Next admin should push peace process gains, milestones: Galvez

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 28, 2022): Next admin should push peace process gains, milestones: Galvez (By Lade Jean Kabagani)

Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. (Photo courtesy of OPAPRU)

Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. hopes the next administration will continue the government’s significant milestones and gains in pursuit of the peace process in the country.

Galvez said one of the primary milestones is the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) saying "it really transforms” Mindanao areas into peaceful communities.

He added the efforts of the government to curb terrorism, particularly neutralizing the remnants of Daesh-inspired Maute Group in Marawi City, have greatly contributed to the effective push of localized peace engagements within the conflict-affected communities.

“After Marawi, nakita natin wala masyadong (We saw that there were no) major breakout of hostilities in Mindanao,” he said in a previous interview.

Citing reports of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Galvez said the public’s confidence in economic development in the Bangsamoro region has gradually increased after pushing for the comprehensive peace process.

“Unlike in the previous years, there's increasing poverty incidence in the region," he said.

He added that the poverty incidence in the region has decreased to up to double digits since last year -- an important result of effectively implementing the peace process.

"And those are significant accomplishments in the Bangsamoro. Even with the pandemic, we saw that the social living of our Moro brothers and sisters has been improved,” Galvez said.

The closure agreement with Rebolusyonaryong Partidong Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/ Alex Boncayao Brigade-Tabara Paduano Group (RPM-P/RPA/ABB-TPG), also known as Kapatiran in Western Visayas, is also another milestone of the government in pursuit to peace process, he added.

“We saw that they’ve been waiting for almost 19 years in order to implement those signed agreements in 2000,” he said.

Galvez said President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has immediately instructed the then Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) to close the 19-year old peace agreement with the Kapatiran.

“We came last two weeks ago in the area and we saw there’s a complete turnaround. We saw the competence of the Kapatiran that they are really taken care of by the government,” he said.

One of the major milestones of the Duterte administration, he added, is pushing for a whole-of-nation and whole-of-society approach when it comes to addressing peace and security concerns in the country.

“We harmonized the different government agencies, at the same time, our other development partners are really supporting us and assisting us in all of our efforts,” he said.

Galvez is confident the next administration will prioritize the peace process.

“Because we see that, in order to achieve development and prosperity, there should be peace first. I am very confident that our presidential candidates are all knowledgeable and experienced in really pursuing the peace process in our land,” he said.

“I know them all and I am very confident that they will push through—and they will be implementing the good legacy of our administration,” Galvez added.

By virtue of an executive order (EO) 158, signed by President Duterte on Dec. 27, 2021, reorganizing and renaming the OPAPP to OPAPRU.

Galvez earlier said the OPAPRU will further expand its mandate to sustain the Duterte administration’s legacy in pushing a comprehensive peace process in the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1170813

NOLCOM: Philippine Army, U.S. Army Pacific conclude Salaknib Exercise 2022

Posted to the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) Facebook Page (Mar 26, 2022): Philippine Army, U.S. Army Pacific conclude Salaknib Exercise 2022

Philippine Army

Philippine Army, U.S. Army Pacific conclude Salaknib Exercise 2022

The Philippine Army and the U.S. Army Pacific concluded the 20-day Salaknib Exercise 2022 at the 1st Brigade Combat Team headquarters, Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija on March 24, 2022.

 
Salaknib—which means “shield” in Ilocano—is an annual combined exercise aimed at enhancing the Philippine Army and U.S. Army Pacific’s capacity and interoperability across the spectrum of military operations, while also strengthening alliance between the two nations.

 
“Over the years, the Philippine Army and the U.S. Army Pacific have remained united through the long-standing bilateral relations in pursuit of the common goal of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region,” Commanding General, Philippine Army (CGPA) Lt. Gen. Romeo S. Brawner, Jr., who served as the event’s guest of honor and speaker, said.

Around 2,200 Philippine Army and U.S. Army Pacific soldiers trained side-by-side in this year’s edition of Salaknib, consisting of multiple field training and battalion-level staff exercises, combined live fire exercises, subject matter expert exchanges, medical training, and the first-validated U.S. Jungle Operations Training Course in the Philippines.

 
The two armies also shared best practices on functional areas such as fire support, communications, engineering, counter improvised explosive devices, and military intelligence that enabled troops to develop interoperability. Simulated war-fighting scenarios meanwhile enhanced both armies' defense readiness.

Philippine Army troops from 1BCT, Training and Doctrine Command, Army Support Command, 51st Engineering Brigade, Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Army Artillery Regiment, Army Aviation Regiment, Armor Division, Light Reaction Regiment, Special Forces Regiment (Airborne), and First Scout Ranger Regiment took part in this year's edition of Salaknib.  Photo: Sgt Cesar Lopez Philippine Army/ OACPA

#KapayapaanParaSaLahat
#ServingthePeopleSecuringtheLand
#PhilippineArmy
#ParaSaBayan

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NOLCOM: NPA terrorist killed, firearms seized by AFP in Surigao Sur

Posted to the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) Facebook Page (Mar 26, 2022): NPA terrorist killed, firearms seized by AFP in Surigao Sur

Armed Forces of the Philippines

NPA terrorist killed, firearms seized by AFP in Surigao Sur

A member of the communist terrorist New People's Army (NPA) was killed in Marihatag, Surigao del Sur, after a fierce firefight with soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday, March 21.

