PRRD sends “ultimatum” on landmines to CPP-NDF panel; honors soldiers killed in Compostela Valley

From the Philippine Information Agency (Aug 8): PRRD sends “ultimatum” on landmines to CPP-NDF panel; honors soldiers killed in Compostela Valley

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte issued early Sunday morning an ultimatum against communist rebels’ use of landmines and demanded inclusion of the battlefield issue in the peace talks or else the negotiations are off.

“Either you stop it or we stop talking,” the President said in a news conference held at the wake of four Philippine Army infantry troops killed in two separate encounters in Compostela Valley on Friday against alleged members of the New People’s Army.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Eastern Mindanao Command said in a news release Saturday that a landmine explosion killed three of the soldiers. Eastmincom condemned “in the highest form the deliberate use of landmine by the NPAs which is in violation of the International Humanitarian Law.”

Addressing the negotiators of the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front (CPP-NDF), President Duterte said, “I would insist you include the landmines or else no talks at all, then we fight for another 45 years…. I am now invoking the Geneva Conventions. It is part of the international law, not only of the Philippines but around the world.”

The President was at the soldiers’ wake Saturday evening to the early hours of Sunday at the Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Panacan, Davao City.

Killed in action were Cpl Gilmar C. Mapa, Cpl Jimmy M. Bayta, Pfc Rolen Roy C. Sarmiento, and Cpl Ruel G. Mangaoang, less than a week after Duterte lifted on July 30 the government’s unilateral ceasefire vis-à-vis the communist rebels.

The President declared the truce during his first State of the Nation Address last July 25. It will be recalled that President Duterte lamented the heavy and “tragic” cost of armed rebellion.

“All of us want peace, not the peace of the dead, but the peace of the living. We express our willingness and readiness to go to the negotiating table, and yet we load our guns, fix our sights, pull the trigger. It is both ironic and tragic— and it is endless,” he said in the SONA.

“While we extol the bravery and heroism of our soldiers, kayo, the rebels, do the same for your members and fighters. What I see instead are the widows and the orphans and I feel their pain and grieve, and no amount of cash assistance or the number of medals can compensate the loss of a human life. Sorrow cuts across every stratum of society. It cuts deeply and the pain lasts forever,” the President added in his first SONA.

Casualties of Compostela encounters

Cpl Mapa, Cpl Bayta, and Pfc Sarmiento were the ones who died Friday morning (August 5, 2016) in a landmine explosion during an encounter against suspected NPA combatants in Barangay Rizal, Monkayo, Compostela Valley.

Eastmincom said the three died “when pursuing troops of 25IB had a 45-minute skirmish against around 60 NPAs who were utilizing IED. Of the 12 casualties evacuated to Naval Station Felix Apolinario, Station Hospital, three soldiers were declared dead-on-arrival by the attending physicians while the nine others were confined for further medical intervention.”

At least ten soldiers were wounded in the Monkayo encounter and are recuperating at the Camp Panacan Station Hospital of the Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Panacan, Davao City. The ten identified wounded are: 1Lt Israel M. Damasco (MI) PA; Cpl Gerald S. Bornasal (Inf) PA; Cpl Ryan Sharif D. Embo (Inf) PA; Pfc Jonray B. Lagunday (Inf) PA; Pfc Crist M. Necesito (Inf) PA; Pfc Ramil D. Laput (Inf) PA; Pfc Rey PJ S. Lagura (Inf) PA; Pfc Jestonya C. Torrefiel (Inf) PA; Cpl Judas N. Rebuya (Inf) PA; and Pfc Ramil N. del Mundo (Inf) PA

Cpl Mangaoang died in the afternoon of that same day in a separate encounter against about 30 alleged NPA rebels in Brgy. Parasanon of the town of Maragusan, also in Compostela Valley.

Recent visits to hospitals

President Duterte visited the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Bajada, Davao City on Thursday, August 4 and the AFP Medical Center in Quezon City on Tuesday, August 2.

He told staff and soldiers being treated at the AFP Medical Center their hospital facility will soon have a new building and the latest in medical equipment worth half a billion pesos and “will be released soon.”

Duterte said last Tuesday the military hospital will have a hyperbaric chamber for soldiers needing treatment for diving-related conditions and magnetic resonance imaging equipment.

He said he himself will make sure there is no corruption in the acquisition of the new equipment and construction of the new building at the AFP Medical Center, also known as the V. Luna Hospital.

