Kalinaw News: Four ex-rebels get Php495K from E-CLIP

From Kalinaw News (Dec 23, 2022): Four ex-rebels get Php495K from E-CLIP (By 7ID)

BALER, Aurora – FOUR former rebels (FRs) received a total of 495K financial assistance through the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) held at the Governor’s conference hall, Capitol building, Barangay Suklayin, here on Wednesday, December 21, 2022.

Lt. Col. Julito B. Recto, Jr., commander of Philippine Army’s 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion said that the 4 surrendered to the Sinagtala battalion and now received the immediate, livelihood assistance and firearms renumeration.

Three of them get Php65K cheques while the other one received Php300K under E-CLIP package assistance.

“The award is very timely as Christmas is coming where they have now money for their families as initial assistance coming from the government to start a peaceful life. Let us forget the past and start with a new life with peace while coming back to our mainstream society,” Recto said.

The battalion commander congratulated the four reformed rebels (FRs) and encouraged them to continue to embrace the new life that awaits them in the mainstream society.

“Ituloy natin ang mapayapang pamumuhay. Marami pang ayuda ang darating sa inyo sa pagtutulungan ng ating Provincial ELCAC. Narito kami para gabayan kayo sa inyong pagbabagong buhay,” Recto said.

OIC DILG Provincial Director Ener P. Cambronero CESE, said justice for all is important aspect in the lives of the people moreso to the surrenderers who was also one of the victims of the terrorist organization.

“Bigyan natin sila ng katarungan para sa kanilang pagbabagong buhay. Sa pagsusulong ng katarungan para sa lahat ang mga sangay ng gobyerno ay nagtutulungan upang matulungan ang mga gusto ng magbagong buhay,” he said.

Ka Arman who requested his anonymity and the one who received the Php300K renumeration under E-CLIP expressed his sincerest thanks to the government.

“Maraming Salamat po sa inyo at hindi ninyo kami pinabayaan. Yan pong ibinigay ninyong tulong sa amin ay panimula sa aming mga pangarap na tuloy-tuloy na pagbabagong buhay. Amin pong pinapahalagahan ang mga tulong na nagmumula sa ating gobyerno,” Ka Arman said.

Arnold Novicio, who represent Gov. Christian Noveras said that current administration is committed to addressing the insurgency and helping FRs to be reintegrated into society.

“Atin ng sunugin ang tinahak nating landas mula sa kadiliman para sa pagbabagong buhay. Your government is here to provide financial assistance, livelihood, education, medical and other social services to help FRs like you,” Novicio said.

Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace by the Philippine Army. It provides information on the activities of Army Units nationwide in the performance of their duty of Serving the People and Securing the Land. e-mail: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com

https://www.kalinawnews.com/four-ex-rebels-get-php495k-from-e-clip/

Kalinaw News: Daulah Islamiyah member yields to troops in Lanao del Sur

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3 NPA rebels surrender after Bukidnon clash

From Sun Star-Cagayan de Oro (Dec 22, 2022): 3 NPA rebels surrender after Bukidnon clash (By JO ANN SABLAD)

Contributed photos

THREE members of the New People's Army (NPA) surrendered to authorities following a clash in Bukidnon, the military reported.

The military identified the surrenderers as Roel Saavedra, vice commanding officer of Platoon 1, RSDG Compaq, NCMRC; Raul Litionia, team leader bravo of the same group; and Irine Almahan Haguilay, another team member of the same group.

According to the three rebels, they surrendered as they can no longer endure the extreme hunger and exhaustion because of the unceasing operations of the military.

"Grabe nga kagutom ug kakapoy ang akong nahiaguman human sa pipila ka tuig kong pag panerbisyo sa kalihukan. Nahiamguhan ko na ang mga bakak nga saad sa maong kalihukan hinugdan sa akong pag surrender karon. Walay natabang sa ako ang hukbo ug hinungdan pa sa pagkabungkag sa akong pamilya maong dako ang akong pagbasol," Saavedra said.

Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Bacus, commanding officer of the 8th Infantry Battalion, for his part, lauded the decision of the three former rebels to go back to the government and choose peace.

"Nalipay usab kami kay aduna npod kitay dugang nga mga kaigsuonan nga naluwas gumikan sa mga terroristang grupo," Bacus said.

The 8IB commanding officer also called all remaining rebels to lay down their arms and embrace peace while celebrating Christmas with their families.

"Ang gobyerno andam motabang kaninyo alang sa hingpit nga pagbalik ninyu sa komunidad," Bacus added.

At present, the three surrenderees are in the custody of the 8IB while processing the benefits they can receive from the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1946706/cagayan-de-oro/local-news/3-npa-rebels-surrender-after-bukidnon-clash

NPA rebel killed in clash

From the Sun Star-Zamboanga (Dec 26, 2022): NPA rebel killed in clash

A NEW People’s Army (NPA) rebel was killed in a clash with government forces in the hinterlands of Zamboanga del Sur province, the military reported Monday, December 26, 2022.

Lieutenant Colonel Terence Ylanan, Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion (IB) commander, said the clash happened in the morning of Christmas Day, December 25, at Purok 2 in Saad village, Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur.

Ylanan said the slain NPA rebel was identified as Martino Ayas of the NPA’s Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee.

Recovered from Ayas were an M16A1 rifle with short magazine loaded with 15 live ammunition, a cellular phone, a sling bag with malong and tobacco.

Ylanan said the clash broke out when the troops chanced upon the group of Ayas while checking the reported presence of a group of NPA rebels at Purok 2 in Saad village.

He said that Ayas and his companions were recruiting some of the residents of Saad village to join the NPA movement.

Instead of joining, the residents reported to the 53IB about their presence in the village.

“The communist terrorists (NPA) maybe trying to reinfect Zambooanga del Sur, but the people are no longer easily deceived,” he said.

Ayas’ comrades fled to the hinterlands are being tracked down by the troops.

 
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1949409/zamboanga/local-news/npa-rebel-killed-in-clash

Joma Sison’s last message to his comrades revealed

 Posted to Rappler (Dec 24, 2022): Joma Sison’s last message to his comrades revealed

'Some fifteen or so minutes before Joma took his last breath, he we was still talking about ensuring the revolution would win victory and advancing to socialism,' says his wife Julie

MANILA, Philippines – Until he took his last breath, Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Professor Jose Maria “Joma” Sison was thinking of how the revolution would win.

Sison’s wife, Julie, released his valedictory address to his comrades in the revolutionary movement on Friday, December 23, three days before the 54th anniversary of the CPP.

“It is with deepest grief that I have to be the one to issue my husband’s last and final message,” Julie said.

“Some fifteen or so minutes before Joma took his last breath, he we was still talking about ensuring the revolution would win victory and advancing to socialism. With his last thoughts he remained optimistic about the Filipino people whom he served with utmost determination.”

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Sison died in exile in the Netherlands on December 16 after being confined in the hospital for two weeks.

She said they discussed the message in November when he was hospitalized and, with her assistance, produced the final draft days before his death.

Until the very end, Sison was hopeful about the movement he founded when he was just 29 years old, and consistent about the correctness of his Maoist strategy despite slow gains in the last 50 years.

In his address, he asserted that the “armed counter-revolution” by the ruling Marcos-Duterte administration “will continue to fail,” and that the revolutionary movement was “gaining strength and advancing the new democratic revolution.”

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Joma Sison: Mao in Utrecht

He said it’s not true that the revolutionary forces, including its “Red cadres,” are “dwindling and being defeated.” Four years ago, the Armed Forces of the Philippines claimed the New People’s Army (NPA) was down to 3,700 fighters from around 25,000 at its height in the 1980s.

