Peace village leads to NPA’s downfall in Leyte

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 23, 2021): Peace village leads to NPA’s downfall in Leyte (By Sarwell Meniano)

PEACE VILLAGE. Houses under construction within the Peace and Prosperity Village in San Isidro, Leyte. The outpouring support from the government for former rebels at the Peace and Prosperity Village here will give them no reason to again embrace the ideology of the New People’s Army (NPA), a former rebel commander said in an interview on Dec. 20, 2021. (PNA photo by Sarwell Meniano)

SAN ISIDRO, Leyte – The outpouring of support from the government for former rebels at the Peace and Prosperity Village here will give them no reason to again embrace the ideology of the New People’s Army (NPA), a former rebel commander said.

"Ka (short for comrade) Mayang", 50, said that even if their location is remote, they receive enough attention from both national and local governments to help rebuild their lives shattered by years of armed conflict.

“I joined the NPA when I was 15 because I aspired to help people alleviate poverty. However, I was able to realize that the NPA has no means to help improve the lives of people. I am happy now that I am with the government to help people fulfill what they aspire for,” Mayang told a Philippine News Agency (PNA) team who visited their village on December 20.

She is the provincial federation president of the Integrated Peace and Development Workers Association, a group of former rebels.

Known as Ka Mayang to the Communist Party of the Philippines–NPA and rebel-influenced communities in Leyte Island, she has been leading a big group of former rebels in establishing the Peace and Prosperity Village in this town’s Daja Daku, an upland community.

Among the assistance being provided to the former rebels is the construction of 458 units of permanent houses, livelihood training, provision of capital, farm-related technical skills, new access roads, product development, marketing, among others.

The PHP20-million housing project was one of the promises of President Rodrigo Duterte during his visit to San Isidro town last Jan. 23, 2020, and part of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the government.

Each housing unit will have a modal lot size of 60 square meters (sqm) and a floor area of 21 sqm. Each house and lot package costs PHP450,000.

Access to the village is also ongoing with the PHP67 million road concreting project from the main road to the site.

Another infrastructure project under construction is the PHP235 million road from the village to nearby Calubian town.

Just this week, the Department of Agrarian Reform completed the distribution of 2,000 square meters farm lot to each of the 458 former rebels.

“Everything is here already. There’s no reason for people to listen to the communist NPA. We have to trust the government since they have all the resources to provide our needs,” she told the PNA.

Since last year, former rebels from the towns of Calubian and San Isidro have been cultivating part of the land donated by the Leyte provincial government.

Within the area, the local government also provided 22 poultry egg-laying facilities or two for each of the 11 associations with about 700 members.

Most of these surrenderers were recruited by Mayang from the 1990s to early 2000. After her last arrest in 2007, Mayang has been instrumental in convincing hundreds of rebels in Leyte to trust the government.

Mayang joined the NPA in 1986 and later became a commander in Leyte, Southern Leyte, and Biliran provinces. It was in 2003 when the national NPA leadership ordered her to lead the terror group's front organization in the region.

In 2006, soldiers captured her in San Isidro town and detained her at the camp in Kananga town for three months until she managed to escape and rejoined her cadres for a year.

“I was sleeping when soldiers barged into my hiding place in Leyte, Leyte. That was the time when I told them that I would cut ties with the NPA and assist the government,” she recalled.

Mayang has been separated from her common-law husband since her last capture, they don't have any children.

Forming the NPA surrenderers into a group of peace and development workers has led to the downfall of NPA in Leyte Island since they convinced others to lay down their firearms, according to Army’s 93rd Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Col. Arnold Lozada.

“We will continue to extend our sincere efforts to help those remaining members and supporters of the communist terrorist group in the island of Leyte who wish to return to the mainstream of our society and be a part of the whole of nation approach in ending the local communist armed conflict,” Lozada added.

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.

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1163530

10 NPAs surrender in Tacurong City

From the Philippine Star (Dec 24, 2021): 10 NPAs surrender in Tacurong City (John Unson)

TACURONG CITY, Philippines — Ten members of the New Peoples Army surrendered here Wednesday through the joint intercession of different units of the Police Regional Office-12.

Brig. Gen. Alexander Tagum, PRO-12 director, said Friday the 10 rebels belonged to the NPA’s self-styled Guerilla Front 73-Far South Mindanao Regional Command.

