People in PH protected from terror threats: AFP spox

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 15, 2021): People in PH protected from terror threats: AFP spox (By Priam Nepomuceno)

Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Col. Ramon Zagala

An Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) official on Wednesday assured that Filipinos and non-residents are "protected and kept safe" from terror threats in the country.

In a statement Tuesday, AFP spokesperson Col. Ramon Zagala said the military continues with the fight against all forms of terrorism and violence through intensified internal security operations aimed at preserving peace and order.

"We ensure that all citizens, Filipinos or not, as long as they are within our territory, are protected and kept safe from terrorists' threats. This is also to underscore the importance of the active participation of the populace in defeating terrorism since security is, after all, everyone's concern," he said.

The Philippines has not received any report of a possible terror attack, Zagala said, after the Japanese Embassy in Manila said Tuesday it had received an intelligence report of such threat in six Southeast Asian nations, including the country.

"We constantly validate all reports on security matters and it is a continuous process. As per the last review, our threat level is moderate," he said.

READ: Embassy confirms receipt of terror attack warning in PH, 5 others

The country's defense and military sector are on constant heightened alert for terrorism-related activities and threats since the 2017 Marawi siege, Department of National Defense spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said.

"We are working closely with other relevant government agencies and instrumentalities, such as the Anti-Terrorism Council to continuously monitor and assess terror threats within our borders all year round," Andolong said in a statement Tuesday.

He said the department took cognizance of the terrorism advisory issued by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to its citizens abroad, adding that the advisory would be subjected to validation.

Earlier, the AFP said it is taking seriously all received or disseminated reports of possible terrorism-related activities.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1153558

4 suspected Reds killed in NegOcc clash

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 15, 2021): 4 suspected Reds killed in NegOcc clash (By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan)

RECOVERED. The long firearms recovered from suspected New People's Army rebels who were killed during an encounter with the police and military in Sitio Balik Balik, Barangay Tabo in Ilog, Negros Occidental on Tuesday (Sept. 15, 2021). Four were killed while two rebels were wounded. (Photo courtesy of PNP PIO)

Four suspected New People's Army (NPA) communist terrorists were killed and two were wounded during an encounter with the police’s Special Action Force (SAF) and military units in Negros Occidental Tuesday.

Quoting reports from the ground, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, said the SAF and military operatives engaged a still unidentified number of rebels in a firefight that lasted more than an hour in Sitio Balik Balik, Barangay Tabo in Ilog at about 7:20 a.m.

“No casualties were reported on the government side. The PNP troops also recovered four long firearms," Eleazar said in a statement.

Police rescued and gave first aid treatment to the two wounded rebels, who were abandoned by their fleeing companions.

One of the wounded was identified as Nilda Bertulano who eventually needed medical evacuation. Her other wounded companion was not identified.

Bertulano is the subject of a warrant of arrest for murder issued by Judge Renato Muñez of Regional Trial Court Branch 60 of Cadiz City.

“The wounded CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines) - NPA terrorists will be given appropriate medical treatment until they can fully recover to face investigation and prosecution,” Eleazar said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1153561

PH waters secure, PCG assures after terror warning from Japan

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 15, 2021): PH waters secure, PCG assures after terror warning from Japan (By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz)

PCG personnel during a maritime exercise (Photo courtesy of PCG)

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Wednesday assured the public that it “sees no reason to be alarmed” after the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines warned of possible terror attacks in six Southeast Asian countries.

In a statement, PCG Commandant Vice Adm. Leopoldo Laroya said district commanders across the country have "always been" on intensified border protection and 24/7 seaborne patrol operations within their areas.

“With the latest pronouncement of the Japan Embassy, rest assured that our men and women will not put their guards down and will continue to be vigilant in conducting precautionary measures for public safety,” Laroya said.

He noted that PCG intelligence officers and deployed personnel are in close coordination with the National Intelligence Committee, Anti-Terrorism Council, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Philippines National Police to implement a whole-of-nation approach on national security.

READ: People in PH protected from terror threats: AFP spox

He called on the public to be vigilant and to report suspicious persons or activities in seaports, harbors, and coastal communities for “immediate action.”

Based on the directive of Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Laroya assured the continued normal operations of maritime stakeholders while the PCG performs “necessary initiatives to safeguard national security.”

On Tuesday, the Japanese Embassy released a warning of a possible terror attack in Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Myanmar.

It urged its citizens living in these countries to stay away from religious facilities and crowds after it obtained information that “there are increased risks such as suicide bombing.”

