway (Rancudo Airfield)," Lorenzana said.

Prior to the turnover of the beaching ramp, equipment and supplies could only be brought in by ship who have to anchor 500 meters away from the shore and transfer it to a smaller boat so that it can be carried to the island.

"So it’s very tedious (practice) and very expensive and we can only do that during calm weather," Lorenzana said.

During the "habagat" or southwest monsoon season, even fishermen are very wary to go in the area due to rough weather and large waves.

With a budget of PHP267.18 million, the construction of the beaching ramp on Pag-asa Island is one of several projects aimed at improving the living conditions of the people there.

A total of PHP1.3 billion worth of projects are also in the pipeline, including the repair and concreting of the runway that has been damaged by erosion.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1105353

[OPINION] The Philippine military and its hypocrisy

Opinion piece posted to Rappler (Jun 9, 2020): [OPINION] The Philippine military and its hypocrisy (By Glenda M. Gloria)

Who is the biggest recruiter for the communist movement? Surely the generals know?



We tend to forget that the communist New People’s Army (NPA) has long been decimated. Even the military is burying this fact, as it has come to embrace its own propaganda that the guerrillas and their fronts are now the gravest threat to this nation.

You only need to hear Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade Jr to recognize the steep decline of reason in the armed forces. Each time I see Parlade’s Facebook posts, I imagine the old guards cringing – not so much over Parlade’s bad prose (which could be forgiven) but for his being shrill, his being crude, his being unsophisticated.

I started covering the military in 1988, when the communists were at their peak with anywhere from 25,000 to 30,000 armed regulars and urban fighters. The post-Marcos Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) took this challenge to heart, convinced this was going to be a long, intense battle that could only be won by the brightest minds.

So the best combatants and sleuths lived in the camps or their cars; staked out safehouses for months and years; mapped battlefield attacks with intelligent intelligence; targeted the underground’s political and armed commands; and zeroed in on strongholds.

A senseless matrix, such as the favorite of Malacañang and the Duterte military, would not do then. It had to stand on 2 or 3 layers of verified connections that would serve as a guide for street work, not fleeting propaganda. It was clear that propaganda was an indispensable spice in the war, but not the main weapon.

The military I knew had a single goal then: decapitate the communist leadership through arrests and intrigue, and win the hearts and minds of the people who support them.

Which was what happened.

At some point, the Camp Crame detention center had as its prized trophies both the chief of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), Rodolfo Salas, and the NPA, Romulo Kintanar, as well as the entire Party executive committee. (Until 1991 when the Philippine National Police or PNP was established, Camp Crame was military headquarters.)

Intelligence agents also infiltrated the communist underground and sowed divisions deep enough to trigger a bloody internal purge of so-called state agents and “adventurists” within the Party.

The purge caused bitter debates in the movement, causing an ugly and public Party split in 1992 that prompted Fidel V Ramos to predict the insurgents’ “irreversible decline.” From its peak, the NPA’s numbers declined to around 5,000 by the time Ramos stepped down from the presidency in 1998.

The Parlades (Philippine Military Academy, 1987) and the Ed Años (PMA, 1983) of the world were young officers then, in awe of what their seniors had accomplished. Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año, in fact, was molded in the same methodology and thinking, that it's a shame he would tolerate this current institutional hysteria.

The communist pill

Let it be said in clear terms: by 2018, in the second year of the Duterte administration, the NPA was down to 3,700 armed members nationwide, according to the military’s own estimate. Their strongholds have been reduced to probably 3 or 4 regions – parts of Eastern Mindanao and Caraga; portions of Calabarzon and Bicol; some patches in the Cordilleras.

Range this against some 85,000 Army troops that in 2018 were allocated half of the total military budget of P195.4 billion against the NPA .

The guerrillas are now but a poor shadow of their old selves, where command is nebulous, control is regionalized, and leadership is aging.

What’s all the fuss then? Why is Parlade and his peers acting like the communists are at Malacañang’s gates? Why are they suddenly casting a net so wide to catch even the angry but harmless ones?

