Army captures four militias in an encounter

From the Philippine Information Agency (Aug 27, 2020): Army captures four militias in an encounter (By Easter Anne D. Doza)



NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Aug. 27 (PIA) –- Troopers of the 94th Infantry Battalion captured four armed militias during an encounter in Sitio Cunalom of Barangay Carabalan in Himamaylan City, early morning of August 27.

The troopers encountered the members of the Communist New People’s Army Terrorists (CNTs) while they are conducting combat operations.

94IB Commander Lieutenant Colonel Angelo S Guzman said he received reports of CNT's extortion activities which are persistent in the area in the past week.

A soldier, who is now in stable condition, was hit by CNT gun fire during a five-minute firefight.

Four armed members of the CNT Yunit Militia (YM), namely Jovel L. Pacheco, 41 years old; Francisco S. Verde, Jr, 37 years old; Gene Boy S. Verde, 32 years old; and Ronald V. Pachec, 22 years old were captured.

Recovered from the captured militias were one Cal.22 rifle, two revolver pistols, one home-made shot gun, a 40mm grenade launcher ammo and other war materials.

"We will hunt these terrorists until all of them are neutralized. These CNTs are not allowed to continue sowing fear in the communities," Guzman said.

The captured YMs and the seized firearms were turned over to the Himamaylan City Police Office for disposition and filing of appropriate charges. (JBG/EDD-PIA Negros Occidental/With report and photo from 94IB-3ID-PA)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1051514

Vizcaya PNP nets CTG surrenderee

From the Philippine Information Agency (Aug 27, 2020): Vizcaya PNP nets CTG surrenderee (By Benjamin Moses M. Ebreo)

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Aug. 27 (PIA) - The Philippine National Police (PNP) here has facilitated the voluntary surrender of a Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) member during the third quarter of this year.

Police Col. Richard Saavedra, PNP provincial director identified the CTG surrenderee as Arsenio Ferrer, alias 'Xian/Jerwin' of barangay Nagbitin in Villaverde town.

The Nueva Vizcaya PPO recently reported a voluntary surrender of a Communist Terrorist Group member in Villaverde town. The surrenderee, police said contributed to the efforts of government agencies through the End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) program.# PIA Photo

He said Ferrer was a member of Do Squad Dos Platoon Dos of the Danilo Ben Command under the Komiteng Larangan ng West Cagayan who surrendered at Villaverde Police Station in last month.

"This is another successful campaign on our efforts to bring in to government care our fellow Filipinos in the CTG movement. This will contribute to our continuing campaign to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) in our communities," Saavedra said.

His report was read during the joint meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) and Provincial Task Force-End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) at the Pasalubong Center yesterday.

The police director said the CTG surrenderee also yielded a .38 Caliber Revolver with live ammunitions, 13 pieces of live M79 ammunitions, subversive documents and personal belongings.(MDCT/BME/PIA 2-Nueva Vizcaya)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1051177

PH Army honors fallen troops of Jolo twin blast

From the Philippine Information Agency (Aug 27, 2020): PH Army honors fallen troops of Jolo twin blast (By Jimmyley E. Guzman)

PASIG CITY, Aug. 27 (PIA) -- The Philippine Army has honored and recognized the heroism of eight soldiers who died during the recent twin bombings in Jolo, Sulu.

Photo courtesy of Philippine Army Facebook page

“The Philippine Army grieves over the death of these men. We honor their sacrifice in serving our country and protecting the people of Jolo, Sulu,” Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana said.

Sobejana also extended his deepest condolences to the bereaved families and assured that the Army is ready to extend necessary assistance.

The remains of Staff Sgt. Louie T. Cuarteros, Staff Sgt. Manuelito M. Oria, Pvt. Omair Muksan, Pvt. Juvienjay T. Emlani, Pvt. John Ray E. Paler, Pvt. Aiub S. Sahid, Pvt. James A Apolinario from the 21st Infantry Battalion and Pvt. John P. Agustin from the 35th Infantry Battalion were sent to their respective provinces for funeral honors.

