Halfway house in South Cotabato ready to accept ex-rebels

From the Philippine Information Agency (Aug 20. 2020): Halfway house in South Cotabato ready to accept ex-rebels (By Danilo E. Doguiles)

From left: Tantangan Mayor Benjamin Figeroa, DILG South Cotabato Director Rochelle Sero, 6ID Commander Diosdado Carreon and Executive Assistant to the Governor Rudy Jimenea. Members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan were also present during the inauguration of the P5-M halfway house for former rebels. 

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Aug. 20 (PIA) – The Provincial Government of South Cotabato is now ready to accept former rebels (FRs) in its facility in Tinongcop, Tantangan specifically intended for those who return to the fold of law.

On Tuesday, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) 12 turned over to South Cotabato Provincial Government the P5-million halfway house for FRs constructed in one of the properties of the provincial government in Barangay Tinongcop.

Atty. Rochelle Sero, provincial DILG director, said the provision of a halfway house for FRs is a component of the national government-led initiative Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) that promotes just and lasting peace, national reconciliation, and unity.

“The halfway house serves as a temporary shelter for FRs while their accepting unit, such as the Armed Forces of the Philippines or the Philippine National Police, secure their birth certificates, process their registration in PhilHealth, and other documents for their eventual reintegration to the mainstream society.

“Here they also receive interventions such as deradicalization, social healing and reconciliation, spiritual and moral enhancement, and health and wellness program as well as livelihood trainings,” Sero said.

The operationalization of the halfway house, she added, addresses the long prevailing problem regarding the accommodation of former rebels while they are being prepared for community reintegration. Before this, FRs stayed in facilities designated by the AFP and PNP.

Haide Agustin, head of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, said South Cotabato’s halfway house can accommodate at least 50 individuals.

It has separate dormitory-type rooms for female and male residents, five conjugal accommodations, a conference/training hall, mess hall, kitchen, and staff quarter.

Agustin explained that while the center can already accept FRs, additional construction jobs such as floor tiling and painting will be carried out soon to improve the facility through funding from the provincial government.

Room for male residents of South Cotabato halfway house
Rudy Jimenea, who represented Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. in the event, told the former rebels attending the inauguration ceremony that the halfway house as well as different programs of Gov. Tamayo for free education, free hospitalization and other pro-poor interventions as well as the assistance given to FRs are enough reasons for people to trust the government and return to the fold of law.

Close to a hundred FRs joined the inauguration of the halfway house. Five of them received P65,000 financial aid from the DILG.

In his message at the ceremony, Major General Diosdado Carreon described E-CLIP and the establishment of a halfway house as a ‘noteworthy endeavor.”

“Finally, we have seen a comprehensive program that could put an end to the long-drawn communist insurgency in the country,” MGen. Carreon said, which he described is “one of the longest running insurgencies in the world.”

Unlike in the past when it seemed that the counterinsurgency program was solely the responsibility of the AFP, this time it’s a whole-of-the-nation approach where all government agencies work together to fight communism, he added.

Construction of the South Cotabato halfway house, started in February, 2019. (DED/PIA 12)



https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1050720

122 CAFGU Active Auxiliary aspirants sumasailalim sa pagsasanay ng 6ID

From the Philippine Information Agency (Aug 20. 2020): Tagalog News: 122 CAFGU Active Auxiliary aspirants sumasailalim sa pagsasanay ng 6ID (By PIA Cotabato)

LUNGSOD NG COTABATO Agosto 20 (PIA) – Abot sa 122 Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) Active Auxiliaries (CAA) aspirants ang nagsimula na sa kanilang military training sa 6th Infantry ‘Kampilan’ Division ng Philippine Army Division CAA Training Base sa Barangay Taviran, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

Ang pagsasanay na inorganisa ng Division CAA Affairs Unit (DCAU) ng 6ID ay magtatagal ng 45 araw. Nabatid na ang muling pagbuhay sa CAA company ay sa pamamagitan ng isang memorandum of agreement sa pagitan ng Pamahalaang Panlungsod ng Tacurong at 6ID.

Ito ay sa layuning palakasin ang seguridad sa lungsod.

Sa isinagawang oath taking ceremony, hinikayat ni dating Tacurong City Mayor Lina Montilla, siyang nagsilbing panauhing pandangal at tagapagsalita sa aktibidad, ang lahat na sama-samang magsikap upang maprotektahan at mapanatili ang kapayapaan at pagkakaisa sa siyudad.

Hinimok din ni 6ID at Joint Task Force Central (JTFC) Commander Major General Diosdado Carreon ang mga CAA aspirant na seryosohin ang pagsasanay, at isa-isip at isa-puso ang mga prinsipyo nito. Aniya, ito ang magiging gabay ng mga CAA aspirant sa pagtupad ng kanilang mga tungkulin sa hinaharap. (LTBolongon-PIA Cotabato City/With reports from DPAO-6ID).

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1050762

5 NPA rebels yield in Zamboanga Peninsula

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 20, 2020): 5 NPA rebels yield in Zamboanga Peninsula (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)



SURRENDERERS. Five communist New People's Army rebels surrender on Aug. 18, 2020 to the Army's 102nd Infantry Brigade in the Zamboanga Peninsula. In the photo is Ka Pawpaw, one of the five NPA surrenderers, handing over a rifle to Lt. Col. Don Templonuevo, commander of the 44th Infantry Battalion based in the Zamboanga Sibugay town of Imelda. (Photo courtesy of the 44IB)

Five communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels operating in the Zamboanga Peninsula area have surrendered to the Army’s 102nd Infantry Brigade, military officials said Thursday.