Why are the PMAers who should know better now sharing memes and fake news to hype up the communist threat even as households struggle with the pandemic and China continues to invade our seas? Why are they not as agitated when Chinese ships cross our borders, even swallowing organizational pride when their chief of staff begged Beijing for an untested COVID-19 vaccine?

Why, for the love of God, are they buying attack helicopters at this time to finish off the rebels?

To be blunt, what drug have the generals been taking?

Ah, it’s the commie drug – the one that leaders inject in the veins of the military when they want to keep its loyalty.

It’s the same drug used by Gloria Macapagal Arroyo when she battled charges that she cheated her way to victory in the 2004 presidential elections and crushed mass protests and attempted mutinies against her. (READ: War with the NPA, war without end)

It’s the same drug that Joseph Estrada failed to use (as he deployed the military instead against the Moro rebels, who are more sturdy and complex), which probably partly explains his short-lived presidency.

And it’s the same drug that Duterte is giving the military, to keep it too busy and obsessed – and awash with counter-insurgency cash – to be thinking of plotting against him or watching China.

Is the military not understanding this or refusing to see it?

Friend of the NPA

If there’s anyone who was Red long before these so-called communist activists, it is the armed forces' commander-in-chief. As the longtime mayor of Davao City, he tolerated and aided the guerrillas on one condition: that they did their attacks elsewhere but his city.

When the mayor became president in 2016, he made history in the same way Noynoy Aquino made history when he welcomed Moro guerrillas to Malacañang: he opened the gates of the presidential palace to top communist leaders and, after that, released their senior comrades from jail.

On the 5th month of an unprecedented ceasefire with the rebels in December 2016, Duterte declared: “I am the President belonging to the Left. The Reds would never demand my ouster. They will die for me, believe me.”

Duterte walked the talk: he appointed key Leftist leaders to his Cabinet and mobilized the bureaucracy for an ambitious and generous peace process with the rebels’ political arm, the National Democratic Front.

Yet here we are: the military would be unforgiving toward young Filipinos in search of themselves through activism, but chooses to forget that Duterte was actually in bed with the guerrillas for decades, culminating in the rebels' support for his presidential bid in 2016.

I would have struggled with this irony if not for the fact that the armed forces did condone Duterte during those years. Because like the guerrillas, they were also the beneficiary of his largesse. Each time the commanders in Eastern Mindanao ran out of cash or needed more vehicles or wanted to party, Mayor Duterte offered succor.

Keeping a distance

What to do in the face of this Duterte-NPA lovefest, was the penultimate question at Camp Aguinaldo in 2016. They know Duterte long enough not to spite him in public. So, in the guise of protecting institutional integrity, they kept distance from him.

Remember that time not too long ago? When the military would absolutely have nothing to do with the PNP’s drug war? When it refused to be dragged into Duterte’s harassment of then-senator Sonny Trillanes? When the armed forces punished officers who spread fake news about journalists? When it stood valiantly against China and its incursions into the West Philippine Sea?

That was a period when the AFP played the adult in the relationship and where, in the words of a retired general, it showed it was “not a second-the-motion institution.”

One would hope it was going to last.

But the President is the better politician here. He got the message and gave the AFP its drug of choice. He eventually parted ways with the communists, ended talks with them, and gave the go-signal to jail, maim, or kill them via the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

Targeting the legal base

The government’s final gambit to end the 5-decade old insurgency, which will be facilitated by a tougher anti-terror bill, is to bring the war to the unarmed or the political base of the guerrillas – couched as a “whole of government approach.” (READ: 'Terror law': The pet bill of the generals)

As early as 2018, for example, the justice department issued a list of 600 “terrorists” who ought to be covered by the weaker anti-terror bill at the time, the Human Security Act. Intense red-tagging of the voter base of the extreme Left followed, but they survived the onslaught, with 4 party lists the military tags as “Red” winning seats in the 2019 elections.