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1153608

AFP chief Faustino confirmed to 4-star rank

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 15, 2021): AFP chief Faustino confirmed to 4-star rank (By Priam Nepomuceno)

CA CONFIRMATION. Armed Forces of the Philippines chief-of-staff, Lt. Gen. Jose Faustino Jr., answers queries during his confirmation hearing at the Commission on Appointments on Wednesday (Sept. 15, 2021). Faustino said he and other confirmed military officers will prove to the Filipino people that they are worthy of living up to the ranks bestowed upon them by the national government. (Photo courtesy of AFP)

The Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday confirmed the promotion of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff, Lt. Gen. Jose Faustino, to four-star general.

“The AFP leadership is grateful for the Commission on Appointments’ continuous trust and support as we rise through the military ranks taking on higher responsibilities to serve our country,” he said in a statement.

Faustino, a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1988, replaced Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, a member of PMA Class of 1987, following his mandatory retirement last July 31.

Faustino earlier served as acting commanding general of the Philippine Army and head of the Eastern Mindanao Command.

The CA also approved the nominations of the head of Southern Luzon Command, Maj. Gen. Bartolome Bacarro to Lieutenant General; and Philippine Army (PA) chief-of-staff, Brig. Gen. Roberto Capulong, to Major General.

The commission also gave its consent to the nomination of Col. George Joel Lalaquil to Brigadier General, Brig. Gen. Peter Angelo Ramos to Major General, and Navy Captain Juan Ilagan to Commodore.

It likewise confirmed the promotion of Philippine Navy flag-officer-in-command, Vice Admiral Adeluis Bordado, and also of Brig. Gen. Robert Velasco, Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte and Brig. Gen. Augusto Gaite.

“We shall prove to the Filipino people that we are worthy of living up to the ranks bestowed upon us by the national government,” Faustino said.

Twenty-four PA Colonels were also confirmed by the CA and these are:

* Col. Franklin Fabic
* Col. Alfonso Matias Jr.
* Col. Ronald Illana
* Col. Angelo Lutera
* Col. Ferdinand Rondina
* Col. Jose Ramer Megio Sr.
* Col. Rex Banjo Bumanglag
* Col. Glenn Loreto Caballero
* Col. Roberto Breboneria
* Col. Ramir Redosendo
* Col. Elmer Jay Anibigno II
* Col. Julius Pamittan
* Col. Sisenando Magbalot
* Col. Leo Bongosia
* Col. Ricnon Carolasan
* Col. Wilfredo Amoma
* Col. Edmond Abella
* Col. Manuel Leo Gador
* Col. Freddie Europa
* Col. Benjamin Dao-On
* Col Francisco Molina Jr.
* Col. Edgar Allan Villanueva
* Col. Omar Orozco
* Col. Alaric Avelino Delos Santos.

Three Philippine Navy Captains and a Marine Colonel also got confirmation of their promotions: Capt. Tirso Chavez, Capt. Jude Joseph Sumpay, Capt. Marlon Roy Roa, and Col. Ronald Virtudazo.

Also confirmed were the promotions of Col. Perpetuo Tan Jr. from the Veterinary Corps, Col. Jesus Francisco Torbela from the Corps of Professors, and Col. Rene Tambago from the Chaplain Service.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1153622

House OKs bill resetting BARMM polls to 2025 on final reading

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 15, 2021): House OKs bill resetting BARMM polls to 2025 on final reading (By Filane Mikee Cervantes)

File photo

The House of Representatives on Wednesday unanimously approved on third reading a bill seeking to reset the first regular elections of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) from 2022 to 2025.

The bill's final approval came only two days after it was passed on second reading following the certification of urgency from President Rodrigo Duterte.

With 187 affirmative votes, zero negative votes, and no abstention, the chamber approved House Bill 10121 proposing to postpone for three years the first regular BARMM elections.

In a letter to Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, Duterte certified as urgent House Bill 10121 to "give the Bangsamoro transitional government sufficient time to complete its mandate, establish a strong bureaucracy, and enact foundational codes essential to the achievement of the aspirations of unity, genuine autonomy, and development" in BARMM.

With the certification, the House can immediately proceed with the third reading approval of the bill without waiting for three days after it was approved on the second reading.

The measure aims to provide the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), the 80-member interim lawmaking body of BARMM, another three years to complete its mandated duties, as cited in the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL)

Maguindanao Rep. Esmael Mangudadatu, who chairs the Special Committee on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity, said the Covid-19 pandemic has delayed the programs of the BTA, including the normalization and decommissioning process for thousands of former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants.

“The remaining nine months before the May 2022 elections or the (previous) months before the October 2021 filing of candidacy is not enough for both sides to deliver the remaining 65 to 75 percent in the political task alone,” Mangudadatu said.

