Sen. Marcos raises concerns over EDCA expansion during Palawan visit

From Palawan News (Mar 20, 2023): Sen. Marcos raises concerns over EDCA expansion during Palawan visit (By Gerald Ticke)

Senator Imee Marcos, in her recent visit to Palawan, expressed anew her apprehension over the expansion of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the United States of America, noting that the four new sites are near the Taiwan Strait, where there is an escalating tension with China.

Sen. Marcos stated that while the expansion is not yet clear, what she understands is that there is already a signed agreement.

She said that she still wants the specifics explained, hoping that it would not be utilized for reasons that would put the country in jeopardy.

“Sana hindi ito maging base militar at higit sa lahat, hindi ito maging staging site ng pag-atake. At magiging bukas tayo sa iba’t-ibang dayuhang papasok dito,” Marcos told the media in a press conference during her visit in Puerto Princesa on Sunday.

“Kung kalaban ng iba, bakit naman tayo manghihimasok? Yun ang kinatatakutan natin dahil hindi naman tayo handa at yung WESCOM natin ay puro tapang ang ipinaglalaban natin, hindi naman pwedeng puro ganoon,” she added.

Marcos earlier questioned the proposed sites for EDCA expansion in Northern Luzon noting the tension between China and Taiwan.

“Are we talking about the escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait as the number one issue?” Marcos asked at a Senate briefing on the new EDCA sites last March 1.

“It clearly indicates that this is the first line in the Taiwan attacks that are projected,” she added.

She also noted that what the new expanded EDCA is trying to address is the escalation of tensions in the Taiwan straits and not the concerns of the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea.

The four new sites for EDCA are Cagayan, Isabela, Zambales and Palawan.

Meanwhile, in her talk with officials of Western Command (WESCOM) Marcos manifested her quest to resurrect a dormant government program that allows the country to be self-reliant in national defense.

Marcos said she is advocating for the revival and strengthening of the Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP), which she claims will give a significant boost to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) modernization program and its goal of addressing the military’s strength in terms of building up its external defense system.

Marcos, who chairs the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, asserted that through the SRDP, a program that her father, the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos, implemented in the 1970s, the AFP was able to produce and manufacture a variety of military hardware, such as armaments, vehicles, and mini cruisers, among others.

Her proposal comes at a time when the Philippine government is preparing four new areas for U.S. military access in the country and a defense cooperation agreement with Japan.

Meanwhile, WESCOM welcomed Marcos’ visit, noting that the command has been dealing with security challenges in its area of responsibility, notably in the West Philippine Sea.

WESCOM chief Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos, had earlier remarked that the command is facing daunting tasks with the escalating tension in WPS.

“We are grappling with the realities of our complex relations with our neighbors in Asia, our allies in the region, the United States and other countries,” Carlos stated.

The issue also comes along with the recent call of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for the AFP to raise its external defense security operations.

Responding to the senator’s call for the revival of SRDP, WESCOM also said the command will need to get additional support “for the sustainment of effective presence in the Kalayaan Island Group, shipbuilding and maintenance, sub-surface detection capability, drone and anti-drone capability, and coastal defense.”

The command also said it sees Marcos’ move as a positive sign that it hopes to see and receive.

“WESCOM is not the last frontier. It is the first frontier and certainly, we need to help you in every way we can” says Marcos as she vowed to bring to the senate the urgency of supporting WESCOM.

https://palawan-news.com/sen-marcos-raises-concerns-over-edca-expansion-during-palawan-visit/

PH, US troops to hold rocket system live fire drills on April 1

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 20, 2023): PH, US troops to hold rocket system live fire drills on April 1 (By Priam Nepomuceno)

(Photo courtesy of Philippine Army)

MANILA – Filipino and American troops participating in this year's "Salaknib" exercises are set to join a rocket system live fire exercise at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija on April 1.

"(Army Artillery Regiment) AAR's (Multi-Launch Rocket System) MLRS Battery personnel and their US counterparts are set to conduct a rocket system live-fire exercise on April 1, 2023, at the regiment's long-range precision firing exercise area in Fort Magsaysay," Philippine Army (PA) spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad in a statement Sunday night.

Last March 16, the personnel from the AAR's MLRS Battery together with the US Multi-Domain Task Force commenced the rocket system subject matter expert exchange (SMEE) at AAR headquarters in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija.

