Suspected foreign-trained bomb maker, tied to blasts in South, shot dead

From InterAksyon (Aug 31): Suspected foreign-trained bomb maker, tied to blasts in South, shot dead

Police forces shot dead a suspected terrorist and arrested another man, both believed to have played a role in the series of bombings in the South, notably the Cotabato City car bombing that killed eight people.

The joint team of the Maguindanao PNP and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the ARMM shot dead Nadzer Pakasi Monghas, after he allegedly drew a gun as he and his companion, Rahib Pelandoc Guialudin, were about to be apprehended.

Senior Supt. Rodelio Jocson, Maguindanao PNP Director said they have information Monghas had received foreign training as a bomb maker. Among the materials seized from the two men were components for improvised explosive devices (IED) and assorted firearms.

The two men were about to load a newly assembled IED onto a multicab when the police forces apprehended them somewhere in Datu Paglas.

Besides the IED materials, the government team seized three home-made .50 caliber Barrett sniper rifles, an M-16 armalite, a Singaporean-made caliber 5.56 assault rifle and two caliber .45 pistols.

Muslim religious leaders and some local officials helped lead the police to the trail of the suspected terrorist.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/69763/suspected-foreign-trained-bomb-maker-tied-to-blasts-in-south-shot-dead

Soldiers, cops overrun key NPA camp in Cordillera

From InterAksyon (Aug 31): Soldiers, cops overrun key NPA camp in Cordillera



Part of the NPA camp overrun by the PAF-PNP in Sagada, Mt. Province, bellieved to be the staging area for earlier ambuscades on police personnel. PHOTO BY PRO-CORDILLERA

With Philippine Air Force helicopter-gunships providing cover, a composite government team overran Friday a key rebel camp in Barangay Aguid, Sagada, Mt. Province, that is believed to have been used as staging area for earlier high-profile attacks by the New People's Army on police personnel.

Chief Supt. Benjamin Magalong, director of the Police Regional Office-Cordillera (PRO-COR), said Saturday they confirmed intelligence information that the Kilusang Larangan Guerilla (KLG) Marco Command operating in the province had set up camp in the area for several months now.

Magalong said the camp “is being used by the communist rebels as staging area for their previous attacks on police personnel in the province…[it] is reportedly well-equipped, is being used by the NPA as its training ground for its forces in preparation for the staging of a massive attack against government forces deployed in the province for peacekeeping activities.”

PAF sent two MG520 attack helicopters equipped with rockets and machineguns for two sorties, one at 8 a.m., the second at 10 a.m., before the rebel camp was completely subdued.

The last attack from the rebels had come just last Thursday, when an undetermined number of NPAs ambushed a police convoy in Barangay Aguid, wounding two policemen.

It was the second attack in the province since the June 28 ambush in Tadian town that killed a police officer and injured 10 police trainees.

On May 27, eight members of the police’s elite unit, Special Action Force (SAF), were killed and six others wounded after rebels ambushed them in Allacapan, Cagayan.

The capture of the NPA camp on Friday was achieved by the police and military units, especially the 54th Infantry Battalion, "without suffering from further casualties and injuries, except for the two policemen who were injured in the initial attempt to overrun the camp Thursday morning,” Magalong noted.

Police Officer 1 Primo Marcelo and PO1 Romel T. Sagot “were injured after they were met with heavy gunfire by more or less 35 heavily armed communist rebels within the camp,” he added.

Security forces retrieved from the NPA camp subversive documents, medical kits and improvised explosive devices (IED) “installed along the route and round the camp, intended to inflict mass casualties on the operating forces of the government.”

“To avoid mass casualties and further injury to the operating personnel, PROCOR [the Police Regional Office-Cordillera] requested for Close Air Support delivered along the route towards the camp and its surrounding areas to soften the enemy fire and disarm through munitions the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) scattered by the enemy prior to the clearing and documentation of the camp,” Magalong said.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/69766/soldiers-cops-overrun-key-npa-camp-in-cordillera

Troops, militias repulsed rebel attack in Philippine village

From the Mindanao Examiner (Aug 30): Troops, militias repulsed rebel attack in Philippine village



New People’s Army rebels attacked a military detachment in the southern Philippines and sparking a firefight, but security officials on Friday said there was no report of government casualties.