“It’s half a billion pesos, ang pera na iyan gagamitin talaga sa tamang paraan, wala iyang rigging-rigging of bids, kasi lahat ng bibilhin ngayon sa gobyerno tinitingnan ko,” Duterte said.

The president assured the military that all the equipment will be state of the art, including those needed for combat.

“Binigay ninyo ang buhay ninyo sa bayan ninyo, the least that we can do -- the bayan -- the country through me, will give you what you want. State of the art, pati iyong equipment sa giyera, hindi ako basta-basta magbili diyan sa open market,” he said.

President Duterte added the AFP will create an office that will improve how pension benefits are given to dependents of military personnel.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1141470573077/prrd-sends-ultimatum-on-landmines-to-cpp-ndf-panel-honors-soldiers-killed-in-compostela-valley

President Duterte invokes Geneva Convention; warns NPA on use of landmines

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 7): President Duterte invokes Geneva Convention; warns NPA on use of landmines

President Rodrigo R. Duterte is invoking the Geneva Convention and the Protocol on use of destructive explosives as he warned the New People’s Army (NPA) against the use of landmines, otherwise he would pull out the GRP Peace Panel from the negotiation table with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) in the Aug. 20 peace talks in Oslo, Norway.

He issued the warning at the wake of the slain soldiers whose bodies were mutilated from a landmine explosion planted by the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in series of attacks last Friday in Barangay Rizal, Monkayo, Compostela Valley that left three soldiers dead and 10 wounded and in Parasanon, Maragusan, Compostela Valley with one soldier dead.

Two rebels also died and one was wounded in the two incidents.

On Aug. 4, the NPA also attacked a patrolling army that left two soldiers wounded.

The clashes came after President Duterte lifted the government's unilateral ceasefire with the communists.

Speaking to the media at past 2 a.m Sunday at the Naval Forces Camp in Panacan, the President addressed the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) on the rules of war.

“Kasi po, if it is to your advantage and I have been around in government for the last 40 years, you are the very first to cry foul when something goes wrong, even in the handling of prisoners, marami pong sundalo na idenimanda ninyo (you have filed charges against many soldiers) under the Geneva Convention in the handling of prisoners,” he said.

He reminded that one of the “very humane provisions, ibinabawal po ‘yung landmine (landmine is prohibited). I cannot understand for the life of me that if it is to your advantage, you invoke the Geneva Convention provisions.”

The President noted he has been telling rebels about the use of landmine. “Akala ko ba sumusunod tayo sa Geneva Convention (I thought we adhere to the Geneva Convention)?” he quipped.

The Philippines has been a signatory to the Geneva Conventions which set rules dealing on the treatment of wounded and sick armed forces in the field; the convention dealing on the sick, wounded, and shipwrecked members of armed forces at sea; convention dealing on the treatment of prisoners of war during times of conflict; and the convention on the treatment of civilians and their protection during wartime.

The Philippines is also a signatory to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons of which under Protocol II prohibits and restricts Use of Mines, Booby-Traps and Other Devices.

President Duterte has given the CPP a 24-hour ultimatum to commit against landmines or the choice that he will also order the Armed Forces to use landmines if they are in the position and ambush rebels. “Which is which?” he asked.

“I cannot be -- a different rule for you and -- a different rule for the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the police. Or would you rather?” he added.

“Decide now: Gagamit ba tayo ng landmine? Kasi kung gagamit tayo (Will we use landmine? If we use, I will order the Armed Forces to prepare the explosives also, ordnance, para tabla (so we are on par). Eh bakit ‘yung sundalo lang ng gobyerno ang magdusa nito? Lahat tayo (Why would only the soldiers of the government suffer on this? All of us). I can understand ‘yung prinsipyo mo, (I can understand your principle), fine."

President Duterte said he has been pleading to continue the peace to end the 45-year insurgency in the country, even keeping his silence the past days after lifting the unilateral ceasefire despite the ranting of CPP founding chair Jose Maria Sison.

“But this cannot go on, this crazy thing about -- just na-landmine ito, ‘yung mukha wala na. And this has been going on for 45 years. Ano ang naibigay ninyo sa Pilipinas actually? (What have you offered for the Philippines)? You cannot even hold a barangay. Influence, yes,” he added.

The President is still committed to continue with the peace talks but asked the communist movement to decide because he does want to hear another explosion that would kill the civilians and the soldiers.

He also insisted to include the landmine issues or else no talks at all. “Then we fight for another 45 years,” he said, adding that he would even use funds for basic services for the recruitment of additional forces and war against insurgents.