Brig. Gen. Leonel Nicolas, commander of the Army's 102nd Infantry Brigade, identified the NPA surrenderers and their unit as 'Ka Pawpaw", Guerilla Front-Feliciano A; "Ka Arkins", Regional Urban Committee; "Ka Eric", Yunit Militia; and "Ka Jaymon" and "Ka Jongjong", Main Regional Guerilla Unit (MRGU).

All of them belong to the NPA’s Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee (WMRPC), Nicolas said, adding their surrender Tuesday was facilitated by the 97th Infantry Battalion (IB), 44IB, 42IB, and 53IB.

Nicolas said the former rebels turned over two AK-47 assault rifles, eight magazines, and 245 live ammunitions when they surrendered.

“I've heard that the soldiers cared for my wounded comrades and those who returned to the government and surrendered their firearms,” Ka Pawpaw was quoted as saying in a statement released by 102Bde Thursday.

On Aug. 6, an NPA couple--identified only as Ka Peewee and Ka Ritchie--also surrendered after they were reportedly abandoned by their comrades following a clash with government troops in Leon Postigo town.

Over the weekend, Nicolas led the first "Western Mindanao Former Rebels Summit" that saw the surrender of a platoon-size of communist rebels to Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, the Philippine Army chief.

“These series of surrenders demonstrate the renewed trust and confidence of the victims of Communist Terrorist Groups deception tactics to the Army and the government,” Nicolas said.

Maj. Gen. Generoso Ponio, 1st Infantry Division commander, said "this is the best time" for NPA fighters to lay down their arms and "return peacefully to their communities."

“The doors of the government will remain open for the other members of the WMRPC who still wish to be with their families and be part again of the peace-loving and productive members of their respective communities,” Ponio said.

Ponio said the surrenderers have been assisted for enrolment with the government's primary program for returnees, the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1112881

Residents hold indignation rally vs. NPA in Surigao Norte

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 20, 2020): Residents hold indignation rally vs. NPA in Surigao Norte (By Alexander Lopez)



INDIGNATION RALLY. Residents and officials in the Surigao del Norte town of Sison town hold an indignation rally Wednesday afternoon (August 19, 2020) condemning the communist New People’s Army for the killing of Police Staff Segeant Restie Dandan, a member of the local police. Dandan was abducted by suspected NPA rebels on July 31 and his body was found 18 days after in the neighboring town of Mainit, Surigao del Norte. (Photo courtesy of 901Bde)

Residents of the Surigao del Norte town of Sison held an indignation rally against the communist New People’s Army (NPA) over the killing of Police Staff Sergeant Restie Dandan, who was found dead on Aug. 19, 18 days after his abduction by armed men believed to be NPA rebels .

Col. George L. Banzon, commander of the Army's 901st Infantry Brigade (901Bde), expressed support to the move of local residents in the area, which was led by the local government.

“We laud the efforts of the LGU and civilians for condemning the atrocity made by the communist terrorists. This is the right time to be united and stand against the abuses and violence of the Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs),” Banzon said in a statement Thursday.

He said the people of Surigao "are peace-loving people and do not deserve to be terrorized just to force them to support the CNT’s twisted ideology.”

Banzon said the unified stand of the residents, the municioal government, the Army and other community stakeholders against the atrocities of the communist rebels was "the right thing to do."

Wednesday's rally was led by Sison Mayor Karissa R. Fetalvero-Paronia together with the other local and police officials, led by Captain Giovanni M. Tindoy, chief of Sison Municipal Police Station.

Aside from the residents, representatives from the religious sector and other stakeholders also joined the indignation rally.

Dandan was abducted by suspected NPA rebels on July 31 and his body was found last August 18 in Sitio Napo, Barangay Matin-ao, Mainit, Surigao del Norte.

The Army said Dandan was abducted and killed by the members of Guerilla Front 16 of the NPA under a certain Rolando Leyson Jr.

Leyson, the Army said, is known in the town of Sison as he was born and raised in the municipality.

In the same statement Thursday, Tindoy condemned the "inhumane act committed by the NPA. PSSgt. Dandan was a good public servant in the town of Sison and a responsible family man."

Paronia, meanwhile, condemned "to the highest degree" Dandan's killing, describing it as "a grave disrespect against human life and an act of terrorism."

“We want justice, the family needs justice,” the mayor added.

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1112952

Navy assets ready for Masbate quake response deployment

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 20, 2020): Navy assets ready for Masbate quake response deployment (By Priam Nepomuceno)

The disaster risk reduction teams (DRRTs) and vessels of the Philippine Navy are ready for deployment to assist in response operations in quake-hit Masbate province.

Navy public affairs office chief Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas said Thursday one patrol boat is moored at the Masbate City Port.

"Through Naval Forces Southern, our DRRTs are on standby for deployment. Same thing with our vessel, which is now on alert," she said.

On Tuesday, a magnitude 6.6 earthquake jolted Masbate and nearby provinces, with the epicenter recorded 7 kilometers southeast of the municipality of Cataingan.

The initial damage assessment on roads and public buildings in Masbate caused by the earthquake has reached PHP24 million, the Office of Civil Defense regional office in Bicol (OCD-5) earlier said.

As of Wednesday, the number of injuries has reached 48, according to the OCD-5. In its situation report, the wounded individuals were from the towns of Cataingan (18), Palanas (27), Pio V. Corpuz (two), and Uson (one).