To date, about 12,000 ex-MILF combatants were decommissioned during the second phase of the normalization track under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

The normalization process includes the decommissioning of MILF combatants and their weapons, and the transformation of several camps into productive and resilient communities.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1153659

Bill institutionalizing 1989 UP-DND accord hurdles 2nd reading

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 15, 2021): Bill institutionalizing 1989 UP-DND accord hurdles 2nd reading (By Filane Mikee Cervantes)

Photo courtesy of UP Diliman FB page

The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved on second reading a bill institutionalizing the 1989 University of the Philippines (UP)-Department of National Defense (DND) accord into the UP Charter.

The chamber passed through voice voting House Bill 10171, which seeks to amend Section 11 of Republic Act 9500 or the University of the Philippines Charter of 2008.

The bill mandates that prior notification should be given by the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), or any other law enforcement agency intending to conduct any police, military, or law enforcement operation in any UP campus nationwide to the UP President or the Chancellor of the constituent university or dean of the college concerned.

It seeks to ban members of the PNP, AFP, or other law enforcement agencies from entering the premises of any of the University campuses or regional units, except in cases of pursuit and similar occasions or emergencies, or whenever requested by law enforcers.

It mandates university officials, whenever requested by law enforcers, to extend the necessary assistance in law enforcement within the premises of the UP campuses.

It shall prohibit subjecting any student, faculty member, or employee to custodial investigation without prior notice to the University President or Chancellor of the constituent university or Dean of the regional unit concerned.

Members of law enforcement agencies shall be prohibited from interfering with peaceful protest actions by individuals or groups within university premises.

The DND-UP Agreement signed on June 30, 1989 prohibits the military and the police from entering all UP campuses without prior notice to its administration.

The agency decided to terminate the agreement effective Jan. 15, 2021, with Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana calling the arrangement "obsolete".

Lorenzana said the agreement was used by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) to turn UP into the breeding ground of "intransigent individuals and groups whose extremist beliefs have inveigled students to join their ranks to fight against the government".

The CPP-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/1153654

MILF: BMN launches ‘Kaunlaran sa Bangsamoro Teleradyo Program’

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Website (Sep 14, 2021): BMN launches ‘Kaunlaran sa Bangsamoro Teleradyo Program’ (By Muhammad Musa, Luwaran)



COTABATO CITY – The Bangsamoro Multimedia Network (BMN) Inc., launched a Teleradyo Program dubbed as “Kaunlaran sa Bangsamoro” last September 4, 2021 in its office studio at Jamiat Cotabato Institute of Technology in this city.

The BMN Executive Director, Faydiyah Akmad, MAIS said that the teleradyo program aimed at promoting the best stories, progress and developments in the Bangsamoro and milestones accomplishments of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

“Ang Kaunlaran sa Bangsamoro ay isang program na kung saan pag-uusapan natin kung ano yung mga improvements, developments, na nangyayari na sa Bangsamoro. Bakit? Dahil napakahalagang malaman ito ng maraming tao,” she said.

(Kaunlaran sa Bangsamoro is a program where we tackle improvements and developments that happen in the Bangsamoro. Why? Because it is important for people to know)

To deliver an accurate, reliable and true information to the general public on BARMM accomplishment is one of the goals of this program,” Akmad added.

According to Akmad, the series of talk show will be simulcast in BMN’s Facebook page and DXJC 92.1 Voice Fm Cotabato which can be heard every Tuesday at 10AM-11AM, Thursday night from 8PM-9PM and Saturday afternoon at 2PM-3PM.

The President of Voice Fm Cotabato, Saad Sindatok, joined the launching and expressed his gratitude to the partnership of BMN and his radio station.

This month series of talk show episodes will focus on the participations of Civil Society Organizations (CSO) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in the call for Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) extension up until 2025.

“The Civil Society Organizations Movement for Moral Governance (CSO-MMG) has led the advocacy,” said Ammier Dodo, Spokesperson of (CSO-MMG) as he related how the organization was formed in May 2020 in pushing for the Bangsamoro transition period extension.

Dodo enumerated some of the reasons why BTA period needs be to extended. “This is to provide more time for both the BTA and the National Government to implement the provision of R.A. (Republic Act) 11054 or BOL (Bangsamoro Organic Law) and CAB (Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro) and in implementing steps that will pave the way to recovery and normalization of conflict affected communities. These will result to strong and solid transition from conflict to reconciliation and peace in the Bangsamoro,” he emphasized.