 
The killed NPA member was among the more or less 20 communist terrorists encountered by troops of the 75th Infantry Battalion in an uninhabited area of Sitio Montenegren, Brgy San Isidro in Marihatag.
Government forces tracked down the armed group based on information from concerned citizens. This subsequently resulted in an armed encounter that lasted for about ten minutes.

 
"We are thankful for the populace's support for their courage in reporting the presence of the NPAs in the area. Rest assured that we will not allow these terrorists to continue their nefarious activities that disrupt the peaceful lives of our people," said Colonel Rommel Almaria, 401st Brigade Commander.
The NPAs fled after the firefight leaving behind their dead comrade, who is still for identification. The soldiers also seized six high-powered firearms, including M16 rifles, AK 47 rifles, M653 rifle, and M203 grenade launcher.

 
They also confiscated other war materiel such as improvised explosive device paraphernalia and documents with high intelligence value.

 
"The AFP calls on the communist terrorist group to stop further bloodshed, surrender peacefully, and let the government help them become productive members of society. Through this, we can achieve genuine peace and development for our country," said Colonel Jorry L Baclor, AFP Public Affairs Chief./// (Photos from 401st Infantry Brigade)

#AFPyoucanTRUST

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NOLCOM: Balikatan-Camaraderie, Alliance, Interoperability

Posted to the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) Facebook Page (Mar 26, 2022): Balikatan: Camaraderie, Alliance, Interoperability

Armed Forces of the Philippines

A day before PH-US Exercise Balikatan 2022

LOOK I Philippine and United States Marines spend light moments after participating in the live-fire exercise during the Exercise Balikatan at Colonel Ernesto Ravina Air Base in Capas, Tarlac, on April 2, 2019.

The 37th iteration of PH-US Exercise Balikatan will officially open tomorrow, March 28, at the AFP's general headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

 
Balikatan, is a Filipino word that means working together shoulder to shoulder to achieve a common goal. At the personal level, it also gives the soldiers of two militaries a chance to learn the culture and tradition of each other and build camaraderie and friendship that will last even after the exercise.

#balikatan2022
#AFPyoucanTRUST
#ArmedForcesOfThePhilippines

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Military engaged NPAs in 5-minute firefight in Abra

Posted to Guru Press-Cordillera (Mar 25, 2022): Military engaged NPAs in 5-minute firefight in Abra

Abra, Philippines – Military and members of the New People’s Army engaged in a 5-minute firefight in Barangay Anayan, Tineg, Abra on March 23, 2022.

The armed clash transpired after the community told authorities about the presence of Kilusang Larangang Guerilla (KLG)-North Abra in their area despite having been declared Persona non grata, the 5th Infantry Division reported.

It was said that while the government troops were conducting a focused military operation at the community, members of the said group fired at the operating personnel, resulting in the latter to retaliate.

The exchange of bullets lasted for five minutes before the rebels withdrew to the east direction.

24th Infantry Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel Ricardo Gary Garcia III mentioned that the troops were able to recover a piece of rifle grenade, 4 magazines for M16 rifle, a piece of bandolier, and 27 pieces of 5.56mm ammunition from the encounter site.

This March 2022, the Province of Abra was put by the higher headquarters under the operational control of the 5th Infantry Division. This move was made to clear the province of the communist terrorist group.

Major General Laurence Mina, 5ID Commander, conveyed his gratitude to the residents in Abra for supporting the campaign against insurgency and lauded the efforts of the 24IB in protecting the community from atrocities.

“The Province of Abra was added to our Area of Responsibility to clear it from the influence and presence of the insurgents,” he stated.

Meantime, a day after the encounter in Abra, another firefight between the authorities and rebels ensued in Barangay Aplaya, Maconacon, Isabela.

https://www.gurupress-cordillera.com/post/military-engaged-npas-in-5-minute-firefight-in-abra?fbclid=IwAR3-yRoPhsS-U8TAhz7RGdqDvXxoSpa6CdjBETiCJHPwyLxbjl-Ml94zGVM

WESTMINCOM: WestMinCom strengthens alliance with peace advocates in Mindanao

Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Facebook Page (Mar 27, 2022): WestMinCom strengthens alliance with peace advocates in Mindanao

Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City – March 27, 2022

Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario, Jr., Commander of Western Mindanao Command met with Moro National Liberation Front Chairman Nur Misuari in Davao City on March 25, 2022. The two met at Misuari’s residence located in the aforementioned city.

