AFP modernization's Horizon 3 to focus on archipelagic defense

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 15, 2024): AFP modernization's Horizon 3 to focus on archipelagic defense (By Priam Nepomuceno)

AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. (PNA photo by Priam Nepomuceno)

MANILA – The Horizon 3 phase of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program (RAFPMP) will focus on improving the military's archipelagic defense capabilities, the country's military chief said Monday.

AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. made this remark when asked whether President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. had already approved the list of equipment and weapons system itemized for Horizon 3.

"Hindi pa po na-approve ng ating Pangulo yun Horizon 3 (the President is still to approve Horizon 3), we are still in the process of refining it further but the Horizon 3 of our modernization program will focus on the archipelagic defense concept)," Brawner said during the press briefing held shortly after the AFP Command Conference in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

By focusing on the archipelagic defense concept, the AFP chief said the military plans to acquire more ships, aircraft and radar systems.

This defensive concept is aimed at protecting the country's 200 nautical miles exclusive economic zone.

Horizon 3 was initially scheduled from 2023 to 2028, while Horizon 2 from 2018 to 2022 and Horizon 1 from 2013 to 2017.

Earlier, Brawner said the multirole fighters, which are being eyed to backstop the 12 FA-50PH light jet fighters acquired from South Korea, will be acquired under Horizon 3.

PBBM present

Brawner also said the President, who attended the command conference, cited the need to "reconfigure our approaches to dealing with the different threat groups."

Brawner was referring to the "communist terrorist groups, the local terrorist groups, the threats being faced in the West Philippine Sea", alongside those natural disasters.

He said all these threats pose a challenge to the AFP, adding that Marcos instructed them to "think of new ways of dealing with them (through) innovative ways."

"That is why, we really have to really make sure that we study all of these things very carefully so that we come up with the necessary solutions," he added.

In resolving these threats, Brawner said a whole-of-nation approach is needed along with the citizenry.

"Most especially, our President mentioned that we also have to gain the support of our international allies and partners, countries that are like-minded with us," he said.

The AFP chief also clarified that the President does not see anything wrong with the present setup and was merely stressing the need to reconfigure to be more effective in addressing the threats.

One of the developments cited by Marcos, Brawner said, is developments in cyber warfare.

In response, he said the creation of the AFP Cyber Command would allow them to counter threats in the cyber domain.

Habitable features in WPS

Meanwhile, Brawner said the AFP will focus on making all Philippine-held islands and features in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) more habitable to troops manning them.

"We will also focus on developing the islands (WPS) and the other features that we are occupying, for instance Pagasa, Lawak and the other features that we are occupying," he added.

Brawner also clarified that this does not include "fortifying" the BRP Sierra Madre (LS-57) which stands watch over Ayungin Shoal.

He added the goal is to make the living quarters of Filipino troops manning these features more liveable.

These include provision of desalination machines to provide drinking water and communication facilities to enable troops to talk to their families.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1216955

NPA leader killed in clash with gov't troops in Sorsogon

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 15, 2024): NPA leader killed in clash with gov't troops in Sorsogon (By Connie Calipay)

SLAIN REBEL. The body of a high-ranking leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) who was slain in a clash with government troops in Gubat, Sorsogon on Sunday (Jan. 14, 2024). The firefight that lasted for 25 minutes also resulted in the seizure of an M4 rifle, magazines and an improvised explosive device. (Photo courtesy of 9th Infantry Division)

LEGAZPI CITY – A high-ranking leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) died in a clash with government troops in Barangay Togawe, Gubat town in Sorsogon province over the weekend.

In an interview on Monday, Maj. Frank Roldan, 9th Infantry Division (9ID) spokesperson, identified the slain as Baltazar Hapa (alias Patrick), commanding officer of NPA's Komiteng Larangang Guerilla 1, Sub-regional Committee 3.

"The encounter occurred Sunday evening, as the government forces conducted a hot pursuit operation related to an earlier clash in Barangay Sangat, Gubat, Sorsogon, which occurred on Sunday afternoon. The firefight from both sides lasted for 25 minutes, resulting in the death of Hapa and the seizure of an M4 rifle, magazines, and improvised explosive device," Roldan said.