The Philippine Army will provide burial assistance, command financial assistance and special financial assistance. The families will also be entitled to receive capital (Special Financial Assistance) from the President’s Socio-Civic Projects Fund. Additionally, other government offices have allocated funds for health, education, and shelter assistance among others.

Likewise, in a statement sent to the PIA-NCR, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Gilbert Gapay said that the AFP condemns and vows to exact justice on the perpetrators of the terror attack that resulted to the death of soldiers and wounding of civilians.

“No sensible religion or ideology would ever endorse these hapless attacks.”

The AFP chief also extended his sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims.

“Rest assured that their sacrifices will not be in vain. The Abu Sayyaf Group will not deter us from nor shake our resolve to bring an end to their violence. Our troops on the ground continue to be on high alert to deter similar attacks.”

Gapay also said that AFP’s combat and intelligence operations were ramped up to pursue those responsible. He also advised the public to remain calm, be vigilant, and to do their share in keeping their communities safe by cooperating with government authorities. (PIA-NCR)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1051406

Child warriors, comrades receive professional psychological help

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 27, 2020): Child warriors, comrades receive professional psychological help


Contributed photo

CAMP CAPINPIN, Tanay, Rizal – Seven former rebels, including two child warriors who recently surrendered to government forces, successfully completed last August 21 the two-day Psychosocial Rehabilitation Program in the province.

Lt. Col. Rimrad Feraer, commanding officer of the 80th Infantry Battalion which led the event, said the former rebels who joined the program belong to the Dumagat Remontado's tribe of the Sierra Madres.

He added that the undertaking was “a result of our consultation with the IP tribal leaders who pointed out that most of the Dumagat former rebels are suffering from psychological trauma resulting from being forced, coerced and threatened at gunpoint by the NPA (New People’s Army) terrorists to support the underground movement.”

In his report, Feraer said the highlight of the program was the psychosocial debriefing which was facilitated by a qualified and competent social worker from the Department of Social and Welfare Development’s Region 4-A (Calabarzon) field office.

Brig. Gen. Alex Rillera, commander of the 202nd Infantry Brigade which has operational jurisdiction over the area, said: “the government is aware and sensitive to the fact that beyond the financial grants under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program, it is imperative that we extend professional help to our former rebels, particularly the minors, so that they may be able to once again lead normal lives.”

He said the endeavor is the first in Southern Tagalog and is a product of collaboration and cooperation between the government’s AFP, DILG, DSWD, TESDA and NCIP which was supported by the private sector particularly by DV Boer International Farm Incorporated which is in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s call for a whole of nation approach in solving insurgency.

Rillera reaffirmed his commitment to his previous proclamation that his “soldiers will do everything within our means to protect our indigenous people’s innocence and peaceful nature from being exploited by the NPA terrorists whose desperation for relevance has turned them into a mere ragtag band of miscreants who have no place in Philippine society.”

Maj. Gen. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr., commander of the Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry Division which covers Southern Tagalog, took cognizance of Regional Task Force ELCAC 4-A’s innovation and going the extra mile to help the former rebels who decided to turn their backs from armed struggle.

“This significant activity is a manifestation of the Filipino people’s genuine yearning for peace and collective desire to help our fellow men who went astray or fell victim to deception and exploitation of the NPA terrorists,” Burgos said.

He condemned “the NPA’s rampant violation of internationally recognized conventions particularly those calling for the respect of the Indigenous People’s rights and those prohibiting the recruitment of minors” describing these as “deplorable acts within the terrorist organization which no word can ever justify."

The military said four out of the seven former rebels have already received PHP65,000 representing the immediate and livelihood cash assistance under E-CLIP.
The enrollment of the three other FRs to the program is currently on the process and their benefits are expected to be released anytime next month.