 
During their conversation, Chairman Misuari vowed to continuously collaborate and support the peace efforts of the military and the national government as a whole. “We are here to support your campaigns that would yield to the attainment of lasting peace in Mindanao, particularly in the Bangsamoro region,” Chairman Misuari stated.

 
The MNLF Chairman stressed that the AFP and the MNLF have established a good working relationship that is anchored on the 1996 GRP-MNLF Final Peace Agreement. Chairman Misuari also acknowledged the implementation of the government’s programs in the Bangsamoro which include the formulation of the MNLF Transformation Roadmap spearheaded by Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr., Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU).

 
Currently, the OPAPP, in partnership with the JTF Sulu and partner agencies, is finalizing the implementing rules and regulations for the MNLF Transformation Roadmap. The Roadmap includes all the government's initiatives, projects, and other developmental activities such as socio-economic, community healing and reconciliation, and security and confidence-building measures that would be implemented in the identified MNLF communities.

Chairman Misuari also expressed his gratitude to the WestMinCom Commander for taking the time to visit and exchange ideas with him.

Likewise, Lt. Gen. Rosario, Jr. expressed his appreciation to the MNLF Chairman for the unwavering support to the command’s thrusts including the campaign against terrorism in Sulu. “Let us continue to work together for our common goal of winning the genuine peace for the Bangsamoro people to be achieved,” the WestMinCom Commander stated.

 
During his visit to the MNLF Chairman, Lt. Gen. Rosario, Jr. was accompanied by Joint Task Force Sulu Commander Maj. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio and his staff, WestMinCom’s Assistant Chief of Unified Command Staff for Civil-Military Operations Col. Wendell Basat, and other staff officers of the command.

 
Also, the WestMinCom Commander graced the peace covenant signing held at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City on Saturday, March 26. The BARMM Peace Covenant was created to support the government’s campaign towards safe, accurate, free, and fair National and Local Elections this coming May 9, 2022.

The momentous event was organized by the Commission on Elections and participated by top AFP officers headed by the Chief of Staff of the AFP Gen. Andres Centino and PNP officials headed by Police Gen. Dionardo Carlos who was represented by Police Lt. Gen. Chiquito Malayo, the Director for Integrated Police Operations-Western Mindanao.

 
Also in attendance were Department of National Defense Under Secretary Reynaldo B Mapagu; COMELEC Chairperson Saidamen Balt Pangarungan; Maj. Gen. Generoso Ponio, Commander of Joint Task Force ZamPeLan; Maj. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio, Commander of Joint Task Force Sulu; Brig. Gen. Jose Maria Cuerpo II, Commander of 103rd Brigade; Atty. Ray Sumalipao, Regional Election Director for BARMM; Hon. Naguib Sinarimbo, BARMM Minister of the Interior and Local Government; and P/Col Christopher Panapan, Provincial Director of Lanao del Sur.

Lt. Gen. Rosario, Jr. said a strong alliance must be established among local chief executives, religious and traditional leaders, and Islamic organizations in Mindanao, particularly the provinces of Basilan, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato, Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, and Lanao, to ensure peace and order on the election day and thereafter.

 
“Rest assured the Western Mindanao Command continues to intensify its security operations to ensure that operational goals are attained and the stability in the communities is sustained,” Lt. Gen. Rosario, Jr. further stated.

https://www.facebook.com/westmincomafp2021/photos/pcb.266418609026360/266418285693059/

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WESTMINCOM: Troops discover arms cache disclosed by former rebel

Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Facebook Page (Mar 27, 2022): Troops discover arms cache disclosed by former rebel

Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City – March 27, 2022

Soldiers discovered an arms cache disclosed by a former rebel who yielded to the military on Saturday morning, March 26.

Brig. Gen. Leonel Nicolas, Commander of the 102nd Infantry Brigade revealed that during the custodial debriefing, a.k.a. Andoy, an Executive Committee member of the Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee (WMRPC), disclosed that a Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) arms cache can be found in a forested area at Purok 5, Barangay Ocapan, San Miguel, Zamboanga del Sur.

 
Troops of the 53rd Infantry Battalion immediately proceeded to the location and successfully recovered war materials including five AK47 assault rifles, one long magazine for AK47, and 15 rounds of 7.62mm ball ammunition.

 
Maj. Gen. Generoso Ponio, Commander of Joint Task Force ZamPeLan commended the troops of the 53IB for this significant gain. “We expect more communist terrorists to return to the fold of the law following the peace rallies conducted in our area of operation the other day,” the two-star general further stated.

 
Recovered items were brought to the 53IB headquarters in Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur for proper accounting and disposition.

“Inspired by the several accomplishments, including the decrease in the manpower and assets of the different threat groups within our joint area of operations, the Western Mindanao Command will remain steadfast in conducting lethal and non-lethal operations to sustain the momentum,” Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario, Jr., Commander of Western Mindanao Command assured.