Sison acknowledged, however, that the “people’s war in the Philippines is still at the stage of the strategic defensive.” It has been at this stage for ages, and Sison’s communist movement is now the longest-running communist insurgency worldwide.

New People’s Army

Sison lamented the “complete sabotage” of the peace talks between the Philippine government and its united front arm, the National Democratic Front (NDF), adding that the “worst came when [Rodrigo] Duterte became president.”

“The Duterte’s termination of the peace negotiations since 2017 was intended not only as a negotiating trick but as the beginning of ending permanently the peace negotiations,” he said. “He pretended to be eager to conduct peace negotiations, but he carried out an all-out war policy against the revolutionary movement.”

Peace talks with the communists started in 1987 after the democratic restoration under the government of Corazon Aquino. Both sides made the biggest gains in the negotiations during the administration of Aquino’s successor, former military chief Fidel Ramos, when the Hague Declaration was signed in September 1992, affirming a commitment to the peace process and ending armed conflict.

Two key agreements – the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantee (JASIG) and the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) – were also inked during the Ramos administration.

Following Sison’s demise, the Department of National Defense (DND) said on December 17 that the biggest “stumbling block” to peace in the country was “gone.”

“A new era without Jose Maria Sison dawns for the Philippines, and we will all be the better for it,” the DND said.

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[OPINION] The life and times of Jose Maria Sison

Sison claimed in his message that the conditions remain for “growth and advance of the people’s democratic revolution,” given the economic problems the country faces, such as “tighter international credit.”

“There is severe decline in food production, including rice, vegetable, and fish, and inflation is soaring. But the Marcos-Duterte ruling team circulate the painful joke that the people can always buy imported food, despite the big drop in earnings from the export of raw materials and cheap labor,” he said.

Sison said the “current global crisis” is a “prelude” to the “resurgence” of socialist revolution around the world.

In his email sent to news organizations, the CPP’s chief information officer Marco Valbuena said, “Despite his death, Ka Joma’s revolutionary optimism will forever infuse the CPP as it carries forward the difficult tasks of leading the Filipino people in the revolutionary struggle for genuine national freedom and democracy.”

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[EDITORIAL] Ano ang itsura ng kilusang Kaliwa post-Joma Sison?

https://www.rappler.com/nation/jose-maria-joma-sison-last-message-to-comrades-revealed/com

On its 54th anniversary after Joma Sison’s death, CPP boasts of 110 guerrilla fronts

Posted to Rappler (Dec 25, 2022): On its 54th anniversary after Joma Sison’s death, CPP boasts of 110 guerrilla fronts

Waging a protracted war for half a century already, communist guerrillas say they are bent on rectifying errors

MANILA, Philippines – Ahead of its 54th founding anniversary on December 26, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) leadership on Sunday, December 25, released its annual message that provides a post-script for the end of the year and sets directions for the next.

The party’s anniversary comes against the backdrop of the death of its founder and longtime chairperson, Jose Maria Sison. Here are four highlights of the 24-page document.
1. Joma lives

The CPP central committee opened with a tribute to Sison, who died on December 16, saying that the founder’s spirit lives on in the party. Among its directives was for members to reread internal party documents, most of which were penned by Sison.

“His immortal revolutionary spirit will forever live to guide the next generation of Party cadres to greater heights,” the CPP said. The CPP also gave its members a pat on the back, making special mention of the guerrilla fighters for paying the “ultimate sacrifice” for their cause. 

(READ: Editorial: Ano ang itsura ng kilusang Kaliwa post-Joma Sison?)

2. Thumbs down to Marcos

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The central committee blasted the economic and foreign policies of the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, particularly its warmth toward both US and China – superpowers that the CPP have branded as imperialists.

The CPP also noted that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) under the Marcos administration continued to be relentless in its offensives, which the CPP said has led to human rights violations and hurt rural communities.

The communist leaders are banking on supposed widespread dissatisfaction with the Marcos administration – as Filipinos continued to be crushed by inflation, among others – for more to join their cause.

