Abu Sayyaf bandits attack military's civilian volunteers in Sulu

From the Philippine Star (Jan 10): Abu Sayyaf bandits attack military's civilian volunteers in Sulu

Fighting erupted Saturday when Abu Sayyaf Group gunmen fired grenades to patrolling civilian volunteers in a remote village in Talipao, Sulu.

The military said a volunteer of the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT) was wounded in the firefight that occurred at about 6:05 a.m. at the vicinity of Barangay Kiyutaan.

Col. Alan Arrojado, commander of the Joint Task Group Sulu (JTGS), said the BPAT volunteers led by Talipao Councilor Lakim Uddin were harassed by about 30 Abu Sayyaf members led by sub-leaders Angga Adji and Roger Saji.

Arrojado said the military launched several rounds of M203 grenade launchers towards the group of Uddin that sparked a 10-minute firefight that resulted to the wounding of BPAT member Akmad Aburan.

He said the bandits withdrew towards the direction of Bud (mountain) Itao, Barangay Bungkaong, Patikul town.

Arrojado said the Marine Battalion Landing Team 2 (MBLT2) has received information that Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Angga Adji and Councilor Uddin have a long standing rido.

Special operation platoon from the MBLT2 and police forces from Talipao conducted pursuit operation against the attackers.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2015/01/10/1411494/abu-sayyaf-bandits-attack-militarys-civilian-volunteers-sulu

Southern Luzon Command beefs up security for papal visit participants

From the Manila Times (Jan 10): Southern Luzon Command beefs up security for papal visit participants

The Southern Luzon Command has ordered all its units to beef up their security preparations to ensure the safety of people who will be joining activities in honor of Pope Francis who will be visiting the country on January 15 to 19.

Major Gen. Ricardo Visaya, Southern Luzon Command chief, said this is to ensure devotees coming from Bicol and Southern Tagalog regions will be protected from groups or individuals who may disrupt these activities.

“Security along national roads, conduct of checkpoints with the PNP (Philippine National Police), as well as security augmentation to the Philippine Coast Guard in major ports in Bicol and Southern Tagalog regions are among the primary activities of our forces before, during and after the papal visit,” he added.

“There are no monitored threats. However, we will continue monitoring and intensifying our security operations and not discount the possibility of some spoilers,” Visaya said.

In Sorsogon, an Army K-9 unit augments the PCG in security operations at the Matnog Port.

A platoon sized unit that can be deployed at any point is also on standby alert.

http://www.manilatimes.net/southern-luzon-command-beefs-up-security-for-papal-visit-participants/154356/

AFP to end insurgency woes, focus on defense of territory

From the Manila Bulletin (Jan 9): AFP to end insurgency woes, focus on defense of territory

By all indications it may a difficult target, but the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is seriously aiming to end all insurgency problems in the country and shift focus to territorial defense “as soon as possible.”

“Our plan is to be able to declare the entire country peaceful and ready for development,” said Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang, AFP chief of staff.

But Catapang admitted it is such a gargantuan task, noting that the country is currently faced with so many security challenges that include communist rebels, breakaway factions of Moro rebels, the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), and even foreign terrorist organizations.

However, he said that based on the recent meeting with top military commanders, all the government action plans to address insurgency problems are on the right track.

For instance, he said the recent number of communist rebels have been reduced to 3,200 fighters from its peak of 25,000 during the 1980s.

“We are doing alright. We are being able to address these challenges,” said Catapang.

On the threat posed by the Moro rebels in Mindanao, Catapang said they are confident that the approval of the Bangsamoro Basic Law and full implementation of the peace agreement will help in the normalization of security situation in the South.

http://www.mb.com.ph/afp-to-end-insurgency-woes-focus-on-defense-of-territory/

How Close Is China to Another South China Sea Airstrip?

From The Diplomat (Jan 10): How Close Is China to Another South China Sea Airstrip?

Beijing could have a second airstrip in the South China Sea by the end of 2015.