 
#SupportOurTroops
#SundaloSalamatsaSerbisyo
#AFPyoucanTRUST
#TeamAFP
#TeamWestMinCom
#WholeofNationApproach

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From bullets to ballots in Bangsamoro

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Mar 27, 2022): From bullets to ballots in Bangsamoro (By: Edwin O. Fernandez, Ryan D. Rosauro)

TRANSITION | Owing to a 2014 peace deal, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) transitions from being a revolutionary organization to a movement that espouses democratic means to achieve its goals. Composite file images from 2018 and 2019 show MILF chief Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim, lead peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal and the group’s fighters as they campaign for peace initiatives that led to the drafting and eventual ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law in a plebiscite on Jan. 21, 2019. —(PHOTOS BY JEOFFREY MAITEM, RICHEL UMEL, JULIE ALIPALA AND RICHARD A. REYES)

COTABATO CITY, Maguindanao, Philippines — Ali Tatak, a former fighter of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) who is in his 60s, said the election on May 9 would be his first time ever to cast his vote for candidates he deemed fit to hold public office.

He registered as a voter in 2019 at Barangay Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat town, Maguindanao province, the base of the once separatist MILF.

“As an MILF member, I did not participate in any election. We were told [that] now is our time to help choose our leaders because it is important for the peace process,” Tatak said in the vernacular in a recent interview outside Cotabato City.

Abdul Latip, a 40-year-old former MILF combatant and among the recently decommissioned fighters, said he voluntarily offered to be subjected to the decommissioning process because he was convinced that the government and the MILF leadership were sincere in ending the so-called Moro conflict that spawned four decades of armed rebellion in Mindanao.

Part of the normalization program for former combatants — in keeping with the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) — is to provide them the opportunity for political participation, mainly by registering as voters.

“The first electoral exercise I participated in was the plebiscite for BOL. May 9 will be my second time, and this time I will be electing our leaders,” Latip said.

The BOL is the Bangsamoro Organic Law, the charter of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) which was ratified during the Jan. 21, 2019, plebiscite.

“This is good, no blood will be spilled, there is no need to fire a gun in battle which will cause civilians to evacuate. What we need now is to choose our leaders wisely, those who will work for the betterment of the Bangsamoro,” Latip said.
Ending conflict

Signed in 2014, the CAB formally ended four decades of separatist rebellion that has claimed an estimated 120,000 lives and left a large part of Mindanao, especially the Moro region, wallowing in underdevelopment.

Under the landmark peace deal, the MILF agreed to drop its members’ firearms in exchange for, among others, redoing the Moro autonomy setup by giving it greater governance powers, conceding to it a fixed share in national revenues which spending they alone will decide, and ensuring funding support for rehabilitation of war-torn communities and decommissioning of some 40,000 combatants and their weapons.

Other key aspects of the peace deal are recognition of Moro identity and acknowledgment of historical injustices through succession of government actions and policies that disfavored and discriminated them as a people.

The CAB was the basis for legislating the BOL. With the BARMM established in 2019, 12,000 MILF combatants were immediately decommissioned. The process for a second batch of 14,000 is under way.

In the peace deal, the MILF committed to transition from a revolutionary organization to a social movement that espouses democratic means to achieve its aims. This is the reason it formed the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) in 2014.

During the first quarter of 2015, the members of the MILF, led by its leaders, started the first step of their participation in the country’s electoral process, as registered voters.

In 2018, in the run-up to the plebiscite for the BOL, the UBJP campaigned for its members and supporters to register as voters. The Commission on Elections said more than 150,000 former MILF fighters had registered and eventually voted during the BOL plebiscite.
First poll exercise

Due to delays in building the BARMM, the MILF’s political transition also suffered setbacks. As such, the UBJP will be participating in its first electoral exercise on May 9.

In one party assembly, UBJP secretary-general Abdulraof Macacua urged grassroots leaders to elect candidates with integrity and credibility, and for those seeking reelection, good track record of public service.

Lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, who is UBJP deputy secretary-general, said they had issued guidelines for its members to follow in choosing leaders.

“We guide our members how to correctly vote but did not dictate who to elect,” Sinarimbo said, even as he advised the electorate “to reject the politics of money for it will make the elected officials corrupt.”

“Corrupt and dishonest candidates, once elected, will recover all his expenses through corruption,” said Sinarimbo, who is also interior minister of the BARMM whose interim Chief Minister, Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim, the MILF’s chief, has vowed to rule along the precepts of moral governance.

Abunawas Maslamama, a senior MILF official who uses the nom de guerre Von Al-Haq, said while the CAB forced the erstwhile rebel organization into the electoral arena, its political agenda will remain, and that is “to emancipate our people from the bondage of political, cultural and socioeconomic deprivation and exploitation.”

This is why the UBJP is organized as “a political vehicle where we can entrust our development, progressive agenda for the Bangsamoro,” explained Maslamama, deputy minister for transportation and communication in the BARMM.

“UBJP is a principled political party which totally represent[s] the voice of the broader populace and not any political family or clan,” he added.