As of the moment, 2ID has recorded a total of 132 Dumagats who were liberated from the clutches of NPA terrorism since January 2020.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1113581

Soldier hurt; 4 rebels captured in southern Negros clash

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 27, 2020): Soldier hurt; 4 rebels captured in southern Negros clash (By Nanette Guadalquiver)



CAPTURED. Four Yunit Militia members of the New People’s Army -- Francisco Verde, Ronald Pacheco, Gene Boy Verde and Jovel Pacheco (from left to right), were captured by troops of the Philippine Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion after a clash in Sitio Cunalom, Barangay Carabalan in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental early morning on Thursday (Aug. 27, 2020). The suspects are now in the custody of Himamaylan City Police Station and charged with violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act in relation to the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020. (Photo courtesy of 94th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army)

A soldier of the Philippine Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) was injured in a clash with Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) rebels in a hinterland village of Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental at around 1:30 a.m. on Thursday.

The wounded, identified as Sgt. Danter Cag-ang, is now in stable condition.

Lt. Col. Angelo Guzman, commander of 94IB, said his men responded to reports of persistent extortion activities in the area in the past week.

“We will hunt these communist-terrorists until all of them are neutralized. They are not allowed to continue sowing fear in the communities,” he added.

For about five minutes, the troops engaged the rebels, who eventually escaped from the encounter site in Sitio Cunalom, Barangay Carabalan, but four of the NPA’s Yunit Militia members were captured.

They were identified as Jovel Pacheco, 41; Francisco Verde Jr., 37; Gene Boy Verde, 32; and Ronald Pacheco, 22.

A live ammunition of M79 grenade launcher was recovered from Jovel while a caliber .22 rifle loaded with a magazine with live cartridges was seized from Ronald.

Francisco yielded an improvised 12-gauge shotgun loaded with five live cartridges and a caliber .357 revolver with four live cartridges and two fired cartridges while Gene Boy possessed a caliber .38 revolver with Serial No. 772201 loaded with three live cartridges.
Now in the custody of Himamaylan City Police Station, the four suspects are charged with violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act in relation to Republic Act 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1113622

250 ex-NPA supporters finish peace-building seminar

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 27, 2020): 250 ex-NPA supporters finish peace-building seminar (By Edwin Fernandez)



NPA SUPPORTERS NO MORE. Former mass-based supporters of the communist New People’s Army hold a protest rally in the North Cotabato town of Antipas on Wednesday (Aug. 26, 2020). The protesters completed a one-week peacebuilding seminar from Aug. 23-26 facilitated by the Army's 72nd Infantry Battalion and local government. (Photo courtesy of 72IB)

Some 250 former mass-based supporters of communist New Peoples’ Army (NPA) operating in Antipas, North Cotabato, completed a four-day peacebuilding seminar, the Army here said Thursday.

Lt. Col. Rey Alvarado, Army’s 72nd Infantry Battalion (IB) commander, said the activity was a joint project of the Army unit and the local government aimed at capacitating the participants to become active players in the peace and development initiatives of the government.

Attendees to the Aug. 23–26 seminar consisted of former members of Underground Mass Organization (UGMOs) organized by the NPA Guerilla Front 53 in the villages of Camutan, Kiyaab, Malatab, Malire, and Magsaysay.

The participants attended lectures on social, economic, health, and political awareness as well as the government initiatives for peace and development.

The four-day activity ended with a peace rally at the Antipas bus terminal and subsequently followed by a closing program at the Antipas Central Elementary School.

“Let us all work hard in achieving peace and development in your barangay. No one can stop the progress in your communities if you fully support the programs of your local officials,” Rep. Rudy Caoagdan of North Cotabato’s 2nd district told the participants in a speech.

Alvarado assured 72IB's support to help Antipas residents achieve peace and progress in the town.

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1113541

Military front-liners to help in W. Visayas' fight vs. Covid-19

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 27, 2020): Military front-liners to help in W. Visayas' fight vs. Covid-19 (By John Rey Saavedra)



HELPING FIGHT COVID-19. Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Sec. Michael Lloyd Dino (second, left) discusses with Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia (right, in blue-green shirt) the plan to bring Cebu City's best practices in fighting Covid-19 on Thursday (Aug. 27, 2020). Dino said the Central Command will send two teams of military medical front-liners to help both Bacolod and Iloilo Cities in their efforts to address the health crisis. (Photo courtesy of Asec. Jonji Gonzales)

This city's experience in handling the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic will be shared with the cities of Bacolod and Iloilo by assigning the chief response implementer here to Western Visayas, Sec. Michael Lloyd Dino said on Thursday.