Officials said the fighting in the village of Magnaga in Compostela Valley’s Pantukan town lasted more than 3 hours.

The rebels tried, but failed to overrun the detachment after militias fought fiercely side by side with government troops, according to a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner by the 10th Infantry Division.

It said the concerted efforts of battalion commanders Lt. Col. Alexis Bravo, of the 72nd Infantry Battalion Cadre, and Lt. Col. Francisco Lorenzo, of the 28th Infantry Battalion, hampered the NPAs attempt to take the detachment. 

In the same statement, Col. Benjamin Madrigal, commander of the 701st Infantry Brigade, condemned the attack, saying it put the lives of innocent civilians in grave dangers.

“The attack is an act of total disregard of the safety and welfare of innocent civilians and cowardice of the New People’s Army for placing the lives of the villagers in grave danger.  It is unfortunate that this group continues to endanger the lives of the civilians. They have done this as our peace and development outreach program is gaining ground in the area, as such, in the spirit of Bayanihan, the Army enjoins everyone to condemn those who use violence and intimidation against the people,” Madrigal said.

The NPA is fighting for a separate Maoist state in the country.

http://mindanaoexaminer.blogspot.com/2013/08/troops-militias-repulsed-rebel-attack.html

Philippine commandos kill suspected bomber

From the Mindanao Examiner (Aug 31): Philippine commandos kill suspected bomber

Philippine authorities have announced the killing of A suspected bomber and the capture of his accomplish following a clash in the southern region of Mindanao.

It said Nadzir Mongka was shot dead as he tried to shoot a team of police commandos who intercepted them near Tacurong City transporting a cache of weapons and components for improvised explosives.

Police said arrested Rajib Giyaludin, who is now being interrogated by authorities at an undisclosed camp in Mindanao. The duo is believed members of a gunrunning syndicate and had been linked by the police to bomb attacks in the region.

It was not immediately known whether the two men had any links with Moro rebels or foreign terrorist groups.

http://mindanaoexaminer.blogspot.com/2013/08/philippine-commandos-kill-suspected.html

Obama set to visit PH in October Asian trip

From the Manila Standard Today (Aug 31): Obama set to visit PH in October Asian trip

United States President Barack Obama will visit the Southeast Asian region soon, possibly including the Philippines, US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told reporters on Friday.

Hagel made the announcement after his meeting with President Benigno Aquino III in Malacañang.

“I spoke with the President and he is very much looking forward to his trip to Southeast Asia, and I know that the White House is preparing for that and his meetings,” Hagel said.

“There is a lot to discuss…As much as I know, President Obama is looking forward to his upcoming visit.”

Hagel said he would leave it to the White House to announce the details of the visit.
So far, Obama’s confirmed trips to the region in October are as follows: to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Bali, to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations meetings in Brunei, and to the 4th Global Entrepreneurship Summit.

Aquino will also be attending the Apec and Asean meetings.

Last year, after his re-election, Obama  visited Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar.

Hagel said he was happy to return to the Philippines. He has been visiting the Philippines since the late 1980s, when he was still a senator.

“I first learned about the Philippines when my father, who was here during World War II, spent some time in Clark Air Field. He was a radio operator, a tail gunner on a B-25, and had many, many pictures of his experience here,” Hagel said. “He loved the Filipino people; he loved this country.”
  http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/08/31/obama-set-to-visit-ph-in-october-asian-trip/

PHL forces conduct air strike vs. NPA in Sagada

From GMA News (Aug 30): PHL forces conduct air strike vs. NPA in Sagada

Philippine security forces on Friday launched air strikes against communist New People's Army rebels in Mountain Province, a day after a clash occurred in the area.

Police personnel, with air support from the Philippine Air Force, were going after a band of NPA rebels that engaged security forces in an encounter Thursday, resulting in the wounding of two policemen, police officials said.

"Ongoing pa po yung aming operation sa area, at meron pong dumating na air support from the Philippine Air Force, yung dalawang MG-520," said Superintendent Davy Vicente Limmong, spokesman of the Cordillera Regional Police.