Trinidad said the rocket system SMEE is geared at training participants on the procedures governing the employment and deployment of rocket weapon systems and their integration with other fire support assets.

Trinidad said the PA is focused on enhancing the individual skills of soldiers and unit competencies through constant training exercises such as ongoing PA-US Army Pacific (USARPAC) "Salaknib" drills scheduled from March 13 to April 4.

"Salaknib" is an Army-to-Army training program between the PA and USARPAC.

The ongoing exercises involve around 3,000 soldiers from USARPAC's 25th Infantry Division and PA's 5th Infantry Division, 7th Infantry Division and 1st Brigade Combat Team training side by side in a spectrum of military operations.

The exercise's second phase is slated for the second quarter of the year.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1197714

43 NPA, BIFF, ASG members neutralized in weeklong ops - AFP

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 20, 2023): 43 NPA, BIFF, ASG members neutralized in weeklong ops - AFP (By Priam Nepomuceno)

(File photo)

MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Sunday announced that it has neutralized a total of 43 communist rebels and other terrorist group members in operations from March 10 to 16.

The number includes 29 New People's Army members, seven Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) terrorists and seven Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members, AFP public affairs office chief Col. Jorry Baclor said in a statement.

Last March 11, three "communist NPA terrorists" (CNTs in military parlance) were killed during an encounter against joint elements of the 602nd Brigade, 90th Infantry Battalion, 34th Infantry Battalion, and police units in Pikit, North Cotabato.

On the same day, two NPA members were killed while a .45-caliber pistol was seized by operating elements of 6th Infantry Battalion and police operatives in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur.

"One CNT was captured with a caliber .45 pistol and hand grenade after an encounter with 50th Infantry Battalion in Balbalan, Kalinga, on March 13," Baclor added,

On March 15, an NPA was killed in an encounter with 98IB in Balbalan, Kalinga, and another was captured by 2nd Infantry Division and police troops in Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro.

Recovered from them were an M-16 rifle, an M-653 rifle, and three anti-personnel mines.

And on March 16, Baclor said an encounter with members of 3rd Special Forces Battalion in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, forced a NPA member to surrender with a 5.56mm R-4 Norinco carbine rifle with an M-203 grenade launcher, various ammunition, and war materiel.

Meanwhile, the 2nd Infantry Battalion and police operatives apprehended a NPA bomb expert and a member at Placer, Masbate, on March 10.

Seized from them were a caliber .45-caliber pistol, ten improvised hand grenades, and three anti-personnel mines.

"Also captured were two top-level CNTs in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte, on March 11. Troops from the 29th Infantry Battalion and police operatives carried out the arrest warrant and seized .45 caliber Rock Island (pistol), 9mm caliber Taurus (pistol), illegal drugs, ammunition, and other war materials," the AFP official said.

Meanwhile, the remaining NPA members voluntarily surrendered with various high-powered and low-powered firearms to government forces during the period.

"The units that facilitated the surrenders were 19IB, 4SRB, 3IB, and police units in Catubig, Northern Samar; 85IB in Lopez, Quezon; 56IB and 89IB in San Fernando, Bukidnon; 32IB in Indanan, Sulu; and 22IB and 903BDe with support of police units in Castilla, Sorsogon," Baclor said.

In Basilan, an ASG member yielded to the 64th Infantry Battalion in Sumisip, Basilan on March 12 handing over one caliber .30 M-1 Garand rifle and one clip magazine with ammunition.

In Sulu, six ASG members surrendered to the 32nd Infantry Battalion in Patikul, Sulu, on March 15.

They handed over an M-16 Elisco rifle, M-1 Garand rifle, M-203 grenade launcher, carbine rifle, and M-16 rifle. From the BIFF, three officers and four members of the Karialan Faction returned to the folds of the law on March 15.

"The 6th Infantry Battalion facilitated the successful surrender in Datu Piang, Maguindanao del Sur. They also surrendered a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, two cal. 50 Sniper rifles, M-653 5.56mm rifle, Springfield caliber .30 rifle and two Garand rifles.

"The AFP's momentum against different threat groups are expected to accelerate as field units intensify their focused-military operations, complimented by peace and development efforts in various parts of the country," Baclor said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1197712

Justice served with conviction of ‘youth activist’: NTF-ELCAC

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 20, 2023): Justice served with conviction of ‘youth activist’: NTF-ELCAC (By Priam Nepomuceno)

MANILA – The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) Legal Cooperation Cluster (LCC) on Monday said justice has been served to the Filipino people following the conviction of youth activist Alexandrea Pacalda for illegal possession of firearms, ammunitions and explosives.