No casualties were recorded on the government side during the operation.

Roldan said Hapa was involved in various incidents in Sorsogon that disrupted the peace of the province and brought fear and apprehension to the people.

He added that a series of encounters were recorded on Sunday in different provinces in the region including Camarines Norte, where government troops recovered 29 anti-personnel mines and 800 live ammunition in Labo town.

Two members of the terrorist group both also belonging to the Larangang Guerilla 1, Sub-regional Committee 3 surrendered with their weapons which included a carbine, a KG9 submachinegun, a Browning automatic rifle, two improvised explosive devices, magazines and ammunition in Barangay San Isidro, Bulusan, Sorsogon.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1216941

Army, OPAMINE vow to sustain Davao insurgency-free status

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 15, 2024): Army, OPAMINE vow to sustain Davao insurgency-free status (By Che Palicte)

SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS. Brig. Gen. Allan Hambala, the Army’s 10th Infantry Division commander (right), and Presidential Assistant for Eastern Mindanao Secretary Leo Tesoro Magno have vowed during their Jan. 11, 2024 meeting in Davao City to strengthen efforts in sustaining the peace gains of being an insurgency-free Davao region. Being the concurrent Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security for the Davao Region, Magno acknowledged that maintaining the region as insurgency-free is a huge task for both the security forces and the region’s populace. (Photo from OPAMINE)

DAVAO CITY – The 10th Infantry Division (I0ID) and the Presidential Assistant for Eastern Mindanao (OPAMINE) have vowed to further strengthen efforts in sustaining the peace gains of being an insurgency-free Davao region.

Maj. Mark Anthony Tito, the 10ID spokesperson, said the exertions of their unit include focused military operations, conduct of localized peace engagement, and strengthened integrated territorial defense system (ITDS).

“We also conducted information and education campaigns and outreach programs with stakeholders to geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA) as well as conducted sectoral engagement activities including Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities,” Tito said in an interview on Monday.

Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Allan Hambala, 10ID commander, said he and Secretary Leo Tesoro Magno have already discussed the assistance that the OPAMINE could extend to the military unit.

For instance, Hamabala said ground troops need support for their training and supplies to further boost their morale while on the field.

Being the Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) for the Davao Region, Magno acknowledged that maintaining the region as insurgency-free is a gargantuan task not just for the security forces but the entire populace as well.

On Jan. 8, Magno also met with Philippine Army chief, Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, to map out security measures and other programs for the region that would contribute to peace stability, order, and security.

“The strategic planning meeting was intended to help the security forces in Davao region strengthen their measures in maintaining peace in the area,” Magno said.

In October 2022, the was declared insurgency-free, ending several decades of communist atrocities, particularly in the hinterlands of the area.

[Note: OPAMINE =   The Office of the Presidential Assistant for Mindanao-Eastern]

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1216937

Army unearths NPA’s high-powered firearms in Samar

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 15, 2024): Army unearths NPA’s high-powered firearms in Samar (By Sarwell Meniano)

ABANDONED. Firearms of the New People's ARmy unearthed by soldiers in upland Mabini village in Basey, Samar, on Monday (January 15, 2024). The Philippine Army found these firearms through information from a rebel leader who yielded to authorities last month. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army)

TACLOBAN CITY – Soldiers discovered on Monday an arms cache containing high-powered firearms in the upland Mabini village in Basey, Samar, through information from a rebel leader who yielded to authorities last month.

Brig. Gen. Noel A. Vestuir, commander of the Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade, said in a phone interview that troopers from the 63rd Infantry Battalion unearthed the cache with four AK47 assault rifles, five upper receivers of M16 rifles with bolt assembly, five long magazines of AK47, and two disc-type magazines of AK47 rifles.

Acting on a tip from a former high-ranking NPA leader, soldiers found the location of the buried arms cache on the outskirts of upland Mabini village. These firearms belonged to Bugsok platoon, a sub-regional committee of the NPA Eastern Visayas regional party committee.