“Either you stop it or we stop talking. Fight na lang, another 45 years,” he stressed.

On Friday, at around 7:50 a.m., pursuing troops were waylaid by about 60 NPA rebels in the same village, who set off improvised bombs. Three soldiers died and 10 others were wounded.

10th Infantry Division spokesperson Capt. Rhyan Batchar said a female rebel was also killed while three others were captured during the incident, one of whom was wounded and was given first-aid by the soldiers.

Maj. Gen. Rafael Valencia, commander of the 10th Infantry Division, joined the people’s call for peace through negotiations as he underscored the urgency to "end these senseless violence because they are Filipinos."

While they will not be on tactical offensive, Valencia said they will not hesitate to use legitimate force to protect communities and the people from any armed group terrorizing them.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=911377

President Duterte sends “ultimatum” on landmines to CPP-NDF panel; honors soldiers killed in Compostela Valley

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 7): President Duterte sends “ultimatum” on landmines to CPP-NDF panel; honors soldiers killed in Compostela Valley

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte issued early Sunday morning an ultimatum against communist rebels’ use of landmines and demanded inclusion of the battlefield issue in the peace talks or else the negotiations are off.

“Either you stop it or we stop talking,” the President said in a news conference held at the wake of four Philippine Army infantry troops killed in two separate encounters in Compostela Valley on Friday against alleged members of the New People’s Army.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Eastern Mindanao Command said in a news release Saturday that a landmine explosion killed three of the soldiers. Eastmincom condemned “in the highest form the deliberate use of landmine by the NPAs which is in violation of the International Humanitarian Law.”

Addressing the negotiators of the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front (CPP-NDF), President Duterte said, “I would insist you include the landmines or else no talks at all, then we fight for another 45 years…. I am now invoking the Geneva Conventions. It is part of the international law, not only of the Philippines but around the world.”

The President was at the soldiers’ wake from Saturday evening until the early hours of Sunday at the Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Panacan, Davao City.

Killed in action were Cpl Gilmar C. Mapa, Cpl Jimmy M. Bayta, Pfc Rolen Roy C. Sarmiento, and Cpl Ruel G. Mangaoang, less than a week after Duterte lifted on July 30 the government’s unilateral ceasefire vis-à-vis the communist rebels.

The President declared the truce during his first State of the Nation Address last July 25. It can be recalled that President Duterte lamented the heavy and “tragic” cost of armed rebellion.

“All of us want peace, not the peace of the dead, but the peace of the living. We express our willingness and readiness to go to the negotiating table, and yet we load our guns, fix our sights, pull the trigger. It is both ironic and tragic— and it is endless,” he said in the SONA.

“While we extol the bravery and heroism of our soldiers, kayo, the rebels, do the same for your members and fighters. What I see instead are the widows and the orphans and I feel their pain and grieve, and no amount of cash assistance or the number of medals can compensate the loss of a human life. Sorrow cuts across every stratum of society. It cuts deeply and the pain lasts forever,” the President added in his first SONA.

Casualties of Compostela encounters Cpl Mapa, Cpl Bayta, and Pfc Sarmiento were the ones who died Friday morning in a landmine explosion during an encounter against suspected NPA combatants in Barangay Rizal, Monkayo, Compostela Valley.

Eastmincom said the three died “when pursuing troops of 25IB had a 45-minute skirmish against around 60 NPAs who were utilizing IED. Of the 12 casualties evacuated to Naval Station Felix Apolinario, Station Hospital, three soldiers were declared dead-on-arrival by the attending physicians while the nine others were confined for further medical intervention.”

At least 10 soldiers were wounded in the Monkayo encounter and are recuperating at the Camp Panacan Station Hospital of the Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Panacan, Davao City. The ten identified wounded are:

-- 1Lt Israel M. Damasco (MI) PA

-- Cpl Gerald S. Bornasal (Inf) PA

-- Cpl Ryan Sharif D. Embo (Inf) PA

-- Pfc Jonray B. Lagunday (Inf) PA

-- Pfc Crist M. Necesito (Inf) PA

-- Pfc Ramil D. Laput (Inf) PA

-- Pfc Rey PJ S. Lagura (Inf) PA

-- Pfc Jestonya C. Torrefiel (Inf) PA

-- Cpl Judas N. Rebuya (Inf) PA

-- Pfc Ramil N. del Mundo (Inf) PA

Cpl Mangaoang died in the afternoon of that same day in a separate encounter against about 30 alleged NPA rebels in Brgy. Parasanon of the town of Maragusan, also in Compostela Valley.