"Justice has been served again to the Filipino people, as another member of the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs) has been put behind bars for violating the laws of the Republic," the body stressed in a statement.

On March 13, the Lucena City, Quezon Regional Trial Court Branch 56 sentenced Pacalda to eight to 10 years in prison for illegal possession of firearms and reclusion perpetua or up to 40 years in prison for illegal possesion of explosives.

"We thank the Hon. Judge Salvador C. Villarosa, Jr. for rendering a just and impartial judgment, and our brave prosecutors, military, police and law enforcers who risked their lives for the prompt rendering of justice," NTF-ELCAC LCC added.

"Although she had the chance to avail of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) or the reintegration program for CTG surrenderees, Pacalda chose instead to recant her voluntary surrender and frame the government and the military for 'arbitrary detention', upon the prodding of Karapatan and the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL)," the body added.

The NTF-ELCAC LCC said it is tragic that these so-called “human rights defenders,” Karapatan and NUPL, among others, left Pacalda alone in the prison to rot, but are bent on scouring for more youths to deceive and use as cover for their unlawful acts.

"The deceptions of Karapatan and NUPL, as borne in court records for the public to see, show how they defend those so called fake 'human rights defenders' – or those people who allegedly stand up for 'human rights', but in truth, carry out the twisted ideology of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF)," it added.

The body also pointed out that these are the same groups who would constitute the proposed "Human Rights Defenders Protection Committee" under House Bill No. 77 or the “Human Rights Defenders Protection Act”.

"If enacted, this Committee, which is to be funded by the taxpayers’ hard-earned money, would use their new-found powers to impede law enforcement by providing 'sanctuaries' or safe refuges for their fake 'human rights defenders comrades, and harass the law enforcers of the country," NTF-ELCAC LCC stressed.

It added that Pacalda's conviction should serve as "wake-up call and an eye-opener"to the youth to value their lives, their parents, and their loved ones; to pursue their dreams within the folds of law; and to be vigilant against the CTGs and their murderous ideology leading to death and destruction.

The NTF-ELCAC LCC also reminded legislators not deceived by the insidious House Bill No. 77 which will only be abused by the CTGs to protect themselves from law enforcement under the guise of "protecting human rights.”

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1197719

DFA to host PH, China 2-day bilateral talks

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 20, 2023): DFA to host PH, China 2-day bilateral talks (By Ma. Teresa Montemayor)

MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will host the 23rd Philippines-China Foreign Ministry Consultations (FMC) and the 7th Bilateral Consultations Mechanism (BCM) on the South China Sea on March 23 and 24.

The meetings are part of the implementation of the outcomes of the state visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to China last January 3 to 5.

“As reflected in the joint statement of the state visit, the two leaders concurred that confidence-building measures such as the FMC and BCM would contribute to improving mutual trust and confidence,” the DFA statement read.

“They also affirmed the importance of both mechanisms as venues for the Philippines and China to foster cooperation and greater understanding as well as ease tensions."

The discussions under the two mechanisms will cover a broad number of issues, including economic, people-to-people, maritime, security, and regional matters.

The FMC reviews the overall relations and all aspects of cooperation while the BCM covers maritime issues of concern to either side, including developments in the West Philippine Sea, and areas of possible maritime cooperation and confidence-building.

Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs Ma. Theresa Lazaro of the DFA will lead the Philippine delegation.

Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs will lead the Chinese side.

Sun is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo during his visit to Manila.

The FMC and BCM aim to highlight the goodwill between the Philippines and China to dialogue and move forward on practical measures.

The last FMC was held in 2019 and the BCM in 2021.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1197757

DND: Cagayan guv to follow national gov't decision on EDCA

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 20, 2023): DND: Cagayan guv to follow national gov't decision on EDCA (By Priam Nepomuceno)

(Photo courtesy of PAF)

MANILA – Department of National Defense (DND) officer-in-charge Undersecretary Carlito Galvez Jr. on Monday said Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba will now "conform" with the national government's decision should it go ahead with constructing an Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) site in his province.