“The NPA abandoned these firearms since no one will carry them because there are only a few of them. Many have already surrendered, and they are running out of bullets,” Vestuir told the Philippine News Agency in a phone interview.

Mabini village has been cleared from NPA threats, but rebels have been coming back as part of their recovery attempts, according to Vestuir.

The said discovery, according to the official, is a result of the continuous cooperation of a former high-ranking leader of the NPA who surrendered to the government troops in December 2023 through the Friends Rescued Engagement through their Families (FReE Families) program of the local government and the military.

Under this initiative, family members of active NPA members and supporters have been capacitated to negotiate for the peaceful surrender of their loved ones and family members with active support from third-party peace advocates, former rebels, local government units, non-government organizations, religious sectors, and other key actors.

The army is counting on regular dialogues between local authorities and family members of active NPA to encourage more rebels to surrender and to recover more firearms in Samar provinces.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1216949

Preparations underway for US-PH counter-terror drill in Surigao Norte

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 15, 2024): Preparations underway for US-PH counter-terror drill in Surigao Norte (By Alexander Lopez)

TEMPEST WIND. Surigao City Mayor Pablo Yves Dumlao II (center) welcomes on Monday (Jan.15, 2024) the delegates from the U.S. Special Operations Command Pacific. The visit is in line with the preparations for the upcoming Tempest Wind exercise, which will be held this year in Surigao del Sur and Surigao City. (Photo courtesy of Surigao CIO)

BUTUAN CITY – Preparations are underway for the Tempest Wind exercise in Surigao del Norte and Surigao City.

On Monday, delegates from the U.S. Special Operations Command Pacific visited Surigao City Mayor Pablo Yves Dumlao II to discuss the preparations for the exercise.

The Tempest Wind is a bilateral inter-agency law enforcement counter-terrorism drill between the Philippines and the U.S. governments. The same exercise was conducted in the country in September last year.

“The (Surigao City) government supports the upcoming Tempest Wind exercise, emphasizing its capacity for positive transformation and sustainable development,” the local government said in a statement Monday.

It said the visit was meant to assess the readiness of Surigao City and Surigao del Norte province for the upcoming activity, with dates still undetermined.

The U.S. delegates were composed of Joseph Gantley Sokol, John Marshal Ascenzo, Scott Robert Lidick, Christopher Mulhall, Arrin Langdon, and Halbert Bruce.

They were accompanied by officials of the Philippine National Police, led by Deputy Director Brig. Gen. Chito Bersaluna.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1216968

13 ‘weakened’ NPA guerrilla fronts remaining in PH – AFP

Posted to CNN Philippines (Jan 14, 2024): 13 ‘weakened’ NPA guerrilla fronts remaining in PH – AFP (By CNN Philippines Staff)

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 14) — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Sunday said there are still 13 New Peoples' Army (NPA) guerilla fronts scattered across the country but claimed they have already lost their capabilities.

"Yes, 13 weakened, mahina na [weak already]. They are scattered all over the country, merong Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao," AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar told CNN Philippines, describing the supposed state of the remaining guerilla fronts in the country.


The military's statement came after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced on Saturday that there were no more active NPA guerilla fronts and that the government could now claim victory over the armed group.

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) described the president as being "in dreamland" for making such a claim, adding that the "NPA is far from defeated," according to a response sent to CNN Philippines on Sunday.

"I think ang sinasabi diyan is wala ng active na [what he is saying is that there are no longer] guerilla fronts ang CPP-NPA, which means na they no longer able to implement party programs that will enable the party to recruit new members and generate resources and establish a united front against the government," Medel said.

READ: PH now has zero active NPA guerrilla fronts Marcos

He added that most of the remaining members, who allegedly are mostly students, farmers, and workers, are "on the run and hiding."

Aguilar said they are still validating their record on the number of NPA members in the country, which stood at 1,600 remaining members as of the third quarter of 2023.

The AFP official said the guerilla fronts have weakened because of the government's efforts to address the roots of the rebels' armed struggle.