Recent visits to hospitals

President Duterte visited the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Bajada, Davao City on Thursday, August 4 and the AFP Medical Center in Quezon City on Tuesday, August 2.

He told staff and soldiers being treated at the AFP Medical Center their hospital facility will soon have a new building and the latest in medical equipment worth half a billion pesos and “will be released soon.”

Duterte said last Tuesday the military hospital will have a hyperbaric chamber for soldiers needing treatment for diving-related conditions and magnetic resonance imaging equipment

He said he himself will make sure there is no corruption in the acquisition of the new equipment and construction of the new building at the AFP Medical Center, also known as the V. Luna Hospital.

“It’s half a billion pesos, ang pera na iyan gagamitin talaga sa tamang paraan, wala iyang rigging-rigging of bids, kasi lahat ng bibilhin ngayon sa gobyerno tinitingnan ko,” Duterte said.

The president assured the military that all the equipment will be state of the art, including those needed for combat.

“Binigay ninyo ang buhay ninyo sa bayan ninyo, the least that we can do -- the bayan -- the country through me, will give you what you want. State of the art, pati iyong equipment sa giyera, hindi ako basta-basta magbili diyan sa open market,” he said.

President Duterte added the AFP will create an office that will improve how pension benefits are given to dependents of military personnel.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=911323

PA to conduct follow-up investigation on servicemen included in President Duterte's drug list

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 7): PA to conduct follow-up investigation on servicemen included in President Duterte's drug list

Should any bona fide members of the Philippine Army be included in President Rodrigo Roa Duterte's illegal drug-lists, the PA is more than willing to conduct an immediate follow-up investigation on the matter.

This was stressed by Army spokesperson Col. Benjamin Hao when asked by the PNA what the PA intends to do should any of its personnel be implicating or named in the Chief Executive's illegal drug lists.

The latter was released by the President during a speech in Davao City late Saturday night.

"The PA will make an immediate follow-up investigation on the listed names release by our President especially those names that might be under the supervision of the PA," he added.

Hao also assures the public that the Army does not tolerate illegal drug users in its ranks.

He cited as example four PA personnel now undergoing dishonorable discharge proceedings after being found positive for illegal drugs use.

These four were among the 13 initially found positive for drug use during a random drug test last July 5 where 2,500 PA personnel in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City took part.

Hao added that the four were among the 13 officers and enlisted personnel initially taken to a Quezon City medical facility for confirmation tests after illegal drugs residue were detected in their urine samples.

Hao did not identify the four but said they are now custodial isolation while being subjected to intelligence debriefing aimed at establishing the extent of their drug involvement within the service.

The PA spokesperson said the four will get nothing from the government as involvement in illegal drugs means the forfeiture of all their benefits.

Meanwhile, the two lieutenant colonels, a major, two staff sergeants, a sergeant, a corporal, a private first class and a private whose urine samples have yielded traces of drugs, have been cleared of being users of illegal drugs.

This after confirmatory tests showed that the nine were established to be undergoing medications.

As this develops, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said military units will now be supporting the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in its anti-drug operations.

This is in line with Duterte's order to support the PDEA in its mandated tasks, he added.

"One of the marching orders given to me by the President is to help the PDEA, so we will now have troops (and units) on stand-by to help PDEA Director Isidro Lapena in case they encounter heavily-armed drug perpetrators and require support or reinforcement," he said in Filipino.

In line with this, Lorenzana added that he has open all military camps, especially the big ones, for the establishment of the drug rehabilitation centers as stated by the President in his first State of the Nation Address.

Camps under this category are Fort Magsaysay in Palayan City, Nueva Ecja; Camp Macario Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz; Camp Kibaritan in Bukidnon and Camp Tomas Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal.

Lorenzana said these facilities are ideal for rehabilitation purposes as they have sufficient space for recreation and work, especially for planting.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=911347

EMC backs President Duterte's call for NPA to stop landmine attacks

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 7): EMC backs President Duterte's call for NPA to stop landmine attacks

The Davao City-based Eastern Mindanao Command (EMC) on Sunday expressed its support to President Rodrigo Duterte's call for the New People's Army (NPA) to stop its landmine attacks or else there will be no peace talks.