On January 8, the Philippine news outlet Rappler quoted an informed defense source as saying that China is likely to finish constructing its second airstrip in the South China Sea by the end of 2015. Separately, the chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, General Gregorio Catapang Jr., also revealed that Beijing was about halfway done with its land reclamation activities on Fiery Cross Reef where the anticipated airstrip is likely to be built.

Satellite images released in November 2014 already indicated that Chinese dredgers had been reclaiming land on Fiery Cross Reef since August to create a land mass large enough for a 3 km long airstrip, which would be its second in the South China Sea after its airstrip in Woody Island in the Paracel Islands (Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan also have their own airstrips).

But these latest reports suggest that China is quite far along in its land reclamation and airstrip construction. Those reclamation activities, along with having two airstrips — one in the Paracels and one in the Spratlys — would significantly boost Beijing’s position in the South China Sea with implications for other claimants and interested parties.

As I have stressed previously, it is important that we view such Chinese activities in the South China Sea not as isolated events, but rather as part of a broader strategy of “incremental assertiveness” to change the facts on the water in Beijing’s favor where possible to advance its claims. In this case, as with China’s several other ongoing land reclamation projects, including Cuateron Reef, Gaven Reef, and Johnson North Reef, Beijing’s efforts to increase the size of individual features like it is doing in Fiery Cross Reef could help strengthen the legal justification for its extensive territorial claims.

That could in turn potentially have an effect on legal efforts by other South China Sea claimants, like the Philippines’ ongoing case against China at an arbitral tribunal at The Hague (which Vietnam also is now participating in) which could be decided sometime in late 2015 or 2016. While Manila has decided to stop all development work in the South China Sea because of the impact it might have on the ruling, Beijing seems to see no problem letting its activities continue because it will only change the status quo in its favor while the verdict is being determined.

Beyond the positional advantages that land reclamation would confer, having an airstrip at Fiery Cross Reef would be a significant addition to China’s power projection capabilities. Simply put, by having an airstrip in the Spratlys, Beijing’s aircraft can reach the far southern parts of the South China Sea easily, quickly and frequently when they otherwise might not have been able to due to range or refueling issues. That in turn would enable China to carry out more air patrols over its claimed territory and provide greater cover for its ships around the area. Given the patterns of Chinese behavior over the past few years, which show increasing incursions into the southern parts of the South China Sea affecting Malaysia and Indonesia, these countries should be worried about what this might mean for them once this becomes a reality.

As some have pointed out, having another airstrip may also be a step towards China’s plans of potentially creating an air defense identification zone (ADIZ) in the South China Sea sometime in the future, similar to the one it announced in the East China Sea in November 2013. Since China declared that ADIZ, many have been wondering when exactly Beijing will declare an equivalent in the South China Sea. But with its “incremental assertiveness” slowly increasing its military capabilities in the South China Sea, Beijing may gradually be working toward a reality where it may already have the capabilities to enforce an ADIZ, even if it does not actually declare one.

http://thediplomat.com/2015/01/how-close-is-china-to-another-south-china-sea-airstrip/

Soldier hurt in Maguindanao shooting incident

From ABS-CBN (Jan 9): Soldier hurt in Maguindanao shooting incident

MAGUINDANAO - A soldier was wounded after he and three members of the Civilian Auxiliary Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) were fired upon by unidentified gunmen riding a motorcycle at Barangay Labu-Labo in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao Thursday.

Sgt. Brian Duazo, a member of the 14th Mechanized Company of the 1st Mechanized Brigade, was shot in the hand but still managed to drive himself to a hospital in Isulan town of Sultan Kudarat.

Duazo and the three CAFGU members were on board a white pick-up truck when they were strafed by the suspects.

Troops from the 14th Mechanized Company of the 1st Mechanized Brigade, along with members of the Shariff Aguak Police, proceeded to the said area to conduct investigation.

This is the third shooting incident of 2015 wherein soldiers were the main target.