Dr Rahib Kudto, President of United Youth for Peace and Development (UNYPAD) Inc., also joined the conversation in the 2nd episode of Kaunlaran sa Bangsamoro. Kudto introduced how and when UNYPAD was formed and their efforts and contributions in sustaining peace and development in the Bangsamoro.

On what to propose if BTA will be extended he said, “…gusto kong magkaroon ng isang ministry, hindi lamang isang commission kundi pagkakaroon ng batas that will create the Ministry for Youth.”
(I wish there will be one ministry, not only commission but we will have a law that will create the Ministry for Youth).”

Kudto has encouraged every Bangsamoro to continue the support for BTA extension period.
“Ipagpatuloy natin ang ating suporta sa pag extend ng BTA, sapagkat ito lamang ang tanging paraan na mabigyan ng espasyo ang pagpapatupad ng mga dapat ipatupad na napaloob sa batas,” he explained.
(Let us support the extension of the BTA period for this is the only way that we can give space to implement what are need to be implemented that is provided by the law.)

The President of League of Bangsamoro Organizations (LBO) Prof. Hashim Manticayan has also joined the conversation via zoom and shared the efforts and roles played by LBO from BOL campaign and the Bangsamoro plebiscite up to the call for transition period extension.

“Community discourse, mass mobilization, rally sa Metro Manila ay umabaot tayo. Several caravans po ang nagawa natin pati narin po yung more than 1 million signature campaign supporting the extension of BTA. Naging aktibo rin po ang ating kasamahan lalong-lalo na po yung mga members natin na napakaraming tauhan sa baba,” Manticayan said.

(Community discourse, mass mobilization, rally in Metro Manila, we even reached that. We did several caravans and reached more than a million supporters in the signature campaign for the BTA extension. Our colleagues were so active especially our members in the grassroots.)

“Kailangan mas lalo pa nating paigihin yung efforts natin upang itong nakamit natin na tagumpay sa pagsulong ng kapayapaan at kaunlaran sa bayan ng Bangsamoro ay ma sustain po, kung kaya’t itong extension ng BTA ay hindi po nahuli ang LBO,” he said.

(We need to strive more in our efforts to achieve peace and development in the Bangsamoro, we need to sustain it. That is why in this call for BTA extension, LBO is not left behind.)

Lawyer Mary Ann Arnado, Secretary General of Mindanao People’s Caucus (MPC) also joined the talk via zoom.

She related that the call for extension first came out during the Rapid Midterm Review which was conducted by MPC last year.

According to Arnado, these includes the problems encountered during the transition and also to look at recommendations coming from the civil society to be able to help improve the performance of the BTA.

The MPC conducted the midterm review and tackled the two (2) tracks, one track is on the political side--political track and the other one is on normalization.

“Yung mga recommendations po natin ng MPC is very constructive and still in the spirit of really ensuring that the peace agreement would really be fully implemented and completed also because of that we came out with the recommendation to extend the transition period because we have found out that kulang na talaga tayo sa oras (we lack time). Midterm pa lang (only). When we started in 2019 medyo parang nagkulang na kasi (it seemed there is not enough time) the whole year of 2019 more on turn over lang yun eh,” Arnado said.

“If you look at the period of transition over 3 years and some months total period niya and we have observed na the transition period by itself is really, very short. So, if we are here to address institutional reforms and political reforms within the Bangsamoro medyo yung (that) 3-year period by itself ay kulang talaga (really not enough). So iniisa-isa namin yung (we laid down one by one) priority task ng BTA and given that short period kahit walang pandemic ay kukulangin tayo sa oras (even when there is no pandemic, still the time is not enough),” she emphasized.

She also gave an update about the recent status of Senate Bill 2214 where 15 senators voted in favor and only 3 were against and one has abstained.

“If you look at the approved version of the senate and the substitute bill halos wala ng (there is almost no) conflict they have the same title, they have the same section 1 and section 2 on what to do with the BTA members, the incumbent BTA members merong provision doon na from the expiration of the term of the 80 members, the BTA, the President will appoint new members who will serve the term up to June 30, 2022,” she added.

Arnado said the next session scheduled this coming September 13, 2021, Monday and that there are only 12 session days remaining before congress will go on recess.

Arnado is optimistic that the law providing for the Bangsamoro transition period extension will be passed.

A leader of Indigenous Peoples (IP), Archie Buaya, Chairman of Confederation of Descendants of Rajah Mamalu (CDORM) who guested the program on Saturday, September 11 said they are happy that the plight of IPs is among of the priorities of the “Moral Governance” espoused by BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim.

Buaya said that they have now the voice in the Bangsamoro government and they will continue to support the call for transition period extension so that all the Bangsamoro codes and developments especially for IP community will be put in place.