"We support the call of the President (Rodrigo Roa Duterte) to (the rebels) to stop using landmines (as these) are inhuman and (indiscriminate) to hitting innocent bystanders," EMC public affairs office chief Major Ezra Balagtey said to the PNA.

He also called the rebels' continued use of landmines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) a violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHIHL), which it signed together with the Government of the Philippines.

"(Landmine and IEDs usage of the NPAs) is a violation of the CARHIHL which they claim to adhere to," Balagtey added.

 

It is clearly agreed upon in the CARHIHL that civilians shall be distinguished from combatants, shall not be the object of attacks, and shall be protected against the use of landmines.

Duterte issued early Sunday morning an ultimatum against communist rebels’ use of landmines and demanded inclusion of the battlefield issue in the peace talks or else the negotiations are off.

“Either you stop it or we stop talking,” the President said.

In the said landmine attacks, four soldiers were killed while 10 others were wounded in two separate incidents in Compostela Valley Friday.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=911362

President Duterte's cease and desist calls on landmine attacks in line with int'l protocols

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 7): President Duterte's cease and desist calls on landmine attacks in line with int'l protocols

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte's ultimatum for rebel forces to cease and desist on the use of landmines and improvised explosive devices is in line with international protocols.

This was stressed by Philippine Army spokesperson Col. Benjamin Hao in a message to the PNA on Sunday.

"The call of the President is in line with international protocols on the use of landmines in warfare," he added.

Hao was referring to the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHIHL), which the New People's Army signed together with the Government of the Philippines.

It is clearly agreed upon in the CARHIHL that civilians shall be distinguished from combatants, shall not be the object of attacks, and shall be protected against the use of landmines.

"In case the rebels continue to use landmines, it will not stop the PA (from running) after them until the rebels agree to a peaceful resolution to this internal security problem," Hao pointed out.

Duterte issued early Sunday morning an ultimatum against communist rebels’ use of landmines and demanded inclusion of the battlefield issue in the peace talks or else the negotiations will be called off.

“Either you stop it or we stop talking,” the President said.

In the said landmine attacks, four soldiers were killed while 10 others were wounded in two separate incidents in Compostela Valley on Friday.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=911380

Military personnel in President Duterte's drug list ordered relieved -- AFP

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 7): Military personnel in President Duterte's drug list ordered relieved -- AFP

Military personnel identified by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte as having links with the illegal drug trade are immediately relieved from their positions.

This was disclosed by AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo in a message to the PNA Sunday.

"The Commander-in-Chief has already ordered their relief from whatever positions the named AFP personnel are holding and directed them to report to the Chief-of-Staff (AFP head Gen. Ricardo Visaya)," he added.

Duterte, during a press briefing in Davao City from held Saturday night until Sunday dawn, the President released the names of politicians, members of the judiciary, law enforcement and military personnel with alleged links to the illegal drugs trade.

These personnel will undergo administrative proceedings and will be charged, heard and judgement rendered on them as part of the due process, Arevalo pointed out.

"We reiterate the AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Ricardo Visaya's unwavering commitment to the Commander-in-Chief's drive of ridding the country, including our ranks, of any undue involvements in prohibited drugs," he added.

Arevalo said the AFP will be unrelenting in its campaign against illegal drugs.

"The full force of applicable military, criminal, and civil laws will be applied without letup," he added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=911390

URGENT: FVR flies to China on Monday for initial talks to resolve sea territorial dispute

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 7): URGENT: FVR flies to China on Monday for initial talks to resolve sea territorial dispute

Former President Fidel V. Ramos, who has been named as special Philippine envoy to China, will fly to Beijing on Monday for initial talks with Chinese authorities on the peaceful resolution to the thorny maritime territorial dispute between the Philippines and China.

This will be the first trip of Ramos to China since he was named as special envoy by President Rodrigo R. Duterte last month.

The Philippines News Agency learned about the former President’s trip to China Sunday afternoon and was confirmed by his office.

Accompanying Ramos to China are former Secretary of Interior and Local Government Rafael Alunan, Chito Sta. Romana, and Sam Jones, grandson of the former President, who speaks fluently the Mandarin language.

No other details were disclosed about Ramos’ trip to China, except that he will be flying to Beijing on Monday as a special envoy representing the Philippine government to hold talks with Chinese authorities to find ways and means for a peaceful resolution to the territorial sea dispute between the Philippines and China.

The United Nations arbitral tribunal in The Hague issued a ruling in favor of the Philippines regarding the sea dispute with China.