RELATED STORIES:
Marcos grants amnesty to members of rebel groups
Gov't, NDFP agree to resume peace talks

Marcos earlier reported that the government has neutralized almost 1,400 members of "communist and terrorist groups."

Aguilar again appealed to rebels to lay down their arms and return to their families.

"We would like them to go back to our communities, to embrace peace, and to be reunited with their family because this has long been delayed because they were recruited, and they were tasked to do hostile activities that do not bring good results to our communities," Aguilar concluded.
CPP: NPA active in 14 regional commands

In a statement to CNN Philippines on Sunday, CPP chief information officer Marco Valbuena claimed that Marcos made the pronouncement "to play to the desires of foreign investors whom he desperately wants to entice with promises of unlimited access to the country's land and natural resources."

Valbuena said the party's armed wing "remains active in 14 regional commands across the country each with a number of guerrilla fronts."

"If Marcos's declarations were true, why is it that around 60-70,000 military and police combat troops (or around 150 battalions of AFP and PNP counterinsurgency units) remain deployed against the NPA across the country?" he said. "Why do they continue to squander hundreds of millions of pesos to drop bombs and fire their howitzers?"

Valbuena said the armed group "has learned its lessons" and is "determined to frustrate" the offensives of the AFP.

"The NPA continues to carry out guerilla maneuvers to break out of the AFP's encirclement, to quietly build a bigger mass base and expand its guerilla fronts," he said. "It will continue to mount tactical offensives to strike at the enemy's weak points."

[CNN Philippines correspondent Daniza Fernandez contributed to this story.]

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2024/1/14/armed-forces-npa-guerrilla-fronts.html#google_vignette

Access Of Retired AFP, PNP Officers To Camps Reportedly Restricted Amid Destab Rumors

From Politiko (Jan 14, 2024): Access Of Retired AFP, PNP Officers To Camps Reportedly Restricted Amid Destab Rumors (By Nancy Carvajal)

The access of retired military and police officers to Camps Aguinaldo and Crame has reportedly been restricted amid rumors of a brewing destabilization attempt, Politiko has learned.

The access of retired military and police officers to Camps Aguinaldo and Crame has reportedly been restricted amid rumors of a brewing destabilization attempt, Politiko has learned.

“The issuance of stickers to retired officials for unhampered entry to all camps has allegedly been put on hold and under review in order to avoid any untoward incident,” an Iskooper from the intelligence community said.

Retired military and police officers were previously given unimpeded access to all camps, provided they had proper coordination.

While ranking officials of both the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) have quashed rumors of unrest among uniformed personnel, an Iskooper said there are reportedly “aggressive talks with promises” made by certain individuals to soldiers and the police.

The Iskooper declined to elaborate on the supposed promises made to the uniformed personnel, but said it was “the usual.”

Police and soldiers, however, appear to be indifferent to the supposed advances made by retired officers.

“Bakit kami susunod sa retired, this is now our time to serve, huwag na kami idamay diyan,’’ the Iskooper said.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte has denied any involvement in any supposed destabilization attempts against the Marcos administration.

The AFP and PNP have affirmed their loyalty to the Constitution.

https://politiko.com.ph/2024/01/14/access-of-retired-afp-pnp-officers-to-camps-reportedly-restricted-amid-destab-rumors/headlines/

Ex-NPA rebel yields with gun, explosives

From the Daily Guardian (Jan 15, 2024: Ex-NPA rebel yields with gun, explosives (By Glazyl Y. Masculino)

BACOLOD City – An alleged former member of the New People’s Army (NPA) voluntarily surrendered to the police and turned over a firearm and explosives at the 2nd MP Patrol Base, 1st Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company (Nocpmfc) in Barangay Bunga, Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental last Thursday.

A certain “Dong,” 47, of San Carlos City, was a former member of the dismantled Northern Negros Front-Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor (KR-NCBS), according to the police.

He turned over an improvised 12-gauge shotgun, a 40mm grenade, a blasting cap, and two detonating cords.

As immediate assistance, he received a sack of rice.