Most leaders of the Guerilla Front-73 are wanted in different courts for heinous offenses, including multiple murder, arson, trafficking of narcotics and cattle theft.

The 10 NPAs turned in a firearm each and explosives before they renounced their membership with the group during a symbolic rite here last Wednesday.

Tagum said they agreed to return to the fold of law through backchannel dialogues with officials of PRO-12’s Regional Mobile Force-12, led by Col. Jemuel Siason, and the municipal police force in Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat.

The 10 rebels operated in the hinterlands in Region 12’s Saragani, South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat provinces, where they collected from hapless farmers “protection money” on monthly basis to sustain their needs.

They pledged allegiance to the government in the presence of local leaders and key police officials Wednesday at a police company command post at the EJ Montilla area here.

Siason and officials of the RMFB-12’s 1202nd Maneuver Company, who helped secure the surrender of the 10 NPAs, separately told reporters they are expecting the surrender soon of more Guerilla Front 73 members based on feelers coming in.

Tagum said credit for the surrender of the 10 NPAs has to go partly to the police personnel in Bagumbayan, an upland town in Sultan Kudarat, one of the four provinces covered by PRO-12.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2021/12/24/2149971/10-npas-surrender-tacurong-city

DOJ sets charges vs NPA over 1,500 attacks

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Dec 25, 2021): DOJ sets charges vs NPA over 1,500 attacks

FILE PHOTO BY ERWIN MASCARIÑAS

An interagency body headed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) has recommended the filing of charges for violation of the international humanitarian law against communist rebels behind about 1,500 incidents, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said on Friday.

Guevarra said the attacks attributed to the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, were among those submitted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines to the special committee created through Administrative Order No. 35.

Signed in 2012 by then President Benigno Aquino III, the DOJ-led committee was tasked to investigate extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture and other human rights abuses.

Guevarra said cases were previously brought against the NPA rebels, but most of these were filed as “common crimes” like murder, kidnapping and arson. —Marlon Ramos

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1531866/doj-sets-charges-vs-npa-over-1500-attacks

Army discovers alleged NPA ‘food cache’ in Aurora town

From Politiko Central Luzon (Dec 25, 2021): Army discovers alleged NPA ‘food cache’ in Aurora town

 

Army troops said they discovered on Wednesday a food cache allegedly owned by the communist New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay Ditumabo in San Luis town in Aurora province.

In a Philippine News Agency report, Lt. Col. Julito B. Recto, Jr., officer-in-charge of the Philippine Army’s 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion, said the food cache was believed to be owned by remnants of the dismantled Komiteng Larangang Guerrilla – Sierra Madre (KLG-SM) of the NPA.

In the report, Recto said the troops recovered two containers of rice weighing about 60 kilos after receiving information from residents in the area.

The recovered items would be brought to the headquarters of the Charlie Company in Barangay Diteki also in San Luis town for proper disposition and documentation, he said in the report.

The Army has recently intensified its anti-insurgency operations in Aurora.

https://centralluzon.politics.com.ph/army-discovers-alleged-npa-food-cache-in-aurora-town/

Farmer slain by NPA rebels in Negros town

From the Philippine Star (Dec 26, 2021): Farmer slain by NPA rebels in Negros town (By Gilbert Bayoran)

Lt. Col. Melvin Flores, 62nd Infantry Battalion commander, said Mario Landesa was on his way home when he was shot.  STAR / File

Suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels killed a farmer in Barangay Cabacungan in La Castellana, Negros Occidental, the military said yesterday.

Lt. Col. Melvin Flores, 62nd Infantry Battalion commander, said Mario Landesa was on his way home when he was shot.

Flores said one of the assailants was identified as Jovito Leonar, a cousin of the victim.

Police said the victim reportedly refused to heed the order of the NPA’s Leonardo Panaligan Command to collect rice and money from residents in the area, which was among those affected by Typhoon Odette.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2021/12/26/2150100/farmer-slain-npa-rebels-negros-town

2 suspected rebels slain in Sorsogon clash on Christmas Day

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Dec 26, 2021): 2 suspected rebels slain in Sorsogon clash on Christmas Day (By: Mar S. Arguelles)

Two suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in an armed encounter with military and police on Christmas Day in a remote village in Barcelona town in Sorsogon province, a military report said on Sunday.

