Massive drive vs. loose guns ordered in BARMM, Caraga

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 15, 2021): Massive drive vs. loose guns ordered in BARMM, Caraga (By Edwin Fernandez and Alexander Lopez)

DETAINED. Photo shows the mug shots of three suspects caught carrying loose firearms in South Upi, Maguindanao on Sunday (Nov. 14, 2021). Seized from them were five firearms and various ammunition. (Photo courtesy of PRO-BARMM)

CAMP S.K. PENDATUN, Maguindanao/BUTUAN CITY – All police offices in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have been directed to intensify their campaign against loose firearms and prevent its proliferation in connection with next years’ national and local polls.

Brig. Gen. Eden T. Ugale, BARMM police director, issued the directive Monday after police authorities in South Upi, Maguindanao arrested three individuals and seized five loose firearms during a joint law enforcement operation with military troopers over the weekend.

“As early as this time, we are intensifying operations against loose firearms in preparation for the 2022 polls,” Ugale said.

Ugale said the police were to serve warrants of arrest against Nashor Wahab Omar for frustrated murder charges in his rented house in Barangay Biarong around 5 a.m. Sunday but managed to escape, leaving behind his three cohorts.

“The three suspects were seen carrying firearms without licenses and are considered loose guns,” the police official said.

Those arrested were identified as Basit U. Kamid, Asrad O. Sultan, and Tulondatu A. Omar, who were caught with firearms consisting of a Bushmaster rifle, an M16 A1 rifle, a 9mm pistol, two .45-caliber pistols, and various ammunition.

The arrested individuals, now detained at the South Upi police detention cell, are facing charges for violation of Republic Act10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

Ugale said police forces and units are poised for tougher and more coordinated operations against wanted persons and owners of loose firearms who are potential perpetrators of election-related violence.

“The intensified campaign is to prevent armed men with loose firearms to end up as private armed groups or security escorts of political candidates,” he said.

Caraga

Authorities in the Caraga Region on Monday said they are also intensifying their drive against loose firearms ahead of the 2022 local and national elections.

PRO-13 (Caraga) Director Brig. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr., in a statement, said the conduct of their operations against loose firearms continue in the areas of responsibility of the different police stations and units in the Caraga Region to ensure the peaceful and orderly conduct of polls next year.
“The aggressive campaigns against loose firearms aim not only to target individuals, gangs and groups with unlicensed firearms, but also to prevent goons and loose guns from being used for violence as we prepare for a safe and peaceful 2022 election,” Caramat said.

Data provided by the PRO-13 said a total of 1,525 loose firearms have already been confiscated in the region from January to November this year.

Of the total number of loose firearms seized, 830 were voluntarily surrendered to the different police stations and units in the area.

The drive against loose firearms during the period also resulted in the arrest of 374 individuals, the PRO-13 data said.

Caramat also announced on Monday the turnover of seven loose firearms from the different towns in the province of Agusan del Sur.

The PRO-13 chief identified individuals who voluntarily surrendered their loose firearms on Sunday (Nov. 14) as Joselito Beloan Lumacang, Sta. Josefa town, Ronald Duero Gentio of Trento, Edgar M. Soco of Prosperidad, Marky A. Asita of La Paz, Johnny Rosero Casal of Loreto, Carlito Labao Maasin of Rosario, and Ariel Suglano of Bayugan City.

“They separately handed over to different police stations five improvised shotguns without serial numbers and without ammunition, and two .38 caliber revolvers without serial numbers and ammunition,” Caramat said.

He added that the surrender of the firearms is the result of the continuing information drive of the Agusan del Sur Police Provincial Office that encourages residents to surrender their unlicensed firearms to avoid being arrested and prosecuted.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1159773

Top NPA commander in Northeastern Mindanao falls

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 15, 2021): Top NPA commander in Northeastern Mindanao falls (By Alexander Lopez)

NPA LEADER FALLS. Joint AFP and PNP operatives in Caraga arrest Gelan Ybanez alias Weng, the top commander of the New People’s Army in an operation conducted on Sunday evening (Nov. 14) in Poblacion, Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur. The arrest was carried out through an arrest warrant issued by a court in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte for violation of the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act. (Photo courtesy of 4ID)

A top commander of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) was arrested by joint military and police forces in Bayugan, Agusan del Sur, the Army in Northern Mindanao said Monday.

In a statement, the Army’s 4th Infantry Division (4ID) identified the arrested NPA leader as Gelan Ybanez alias Weng, the commander of the Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda 16B of the NPA Guerrilla Front 16 under the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee.