"We are able to stabilize the Covid-19 cases in Cebu City. Our brothers and sisters in Bacolod and Iloilo need our help as their Covid-19 cases are going up. Gen. Mel (Melquiades) Feliciano will be staying in Bacolod and Iloilo to replicate our best practices," he told the Philippine News Agency in an interview.

Dino, head of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV), said Feliciano offered to set up an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) similar to the one that Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu established here to synchronize all efforts in the fight against Covid-19.

He also confirmed that Central Command chief, Lt. Gen. Roberto Ancan, committed to sending two teams of military front-liners to augment healthcare workers in different Covid-19 hospitals in Bacolod and Iloilo.

OPAV Assistant Secretary Jonji Gonzales said each team of military front-liners will be composed of one doctor, three nurses, and three aides.

Dino also said his office will take care of the logistical needs in setting up new systems in addressing the Covid-19 situation in the two key cities in Western Visayas.

“Gen. Feliciano will be in both Iloilo and Bacolod daily to assist the LGU (local government unit) in their fight against Covid-19,” he said.

The decision to help Region 6's Covid-19 response came after the Department of Health (DOH) in Central Visayas reported the downward trend of Covid-19 cases in this city, citing the interventions done by Cimatu and Feliciano.

Feliciano is daily communicating with Mayor Edgardo Labella, other city officials, and barangay captains in finding solutions to the then rising number of coronavirus cases here.

Apart from establishing an EOC here, Cimatu and Feliciano also supervised the granular lockdown in selected villages as well as helped attend to the concerns of medical front-liners.

Dino brought Feliciano, Ancan, and Department of Health-7 Director Jaime Bernadas to meet with Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia to assess the Covid-19 situation and discuss Leonardia’s appeal to Duterte to send an augmentation of doctors, nurses and medical technologists and help them cope with the pandemic.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1113624

Zambo Sur town launches counter-insurgency plan

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 27, 2020): Zambo Sur town launches counter-insurgency plan (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)



Google map of Dumingag town, Zamboanga del Sur.

The Zamboanga del Sur town of Dumingag has rolled out its own a counter-insurgency program, dubbed as “Oplan Amuma”, to defeat "communist terrorism" in the municipality, officials said Thursday.

Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera, 53rd Infantry Battalion commander, said Oplan Amuma is the counterinsurgency action plan of Dumingag to end local communist armed conflict and to address the issues exploited by the communist New People’s Army (NPA), especially in its hinterland barangays of Dilud, Saad, Labangon, and Sunop.

Herrera said the four barangays are also the previous conflict-affected areas and priority barangays of the Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC) cleared through Community Support Programs (CSP) and Retooled Community Support Programs (RCSP).

Dumingag, composed of 44 barangays, is a second class municipality in Zamboanga del Sur. It has a population of 47,485 people as of the 2015 census.

Mayor Joan Abejuela, who chairs the municipal TF-ELCAC, said in a statement Oplan Amuma will significantly contribute to the municipality's fight against communist terrorism.

“With this counterinsurgency plan, we hope to completely erase the traces of communist terrorism in our municipality and address the issues for the sake of our people,” Abejuela said.

Herrera thanked Abejuela and the municipality government officials for their commitment to addressing communist terrorism.

“This action plan will not only help the military in its campaign against the (NPA) terrorists but will also help attain sustainable peace by addressing the issues exploited by the NPAs in the hinterlands,” Herrera said.

Dumingag is the first among the 26 municipalities and one component city in Zamboanga del Sur to launch a counterinsurgency action plan.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1113594

Zambo Norte builds halfway house of former rebels

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 27, 2020): Zambo Norte builds halfway house of former rebels (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)



HALFWAY HOUSE. Gov. Roberto Uy of Zamboanga del Norte (center) leads the inauguration of the PHP5-million halfway house in Dipolog City on Aug. 25, 2020. The facility will serve as a temporary shelter for former New People's Army rebels while undergoing livelihood training and other reintegration activities. (Photo courtesy of the Army's 1st Infantry Division)

The Zamboanga del Norte provincial government has built a PHP5 million Halfway House to address the needs of former communist New People’s Army (NPA) terrorists in the province.