As per the latest report of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regional office, affected are roads, bridges, buildings, public markets and ports, and 19 schools.

Likewise, 26 houses were totally damaged while 35 were partially damaged.

The quake also killed a retired police officer who was trapped inside his house after it collapsed.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1112847

Illegal drugs tag aims to muddle Sulu shooting: AFP

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 20, 2020): Illegal drugs tag aims to muddle Sulu shooting: AFP (By Priam Nepomuceno)



AFP spokesperson Marine Major Gen. Edgard Arevalo (File photo)
MANILA – Allegations that Cpl. Abdal Asula, one of the four military intelligence operatives killed by local police officers in Jolo, Sulu last June 29, was into illegal drugs aims to draw attention away from the senseless killings, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Thursday.

"That is obviously a desperate attempt by the assailants to besmirch the reputation of Corporal Asula to justify or to divert the attention away from the senseless killing of the soldiers," said AFP spokesperson Marine Major Gen. Edgard Arevalo in a statement.

The military issued the statement after Brig. Gen. Manuel Abu, head of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, in a Senate public order and dangerous drugs committee hearing, made presentations Wednesday claiming that Asula had links with an illegal drugs syndicate.

"The police earlier invoked self-defense even if investigation by the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) and eye-witness accounts clearly testify that there was no unlawful aggression or sufficient provocation to warrant the shooting. And now, the vilification of one of the slain soldiers," Arevalo said.

He added that the local police are coming up with all sorts of falsities to attempt to shirk criminal, civil, and administrative responsibilities for the murder of the four AFP personnel.

Killed in the June 29 incident in Jolo, Sulu were Major Marvin A. Indammog, 39; Capt. Irwin B. Managuelod, 33; Sgt. Jaime M. Velasco, 38 and Asula, 33.

The four soldiers were conducting intelligence and monitoring operations against two suspected suicide bombers when gunned down by nine Jolo-detailed police officers.

Meanwhile, Philippine Army commander Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, said the Army ranks are always cleared of individuals with illegal drug links, adding that those found with such connections are immediately investigated and discharged from the service if found guilty.

"Once you are (found) involved with (illegal) drugs, you will be discharged," he added.

Sobejana said that when he was Western Mindanao Command chief, he had these accusations against Asula investigated and nothing came of it.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1112882

Solcom chief seeks probe of Fil-Am ‘terrorist’ death in Mindoro

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 20, 2020): Solcom chief seeks probe of Fil-Am ‘terrorist’ death in Mindoro (By Priam Nepomuceno)



Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade, Jr., Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) chief (PNA File photo)

The military’s Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) on Wednesday sought for an investigation regarding the mysterious death of a Filipino-American (Fil-Am) national whom communist terrorists and their allies claimed was an activist who died in the hinterlands of Mindoro.

Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade, Jr., Solcom chief, in a statement, noted that the Fil-Am in question, Amado Cannham Rodriquez alias "Allen", is known to be involved with New People's Army (NPA) terrorists in Mauban, Quezon.
He added that Rodriguez is also a member of the "Main Regional Guerilla Unit" (MRGU) of the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee (STRPC).

"He is not an activist but an NPA terrorist and was part of the NPAs who were deployed to Mindoro to set up their new regional headquarters," Parlade said.

He said the presence of these NPAs, many of whom are possible carriers of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), could endanger the lives of indigenous peoples (IP) in the province.

"We don't know how many more have died in the mountains or in remote clinics due to Covid-19 which may have been mishandled by health workers allied to the CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front). For this, we seek an investigation on the participation of a United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) pastor in surreptitiously bringing alias 'Allen' to a District Hospital in San Jose Occidental Mindoro. Later his body disappeared from the hospital, despite reports that the patient died of Covid-19," he added.

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

More proof

As further proof that Rodriguez has links with the NPA, Parlade said they have some testimonies from some of his former students at the Special Operations Group who have voluntarily surrendered to the Army’s 203rd Infantry Brigade, and former rebels who knew Amado personally.

A former NPA member, who identified himself as "Nad" and "Berting" and former platoon leader of MRGU, said he met "Allen" in July 2018 and had exposure training with them in Sta. Catalina, Mauban, Quezon.

He also remembered the Fil-Am as carrying an AK-47 automatic rifle and that "Allen" transferred to Mindoro in November 2018, had himself treated for a heart ailment in Metro Manila and had a relationship with a certain "Ka Ella" in the NPA movement.

Alias "Nad"/"Berting" returned to the fold of the law in March of this year.

Meanwhile, a certain "Raffy" remembered "Allen"/"Glenn" as his instructor at SOG.
He added that the Fil-Am taught him and his companions tactics on how to kill two separate opponents.

"Raffy", formerly of the NPA's S4, VIL, IL(SRMA 4E), VIL RSOG, PSRL in KLG North, SRMA 4E Palawan, surrendered to authorities in May.

Meanwhile, a certain "Dan" from the NPA's "KLG ICM" in Mindoro remembers meeting with "Allen"/"Glenn" in November of 2019 in Laguna.

He added that both of them were sent to Mindoro and each given an M-16 automatic rifle.

"Dan" said he reported to an alias "Ida" of KLG ICM while "Allen" was deployed to NPA’s "RCID MRGU/Platoon JB".