3. Is the CPP-NPA over?

Challenging government claims that the New People’s Army (NPA) was down to merely 24 guerrilla fronts, the CPP said its troops continued to thrive.

There are reliable reports that a military operation in Samar killed the CPP’s reported local chair, Benito Tiamzon, and his wife Wilma. Just last month, ranking guerrilla leaders were killed in Sultan Kudarat. Military clashes in Negros Occidental in October also displaced communities in villages suspected to be sympathetic to the communist cause.

“In the course of waging protracted people’s war, the NPA has established more than 110 guerrilla fronts across the country and has built thousands of local mass organizations,” it said. The CPP added: “Guerrilla units of the NPA have shown that they are undaunted by the enemy’s superiority in number and weaponry.”

4. The CPP’s points for improvement, in their own words

The CPP said it was optimistic that it could expand in the coming years by rectifying errors.

“The Central Committee, together with all organs of leadership, is currently at the head of efforts to identify the internal ideological, political and organizational weaknesses, shortcomings and errors that are at the root of these setbacks. The Party is determined to rectify these errors,” the CPP said.

It repeated its usual clarion call for members to organize the masses in the countryside and train them for the long haul. “We must learn from the fact that the NPA has had the most success in guerrilla fronts where the peasant masses have been organized and actively mobilized to wage anti-feudal struggles and carry out agrarian revolution,” the CPP said.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/national-news/cpp-2022-anniversary-message-after-joma-sison-death/

‘Ready for war’: Army, PRO-6 brace for rebel offensives as CPP marks anniv

From Panay News (Dec 26, 2022): ‘Ready for war’: Army, PRO-6 brace for rebel offensives as CPP marks anniv (By Ruby P. Silubrico)

ILOILO City – The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) and the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) have ramped up their security plans as the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) celebrates its 54th founding anniversary today.

“Dinagdagan natin ang ating deployment at nag-iingat kasi siyempre namatay ang kanilang pinuno na si Jose Maria ‘Joma’ Sison. We are ready for war kung ‘yan ang gusto nila,” said Major General Benedict Arevalo, commander of the 3ID.

The CPP usually marks its anniversary with attacks against the police and military, and vital government installations carried out by its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), said Arevalo.

“We have been preparing for this for several months now, that’s why we had several encounters in Panay Island, and especially in Negros. Almost all of the encounters were in our favor,” said Arevalo.

The 3ID commander added that the Army continuously conducts patrols especially in areas deemed rebel-infested.

“Given the chance and the right information from the people, our troops will hit them before they hit us. The troops have been reminded to observe proper security protocols so as not to be victimized by NPA atrocities,” Arevalo said.

On the other hand, Police Brigadier General Leo Francisco, PRO-6 director, ordered city and provincial police directors and police station chiefs to intensify their security measures against the rebels’ possible tactical offensives.

“Dapat lahat na available men nakahanda and dapat they have to carry long and short firearms,” Francisco told Panay News yesterday.

He also reminded his men to be wary of the “catch and baits” strategy of the rebels.

“We utilized our force multipliers and advocacy groups in gathering information before doing police response in far flung areas. Pinapa-submit ko sila ng monitoring of reports and updates of their security and safety coverage in their area of assignment,” he added.

Earlier, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. placed the Special Action Force (SAF) and all 17 Regional Mobile Force Battalions (RMFB) on high alert.

“(All) SAF and 17 RMFBs nationwide will be placed on the highest alert for any possible tactical engagements and harassments against government forces as the CPP marks its 54th anniversary on Dec. 26, 2022,” Azurin said.

NO CEASEFIRE

The CPP on Dec. 19, 2022 said the NPA would not observe a ceasefire with government troops this holiday season.

The CPP’s central committee, in a statement, said there was “absolutely no reason” this time to declare a ceasefire, since the “regime” of the United States and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and its fascist Armed Forces of the Philippines continue[d] with their relentless state terrorism and armed suppression [of] the Filipino people.”