Zamboanga del Norte Gov. Roberto Uy said Thursday that the halfway house will serve as the temporary shelter of NPA rebels residing in Zamboanga del Norte, as they undergo transformation and livelihood skills training during the processing of their benefits under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
He led on Tuesday the inauguration of the facility in Barangay Sta. Filomena, Dipolog City, the capital of the province.
Paizal Abutazil, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) regional director, commended Uy for implementing ECLIP programs, including the construction of the halfway house.

“Zamboanga del Norte is the first province to have completed the construction of halfway house in the region. This will serve as an incentive and motivation to other rebels who are still in the armed struggle,” Abutazil said.

Meanwhile, Uy thanked the members of the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) for their involvement in the campaign against the NPA in the province.

“The active efforts of our administration, together with the Philippine Army and the PNP (Philippine National Police), the DILG programs are swiftly implemented,” Uy said.

“Whatever you do, do your work heartily for the Lord, rather than the people of the world,” Uy added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1113609

PH Army vows to curb threats, help in good governance

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 27, 2020): PH Army vows to curb threats, help in good governance (By Priam Nepomuceno)



Philippine Army commander, Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana. (Philippine Army photo)

The Philippine Army (PA) will continue to capacitate its forces to defeat the various security threats and help in good governance, its chief said on Wednesday.

“We shall continue to be the hope of our people. We shall capacitate our forces to find, fix, and finish the enemy, exploit gains, and sustain good governance. We will exemplify honor, patriotism, and duty,” Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana said during his visit to the 53rd Engineer Brigade during its 53rd founding anniversary in Camp Lapu-Lapu, Cebu City.

Sobejana also lauded the brigade for supporting and contributing to the government’s socio-economic development programs in the Visayas region.

Meanwhile, Army spokesperson Col. Ramon Zagala said the unit assisted in several base development initiatives, including the enhancement of the Central Command emergency quarantine facility, and other projects in partnership with local government units and stakeholders.

"They also assisted the Covid-19 efforts in the distribution of relief goods, personal protective equipment, social amelioration for the affected families, fabrication of handwashing stations, and construction of quarantine facilities," Zagala said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1113514

Ex-soldiers, cops group says 'RevGov' illegal, baseless

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 27, 2020): Ex-soldiers, cops group says 'RevGov' illegal, baseless (By Priam Nepomuceno)


File photo

A group of retired military and police officials has called the proposed establishment of a “revolutionary government” as baseless and illegal.

"We are against the establishment of a revolutionary form of government because it is baseless, illegal, and will only add to the suffering of our people," the Advocates for National Interest (ANI), chaired by retired Lt. Gen. Edilberto Adan, said in a press statement on Wednesday.

Adan, a former commander of the Southern Luzon Command, served as executive director of the Presidential Commission on the Visiting Forces Agreement.

He was also a member of the Zenarosa Commission, which was formed in 2010 to dismantle private armies in the country during the term of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The ANI said such a proposal would bring major changes in the institutions of the country, including the legislative and the judiciary, through "authoritarian undemocratic means."

"It will produce bigger problems than what it tries to solve,” it added.

The group opposed any initiative from any sector that would undermine the Constitution.

"Our nation must remain united under one Flag, one Constitution," it said.

The ANI, meanwhile, expressed support for the Department of National Defense, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Philippine National Police, which swiftly rejected calls for the establishment of a revolutionary government.

It also said it sympathizes with Filipinos' suffering due to the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) outbreak on the economy.

"This challenging situation is exacerbated by the government’s struggle to battle corruption, to preserve our national security, and contain other ills that face our countrymen," the group added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1113519

More immediate measures than ML needed after Sulu blasts: AFP

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 27, 2020): More immediate measures than ML needed after Sulu blasts: AFP (By Priam Nepomuceno)



AFP Chief-of-Staff, Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay. (File photo)

While placing Sulu under martial law remains an option following Monday's twin bombings, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief-of-Staff, Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, on Thursday said what is needed now are measures that can be readily implemented against terrorist groups.