"Nagkaroon po ng mga air strike sa area, so after that papasukin po ng ating mga personnel yung suspected location ng mga enemy," he added.

Cordillera police head Chief Superintendent Benjamin Magalong was quoted in a dzBB report as saying that two police personnel had been hurt by sniper fire on Thursday.

 Limmong said the rebels belong to the NPA's Leonardo Pacsi Command.

Peace zone

For their part, Sagada native Dom-an Macagne said in a Facebook post that the airstrike should not have happened because Sagada is a "peace zone."

"Two military helicopters hovering over Northern Sagada dropping bombs and spraying bullets in the watershed close to the villages. At 8.00 this morning, for 30 minutes, they did the same. Villagers watch(ed) helplessly in terror," Macagne said in the post.

"Sagada is a peace zone, violated many times. Calling all peace makers and peace builders... peace... peace... peace... as I type I hear the explosions..." she added.

The Sagada Peace Zone, one of seven peace zones in the country and recognized by government in 1989, supposedly bans military operations in the municipality, according to a 2007 book "Zones of Peace."

A separate report on state-run Philippines News Agency said a special unit of the Cordillera police engaged NPA rebels in gun battle in Barangay Agid, Sagada.

The PNA report said there were some 30 NPAs at the time and were believed to be among those who ambushed unarmed police trainees in Tadian town last June.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/324281/news/regions/phl-forces-conduct-air-strike-vs-npa-in-sagada

NPA leader surrenders

From the Visayan Daily Star (Aug 30): NPA leader surrenders

An alleged vice squad leader of the Rachel May Palang Command of the New People’s Army in Negros Oriental, Jerome Rio Bilimac, voluntarily surrendered yesterday to Gov. Roel Degamo at the provincial Capitol building in Dumaguete City.

Bilimac, 24, of Sitio Kaputianan, Barangay San Roque in San Jose town, Negros Oriental, turned himself in first to his uncle, Willy Retes, a barangay tanod of San Roque, and to Barangay Captain Alvin Omaguing on August 22.

The surrender of Bilimac, alias Ka Raymund, Ka Rey and Ka Maisa, was witnessed by 302ndBrigade deputy commander, Col. Christopher Estella, Army officers, and Department of Social Welfare and Development officer Alice Lagarde.

Degamo assured the rebel returnee of his safety under the custody of the 79thInfantry Battalion, while documentary requirements are being processed for the financial and livelihood assistance that will be given to him.

Bilimac said he was a machine gunner of the Rachel Mae Palang Command for four years and had participated in several armed encounters with the Army, like the ones in Sugpo, Kulabyawan and in Bungabong, Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental.

He said he decided to surrender because he wants to live peacefully and to spend more time with his family. He said he was taken advantage of by the group that recruited and indoctrinated him into the underground movement.

Degamo said Bilimac’s surrender is timely, with the commemoration of the National Peace Month in September.

Estella said they are thankful for the support of Degamo, and stressed the need to finally win the peace in the province, and other parts of the country. “We need the help of the community in believing that peace can be achieved by bringing government closer to the people, through Oplan Bayanihan, medical missions and peace fora, among others,” he added.

He said the surrender of Bilimac is a good indication that the government is gaining ground in winning the peace in Negros Oriental.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2013/August/30/negor3.htm

MILF: SWC conducts Islamic Symposium in North Cotabato town

From the MILF Website (Aug 30): SWC conducts Islamic Symposium in North Cotabato town

The Social Welfare Committee (SWC) of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Ligawasan Province conducted an Islamic Symposium on August 25, 2013 at Taporok, Aleosan, North Cotabato.
  

The gathering was attended by almost 1,500 women from different municipalities covered by SWC Ligawasan Provincial Committee.

The said activity was part of SWC program of strengthening women’s awareness on the issue of spiritual well-being of mankind. They invited personalities from the Committee on Information to provide updates on the current situation specifically with regards to the peace process between Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The chairperson of the committee reminded the participants that women needed to be prepared for the days ahead towards building the Bangsamoro Region.  Another aleema shared her views on the essentials of sustainable networks that would benefit the organization (MILF).

