9 rebel returnees in Sultan Kudarat vow never to join NPA again

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 6, 2021): 9 rebel returnees in Sultan Kudarat vow never to join NPA again (By Edwin Fernandez)

SURRENDERED FIREARMS. A soldier arranges the rifles surrendered by nine communist rebels on Monday (April 5, 2021) in Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat. The surrenderers will be enrolled under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program as part of their reintegration into mainstream society. (Photo courtesy of 603rd IBde)

Some nine combatants of the New People’s Army (NPA) operating in the mountains of Sultan Kudarat province have surrendered to the military and vowed never to be duped again by the communist terrorist group.

Col. Eduardo Gubat, commander of the Philippine Army’s 603rd Infantry Brigade, said Tuesday the rebels were convinced to return to the fold of the law following weeks of negotiations.

Combined Community Support Program (CSP) teams of 37th Infantry Battalion and 57th Infantry Battalion have successfully convinced the rebels of the benefits of yielding to the government.

The rebels surrendered on Monday afternoon in Sitio Tinapakan, Barangay Datu Ito Andong, and Sitio Nursery, Barangay Sta. Clara, both of Kalamansig town.

Gubat said the former rebels were under the NPA West Daguma Front, Far South Mindanao Region operating in the mountains of Sultan Kudarat, and parts of Maguindanao and Sarangani provinces.

“These personalities revealed that they are members of ‘Militia ng Bayan’ and were brainwashed by a certain Edgar Kandi in joining the communist terrorist group,” Gubat said. “They surrendered to clear their names from any involvement in the unlawful activities of the CTG and to start living again a peaceful life with their families.”

The surrenderers turned over 10 shotguns and one homemade .38 caliber revolver.

“We have learned our lesson and we will never join the NPA again,” Ka Omeng, one of the surrenderers, told reporters in the vernacular during a phone interview.

Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander, said the surrenderers would be enrolled under the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program. Under this program, former rebels who reintegrate themselves into mainstream society are given support and livelihood packages.

The Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing 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/1135840

Ugale assumes as new BARMM top cop

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 6, 2021): Ugale assumes as new BARMM top cop (By Edwin Fernandez)

Newly-appointed PRO-BARMM Director, Brig. Gen. Eden T. Ugale (Photo courtesy of PRO-BARMM)

Brig. Gen. Eden Ugale assumed on Tuesday as the new director of Police Regional Office in the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao (PRO-BARMM).

Ugale replaced Brig. Gen. Samuel Rodriguez who will bow out of the service upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56 on April 28.

Rodriguez thanked the men and women of PRO-BARMM whom he worked with during his stint as the region's top cop since last year.

The BARMM is composed of the cities of Cotabato, Lamitan, and Marawi; the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi; and the 63 villages in six towns of North Cotabato.

“I thank all of you for supporting my thrust programs, kindly extend the same vigor to Brig. Gen. Ugale,” Rodriguez said during the turnover ceremony held Tuesday at the PRO-BARMM headquarters in Parang, Maguindanao.

Ugale is not new to the region having served as PRO-BARMM deputy regional director in 2018.

From BARMM, Ugale was transferred to Camp Crame to head the Philippine National Police Peace Process and Development Center.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1135894

NPA squad leader yields in Agusan Norte

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 6, 2021): NPA squad leader yields in Agusan Norte (By Alexander Lopez)

NEW LIFE AHEAD. The squad leader of the weakened Guerrilla Front 19, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee of the New People’s Army in Agusan del Norte, surrenders to the local police station in Kitcharao town, Agusan del Norte, Monday afternoon (April 5, 2021). Identified only as 'Saski' by the police, the surrenderer says he wants to renew his life and avail of the government's reintegration program for former rebels. (Photo courtesy of PRO-13 Information Office)

A squad leader of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) has surrendered to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Monday afternoon in the Agusan del Norte town of Santiago.

In a statement Tuesday, the Police Regional Office in Caraga (PRO-13) identified the rebel only as “Saski,” 30, a resident of Santiago.

Brig. Gen. Romeo M. Caramat Jr., PRO-13 director, said the rebel surrendered to the neighboring municipal police station in Kitcharao town and handed over a caliber .45 pistol and ammunition.

“He served as the squad leader of weakened Guerrilla Front (GF) 19, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) of the NPA,” Caramat said.

“Saski” had been in the NPA movement for more than three years, he added.