The 6th Infantry Division, on previous interviews, saw these incidents as liquidation acts of the armed group, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, a breakaway group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/01/09/15/soldier-hurt-maguindanao-shooting-incident

Potential terrorist threats in parts of Mindanao cited in US worldwide caution

From GMA News (Jan 10): Potential terrorist threats in parts of Mindanao cited in US worldwide caution

The United States on Saturday cautioned its nationals in the Philippines against travel to parts of Mindanao due to the threat from the Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah.

In a worldwide alert, the US noted the JI and Abu Sayyaf have cells in Southeast Asia with JI being linked to Al Qaeda and other regional terrorist groups.

"There is a risk of travel to the southern Philippines, specifically related to kidnapping threats in the Sulu Archipelago and the ongoing threat of violence on the island of Mindanao, particularly in Central Mindanao," it said.

"Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and the Abu Sayyaf Group, have cells operating throughout Southeast Asia and JI is linked to al-Qaida and other regional terrorist groups," it added.

Also, it said that over the past year there have been several kidnappings-for-ransom targeting foreigners in Eastern Sabah and in the southern Sulu Sea area.

Such incidents may have involved terrorist or insurgent groups based in the Sulu Archipelago of the Philippines, it said.

"In addition to incursions on the coastal and island resorts themselves, criminal or terrorist bands may attempt to intercept boats ferrying tourists in the area," it said.

The US State Department, in updating its worldwide caution, cited recent terrorist attacks, "whether by those affiliated with terrorist entities, copycats, or individual perpetrators" that it said "serve as a reminder that US citizens need to maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness."

Also, it noted that on September 22 last year, the US and regional partners commenced military action against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

In response to air strikes, ISIL called on supporters to attack foreigners wherever they are.

"Authorities believe there is an increased likelihood of reprisal attacks against U.S., Western and coalition partner interests throughout the world, especially in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, and Asia," it said.

"Kidnappings and hostage events involving US citizens have become increasingly prevalent as ISIL, al Qa`ida and its affiliates have increased attempts to finance their operations through kidnapping for ransom operations. ISIL, al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and al-Qa’ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) are particularly effective with kidnapping for ransom and are using ransom money to fund the range of their activities. Kidnapping targets are usually Western citizens from governments or third parties that have established a pattern of paying ransoms for the release of individuals in custody," it said.

Also, it said extremists may use conventional or non-conventional weapons, and target both official and private interests.

Such targets may include high-profile sporting events, residential areas, business offices, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, public areas, shopping malls, and other tourist destinations both in the United States and abroad where U.S. citizens gather in large numbers, including during holidays, it said.

"U.S. citizens are reminded of the potential for terrorists to attack public transportation systems and other tourist infrastructure. Extremists have targeted and attempted attacks on subway and rail systems, aviation, and maritime services. In the past, these types of attacks have occurred in cities such as Moscow, London, Madrid, Glasgow, and New York City," it said.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/401517/news/nation/potential-terrorist-threats-in-parts-of-mindanao-cited-in-us-worldwide-caution

Six Abu Sayyaf followers behind abduction of treasurer’s son in Sulu

From the Zamboanga Today Online (Jan 9): Six Abu Sayyaf followers behind abduction of treasurer’s son in Sulu

The military has tagged six followers of a sub-leader of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf as behind the abduction of a son of a municipal treasurer in the troubled island southern province of Sulu on Tuesday.

 

Capt. Rowena Muyuela, military spokeswoman of the Armed Forces’ Western Mindanao Command, said that six suspects behind the kidnapping of Eljon Steven Marzo were identified.

 

“Reports from ground troops disclosed that six followers of the Abu Sayyaf Group under Sub-Leader Sibih Pisih were identified as abductors of a kidnap victim (Eljon Steven Marzo),” said Muyuela.

 

Eljon, 9, is a student of Notre Dame of Jolo and son of Maimbung Municipal Treasurer Jun Marzo. He was playing outside their house when he was forcibly taken by the suspects on board a motorcycle, after which they fled towards Barangay Anuling, Patikul, Sulu.

 

According to Muyuela, among the identified perpetrators (kidnappers) were Sherwin Dela Cruz; Abdel Dela Cruz; Alrashid Panduga (a.k.a Ullok); Isabelo Panduga (a.k.a Belong Jordan Cabrera); a certain Askali; and Mabeh Kuhutan.