Parlade added that "Dan" surrendered in June.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1112943

South China Sea: after all its posturing, the US is struggling to build a coalition against China

Posted to The Conversation (Aug 18, 2020): South China Sea: after all its posturing, the US is struggling to build a coalition against China (By Pak K. Lee and Anisa Heritage)

The USS Ronald Reagan: the aircraft carrier carried out exercises in the South China Sea in mid August 2020. Francis R. Malasig/EPA

As tensions continue to mount in the waters surrounding the contested islands of the South China Sea, a US navy aircraft carrier conducted exercises in the region on August 17. This came after the Trump administration hardened the US’s longstanding neutral position on China’s maritime claims in the South China Sea.

In May 1995, following China’s occupation of Mischief Reef in the South China Sea – which is also claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan – the US announced that it would take “no position on the legal merits of the competing claims to sovereignty over the various islands, reefs, atolls and cays in the South China Sea”.

But the US has not remained neutral on how the multiple disputes in the region should be managed or resolved – something we’ve written about in a recent book.

In July 2020, US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, took things one step further when he stated that most of China’s claims to offshore resources in the South China Sea were unlawful. Four years after a ruling by the South China Sea Arbitral Tribunal, which found China’s claims had no basis in international law, the US has now endorsed that ruling.

Pompeo’s statement was followed a few days later by a speech from the US secretary of defense, Mark Esper, in which he accused China of “brazen disregard of international commitments”. He said China had bullied nations around the Pacific, and that its aggressive tactics in the South China Sea obstructed other countries’ rights to fishing and natural resources.

Two shoals and a reef

Pompeo’s announcement deviated from 25 years of US neutrality over three key issues. First, the US now argues that Mischief Reef and the Second Thomas Shoal, located 130 nautical miles and 105 nautical miles west of the Philippine Palawan Island respectively, are not Chinese but Philippine territories.

A 2018 photo of Mischief Reef after it was reclaimed and redeveloped by China. Tony Peters/Flickr, CC BY

Second, the announcement amounted to a declaration that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has no lawful territorial or maritime claim to James Shoal. Although the Chinese government claims James Shoal as its southernmost territory, it is an entirely submerged feature, 50 nautical miles from Malaysia and 1,000 nautical miles from China’s coast. Under international law, underwater features cannot be claimed by any state. So the US declared that James Shoal “is not and never was PRC territory”.

And third, Pompeo asserted that China had not put forward a “lawful, coherent maritime claim” and a legal basis for the “nine-dash line” in the South China Sea which it uses for the basis of its territorial claims. Under international law, sovereignty extends 12 nautical miles into the seas surrounding a land feature that can sustain human habitation. This means the US also does not accept China’s claims to a 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone in the region, far beyond 12 nautical miles surrounding any of the islands, atolls, reefs or rocks.

Still, except for the two shoals and Mischief reef, when it comes to the ownership of the Spratly Islands, which are claimed by Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan, the US has stuck to its longstanding position of neutrality and not taken a position.

Why now?

As the Trump administration’s mishandling of the coronavirus pandemic worsens and Trump’s re-election chances appear to be diminishing, his administration’s backlash against China has accelerated. Some reports suggest hawkish senior officials in the Trump administration, concerned about potential defeat in the November presidential election, are trying to introduce irreversible changes in China-US relations.

The strengthening of the US position on the South China Sea signals an effort to build a coalition of allies and partners to counter and – in Esper’s words “openly compete” with – China. In more substantial terms, the US may be considering deeper defence support to regional states such as the Philippines and Malaysia, which has effectively managed James Shoal, to confront Chinese encroachment there.

To date, only Australia has agreed to pursue “increased and regularised maritime cooperation” with the US in the South China Sea. Despite American pressure on Canberra to participate in operations guaranteeing international freedom of navigation surrounding disputed features such as reefs or islands, Canberra has so far resisted a specific commitment to conduct operations within 12 nautical miles of the features. While Australia rejects China’s illegal maritime claims, it doesn’t want to inflame further tensions over the sensitive sovereignty issue of disputed islands and their surrounding waters.

South-east Asian reticence

In contrast to Australia, south-east Asian states such as the Philippines are more reticent about working with the US to rein in China’s expansionism.

The inherent contradictions between the Trump administration’s America First strategy and the current calls for a coalition against China remain a sticking point. Trump has never attended an East Asia Summit, and his administration’s denigration of regional alliances has reduced American capacity to create a coalition of like-minded partners to support its position in the South China Sea.

Rhetorical posturing against China will not inspire regional allies to rally to America’s side while it trumpets its America First policy. A better US strategy would be to rebuild relations with democratic allies, such as Australia, Japan, South Korea and even Indonesia. But the Trump administration’s attempts to permanently harden US policy towards China, without prior consultation with the rest of the world, will make it harder to build much needed collective resilience against China’s activities in the South China Sea.

[Pak K Lee is a Senior Lecturer in Chinese Politics and International Relations, University of Kent Anisa Heritage is a Research Fellow, School of Politics and International Relations, University of Kent.]

[Disclosure statement: Anisa Heritage is affiliated with the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. The opinions expressed are the author's own and are solely drawn from open-source published research and data.  Pak K Lee does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.]

https://theconversation.com/south-china-sea-after-all-its-posturing-the-us-is-struggling-to-build-a-coalition-against-china-144533

Covid-19 pandemic affects AFP's drive to end insurgency

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 18, 2020): Covid-19 pandemic affects AFP's drive to end insurgency (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)

The coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic has affected the ability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP) to implement the "whole-of-the- nation-approach" in ending local armed conflicts in the countryside.

Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, AFP chief-of-staff, disclosed Tuesday here, pointing out that “10 to 15 percent of our budget” was realigned to support the national government’s response in addressing the pandemic.

Gapay led the installation of Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Sr., as the new commander of Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom).

Vinluan, who is the 12th Westmincom chief, replaced Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, who was appointed as the 62nd commander of the Philippine Army.

Gapay said the realigned budget would have been for the socio-economic programs of the AFP in addressing local armed conflicts brought by the communist insurgency.

Instead, he said the allocation is being used to buy personnel protective types of equipment, relief goods, and the social amelioration program (SAP) for poor families affected by the health crisis.

Despite this, Gapay said the AFP is "making use" of its available resources to remain effective in addressing security concerns.

He also clarified that AFP is the only government branch to be affected, as all other agencies have also realigned their budgets to support the national government's drive against Covid-19.

Earlier, Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, the AFP spokesperson, said the government's whole-of-nation-approach in ending local communist armed conflicts is gaining ground with the neutralization of some 10,938 members of the New People's Army and their supporters since the issuance of Executive Order No. 70.

President Rodrigo Duterte's EO No. 70, issued in December 2018, institutionalized the "whole-of-nation" approach in ending local communist armed conflicts. It established a national task force that now leads in institutionalizing a national peace framework in addressing the communist insurgency.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1112640

Bulatlat: Treatment of four slain NPA fighters in Laguna ‘inhumane, barbaric’ – group

Posted to the pro-CPP/NPA/NDF online propaganda publication Bulatlat (Aug 19, 2020): Treatment of four slain NPA fighters in Laguna ‘inhumane, barbaric’ – group (By Justin Umali)

Karapatan ST was approached by relatives of the said guerrillas seeking help in recovering the remains after they were informed that they were in the custody of the police in Camp Vicente Lim, Calamba, Laguna. As of August 16, the team managed to secure the release of Mario Caraig’s remains to his sister, exhume Rey Macinas’ remains, and locate Perdeguera’s, which were both buried in Antipolo, Rizal.

SANTA ROSA, Laguna – Human rights watchdog Karapatan-Timog Katagalugan denounced what they called as ‘inhumane and barbaric way’ treatment of the remains of the four New People’s Army members who were killed in two separate encounters, August 4 and August 8.

A fact-finding mission was launched by the group to investigate the two encounters in barangay San Antonio, Kalayaan, Laguna, which resulted in the deaths of Dioscoro Cello, Rey Macinas, Alex Perdeguera, and Mario Caraig. They are also investigating the disappearance of three civilians, Virgilio Asedillo, his daughter Chloe, and Chloe’s husband Marknel Iwarat.

Karapatan ST was approached by relatives of the said guerrillas seeking help in recovering the remains after they were informed that they were in the custody of the police in Camp Vicente Lim, Calamba, Laguna. As of August 16, the team managed to secure the release of Mario Caraig’s remains to his sister, exhume Rey Macinas’ remains, and locate Perdeguera’s, which were both buried in Antipolo, Rizal.

Kyle Salgado, Karapatan ST spokesperson, said that “these thieving, murderous, and mercenary tactics by the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] and PNP [Philippine National Police] are clear violations of international humanitarian law. They are denying the families the right to a proper and decent burial while disrespecting the dead.”

Remains of three out of four found

Mario Caraig was hors de combat who was wounded after the August 4 encounter which killed Cello, Macinas, and Perdeguera. He was asleep and tending to injuries when elements of the PNP Regional Mobile Battalion 4A arrived and shot him dead, midnight August 12. They also took the Asedillo family, with whom he was staying at, to an undisclosed location.

Caraig’s remains were only returned to his sister Floriza on August 12, with the help of Karapatan ST and the Diocese of San Pablo. Karapatan ST stated that the police were “wildly uncooperative” and repeatedly questioned Floriza’s relationship to Caraig, before acquiescing after Floriza procured a Certificate of No Marriage to certify that Mario Caraig had no other family.

Mario Caraig’s remains given to custody of his sister, Floriza (c/o Karap ST)

Macinas’ remains were found on August 13 in a cemetery in barangay San Jose, Antipolo, Rizal, over nine days after he was killed. Officers at Camp Vicente Lim informed Macinas’ family that they had already buried the man – over 60 kilometers away from Calamba.

Karapatan ST assisted Macinas’ family in recovering the remains in Antipolo, where it was found that he was buried “without dignity.” His remains were found covered only with “a blanket and some plastic, not embalmed or even clothed,” according to a statement released by the group.

“It’s distressing how Macinas’ remains were only sent to Green Lawn to be autopsied before being stolen again, only to be buried somewhere,” they added.

Perdeguera’s remains were similarly found August 15, eleven days after the initial encounter, buried next to Macinas in the same cemetery in San Jose, Antipolo. The grave was simply labeled “Ka Omar.” Police officers in sitio Cabading, barangay San Jose confirmed it was Perdeguera after Karapatan showed them pictures. The grave has yet to be exhumed as of press time.

A

lex Perdeguera’s grave in Antipolo, Rizal. Ka Omar was allegedly his alias in the NPA. (video screencap from Karap ST)

The whereabouts of Cello’s remains are still unknown. His daughter Reveleen has been asking the officers in Camp Vicente Lim as early as August 6 for custody of her father’s remains. Police have repeatedly denied requests, going so far as to insist for the official receipt of Reveleen’s PSA birth certificate.