Major John Paul Belleza, chief of the public affairs office of Philippine Army’s 9th Infantry Division, said combined elements of Army and police operatives, responding to tips from residents, came upon armed men at the outskirts of Barangay (village) San Ramon at around 8:30 a.m.

The encounter led to a running gun battle between the government troops and a 20-man rebel group. A rebel died at the first clash and troops recovered a M16 rifle and an anti-personnel landmine.

The Army soldiers and the police pursued the fleeing rebels which led to another firefight. Another rebel died in this encounter while another communist guerilla was arrested. The state troopers also seized two M16 assault rifles and documents.

Belleza said that the slain rebels were turned over to the police for identification while the captured rebel, who was not named in the report, would be brought to the Army custodial facility for identification and investigation.

Earlier on December 17 this year, four NPAs were killed while six high-powered firearms and a low-powered gun and several explosives were seized in a clash in Masbate province.

Army soldiers and police units in Bicol are on high alert for the Christmas holidays and the possibility of tactical offensives by the rebel group in connection with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP/NPA) founding anniversary on December 26.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1532260/2-suspected-rebels-slain-in-sorsogon-clash-on-christmas-day

CPP brought nothing but suffering to Filipinos: Lorenzana

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 26, 2021): CPP brought nothing but suffering to Filipinos: Lorenzana (By Priam Nepomuceno)

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (Presidential photo)

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), which is marking its 53rd anniversary on Dec. 26, brought nothing but suffering to the country and its people, a Cabinet official said Saturday night.

"As we celebrate the Christmas season, we are also reminded of the national cancer that continues to ravage our country -- the Communist Party of the Philippines. For more than five decades, the CPP has brought nothing but misery, loss of lives, destruction of property, and denial of a bright future for many Filipinos," Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in a statement.

He said the organization's long years of futile resistance should be more than enough for it to realize that it will never succeed in forcing its unchristian ideology and communist principle on the people.

"The influence of the CPP will continue to diminish as the government implements a whole-of-nation (WON) approach, where the people themselves are in the forefront of the fight. Since the WON was started in 2018, we saw the flood of surrenderers and capture or killing of ranking NPA (New People's Army) cadres. At last, the people are fed up and are rising up against them," Lorenzana said.

He noted that the government has been offering benefits to rebels who are laying down their arms and rejoining society.

"Tens of thousands have availed of this offer. We call upon those still in the hills to also take up this offer. Come down for the sake of your families. Together, we shall work to make our country peaceful and prosperous," the Defense chief said.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Lt. Gen. Andres Centino said the CPP has suffered irreversible damage as government troops continue to gain tactical and strategic victories against the terrorist group.

“The CPP has nothing to celebrate on its December 26 anniversary. The year 2021 was the most successful period in our fight against insurgency. Our campaign has proven to be effective with the employment of the whole of nation approach involving instrumentalities of government in addressing the root causes of conflict that are at the center of the CPP’s manipulation and exploitation scheme,” he said.

Centino cited reports from the ground that the military has reduced the capabilities of the communist terrorist group (CTG) with the neutralization of its top leaders, the dismantling of 21 guerrilla fronts and weakening of 14 others, and clearing of 340 conflict-affected barangays, causing the surrender of its members and the withdrawal of support of their exploited masses.

Likewise, he said the AFP also confiscated 579 unexploded anti-personnel mines that could have endangered innocent civilians in clear violation of Human Rights (HR) and International Humanitarian Law (IHL) by the rebel group.

AFP units on the ground have also monitored and reported to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and the United Nations CHR the 254 HR and IHL violations of the CPP-NPA.

“The shift in our methodology allowed us to counter both the armed component and the enemy’s exploitation of social issues that are being used to agitate the people to turn against the state,” Centino said, as he invited NPAs to abandon the armed struggle and the lost cause espoused by the CPP.

“This year, the CTG has suffered irreparable damage in its leadership, strength, and resources, and the government’s accomplishments have placed us in a better position to end the local armed conflict by next year as mandated by the President. The AFP is confident that it can comply with the order to put an end to insurgency before the term of President ends and finally bring lasting peace and development in the countryside,” the AFP chief added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1163747

AO35 Task Force delves into IHL violations in regions

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 24, 2021): AO35 Task Force delves into IHL violations in regions (By Benjamin Pulta)

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra (File photo)

The investigation of the Department of Justice into the more than 1,500 violations of the international humanitarian law (IHL), submitted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), is in full force.