 

The military had earlier said that one of the abductors was identified as Abu Sayyaf sub-Leader Namyel Ahajari (a.k.a Gapas),

 

Muyuela who quoted Colonel Allan Arrojado, Commander, Joint Task Group Sulu.as telling that hot pursuit operations and continuous monitoring are ongoing.

 

“Meanwhile, no negotiations have been made by the abductors,” she said. “AFP and PNP continue to buckle law enforcement operations to contain lawless groups in the area.”

 

http://www.zamboangatoday.ph/index.php/top-stories/19636-six-abu-sayyaf-followers-behind-abduction-of-treasurers-son-in-sulu.html

Tribal military recruitment deceptive, say

From the pro-CPP Davao Today (Jan 8): Tribal military recruitment deceptive, say

DAVAO CITY – A tribal alliance here said that the renewed recruitment of tribesmen into the government military was not new and may be a ploy to allow the entry of large mining and logging operations in ancestral domains.

“They have been wanting to organize a lumad battalion as a form of divide-and-rule tactic in the communities,” said Dulphing Ogan, spokesperson of Mindanao tribal alliance called Kalumaran.

“Kabalo man ta nga daghang nagasupak nga lumad sa mining projects (We know that a lot of lumads oppose mining projects),” Ogan said.

Lt. Col. Llewellyn Binasoy of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division announced recently that they would now include members of the tribes in recruitting new soldiers citing the tribe’s “better understanding of their own tribe and are culturally-sensitive”.

“They know the culture, the language, sila yung magiging lead natin in our conduct for peace and development (They will be our lead in our conduct for peace and development),” Col. Benjamin Madrigal of the 701^st Infantry Brigade said.

Binasoy said that the idea to recruit tribal members was also “the desire of the tribal communities in Barangay Gupitan, Kapalong, Davao del Norte” scene of recent fighting between soldiers and the New People’s Army guerrrillas.

But Ogan said the Army will only “use the lumads for the anti-insurgency campaign and environmental destruction.”

“Paghaylo kini sa mga lumad nga kunohay naay trabaho para kanila pero mas hinay-hinay ginakuha ang teritoryo sa mga IP (This deceives the lumads by offering them jobs but little by little they are encroaching IP territories),” Ogan said.

“For the soldiers of the IP sector, they will be recruited and they will be trained and after that, the qualified (trainees) will be deployed in the areas of their ancestral domain.” Binasoy said. He added that it was the communities who wanted to strengthen their community defense.

Regional director of the National Commission for the Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) region 11 Geroncio R. Aguio said the recruitment of IPs into the military is not prohibited “so long as there is no coercion and deception.”

“If it is based on free will, there’s no problem,” Aguio said.

But Ogan said the act of recruiting the lumads to military force creates a “wrong perception” for the lumads.

“Mawad-an og luna ang mga gagmayng bata sa yutang kabilin inig sulod sa mga dagkong korporasyon. Asa man diha ang proteksyon sa mga lumad? (Young IP children will lose their ancestral land if big corporations enter the ancestral domains. Where is the protection for the lumads?)” Ogan said.

Meanwhile, Madrigal said it is a preemptive measure of the lumads against   being “recruited by the New People’s Army.”

http://davaotoday.com/politics/tribal-military-recruitment-deceptive-say/

MILF: Decommissioning must be “parallel and commensurate”

Posted to the MILF Website (Jan 9): Decommissioning must be “parallel and commensurate”



 When asked by reporters about the changing dates of the decommissioning of MILF forces and weapons, MILF Peace Panel Chairman Mohagher Iqbal said that it has to be parallel and commensurate to the implementation of other agreements. 
  

Speaking before the media community of Davao City on January 8, Iqbal clarified that though the symbolic decommissioning may sound ceremonial, it is in reality not that simple but a very “sentimental, sensitive and emotional” act.

 

Decommissioning is the gradual and process through which MILF forces and weapons are put beyond use.