While it is true that the NPA has only a few thousand armed men, argues the military, the guerrilla army is backed by a formidable base of roughly 2 million Filipinos, based on the votes garnered by the 4 parties in the last polls.

For years the military believed that as long as the NPA had this advantage of legal representation in Congress and on the streets, the only way to defeat it is to wipe out its legal fronts.

This is where the military is wrong.

Part of the reason the Left survived the bruising 2019 campaign is the residual effect of the open space afforded them by Duterte after he won as president 3 years prior. Part of the reason, too, is the violent drug war that solidified the protest movement against the established order. And the two-million base is already a huge slash from these groups’ partylist heyday years ago.

But the military need not do the math or divine politics – because that’s not their business.

They only need to remember the hard lessons from 50 years of counter-insurgency: rebels thrive on government abuse and the hysteria of an armed forces that thinks it can defeat them through terror.

The biggest communist recruiter, sirs, is you know who. Surely you must know that?

https://www.rappler.com/thought-leaders/263193-opinion-philippine-military-hypocrisy-counter-insurgency

Recruitment of child combatants mark of NPA desperation: official

From the Mindanao Times (Jun 9, 2020): Recruitment of child combatants mark of NPA desperation: official (BY RHODA GRACE SARON)

The New People’s Army in Mindanao is getting “desperate by the minute.”

Lt. Gen. Jose Faustino Jr., Eastern Mindanao Command chief, made the comment when informed about the rescue of a 17-year-old communist guerrilla who was left behind by her comrades to bleed to death.

The elements of the 3rd Infantry Battalion and the NPA exchanged gunfire for about 30 minutes in Sitio Pinanubuan, Barangay Sinuda, Kitaotao Bukidnon on June 5 before the Red fighters escaped.

The 17- year-old, identified only as alias Nina, was wounded on the left thigh and lower right leg. She surrendered to the pursuing troops after she was abandoned at the encounter site. Recovered from her possession were a fragmentation grenade and a landmine.

“It’s a miracle that she was found by our forces. An hour late could have been fatal as she could have died due to loss of blood,” the EastMinCom chief added.

She was recruited when she was still 15 years old by an NPA uncle and trained as a combatant at “Salugpungan School” in Sitio Nasilaban, Barangay Palma Gil, Talaingod sometime in 2018, the Army official said.

The Salugpungan schools have become the subject of controversy as the military accused its organizers of using the institutions as a nucleus of indoctrination and recruitment for the NPA. The Department of Education has since ordered the closure of all these schools because their curricula did not pass the widely accepted standards.

Faustino said that the NPA has ramped up recruitment of minors and students to beef up their dwindling forces.

“It will take a while for Nina to adjust to a normal life as she has just undergone surgery,” Faustino said.
“Wounds heal but the trauma still exists.”

“But just like hundreds of NPA minors who have been rescued and who surrendered to the government, Nina will surely live her dreams and explore her talents and potentials away from the clutches of her former comrades,” Faustino further said.

https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2020/06/09/recruitment-of-child-combatants-mark-of-npa-desperation-official/

NPA member with double murder case captured in Kalinga

From the Manila Bulletin (Jun 9, 2020): NPA member with double murder case captured in Kalinga (By Zaldy Comanda)

CAMP DANGWA, Benguet – A member of the New People’s Army (NPA), who was wanted for double murder and multiple frustrated murder case for the ambush of soldiers in Balbalan, Kalinga in 2002, was captured by joint police operatives in Balbalan, Kalinga, the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Cordillera, reported.



PNP-PROCOR via Zaldy Comanda / MANILA BULLETIN

PRO-Cordillera Director Brig. Gen. R’win Pagkalinawan identified the suspect as Pancho Diwag Lunes, 54, alias Edgar, formerly a member of the Militia ng Bayan under Lejo Cawilan Command, KLG Baggas, ICRC.

He was arrested by virtue of warrant of arrest issued by Judge Marcelino Wakas, of Branch 25, Regional Trial Court, Bulanao, Tabuk City, Kalinga for the crime of double murder and multiple frustrated murder with no bail recommended.