“He is also listed in the Periodic Status Report of the Joint AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines)-PNP Intelligence Committee Area for the 1st Quarter of 2021,” Caramat said.

He said the surrenderer "wished to renew his life" through the programs and services under the Enhanced Comprehensive Localized Integration Program (ECLIP).

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1135860

Cop hurt in Maguindanao ambush

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 6, 2021): Cop hurt in Maguindanao ambush (By Noel Punzalan)

Google map of Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

Police checkpoints have been doubled in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, following the ambush that wounded a police officer on Monday evening.

Col. Donald Madamba, Maguindanao police director, identified the victim as Patrolman An-Nur Diocolano Haron, 30, currently assigned at the Police Regional Office – Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PRO-BARMM) and a resident of this city.

"No one gets in and out of the municipality without being fully inspected,” Madamba told reporters Tuesday.

Madamba said Haron was riding a motorbike on his way home to this city past 6 p.m. when tailed and fired upon by motorcycle-riding suspects along the national highway in Barangay Rebuken, Sultan Kudarat town.

Witnesses said the gunmen left the policeman slumped by the roadside after the shooting.

Responding cops, with the help of concerned villagers, brought the wounded victim to the hospital.

Madamba believes the attackers were still inside the municipality, adding that cops manning the entry and exit checkpoints on Monday night were immediately informed of the incident and implemented strict inspection.

Madamba said closed-circuit television footage from a nearby establishment is also currently being reviewed by police investigators to determine the plate number or other markings on the motorbike used by the attackers.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1135854

DFA denounces Chinese embassy statement vs. Lorenzana

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 5, 2021): DFA denounces Chinese embassy statement vs. Lorenzana (By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz)

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday “strongly” denounced the Chinese embassy in Manila for calling “unprofessional” the statement of Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on the presence of Chinese ships off the Juan Felipe Reef in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

“The DFA strongly denounces the Embassy’s attempt to impugn the Secretary of National Defense -- a Cabinet Official of the Republic of the Philippines -- by calling his statement ‘unprofessional,’” the DFA said in a statement.

The DFA reminded Chinese embassy officials that as guests of the country, they must “observe protocol and accord respect” to Philippine government officials.

It reiterated Lorenzana’s demand for China to “immediately withdraw” its remaining ships in the vicinity of the Julian Felipe Reef and other adjacent features In the Kalayaan Island Group in the WPS.

“For every day of delay, the Republic of the Philippines will lodge a diplomatic protest,” the DFA said.

The Chinese embassy’s statement, the DFA said, contained “blatant falsehoods” when it claimed that the Chinese vessels stay in the area due to poor weather and that there are no “maritime militia vessels” in Philippine waters.

“The statement also attempted to promote the clearly false narrative of China’s expansive and illegitimate claims in the West Philippine Sea,” the DFA said.

It noted that the Juan Felipe Reef is part of the Kalayaan Island Group and lies within the country’s exclusive economic zone.

“It is located 175 nautical miles west of Bataraza town in Palawan and 638.229 nautical miles from Hainan Island,” the DFA said.

The DFA rejected the embassy’s assertion that the area is part of China’s “traditional fishing grounds,” noting that “tradition yields to law.”

“The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) -- to which both the Republic of the Philippines and China are parties -- and the final and binding 12 July 2016 Award in the South China Sea Arbitration are clearly the only norms applicable to this situation,” the DFA said.

The arbitration ruling, it added, conclusively settled that claims to historic or other sovereign rights or jurisdiction that go past those stated in the UNCLOS are “without lawful effect.”

It said the continued presence of Chinese vessels in the WPS “blatantly” infringe on the Philippines’ “sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction.”

“These are contrary to China’s commitments under international law and the ASEAN-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and demonstrate lack of good faith in the ongoing negotiations on a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea between Asean and China,” the DFA said.

On Saturday, the China Embassy called Lorenzana’s statement on the presence of Chinese ships “unprofessional,” adding that it may “further fan irrational emotions” and that it has “taken note of the perplexing statement.”

Lorenzana earlier repeated the demand for Chinese ships to leave the Julian Felipe Reef, noting that they have no more reason to take shelter amid good weather.

He said the latest maritime and aerial surveillance showed that “there are still 44 Chinese vessels that are in Julian Felipe Reef.” (

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1135787

DND sets another maritime patrol in WPS this week

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 6, 2021): DND sets another maritime patrol in WPS this week (By Priam Nepomuceno)

File photo

A maritime patrol will be carried out again this week to determine whether there are still Chinese militia vessels remaining off Julian Felipe Reef in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Monday night.