Asedillo family still missing

Adding to this, the family that sheltered Caraig while he was recovering has yet to surface. According to eye-witness accounts from neighbors, the three were allegedly brought to the Kalayaan Municipal Police Station, but the group could not locate them there.

On August 12, the AFP’s 202nd Infantry Brigade released a statement stating that the Asedillos were “seeking refuge from potential reprisal by the CPP-NPA,” showing an alleged letter coming from Kalayaan Mayor Sandy Laganapan and an attached sworn statement from the three.

According to BGen. Alex Rillera, commander of the 202IB, the family approached the military to seek protection and were brought to Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal.

Karapatan ST is disputing this, calling it a case of illegal detention. “It’s clear that the AFP and PNP only wish to implicate the family in their disinformation campaign and dark designs,” said Salgado. “The Asedillo family has been in their custody for almost a week with no basis, all while asserting that they were ‘looking for help.’ The military must surface them.”

The Asedillo family is Virgilio Asedillo, 46, his daughter Chloe, 19, and Chloe’s husband Marknel, also 19. Chloe is two months pregnant.



‘Flagrant violations of human rights’

Karapatan ST lambasted the AFP and PNP for their “flagrant violation of human rights and international humanitarian law,” calling their human rights record “insincere and spotty.”

According to the group, the police and military’s actions are in direct violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL), a joint agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines guaranteeing respect for the basic rights of combatants and non-combatants for both sides.

Part IV, Article 3, Number 4, prohibits the “desecration of the remains of those who have died in the course of the armed conflict or while under detention, and breach of duty to tender immediately such remains to their families or to give them decent burial,” which Karapatan asserts the AFP and PNP violated in the case of Perdeguera and Macinas, and continues to violate in Cello’s case.

They are also citing violations to the 1949 Geneva Conventions, of which the Philippines is signatory to, in the case of Caraig, who was hors de combat when he was killed in a police action.

Ongoing counter-insurgency

Barangay San Antonio, Kalayaan has been the site of extra-judicial killings and police operations this year alone. Last January, two peasant activists, Emerito Pinza and Romy Candor, were killed by elements of the PNP RMFB4A and erroneously claimed to be members of the NPA. Last June, barangay captain Froilan Reyes was gunned down on his way to nearby Lumban.

Grand Pulong-Pulong in Brgy. San Antonio, July 12 (from FB page of Juan Paolo S. Brosas)

Last July 12, the Task Force for Ending the Local Communist Armed Conflict launched a “Grand Pulong-Pulong” in Sitio Pulot. Pictures surfaced of placards being set up bearing calls such as “Ipagpatuloy ang demokrasya” (Continue democracy) and “Huwag tayong magpalinlang sa tropang NPA” (Let’s not be fooled by NPA forces).

Barangay San Antonio sits near the Sierra Madre mountain range, and borders Mauban, Quezon. It is near the site of the government’s private-public partnership with CBK Power Company Limited (CBK PCL) in building the Caliraya-Botocan-Kalayaan power plant.

CBK PCL is owned by teo Japanese firms, J-Power and Sumitomo.

https://www.bulatlat.com/2020/08/19/treatment-of-four-slain-npa-fighters-in-laguna-inhumane-barbaric-group/

Jolo cop shot Army intelligence officer thinking he was ‘Abu Sayyaf, drug lord’

From Rappler (Aug 19, 2020): Jolo cop shot Army intelligence officer thinking he was ‘Abu Sayyaf, drug lord’ (By RAMBO TALABONG)

Police Staff Sergeant Iskandar Susulan says he joined the Jolo shooting incident that killed 4 Army intelligence officers without confirming who the targets were

One of the 9 Jolo cops accused of the "cold-blooded murder" of Army intelligence officers in late June claimed before a Senate panel that he just happened to be at the scene when the incident happened, and shot one of the soldiers, thinking they were Abu Sayyaf members or drug lords.

At the Senate hearing on the June 29 Jolo shooting incident on Wednesday, August 19, Police Staff Sergeant Iskandar Susulan said he was not among the group of cops who tailed the vehicle of Major Marvin Indammog, the leader of the 4-member Army intelligence team who were all killed in the incident.

Responding to Senator Risa Hontiveros, Susulan said he was at the Jolo Municipal Police Station when he saw the police vehicles passed by. He said he approached them to check what was happening, when the shooting started.

"Nasa isip ko po, Abu Sayyaf o drug lord (I thought they were Abu Sayyaf members or drug lords)," Susulan said during the Senate legislative probe on the incident on Wednesday, August 19.

When Senator Ronald del Rosa asked him if he, too, fired his gun, Susulan responded, "Pumutok po (I fired my gun)."

His explanation angered Dela Rosa, the presiding officer of the probe, who said, "'Di mo na-identify kung sino ang kalaban, nakiputok ka pa (You didn't identify the enemy, yet you joined in the firefight)."

The 9 cops are also accused of planting of evidence with regards to the Jolo shooting incident.

Who did he shoot?

The 4 Army intelligence officers were gunned down by policemen after they were stopped at a checkpoint and ordered to go to the Jolo police station.

The shooting incident happened after the soldiers parked their vehicle a little past the police station, and the cops who tailed them alighted and confronted them. 

(READ: WATCH: The killing of 4 soldiers in Sulu – what happened before and after)

Susulan said that when he arrived at the crime scene, he already saw 3 people shot down by his colleagues, but then a passenger seat opened and another man allegedly carrying an Uzi submachine gun stepped out and apparently tried to shoot them.