This, according to Department of Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra adding that the technical working group (TWG) of the Administrative Order (AO) 35 committee is evaluating all IHL cases in the regions.

Cases have been filed in violations with sufficient evidence.

The AO 35 Task Force is the government's inter-agency committee on extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture, and other grave violations on the right to life liberty and security.

“The TWG has also advised law enforcement agencies and the AFP on what further steps to take in order to build up their cases against communist terrorist groups for various violations of international humanitarian law,” Guevarra told reporters via text message on Friday.

“Some complaints have actually been filed in the past, but not as violations of IHL. Instead, common crimes like murder, kidnapping, arson, etc., have been filed against persons associated with the NPA (New People’s Army),” he added.

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 (APM).

Most of the incidents happened in the Calabarzon, Mimaropa and Western Visayas regions.

The international community adopted the 1997 APM Ban Convention prohibiting the acquisition, production, stockpiling, and use of weapons.

More than 160 states are party to the APM Ban Convention that went into effect in 1999.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1163681

BRP Jose Rizal brings relief aid to 'Odette'-hit Palawan

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 23, 2021): BRP Jose Rizal brings relief aid to 'Odette'-hit Palawan (By Priam Nepomuceno)

AID FOR PALAWAN. AFP Chief, Lt. Gen. Andres C. Centino (left), talks to troops during his visit to the headquarters of the Western Command and Marine Battalion Landing Team 3 in Palawan on Wednesday (Dec. 22, 2021). The BRP Jose Rizal is expected to arrive in the province on Friday to deliver relief supplies. (Photo courtesy of AFP)

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief, Lt. Gen. Andres C. Centino, has pledged to extend more help to the province of Palawan, which was among areas devastated by Typhoon Odette.

In a statement, Centino said 30 tons of relief goods are on board the BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150), which departed from Subic, Zambales on Thursday morning and is expected to arrive in Palawan on Friday.

On Wednesday, he visited the typhoon-battered headquarters of the Western Command and Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT) 3.

Despite the damage they sustained, AFP units in Palawan assured Centino that their service and mandate to the people continue despite the lack of resources, such as electricity.

Centino reiterated to the troops of MBLT-3 his message during the AFP anniversary that “we shall celebrate (our anniversary) while doing our jobs in the field.”

Communication lines are also soon to be restored as the Philippine Navy accommodated the logistics requirement of Globe mobile facilities and transportation, and restoration teams aboard the newly commissioned BRP Mamanwa (LC-294).

"We may not be able to fully alleviate the suffering of affected families and individuals, but we hope to at least give them a sense of comfort and security in these uncertain times and in the coming holidays," Centino said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1163555

Troops spend Christmas with tribal community

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 24, 2021): Troops spend Christmas with tribal community (December 24, 2021)

TREE-PLANTERS. Soldiers of the 702nd Infantry (Defender) Brigade pose for a photo on Friday (Dec. 24, 2021) after a 10-day tree-planting project to reforest the former New People's Army base in San Nicolas, Pangasinan. The project aims to make the tribal community productive and resilient. (Photo courtesy of AFP)

Soldiers of the 702nd Infantry (Defender) Brigade in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the local government unit (LGU) have joined hands during a 10-day tree-planting project to reforest the former New People's Army (NPA) base in San Nicolas, Pangasinan to become a productive and resilient tribal community which ended on Friday.

Forty members of the Calanguya tribe benefited from this cash-for-work project of DOLE's Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers or TUPAD as they planted fruit trees and other endemic local hardwood.

The livelihood program ended with a Christmas party tendered by the LGU and DOLE that provided food packs and gifts to families of the Calanguya tribe.

"It is our way sharing our blessings this Christmas. TUPAD augments their income as we pursue sustainable programs to make former NPA bases productive and resilient from all threats," Brig. Gen. Kris Mortela said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1163678

Zambo City exec raises alert level vs. terrorism

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 24, 2021): Zambo City exec raises alert level vs. terrorism (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)

HEIGHTENED ALERT. Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar examines bomb parts seized by government forces from a suspected bomber in Zamboanga City on Wednesday (Dec. 22, 2021). The mayor on Friday (Dec. 24, 2021) raised the alert level against terrorism across the city as the Christmas celebration reaches its peak this week. (Photo courtesy of Zamboanga CIO)

ZAMBOANGA CITY - As the frenzy of Christmas celebrations reached its peak this week, Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar raised on Friday the city’s level of alertness against terrorism.