Bangsamoro Multimedia Network (BMN) Inc. News Release #001-2021
Sept 11, 2021

[Luwaran is the official online publication of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Committee on Information, MILF Central Committee]

https://www.luwaran.com/news/article/2386/bmn-launches----kaunlaran-sa-bangsamoro-teleradyo-program---

3 NPA rebels killed, 4 wounded in Negros town clash

From the Manila Bulletin (Sep 14, 2021): 3 NPA rebels killed, 4 wounded in Negros town clash (By Glazyl Masculino)

Three suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed, while four others, including a policeman, and an alleged NPA leader were wounded in an encounter with the Philippine National Police (PNP) – 6th Special Action Force Battalion (6SAB) at Barangay Tabu, Ilog, Negros Occidental on Tuesday morning.

Police Lt. Col. Ryan Manongdo, 6SAB commander, said the firefight lasted for about an hour, but no civilians were affected, as the encounter site is far from the houses.

Manongdo did not elaborate further on how the clash occurred, as it could jeopardized their operation, but stressed it was a “legitimate operation.”

Manongdo said the three wounded suspected NPA rebels, including their alleged leader were given first aid by the police combat medics and were guarded while waiting for them to be transported.

Manongdo said a member of the 6SAB suffered minor injuries in his chest after his vest was hit during the firefight. That cop, however, has rejoined his colleagues in the clearing operation.

Authorities initially recovered four M16 rifles.

Manongdo said nine individuals who were suspected to have links with the NPA after they were caught at the adjacent area near the encounter site were also held for questioning.

“We’ll check if they have arrest warrants,” said Manongdo.

Manongdo said the 2nd Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company, and the Army’s 15th Infantry Battalion (IB) augmented the 6SAB as clearing operation is ongoing.

https://mb.com.ph/2021/09/14/3-npa-rebels-killed-4-wounded-in-negros-town-clash/

NPA admits to burning of backhoe

Posted to the Sun Star-Bacolod (Sep 14, 2021): NPA admits to burning of backhoe (By TERESA D. ELLERA)

NEGROS. The backhoe torched by the suspected rebels in Barangay Carabalan in Himamaylan City over the weekend. (Contributed photo)

THE Mount Cansermon Command of the New People’s Army (NPA) South Central Negros (MCC-NPA) admitted Tuesday, September 14, that it was responsible for the burning of a P3.5-million backhoe in Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City on September 11, 2021.

[Subscription is required for full article]

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1907292/Bacolod/Local-News/New-Peoples-Army-admits-to-burning-of-backhoe

3 suspected rebels killed, 14 captured in gun battle

Posted to the Sun Star-Bacolod (Sep 14, 2021): 3 suspected rebels killed, 14 captured in gun battle (By TERESA D. ELLERA)

NEGROS. A gun battle ensued between SAF troopers and suspected members of NPA in Barangay Tabu, Ilog town, Negros Occidental on September 14, 2021. (Contributed photo)

THREE suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed, while 14 others were arrested, including a suspected high ranking official, during an encounter with the police elite Special Action Force (SAF) troopers in Barangay Tabu, Ilog town, Negros Occidental Tuesday, September 14.

[Subscription required for full article]

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1907295/Bacolod/Local-News/3-suspected-rebels-killed-14-captured-in-gun-battle

4 rebels killed in Negros Occidental clash; 2 others wounded

From ABS-CBN (Sep 14, 2021): 4 rebels killed in Negros Occidental clash; 2 others wounded

Four suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA) in Western Visayas were killed in an armed encounter with police and military forces Tuesday.

In a statement, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said an undetermined number of armed rebels engaged in an hour-long firefight with government forces in Sitio Balik Balik, Barangay Tabo, Ilog, Negros Occidental Tuesday morning.

Four rebels died while two others were wounded. They were abandoned by their companions, the PNP said.

"No casualties were reported on the government side. The PNP troops also recovered four long firearms," PNP chief Police General Lorenzo Eleazar said.

One of the wounded rebels was later on identified as Nilda Bertulano, who has an existing warrant of arrest for murder.

Eleazar said they received information that the rebels are actively recruiting new members in the area.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/14/21/4-rebels-killed-in-negros-occidental-clash

MILF: House OKs bill postponing BARMM polls on 2nd reading

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Website (Sep 14, 2021): House OKs bill postponing BARMM polls on 2nd reading (By Noel Punzalan, PNA)



Maguindanao 2nd District Representative Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu (Photo from Rep. Mangudadatu's FB page)

COTABATO CITY – The House of Representatives approved on second reading Monday the bill seeking to reset the first regular elections of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) from 2022 to 2025, a lawmaker from Maguindanao announced here Tuesday.
“The transition must be extended for a longer period,” Maguindanao 2nd District Representative Esmael Mangudadatu, sponsor of the bill, said in a statement.