Pagkalinawan said the suspect was captured at his hideout in Sitio Ubel, Barangay Gawaan, Balbalan, Kalinga last Monday, June 8.

Pagkalinawan added that there was a P700,000 reward for the capture of Lunes.

The suspect is now under the custody of the Balbalan Municipal Police Station.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/06/09/npa-member-with-double-murder-case-captured-in-kalinga/

Kalinaw News: Davao del Norte Provincial Government, National Gov’t agencies and 10ID partnered to launch livelihood opportunities for IP communities in Talaingod

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jun 8, 2020): Davao del Norte Provincial Government, National Gov’t agencies and 10ID partnered to launch livelihood opportunities for IP communities in Talaingod (By 10TH INFANTRY DIVISION)



Camp General Manuel T Yan Sr., Mawab, Davao de Oro- The Provincial government of Davao del Norte together with Pahilippine Army’s 10th Infantry Division (10ID) and all stakeholders from government and private sector flooded Talaingod with services to boost livelihood opportunities for the Indigenous People (IP) communities.

On April 28, 2020, the members Tatag Farmer’s Association of Nasilaban headed by Mr Dominguez Juan harvested the first produce of the vegetable farm at Sitio Nasilaban, Barangay Palma Gil, Talaingod Davao del Norte. A decent 35 kilograms of tomatoes were harvested in their initial set up of farm and earned net worth of One thousand two hundred twenty-five pesos (Php 1,225.00). This is projected to benefit the members of the POs of the said Sitio, the Farmer’s Association of Nasilaban. Other variety of vegetable plants are yet to be harvested in the coming days and aimed to help its members provide the basic needs of their families.

On May 25, 2020, Hon Johnnie A Libayao-Mayor of Talaingod, Jose Andamon- Provincial Agriculturist, Ms Glenda T. Galibo-TESDA representative and MAGRO Talaingod personnel together with LTC NORMAN E VALDEZ INF (GSC) PA, Commanding Officer of 56IB conducted opening ceremony for TESDA livelihood training on vegetable farming and broiler chicken meat production for farmers and women People’s Organization at Sitio Kaylawan, Brgy Sto Niño, Talaingod, Davao del Norte.

The skills training will run for twelve weeks which aimed to assist and equip the trainees with the actual application from preparation stage up to harvest stage.

On Tuesday, June 2, 2020, Provincial government of Davao del Norte through Gov Edwin Jubahib, Commanders of Eastern Mindanao Command (EMC) and 10ID turned over Forestry and Agroforestry planting materials to IP communities of Talaingod which was represented by Tribal leaders of eight (8) cleared sitios.

Turned over planting materials include 30,000 banana seedlings, 10sacks camote, 250 packs vege seeds, 1,000 seedlings of coconut from PCA, 9900 seedlings of mahogany and seedlings of palcata for the people’s organization organized by 56IB under operational control of 10ID. Solar genset were also given for use of the CAA detachments in the area. There are 10 units of solar powered lighting systems for 10 CAA detachments. This lighting system was funded by the LGU and assembled by 1003rd Brigade.

Most of the members of POs were former rebels and UGMO members. It aims to provide means of livelihood. The governor planned to give livestock (duck, native pigs, chicken) during the second tranch and additional solar genset for electrification of far flung sitios in Talaingod.

Accordingly, road project leading to sitios already started utilizing the equipment of the Provincial gov’t.

After the program, they proceeded to Sitio Milako Brgy Sto Niño and conducted
ceremonial planting of Sorghum.

On June 3, 2020, 561B, together with MAGRO Talaingod conducted opening ceremony for the TESDA Skills Training on Vegetable Farming and Chicken Broiler Meat Production intended for the Tatag Tjbucag Ata-Manobo Farmer’s Association and Tibucag Women’s Association held at Sitio Tibucag, Brgy Dagohoy, Talaingod, Davao del Norte.