This developed as the state security forces thwarted what could have been a devastating bomb explosion following the confiscation Wednesday night of an improvised explosive device (IED) ready for detonation, and the arrest of the suspected bomber in Barangay Kasanyangan here.

The main charge of the IED is a 90-mm high explosive anti-tank (HEAT) ammunition.

Security forces also seized bomb-making components consisting of a detonating cord, a nine-volt battery, battery snap connector, pressure switch, improvised electric blasting cap, and transparent plastic.

Salazar appealed for a much stronger presence of police and military forces in the city even as she urged the people to also do their share of civic duty, stressing that government cannot do it alone without the people’s support and cooperation.

“Let us be vigilant and continue the high level of alert to prevent any terror activities while maintaining our efforts to fight Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) by complying with minimum public health standards,” Salazar said in a statement Friday.

She also urged the people to avoid overcrowding or refrain from going to crowded places as this provides the opportunity for terror attacks and it could also be a super spreader event for the Covid-19.

“Likewise, don’t bring backpacks and other unnecessary items,” she said.

“While we cannot stop people from going out as this is Christmas season, what we can do is a lot of proactive and preemptive measures so that every family is allowed to celebrate Christmas and the new year peacefully and safely,” she added.

The mayor urged everyone instead to stay home and be safe.

Salazar ordered the local police to conduct checkpoints in strategic places to thwart any attempt of bombings in the locality. (

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1163643

BARMM builds homes for ex-rebels, IDPs

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 24, 2021): BARMM builds homes for ex-rebels, IDPs (By Edwin Fernandez)

EX-REBELS’ HOMES. Officials of the Ministry of Human Settlements and Development (MHSD) break ground for the construction of 100 housing units for former Moro rebels in two villages of Pigcawayan, North Cotabato on Thursday (Dec. 23, 2021). Another 50 housing units, also for former Moro Islamic Liberation Front combatants and internally-displaced families, will be built at the same time in Barira, Maguindanao. (Photo courtesy of MSHD-BARMM)

 Seen as clear evidence of the dividends of peace in Mindanao, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has stepped up its housing program for settlement by former Moro combatants and internally displaced persons in the region.

In a statement Friday, the region’s Ministry of Human Settlements and Development (MHSD), there is no letup in expanding the construction of housing units for resettlement projects intended for ex-MILF combatants, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and other needy sectors across the region.

On Thursday, the MHSD held separate groundbreaking ceremonies for the construction of 150 units of housing projects for the villages of Buricain and Simsiman in Pigcawayan, North Cotabato; and for Barangay Nabalawag in Barira, Maguindanao.

Funded under the Special Development Fund (SDF), each of the 50-units of resettlement housing projects for Barangays Buricain and Simsiman are worth PHP28,722,864 and PHP27,839,114, respectively.

On the other hand, for Barangay Nabalawag, MHSD-BARMM has earmarked PHP25,475,931 for the establishment of another 50–unit housing project with land development, subsidized under the General Appropriations Act of the Bangsamoro (GAAB) for the fiscal year 2021.

All the 150 units of resettlement housing projects are expected to be completed within 200 days or mid-2022.

MHSD Minister Hamid Aminoddin Barra said the housing project for the ex-rebels is just one of the deliverables that their office is doing to help Bangsamoro communities that suffered decades of armed hostilities to recover.

“As we go on with the extension of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), we will be doing more development. In the case of MHSD – including our 2022 projects – we will be constructing more than 2,000 houses,” Barra, a lawyer, said.

Barra said four towns in Lanao del Sur have benefited from the same project, including the provincial islands of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, as well as the city of Cotabato.

“By next week, we will be signing a contract with the island provinces for the construction of 600 housing units,” he said.

The selection of target beneficiaries for the project is in the hands of MILF contingents, he added.

Yasser Rapun, chief of the housing and human settlements division, said in the case of Barangays Buricain and Simsiman, each project’s lot area has two hectares, and each house has an area of 42 sq. meters.