Despite the ruling, China continued to occupy some of the islands in the Spratlys, driving away Filipino fishermen fishing in the area.

Last Wednesday, President Duterte said that Ramos will visit China as a special envoy.

Ramos, 88, served as Philippine President from 1992 to 1998 and has maintained good personal ties with China even after stepping down from office.

As a private citizen and senior statesman, Ramos was instrumental in the creation of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA), a non-government and non-profit international organization in 1998, together with other world leaders, former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke, and former Japan Prime Minister Morihiro Hosokawa.

Ramos was formerly the chairman of BFA.

BFA was formally inaugurated on Feb. 27, 2001 in Boao, Hainan Province, China, which serves as the permanent BFA Headquarters. Since 2002, BFA has been holding its annual conference at Boao.

BFA has won great support from Asian countries and drawn extensive attention of the whole world. Now, it has become a high-end platform for dialogs among leaders of national governments, industrial and business circles, and academic circles of countries in Asia and other continents about the important issues in Asia and even the whole world.

BFA is dedicated to promoting Asian countries to achieve common development through further integration of regional economy.

The purpose of BFA is to base itself in Asia and promote and deepen the economic exchange, coordination, and cooperation within Asia and between Asia and other parts of the world. It also aims to offer a high-end dialog platform for governments, enterprises, experts, and scholars to jointly discuss economy, society, and environment and other relevant issues.

Through its working network with the political, business, and academic circles, BFA will serve the ever-growing economic cooperation among its members and between its members and other entities.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=911421

Lopez seeks immediate demilitarization of Lumad communities

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 7): Lopez seeks immediate demilitarization of Lumad communities

Environment Secretary Gina Lopez has called for the immediate demilitarization of lands owned by the Lumad or indigenous peoples (IP) in Mindanao to ensure the safe return of those who left their communities because of heavy militarization and encroachment of mining activities on their ancestral lands.

Lopez made the call after she visited on Friday the Haran compound of the United Church of Christ of the Philippines (UCCP) which has been serving as refuge for around 300 Lumad evacuees who fled their homes and farmlands last year following harassment by paramilitary groups and indiscriminate killings of their leaders.

"Why do you have to bring these people out of the forests and bring them to the city? This is senseless," Lopez pointed out.

The Environment chief said the commander of the Philippine Army's 10th Infantry Division, Major Gen. Rafael Valencia, already assured her about the withdrawal of military troops from Lumad areas next week.

Lumad leaders claimed military personnel and some of their fellow IPs belonging to paramilitary groups have struck fear among IP members and forced them to evacuate their lands to allow large-scale mining and logging companies to proceed with their operations.

They further alleged that some mining firms had turned IP members against each other by arming and forcibly offering them money in exchange for their lands.

Lopez vowed to immediately look into the permits of the mining companies mentioned by the Lumad leaders and prioritize them in the ongoing mining audit being conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

DENR Undersecretary Leo Jasareno, head of the agency's mining audit team, assured the Lumad that their ancestral lands encroached by mining operations will be returned to them within the month.

"The DENR would return their lands to the Lumad within August, as long as it is proven that the areas were occupied without the consent of the entire tribal community since it is illegal for mining companies to operate in ancestral lands," Jasareno said.

During her visit to the UCCP compound, Lopez could not hide her dismay when she found out that the tents occupied by the Lumad were set on fire by still unidentified men last February, hurting at least five evacuees.

Deeply touched by the plight of the Lumad evacuees, Lopez promised she would do everything in her power to make sure their ancestral lands are returned to them.

The DENR secretary also invited members of the civil society, including the youth and mountaineering groups, to help and join the Lumad in their journey back to their ancestral lands.

"Let us help give them their lands back. This would be good for character formation," Lopez said.

At the same time, Lopez promised to help provide the needs of the Lumad in order for them to start new lives.

She said she would coordinate with the Department of Agriculture in assisting the Lumad, who rely heavily on agriculture to support their livelihoods.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=911332

President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s speech during a wake visit to killed-in-action soldiers Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao, Panacan, Davao City (Note: Edited Version)

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 7): President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s speech during a wake visit to killed-in-action soldiers Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao, Panacan, Davao City (Note: Edited Version)

I would like to address myself to the Communist Party of the Philippines.