"The re-imposition of Martial Law in Mindanao is one of the options that we are considering but we need right now are measures that can be immediately implemented so we could right away arrest and check on activities of terrorist groups operating not only in Jolo, Sulu but in the entire island of Mindanao," he said in an interview with CNN Philippines.

Gapay said the proposal to place Sulu under martial would still need to undergo a thorough legislative process which could take time.

He added that what the AFP is pushing for now is the strict implementation of Proclamation 55 where President Rodrigo Duterte placed Mindanao under a state of national emergency due to lawless violence after the September 2016 bombing in Davao City, which killed 14 people and wounded over 60 others.

Another option, he added, is the newly-enacted Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

"Another thing we now have Anti-Terror(ism) Law of 2020 which will be put to test since we already have a case now, we had twin blasts in Jolo, so we are recommending and proposing the implementation of Presidential Proclamation 55 and as well as the implementation of the Anti-Terror Law, that’s what our immediate action to address immediately the threat of terrorism in Mindanao," Gapay said.

He added that these two measures are more than sufficient for the AFP to go after terrorists.

Philippine Army commander, Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, earlier recommended that Sulu be placed under martial law following the twin blasts.

Also, Gapay believes that Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Mundi Sawadjaan, whom Sobejana tagged as the mastermind behind the blast, is still in Sulu as the AFP immediately implemented a lockdown after the attacks.

Mundi is the nephew of Hatib Sawadjaan, the alleged ISIS emir in the Philippines, and reported as earlier neutralized by security forces.

"Immediately after the incident we had a lockdown and right now we are guarding the borders and really controlling the entry and exit of people and resources in the process," Gapay said.

He added that they have some information on the hideouts of these terrorists and troops are now operating in "target areas".

Cutting ASG support

Meanwhile, Gapay said surveillance operations on the ASG have yielded leads on the entities providing support to them.

"There are some leads, actually not only during the Marawi Crisis but in our continuing intelligence coverage of this Abu Sayyaf Group, so we have identified some NGOs (non-government organizations), conduits and there is also evidence that manifest foreign funding and we are really coordinating with (the) AMLC (Anti-Money Laundering Council) here and other entities too, in checking these accounts suspected to be the channel of funding for the Abu Sayyaf Group," Gapay said.

Aside from funding support, he added that the AFP has also detected personalities supporting the ASG who are now subject to monitoring.

More cops in Sulu

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Archie Gamboa, directed Special Action Force director, Major Gen. Clifton Empiso, and Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region head, Brig. Gen. Manuel Abu, to augment police forces in Sulu.

“Unless there is sufficient evidence establishing criminal involvement or administrative lapses leading to the attack, the PNP maintains full confidence in our ground personnel,” Gamboa said in response to calls that the Jolo Police Station be relieved over the incident.

Gamboa has also issued orders directing a deeper probe on the Jolo blasts by mobilizing the Philippine Bomb Data Center (PBDC) and Crime Laboratory for technical support to ongoing investigation on the blasts.

He added the PBDC analysts will seek to determine any specific bomb signature of the explosives that were detonated based on the reconstruction of forensic evidence gathered by the Crime Laboratory and other security forces that responded to the incident.

Any specific bomb signature that will be determined from the technical analysis will be compared with known bomb signatures from previous incidents that are stored in the PBDC database to possibly identify the person or group to whom the bomb signature can be associated with, Gamboa said. (with reports from Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1113547

3 options being considered after twin blasts in Jolo: Palace

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 27, 2020): 3 options being considered after twin blasts in Jolo: Palace (By Azer Parrocha)



TWIN BLASTS. Soldiers evacuate one of the casualties in the first of the two bombs that exploded in Jolo, Sulu on Aug. 24, 2020. The twin blasts killed 17people and injured 75 others. (Photo courtesy of 11th Infantry Division Explosive Ordnance Demolition)

President Rodrigo Duterte has three options to address terrorism in Mindanao in wake of the deadly twin blasts that killed 17 people and injured 75 others in the Jolo, Sulu on Monday.

In a virtual Palace briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said it is best to wait for the President to decide after considering the recommendations of the police, military, and other top officials.