“In the terms of land acquisition, we have some projects where we bought parcels of land or otherwise they are donated,” he said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1163644

Youngest Army unit trains 456 recruits to defeat ASG in Sulu

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 23, 2021): Youngest Army unit trains 456 recruits to defeat ASG in Sulu (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)

NEW RECRUITS. About 456 recruits take oath on Tuesday (Dec. 21, 2021), marking the start of their six-month training at the 11th Division Training School in Barangay Tagbak, Indanan, Sulu. After the training, they will be deployed to the different battalions of the 11th Infantry Division, which is tasked to fight the remaining members of the Abu Sayyaf Group in Sulu. (Photo courtesy of the 11th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office)

About 456 recruits have begun their basic military training to join the 11th Infantry Division (ID), the youngest unit of the Philippine Army, tasked to fight the remaining Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits in the province of Sulu.

The recruits belong to the Candidate Soldiers Classes 680, 681, and 682-2021 and took their oath Tuesday, marking the start of their six-month training at the 11th Division Training School (11DTS) in Camp Bud Datu, Barangay Tagbak, Indanan, Sulu.

Col. Leomar Jose Doctolero, 11DTS commandant, said Thursday the candidate soldiers are from various walks of life in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao and were chosen as the best among the thousands of aspirants who wanted to be part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

“They are undergoing six months of basic military training and to be instilled with the Army core values while honing them into disciplined soldiers that will contribute to our forces,” Doctolero said in a statement.

Brig. Gen. Benjamin Batara Jr., 1103rd Infantry Brigade commander, underscored the responsibility of the 11DTS in molding the new breed of candidate soldiers who will protect the people of Sulu by defeating the remaining ASG bandits in the province.

Batara, who keynoted the start of the training, encouraged the trainees to persevere and reminded them they were lucky to have been chosen to join the training.

“Always remember, put in your heart and mind all the knowledge you will learn in the training. Always remember that the more you sweat in training, the less you bleed in battle. Good luck on your journey,” he said.

Batara noted that on September 21, the Candidate Soldiers Course “Makagilas” (Muslim at Kristiyano Alakdan Galing Isip Liksi Aming Sandata) Class 656-2021 successfully hurdled the rigorous military training.

“They are now deployed to different battalions of 11ID to increase the personnel fill-up and at the same time, to increase the unit’s combat power,” he said.

Like the Magkagilas Class 656-2021, the trainees will also be deployed to different battalions after their six-month training to further strengthen the combat prowess of the 11ID and defeat the remaining threat to peace and stability in the province of Sulu.

The 11ID is a three-year-old command and the youngest unit of the Philippine Army.

President Rodrigo Duterte, accompanied by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, led the activation of the 11ID at Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista, home of the Joint Task Force (JTF)-Sulu headquarters, in Barangay Bus-Bus, Jolo, Sulu on Dec. 17, 2018.

Composed of units already present in Sulu and working under JTF Sulu, the various units were formed into a new division dedicated to fighting the Islamic State-affiliated terrorist groups in the province.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1163563

Soldiers, cops foil bomb attack in Zambo City

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 23, 2021): Soldiers, cops foil bomb attack in Zambo City (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)

FOILED BOMBING. State forces foil a bombing plan of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) as they arrested a man suspected to have ties with the terror group and seized an improvised explosive device (IED) Wednesday (Dec. 22, 2021) in Barangay Kasanyangan, Zamboanga City. A member of the explosive ordnance disposal team (right) examines the IED at the residence of suspect Tony Asmun who has alleged links with the Basilan-based terrorists. (Photo courtesy of Zamboanga CIO)

Government security forces have foiled a bomb attack this yuletide season as they arrested a man suspected to have ties with the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and seized an improvised bomb Wednesday night in this city.

Brig. Gen. Franco Simborio, Police Regional Office - Zamboanga Peninsula (PRO-9) director, on Thursday identified the arrested suspect as Tony Asmun, 57, of Hanapi Drive, Barangay Kasanyangan here

Simborio said Asmun was arrested when joint police and military operatives, armed with a search warrant, raided the suspect’s residence in Hanapi Drive around 7:20 p.m. Wednesday.

Before the raid, Simborio said they received a report that an alleged ASG member identified as certain alias Putoh and his skipper, with an improvised explosive device (IED), landed on the shore of Barangay Mariki here coming from Barangay Seronggon in Hadji Mohamad Ajul, Basilan province.

“The IED was concealed in a sack of charcoal and transported together with three other sacks of charcoal aboard a motorboat,” Simborio said.