House Bill (HB) 10121 aims to provide the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), the 80-member interim lawmaking body of BARMM, another three years to complete its mandated duties, as cited in the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL). “The remaining nine months before the May 2022 elections or the (previous) months before the October 2021 filing of candidacy is not enough for both sides to deliver the remaining 65 to 75 percent in the political task alone,” Mangudadatu said.

The House approved on second reading HB 10121 through viva voce voting due to coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) restrictions.

Mangudadatu said the Covid-19 pandemic has delayed the implementation of the programs of the BTA, including the normalization and decommissioning process for thousands of former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants.

To date, about 12,000 ex-MILF combatants were decommissioned during the second phase of the normalization track under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

The normalization process includes the decommissioning of MILF combatants and their weapons, and the transformation of several camps into productive and resilient communities.

If passed into law, BARMM election polls will be moved from May 2022 to 2025.

On Sept. 6, the Senate approved on third and final reading of Senate Bill 2214 that also sought for the resetting of the first regular elections in the BARMM to 2025.

Meanwhile, the BTA has so far enacted three of six priority measures for the region -- the civil service, the administrative, and the education codes -- under the BOL.

Still undergoing deliberation at the BTA plenary are the region’s electoral, local government, and revenue codes. (PNA)

[Luwaran is the official online publication of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Committee on Information, MILF Central Committee]

https://www.luwaran.com/news/article/2385/house-oks-bill-postponing-barmm-polls-on-2nd-reading

CPP/CIO: Expose and condemn all of Duterte’s corruption

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Sep 14, 2021): Expose and condemn all of Duterte’s corruption

MARCO VALBUENA

CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER

COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES

SEPTEMBER 14, 2021

The investigation being conducted by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee continues to unravel the details of the ₱42 billion pandemic scam involving the anomalous government purchase contract of overpriced face masks and other medical equipment last year. But even as threads of corruption continue to get untangled, it is already quite apparent to the Filipino people that Rodrigo Duterte himself, through his dummy Michael Yang, is involved in swindling the Filipino people.

What we can deduce so far are the following:

a) Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. is a paper company that serves as a dummy corporation of a Chinese official who is in cahoots with the Duterte government. Duterte, through Michael Yang, made a deal with this Chinese official to supply face masks and face shields at the outset of the pandemic when domestic supplies became tight. The ₱8.7 billion purchase deal was to be accomplished with Pharmally serving as importer.

b) Despite fully capable of accomplishing the necessary purchases, the Department of Health (DOH) was ordered to remit ₱42 billion to the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) to be used for various government purchases, including Duterte’s deal with China. Christopher Lao, an underling of Duterte’s trusted aid, Bong Go, was appointed to the PS-DBM by then Sec. Wendel Avisado, who is also a long-time Duterte official since his Davao mayor days.

Despite being a mere cog in this giant corruption machine, Health Sec. Franciso Duque III, who belongs to the Arroyo clique, apparently had wanted a bigger take. However, he was put into his place when the pro-Duterte majority in the senate issued a resolution calling for his resignation last April 2020 while Duterte’s aide Sen. Bong Go threatened to call for an investigation.

c) The face masks and face shields purchased through Pharmally were overpriced by as much as five times than the same items bought by the Red Cross during that time. The prices of the face masks were higher by at least twice the ₱13.50 a piece purchased from the EMS Corporation, which was later reduced to ₱2.35 a piece resulting in losses to the said company.

d) Pharmally Corporation, which claims to have only ₱625,000 capitalization, was financed by Michael Yang by at least ₱2.3 billion, to deliver the purchase contract of personal protective equipment (PPE). The PPE deal earned at least ₱1.52 billion in profits based on Pharmally’s claim that the PPEs were purchased at ₱1,150 each from its supplier and sold to the PS-DBM for ₱1,910 each (or ₱760 mark up on each item). There are claims that Yang pocketed the lion’s share of the profits, and that the Pharmally executives received only a small percentage.

We estimate that the investigations will reveal further lurid details of the corrupt deal, as well as other corruption schemes under the Duterte regime. These will likely show how the Bong Go-Christopher Lao-Michael Yang triumvirate serves as Duterte’s conduit to the Chinese bureaucrat capitalist and criminal syndicates. The Pharmally scandal is most probably just a small piece of the gargantuan criminal and corrupt operations under the Duterte regime.