 

Iqbal stressed that it must never be equated to surrender nor would there be a destruction of weapons, but that a third-party monitor, called the International Decommissioning Body (IDB), would be responsible for the storage of said weapons.

The symbolic decommissioning was initially set last December but “it has to relate to other tracks in Phase 1” of the implementation schedule.

 

A matrix detailing the program for normalization in the Bangsamoro has been attached to the Annex on Normalization signed by the GPH and MILF Peace Panels on January 25, 2014 at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

 

The matrix shows four phases of implementation with eight dimensions or tracks, including decommissioning, that have to be parallel and commensurate to each other. The rest are transitional components of normalization, socio-economic programs, confidence-building measures, redeployment of AFP, policing, disbandment of private armies and other armed groups, transitional justice and reconciliation.

 

But Iqbal mentioned that he has already written Ambassador Haydar Berk of Turkey, who heads the IDB, about the number of MILF weapons and combatants that would be decommissioned. The IDB is made up of Norway, Turkey and Brunei and four other local experts jointly nominated by the parties.

 

It is expected to meet in Manila within the current month.

 

Iqbal also mentioned that another thing that delays the decommissioning is the unfinished implementing guidelines of the terms of reference of the IDB.

Since the IDB was constituted last September only, its members “cannot put up themselves yet in the proper way to move forward,” Iqbal said.

 

The decommissioning is tentatively set for next month.

 

Media roundtable

 

Iqbal was joined by GPH Peace Panel Chairwoman Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer during the three-hour roundtable discussions with Davao City-based media practitioners at the Royal Mandaya Hotel.

 

BTC Commissioners Abdulla Camlian and Raissa Jajurie also served as panel discussants alongside Atty. Jesus Dureza who once served as GRP Peace Panel Chair. Institute for Autonomy and Governance Executive Director Atty. Benedicto Bacani represented the independent panel of lawyers assisting in the peace process.

 

The media roundtable was the second in a series of related events organized by MindaNews and Philippine Information Agency XI in cooperation with the BTC. It is currently funded by the Canada Aid.

 

The next roundtable is slated in Cagayan de Oro City in the last week of January. 

 

http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/1443-decommissioning-must-be-“parallel-and-commensurate”

MILF: Extend transition period of Bangsamoro Region beyond 2016: Dureza

Posted to the MILF Website (Jan 9): Extend transition period of Bangsamoro Region beyond 2016: Dureza

 

Jesus Dureza, former GPH Chief Negotiator, and now President of the Philippine Press Institute urged Congress on Thursday, January 8 to to extend the transition period for the Bangsamoro region beyond 2016.  This according to Dureza will “give the MILF’s United Bangsamoro Justice Party time to mature.”
  

Such an extension “will allow the MILF to mature politically and be able to prove to the Bangsamoro constituents that they are a different breed to the known past political leaders in the area.”

Congress will start deliberating the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), the charter that would govern the new Bangsamoro government when it resumes session on January 19.

The new political entity Bangsamoro government with a ministerial form of government is the key feature of the GPH-MILF Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) signed on March 27, 2014.

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao shall be abolished once congress approves the proposed bill on BBL and ratified by the people in the core territory, six (6) municipalities in Lanao del Norte, 39 barangaysd in North Cotabato, Cities of Cotabato and Isabela in Basilan..

The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) will take over the governance of the region, with all the members including the Chief Minister appointed by the President, until the first set of officials are elected during the 2016 elections.

The MILF officially launched the UJBP during a three-day 1st Volunteers General Assembly from December 23-25, 2014, in Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat town, Maguindanao. About 128,000 people attended the event who vowed to campaign for the party’s candidates in 2016.  The UBJP will only field candidates for the regional positions vis-à-vis members of the Bangsamoro Parliament in 2016 synchronized elections.

MILF chieftain Al Haj Murad  Ebrahim is the party’s President and Chairman with four vice chairmen.

Dureza stressed that Congress has the power to extend the transition period beyond 2016 by incorporating such provision in the approved version of the Bangsamoro Basic Law.