He said the IED, with a main charge of 90-mm high explosive anti-tank (HEAT) ammunition, was deposited at the residence of Asmun in Barangay Kasanyangan.

He said the raiding team seized the 90-mm HEAT with detonating cord as a booster, a nine-volt battery, battery snap connector, pressure switch, improvised electric blasting cap, and a transparent plastic from the suspect.

Asmun, however, has denied any knowledge that an IED was concealed in one of the sacks of charcoal that Putoh brought to his residence.

Asmun, who had just come out of prison after four years and five months for drug charges, also denied that he has ties with the ASG in Basilan. He was released from jail on December 15.

Simborio said that Asmun was placed under the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-9 for documentation and proper disposition.

Meanwhile, Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has ordered the city police office to conduct checkpoints in strategic places to thwart any attempt of bombings in the locality.

For the past six years, this city recorded zero bombing incidents as security measures remain tight.

The last bombing incident here took place in July 2015 that killed one person and injured nine others at a massage parlor along San Jose Road.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1163551

Kalinaw News: More than 300 new soldiers conclude military training

 Posted to Kalinaw News (Dec 21, 2021): More than 300 new soldiers conclude military training



CAMP MELCHOR F DELA CRUZ, Upi, Gamu, Isabela- 324 newly soldiers of the Philippine Army under KALASAG class 671 and MANALASIK class 672 concluded their six months of military training at Division Training School, Camp Melchor F Dela Cruz, Upi, Gamu, Isabela on December 20, 2021.

The newly graduates have undergone tremendous physical conditioning, psychological & emotional pressure, leadership challenges, and test of camaraderie that prepared them for their future endeavors as members of the Philippine Army.

Excelled students of each class were awarded Academic Proficiency Award. Pvt Aldrin L Balinggao of Natonin, Mt. Province top the KALASAG class with a general average of 94.30%. While, Pvt Franzrey L Ammogawen of Tabuk, Kalinga graduated top 2 with a general average of 92.68%, and Pvt Kyle I Dalason of Bontoc, Mt. Province landed top 3 with an average of 92.62%.

Pvt Balinggao said that he will do his best to contribute to the success of the Philippine Army. “Lahat po ng natutunan ko sa training ay isasabuhay ko sa pagganap ng aking tungkulin bilang isang ganap na sundalo.”

Meanwhile, from MANALASIK, Pvt Sherwin L Mina of Piat, Cagayan led the class with a general average of 93.34%. Pvt Manny A Paut of Tinglayan, Kalinga and Pvt Fernando Jose S Ulanimo of Aparri, Cagayan got the second and third place respectively with an average of 93.09% and 92.35%.

Pvt Mina then thanked their training instructors who guided them until they finished their six-month training. “Hindi na po kaila yung hirap ng training. Pero sa pamamagitan ng training nahubog po kami bilang mga sundalo na maaasahan ng mga Pilipino.”

Additionally, Pvt Romel A Burac of Amulung, Cagayan and Pvt Christian L Reotita of Guibang, Gamu, Isabela received Physical Proficiency Award.

Dr. Ricmar P. Aquino, President of Isabela State University served as the Guest of Honor and Speaker, reminded the new soldiers to carry the flag with pride and honor and be mindful of the purpose in entering the profession. “I salute you for sacrificing your lives by choosing this career with a noble intention of serving and protecting the Filipino people and the nation. I believe that you have become disciplined and brave defenders of the country. I also salute 5th Infantry Division for molding best soldiers of the Philippine Army.”

Further, MGen Laurence E Mina, Commander of 5th Infantry Division congratulated the newly privates. “Welcome to the Philippine Army. You have successfully finished your training and I am hoping that you will inculcate all your learnings in your deployments. From here on, you will experience difficulties more than what you have encountered in your training. Be brave to serve the people and securing the land.”

Meanwhile, newly privates are from the different provinces such as Isabela (86), Cagayan (80), Kalinga (78), Apayao (9), Mt. Province (17), Ifugao (19), La Union (2), Abra (5), Quirino (5), Nueva Vizcaya (5), Nueva Ecija (4), Ilocos Norte (3), Ilocos Sur (1), Bataan (1), Bulacan (1), Tarlac (2), Cavite (1), Bukidnon (1), North Cotabato (3), and Zamboango Del Sur (1).

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