"We’ll see when our maritime patrol goes again this week," Lorenzana said in a message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

Earlier, Lorenzana said there are still 44 Chinese vessels off Julian Felipe Reef even if there is no good reason for them to stay there as the weather in the area has improved.

The defense chief also declined to comment on reports that there are Chinese missile boats spotted off Panganiban Reef which is also in the WPS.

"I can’t comment as we have no confirmation (yet)," he said.

The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea earlier expressed concern over a Philippine Coast Guard report about 200 Chinese fishing vessels, believed to be manned by Chinese maritime militia personnel, sighted in line formation at the Julian Felipe Reef on March 7.

The reef is located approximately 175 nautical miles west of Bataraza, Palawan.

"We have already lodged our diplomatic protest stating unequivocally our stand on the issue. We, again, reiterate our demand for the Chinese to leave our sovereign territories and abide by international law," Lorenzana said.

On Monday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) denounced the remarks of the Chinese embassy in Manila calling “unprofessional” the statement of Lorenzana regarding the issue.

It also reiterated Lorenzana’s demand for Beijing to “immediately withdraw” its remaining ships in the vicinity of the Julian Felipe Reef and other adjacent features in the Kalayaan Island Group in the WPS.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1135842

Navy to deploy missile boats in Mindanao next year

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 6, 2021): Navy to deploy missile boats in Mindanao next year (By Priam Nepomuceno)

Philippine Navy chief, Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo (File photo)

The Philippine Navy (PN) will deploy next year its fast attack interdiction craft-missile (FAIC-Ms) off the waters of Mindanao to help in operations against communist terrorist groups.

"The FAIC-M will be deployed initially in the Mindanao AORs (area-of-responsibility) where there is continuous operations against LTGs (local terrorist groups) and CTGs (communist terrorist groups) These platforms are best suited operating in these environments to act as effective deterrent not only against the terrorist groups but also against other lawless elements operating in the littoral areas," PN chief Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo said in response to the Philippine News Agency's on Monday night when asked where these naval craft will be deployed once delivered next year.

The FAIC-M project (also known as the Shaldag Mark 5) was already issued a Notice of Award (NOA) by the Department of National Defense (DND) last January 4.

"These individuals involved in piracy, smuggling, and human trafficking, among others, use fast boats and go from island to island in order to evade our maritime law enforcers. With the FAIC-Ms, the Navy can ensure that these criminal elements will be effectively neutralized and in the process provide a safe and secure maritime environment to our countrymen," Bacordo added.

The NOA was signed by DND Secretary Delfin Lorenzana as head of the procuring entity. The project, which consists of two lots, is worth around PHP10 billion.

Lot 1 consists of the acquisition of the naval platforms and the upgrade of the Cavite Naval Shipyard while Lot 2 is focused on the acquisition of the weapons system of these FAIC-Ms which include remotely-controlled gun and missile systems.

"Another milestone was achieved just recently which includes the successful negotiations for the Lot 1 (Platforms) & Lot 2 (Combat Systems and Missiles) of the Fast Attack Interdiction Craft-Missile (FAIC-M) Acquisition Project. This resulted in the provisions for an additional one unit with one set of remote combat weapon systems (on top of the programmed eight units FAIC-M) for the PN and an upgrade of the Naval Ship Yard - without additional cost to the government. Hence, the PN expects to obtain a total of nine missile-equipped FAIC(-Ms) in the coming years," Bacordo earlier said.

The FAIC-Ms is the replacement of the force of patrol killer medium (PKM) or medium-sized patrol craft, with deliveries expected to start in 2022.

Four of the FAIC-Ms will be armed with non-line-of-sight (NLOS) missiles with pinpoint accuracy and a range of 25 kilometers while the other four will be armed with machine guns and light automatic cannons.

With the FAIC-Ms, the PN shall have the capability to defend the key sea lines of communications (SLOCs), such as Mindoro, Balabac, Sibutu, and Basilan Straits against conventional threats.

While operating in restricted waters, the FAIC-Ms can interdict surface threats and launch NLOS missiles safely using the surrounding littoral areas as maneuver space and cover.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1135843

Lorenzana tests positive for Covid-19, now in isolation

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 6, 2021): Lorenzana tests positive for Covid-19, now in isolation (By Priam Nepomuceno)

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (File photo)

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said he will undergo isolation after being tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) Tuesday.