 “If we don’t give the MILF longer time to mature and reform things in the Bangsamoro, they will not be able to compete in 2016 with the entrenched political leaders,” he said.

http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/1442-extend-transition-period-of-bangsamoro-region-beyond-2016-dureza

CPP/Ang Bayan: Hold the US accountable for its crimes during the Philippine-American War (1899-1913)

Propaganda article from the English language edition of the CPP online publication Ang Bayan (Jan 7): Hold the US accountable for its crimes during the Philippine-American War (1899-1913)

We will be commemorating the 116th year of the start of the Philippine-American War on February 4. On that day in 1899, the first Filipino fighter was felled by a soldier from the American occupation army in a skirmish at Sta. Mesa, Manila.
Let us r
efresh the memories of the new generation of Filipino youth on the genocide, the crimes and brutalities committed by the US military against the Filipino people and the latter’s heroic struggle for national freedom and democracy.

Gen. Elwell S. Otis, the US military governor in the Philippines (1899-1900) led the first round of the violent suppression of the Filipino people. The US Army used the tactics of reconcentrating civilians in military camps, the “water cure” in interrogations, and the “scorched earth” campaign which involved burning down entire communities. These did not only happen in Batangas and Laguna, but were likewise widespread in Bicol, the Visayas and parts of Mindanao.

Eminent historians estimate that up to 1.4 million Filipinos, or more than 10% of the Philippine population at that time died from 1899 to 1905, the first years of the Philippine-American War. Up to 600,000 died in Luzon, including 300,000 reported by the US military to have died in Batangas alone in the face of wanton killings and atrocities. These figures do not include the thousands of Moros killed by American soldiers.

Despite their superior weapons, US military forces failed to quickly defeat the Filipino people’s resistance. The brutality of the US military incited widespread resistance. The Filipino people mounted an armed revolution lasting close to 15 years, using old rifles, revolvers, machetes, daggers, arrows, spears and other indigenous weapons.

Hamletting. The military camps where Filipinos were forcibly herded were known as reconcentrados. The camps were severely cramped, leading to the spread of disease and widespread deaths. One camp that was little more than three kilometers long and half a kilometer wide housed 8,000 Filipinos. In another report, 8,450 out of 298,000 people incarcerated in reconcentrados died between January and April 1902.

Areas outside of the reconcentrados were called “free-fire zones,” meaning anyone seen outside the camp without a cedula or residence certificate was to be shot. General J. Franklin Bell claimed in a letter that he organized the camps to “protect” friendly Filipinos from the “ladrones” or thieves (which was how the revolutionaries were called) and “assure them an adequate food supply” while teaching them “proper sanitary standards.”

“Scorched earth policy.” Notorious examples of the policy of burning down entire villages was Gen. Jacob Smith’s orders to his men in Samar to “kill and burn,” “Kill everyone oven ten years of age!" and "Turn (Samar) into a ‘howling wilderness’ so that ‘even the birds could not live there.’”

It was General Smith’s retaliation for the successful raid on September 28, 1901 by revolutionaries under Gen. Vicente Lukban on Company C of the 9th US Army Regiment then stationed at the Balangiga town center in Eastern Samar. The 74-man company suffered 48 killed and 26 wounded. The revolutionaries were able to seize 100 rifles and many rounds of ammunition.

Some of the American soldiers survived when they were able to ride a dugout canoe to Basey, Samar province. Company G commander Capt. Edwin V. Bookmiller later returned to Balangiga and burned the town to ashes.

“Water cure” and other US Army crimes. American soldiers systematically used the “water cure” and other forms of torture on captured Filipinos, in a desperate attempt to quell the armed resistance. In a letter to his family in the US on November 25, 1900, Sgt. Charles S. Riley recounted how they gathered the presidente (mayor), the priest and another local leader, and investigated them. The mayor evaded some questions, and he was soon bound and subjected to the water cure. He was made to lie face up under a water tank while water flowed to his mouth. Another man sat on his belly to prevent him from drowning. The mayor begged for mercy and talked. He was subjected a second time to the water cure until he divulged all the information that they sought from him.