Galvez made this announcement in a press conference shortly after the groundbreaking ceremonies for the rehabilitation and upgrades of the runway of Basa Air Base in Floridablanca town, Pampanga province on Monday.

"We have already talked to Governor Mamba, he even visited my office in PICC (Philippine International Convention Center) and he said that for as long as the national government has decided, he will abide with the decision of the President (Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.) and we have already decided, and I told him we already decided, and so he will conform with the decision," he added.

Mamba earlier expressed reservations about the proposed EDCA site in Cagayan province on the grounds that it could be a target for attack by a hostile power.

Even before the EDCA hearing at the Senate which concluded early this month, the DND chief said that majority if not all of Cagayan's mayors have expressed their support for the proposed EDCA facility in the province.

"And for the information of everybody, as early as before the end of the Senate hearing conducted, almost all of the mayors signified their intention to support EDCA. In fact, all of the mayors of Cagayan, I can show you the resolutions of the different mayors, they love to have EDCA sites in their areas," Galvez said.

The DND chief added that they are very much elated that local leaders are very "amenable and they respect so much the President considering that the President enjoys so much popular support."

"And we all know that the governors and the mayors are very supportive, even the barangay captains, when we talked with them, they even love to have exercises in their areas," he added.

In February, the DND announced that Manila and Washington D.C. agreed to designate four new EDCA "agreed locations."

EDCA, along with the Visiting Forces Agreement, operationalizes the 1951 Philippine-US Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT).

Finalized after eight rounds of talks in August 2013, the EDCA which was signed in 2014 allows US troops access to designated Philippine military facilities, the right to build facilities, and preposition equipment, aircraft, and vessels, but rules out permanent basing.

The Philippine government is working with the US to build the future facilities at the Basa Air Base; Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation in Nueva Ecija province; Lumbia Airfield in Cagayan de Oro City; Antonio Bautista Air Base in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; and Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu province.

Basa Air Base runway upgrade to costs USD25M

Meanwhile, Galvez said rehabilitation of the Basa Air Base's 2,800 meter runway will cost USD25 million or equivalent to PHP1.373 million.

This excludes the USD2.8 million or PHP153,776,000 allocated for its improvements and the USD185,000 which is equivalent to PHP10,112,562 used for construction of the Wing Operation Center.

The Basa Air Base's runway rehabilitation is expected to be completed this September. This includes the asphalting of the runway and repair of the runway overruns.

The upgrade, repair, and rehabilitation of the runway aims to ensure safer take-offs and landings of aircraft and other aerodrome operation.

Galvez said this will make the facility ideal for the efficient conduct of joint task force exercises and as a natural hub for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations considering that the Philippines is a disaster-prone country.

"As of this March, the United States Government has funded a total of USD83.06 million or roughly PHP4.56 billion. To simply put, 23 percent of the 21 bilaterally approved projects are completed while other projects are in various phases of design and construction," the DND chief added.

Galvez also said that out of the 15 approved EDCA projects, five projects were already completed, with five ongoing, and the remaining five up for implementation soon.

The completed projects include the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) warehouse, C-2 fusion center, and fuel range tanks, among others.

"With great anticipation, the One Defense-AFP Team looks forward to the timely completion of all EDCA projects considering that those facilities would help the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) boost its capability to ensure the country's defense. Most importantly, the facilities would contribute to the national effort in securing our country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, particularly in our maritime domain awareness campaign," the DND chief added.

Galvez also pointed out that EDCA not only focuses on boosting the AFP's capability but also on the DND's various efforts to level up the country's defense capabilities, that is, both the civil and military defense aspects.

"These include the capability to respond to natural disasters and calamities, conduct of humanitarian assistance operations, and defense against any attempt to violate our sovereignty and territorial integrity," he added.

The DND chief also expressed hope that the US would consider more EDCA projects, which, of course, will be coursed appropriately through the Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB).

"We also look forward to strengthening further the collaboration and partnership between the AFP and Joint US Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG), as they strive to pursue the mutual interests of the Philippines and the US in all arenas of cooperation," he added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1197768

Army overruns NPA lair in Agusan Sur

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 20, 2023): Army overruns NPA lair in Agusan Sur (By Alexander Lopez)

REBEL LAIR. Government troops from the Army's 26th Infantry Battalion seize war materials, medical supplies, and personal belongings after overrunning an encampment of the New People’s Army rebels in Sitio Lawangwangan, Barangay Lydia, La Paz, Agusan del Sur, on Saturday (March 18, 2023). The encounter took place after residents reported the presence of the rebels. (Courtesy of 26IB)

BUTUAN CITY—Government troops from the Army's 26th Infantry Battalion (26IB) overran an encampment of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) over the weekend following a skirmish in the hinterlands of Barangay Lydia, La Paz, Agusan del Sur.