"Nagkabulagaan po kami.... Ako po ang nasa tamang anggulo.... Naunahan ko po siya (We were caught by surpride.... I was at the right angle.... I was able to shoot him first)," Susulan said.

Susulan identified the man he shot as Captain Irwin Managuelod.

Contradictions to his claim

His statement goes against the findings of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), which has been entrusted by the police and the military to lead the probe.

According to lawyer Zulikha Degamo of the NBI Death Investigation unit, police shot 3 of the 4 soldiers inside their SUV, including Managuelod, making it impossible for him to step out.

The lone soldier shot dead outside was Indammog, the leader of the Army intelligence officers. Citing witnesses they spoke with, Degamo said Indammog was shot dead by police even after he raised his hands and his shirt to show that he carried no firearms.

https://rappler.com/nation/cop-jolo-killed-army-intelligence-officer-thinking-abu-sayyaf-drug-lord

Muslims 'randomly' tagged as Abu Sayyaf members challenge anti-terrorism law

From GMA News Online (Aug 18, 2020): Muslims 'randomly' tagged as Abu Sayyaf members challenge anti-terrorism law (By NICOLE-ANNE C. LAGRIMAS)



Three Muslim men who had been accused of being members of terrorist groups have asked the Supreme Court (SC) to declare parts of the anti-terrorism law unconstitutional.

In the latest petition against the controversial law, Main Mohammad, Jimmy Bla, and Nazr Dilangalen said they fear being "re-arrested on mere suspicion" under the new law because they have previously been tagged as terrorists.

Their lawyers and the Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates are also petitioners in at least the 28th case assailing the law. They asked the court to issue a temporary restraining order against several provisions of the law.

The petition said Bla was arrested in his home in Zamboanga City in 2018 and was then "randomly tagged" as a member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG). He is still detained as his trial continues.

Mohammad, who was identified in the petition as an Imam, was arrested in 2017 then detained for nearly two years on allegations that he was a member of the ASG.

A court dismissed the case against him last year because the government's witness was unable to identify him as an ASG member, according to the petition.

Dilangalen, an engineer at the local government in Cotabato City, was accused of being a key recruiter of Abu Sayyaf-Maute. He was detained for two years until he was cleared by a court for lack of evidence in 2019, the petition states.

The three are just some of the many Moros "who have been tagged, detained and charged as ASG members, not by reason of credible evidence, but because solely of their religion," the petition states.

"The longstanding and ingrained practice of ASG-tagging against Moros whose rights are perpetually violated reinforces the real and credible threat posed by the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020," it adds.

Several Muslims have challenged the law before the highest Philippine court, saying it may lead to more arrests of Moro people who have long suffered from discrimination because of their religion.

The new petition raises arguments against the law's provisions on warrantless arrests and detention based on suspicion, the process through which persons are "designated" as terrorists, and the powers of the Anti-Terrorism Council.

The petitioners also claimed that the definition of "material support" to terrorists "can potentially restrain innocent acts" such as giving legal assistance to persons who are suspected of being terrorists.

Retired SC justices Antonio Carpio and Conchita Carpio Morales, lawmakers, lawyers, professors, human rights advocates, activists, journalists, artists, labor rights groups, youth leaders, and social media personalities have also filed petitions against the law.

The SC has ordered the consolidation of 25 of the petitions. The court will hear oral arguments on the case in the third week of September at the earliest. —

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/751842/muslims-randomly-tagged-as-abu-sayyaf-members-challenge-anti-terrorism-law/story/

15 heavily armed NPAs yield to Army in Bukidnon

From the Manila Bulletin (Aug 19, 2020): 15 heavily armed NPAs yield to Army in Bukidnon (By Mike Crismundo)

Fifteen New People’s Army (NPA) rebels bolted their camp and surrendered at the headquarters of the Army’s 88th Infantry Battalion (88th IB) in Purok 10, Barangay South Poblacion, Maramag town, Bukidnon province, military reported yesterday.

Shown in photo are the firearms surrendered by the former communist-New People’s Army (NPA) rebels to Army’s 88th Infantry (Maringal) Battalion in Bukidnon last week. (Photo courtesy of 88th IB-CMO via Mike U. Crismundo)

“These new surrenderers also brought along with them their respective high powered firearms and assorted live ammunitions in giving up themselves to our unit,” said 88th IB Civil Military Operations (CMO) officer Capt. Norven Jay Garcia, on Wednesday.

“They ran away from their camp and voluntarily surrendered to our headquarters at 10 o’clock in the evening on Friday (Aug. 14),” the 88th IB CMO officer said.

The former rebels (FRs) belonged to Malayag 1 of Guerilla Front Malayag, Sub-Regional Committee 2 of the CPP-NPA North central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) under a certain “Ka Ricky”, who are operating in the areas of Cabanglasan, Bukidnon, Garcia said.

“They were involved in the recent armed skirmishes against the government forces in the municipality of Cabanglasan for the previous weeks that resulted in a series of losses and debacles of the communist terrorists,” the 88th IB CMO officer claimed.