Ebrahim admitted that joining the political and democratic processes of the country is a major challenge for them given that corruption is like a built-in feature of the government.
Moral goals

It is in this context, Ebrahim said, that their battle cry of moral governance was shaped. He said they would govern the BARMM without imposing Islamic governance but rather impose the moral virtues of Islam which is for all humankind.

Amid the systemic flaws that it has to live with, the MILF will have the chance to build an electoral system for the Bangsamoro region that hews along its moral goals.

Sinarimbo said the proposed Bangsamoro Electoral Code that they are firming up hopes to address the weaknesses in the current political system.

Among its salient features is the antidynasty provision and a prohibition of “political butterflies,” or “turncoatism.” With a parliamentary setup, the Bangsamoro government needs to have a strong and functional political party system.

Another electoral code feature is the prohibition on tandems or slate coming from the same family in a given locality.

“What we are trying to avoid is the concentration of power in a local government into a single clan or family, like a father as mayor, the wife as vice mayor, and the children as council members. What is allowed, for example, is either the father or mother as mayor, but the other family members can seek elective posts in the province,” Sinarimbo explained.
Alliances

For its first foray into electoral battle, the UBJP has entered into alliances with political dynasties, especially in the provinces of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur.

In Maguindanao, it endorsed the gubernatorial bid of Rep. Esmael Mangudadatu who vigorously pushed for the enactment of the law extending by another three years the MILF-led Bangsamoro Transition Authority.

In Lanao del Sur, the UBJP struck an alliance with the local Siap Party, in the process backing the reelection of Gov. Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr., whose clan is a known supporter of the Bangsamoro cause.

The UBJP’s endorsement is also being sought by national politicians, especially those running for president. Ebrahim has already announced that they will endorse presidential and vice presidential candidates to help elect national leaders who are committed to the continuity of the Bangsamoro peace process.

Ebrahim, who is UBJP president, said they were endorsing candidates who they believed were pursuing the same vision and agenda as theirs.

“The world is watching us. They see the GPH (Government of the Republic of the Philippines)-MILF peace process as [a] model and there is no room for failure,” Macacua said.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1573983/from-bullets-to-ballots-in-bangsamoro

BARMM’s Ebrahim orders MILF to vote straight UBJP in ‘historic’ Eleksyon 2022

From GMA News Online (Mar 27, 2022): BARMM’s Ebrahim orders MILF to vote straight UBJP in ‘historic’ Eleksyon 2022 (By FERDINANDH CABRERA)

“As chairman of UBJP, my official order to MILF members is to vote [for] all members of UBJP party,” BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim said. Omar Mangorsi/ File photo

GRAND MOSQUE, Kalanganan, Cotabato City — Chief Minister of the Bangsamoro region Ahod Balawag “Murad” Ebrahim described this year’s election as the most historic for the Bangsamoro people after more than four decades of political and armed struggle, and ordered the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to vote straight-ticket for the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP).

“I just want to reiterate to everyone, this is the fruit of our sacrifice. The BARMM is a fruit of our more than 40 years of our struggle; we need to protect this, we invested our lives, blood, sweat and sufferings, and we will win this time,” said Murad, who is also the chairman of both the UBJP and the MILF.

Murad was the guest of honor at the grand proclamation rally of UBJP-Cotabato City held on March 25 at the kick-off of the local campaign period.

UBJP has endorsed the candidacy tandem of Councilor Bruce Matabalao for Mayor and Councilor Johari Butch Abu for Vice Mayor. The latter is the son of the late Toks Abu, most commonly known as Ghadzali Jaafar, who was vice-chairman of MILF for political affairs when he died.

Murad said that they first pushed for a political struggle to address the plight and rights of Bangsamoro people, but ended up in an armed struggle. As a rebel organization before, they agreed and imposed not to join any political activities until a peace deal was signed.

Under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) signed in 2014, part of the normalization program for former combatants is the opportunity for political participation, mainly by registering as voters.

Under the landmark peace deal, the MILF agreed to drop its members' firearms as part of the decommissioning process to lead civilian lives and set up Moro autonomy, giving it greater governance powers, fixed shares in government revenues and ensuring funding support for rehabilitation of war-torn communities.

The decades of war inflicted on the Bangsamoro region and nearby communities in Mindanao has created a huge gap in development compared to other regions in the country.

In the early part of 2015, members of the MILF started on their first step of participation by registering members for the electoral process.

“You want us to succeed in BARMM? The region is our way to make our lives better. We should not be just residents here, we have to ensure our UBJP candidates will win,” Ebrahim told attendees at the grand rally.

He also issued an order to former rebels, their families and supporters.

“As chairman of UBJP, my official order to MILF members is to vote [for] all members of UBJP party,” he said during the finale of his speech.

He explained that the action is the continuation of their revolution.

“If we struggle in the name of Jihad then this is the continuation,” Murad added.