Ybanez fell to the operating units of the Army’s 30th Infantry Battalion under the 901st Infantry Brigade, and the Police Regional Office in Caraga (PRO-13), and Bayugan police on Sunday evening in Barangay Poblacion, Bayugan City.

The apprehending officers also confiscated from Ybanez a .45-caliber pistol and a fragmentation grenade.

The suspect has a standing arrest warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 34 in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte for violation of Sec. 4 (k) 1 of Republic Act 9208 as amended by 10364, or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.

"The arrest of Alias Weng is only the beginning of the AFP-PNP's (Armed Forces of the Philippines – Philippine National Police) pivot, targeting the CNT (Communist NPA Terrorist) leaders and dismantling the CTG (Communist Terrorist Group) in CARAGA region. We shall utilize our full might and all available resources to end the CTG's atrocities and abuses against our people,” said Maj Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., the 4ID commander.

The armed struggle being espoused by the NPA, he added, is not the solution to the problems of the country.

“Our people need peace and development programs more than ever. Give them peace,” Brawner said.

He also urged the remaining NPA leaders in Caraga to lay down their arms and avoid being arrested or killed in encounters.

“The Army will be relentless in tracking and hunting them down,” Brawner said, adding that the newly-arrested NPA commander was already handed over to PRO-13 for proper disposition.

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

The National Democratic Front, meanwhile, has been formally designated as a terrorist organization by the Anti-Terrorism Council on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and separate part” of the CPP-NPA created in April 1973.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1159793

NTF-ELCAC budget cut 'big blow' to anti-insurgency campaign: guv

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 15, 2021): NTF-ELCAC budget cut 'big blow' to anti-insurgency campaign: guv (By Che Palicte)

Davao de Oro Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy (PNA file photo by Che Palicte)

Slashing the 2022 budget of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) from PHP24 billion to PHP 4 billion would have a heavy blow to government efforts against insurgency and to the provinces relying on the Barangay Development Program (BDP), a governor in the Davao Region said Monday.

In an interview, Davao de Oro Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy said the people residing in former lairs of the New People’s Army (NPA), would eventually lose hope and possibly lose their trust in the government if the BDP will not push through, following the Senate Committee on Finance's decision to cut the NTF-ELCAC's budget for 2002.

“It is very unfortunate that these senators allow this [cutting down of budget] to happen. I reiterated to our senator friends especially Senator Angara that this is a big blow to the local government units (LGUs),” Uy told the Philippine News Agency.

A hallmark program of NTF-ELCAC with the end goal of bringing development to former conflict-prone communities, the BDP is part of the government‘s whole-of-nation approach in fighting the insurgency by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) in the countryside.

The program aims to eradicate the root causes of the insurgency, poverty, disease, lack of education and opportunities, and social injustice in far-flung communities across the country identified to have been influenced by the communist ideology.

To achieve this, the BDP provides a grant of funds to identified NPA-cleared barangays to implement community-driven socio-economic development projects to former conflict-affected communities.

Uy urged senators to visit former conflict-affected areas in the Davao Region which are now cleared of insurgency and see for themselves how the BDP transformed them into peaceful and developed areas.

Under Republic Act 11518 or the 2021 General Appropriations Act, the national government appropriated PHP16.44 billion for the implementation of various development programs and projects for the 822 insurgency-cleared barangays in the country, including 215 villages in the Davao Region, this year.

The 215 barangays - 82 are from this city, 65 in Davao de Oro, 32 in Davao Oriental, 23 in Davao del Norte, eight in Davao del Sur, and five in Davao Occidental - will be given PHP20 million worth of funds each under the BDP.

“We hope that you will realize its impact not just in the provinces or LGUs but on the national scope. It will have a big impact on national security. Once insurgency will end, then we can focus on the external security threats of the country as long as internal conflict with CPP-NPA-NDF will be resolved,” Uy added.

He added that Davao Region has more than 20 NPA fronts, 15 of which have already been dismantled.

“We are seeing a decline of influence by the dismantling of more than 15 fronts and we only have around six or seven fronts and we targeted to clear it by 2022,” Uy said.

He emphasized that projects under the BDP are identified by people from the barangay themselves and not by the provincial or local officials.

“I am begging our senators to look at the situation. I’m not speaking only for my LGU but on behalf of all LGUs who still have a BDP support next year which could not push through because of the budget cut,” Uy added.

A total of 1,406 villages nationwide are expected to benefit from the BDP next year.

They are set to receive PHP20 million each to fund their anti-insurgency projects.