"The result of my RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) test today, 06 April 2021, came up positive. I will be undergoing isolation, following the quarantine guidelines to avoid infecting others. Those who have been exposed to me have been informed. They have been advised to isolate and get tested for Covid-19 as well," he said in a statement.

Lorenzana said the DND will continue to operate with a skeleton workforce to ensure continuity of service, with the prescribed health protocols strictly enforced.

"I would like to remind everyone that the threat of the virus is as real as ever, more so now due to the new variants. Let us all cooperate and abide by the prescribed health protocols to help in curbing the spread of Covid-19," Lorenzana said.

Last year, the DND chief tested negative for Covid-19 in March and April after coming into close contact with people infected with the virus.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1135966

CPP-NPA leaders yield in Isabela

From the Manila Times (Apr 6, 2021): CPP-NPA leaders yield in Isabela (By Leander C. Domingo)

GAMU, Isabela: Leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in this province have voluntarily surrendered to the Army’s 86th and 95th Infantry Battalion (IB) of the 5th Infantry Division (5th ID) over the weekend.

Major Jekyll Julian Dulawan, 5th ID public affairs officer, said Alias Popoy of NPA’s Squad Uno, Regional Sentro De Gravidad (RSDG), Komiteng Rehiyon-Cagayan Valley (KR-CV) was the first one to surrender to the 86th IB in Sitio Jet in Barangay San Guillermo in Isabela province.

Dulawan said Alias Popoy was recruited to the CPP-NPA in October 2020 by a certain Alias Andong.

Intelligence records show that Alias Popoy was among the CPP-NPA members and whose group had an encounter with the 86th IB in San Guillermo town in Isabela on March 15 where a certain Alias Yuni, a high ranking CPP-NPA official in Cagayan Valley, was killed.

Alias Popoy said he was able to sneak out, leaving his former comrades who threatened him if he left their organization.

“I am too tired having to hide from government authorities, experiencing starvation, moving from one place to another for food and shelter,” he said.

Alias Popoy said that while he felt bad fighting government troops, he was pressured and intimidated by his CPP-NPA cadres.

“With these, I decided to leave the terrorist movement and I was grateful that I was accepted by the government despite my affiliation with the terrorist group,” he said.

In San Mariano town, Isabela, Alias Kalahati/Rocket/Rudy also surrendered to authorities.

Alias Rudy, a leader of the Squad Dos of RSDG, KR-CV, was recruited in 2017 by a certain Alias Bang and Alias Kevin/Ron-Ron/Benjamin, a supply officer of Squad Tres of RSDG, KR-CV and who were recruited by Aliases Mandy, Rona, Zaldy and Lopez in 2016.

These NPA surrenderers said they have suffered enough since they joined the CPP-NPA movement which did not do them good and as promised by their recruiters.

Dulawan said the surrenderers are now under the custody of the authorities for their security while they are processing the benefits from the government under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/04/06/news/regions/cpp-npa-leaders-yield-in-isabela/860426/

36 NPA rebels in Aurora yield

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Apr 5, 2021): 36 NPA rebels in Aurora yield (By: Tonette Orejas)

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO –– At least 36 people presented as New People’s Army fighters in Aurora province surrendered to authorities at the Central Luzon regional headquarters in Camp Olivas here.

They yielded after a “series of negotiations” with military and police officers, according to Brig. Gen. Valeriano de Leon, regional police director, said in a statement.

He called the surrender part of the local peace engagement activities.

The rebels’ photographs released by Camp Olivas were pixelated, while their names or aliases were not mentioned in the statement.

The surrender made the 36 persons “eligible” to avail of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (e-clip) for rebel returnees.

De Leon said they would be provided with benefits such as livelihood, medical, education, housing, and legal assistance.

“Our government has several programs to retool you so that you could all become even more productive members of our society,” he said.

The military’s Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) reported the surrender of 364 rebels in four regions in the first three months of 2021.

The surrenderers in the Cordillera Autonomous Region, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, and Central Luzon regions gave up 34 firearms, according to Nolcom chief Lt. Gen. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr.