“So abangan na lang po natin kung ano ang desisyon pero dalawang pong alternatibo—o tatlo ‘no: as is, martial law or iyong Anti-Terror Law (Let’s just wait for his decision but he has two alternatives or three: as is, martial law, or the Anti-Terror Law),” Roque said.

Roque said Duterte can decide to implement the Anti-Terrorism Law to address terrorism.

“Wala naman pong ibang dapat gawin pa kung Anti-Terror Law dahil iyon naman po ay naging batas na at pinatutupad na po natin (There’s nothing left to do if the President decides to implement the Anti-Terrorism Law because it’s already a law which is already being implemented),” he said.

Roque, in an interview over CNN Philippines on Tuesday, said Duterte needs to be “very careful” in assessing the recommendation because there should be a “legal and factual” basis to declare martial rule in Sulu.

“Although the recommendation has been made, the President has to be very careful that it will pass the scrutiny of the legislative and the judicial branches of government,” he said.

Even if Duterte failed to tackle the Jolo bombings in his public address last Monday night, Roque said, the President has already directed the top officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police during a joint command conference to take appropriate actions.

“The fact that he (Duterte) did not say anything, it’s probably because he has given the necessary orders to the top brass of the AFP and the PNP, and you don’t discuss what you intend to do as far as the situation on the ground is (concerned) publicly,” he said.

On Tuesday, Army Chief Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana proposed the reimposition of martial law in Sulu to control the movement of terrorists.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Brig. Gen Bernard Banac, said the police force also backed the proposal, noting that the absence of implementation rules and regulations (IRR) is delaying the enforcement of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro “Teddyboy” Locsin Jr. also supported the army chief’s proposal saying it would prevent another bombing attack in Sulu.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana as well as the Senate saw no need for martial law in Sulu since the Anti-Terrorism Law is already in effect.

'No need for IRR'

Enacted last July 3, the anti-terrorism law became effective on July 18.

Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, however, pointed out that the agencies tasked with crafting and issuing the IRR of the law would yet have to do so.

In an interview over RMN, Roque said an IRR is not necessary to be able to implement the law.

“Kailangan lang po ng IRR kung mayroong mga specific na tasking na gagawin ng mga departamento. Pero kung wala naman po, hindi na kinakailangan iyan – batas po is batas, puwede nang ipatupad (The IRR is only needed if there is a specific tasking which the department needs to carry out. But if there’s none, it’s not necessary. A law is a law, it can be implemented),” he said.

Roque also said petitions against the law filed before the Supreme Court will not affect the crafting of the IRR.

“Wala hong problema iyon kaya nga ano pang kinakailangan mong IRR? Eh nandoon na naman malinaw kung ano iyong kapangyarihan ng Anti-Terrorism Council (That’s not a problem that’s why is there a need for an IRR? The powers of the Ani-Terrorism Council are clear),” he said.

Reports showed that the first explosion happened along Serrantes Street in Walled City village in Jolo at about 11:53 a.m. on Monday, while the second occurred just 100 meters away at 1:06 p.m.

The attacks were reportedly carried out by two Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) suicide bombers.

One of the suicide bombers was an Indonesian national who was said to be the wife of 23-year-old Norman Lasuca, the first identified Filipino suicide bomber; while the other was the wife of Talha Jumsah alias Abu Talha, a slain bomb expert who served as the ASG’s liaison to the Islamic State (ISIS).

Section 18, Article 7 of the 1987 Constitution states that a president can declare martial law and suspend the writ of habeas corpus for a period not exceeding 60 days, in case of invasion or rebellion.

It also provides that such proclamation of martial law or suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus can either be revoked or extended for a period determined by Congress through joint voting.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1113587

Nothing to fear from anti-terror law, Parlade to religious groups

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 27, 2020): Nothing to fear from anti-terror law, Parlade to religious groups (By Priam Nepomuceno



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

If some members of the religious sector are really doing what they are mandated to, then they have nothing to fear from the newly-enacted Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, a ranking military official said Thursday.

Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade, Jr., Southern Luzon Command chief, made the statement after the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines (AMRSP) filed the 30th petition against the anti-terrorism law before the Supreme Court (SC) Wednesday.