The corruption and criminal activities of Duterte and his ilk are tightly bound to China. It is being reported that since Duterte assumed power in 2016, the Philippines has become a haven for money laundering of Chinese drug syndicates where money is being poured into casinos, offshore gaming operations and real estate (including the purchase and development of condominiums and entire islands as luxury getaways for Chinese billionaires and megamillionaires).

It is quite obvious that Duterte is harried by the investigations and fear that details revealing him to be holding the smoking gun of large-scale corruption will be exposed. Duterte is stepping up his effort to prevent the explosion of the people’s anger by undermining the Senate and ordering his cabinet officials to ignore summons to testify, the same tactic used by Gloria Arroyo in stoppling then congressional investigations into the NBN-ZTE deal. He is also using the people’s money to buy airtime for his now twice-weekly “talk to the people” where he engages in endless tirades against senators involved in the investigation and distract the public with one false claim after another.

All these anomalies and corruption in public funds show how bureaucrat capitalist operations work in the Philippines, and how officials of the reactionary state continue to accumulate wealth through bribery and cuts in government contracts, as well as protection money for gambling, drugs and other criminal syndicates.

Duterte’s makes pretenses of simple living to put up false appearances to dupe the public that he is incapable of corruption. This is, however, belied by his taste for luxurious private jets which he uses for frequent trips to Davao and secret trips abroad, and by his mistress’ appetite for high-living. Way beyond serving his personal affluence, however, the billions of pesos of public money that Duterte has his hands on are used to buy the loyalty of politicians who are awarded with favored government contracts, fund releases and other forms of privilege.

Like Marcos and many other tyrants, Duterte is sufficiently adept at hiding his accumulated wealth other than in his own bank accounts. Thus, one wonders why he would not want his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) released to the public, when most of his illegal wealth will not be listed in it anyway. Just as Marcos had his Cojuangcos, Floirendos, Disinis and Benedictos to serve as his cronies to hold his wealth, Duterte now has his Michael Yang and others to keep his wealth in dummy corporations and secret bank accounts overseas.

The Filipino people are seething with outrage over the exposure of large-scale corruption, plunder and squandering of their tax money, especially since the pandemic during which they were made to suffer prolonged lockdowns, unemployment, loss of income, shuttered schools, higher prices, poverty and hunger. They are outraged by the fact that billions upon billions of pesos that should have gone to improving the public health system and economic aid, instead went to the pockets of criminals and corrupt officials and to highly questionable infrastructure projects.

It is to the interest of the Filipino people that the Senate investigations must continue to dig deeper into and expose how Duterte himself is the mastermind of corruption. The Filipino people must support these investigations and condemn Duterte for his attempts to prevent the truth from being revealed. They must call on all people of integrity to resign from the corrupt government and reveal all they know about the regime’s corruption. They must hold public meetings in their factories, offices, communities, hospitals and online to forge their united stand against the corruption of the Duterte regime. They must go to the streets and manifest their demand for an immediate end to Duterte’s corrupt and tyrannical regime.

https://cpp.ph/statements/expose-and-condemn-all-of-dutertes-corruption/

CPP/NPA-South Central Negros: Revolutionary government reminds the ruling class not to engage in destructive and harmful economic activities

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Sep 14, 2021): Revolutionary government reminds the ruling class not to engage in destructive and harmful economic activities

DIONESIO MAGBUELAS

SPOKESPERSON

NPA-SOUTH CENTRAL NEGROS (MT. CANSERMON COMMAND)

NEGROS ISLAND REGIONAL OPERATIONAL COMMAND (APOLINARIO GATMAITAN COMMAND)

NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY

SEPTEMBER 14, 2021

The Mount Cansermon Command – New People’s Army South Central Negros (MCC-NPA) burned a backhoe situated at Sitio Bulod, Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental around 6:00 in the evening last September 11, 2021 to remind the ruling class not to engage in destructive and harmful economic activities.

What the elite calls “development projects” are detrimental to the poor peasants and the ancestral domain of the Indigenous Peoples particularly in the mountain ranges and forest lands of Cambantog, Trukat, Tahod Ilajas and Cansermon in the boundary areas of Binalbagan and Himamaylan City in Negros Occidental and La Libertad and Tayasan in Negros Oriental.

The road construction of Himamaylan City-Negros Oriental Boundary along Tayasan Road is meant to pave the way for the entry of multinational mining companies and other big businesses targeting the estimated 1,100 hectares of Tribu Itoman-Maghat-Bukidnon lands. Through the years development aggression have threatened ancestral lands of the tribe in the hinterlands of Himamaylan City.