Prof. Mike Abdula, steering committee member of Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BLMI) and also the chair of the training and education department of the Kalilintad Development Foundation, Inc. gave inputs and spoke on the current negotiation between GPH and MILF. After delving on the FAB’s four annexes, an open forum was moderated by Arman Armada, the head of secretariat of the Committee on Information, Central Committee. Nasrullah Muhammad, the HRDC point man to the MILF assisted Armada.

During the open forum, most of the questions raised addressed to the speakers concern provisions of the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro (FAB), the signed agreement between GPH-MILF in Malacanang Palace in Manila last October 15, 2012, a historic event witnessed by prominent national and international figures including President Benigno C. Aquino III and Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Najib Razak .

Another woman participant expressed her apprehension on the snail-pace process in crafting the Bangsamoro Basic Law by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) due to the unfinished annexes on power-sharing and normalization that is yet to be completed by the two peace panels. The BTC cannot work on the wholeness of the basic law unless the two remaining annexes are completed and signed by the panels. The Framework agreement and the four annexes will constitute the comprehensive compact that will be signed by the two peace panels.

Nasrullah Muhammad reminded the participants to do their part in the best way they can to realize the establishment of the must-awaited Bangsamoro new political entity by 2016.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/526-swc-conducts-islamic-symposium-in-north-cotabato-town

CPP/NPA: Opportunist leader Ruben Labawan responsible for CVO ambush

Posted to the CPP Website (Aug 29): Opportunist leader Ruben Labawan responsible for CVO ambush

Tano Paragas
Spokesperson
Southern Mindanao Sub-regional Command (Davao City-Bukidnon Sub-regional Command)

So-called civilian volunteers who were hit by the New People’s Army (NPA)’s command detonated explosive last Monday in Barangay Tapak, Paquibato were paramilitary baganis recruited by the notorious Ruben Labawan and who were engaged in banditry and various atrocities when they were ambushed.

Labawan has again showed his ugly fangs as a loyal dog to the AFP 10th Infantry Division by sowing terror among Lumads and peasants. Labawan ordered his throng of paramilitary CVOs to commit banditry by confiscating a cattle and a pig from the masses after a CAFGU went AWOL and stole a garand rifle in a detachment in Kalagangan, San Fernando town, Bukidnon.

The CAFGU abandoned the San Fernando detachment because he was disillusioned with the delayed wages, and he felt discriminated among his colleagues. CAFGUs like him are bound to suffer under the present system where only the generals enjoy the largesse from a corrupt US-Aquino regime while foot soldiers and force multipliers such as CAFGUs and CVOs make do with paltry compensation. As they suffer, they become enlightened with the fact that they cannot continue to serve a government and an armed forces that steal from the people’s sweat and blood.

And as the number of CAFGUs abandoning their posts rise, Labawan and running dogs in the AFP are likely to heap their rage over the poor peasants and commit atrocious criminal actions against the people. The military employs the classic tactic of pitting Lumads against Lumads to control ancestral territories and make it easier for capitalist mining companies to enter and exploit ancestral resources.

Labawan is already exposed in the past as among the notorious Lumad opportunists who are eager to sell ancestral lands to the highest bidders, destroyers of the environment and landgrabbers. He and his minions rightly deserve the people’s wrath and the blows inflicted by the New People’s Army.

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/statements/20130829_opportunist-leader-ruben-labawan-responsible-for-cvo-ambush

CPP: CPP denounces Hagel visit, Aquino subservience to US government

From the CPP Website (Aug 30): CPP denounces Hagel visit, Aquino subservience to US government

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today denounced the arrival in the Philippines of US Pentagon Chief Chuck Hagel “which has no other aim but to further boost the US campaign to project its power and strengthen its military foothold in the Asia-Pacific region.”

The CPP issued this statement as Hagel met with Aquino in Malacañang to further discuss the so-called framework agreement presently being forged in negotiations held in Washington. The CPP averred that the framework agreement which is set to be completed in the next few weeks will virtually bring back US basing rights, allow the US to use the Philippines as a vast military outpost, raise the number of US troops in the Philippines and increase the frequency of US troop rotation.