He will undergo processing and documentation for endorsement to the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), and the Project: Pag-Ulikid Initiative, wherein he will receive appropriate project benefits.

The Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 commended the efforts of the police for the said development.

“This act signifies the positive impact of our anti-insurgency campaign,” said Police Brigadier General Sidney Villaflor, PRO-6 director.

Villaflor urged the community and other individuals involved in insurgency activities to follow this example.

“We offer a path to rehabilitation and reintegration through the government programs. Your cooperation is crucial in achieving lasting peace and development in our region,” he said in a statement.

https://dailyguardian.com.ph/ex-npa-rebel-yields-with-gun-explosives/#google_vignette

6th ID unite to ensure security of investment hubs

From the Philippine Star (Jan 14, 2024): LGUs, 6th ID unite to ensure security of investment hubs (John Unson)

The Army's 6th Infantry Division covers neighboring Bangsamoro and Region 12 provinces and cities in central Mindanao.  Philstar.com / John Unson

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — The Army’s 6th Infantry Division and local government units are to expand cooperation in securing the surrender of more local terrorists to sustain the peace spreading around now in potential investment destinations in provinces under its jurisdiction.

Two provincial governors, Emmylou Taliño Mendoza of Cotabato and Reynaldo Tamayo of South Cotabato, are among local officials who assured to help reintroduce to mainstream society former members of the outlawed Dawlah Islamiya, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and the New People’s Army who had pledged allegiance to the government.

Major Gen. Alex Rillera, commander of 6th ID, said on Sunday that they have intensified reaching out to the few remaining members of the Dawlah Islamiya and the BIFF to make them understand that while Army units in Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat provinces are active in anti-terror tactical maneuvers, military camps in all six areas are open to terrorists wishing to surrender.

“These efforts of the 6th ID, the provincial governors and the mayors are meant to sustain the noticeable improvements now in the economy of the provinces and cities being secured by units of our division,” Rillera said.

Rillera said Tamayo, chairperson of the South Cotabato provincial peace and order council, helped the 6th ID reintegrate to the local communities almost 80 Dawlah Islamiya, BIFF and NPA members from across his province who had surrendered in batches in 2023.

Tamayo said on Sunday that his administration is also keen on inviting local and foreign capitalists to put up viable agricultural projects in hinterlands that the 6th ID had cleared from NPA presence in the past three years.

In its yearend report dispatched to media outfits in central Mindanao last month, the 6th ID said its units had neutralized 535 Dawlah Islamiya, BIFF and NPA members in field engagements last year. The report was corroborated by mayors in towns where soldiers and members of the three groups figured in deadly gunfights.

The 6th ID, the Region 12 and the Bangsamoro regional police offices and LGUs in central Mindanao had worked out the surrender of 914 Dawlah Islamiya, BIFF and NPA members in the past 12 months.

Mendoza, who is chairperson of the Regional Development Council-12, said she and her constituent-mayors are glad with the fragile peace now in the 63 Bangsamoro barangays in Cotabato that are inside Region 12, but are administratively under the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

“We have seen the surrender of so many enemies of the government from these 63 barangays in the past 24 months. These areas are now safe for big agricultural projects that can provide employment for local residents,” Mendoza said.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/01/14/2325787/lgus-6th-id-unite-ensure-security-investment-hubs

China says nations outside region shouldn't 'interfere' in sea dispute

From CNN Philippines (Jan 13, 2024): China says nations outside region shouldn't 'interfere' in sea dispute (By CNN Philippines Staff)

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 13) — China on Saturday said countries outside the region have no right to "interfere" in its dispute with the Philippines regarding contested waters in the South China Sea. This was after Germany's foreign minister expressed concern over China's "risky" behavior toward Philippine vessels in the area.

"No non-regional country has the right to interfere in the maritime disputes between China and the Philippines," the Chinese embassy said when sought for comment on German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock's statements in support of Manila.

During her visit to the country on Thursday, Baerbock said European countries are concerned about tensions in the disputed South China Sea as Beijing's actions in the resource-rich waterway "violate the rights and opportunities for the economic development" of the Philippines and other nations.