He said the 396 rebels who surrendered in 2020 yielded 191 firearms

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1415083/36-npa-rebels-in-aurora-yield

2 soldiers killed in ambush on Black Saturday

From the Visayan Daily Star (Apr 5, 2021): 2 soldiers killed in ambush on Black Saturday (BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN)

Army soldiers provide traditional military honors to their two fallen comrades at the Bacolod-Silay Airport, before the flag-draped coffins with their remains were returned to their families in Mindanao* Philippine Army photo

Two Army soldiers died on Black Saturday in an ambush staged by suspected New People’s Army rebels in Sitio Cambaga, Brgy. Yaoyao, Cauayan, Negros Occidental, a day after police troopers also rescued an injured communist rebel, following an encounter in Brgy. Nagbinlod, Santa Catalina, Negros Oriental.

Maj. Cenon Pancito, spokesperson of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, confirmed yesterday the death of the soldiers who belonged to the 15th Infantry Battalion and had been tasked to visit their Community Support Team unit stationed in the barangay.

The two slain soldiers were identified by the Philippine Army as Sgt. Jhoem Meguillo of Zamboanga City, and Cpl. Alaster Balboa of Midsayap, North Cotabato.

Pancito strongly condemned the ambush of the two soldiers, who, he said, were not on combat mode and in civilian attire, and travelling on board a motorcycle.

“These NPAs had just proven, once again, what cowards they are in waging a fight against the government troops,” he said. “Since they cannot face us in gunbattle, they resorted to staging an ambush even of soldiers in civilian attire, which is a clear violation of human rights and accepted rules of engagement,” he added.

While the 3ID mourns the soldiers’ death, “We vow to bring justice to these terrorists. The ultimate justice paid by our soldiers in bringing peace to Negros Island makes our resolve to hunt them down to be stronger than ever. They will pay the price,” he added.

Barangay Yaoyao in Cauayan is one of the areas in Negros where the NPA thrives, and was greatly affected by the CSP operations of the 15IB, its commander, Lt. Col. Erwin Cariño, said.

“We honor the heroism and sacrifices of our fallen comrades and we will ensure that justice will be served,” Cariño said.

A day earlier, troopers of the PNP Special Action Force and the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 7 rescued an injured NPA member, who was abandoned by his fleeing comrades, following an encounter in Sitio Hulway, Brgy. Nagbinlod, Santa Catalina, Negros Oriental.

The gunbattle, that lasted for about eight minutes, prompted the suspected NPA members to scamper to various directions and leave behind their injured comrade, as well as war materials, including a .45 caliber pistol and a 12 gauge shotgun with ammunition, two rifle grenades, a fragmentation grenade, a first aid kit, and personal belongings.

The injured NPA member, whose identity had not been established as of this time, was immediately treated, before he was brought to a medical facility in Negros Oriental.

It was also not established if the injured NPA member was among those who figured in an encounter on March 29 with SAF and RMFB 7 troopers in the same area where two suspected communist rebels died.

Ten communist rebels also died in an encounter with Army soldiers in Brgy. Trinidad, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental on March 23.*

https://news.visayandailystar.com/2-soldiers-killed-in-ambush-on-black-saturday/

PNP leads indignation rally vs CPP-NPA-NDF

From the Philippine Information Agency (Apr 5, 2021): PNP leads indignation rally vs CPP-NPA-NDF (By Edna A. Bagadiong) 

VIRAC, Catanduanes (PIA)- The Philippine National Police (PNP) Catanduanes Police Provincial Office (CATPPO) spearheaded the simultaneous Indignation Rally against the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs) on March 29, 2021 at Virac Town Plaza.

The activity aims to denounce the activities of the NPA and Communism and instill awareness to the community of the motives and intensions of this group.

A motorcade was held prior to the brief program where participants carried placards and tarpaulins denouncing the deception and continuing recruitment of minors and indigenous peoples by the CPP, NPA, and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDF). A candle lighting was also done.



In his message, PMaj Antonio I. Perez of Virac Municipal Station expressed his gladness that the public are already awakened against the lies and deceptions of the terrorist groups. He also urge the public to continue supporting the government to ensure the nation’s peace and security.