Each recipient barangay will spend the PHP20-million fund through farm to market roads amounting to PHP12 million; school buildings - PHP3 million; water and sanitation systems - PHP2 million; reforestation and national greening program – PHP1.5; and health stations - PHP1.5 million.

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.

The NDF has been formally designated as a terrorist organization by the Anti-Terrorism Council on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and separate part” of the CPP-NPA created in April 1973.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1159770

3 officials get new assignments in latest PNP revamp

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 15, 2021): 3 officials get new assignments in latest PNP revamp (By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan)

Philippine National Police headquarters (File photo)

Three ranking police officials have been reassigned to key positions in the Philippine National Police (PNP).

In an order dated November 14, PNP chief Lt. Gen. Dionardo Carlos said Brig. Gen. Gregory Bogñalbal, current Highway Patrol Group (HPG) commander, was transferred as Deputy Regional Director for administration in Police Regional Office in Calabarzon (PRO-4A). He was replaced by Brig. Gen. Rommel Marbil while Brig. Gen. Arthur Cabalona was designated as Deputy Director for Comptrollership.

Others reshuffled include Col. Dominic Baccay, director of the Civil Security Group, who was reassigned to the PRO Calabarzon; Col. Christopher de la Cruz from the Directorate for Comptrollership (DC) to the Office of Chief PNP; Col. Andre Dizon from PRO1 to the Office of Chief PNP; Col. Neri Vincent Ignacio from the Office of CPNP to the Police Holding and Accounting Unit (PHAU) under the Directorate for Police Records and Management (DPRM); Col. Radel Ramos from the Office of Directorial Staff to DC; Col. Roel Cuevas Rodolfo from the Office of CPNP to PHAU, DPRM; and Col. Villamor Tuliao to the Directorate for Operations.

The revamp takes effect on November 15.

Carlos told reporters in a press briefing Monday that vacant positions of retiring officers would be filled, while those for promotions would be thoroughly screened.

“Kung meron open position ay pupunan ito ng best of the brightest that will undergo the scrutiny of the execom or the committee of three at kung 'yan naman may mga provincial directors ay dadaan 'yan sa Senior Officers Placement and Promotion Board para nasasala natin sino ba 'yung nararapat (Open positions would be filled by the best of the brightest... if they are provincial directors, they would go through the SOPPB so that we get the one who is most worthy of the position)," he said. "It is the service reputation and track record as a police officer. I think that has been the basis of my appointment. I'll do the same with the leaders of the organization."

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1159753

Police nabs wanted CPP-NPA rebel in Bulacan

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 15, 2021): Police nabs wanted CPP-NPA rebel in Bulacan (By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan)

Salome Crisostomo-Ujano (Photo courtesy of PNP)

A member of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) wanted for rebellion was nabbed in Bulacan Sunday, according to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Lt. Gen. Dionardo Carlos.

In his first flag ceremony as the new PNP chief Monday, Carlos said Salome Crisostomo-Ujano, 64, was arrested around 10 a.m. Sunday in Barangay Mabolo, Malolos City.

Ujano's case stemmed from her alleged involvement in a series of atrocities in Quezon province in 2005, particularly the ambush of Pvt. First Class Michael Samson and Cpl. Edward Lumawig.

She was then a member of the Executive Committee Secretariat of the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee (STRPC).

Police records identified Ujano as a member of STRPC's Kilusan sa Larangang Guerilla Luzon/Mayon and allegedly participated in the execution of NPA members suspected to be government spies during the CPP-NPA purge dubbed "Operation Missing Link".

Carlos said considering Ujano's age, she has been provided the services of a personal nurse who will monitor her health condition and safety from potential risks of Covid-19 exposure.

The CPP-NPA 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/1159758

57 IPs among 166 new Army recruits

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 15, 2021): 57 IPs among 166 new Army recruits (By Priam Nepomuceno)

Photo courtesy of 2nd ID

Some 166 male applicants, including 57 indigenous peoples (IPs), formally took their oath as they joined the Candidate Soldier Course Class 688-2021 at 2nd Infantry Division (ID) headquarters of the Philippine Army in Camp Capinpin, Tanay Rizal on Monday.

Maj. Kim Evangelista, public affairs officer of 2nd ID, said 2nd ID commander, Maj. Gen. Rowen Tolentino, emphasized the responsibility and commitment as two important aspects of being an Army member during the opening ceremony held at the Camp Capinpin grandstand.