She noted the Chinese ships' use of military-grade laser and water cannons against Philippine vessels. The use of laser temporarily blinded Filipino crew members, while the blasts from the water cannons resulted in damage to much smaller Philippine ships.

Germany also reiterated its support for the 2016 arbitral award that recognized the Philippines' sovereign rights in areas within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

To this, the Chinese embassy said it strongly opposes "relevant disinformation, misrepresentation and distortion of truth."

"Disregarding basic facts, the German side made unwarranted accusation about China's South China Sea policy and legitimate and lawful actions," it said.

Beijing insisted that the landmark award invalidating its sweeping claims in the area is "illegal, null, and void," and that its rights and interests in the South China Sea "are consistent with international law."

"At the same time, we are committed to properly handling disputes with the Philippines through dialogue and consultation with the aim of jointly maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea," the embassy said.

The Philippines has repeatedly demanded that China immediately leave its waters and stop any acts that violate its rights within its EEZ.

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2024/1/13/china-germany-interference-south-china-sea-dispute.html

PH now has zero active NPA guerilla fronts – Marcos

From CNN Philippines (Jan 13, 2024): PH now has zero active NPA guerilla fronts – Marcos (By CNN Philippines Staff)

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 13) --- President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday claimed that the New Peoples’ Army (NPA) no longer has active guerilla fronts in the country.

Marcos disclosed that government forces neutralized 1,399 members of extremist groups, and seized 1,751 firearms through capture, confiscation, and surrenders.

“Ngayon maaari na nating i-report na wala ng active NPA guerilla front as of December of 2023. Kaya patuloy natin ipaglalaban ito,” the chief executive said in a video message.

[Translation: We can now report that there are no more active NPA guerilla fronts as of December 2023. So, we will continue to fight for this.]

Marcos added that the alleged success against “internal terrorism” can be attributed to the good performance of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police.

“Maganda naman ang performance ng ating AFP, maganda naman ang performance ng ating mga police, at maganda ang koordinasyon ng SND (Secretary of National Defense), ng Department of National Defense, at ng mga intelligence agencies,” he said.

[Translation: The AFP and our police performed well. The Department of National Defense, the secretary of national defense, and our intelligence agencies also had good coordination.]

Last year, Marcos granted amnesty to current and former members of rebel groups who may have committed crimes “in pursuit of their political beliefs.”

The president also amended Executive Order No. 125 or the Creation of the National Amnesty Commission to cover the processing of the applications for amnesty under the new proclamations.

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2024/1/13/Marcos-NPA-guerilla-fronts.html

Zambo town village chieftain killed

From the Mindanao Examiner (Jan 13, 2024): Zambo town village chieftain killed

PAGADIAN CITY – Police continue to hunt Sunday the killers of a village chieftain who was murdered outside his home in Dinas town in the southern Philippine province of Zamboanga del Sur.

The victim, a former commander of the Moro National Liberation Front, Modem Abu, was slain on Friday while about to park his motorcycle in Benuatan village.

The killers rammed their car on Abu’s motorcycle and then stepped outside the vehicle and peppered the politician with bullets from an automatic rifle, according to his daughter Micah, quoting unnamed witnesses.

She said her father just returned home when killed by the assailants.



She said her father’s body bore many bullet wounds and died on the spot. “We suspect politics behind his murder,” the sobbing woman told journalists without further elaborating.

Policemen sent to hunt down the gunmen recovered the car on Saturday abandoned on a coconut farm in Bubual village, about three kilometers from the highway in the neighboring town of San Pablo.

The recovery of the car automatically involved the municipal police force and the 2nd Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Mobile Force Company and two other local police units in the hunt for the murderers.

Police confirmed the report and were investigating whether the car was stolen or rented from a car rental company. Other reports said the vehicle was leased by the suspects from a car rental company and that police were talking with the owner and gathering information about the identity of the renters.