The team also conducted opened TESDA Training on Vegetable Farming for Banwaloy Farmer’s Association last May 29, 2020 held at Sitio Banwaloy, Brgy Palma Gil, Talaingod Davao del Norte.

Another TESDA Skills Training started on June 4, 2020, Vegetable Farming and Broiled Chicken Meat Production for KM31 Farmers and Women’s Association held at Sitio KM31, Brgy Dagohoy, Talaingod, Davao del Norte.

These series of skills trainings aimed to generate livelihood for the communities and uplift the living of the Indigenous People in Talaingod.

As for 10ID, “This has been one of the Gaps we had before. We are gradually closing the gap, preventing the recovery of the cleared areas with these Community Development Teams (CDTs),” MGEN BASIAO said.

In Talaingod, CDTS should were able to organized POs in cleared areas, they facilitated the programs of NGA/LGAs bringing the services down to the Brgys/Sitios, they are equipped with the right tools in facilitating these programs. CDT work is part of strenghtening POs in cleared areas.

He emphasized that “Serving the People and securing the Land includes tapping the expertise of the Private Sector, facilitating programs of NGAs/LGAs, organizing cleared communities, bringing the services down to farthest Brgy/Sitio and empowering the masses.”

Today, the CDTs of 10ID continue to engage the people in the communities of Talaingod as Davao del Norte provincial government relentlessly provide means to help the Indigenous People in their quest for peace and inclusive sustainable development.

[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/davao-del-norte-provincial-government-national-govt-agencies-and-10id-partnered-to-launch-livelihood-opportunities-for-ip-communities-in-talaingod/

Fake online profiles of UP students surface after protest

From Panay News (Jun 8, 2020): Fake online profiles of UP students surface after protest (By Adrian Stewart Co)

The University of the Philippines (UP) sounded the alarm on multiple reports of empty, duplicate and fake accounts bearing the names of its students following their campus protest against the controversial Anti-Terrorism Bill.

In a statement, the UP Office of the Student Regent said that the suspicious duplication of social media accounts were first reported in UP Cebu, where seven protesters and a bystander were arrested last Friday.

“We are encouraging students not to panic and instead help each other in reporting suspicious accounts only. We just need to stand together against possible tactics seeking to silence our voice. Stay safe everyone,” it said in a statement.

“We are hoping that this is a glitch in the system only and can be resolved as soon as possible. However, let it be clear that we will not tolerate any misleading content posted on any account that will endanger our students,” it added.

Tug-ani, the official student publication of UP Cebu, first reported how several Facebook pages copying the usernames of students from the said campus made rounds online. This came following the arrest last Friday of some students who joined an anti-terrorism bill protest in the area.

“Dozens of empty duplicate accounts bearing active usernames of UP Cebu students surface tonight. Victims speculate that this might involve identity theft or targeted attacks against UP students. Check your name, Iskolar!,” it said.

Apart from UP students, poser accounts of faculty members and alumni also surfaced Sunday. All have no photos and posts.

Meanwhile, Panay News learned that, aside from UP students and faculty members, some ordinary person have also discovered having poser accounts on Facebook, mostly were only created recently and has no photos and posts.

“I heard the news ‘yun sa UP students so I curiously checked if may duplication sa FB account ko and to my surpise meron nga and it was recently created,” said an Ilongga who works as a teacher in Manila.

“The past few days, I must admit that I am expressing my opposition about the Anti-Terrorism Bill so I don’t know if this fake account have something to do with it,” she added.

Several Facebook users, mostly who has been critical against the controversial measure, have also expressed alarm after they found out having duplicated accounts on Sunday.

http://www.panaynews.net/fake-online-profiles-of-up-students-surface-after-protest/

Gov’t, rebels clash in Igabras

From Panay News (Jun 8, 2020): Gov’t, rebels clash in Igabras (By Ruby Silubrico)

The Philippine Army and New People’s Army (NPA) exchanged fire in Barangay Corocuan, Igbaras, Iloilo on June 6.