"The General stressed to the new entrants that to become a member of the Philippine Army, one must possess a great sense of responsibility; responsibility for his own thoughts, words and actions. And that this sense of responsibility must be in unison with a great degree of commitment; commitment to the Filipino people, the nation, and to the service," Evangelista said in a statement.

Evangelista said the 166 recruits came from the regions of Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) and Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan).

“Amongst them, 57 came from the indigenous people as a way of giving premium on Republic Act 8371 or commonly known as the Indigenous People's Rights Act of 1997; 75 were former members of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary who has proven their loyalty and already able to render meritorious service to the government, while another 34 were highly skilled individuals," Evangelista said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1159775

AO 35 committee going over CTGs’ human rights violations

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 15, 2021): AO 35 committee going over CTGs’ human rights violations (By Benjamin Pulta)

The government is investigating 1,500 incidents of international human rights violations committed by communist terrorist groups (CTGs), according to Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Monday.

The cases have just been endorsed to the Administrative Order (AO) No. 35 committee by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Center for Law of Armed Conflict.

“We are currently going over the files," Guevarra briefly told reporters via text message.

The violations consisted mainly of attacks on civilian properties, willful killing of civilians/non-combatants, children involved in armed conflict, and use of anti-personnel mines.

"These violations transpired between 2010 and 2020,” AO 35 Secretariat officer, Assistant State Prosecutor Gino Paolo Santiago, said in a statement.

The reports were submitted during the recent 14th regular meeting of the The Inter-Agency Committee on Extra-Legal Killings, Enforced Disappearances, Torture and Other Grave Violations of the Right to Life, Liberty and Security of Persons (IAC).

The review will be made until the end of November, focusing on incidents that transpired in Regions IV-A (Calabarzon), IV-B (Mimaropa), and VI (Western Visayas).

Review of incidents that occurred in other regions will begin in 2022.

The IAC was created under AO 35 in 2012, chaired by the DOJ Secretary.

Aside from the AFP, the other IAC members are representatives from the Presidential Human Rights Committee, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of National Defense, Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs, Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Ombudsman, Commission on Human Rights, and the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Guevarra also previously ordered the National Prosecution Service to do an inventory of cases covered by amnesty proclamations, subject to evaluation and the concurrence of the Congress while the NBI has the authority to conduct case build-up on foreign terrorists.

"Time and resources permitting, the DOJ will review thousands of other cases, too," Guevarra told news agency Reuters last month.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1159779

Group protests huge slash on NTF-ELCAC’s village dev’t budget

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 15, 2021): Group protests huge slash on NTF-ELCAC’s village dev’t budget (By Priam Nepomuceno)

The Sentrong Alyansa ng mga Mamamayan para sa Bayan (SAMBAYANAN), a group of former Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) members who have peacefully reintegrated back into mainstream society, has expressed “in strongest terms” its disapproval to the decision of the senators to slash the bulk of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC)'s budget for the Barangay Development Program (BDP) for 2022.

"We, the Sentrong Alyansa ng mga Mamamayan para sa Bayan or SAMBAYANAN together with different Former Rebels and Peoples’ Organizations nationwide, collectively express in strongest terms our disapproval to the budget cut of NTF-ELCAC’s Barangay Development Program for 2022," the group said in an open letter addressed to the Senate.

Senator Sonny Angara, chair of the Senate committee on finance, earlier said they took the bulk of the NTF-ELCAC's budget and realigned it to fund pandemic response programs.

The NTF-ELCAC submitted a proposed PHP28.12 billion for the barangay development programs for next year but the Senate drastically reduced it to just PHP4 billion.

"As former cadres, members and mass supporters of the Communist Terrorist Groups, we only have our high desire for peaceful and progressive communities of peasants and Indigenous Peoples that have been wrapped in violence and chaos because of the reign of terror of the terrorist group we once served," the group told the Senate.

It said the NTF-ELCAC has been effective in addressing the root causes of communist insurgency at the grassroots level, paving the way for development and social services to be channeled unimpeded to communities long been deprived and neglected by the government, and were made haven of communist insurgents.

"The (coronavirus disease 2019) Covid-19 pandemic and the long-running communist terrorist-insurgency need not be considered as contradicting government health and security concerns. Both must be treated as co-existing parallel priorities that need to be decisively addressed by the government," SAMBAYANAN said.

The group added that there is no need to compare and contradict the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the CPP-NPA-National Democratic Front (NDF) communist terrorism.

It added that both issues must be treated appropriately as parallel national priorities for national security interest.

"We respect the remarks of other people on NTF-ELCAC but it wouldn't be impartial if the 'alleged' red-tagging is the only variable to measure the task force's performance," the group further said.