The FRs brought along with them an M16A1, two Garand Rifles, four Carbine M1 Rifles, six shotguns, a caliber-.45 pistol, a homemade pistol revolver, and several assorted live ammunitions.

https://mb.com.ph/2020/08/19/15-heavily-armed-npas-yield-to-army-in-bukidnon/

CPP: The US-Duterte Regime Will Pay for The Ruthless Killings of Zara Alvarez, Randy Echanis and Other Activists: Blood Debts Shall be Settled in Due Time

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Aug 18, 2020): The US-Duterte Regime Will Pay for The Ruthless Killings of Zara Alvarez, Randy Echanis and Other Activists: Blood Debts Shall be Settled in Due Time



The Rachelle Mae Palang Command – New People’s Army Southeast Negros Guerrilla Front condemns the fascist US-Duterte regime for the brutal assassination of Negros-based human rights advocate, church activist, health worker, paralegal officer, and former political prisoner Zara Alvarez. At the forefront of the human rights campaign in demanding justice for the victims of human rights violations in the island – notably, the Sagay 9 massacre, SEMPO 1, 2, and 3, and all other victims of the brutal “All Out War” waged by the reactionary armed forces under the Joint AFP-PNP Oplan Kapanatagan, MO32, and EO70 – now laid to rest, Zara earned the hatred of the criminal fascists for her fearless, uncompromising servitude to the people, especially the great masses of workers and peasants in Negros Island. The RMPC extends its most solemn condolences to her family, friends, and fellow activists. Zara was killed just a few days after the cold-blooded torture and murder of Anakpawis chairperson Randy Echanis.

In retrospect, Zara and Ka Randy’s state-sponsored assassinations, both carried out amidst the pandemic-wrought public health and economic crises, and after the ratification of the Anti-Terror Act, chillingly remind us of Duterte’s warning to the legal democratic movement last April 2020, during the beginnings of Duterte’s stepping up of his civil-military junta’s open terrorist rule, using the COVID-19 crisis as pretense to impose martial law lockdown measures and intensify his counter-insurgency drive: “Kayong mga legal, mag tago na kayo…. I have 2 more years… I will try to finish all of you… Tapusin na natin ito sa panahon ko.” As early as April, the fascist chieftain gave indications of his taking advantage of the pandemic to escalate the GRP’s murderous rampage in a vain effort to silence all criticism, cow the opposition, and to cripple the national democratic movement. In blatant disregard of fundamental human rights and international humanitarian law, Duterte has declared open-season on activists, has given the go-signal for his fascist hitmen to go after legal personalities long-targeted by the reactionaries.

Unfortunately, Duterte apparently has not learned from recent Philippine history. His idol Marcos’ draconian rule not only intensified the Philippine Revolutionary Movement, but also brought about the dictator’s downfall. History, as the cliché goes, is bound to repeat itself. Hopelessly stifling the revolution with means by which it advances, Duterte has sealed his fate, and that of his fascist cohorts.

As what happened in the 70s and 80s, when patriotic, democratic forces in the thousands flocked to the countryside, escaped from the dystopian conditions in the cities, and took part in armed struggle to overthrow the tyrant Marcos, so too shall a new breed of activists follow on the steps of their predecessors, heeding the Party’s call, to oust the fascist dictator Duterte; and when Duterte’s regime of terror comes to its end, the reckoning of all his crimes, and that of his cohorts, against the people shall immediately ensue. The New People’s Army in Negros Island – Apolinario Gatmaitan Command has vowed to intensify guerrilla warfare and launch more tactical offensives as answer to the masses’ cry for justice, as retribution for all the victims of extrajudicial killings and all the crimes committed against the Filipino people during this time of grave hardship brought about by the pandemic. As nationwide social unrest heightens, the eruption of the social volcano that is Negros Island is likewise nearing.###

https://cpp.ph/statements/the-us-duterte-regime-will-pay-for-the-ruthless-killings-of-zara-alvarez-randy-echanis-and-other-activists-blood-debts-shall-be-settled-in-due-time/

Kalinaw News: Two high-powered firearms recovered, wanted terrorist supporter apprehended

Posted to Kalinaw News (Aug 19, 2020): Two high-powered firearms recovered, wanted terrorist supporter apprehended

Lupon, Davao Oriental – A wanted personality known to be a New People’s Army (NPA) Militia was apprehended in his residence while two (2) high-powered firearms from his possesion was recovered following a joint law enforcement operation conducted by the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police in Lupon town on the morning of August 15, 2020.
An NPA Militia leader in the name of Antonio Arendain, alyas ‘Toto’, a resident of Sitio Kinawasan, San Isidro, Lupon, Davao Oriental was apprehended by the elements of 28th Infantry (KAMAGONG) Battalion under the leadership of Ltc Alexander D Banatao and Lupon PNP during a joint law enforcement operation following a tip from a Former Rebel. Arendain serves as the CO / Leader of the ‘Milisyang Bayan’ or ‘MB’ which were tasked by the NPAs to conduct ambushcades to government forces in times when the military conduct its operations against the terrorist group.

Arendain is responsible for a crime committed with standing warrant of arrest for Homicide released by Lupon Regional Trial Court.

Apprehended suspect was immediately brought to Lupon Municipal Police Station for proper disposition and necessary procedures.

Lt. Col. Alexander D Banatao, the Commander of 28IB lauded the personnel involved in the AFP-PNP joint law enforcement operations for the successful arrest of alyas ‘Toto’ and the recovery of two (2) High-powered Firearms which, if not, may pose danger to the people of Davao Oriental. He also expressed gratitude to the help extended by the former rebels who were vital in the apprehension of said NPA Militia and the recovery of firearms.

Ltc Banatao also urged the remaining NPA members to surrender and avail the different programs and services of the government together with their loved ones and prevent unnecessary / unfortunate incidents such as imprisonment or even death.

[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/two-high-powered-firearms-recovered-wanted-terrorist-supporter-apprehended/