Troops of the 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB) encountered some 10 rebels while on a combat operation around 2 p.m.

The rebels fled after several minutes of firefight, according to Lieutenant Colonel Joel Benedict Batara, commanding officer of the 61IB.

Soldiers recovered an M16 armalite rifle, bullets, a magazine, a bandolier, an NPA flag, medical supplies, food packs, propaganda materials and personal items.

Batara said all of his men were unhurt. But he believed they may have wounded some rebels, noting trails of blood along the rebels’ escape path.

Batara said his troops checked out the area after having been alerted by concerned civilians about armed men here.

Also, he added, the 61IB received intelligence information that the NPA was planning to sabotage the operation of Century Peak Energy Corp. (CPEC) in Igbaras.

“These terrorists were already declared persona non grata by the people of Igbaras because of their atrocities which hamper peace and development in the area,” said Batara.

http://www.panaynews.net/govt-rebels-clash-in-igabras/

Negrense general gets promotion

From the Visayan Daily Star (Jun 8, 2020): Negrense general gets promotion

Two former deputy regional directors for Administration of the Police Regional Office 6 are now occupying higher positions in the Philippine National Police.

Police Brig. Gen. Jesus Cambay Jr. officially assumed command of the Police Regional Office 9 in Zamboanga on June 6. He replaced Brig. Gen. Froilan Quidilla, who is set to retire on July 3.

Negrense Police Brig. Gen. Remus Zacharias Canieso is now the new deputy director of the PNP Directorate for Research and Development. He previously served as Executive Officer of the PNP Directorate for Plans.

Canieso and Cambay used to serve as DRDA of PRO 6 and both are members of the Philippine National Police Academy Class 1989.

Police Col. Ross Alvarado was also assigned to PRO 6 at Camp Martin Delgado in Iloilo City, police records show.

“The latest round of reorganizations manifests the strong commitment of the PNP to human resource and career development,” PNP chief Archie Francisco Gamboa said in a statement issued by the PNP Public Information Office.

The new designation of senior police officials has been approved by Gamboa upon the recommendations of the Senior Officers Placement and Promotion Board, including also the designation of Police Col. Romy Palgue as officer-in-charge of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office.

Palgue replaced Col. Romeo Baleros, who retired from the police service on June 6.

https://www.visayandailystar.com/2020/June/08/topstory15.htm

Army claims disinformation campaign on

From the Visayan Daily Star (Jun 8, 2020): Army claims disinformation campaign on

The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division cautioned the public yesterday against a “disinformation campaign” against the anti-terrorism bill being waged by some groups stressing that by name alone, the bill is for “terrorist”, contrary to claims that it targets critics and dissenters of the government.

“We encourage the public not to be swayed by the efforts of the critics through illogical propositions,” Maj. Cenon Pancito, 3ID Public Affairs Office chief, said yesterday, as he urged the people of Western and Central Visayas to read the bill itself “to get a more learned idea”.

While commenting on the bill may be premature pending the enactment, or signing by President Rodrigo Duterte, Pancito said that 3ID soldiers are fully supportive of its passage, as it will give the much needed strong legal backbone to support the criminal justice response against terrorism.

Activism is never terrorism, he pointed out, adding that “the mere fact that they can shout to their hearts content, their criticism is a manifestation that democracy is ever living in this country”.

While the measure includes tough provisions against terrorists including foreign ones, even tougher safeguards are in place against abuse, Pancito said, as he also debunked misconceptions that label the anti-terrorism bill as martial law.

He added that the authority to issue Judicial Authorization for Surveillance is retained with the Court of Appeals.

The bill extends to 14 working days the time when a suspected terrorist can be detained without an arrest warrant. But this is still within the moderate-to-lenient bracket, compared to Bangladesh that allows for 15 days, Indonesia for 21 days, Pakistan for 30 days, Malaysia for 59 days, and Singapore for 730 days, Pancito said.