The people of Panay likewise fell victim to intense brutality in the hands of the Americans. A letter by a man named Mr. Nelson to the Boston Herald on August 25, 1902 recalls the burning of Panay:

“There was talk of indiscriminate burning by General Smith. The 18th Regulars marched from Iloilo in the south to Capiz in northern Panay, with orders to burn all towns allied with the resistance. This resulted in clearing an area 60 miles wide from end to end”—meaning the American soldiers had burned down an area of more than 96 square kilometers.

Suppressing information. Otis suppressed all reports regarding such military tactics to prevent them from reaching anti-imperialist newspapers and the American Anti-Imperialist League of which writer Mark Twain was a member. Otis also ordered particular unit commanders to order their men to reverse or retract their initial statements reported in the US media.

Meanwhile, Otis launched his own counter-propaganda, claiming “Filipino bandits” were the ones torturing their American captives. This was belied by reports from other foreign reporters and representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) like F.A. Blake.

When Blake arrived in Manila to investigate the atrocities, Otis confined him to his office in Manila. Once, when Blake was able to shake off his military escorts and venture into the field, he saw burned houses and “horribly mutilated bodies of Filipinos, with stomachs slit open and occasionally decapitated.” Blake recounted this to an American reporter upon his return to San Francisco, California, USA.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/publications/ang_bayan/20150107/hold-the-us-accountable-for-its-crimes-during-the-philippine-american-war-1899-1913

CPP/Ang Bayan: AFP violates own ceasefire in SMR

Propaganda article from the English language edition of the CPP online publication Ang Bayan (Jan 7): AFP violates own ceasefire in SMR

The month-long ceasefire declared by the Aquino regime and the AFP that was supposed to have started December 18 is utterly useless. Particularly in Southern Mindanao, forces of the AFP Eastern Mindanao Command continue to occupy and conduct military operations in the following areas:

1) Davao City: Mapula, Lumiad, Paquibato Proper and Malabog in Paquibato District; Domingga in Calinan District; Marilog; Salaysay; and Tambobong in Baguio District.

2) Compostela Valley: Kingking, Napnapan, Tibagon and Las Arenas in Pantukan; Panamin and Anitapan in Mabini; Nuevo Iloco, Nueva Visayas, Barangay Andili and Sta. Monica in Mawab; Cabidianan and Mainit in Nabunturan; Paloc, Mahayahay, Parasanon and Tandik in Maragusan; Casoon in Monkayo; Sangab, New Visayas, Lapulapu, Teresa, Masara, Panoraon, Elizalde and Malamodao in Maco; Ngan in Compostela; and Manurigao in New Bataan.

3) Davao Oriental: Taguibo in Mati City; Causwagan and Maputi in Banaybanay; San Isidro, New Visayas, Don Mariano Marcos, Maragatas, Calapagan and Marayag in Lupon; Binondo and Mahan-ug in Baganga; Taytayan, Malibago and Mainit in Cateel; Caatihan in Boston; and Lapulapu and San Roque in San Isidro.

4) North Cotabato: Don Panaca, Kinarum, Bangkal, Amabel, Noa, Binay, Bagumbayan, Balete, Basak, Mahongcog, Manobisa, Imamaling and Bongolanon in Magpet.

5) Agusan del Sur: Santa Josefa, Veruela, Sabud and Kauswagan in Loreto; Salvacion and New Visayas in Trento.

The NPA cited the case of Barangay Catihan, Boston where 14 soldiers from the 67th IB occupy the multipurpose gym, private homes and videoke bars while conducting intensified intelligence operations.

In Sitio Balod, Barangay Malibago, Cateel, the 67th IB Bravo Company arrived at around 5 a.m. of December 19, scoured the area and occupied the village center.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/publications/ang_bayan/20150107/afp-violates-own-ceasefire-in-smr

CPP/Ang Bayan: NPA arrests ComVal jail warden

Propaganda article from the English language edition of the CPP online publication Ang Bayan (Jan 7): NPA arrests ComVal jail warden

The New People’s Army (NPA) Comval-North Davao-South Agusan Subregional Command arrested on December 23 Jose Mervin Coquilla, jail warden of the Compostela Valley Provincial Rehabilitation Center.