“The NPA can concentrate [on] a superior force in order to strike the fascist units of the AFP and PNP (Philippine National Police) which are isolated, weak and tired, as a form of punishment for their crimes against the people,” CPP’s public information officer Marco Valbuena said in a statement.

In the past, the military and the NPA would both announce a ceasefire at this time of any given year – even as there were still reported encounters, with both sides accusing each other of violating the truce.

Meanwhile, CPP founder Sison died at 83 years old on Dec. 16, after two weeks of confinement in a hospital in Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Sison had lived in self-exile in The Netherlands since then President Corazon Aquino released him from detention in 1986 shortly after the People Power revolt overthrew dictator Ferdinand Marcos, father and namesake of the current Philippine president.

With Sison gone, Arevalo said, the CPP would continue to deteriorate.

“They will have difficulty coming up with someone to replace Joma Sison,” the 3ID commander added. (With reports from inquirer.net)

https://www.panaynews.net/ready-for-war-army-pro-6-brace-for-rebel-offensives-as-cpp-marks-anniv/

Youth organization rallies vs CPP-NPA

From Panay News (Dec 27, 2022): Youth organization rallies vs CPP-NPA (By Ime Sornito)

The Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terorismo – Antique, advocacy support groups and volunteers sign the “Panunumpa Kontra Komunista kag Terorismo” covenant during an indignation rally on Monday morning. ANTIQUE PPO PNP-PRO6 FACEBOOK PHOTO

ANTIQUE – Youth organization Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terorismo (KKDAT) –Antique Chapter held an “indignation rally for peace, justice and unity” against the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) yesterday morning.

Dec. 26 was the CPP’s 54th founding anniversary.

KKDAT–Antique president Kenneth Gasalao led the indignation rally together with advocacy support groups and volunteers.

Carrying placards, the rally started from the Gaisano Grand Mall, then proceeded to UNITOP Antique, and ended at the EBJ Freedom Park, San Jose de Buenavista. Four former rebels (FR) shared their stories.

The rally’s highlight was the signing of the “Panunumpa Kontra Komunista kag Terorismo” covenant.

On Dec. 11 two policemen were wounded in an encounter with 16 NPA rebels in the town of San Remigio. They were later awarded the “Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting” in addition to financial aid from PNP Chief Police General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr.

The two policemen were Police Corporal Jomer Clamor Yamuyam and Patrolman Danmer Dela Cruz, both assigned to the 1st Antique Provincial Mobile Force Company.

For the provincial government’s part, Gov. Rhodora J. Cadiao has been strengthening anti-insurgency efforts by bringing government services to the hinterlands through the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

The FRs received financial and livelihood assistance from provincial and national agencies. (With a report from PIO LAVEGA/Province of Antique)

https://www.panaynews.net/youth-organization-rallies-vs-cpp-npa/

NPA rebel surrenders in Hinoba-an

From Panay News (Dec 27, 2022): NPA rebel surrenders in Hinoba-an (By DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA)

BACOLOD City – A New People’s Army (NPA) rebel based in the southern part of Negros Occidental surrendered to the Hinoba-an Municipal Police Station on Dec. 23.

The Hinoba-an police identified the now-former rebel as 22-year-old Jordan “Ka Bonbon” Asuncion, a resident of the town’s Barangay Culipapa and a former member of the NPA’s Southwest Negros Guerilla Front Platoon 3 Squad 2.

According to the Hinoba-an police, Asuncion heeded the call of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) to surrender and avail himself of the government’s program for former rebels.

Asuncion, meanwhile, has a pending warrant of arrest for attempted murder issued by Judge Rodney Magbanua of the Kabankalan City Regional Trial Court, dated Feb. 28, 2022, with a bail of P120,000.