The 20-minute encounter resulted in the recovery of a carbine rifle loaded with ammunition, a rifle grenade, a 40mm ammunition, a handheld radio, medical supplies and subversive documents.

Lt. Col. Sandy Majarocon, the commander of 26IB, said the 15 NPA rebels they encountered on Saturday belong to Platoon Sagay, Sub-Regional Committee 3 of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee.

“After the firefight, the rebels scampered to different directions abandoning their encampment where the troops recovered the war materials, medical supplies and personal belongings,” Majarocon said in a statement Monday.

He added that troops were sent to the area after the civilians reported the presence of the rebels.

“The civilians were alarmed and threatened by their presence in their community,” Majarocon said, noting the "courage" of the residents in reporting the presence of armed men.

“The timely report of the civilians helped our troops to effectively disrupt the planned atrocities of the NPA in the said community,” Majarocon said.

He also assured the people of Agusan del Sur of the readiness of the 26IB troops to respond to reports "on the presence and atrocities" of the communist rebels in communities.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1197721

Gov’t forces capture pregnant NPA fighter, provide medical aid

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 20, 2023): Gov’t forces capture pregnant NPA fighter, provide medical aid (By Edwin Fernandez)

PREGNANT REBEL. Police and soldiers assist "Dayang," a pregnant communist rebel as she disembarks from an Army ambulance en route to an Army base medical clinic for a checkup after she was arrested on March 17, 2023 in Palimbang town, Sultan Kudarat province, for attempted murder charges. Dayang thanked the soldiers and the police for treating her well during the arrest. (Photo courtesy of 6ID)

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao del Norte – Government forces have arrested a pregnant communist rebel in Palimbang town, Sultan Kudarat province, and provided the needed care for an expectant mother, an official reported Monday.

Lt. Colonel John Paul Baldomar, the Army’s 37th Infantry Battalion (IB) commander, said joint police and military personnel arrested the pregnant New People’s Army (NPA) rebel, identified only as “Dayang,” for attempted murder charges in Barangay Napnapon, Palimbang on March 17.

“She was abandoned by her comrades since she was pregnant because she will cause delays in evading government forces,” Baldomar said in a statement.

The warrant implementation was carried out by the Kalamansig and Palimbang municipal police offices and 37IB.

“I am happy how you treat me,” Dayang, an NPA logistics officer, was quoted as saying by the 37IB.

Major General Alex Rillera, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander, said government forces will "continue to hunt down communist rebels, but our doors are open for those who will opt to peacefully surrender."

Since January, four communist rebel leaders were captured, 18 others were arrested, 12 surrendered with their firearms, and nine were killed under the 6ID’s area of operation.

The 6ID covers the provinces of Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, and parts of Sarangani town in North Cotabato province, and in Lanao del Sur province.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1197723

Ex-rebel tips off arms cache in Nueva Ecija town

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 20, 2023): Ex-rebel tips off arms cache in Nueva Ecija town (By Zorayda Tecson)

ARMS CACHE. Government forces discover an arms cache of communist rebels in Cuyapo town, Nueva Ecija province on Sunday (March 19, 2023) following a tip-off from a former rebel who surrendered last year. The war materiel seized included a vintage bomb, assault rifles and ammunition. (Photo courtesy of Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office)

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Government troops have recovered an arms cache belonging to communist rebels in Cuyapo town, Nueva Ecija province over the weekend.

In his report on Monday, Col. Richard Caballero, director of the Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office, said combined police and military personnel conducted an operation in Barangay Bonifacio on Sunday afternoon that led to the discovery of one vintage bomb, three M203 grenade launchers, 62 rounds of ammunition for 7.62-caliber assault rifle and 44 rounds of ammunition for 5.56-caliber rifle.

Caballero said the troops acted on information from a former member of a communist terrorist group who voluntarily surrendered last year.

"Ka RJ, a former member of the communist terrorist group under Josefino Corpuz command operating in the different areas of Nueva Vizcaya and Nueva Ecija in 1996-2002, revealed the location of war materials," he said in a statement.