He pointed out that the 14-day detention period is only upon a written authorization of the Anti-Terrorism Council, after it studies the grounds for such, with safeguards to ensure the rights of the detainee, including access to lawyers and representatives from the Commission on Human Rights.

Violations by law enforcement agents―including tampering of records ― will be punishable by imprisonment of up to 10 years, he also said, adding that the measure does not allow authorities to cite the law to arrest people on mere suspicion, contrary to claims.

https://www.visayandailystar.com/2020/June/08/topstory2.htm

Wounded female rebel, 17, rescued by operating troops

From the Mindanao Times (Jun 8, 2020): Wounded female rebel, 17, rescued by operating troops (BY RHODA GRACE SARON)

An underage female rebel who was wounded during a clash in Kitaotao, Bukidnon on June 5 was brought to the hospital by soldiers for medical treatment.

Meanwhile, troops recovered an improvised explosive device (IED) and a hand grenade from her possession.

Maj. Jerry Lamosao, the 10th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office chief, identified her as alias Nina, 17, a supply officer of the NPA. Reportedly, she was a student of Salugpongan Ta’tanu Igkanugon Learning Center.

Nina was wounded during a 30-minute encounter between the New People’s Army and elements of the 3rd Infantry Battalion in Sitio Pinanubuan, Barangay Sinuda, Kitaotao Bukidnon. The troops were acting on reports about the presence of armed men in the area.

While clearing the area, they found the female teen who was left bleeding to death. She was given first aid by the soldiers before they rushed her to German Hospital in Buda, Marilog. She was later transferred to Southern Philippine Medical Center for medical treatment.

She is now in stable condition.

Nina told soldiers that she studied in the Salugpongan Ta’tanu Igkanugon Learning Center in Sitio Nasilaban, Barangay Palma Gil, Talaingod, Davao del Norte in 2018, when she was still 15 years old.

https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2020/06/08/wounded-female-rebel-17-rescued-by-operating-troops/

24 former NPA rebels get ‘Negosyo Kits’ from DTI-Bohol

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 8, 2020): 24 former NPA rebels get ‘Negosyo Kits’ from DTI-Bohol (By John Rey Saavedra)



LIVELIHOOD FOR EX-REBELS. Two of the 24 former New People's Army rebels in Bohol hold the piglets they received as part of the PHP240,000 Negosyo Kits from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Bohol. First Lieutenant Elma Grace Remonde said on Monday (June 8, 2020) that the distribution of the Negosyo Kits was part of the strengthened programs of the National Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) and DTI-Bohol's commitment under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or ECLIP for former rebels. (Photo courtesy of 47th Infantry Battalion-Civil Military Operations)

A total of 24 former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels from seven towns in Bohol are now busy with their new businesses through the PHP240,000-worth Negosyo Kits given by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), an Army officer said on Monday.

1st Lt. Elma Grace Remonde, civil-military operations officer of the 47th Infantry (Katapatan) Battalion, said the former rebels (FR) received their livelihood assistance worth PHP10,000 each to finance their new businesses such as "sari-sari" store, rice retailing or hog raising.

Remonde told the Philippine News Agency that the former NPA members who received Negosyo Kits surrendered to the authorities in the past few months.

“The Negosyo Kit distribution was part of the strengthened programs of the National Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC). The DTI-Bohol assisted the FRs as part of their program under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-CLIP,” she said.

The Philippine Army, Bohol provincial government, and the local government units of the towns of Antequera, Calape, Loon, Catigbian, Sevilla, Guindulman, and Mabini partnered with Alturas Group of Companies in rolling out the program, Remonde said.

The 24 beneficiaries will be monitored by the DTI-Bohol, she said, adding that the agency will give them more assistance if their business will become successful and they need more help for expansion.

In a statement, DTI-Bohol provincial director Marisol Balistoy said her office will also give livelihood seminars to former members of the NPA and hear queries on concerns about their businesses.

One of the beneficiaries, “Ka Amad”, thanked the NTF-ELCAC for the program that changed their lives now that they are leading normal lives as law-abiding citizens.