Present during the event were elements of PNP-CATPPO, Virac Municipal Police Station, Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terorismo (KKDAT) officers and members from to towns of Bato, San Andres, San Miguel and Virac, BJMP and BFP Virac, Philippine Army and Municipal Mayor Sinforoso M. Sarmiento, Jr. (PIA5/Catanduanes)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1071250

Cops hunt 2 men linked to Holy Thursday blast in Cotabato City

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 5, 2021): Cops hunt 2 men linked to Holy Thursday blast in Cotabato City (By Edwin Fernandez)

POST BLAST SCENARIO. Police officers conduct a post-blast investigation at the blast site in Barangay Bagua Mother, Cotabato City on April 1, 2021, that killed one and injured two others. City police officials said they are currently zeroing in on two “persons of interest” believed to be behind the attack. (Photo courtesy of Ferdinandh Cabrera)

COTABATO CITY – Police here are hunting down two “persons of interest” believed to be behind the Holy Thursday explosion near an old police outpost that killed one passerby and hurt two others.

“We are pursuing a lead, in due time they will be behind bars,” said Maj. Rene Dale Gabuat Cairel, city police station 4 commander, in a radio interview Monday.

He refused to identify the two individuals to preempt ongoing police operation.

Cairel said the blast, which happened at around 6 pm. along Jose Lim Sr. Extension Road, fatally hit Hasmad Kader with a shrapnel, and wounded two passersby.

Hasmad died on Saturday while undergoing treatment at the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center.

Two other victims, Marguilama Kalim and her son, Yusuph Talusan Kalim were on board a motorcycle near the old outpost of the police station 4 in the area when one of the three planted improvised explosive devices went off.

Army and police bomb disposal experts also found and successfully deactivated two more IEDs fashioned from 81mm mortars with a mobile phone as a trigger mechanism near the blast site.

Cairel said a review by police investigators on closed-circuit television camera footage from establishments near the blast site showed the presence of the two suspicious individuals in the area before the blast.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1135720

Zambo Sibugay dad killed by motorcycle-riding gunmen

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 5, 2021): Zambo Sibugay dad killed by motorcycle-riding gunmen (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)

Google map of Mabuhay town, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Motorcycle-riding assailants killed a councilor in the Mabahuay town of Zamboanga Sibugay and wounded his driver in a drive-by shooting Monday afternoon, police said.

Brig. Gen. Ronaldo Genaro Ylagan, Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) director, said he ordered an investigation into the killing of Mabuhay Councilor Alvarez Dammang, 45, who succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds.

Ylagan said the councilor's driver, Alamsa Sabturani, was in critical condition as of this posting.

Investigation showed that Dammang and Sabturani were aboard a motorcycle heading to the town of Talusan when shot by one of two men aboard another motorcycle around 1:10 p.m. Monday in Barangay Poblacion, Mabuhay.

Ylagan said the suspects, armed with an M-16 Armalite rifle, sped towards Barangay Mahayay, Talusan.

The incident occurred over a month after a gunman shot to death Mabuhay Vice Mayor Restituto Calogne.

Two others--Edgar Pampanga, the municipal engineer, and Hadji Abduhari Gapor, a former town councilor--were injured in the attack on February 26 in front of the Mabuhay municipal hall.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1135792

Bayan's comments on BDP funds not important: Sara

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 5, 2021): Bayan's comments on BDP funds not important: Sara (By Che Palicte)

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte (Davao City Information Office File photo)

Mayor Sara Z. Duterte dismissed Monday the claim of leftist Bagong Alyansang Makabayan–Southern Mindanao Region (Bayan-SMR) that the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) budget was a "waste of people’s money" amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

“I refuse to answer that. Their comments are not important,” Mayor Sara said in an interview over Davao City City Disaster Radio.

In a statement on March 31, Bayan-SMR said Davao City is set to receive the largest chunk of the NTF-ELCAC's allocation of PHP1.6 billion under the agency's Barangay Development Program (BDP).

The group questioned where the budget would be spent.

During BDP's virtual launching here in February, the city government proposed that a huge chunk of this city's PHP1.6 billion allocation would go to road concreting projects in rural areas.

Under the BDP, an initiative under the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC), around PHP1 billion would go to road projects in the barangays, while the rest of the budget would fund basic infrastructures such as water system and health centers.

The local government's 82 barangays will get a share of PHP20 million each to fund the identified projects.

At least PHP347.5 million will go to the water system, PHP192.5 million for school facilities, PHP37 million for health centers, PHP30 million for electrification, PHP25 million for evacuation centers, and PHP1 million for non-infrastructure projects.

Mayor Sara said the budget priorities reflected a human-centered approach to bring peace and development in rural areas "where government intervention is mostly needed, expected, and should be delivered on a regular and constant basis".

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1135809