Hinoba-an police said he can still avail himself of the promised aid for rebel returnees as soon as he has cleared up the charges against him.

https://www.panaynews.net/npa-rebel-surrenders-in-hinoba-an/

Former NPA rebels, supporters spend Christmas with soldiers

From the Davao Times (Dec 21, 2022): Former NPA rebels, supporters spend Christmas with soldiers (By RHODA GRACE SARON)



GENUINE smiles marked the faces of the whole leadership of the New People’s Army (NPA) group as they celebrated a Christmas thanksgiving party with the soldiers of the 1003 Infantry Brigade at its new headquarters in Malagos, Baguio District, on Dec. 17

The NPA group was the former Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) 5 of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC).

It can be recalled that since the first quarter of this year, the whole area of operations (AO) of the brigade consisting of Davao City and part of Davao del Norte was declared insurgency-free.

Maj. Ronnel Legarde, the Civil-Military Operations officer of 1003rd Infantry Brigade, said for probably the first time in the history of the AFP counter-insurgency operations, a unit has achieved “total victory” owing to its 100% neutralization of the confronted enemy personalities within 6 months without a single casualty, no firearm losses and zero-human rights violations.

The Brigade has so far not monitored any extortion activities, harassment, and any other atrocities perpetrated by the communist terrorist group (CTG) since the declaration of insurgency-free.

“It has been more than 200 days since we are living in an insurgency-free AO with no reported activities from the CTG, providing every Davaoeños peace of mind in this holiday season – the best gift that we can offer as we celebrate the birth of our savior,” BGen. Consolito Yecla, 1003Bde commander, said.

Just last year and early this year, the whole 1003Bde with its four operational control battalions (3IB, 27IB, 56IB and 89IB) engaged in 13 armed encounters against the CTG.

During her speech, Ida Marie Montero Alias “Ka Mandy”, the former secretary of the SRC 5, extended her appreciation to the government for all the support they have received since January of this year.

She shed tears as she mentioned that it was probably the best gift she has ever received – a peaceful life together with her family and away from fatigue and hardship.

“Life in the armed struggle has hindered me from celebrating special days with my family, including Christmases and birthdays,” she said.

“We do not have Christmas there in the mountains. We spend it like just a normal day, wandering around the mountains and looking for food. Every Christmas eve, I just cherished the moments I was with my family but now, I am finally at peace and I owe it all to the government that gave us a renewed life.” Montero added.

Meanwhile, BGen Yecla encouraged the remaining members of the CTG to yield peacefully, so they can be reunited with their loved ones, especially during this special season.

“From exchanging fires with our foes we are now exchanging gifts and celebrating a Christmas Party together with the former SRC 5 members which symbolizes extending peace and welcoming everyone to enjoy genuine Christmas without fear,”BGen Yecla added.

https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2022/12/21/former-npa-rebels-supporters-spend-christmas-with-soldiers/

NDF Negros slams gov’t officials

From the Visayan Daily Star (Dec 23, 2022): NDF Negros slams gov’t officials (By GILBERT P. BAYORAN)

The National Democratic Front – Negros slammed government officials on what it called their “ignorance of the roots of the ongoing civil war, and the plight of Negrosanon masses.”

In a statement, NDF Negros spokesperson Ka Bayani Obrero said that urging rebels to abandon armed struggle following Joma’s death is absurd, as he justified that the revolutionary armed struggle waged by the New People’s Army (NPA) under the leadership of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) is necessary.

Obrero added that the call of Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson for “rebels to work towards lasting and genuine peace” is hollow, as he claimed that the true intention of the governor is to get rid of the revolutionary movement that stands against land grabbers and plunderers such as agricultural, logging and mining corporations that destroy farmlands and the environment.

He added that Lacson, along with the big landlords and bureaucrats in Negros, are basically opposed to agrarian revolution which is the main content of the present Philippine revolution and they will benefit greatly once it ceases.

The CPP, founded by Jose Maria Sison, who died in Netherlands on December 16, will mark its 54th founding anniversary on Dec. 26.