Big capitalists have tried to initiate plantations of cash crops such as palm tree and pineapple, mining explorations in the aforementioned mountain ranges, and an area survey to construct a dam along the Ilog-Hilabangan River Basin but failed due to the collective resistance of Indigenous Peoples and other residents. These economic projects will bring in huge profits for the multinational firms but it will displace the people and their livelihood and harm the environment.

After Duterte lifted the moratorium on mining last April followed by an executive order of the provincial government of Negros Occidental supporting the move, tribe members living and farming-hunting in areas of Himamaylan City designated as forest reserve and watershed zones through the NIPAS Act of 1992 were threatened by the military to vacate their houses within 2 months. Besides using legal manipulation, the 3rd Infantry Division of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) launched a ceaseless military campaign employing the 62nd and 94th Infantry Battalions that resulted in grave criminal acts and human rights violations documented in the mentioned target areas. The Cambantog mountain range was bombed by the AFP using mortars and howitzer canons last June 9.

The AFP is clearly a mercenary group of the ruling class used as attack hounds to drive the people away from the areas targeted by big mining firms and as security guards of their properties and business operations.

The revolutionary government does not tolerate destructive and harmful economic activities within its territory. It is ever determined to penalize any anti-people projects.

The MCC-NPA together with the revolutionary forces remains vigilant in serving the people and the revolution. ###

https://cpp.ph/statements/revolutionary-government-reminds-the-ruling-class-not-to-engage-in-destructive-and-harmful-economic-activities/

CPP/NPA-South Central Negros: NPA burns backhoe, warns elite engaging in destructive and harmful economic activities

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Sep 14, 2021): NPA burns backhoe, warns elite engaging in destructive and harmful economic activities

DIONESIO MAGBUELAS

SPOKESPERSON

NPA-SOUTH CENTRAL NEGROS (MT. CANSERMON COMMAND)

NEGROS ISLAND REGIONAL OPERATIONAL COMMAND (APOLINARIO GATMAITAN COMMAND)

NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY

SEPTEMBER 14, 2021

The New People’s Army South Central Negros Mount Cansermon Command (MCC-NPA) admitted to burning a backhoe situated at Sitio Bulod, Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental around 6:00 in the evening last September 11, 2021.

In a statement issued today, MCC-NPA spokesperson Ka Dionesio Magbuelas explained that it served as a reminder to the ruling class not to engage in destructive and harmful economic activities.

“What the elite calls ‘development projects’ are detrimental to the poor peasants and the ancestral domain of the Indigenous Peoples particularly in the mountain ranges and forest lands of Cambantog, Trukat, Tahod Ilajas and Cansermon in the boundary areas of Binalbagan and Himamaylan City in Negros Occidental and La Libertad and Tayasan in Negros Oriental,” he said.

Magbuelas noted that the “the road construction of Himamaylan City-Negros Oriental Boundary along Tayasan Road is meant to pave the way for the entry of multinational mining companies and other big businesses targeting the estimated 1,100 hectares of Tribu Itoman-Maghat-Bukidnon lands” in the hinterlands of Himamaylan City which through the years have been threatened by development aggression.

According to him, big capitalists have tried to initiate plantations of cash crops such as palm tree and pineapple, mining explorations in the aforementioned mountain ranges, and an area survey to construct a dam along the Ilog-Hilabangan River Basin but failed due to the collective resistance of Indigenous Peoples and other residents.

“These economic projects will bring in huge profits for the multinational firms but it will displace the people and their livelihood and harm the environment,” he said.

Mining and militarization
The MCC-NPA remarked that grave criminal acts and human rights violations have escalated in the mountainous areas of Himamaylan City after President Duterte lifted the moratorium on mining last April which the provincial government of Negros Occidental supported through an executive order.

Magbuelas mentioned that tribe members living and farming-hunting in areas of Himamaylan City designated by the NIPAS Act of 1992 as forest reserve and watershed zones were threatened by the military to vacate their houses within 2 months; the 3rd Infantry Division of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) launched a ceaseless military campaign employing the 62nd and 94th Infantry Battalions; and the Cambantog mountain range was bombed by the AFP using mortars and howitzer canons last June 9.

He described the AFP as a mercenary group of the ruling class used as attack hounds to drive the people away from the areas targeted by big mining firms and as security guards of their properties and business operations.

He expressed that the revolutionary government does not tolerate destructive and harmful economic activities within its territory and is ever determined to penalize any anti-people project.

Finally, he affirmed that the MCC-NPA together with the revolutionary forces remains vigilant in serving the people and the revolution.###

https://cpp.ph/statements/npa-burns-backhoe-warns-elite-engaging-in-destructive-and-harmful-economic-activities/