Mohagher Iqbal, the MILF’s former chief negotiator and the UBJP Central Mindanao chairman, said, “We have no other way around except the road to peace. The war has ended, the negotiations have ended, we are here now in the electoral and democratic struggle, we must continue the road to peace.”

Murad emphasized the importance of the outcome of the 2022 elections.

“We will be having an election in 2025. If the local governments by then could not be our allies, we can hardly win the election in the parliamentary form of government,” he said.

The officials of the Bangsamoro Government, who are also members of the MILF, clarified that their presence at the grand rally was part of their duty as members and officers of the UBJP.

The UBJP is the political party of the MILF.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/826501/barmm-s-ebrahim-orders-milf-to-vote-straight-ubjp-in-historic-eleksyon-2022/story/

Troops, Abu Sayyaf bandits clash in Sulu

 From the Sun Star-Zamboanga (Mar 27, 2022): Troops, Abu Sayyaf bandits clash in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA. Troops of the 41st Infantry Battalion clash with a group of Abu Sayyaf bandits led by sub-leader Basaron Arok on Saturday, March 26, in Bungkaong village, Patikul, Sulu. A photo handout shows an M-16 Armalite rifle and other personal belongings of the Abu Sayyaf bandits the troops recovered after the clash. (SunStar Zamboanga)

GOVERNMENT troops have recovered a high-powered firearm and other personal belongings following a brief clash against Abu Sayyaf bandits in the hinterlands of Sulu, the military reported.

The clash took place early Saturday, March 26 in Bungkaong village, Patikul, Sulu, according to Major General Ignatius Patrimonio, Joint Task Force (JTF)-Sulu commander.

Patrimonio said the troops of the 41st Infantry Battalion (IB) were conducting focused military operations chanced upon seven Abu Sayyaf bandits led by Sub-leader Basaron Arok.

“After the brief exchanges of fires, the terrorists fled towards south-east direction, leaving along one M16 rifle and their personal belongings,” Patrimonio said.

Meanwhile, Patrimonio lauded the efforts and commitment of the troops and the peace-loving Suluanons for their commitment to ensuring peace, security and development in the province of Sulu.

“The tipping-off of the Abu Sayyaf bandits’ presence in their communities is a manifestation of their continuing support us,” he said.

 
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1924820/zamboanga/local-news/troops-abu-sayyaf-bandits-clash-in-sulu

MILF: OPAPRU launched; peacebuilding agency to focus on achieving reconciliation and unity

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (Mar 24, 2022): OPAPRU launched; peacebuilding agency to focus on achieving reconciliation and unity (OPARRU Website)



PICC, PASAY CITY, (23 March 2022) – The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU), formerly known as the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, was officially launched here on Wednesday.
Created through Executive Order No. 158 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on December 27, 2021, the OPAPRU’s mandate remains anchored on the Six Paths to Peace, and will continue to focus on the implementation of the commitments made by the national government under all signed peace agreements.

The agency has three key objectives: embedding peace, reconciliation and unity in the social fabric; enhancing resilience for peace; and pursuing social, economic, and political reengineering.
The agency’s peacebuilding interventions are in line with the national government’s whole-of-nation approach, and will rely on the active participation of all sectors of society in bringing a just and lasting peace to the nation and all Filipinos.

“The OPAPRU is determined, more than ever, to sustain the gains of the peace processes by helping to transform former combatants and their families into peaceful and productive members of society, while turning once conflict-affected areas into show windows of peace and development,” said Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. in his remarks.

 
The OPAPRU flag bearing the agency’s new logo was unfurled during a solemn ceremony and was witnessed by peace partners.

The dove with an olive branch symbolizes the role of the agency in promoting just and lasting peace; the people icons in blue, yellow, and red represent the Filipino people’s’ unity amidst diversity; while the handshake symbolizes the social healing and peacebuilding initiatives being implemented by OPAPRU.

“Amidst the challenges we continue to face as a nation, the men and women of OPAPRU remain steadfast in fulfilling its mission of putting an end to the culture of violence; transforming the lives of former combatants; improving relationships between and among former rebels, their families and communities, government institutions and mainstream society, and building peaceful, resilient, and progressive communities,” Galvez said.

“To all our peace partners and stakeholders, thank you for the invaluable support you have given to us over the years. And may you continue to stay by our side as we forge ahead with our peace journey,” he added.

[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/2446/opapru-launched--peacebuilding-agency-to-focus-on-achieving-reconciliation-and-unity-

CPP/NDF-RCTU-Bicol: Frustrate Duterte’s undoing of democracy! Defend the victories of the labor movement!

Propaganda statement posted to PRWC Newsroom, the blog site of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Information Bureau (Mar 26, 2022): Frustrate Duterte’s undoing of democracy! Defend the victories of the labor movement!

 

This article is available in Pilipino

Revolutionary Council of Trade Unions-Bicol

NDF-Bicol

National Democratic Front of the Philippines

March 26, 2022

The workers will never acquiesce to US-Duterte regime’s plan to revert back to the slave-like conditions of 10-hour work day under the 4-day work week. The right to just labor hours is a victory that has been attained by the labor movement many centuries ago. Now, the US-Duterte regime wants to overturn this. His ineptitude is so harrowing for him to think that the solution to the oil crisis is to exacerbate the slave-like conditions of laborers.