It added that the accomplishments and victories of the entire government and different stakeholders on the ground against communist insurgency have been outstanding as tens of thousands of CPP-NPA leaders and members have surrendered and have pleaded allegiance back to the government and thousands of top wanted communist terrorist leaders were arrested.

"These can’t be made possible without the resolute commitment of the task force. This is every Filipino's victory," SAMBAYANAN said.

Through the funding of the BBP for 2022, sustainment of community developments will be made assured to effectively transform every community from being backward and impoverished into developed and abundant, it added.

"Only then we can attain peace and development in every community," it said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1159783

PCG modernization takes one step further under House measure

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 15, 2021): PCG modernization takes one step further under House measure (By Filane Mikee Cervantes)

Photo courtesy of the Philippine Coast Guard

A measure providing for the modernization of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has hurdled the committee level at the House of Representatives.

In an online meeting on Monday, the Committee on Ways and Means approved without amendments the tax provisions of the unnumbered substitute bill to House Bills 4286 and 4287.

The substitute measure aims to revise Republic Act 9993 or the “PCG Law of 2009" that would reform and reorganize the PCG.

Zambales Representative Cheryl Deloso-Montalla, author of HB 4287, said RA 9993 contains ambiguous provisions and that recent developments in the maritime sector necessitate a review of the existing law to make the PCG more responsive to its current needs.

Albay Representative Joey Salceda, committee chair, said a strong Coast Guard would not only complement Customs enforcement, but also ensure that the country's territorial waters are guarded.

"The moment smuggled goods penetrate our waters, there's very little we can do in the ports where we do not have enforcement. Of course, strong and random inspections among private ports will also be critical. But we can only watch out for so much," Salceda said during the meeting.

Salceda also lauded the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for complying with the committee’s requests to intensify the fight against smuggling in petroleum products.

He also called on the agency to strengthen enforcement efforts further “as when commodity prices increase, the incentive to smuggle also increases”.

“I am thankful to the Bureau of Customs for complying with this committee’s request on February 2021 to strengthen the country’s anti-smuggling efforts on petroleum. I noted earlier this year that the gap between exports to the country and imports of the country is narrowing, a sign that smuggling efforts are getting more effective. I urge the BOC to go harder at smuggling as oil price increases,” Salceda said.

The BOC reported that it has undertaken various measures, including issuance of a memorandum requiring more information in declaring goods; a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between BOC and the Department of Energy on Data Sharing particularly on prior Oil Import Advise; a MOA with the PCG on Joint Maritime Patrols using the active vessels of the PCG; procurement of 20 patrol boats for exclusive BOC Maritime Patrol; and the continued implementation of the fuel marking program.

“Most of the smuggling likely happens in private ports. So, it is crucial that we work with the PCG. I also laud strengthening the BOC Maritime Patrol,” Salceda said.

Salceda requested updates on the efforts that the tax panel urged the BOC to take earlier this year, involving ecozone smuggling, tobacco illicit trade, and food smuggling.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1159812

New PNP, AFP chiefs vow peaceful, orderly 2022 polls

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 15, 2021): New PNP, AFP chiefs vow peaceful, orderly 2022 polls (By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan)

File photo

As the withdrawal and substitution of candidates ended on Monday, newly-appointed Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Gen. Dionardo Carlos, and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief-of-Staff, Lt. Gen. Andres Centino, pledged to do everything in their authority to ensure that the May 9, 2022 national and local elections would be peaceful and orderly.

“Ang task natin (Our task) ahead is the 2022 national and local elections so all the preparations are going to be there. Marami na tayong dinaanan na mga eleksyon (we have gone through a lot of elections) and we continue to tweak and do the best practices,” Carlos said during his first morning flag ceremony as PNP chief in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

He is the PNP's 27th chief until his retirement on May 8, 2022.

Carlos said part of the PNP's campaign to ensure the orderly and honest conduct of next year's elections is the aggressive campaign against loose firearms and the accounting of private armed groups in various parts of the country.

He also reminded all police officers to stay neutral and non-partisan in the conduct of elections and that their only role in the upcoming elections is to ensure peace and security.

“From there, tuloy tuloy na kung sino yung aming dapat ilipat dahil may kamag-anak silang tumatakbo and then mga field commanders natin na umupo na dun sa kanyang puwesto ng isang taon o mahigit ay titingnan natin, ia-assess natin sila but again inaalis natin yung familiarity doon sa incumbent nakaupo kaya nagkakaroon tayo ng rotation policy. Matagal na naming ginagawa ito (We will continue evaluating those who need to be transferred because they have relatives running for electoral posts, and assess those field commanders who have served for a year or more. We will be assessing them but we will transfer them to remove any familiarity with the incumbent. That is why we have a long-standing rotational policy)," he added.