I would like to talk to you about the rules of war. Kasi po if it is to your advantage, and I’ve been around in government for the last 40 years, you are the very first to cry foul when something goes wrong even in the handling of prisoners. Marami pong sundalo na idinemanda ninyo under the Geneva Convention in the handling of prisoners. But one of the important, and may be a very humane provision, iyang binabawal po iyong landmine. I cannot understand for the life of me that if it is to your advantage, you invoke the Geneva Convention provisions. And yet, time and again, I’ve been the mayor of the city sinabi ko sa inyo, akala ko ba sumusunod tayo sa Geneva Convention? Or would you like that I would also order the Armed Forces na gamitin ninyo ang landmine pag kayo ang naka-posisyon at in-ambush ninyo – which is which?

It cannot be a different rule for you and a different rule for the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the police. Or would you rather na tabla tayo na sabihin ko sa kanila start using the landmines for offensive or defensive purposes?

We’re having talks, you better decide now – tonight – nandito ako sa Davao. You may hear it maybe or if it is there – decide now. Gagamit ba tayo ng landmine? Kasi kung gagamit tayo I will order the Armed Forces to prepare the explosives also, iyong ordnance, para tabla. Eh bakit iyong sundalo lang ng gobyerno ang magdusa nito? Lahat tayo. I can understand. Iyong prinsipyo mo – prinsipyo mo – fine.

We’ve been at war for almost 45 years. That’s why I’m pleading to everybody including the Communist Party of the Philippines to continue with the peace talks. I have kept my silence despite the ranting of Sison. Hindi na ako… kasi kung mayor lang ako pwede – pwede talaga – but then I carry the burden of a nation and so I just have to control my mouth. But this cannot go on. This crazy thing about just the landmine, ito nag-buk iyong mukha nawala na. And this has been going on for 45 years.

Anong naibigay ninyo sa Pilipinas actually? You cannot even hold a barangay. Influence? Yes. Why? Patayan eh. Kayo lang naman ang abante diyan – because you hold the gun. Alisin mo sa atin lahat iyong baril, titingnan natin, karate na lang. Aba’y exasperated ako sa… you must decide now. Because if I hear another explosion that would kill the civilians and the soldiers - sometimes sumasakay sa truck, anak ng… may pamilya iyan. When you blow up an Army truck, alam mo iyang mga sibilyan na iyan, hindi iyan sibilyan – mga pamilya iyan umuuwi doon sa kampo. Because they’re human beings and the practice really is to bring the family within the camp vicinity or parameters.

Nasasaktan rin ako para sa inyo. Kayong mga komunista dito sa Davao, kung mamatay kayo, sino pumupunta doon sa punerarya? Ako. Big-time leaders ninyo pinayagan kong ilibing dito. These guys were sad but I told them that, you know, we are in government. Wala tayong magawa eh. We cannot exhibit the same behavior because dala-dala natin iyong gobyerno. Wala tayong magawa. Then in pursuing a quest for peace I have to do it I told them. Do not be angry at me because, you know, it would just really worsen.

Ngayon pag ganito, if the talks failed, meron tayong usapan – I would insist you include the landmine issues or else no talks at all. Then we fight for another 45 years. Walang problema. Mag-recruit ako ng isang milyong Pilipino – fight.

In the 45 years, anong nakita ninyo sa pamilya ninyo? Nakita mo iyong anak ninyong lumaki? Have you elected a single leader here in Davao. Manalo lang kasi na-ticket. And yet I carry ba yan, kasi pareho ang damdamin natin.

The problem is arms struggle. I can be a communist party member but I will never go to war. Iyang armadong pakig bisug ang problema. No, I’m not trying to understand me. I’m saying now. Stop the landmines o you tell the leaders at itong gobyerno ko – get out from the talks. Alam mo bakit? I am now invoking the Geneva Conventions. It is part of the international law not only of the Philippines but around the world. Either you stop it or we stop talking. Fight na lang – another 45 years.

Ba’t makababa ba kayo kung mamatay ang tatay mo, nanay mo? Kayo ba pag birthday ng mga anak ninyo nakakababa kayo doon sa ano…? Is that the life that you really need? Iyong mga lider ninyo hindi naman nananalo. So anong gusto ninyo? Either you stop it now or I’m ordering the government panel to come home. Actually iyong gastos nila di ibigay ko na lang sa sundalo. Sige bili kayo ng isang barkong explosives diyan, paputukin natin itong…

I’m not pleading this time. That’s an ultimatum.