The Department of National Defense said that the death of Sison is a symbol of the crumbling hierarchy of the CPP-NPA-NDF, which he founded to violently put himself in power.

His death deprived the Filipino people of the opportunity to bring this fugitive to justice under our country’s laws, the DND statement said.

It added that Sison was responsible for the deaths of thousands of his countrymen, including civilians, soldiers, police, child and youth combatants, for more than five decades.

The CPP leadership, from each Party branch to the central committee, according to Obrero, works as a collective and does not depend on any single leader.

Party cadres and members and all revolutionaries are tested and tempered in the crucible of revolutionary struggle, where they learned and grow in strength, he added.

https://visayandailystar.com/ndf-negros-slams-govt-officials/

122 NPA personalities neutralized in Negros

From the Visayan Daily Star (Dec 23, 2022): 122 NPA personalities neutralized in Negros (By GILBERT P. BAYORAN)

The Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade has reported that it neutralized 122 New People’s Army leaders and combatants in almost a year of focused military operations in northern and central Negros.

Of the 122 neutralized rebel personalities, 66 are members of the Central Negros 2, Central Negros 1 – 39, Northern Negros Front – 12, South West Front – 3, and two others at the Regional Operational Command of the Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor (KR NCBS).

Among the neutralized key leaders of KR NCBS were Romeo Nanta, regional commander of the NPA in Negros, who died in an encounter with Army soldiers in Brgy. Carabalan, Himamaylan City; and Ericson Acosta, deputy secretary of KR NCBS; according to Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander.

Pasaporte also reported that the 303rd Infantry Brigade infantry units also initiated 42 encounters that led to the killing of 29 rebels whose cadavers were recovered at encounter sites, six others were captured in gun battles, 10 were apprehended, while 77 others surrendered.

In the series of gun battles with NPA rebels, 83 firearms were also recovered, he said.

Early this week, 14 former rebels also availed of P20,000 livelihood grants each from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, as facilitated by the 303rd Infantry Brigade and Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson.

Pasaporte said that there is now an ongoing leadership crisis and organizational problems within the KR NCBS, after several of its key leaders died in gun battles and the surrender of many of their combatants.

“The rebels influence, capability and manpower will continue to decline due to the continued security operations being conducted by the Brigade, supported by the different components of PTF ELCAC (Provincial Task Force Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict)”, he added.

https://visayandailystar.com/122-npa-personalities-neutralized-in-negros/

New 303rd Infantry Brigade commander named

From the Visayan Daily Star (Dec 24, 2022): New 303rd Infantry Brigade commander named (By GILBERT P. BAYORAN)

Col. Michael Samson

Col. Michael Samson is set to assume as acting commander of the Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade, effective December 27.

Samson, the deputy commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, will replace Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, who is retiring from the military service on Dec. 28, as he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56.

Pasaporte and Samson are both members of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1991.

Maj. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, 3rd Infantry Division commander and concurrent acting chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Visayas Command, disclosed that Samson will serve in an acting capacity, pending final approval of his new designation by Malacañang.

Samson is no stranger to this assignment in Negros, having served as deputy brigade commander of 303rd Infantry Brigade from 2019 up to this time. He also had been the commander of AFP Civil Relations Service in Negros Occidental in the late 1990s.

Pasaporte, who took over the position of Gen. Arevalo as 303rd Brigade Commander on December 2019 to December 2022, has received numerous awards, medals, and commendations, as well as made a difference in the peace and order in Negros island.

Aside from Pasaporte, Brig. Gen. Noel Baluyan, assistant division commander of 3rd Infantry Division, also retired from the military service on Dec. 14. His successor has however not yet been named, as of this time.*

https://visayandailystar.com/new-303rd-infantry-brigade-commander-named/

PH Fleet opens modern naval vessels to public

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 22, 2022): PH Fleet opens modern naval vessels to public (By Priam Nepomuceno)

Photo courtesy of Philippine Fleet

MANILA – The Philippine Fleet announced that it has opened to the public its most modern warships and assets in celebration of the 87th founding anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, it said the public was allowed to visit and have a tour of five ships docked at the Naval Operating Base in Subic, Zambales from Dec. 15 to 21.