Carlos said all police officers on active duty should remain apolitical even in their social media posts and refrain from campaigning for or against any political aspirant.

“Is there a violation of the Omnibus Election Law? If they violate, we charge them, we remove them, investigate them, let them answer for that,” he said.

During his first command conference, Carlos said he has ordered the PNP to conduct the better implementation of anti-criminality, anti-illegal drugs, anti-corruption and counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism operations and the dismantling of private armed groups, which will contribute to the peace and order of next year's polls.

Meanwhile, Centino said beyond the remaining insurgency threat, the military also needs to safeguard next year's elections.

"Beyond insurgency, there is the task of safeguarding the upcoming elections, which are always a turning point for the country," he added.

Centino also said it is the AFP's duty to ensure that the polls are carried out peacefully and orderly.

"It is the AFP's duty to ensure that the will of the people is carried out. Let us all support the national government to ensure a fair, honest, peaceful and secure national elections," he added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1159752

Peace initiatives backed by DSWD livelihood grants

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 15, 2021): Peace initiatives backed by DSWD livelihood grants (By Christine Cudis)

LIVELIHOOD PROJECT. A Department of Social Welfare and Development officer conducts monitoring of a Kapatiran project in Aklan province in this February 2021 photo. The officer checks on the operational status and financial management of the projects funded by the agency through the Sustainable Livelihood Program and provides technical assistance. (Photo courtesy of DSWD-6)

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has addressed the needs of former rebels and their families, decommissioned combatants, Kapatiran members, communities in conflict-affected and vulnerable areas (CVAs), and individuals in marginalized sectors through peace-building initiatives and various forms of assistance this year.

Data shared on Monday showed the DSWD has provided direct assistance to 3,749 former rebels and their families from January to October 2021.

The initiatives include Sustainable Livelihood Program, Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations, psychosocial interventions and other protective services, and the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

Secretary Rolando Bautista, a retired Army general and former head of the Presidential Security Group, said the DSWD contributes in winning the war against communist terrorist groups

“By being present in communities where these terrorists also aim to spread their false ideologies against the government, we help the civilians, our countrymen, gain perspective and help them choose the options that will make their lives better,” he said in a statement.

There were also 226,511 CVA households that received assistance through programs such as to KapitBisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehesive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services, PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn, Social Pension, and Supplemental Feeding Program.

DSWD likewise implements the livelihood and reintegration program for members of Kapatiran, composed of decommissioned combatants of the group formerly known as the Rebolusyonaryong Partidong Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/ Revolutionary Proletarian Army/ Alex Boncayao Brigade – Tabara Paduano Group.

The Livelihood Settlement Grants allocated to Kapatiran will be enhanced with Reinforcement Grants to reinforce existing or operational livelihood projects, construction of Child Development Centers and complementary case management and psychosocial intervention.

In addition, the DSWD supports the implementation of the Normalization Program for the Decommissioned Combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

This month, 7,200 MILF decommissioned combatants are set to receive Livelihood Settlement Grants.

To improve the delivery of social services, the DSWD is rolling out the Social Work Case Management Guide for Insurgent Returnees in December.

“This will serve as an improved standard for case managers in extending support and services to former rebels, decommissioned combatants, and other groups who wish to turn their backs on armed struggle and return to mainstream society. In preparation for the rollout, the agency will be conducting training this month across all regions,” the DSWD shared.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1159824

2 Former BIFF Reunites with Family after their Surrender in North Cotabato

 From the Journal Online (Nov 14, 2021): 2 Former BIFF Reunites with Family after their Surrender in North Cotabato

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – Two (2) members from the Local Terrorist Group – Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) reunited with their families after they decided to abandon extremism and live normal lives as they surrendered on November 6, 2021 at Brgy Salunayan, Midsayap, North Cotabato. Their surrender was a joint effort of the Local Government Unit of Midsayap, Midsayap PNP and 34th Infantry Battalion, 6ID, PA.

“This only proves that the security landscape in the area of Midsayap is changing and that the residents of Midsayap want to live peacefully,” said Ltc. Eduardo Vilchez Jr., the Commanding Offcier of 34th Infantry Battalion.