He said the recovered war materiel are now under the custody of the Nueva Ecija-Provincial Explosive Ordnance Disposal Canine Unit for proper handling and disposal.

Meanwhile, Caballero also reported the seizure of a firearm and ammunition from a member of a notorious criminal group in Laur town, also on Sunday.

He said a search warrant was implemented against a 51-year-old member of the Azarcon Criminal Group in Barangay Siclong that led to the seizure of one homemade .38-caliber revolver and assorted ammunition.

"The Azarcon criminal group has been involved in robbery-holdup, gun-for-hire, and land-grabbing activities operating in areas of Laur, Gabaldon, and Bongabon," he said.

The suspect will be charged for violating Republic Act 10591, the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

"Criminal groups have no place in our society. We encourage the community to report any suspicious illegal activities in their locality,” Caballero said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1197754

Ex-NPA rebel points to location of arms cache in Sorsogon

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 20, 2023): Ex-NPA rebel points to location of arms cache in Sorsogon (By Connie Calipay)

RECOVERED. A New People's Army (NPA) rebel who surrendered led government troops to the location of high-powered firearms buried in Juban town, Sorsogon province on Sunday (March 19, 2023). A drum was recovered, containing an M-1 carbine, an AR-9, a KG-9, a Molotov, 350 rounds of ammunition for the M16, a 10-meter cable used for explosives and medical paraphernalia. (Photo courtesy of 9ID)

LEGAZPI CITY – A communist New People's Army (NPA) rebel who surrendered over the weekend led government troops to the location of high-powered firearms buried in Barangay Calmayon in Juban town, Sorsogon province.

In an interview on Monday, Capt. Frank Roldan, 9th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office (DPAO) chief, identified the former rebel as "Ka Gohan."

"The combined forces of the 22nd Infantry Battalion and the Philippine National Police (PNP) unearthed a drum containing firearms, ammunition, and explosives belonging to the communist terrorist group (CTG) on Sunday, a day after 'Ka Gohan' surrendered," Roldan said.

He noted that before returning to the fold of the law, "Ka Gohan" was a member of Platoon 1, Larangan 2, Komite Probinsiya 3 of the NPA.

"Mismong si Ka Gohan ang nagturo sa pinagtataguan nito kung saan nadiskobre ang isang drum na naglalaman ng isang M-1 carbine, isang AR-9, isang KG-9, isang Molotov, 350 ng mga bala para sa M16, nasa 10 metrong kable na gamit sa pampasabog, at iba pang medical paraphernalia (Ka Gohan himself pointed to the hiding place where a drum was discovered containing an M-1 carbine, an AR-9, a KG-9, a Molotov, 350 rounds of ammunition for M16, a 10-meter cable used for explosives and other medical paraphernalia)," Roldan said.

The recovered weapons were immediately removed by the troops to keep the residents in the area away from danger.

In a statement, Maj. Gen. Adonis Bajao, commander of the 9th Infantry Division (9ID) and Joint Task Force Bicolandia (JTFB), said the discovery of the equipment is proof of the CTG's continued plan to sow evil in Bicol.

He said the trust and information from the public are of great help to the authorities in thwarting the plans of the rebel group.

“We welcome any CTG member who wants to change their lives and we know that they too have been victims of their group's propaganda and promises. We are also grateful to Ka Gohan and the cooperation and interaction of the people that resulted in the acquisition of terrorist equipment that could have been used to sow violence by the CTG," Bajao said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1197775

21 ex-rebels get P1.2-M livelihood aid in Davao Sur

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 20, 2023): 21 ex-rebels get P1.2-M livelihood aid in Davao Sur (By Che Palicte)

FORMER REBELS. The 21 former communist New People’s Army rebels pose for a photo with the Davao del Sur provincial government and Armed Forces of the Philippines officials on Monday (March 20, 2023) after the turnover of the PHP1.2 million from the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program in Digos City, Davao del Sur. Nineteen of the ex-rebels received PHP65,000 livelihood assistance each, while two others qualified for PHP15,000 immediate assistance each. (Photo courtesy of 39IB)

DAVAO CITY – At least 21 former New People's Army (NPA) rebels have received over PHP1.2 million worth of assistance under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program in Davao del Sur province on Monday.