Instead of decisively suspending the excise tax, resume regulation on the oil industry and increase the salaries of workers, the regime wants the laborers to shoulder the burden of the crisis brought about by Duterte’s puppetry. The workers will be made to suffer just so the regime can salvage itself. Will they not be the ones to be neck-deep in oppression as the days they can earn wages lessen while hours of their labor increase?
The greedy US-Duterte regime comes out with an endless variety of excuses to avoid increasing the workers’ salaries. According to Socioeconomic Secretary Kendrick Chua, the increase in wages will mean a one-point increase in inflation. But whatever statistic they choose to use, it is clear for the workers that adequate and living wages that the anti-poor regime divests them is part of their democratic rights.

Duterte’s refusal to resolve the workers’ basic needs and his nerve to deluge them with additional oppressive measures illustrate further how just the labor struggle is. Greater number of workers must unite in strengthening their struggle. They must show their force in resisting Duterte’s plan to formally commence the anti-people conditions of the 4-day work week. They must demand the end of contractualization, flexi-rates, compressed work week and other slave-like faces of oppression against their ranks. They must call for adequate and living wages. In Bikol, where the minimum wage ranks as the lowest among regions, it is all the more just for them to fight for substantial wage increase. They must defend the victories the democratic labor movement have already won in the past!

Most of all, the workers must join the revolution to completely break free from the tethers of slavery. Through this, the workers and the people will be able to defend their labor rights, not for the capitalists to gorge on anymore, but to serve the needs of the whole country. The workers and the people’s firm belief in the revolutionary armed struggle is what is needed to erase all types of oppression and to construct a new society to be built by the people. This is a society that is genuinely just, free and developed.

https://cpp.ph/statements/frustrate-dutertes-undoing-of-democracy-defend-the-victories-of-the-labor-movement/

CPP/NDF-PKM-Bicol: The oppressive regime must tremble in the face of the peasantry’s irrepressible rage

Propaganda statement posted to PRWC Newsroom, the blog site of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Information Bureau (Mar 26, 2022): The oppressive regime must tremble in the face of the peasantry’s irrepressible rage

This article is available in Pilipino

Pambansang Katipunan ng mga Magbubukid-Bicol

NDF-Bicol

National Democratic Front of the Philippines

March 26, 2022

The starvation and destitution the US-Duterte regime inflicts on the peasants and the fisherfolk who feed the society has reached its limit. The nonstop increase in oil prices is yet another burden for the farmers who have been striving to keep their living despite existing anti-poor policies such as the Rice Tariffication Law.

Whatever guarantee the US-Duterte regime doles out, the taxes to be collected from RTL will never be the answer especially as it will only be used for ayuda limited to only a few who own lands. The farmers and fishermen know that Duterte’s incapacity to solve the oil crisis is not because of the strife between Ukraine and Russia. The truth is, Duterte tied his own hands by completely serving the big bourgeois compradors and their imperialist matters.

Because the ayuda does not include farmworkers and land tenants, Duterte pits the ranks of the peasantry against each other. When in truth, this ayuda is not enough to alleviate poverty in the first place. Their basic problems remain the same: landlessness, commercialization of products and neoliberalism’s stronghold in pricing of agricultural products.

Meanwhile, fishermen are forced to reduce fishing from four times a week to only twice. This is onerous for the fisherfolk especially with the continuous enforcement of the Philippine Fisheries Code Amendments of 2015 and the unfair competition between small fishermen and those owned by foreign and local bureaucrat capitalists. Even the fish that they catch need to compete against imported products.

In these conditions, the organized peasantry and fisherfolk do not have any recourse but their own unity and cooperation in the face of poverty. They continue with their organizing work especially among their own ranks. Through these efforts, luyu-luyo, mutual aid groups and small cooperatives are bourgeoning in order to help provide for their needs.

The inutile regime cannot prevent the farmers and the fisherfolk from storming the streets and gates of DAR and Malacañang. The regime must tremble in the face of the irrepressible rage of the peasantry who are now ready to take up arms to further strengthen the revolutionary movement that shall bring an end to the oppressive ruling class. Duterte must fear the peasantry’s growing consciousness of the truth – that the power to advance and achieve victory for the class war lies in their own hands.

https://cpp.ph/statements/the-oppressive-regime-must-tremble-in-the-face-of-the-peasantrys-irrepressible-rage/

CPP/NDF-Bicol: Women unite against extreme poverty! Revolution not token charity!

Propaganda statement posted to PRWC Newsroom, the blog site of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Information Bureau (Mar 26, 2022): Women unite against extreme poverty! Revolution not token charity!