One of the surrenderers said “Gusto ko lang mabuhay ng tahimik at makasama ang aking Pamilya”, which urged them to surrender and present themselves at the Headquarters of 34IB. The two former combatants were accompanied by Commander Abdullah Dhats, Field Commander 105th BC, BIAF-MILF and brought along with them their respective fireams which include two (2) homemade 7.62mm Barret rifle and two (2) magazines with six (6) live ammos.

Major General Juvymax Uy, Commander of 6th Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Central lauded the troops in their continuous efforts of bringing in former combatants to the folds of the government. “Through the continuous efforts of the Local Government Unit of Midsayap and government security forces which are being operationalized by our line units and now proven effective since more members of the BIFF are now deciding to surrender.” Maj. Gen. Uy added. He then further reiterated his call to the remaining members of the BIFF to return to the folds of law as the government has numerous programs in helping them start their new lives.

https://journal.com.ph/2-former-biff-reunites-with-family-after-their-surrender-in-north-cotabato/

CPP/PRWC Newsroom: Denounce cyberattacks on websites of CPP and forces against Duterte tyranny

Propaganda statement posted to the PRWC Newsroom (Nov 14, 2021): Denounce cyberattacks on websites of CPP and forces against Duterte tyranny

 

MARCO VALBUENA

CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER

COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES

We denounce the cybercriminal and cybervandal groups serving the National Task Force-Elcac (NTF-Elcac) for the non-stop attacks against the websites of the Party, as well as other forces opposed to the Duterte tyrannical regime.

The attacks have been carried out by a group that spouts the same fascist lies mouthed by the NTF-Elcac. Since the start of the month, it has mounted an almost constant Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack against the Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC, https://cpp.ph), the websites of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP, https:/ndfp.org) and of Prof. Jose Ma. Sison (josemariasison.org). It commands a botnet to overwhelm the servers of these websites and prevent public access.

The group also claims to have attacked the website of Bayan USA (bayanusa.org). It also brags of having mounted cyberattacks against the Kakampink website (https://kakampink.teamlenirobredo.com). This was after Vice President Leni Robredo, presidential candidate, voiced her opinion calling for the defunding and abolition of the NTF-Elcac in favor of more funds for health care and other social services.

It claims to be also behind the attacks on the websites of the Senate, of Senator Richard Gordon and other senators. The cyberattacks were carried out during the height of Blue Ribbon Committee investigations into the Pharmally scam which exposed the anomalous purchase of several billion besos of overpriced medical equipment involving Duterte’s close officials.

The cyberattacks against the CPP, Robredo supporters and other forces against the Duterte tyranny are being carried out by anti-democratic forces that are employed and funded by the NTF-Elcac. The obvious aim is to deny online space for revolutionary, progressive and democratic forces and prevent them to express their ideas and share news and information.

We believe that the severity of these attacks against the websites of the CPP, NPA and NDFP show how these platforms have effectively served to expose the lies being spun by the NTF-Elcac, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the entire propaganda machinery of the Duterte fascist regime.

The current attacks of the NTF-Elcac against the PRWC started to intensify after the CPP countered the AFP’s campaign of lies to cover up their cowardly murder of former NPA spokesman Ka Oris and NPA medic Ka Pika last October 29. Curiously, these attacks heightened further at around the same time that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) was carrying out its cyberwarfare training (https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1512754/afp-holds-cyber-defense-exercises) leading us to believe that military cyberunits are also involved in these attacks.

These cybercriminals and cybervandals are zealots who are driven by the perverted Hitlerite notion that all revolutionary and democratic forces must be silenced. These cyberattacks are linked to the push of the NTF-Elcac and the Commission on Higher Education (Ched) to ban “subversive” books from university libraries.

The fascist aim is to control all sources of information and curtail our inherent freedom of expression in the hope of controlling the minds of the people, killing critical thought, making people blindly accept the official narratives spun by the reactionary government and paralyzing them to a stupor in the face of worsening forms of exploitation, oppression and repression.

Despite the massive amount of resources thrown against us by the NTF-Elcac, we vow to carry out our work to open the eyes of the Filipino people to the grave social realities, rouse them to fight against their oppressors and put an end to the US-Duterte regime’s reign of state terrorism.

https://prwcinfo.wordpress.com/2021/11/14/denounce-cyberattacks-on-websites-of-cpp-and-forces-against-duterte-tyranny/

Kalinaw News: 20 Communist Terrorist Group supporters yield in Sultan Kudarat

Posted to Kalinaw News (Nov 14, 2021): 20 Communist Terrorist Group supporters yield in Sultan Kudarat



Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City – November 14, 2021

Twenty supporters of the communist terrorist group yielded to the 57th Infantry Battalion in Sultan Kudarat on November 12, 2021. Their identities will not be disclosed for safety and security reasons.