“The US wants to forge an agreement similar to what it has with Singapore where the US Navy is allowed to deploy and operate resupply vessels. The US Navy is also allowed to use a naval base, a ship repair facility and an airfield. The US maintains permanent presence of US fighter jet squadrons of which are rotated a month at a time.
It also uses Singapore as a logistics coordinating center for its Pacific command.

“The Filipino people must denounce and oppose the strategic framework agreement because it violates Philippine national sovereignty,” said the CPP. “They must reject claims of the US government that such arrangements do not touch on matters of sovereignty.”

“Philippine sovereignty is trampled when the US military is allowed to deploy and operate its own equipment, to have unlimited access to air and seaport facilities, operate surveillance equipment, launch and deploy military drones for intelligence and combat, dock its nuclear-capable warships and to land and launch its fighter jets and set up military command posts,” pointed out the CPP.

The CPP further asserted that Benigno Aquino III’s worsening subservience to the US imperialist government makes the establishment of an independent foreign policy even more untenable. “In particular, a peaceful resolution to the South China conflict is being made more difficult because of Aquino’s acquiescence to US dictates and interference on the matter.”

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/statements/20130830_cpp-denounces-hagel-visit-aquino-subservience-to-us-government

Gov't forces beat off rebel attack in Compostela Valley

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 30): Gov't forces beat off rebel attack in Compostela Valley

Government forces deployed at the Magnaga Patrol Base, Barangay Magnaga, Panutukan town, Compostela Valley Province have successfully beaten off an attack conducted by 20 New People's Army (NPA) rebels Thursday night.

Capt. Raul Villegas, 10th Infantry Division spokesperson, said the assault started around 8: 30 p.m.

He added the government forces consisted of a soldier and 14 militiamen.

Villegas stated that no one among the government side was wounded in the attack that lasted for three hours.

He added the rebels retreated with an undetermined number of casualties.

The 10th Infantry Division spokesperson also said that the rebels placed landmines at the foot of the Magnaga Bridge but removed these during their retreat.

Pursuit operations are still ongoing.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=560434

Victim of NPA summary execution recovered in Zambales

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 30): Victim of NPA summary execution recovered in Zambales
 
Troopers from the 24th Infantry Battalion, a field unit of the 7th Infantry Division, have unearthed the remains of a New People's Army (NPA) summary execution victim in Sta. Cruz, Zambales last Aug. 17.

Belated reports from Capt. Mark Ruelos, 7th Infantry Division spokesperson, said the body was identified as Macmac Corpuz, 19, a resident of Barangay Lucapon South, Sta. Cruz.

Ruelos said the victim was executed by members of the Marxism-Leninism Proletariat Party/Rebulosyunaryong Hukbong Bayan last year and was found buried in Malpay Hill, Sitio Araw, Barangay Lucapon North in Sta. Cruz town.

The exhumation of the remains was a result of information from a concerned civilian in the area.

Initial result of the investigation conducted revealed that Macmac was executed by his former comrades after he was accused of rape and stealing a gun from his cadre.

“The accurate information given by concerned civilians on the area led us to the discovery of the skeletal remains of a victim of summary execution initiated by the rebel groups,” 24th Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Col. Gilmar Galicia said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=560502

PNoy names new PSG chief

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 30): PNoy names new PSG chief

President Benigno Aquino III has named Navy Capt. Raul Ubando as the new head of the Presidential Security Group (PSG).

Ubando replaced PSG chief Brig. Gen. Mateo Dizon whose retirement took effect Friday.

Ubando is a member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1985.

Aquino will lead the change of command ceremony later in the day at the PSG Grandstand in Malacanang.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=560512

3 soldiers hurt as IED blast rocks North Cotabato town

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 30): 3 soldiers hurt as IED blast rocks North Cotabato town
 
Three soldiers were hurt when an improvised explosive device planted near an Army detachment went off at 6 a.m. Friday, police said.

Supt. Renante Delos Reyes, Midsayap PNP chief, said the IED was fashioned from a 60 mm mortar with cellphone as trigger mechanism. The explosive went off in Barangay Nabalawag, Midsayap, North Cotabato.