 

This article is available in Pilipino

Makabayang Kilusan ng Bagong Kababaihan-Bicol

NDF-Bicol

National Democratic Front of the Philippines

March 26, 2022

The US-Duterte regime have made fools out of the Filipino people. To display his supposed altruism, he ordered the increase of the P200 monthly ayuda to P500. The catch is, what would have been a year-long distribution of ayuda will now just cover three months. So instead of receiving P2,400, Filipinos will only receive a total of P1,500 in government assistance. This is how low Duterte thinks of the masses: that he can get away with this brazen act of deceit without the people reacting. But Duterte is grossly mistaken for thinking that the meager P500 ayuda is enough to silence the masses instead of him suspending the excise tax for oil and ending deregulation. This only fuels the public demand for genuine solutions to the oil crisis.

For Filipino women, basic arithmetic shows that the P500 ayuda will not be enough to counteract the devastating effects of oil price hikes. According to them, “mapapamura ka sa mahal ng mga bilihin ngayon.” They have for the longest time learned to scour so many ways just to make ends meet. But they are not magicians who can produce food out of thin air to assuage their growling stomachs.

The US-Duterte regime only tightened the shackles of mendicancy by giving out inadequate ayuda which the masses need to wait for months, even years before they can even claim it. Many more end up with not even a centavo of this so-called ayuda. Worse, the neoliberal regime uses this to evade their obligation in implementing concrete and apt solutions such as the junking of the Oil Deregulation Law with regards to the oil issue.

The Filipino women’s stance is clear: the US-Duterte regimen is inept in protecting its citizens from the destructive effects of crises it brought upon itself through exhaustive neoliberal policies. The women will never accept that as they wallow in the quagmire of poverty, capitalists and their master imperialists swim gladly in the fruits of the masses’ labor. They will never accept the fate of lifelong destitution the US-Duterte regime wants them to be cursed with.

MAKIBAKA-Bikol challenges all women to unite and become one strong voice that will echo throughout the lands and the ears of the seemingly deaf regime. They must flood the streets and call for the suspension of oil excise tax, complete repeal of the Oil Deregulation Law and demand their other democratic interests. To fully attain socioeconomic justice, these women must join the revolution.

https://cpp.ph/statements/women-unite-against-extreme-poverty-revolution-not-token-charity/

CPP/NPA-Rizal: Ambus, pasalubong sa ika-53 anibersaryo ng NPA

Propaganda statement posted to PRWC Newsroom, the blog site of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Information Bureau (Mar 26, 2022): Ambus, pasalubong sa ika-53 anibersaryo ng NPA (Ambush, to mark the 53rd anniversary of the NPA)



Macario 'Ka Karyo' Liwanag

Spokesperson

NPA-Rizal (Narciso Antazo Aramil Command)

Southern Tagalog Regional Operational Command (Melito Glor Command)

New People's Army

March 26, 2022

Bigwas sa AFP-PNP ang matagumpay na ambus ng Narciso Antazo Aramil Command-NPA Rizal laban sa 80th IBPA sa Maugraw, Sityo Quinao, Brgy. Puray, Rodriguez, Rizal. Inilunsad ito alas-7:52 ng umaga ng Marso 26, tatlong araw bago ang ika-53 anibersaryo ng New People’s Army.

Nag-iigib ang anim na elemento ng 80th IBPA sa Maugraw nang tambangan sila ng mga pulang mandirigma ng NAAC-NPA-Rizal malapit sa mismong kampo ng pasistang tropa sa nasabing lugar. Dalawa ang napatay at dalawang sugatan sa mga pasistang tropa. Ligtas namang nakaatras ang yunit ng NPA sa lugar.

Ang aksyong militar na ito ay tugon sa kahilingan ng mamamayan, sa mga pagpapahirap at pandarahas na ginagawa ng 80th IB sa probinsya. Kamakailan lamang, nitong Marso 23, ay dinukot ang isang katutubong dumagat na si Rene Villarama, ng mga elemento ng 80th IBPA at dinala sa kampo sa Baras. Lubhang nababahala ang mga mamamayan ng Puray at natatakot na maaring anumang oras ay sila naman ang susunod na dudukutin ng pasistang tropa na ito.

Patunay ang mga ambus at iba pang aksyong militar ng NAAC na hindi nito alintana ang todo-largang kampanya ng rehimeng US-Duterte para durugin ang CPP-NPA. Patuloy nitong nahahawakan ang inisyatibang militar at ginagawang inutil ang AFP sa kabila ng pinatitinding Focused Military Operations (FMO) nito.

Marapat lamang na bigwasan ang pasistang tropa ng AFP na naghahasik ng kaguluhan at teror sa mamamayan. Makakaasa ang mamamayan sa lalawigan na laging nakahanda ang NPA-Rizal na papanagutin at pagbayarin ang mga pasistang tropa at ang mamamatay-tao at teroristang rehimeng US Duterte. ###

https://cpp.ph/statements/ambus-pasalubong-sa-ika-53-anibersaryo-ng-npa/