According to Maj. Gen. Alfredo Rosario, Jr., Commander of Western Mindanao Command, the 20 are mass supporters of the CTG from Sitio Upper Balayan, Barangay Basak, Sultan Kudarat. They submitted themselves to Lt. Col. Jonathan Pondanera, Commanding Officer of 57IB at the headquarters of the Alpha Company at Sitio Kumalawit, Barangay Purikay, Lebak, same province.

Surrendered personalities were then presented to Lebak Mayor Frederick Celestial. They undertook the oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines and burned CTG flags as their sign of condemnation for the group. It was witnessed by MLGO Ismael Annual and Chairman Rogelio Talagtag of Barangay Basak.

603rd Infantry Brigade, through the 57IB, conducted custodial debriefing to the said CTG supporters.

“Those who wish to surrender must know that we are here to support them. We are one with the peace-loving people of Mindanao in the journey to quell terrorism and insurgency in the region,” Maj. Gen. Rosario, Jr. stated.

“They are a diverse group of individuals deceived by the communist terrorists, and now they found their way out,” said Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, Commander of Joint Task Force Central.

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/20-communist-terrorist-group-supporters-yield-in-sultan-kudarat/

NPA unit good as gone with surrender of 9 leaders: Eastmincom

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 14, 2021): NPA unit good as gone with surrender of 9 leaders: Eastmincom



SEIZED. Some of the firearms seized by the military from nine New People’s Army rebels who surrendered in Lupon, Davao Oriental on Nov. 10 and 12, 2021. The Eastern Mindanao Command leadership said they belonged to the New People’s Army Guerrilla Front 18, Sub-Regional Committee-2, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee. (Contributed photo)

Another communist terrorist group (CTG) unit is on the brink of collapse as a result of Eastern Mindanao Command’s (Eastmincom) relentless campaign to weed out enemies of the state.

A total of 9 more New People’s Army (NPA) leaders and members surrendered in Lupon, Davao Oriental in a span of three days, according to a news release on Sunday.

Eastmincom identified the members of the NPA Guerrilla Front 18, Sub-Regional Committee-2, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (GF18, SRC-2, SMRC) who surrendered on Friday as Gilberto Garcia Colita (alias Johnny), commanding officer; Richard Basug Jadan (alias Atog); Jhon Cloyd Flores Colita (alias Jan-Jan); Charlie Dave Mangasdang Pichon (alias Potot); David Paraiso Pichon (alias David); Mike Mangasdang Pichon (alias Mike); and couriers Reynaldo Paraiso Pichon (alias Oka) and Orlando Pandalili Goles (alias Soysoy).

They yielded to the combined forces of the 701st Infantry Brigade (701st IBde), intelligence units, and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Kilometer 26, Barangay Maragatas.

They also gave up their firearms, composed of a K-3 machine gun, an AK47 rifle, three M16 rifles, an M203 grenade launcher, and an anti-personnel mine.

Another NPA leader who belonged to the same guerrilla unit, identified as Jason Bansag Eliseo (alias Rex), vice commanding officer, surrendered on Nov. 10 during a joint operation by the 701st IBde, intelligence units, and the police at Sitio Lunod, Barangay Don Mariano Marcos.

Eliseo is the party husband of Jocy Villaruel Papasin (alias Domai), the pregnant front secretary of Guerrilla Front 18, Sub-Regional Committee 2, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee who surrendered to the troops of 66th Infantry Brigade on Nov. 7 in order to give her child a better life.

Lt. Gen. Greg Almerol commended government forces for their hard work and the fruit of their focused offensives against the CTG.

The Eastmincom commander assessed that GF18 could not survive due to the loss of most of its key leaders and members.

“The way we see it, we can already consider GF18 as dismantled since there is no way it could continue to operate considering the major blows it has suffered as a result of our relentless military operations,” Almerol stressed.

Surrender now

He urged the remaining CTG members “to come forward and lay down your arms”.

“Now is the time to make peace with the government and embrace its offer of a comfortable life through the Enhanced Comprehensive Integration Program (ECLIP),” Almerol said.

He said they will always welcome anybody wanting to embrace a new life and will ensure that they will get all the assistance they need through ECLIP.

He also asked the locals to continue supporting peace and development projects of the Barangay Development Program by recounting the positive impact on their communities.

"Their cooperation will gain the political support needed to continue government programs that will benefit the people, especially those who are living in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas," Almerol said.

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA 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/1159731