Colonel Dickson Hermoso, 6th Infantry Division spokesperson, identified the wounded soldiers as Sgt. Rudolfo Ubangon, Sgt. Remond Sapun and Sgt. Errick Naranjo, all of the Delta Company of the 7th Field Artillery Battalion.

Sgt. Ubangon was in critical condition as he was close to the IED when it went off.

Delos Santos said Ubangon was about to take an early morning bath at the back of the Army detachment when the IED went off, the fifth explosion in Midsayap in August.

Three of the IEDs were set off by suspected members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) at the outskirt barangays of Nes, Nabalawag ang Baliki while two were set off in the town center.

Following the August 6 IED blast that ripped through a pawnshop along Rizal Street, the local government had imposed curfew hours starting at 9 p.m. until 4 a.m.

No one has claimed responsibility in Friday’s improvised bomb attack but police are looking at the BIFF since it has the signature of the latest explosion.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=560467

Civil society group rates AFP’s implementation of IPSP 'above satisfactory'

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 30): Civil society group rates AFP’s implementation of IPSP 'above satisfactory'

The Bantay-Bayanihan (BB) Visayas Network on Friday gave a rating of “above satisfactory performance” to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) implementation in the Visayas region during the first quarter of 2013.

A network of Bantay-Bayanihan Visayas Team reported that the operational procedures of the Philippine Army in the Visayas, which is composed of two Army Divisions, lagged behind in terms of policy implementation in ensuring consistency of its operations.

The monitoring and evaluation, in which the rating was made, covers the military that implements IPSP in the provinces of Samar, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, the rest of towns and cities in Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental.

On a positive note, “joint efforts by the AFP and PNP is gaining grounds relative to fighting insurgency. While some local politicians still supporting the NPA and other private groups, the LGU support at higher level is visible,” said Rommel L. Rutor, co-convener of the BB Eastern Visayas.

“The fall-out is that, these policies accordingly are already present but are not clearly defined to the BB concerned,” the BB convener said suggesting that the security sector should enhance further engagement with the local BBs.

When asked on how they evaluate and assess these AFP’s IPSP implementations, he said: “Once we hold the data from our sources, we validate it from our own data base as well as compare it to the information provided by the military.”

“We actually do it two to three weeks prior to the scheduled evaluation or actual filling of the local matrix (by the AFP),” Rutor said.

“If there are no recorded adverse reports during the quarter, regardless of the truthfulness of the figures presented by the AFP as to the number of their combat operations, the BB would rate the same as YES; but if conflicts or issues (human rights violations, number of KIA, missing enemy’s, etc) are present, then it should reflect (on their score card),” he added.

Meanwhile, AFP Central Command chief Lt.Gen. Roy Deveraturda, in his reactions to the BB report, welcomed the positive results and likewise committed to respond on the lapses.

“We will furnish you any data you want to make the assessment and evaluation more comprehensive,” the CenCom chief said assuring to conduct more local engagement with BBs on the ground.

On its IPSP evaluation report, a copy of which obtained by the PNA, B/Gen. Rodelio V. Santos, AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations said the AFP is now moving forward as regard to their IPSP implementation.

He said that through the AFP intensive campaign against the insurgents, the CPP-NPA-NDF trend of initiated violence had decreased 25 percent from 2010 with 501 incidents to only 230 incidents recorded as of August 2013.

According to the AFP, the IPSP Bayanihan also improved internal peace and security situation in a nationwide scope.

“Forty-six percent of the rebels affected provinces have undergone normalization. Under normalization, the LGU takes the lead role in ensuring local peace and security. By the end of 2013, we aim to have normalization to another 20 provinces,” B/Gen. Santos disclosed.

The BB is a civil-society led initiative that aims to create an oversight body over the armed forces, including defense and security policies (strategic, tactical and operational levels).

In the Visayas, the monitoring and evaluation of Bayanihan started in January 2013 through Catbalogan City-based Bantay Kalinaw Sinirangan Bisayas, BB Negros Oriental (Dumaguete City) and BB Negros Occidental based in Bacolod City.

All of these BBs had their network of non-government offices, people’s organization, academe, media, religious groups and other organizations in their midst as either members or source of information.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=560488