Ka Amad recalled being a combat team leader of the NPA in Mindanao when he was promised to be rewarded with a farmland due to his steadfast adherence to the communist teachings but received nothing which forced him and his wife to go back to Bohol.

“I was once a party member and a team leader. My wife was a mass supporter who attends plenum and other activities inside the left organization. We, as couple, were actively supporting since 2001 until we decided to leave the party,” Ka Amad said.

He narrated that their lives in the mountain were “burdensome and we struggled a lot when they always left us in the hinterlands with not enough foods.”

The former rebel also said he is “grateful that the government embraced my return warmly that until now I am receiving lots of assistance that could help our livelihood.”

Ka Amad received PHP10,000 worth of goods for him to start a sari-sari store.

Although the distribution was concluded last May 29, Remonde said the DTI-Bohol will distribute more Negosyo Kits to other beneficiaries.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1105202

Fighting between MILF leaders displaces 2K families

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 8, 2020): Fighting between MILF leaders displaces 2K families (By Edwin Fernandez)



Google map of Pikit, North Cotabato

Skirmishes involving factions belonging to Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) displaced 2,611 families in several remote villages in Pikit, North Cotabato, on Sunday.

Displaced villagers, consisting of 10,829 individuals, fled to safer grounds after armed clashes between MILF commander Ricky Hussein and ex-commander Butch Sanday, who allegedly leads a band of armed men, the Pikit social welfare office reported on Monday.

Colonel Henry Villar, North Cotabato police director, said government efforts are underway to put an end to the hostilities between the two factions, which are locked in a land dispute in Barangay Talitay, Pikit town.

Sanday, a former MILF brigade commander, was kicked out from his position in April for attacking communities in nearby Pagalungan, Maguindanao, where Hussein was based.

He formed his own band of armed followers and continued harassing the group of Hussein.

“They have been trading bullets since last week,” Villar said in a radio interview Monday.

Pikit Mayor Sumulong Sultan said the warring groups were earlier pacified by local elders but fighting sparked anew on Sunday. He said MILF emissaries are on their way to talk to the quarreling sides.

The Pikit Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) said that the displaced families, mostly women, and children, are now housed in various evacuation centers in the town proper.

The “rido” (family feud) involving Commander Sandy and Commander Hussein dates back to 10 years ago when both leaders and their families started claiming ownership of parcels of lands in Barangay Talitay, bordering the towns of Pikit and Pagalungan in Maguindanao.

While the parties squabble over the lands, both could not produce documents to indicate legal ownership over the disputed properties.

North Cotabato Governor Nancy Catamco has vowed to settle the warring families so the internally displaced persons (IDPs) could return home as soon as possible.

Most of the affected families came from the villages that are now under the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Twenty-three villages from Pikit have opted to join the BARMM in a plebiscite in February last year.

On the same day the fighting broke out, the BARMM Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) said it delivered 133 sacks of rice to 52 families staying at an evacuation center in Barangay Batulawan, and 81 home-based IDPs in Barangay Balabak, both in Pikit.

The Pikit DSWD also reported that an undetermined number of families from nearby Pagalungan town have also been displaced by the skirmishes.

At least 135 small houses in Barangays Nunguan (40 houses), Balungis (4 houses), and Balatukan (91 houses) have also been torched by the warring families. In a statement, the MSSD said it will continue to provide social protection to the evacuees.

The MSSD said the IDPs, especially those living in cramped evacuation centers, often have limited access to food and water. They also have difficulty accessing livelihood opportunities, health facilities, and education services.

MSSD Minister Raissa Jajurie was quoted as saying that the MSSD shall provide special attention to the more vulnerable segments of the IDP population.

“Women, the elderly, infants and young children, and differently-abled persons face multiple health and safety risks, and are more vulnerable to diseases like the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19),” the MSSD said in a report.

The MSSD has called for an end to armed conflict that forces people to flee, saying that persistent violence is an additional burden to communities plagued by uncertainty and economic hardship due to the Covid-19 crisis.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1105220