In their petition, AMRSP said they fear of being suspected as terrorists in the course of their evangelical and missionary work.

"If these religious individuals are only doing what they are expected of them, to preach and evangelize, then they should not worry about anything. But if they allow themselves to be exploited and manipulated by communists in the religious sector, those belonging to the Christians for National Liberation (CNL), then definitely they will be in trouble with the law," said Parlade, who is also a member of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

He added that this is what happened to the Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation, Inc. (MISFI) and Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP) who allowed the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) to use them as a means of getting funds from the European Union, European churches and other organizations.
Once collected and sent to the coffers of the CPP, Parlade said, the money is used to build schools and educational centers used by communist terrorists in radicalizing their children or minors recruits.

"These funds to build Salugpungan schools, ALCADEV(Alternative Learning Center for Agriculture and Livelihood) CLANS, TRIFPSS (Tribal Filipino Program of Surigao del Sur) and many other alternative learning centers for IPs, for the purpose of radicalizing the children," he added.

He said CPP-New People's Army (NPA) terrorists and its allies are known to capitalize on children’s innocence, and project an inutile government, and inculcate a culture of violent revolution.

With such narrative, the future of children recruits of the communist terrorists goes down the drain.

"RMP officials eventually admitted giving the 'Supamil' (Suporta sa Pamilya) of rebels, funds for NPAs, and other requirements of the NPAs. When you do that what does that make you? A saint?" he said.

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

"Let's end this hypocrisy of the CNL members hiding under the cloak of MISFI and AMRSP. It is unfair to the genuinely religious who have dedicated their lives to lift the souls of the vulnerable from misery and poverty," Parlade said.

While not into generalizing things, the NTF ELCAC official said if religious groups won't aid known terrorist groups, then there is nothing for them to fear from the government and the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

"We don’t over-generalize but we will call spade a spade. If you don’t aid terrorists, then you are safe, no matter how loud your voices are in airing your grievance(s) against the government," he said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1113623

US to continue freedom of navigation drills in SCS: Navy

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 27, 2020): US to continue freedom of navigation drills in SCS: Navy (By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora)

The United States will continue sailing in the South China Sea to exercise its "freedom of navigation" and to reassure its allies that Washington is committed to maintaining a "free and open" Indo-Pacific region, a ranking US Navy official said Thursday.

"(The) US Navy has 38 ships underway today in the Indo-Pacific region, including in the South China Sea... We continue to fly, sail, and operate anywhere international laws allow to demonstrate our commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific while reassuring our allies and partners," US Navy Vice Admiral Scott Conn, commander of the US Third Fleet, said in a teleconference.

The statement came following reports that Beijing on Wednesday fired two missiles into the South China Sea a day after a US spy plane reportedly entered a "no-fly zone" during a Chinese military drill.

Conn said US forces continue to monitor the exercises throughout the region, including this reported ballistic missile tests in the contested waters.

"Our naval forces remain ready to respond to any threats to our allies and partners throughout the region," he said.

'RIMPAC'

Meanwhile, Conn highlighted the ongoing Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) event off Hawaii, the world’s largest maritime exercise which runs from Aug. 17 to 30.

Conn said the event demonstrates the "value of capable and adaptive maritime partners" in terms of ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

"RIMPAC is about building trust and strengthening relationships. It’s designed to foster and sustain cooperative relationships, critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific," he said. "If you look at the amount of trade that transits the world’s oceans and how important that is to all of our economies and our people, it’s having our likeminded navies ensuring that that free flow of goods continues to traverse our seas.”

The RIMPAC 2020 is comprised of navies from Australia, Brunei, Canada, France, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the Philippines, Singapore, and the United States, represented by 22 surface ships, one submarine, and approximately 5,300 men and women presently at sea.

Conn said Washington is glad that Manila participated in the event as represented by its missile frigate BRP Jose Rizal.

"That group of sailors, led by their captain, is doing a phenomenal job... And that team is doing a very, very good job," he said. "We continue to stress our free and open values, and we are just more than happy to have Philippines here with us this year."

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1113645