No individual or group has claimed responsibility for Abu’s murder, but her family is crying for justice. (Mindanao Examiner)

https://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2024/01/zambo-town-village-chieftain-killed.html

Cops face blank wall on mass murder

From the Mindanao Examiner (Jan 13, 2024): Cops face blank wall on mass murder

ILIGAN CITY — Police were facing a blank wall on the gruesome murder of seven people found buried in a shallow grave in the southern Philippine province of Lanao del Norte.

Two of the victims Marly and Joselito Gaviola were residents of Zamboanga City. The remaining cadavers belonged to Jomar Lenera, Elvie Lenara, Jopay Lenara, Epifanio Lenara Sr. and his son Epifanio Jr., all from Margos sa Tubig town in Zamboanga del Sur province. All were Christians.

No individual or group claimed responsibility for the killings. It was unknown if the pro-ISIS group Dawlah Islamiya was behind the massacre and pretended to be a job recruiter to lure Christians in the province and then kill them.

Police said all the victims, all Christians, had been shot with one report saying the bodies also bore hack wounds, and buried in the remote village of Karkum. The grave was discovered January 7 after relatives of the Gaviola family received text messages saying the duo is dead.

Marly and Joselito were recruited here to work at a factory in Cebu, according to the Gaviola family, adding relatives tried calling pair after receiving the horrifying text messages from an unknown number but the phones were apparently turned off.

One relative said she was told that there were 14 people recruited to work in Cebu. The recruiter remains unidentified. (Mindanao Examiner)

https://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2024/01/cops-face-blank-wall-on-mass-murder.html

Destabilization rumors continue

From the Mindanao Examiner (Jan 13, 2024): Destabilization rumors continue

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Rumors of a destabilization plot to unseat President Ferdinand Marcos continue despite repeated warnings from the police and military that it will not allow any groups to grab power from the democratic government.

These reports were further aggravated after National Police Chief General Benjamin Acorda filed charges against a former army general Johnny Macanas, now a vlogger, for claiming that Acorda and Armed Forces’ chief General Romero Brawner Jr supposedly withdrew their support for Marcos.

Brawner admitted in November that there is a plot by former military officers to topple Marcos. He said he spoke to some of those behind the plot not to involve active soldiers. He warned troops to stay apolitical and not to join the destabilization plot

Macanas served as a spokesman for the 4th Infantry Division in Cagayan de Oro City in southern Philippines and was also involved in the 1989 coup against the Aquino government. He now runs the YouTube channel called “The General’s Opinion.”

Acorda, referring to the Macanas’ vlog, said: “It hurts me that there are people na gusto lang maging sikat yung kanilang vlog ay gagawa ng mga disinformation. No less than my face, the face of the Chief of Staff, posted and viral saying the AFP and the PNP withdrawing support or asking for the resignation of the president is unforgivable.”

Macanas, in one of his vloggs, quoted another vlogger “Maharlika” that Marcos was included in the so-called 2017 “Narco List of then President Rodrigo Duterte.” “Si Mr. BBM kasama sa Narco List noong 2017,” he said.

He also said that there is a purported video in the hands of Maharkila showing Marcos allegedly using illegal drugs.

Duterte

In November 2021 at the height of the presidential campaign, Duterte, who frequently throws jabs at Marcos, asked how a presidential bet manages to elude arrest for alleged cocaine use.

Marcos and other presidential candidates, submitted themselves to a drug test. Marcos was tested negative for cocaine, crystal meth and marijuana use and submitted the results to the National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Philippine National Police.

“I really don’t feel that I am the one being alluded to. In spite of that, I believe it is my inherent duty as an aspiring public official to assure the Filipinos that I am against illegal drugs,” Marcos said then.

Protect people, state

In November last year, the commanders of the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command based in Davao City and Western Mindanao Command in Zamboanga City said they stand united with Brawner in preventing any destabilization plot against the Marcos administration.

Lt. Gen. Greg Almerol, chief of the Eastern Mindanao Command, also reminded troops “to remain professional and dedicated to their constitutional mandates and stern duty of protecting the people and the state.”

Almerol’s statement came a day after the Western Mindanao Command said it had no reports of a destabilization plot in the South.