The arrest was spurred by complaints received by the NPA on alleged anomalies related to Coquilla’s administration of the Compostela Valley Jail and his involvement in the trafficking of illegal drugs inside the detention center.

The complaints allege that Coquilla stole funds meant for the detainees, resulting in substandard food and medical services received by the inmates.

Coquilla also allegedly abused the detainees physically and psychologically. Visiting family members are reportedly forced to talk to their detained loved ones with the latter remaining behind bars.

On the other hand, Coquilla has reportedly been turning a blind eye whenever prisoners are caught using illegal drugs or when jail guards are caught smuggling drugs into the jail.

The NPA assured Coquilla’s family that he would be treated well by the Red fighters and the revolutionary mass base while he is under investigation.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/publications/ang_bayan/20150107/npa-arrests-comval-jail-warden

CPP/Ang Bayan: NPA releases prisoners of war

Propaganda article from the English language edition of the CPP online publication Ang Bayan (Jan 7): NPA releases prisoners of war

Four prisoners of war were released on two separate occasions last December in Mindanao.

On December 26, two soldiers captured in August in Impasug-ong, Bukidnon were released in Marihatag, Surigao del Sur. For more than four months, AFP forces failed to discover the whereabouts of Pfc. Marnel Cinches and Pfc. Jerrel Yorong. The prisoners were detained for a long period due to the AFP and the Aquino regime’s refusal to implement a seven-day ceasefire of limited scope requested by the NPA.

Prior to this, a custodial unit under the NPA Comval-North Davao-South Agusan Subregional Command released Cpl. Benjamin Samano and Pfc. Alvin Ricarte in Montevista, Compostela Valley on December 21. The two soldiers were captured on December 2 in an NPA attack on the compound of Sumitomo Fruits Corp. in New Corella, Davao del Norte where they were serving as security guards. The NPA transferred custody of the two soldiers to Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who in turn turned them over to the AFP Eastern Mindanao Command.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/publications/ang_bayan/20150107/npa-releases-prisoners-of-war

CPP/Ang Bayan: 4 soldiers killed, 7 wounded

Propaganda article from the English language edition of the CPP online publication Ang Bayan (Jan 7): 4 soldiers killed, 7 wounded

Four soldiers from the 29th IB Bravo Company were killed and seven wounded after being hit by a command-detonated explosive (CDX) planted by a team from the Western Agusan Norte-Agusan Sur Subregional Command of the New People’s Army at about 8 a.m. of December 22 in Rizal, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte.

Arriving aboard a six-by-six truck, the ambushed platoon had come from the Bravo Company command post in Barangay Rizal to relieve troops stationed at Sitio Bangkaling, Nongnong, Butuan City.

The soldiers aboard the six-by-six truck were unable to return fire due to the impact of the explosion.

A full five minutes elapsed before reinforcements arrived. But they were too scared and could only manage to fire their weapons indiscriminately, hitting a boy who was walking at a nearby rice paddy. Aside from the explosives detonation, no other shots came from the NPA side. Thus, claims by the the 29th IB of a ten-minute exchange of fire were a figment of their imagination.

No matter how much the military and police deny the casualty count, there is no hiding this fact from residents living nearby, from others who had passed by the scene of the ambush and from people living adjacent to the military camp.

Meanwhile, an NPA unit under the Armando Sumayang Jr. Command of Southwest Negros disarmed Efren Baton Solanoy, an active CAFGU element under the 12th IB. The disarming operation was conducted in Sitio Tau-angan, Gil Montilla, Sipalay City on the night of December 14.

Seized from Solanoy was an M14 automatic rifle with nine magazines and 110 rounds of ammunition. The NPA also confiscated a military backpack, two camouflage uniforms and an ID. Solanoy and another CAFGU element are assigned to secure the International Builders Corporation (IBC) Batching Plant.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/publications/ang_bayan/20150107/4-soldiers-killed-7-wounded