"As part of the 87th AFP anniversary celebration this month, the Philippine Fleet (PF) facilitated a series of ship tour from December 15 to 21 featuring the frigates BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) and BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), BRP Andres Bonifacio (PS-17) and landing docks BRP Tarlac (LD-601) and BRP Davao del Sur (LD-602), " it said.

BRP Jose Rizal and BRP Antonio Luna are the Navy's first two missile armed vessels capable of engaging air, surface and sub-surface threats while the two landing docks were acquired to beef up the logistics and transport capabilities of the service.

Meanwhile, the BRP Andres Bonifacio, the third of the Gregorio Del Pilar-class offshore patrol vessels, is utilized to patrol and defend the country's vast maritime domains.

The Philippine Fleet said civilians from the different local government units, local government agencies, and residents in Zambales were permitted to visit these assets to showcase their capabilities and modernization.

It was also done to attract youths who might be interested to join the organization in the near future.

"The vessels' crews accommodated these stakeholders, and oriented them on the integrated systems of the ships, as well as the shipboard life in general," the Philippine Fleet added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1191278

Return to fold of law, PNP chief urges remaining Reds

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 22, 2022): Return to fold of law, PNP chief urges remaining Reds (By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan)

Photo courtesy of PNP Public Information Office

MANILA – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., has renewed his call for the remaining New People’s Army (NPA) rebels to surrender and avail of the benefits being offered by the government through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

“Sa mga natitira pa nating kapatid sa kabundukan ngayon ay may pag alinlangan pa ring sumuko, ang ating gobyerno at ang kapulisan ay andito lamang upang kayo ay tanggapin sa inyong pagbabalik loob sa panig ng ating pamahalaan. At ang ating hangad, sa darating na mga araw ay makasama natin sila upang maranasan din nilang mamuhay ng payapa at walang takot (To those of our remaining brothers and sisters in the mountains who are still hesitant to surrender, our government and the police are only here to welcome you back to our government. And our desire, in the days to come, is to be with them so that they too can experience living in peace and without fear),” Azurin said in a statement Wednesday night.

This came after 10 former rebels and members of communist front organizations withdrew their support from the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army (CPP)-NPA in Central Luzon last Dec. 17 and 18 and pledged allegiance to the national government.

Citing the report of Police Regional Office (PRO) 3 director, Brig. Gen. Cesar Pasiwen, Azurin confirmed the surrender of one NPA member, five members of Anakpawis, and one each from the Kilusang Larangang Guerilla-Tarlac-Zambales, Milisyang Bayan, Gabriela, and underground mass organization in the provinces of Bulacan, Bataan, Tarlac, and Zambales.

Azurin said the former rebels likewise turned over to the authorities their firearms and ammunition.

Pasiwen, meanwhile, said the continuous joint efforts of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) and its persistent campaign against terrorism resulted in the voluntary withdrawal of support from the communist groups.

He noted that the peace engagement activities of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) being carried out by the Philippine National Police and Philippine Army, such as information dissemination, and situational interviews made the former communist rebels aware of the government's programs and the opportunity to change their lives.

Pasiwen said the RTF-ELCAC-3 would continue the whole-of-nation approach against communist rebels to achieve peace and national unity.

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it has not monitored any threats ahead of the Communist Party of the Philippines' (CPP) 54th anniversary on Dec. 26.

"We have not monitored any threat to cause unnecessary fear and anxiety among our people, only the irresponsible and reckless statement of the CPP who cannot accept strategic defeat. They could not even pause to pray for their leader’s (CPP founder Jose Maria "Joma" Sison) demise," AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar said in a message on Wednesday night.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1191279