“We have not monitored any persuasion moves within our ranks or any unauthorized movement in our joint operational area. Our significant administrative and operational gains have consistently been progressive. We will not engage in any other activities not congruent to what we have sworn to do,” Almerol said.

Major Andrew Linao, a spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command, said Brawner may have been misquoted by the press, saying this destabilization plot had been reported since 2022.

“Na-misquote lang siya dito kasi wala naman report sa amin on the ground as far as Western Mindanao Command is concerned. Last year pa yan balita and si CS (Chief of Staff) is just reminding troops,” he told The Mindanao Examiner.

Linao said they have, nonetheless, mounted a counterintelligence operation to monitor security forces in Mindanao. “Anyway, meron naman tayong CI (counterintelligence) that is monitoring our troops, pero so far wala naman threats or destabilization sa AOR (area of responsibility) natin,” he said.

The Western Mindanao Command and the Eastern Mindanao Command are the largest military headquarters in the South which have operational control over the air force and the naval forces and tens of thousands of soldiers.

Last year, General Rodolfo Azurin Jr., then the chief of the Philippine National Police, also ordered an investigation after receiving reports of the plot in the military to remove Marcos from power. This also triggered an alert among police forces in the country.

Philippine military spokesman Colonel Medel Aguilar previously denied the destabilization plot, saying “everything is normal” within the military.

Who is behind it?

It was unclear what triggered or pushed former military officers and their group to plot the downfall of Marcos, a former Scout Ranger, and son of Dictator and namesake Ferdinand Marcos who was ousted in a military-backed popular power people revolution in 1986.

However, there were reports that Duterte had been talking to retired military generals, but he denied involvement in any destabilization plots against Marcos.

The destabilization reports first floated after Marcos cut short the term of the AFP Chief-of-Staff General Bartolome Bacarro, a medal of valor awardee, whom he appointed last year to replace General Andres Centino. Bacarro served only five months and was replaced by retiring Centino in August this year. (Mindanao Examiner)

https://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2024/01/destabilization-rumors-continue.html

PBBM: Anti-insurgency ops continue to enhance internal security

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 13, 2024): PBBM: Anti-insurgency ops continue to enhance internal security (By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos)

President Ferdinand R. Marcos (PNA file photo)

MANILA – The government would remain on guard, despite the successful dismantling of the guerilla fronts of the New People’s Army (NPA), President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Saturday.

While the NPA has “zero active guerilla fronts,” Marcos acknowledged the need to continue the counterinsurgency efforts to enhance the country’s internal security.

“Ngayon, maaari na nating ma-i-report na wala ng active NPA guerilla front as of December 2023. Kaya patuloy nating ipaglalaban ito (Now, we can report that there is no active NPA guerilla front as of December 2023. So we will continue to fight for it),” Marcos said in a video message uploaded on his official Facebook page.

“These accomplishments underscore our steadfast commitment to peace and stability,” he added.

The President expressed elation over the government troops’ achievement in addressing the country’s insurgency problem by wiping out active NPA guerilla fronts.

He noted that in 2023, around 1,398 members of communist and local terrorist groups were neutralized and some 1,751 firearms were seized.

Marcos lauded the military, the police, the Defense department and all the intelligence agencies for their performance and coordination to ramp up the government’s efforts against insurgency.

“Sila’y nagtutulungan kaya naman naging matagumpay ang ating kampanya kontra sa internal terrorism (They work together that's why our campaign against internal terrorism was successful),” he said.

In November 2023, the Philippines and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) political wing, the National Democratic Front (NDF), agreed to a “principled and peaceful resolution of the armed conflict.”

However, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), in a statement earlier this month, expressed skepticism over the CPP-NPA-NDF’s sincerity because of the communist group’s “history of failed negotiations, the continuing perpetration of violence, and inconsistent statements.”

The communist movement demanded for the resumption of peace talks, even as it launched a “3rd Rectification Movement” calling for its armed wing, the NPA, to intensify the “protracted people’s war” against the government during its 55th anniversary on Dec. 26 last year.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1216892