Lt. Col. Ezra Balagtey, the Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion commander, said 19 ex-rebels received PHP65,000 livelihood assistance each, while two only qualified for the PHP15,000 immediate assistance during the distribution activity at the provincial coliseum in Digos City.

"We are thankful for the continuing effort of our partner agencies and the provincial government of Davao Del Sur to mainstream these former rebels," Balagtey said in an interview Monday.

The turnover was facilitated by the Davao Del Sur's Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

Before receiving the assistance, the 19 beneficiaries underwent additional orientation from the training they had during the three-month Tupad Pangako Program, a deradicalization intervention for their reintegration into mainstream society.

“Jane”, a former medical officer of the communist New People’s Army Guerilla Front 51 - Southern Mindanao Regional Committee, thanked the government for the help given to former rebels like her as she transitions into a normal life with her family.

“This will be of great help for us to restart our lives and become responsible citizens of this country. I know that the process will be hard, but with the help of the government," she said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1197752

Kalinaw News: Residents of Piat, Cagayan benefited from the 3-day Serbisyo Caravan of the Provincial Task Force-End Local Communist Armed Conflict

From Kalinaw News Facebook Page (Mar 18, 2023): Residents of Piat, Cagayan benefited from the 3-day Serbisyo Caravan of the Provincial Task Force-End Local Communist Armed Conflict

IN PHOTOS| More than 4,000 residents of Piat, Cagayan benefited from the 3-day Serbisyo Caravan of the Provincial Task Force-End Local Communist Armed Conflict on March 14-16, 2023.

The beneficiaries availed of free haircuts, tooth extraction, and dental check-up from the 17th Infantry Battalion, 501st Infantry Brigade, and the Dental Team of the 5th Infantry Division. Likewise, the Philippine National Police together with the Provincial and Municipal Health Officer provided medical check-ups while the Department of Agriculture distributed seedlings. Moreover, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency delivered a lecture on the advantages of a community without any presence of insurgents while the Technical Education And Skills Development Authority and the Department of Information and Communications Technology presented their programs and services that can be availed by the residents.

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Kalinaw News: San Andres, Quezon, declared as a “Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) Municipality”

From Kalinaw News Facebook Page (Mar 18, 2023): San Andres, Quezon, declared as a “Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) Municipality”

LOOK: San Andres, Quezon, declared as a “Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) Municipality” through a Memorandum of Understanding on March 15, 2023.

The declaration came after the “Surrender, Withdrawal of Support to CPP-NPA-NDF, and Recognition of People’s Organization” headed by the San Andres LGU, together with the 201st Infantry Brigade, 85th Infantry (SANDIWA) Battalion, Area Police Command Southern-Luzon, and Quezon Provincial Police Office.

85th Infantry Sandiwa Battalion
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[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.]

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Kalinaw News: A Disaffiliation, Denunciation, and Redirection of CPP-NPA-NDF Sectoral Front and Affected Mass Organization (CAMO) Ceremony held in Rizal

From Kalinaw News Facebook Page (Mar 18, 2023): A Disaffiliation, Denunciation, and Redirection of CPP-NPA-NDF Sectoral Front and Affected Mass Organization (CAMO) Ceremony held in Rizal

LOOK: A Disaffiliation, Denunciation, and Redirection of CPP-NPA-NDF Sectoral Front and Affected Mass Organization (CAMO) Ceremony was spearheaded by the local officials of Brgy San Jose, Rodriguez, Rizal on March 13, 2023.

 
Said ceremony was attended by 755 members of 1K2 Kasiglahan Village who formally denounced and cut off their support for the CPP-NPA-NDF and its allied organizations.

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Kalinaw News: 501st Inf Bde encounters NPA in Gattaran, Cagayan

From Kalinaw News Facebook Page (Mar 19, 2023): 501st Inf Bde encounters NPA in Gattaran, Cagayan

IN PHOTOS: Another encounter ensues between the operating troops of 501st Infantry Brigade and members of Komiteng Probinsya Cagayan at Isabela, Komiteng Rehiyon-Cagayan Valley in Barangay Tanglagan, Gattaran, Cagayan on Saturday, March 18.

The encounter lasted for 40 minutes where two soldiers sustained minor injuries and were given immediate care.

It can be recalled that a day prior, the initial encounter with the same communist terrorist group occured which resulted to the death of an NPA combatant and recovery of various high powered firearms and subversive documents.

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