I hear another explosion killing people, not only soldiers, killing people - no talks. Pasensya na. ‘adre, iyan talaga ang buhay. Kung hindi kayo magkaintindihan, e di good. Hindi naman nauubusan ng pera ang gobyerno, hindi naman talaga ninyo kayang tumbahin - bukas.

The Defense Department is asking for 20 more thousand troops. Tiningnan ko iyong budget, wala akong pera. Pero iyan ang gusto ninyo, ibigay ko sa Defense Department iyang gusto na additional 20,000. Huwag na iyong mga pagkain, iyang medisina – huwag na iyan. Dito muna sundalo kasi may giyera tayo, for peace. Ikansela mo iyan. We sacrifice the hungry and the poor para may panlaban tayo. Patayan. Iyan ang gusto ninyo, di sige. Hindi naman ako mahirap kausapin eh. Pag iyan ang gusto mo, God.

Now, I’m reading now the personalities in the Philippines. It might be true. It might not be true. But then iyong sinasabi ninyong due process isa iyan. Baka sakali ma-demanda itong mga taong ito – administrative or criminal – then they should have due process – presumption of innocence. Lahat iyan sa Constitution ibigay ko iyan but my mouth is – walang due process dito. Iyong due process has nothing to do with my mouth. Walang proceedings dito, walang abogado.

Ako’y nagsasalita po sa taong-bayan at malaman po ninyo ano’ng katotohanan sa ating buhay dito sa Pilipinas. Ako po’y kaisa-isang Presidente na gumagawa nito. Alam mo bakit? Kailangang malaman ng tao kung ano’ng nangyayari sa bayan. It’s very important for the people to know the state of things or conditions in this country. That is my sworn duty.

Hindi ninyo ako mapigilan. And I am not afraid of… sabihin ninyo na ikulong ako pagka – fine. Wala akong drama diyan. At sabihin ko sa inyo ang totoo - I can… pwede kong iwanan itong Presidency. Wala akong - sabihin mo na hangal-hangal ako diyan sa adoration ng tao. Ayaw kong magpakita nga Manila because I could cause traffic. I’m finished, I’m done. Wala akong onor na habulin sa buhay ko. Presidente na ako. Hindi ako makikipag-kumpetensiya diyan sa mga pulitiko. Ang trabaho ko is to take care of the Filipino. Period.

Now there are things that are really reaching crisis and it’s not even epidemic – kayo, Carol – it’s pandemic.

You know, two years ago sabi ng PDEA three million addicts. Noon iyon – two, three years ago – I remember. Sabi nila 92% of the barangays in the Metro Manila are contaminated with drug use. Noong mayor ako, ako iyong binubugbog ng human rights issue. Hindi ako nakinig sa inyo, kasi may trabaho ako. At alam ko talagang nagka… it was really spreading like wildfire. And I was scared for my country kasi Filipino ako. Ngayon Presidente ako, I have to worry sa lahat ng mga anak ninyo. Why? Because kung three million iyon – two years or three years ago – incremental, ibig sabihin tumubo talaga iyan – maraming na-contaminate naman kasi iyong natamaan maghanap ng biktima iyun para suporta niya. Iyon namang isa – and it’s a vicious cycle – it is almost an internecine affair amongst sa ating Pilipino.

So ito, droga. I said sorry. Meron ditong tumawag sa akin. But you know if there is a rule, a law, either you enforce it or none at all. Pero mga kaibigan, kung hindi ko basahin kasi kilala kita, ang pinakamabuti kong magawa para sa bayan mag-resign. E kung ganoon ako katali, mahiya naman ako sa kumpare ko, e nakatulong naman ito sa pagka-Presidente – well and good – at mabayaran kita sa anong paraan mabuhay ko. Kung sabihin mo may nag-huramentado diyan tawagan mo ako, harapin nating dalawa. Pero not this one because this is not personal to me. Hindi ko kayo kalaban. Wala akong sama ng loob sa inyo. Pero galit na ako ngayon. Kasali ka na. Someday magkikita tayo.

I’ll start with judges. Judge Mopas of Dasmarinas, Cavite. Judge Reyes, only known, Baguio City. Judge Savillo-RTC Branch 13, Iloilo City. Judge Casiple – Kalibo, Aklan. Judge Rene Gonzales – MTC – blanko dito. Judge Navidad - RTC Calbayog City. Judge Exequiel Dagala – MTC. Judge Dapa, Siargao.

Mayor: Reynaldo Flores – Naguilian, La Union. Dante Garcia – Tubao, La Union. Martin de Guzman – Bauang, La Union. Marjorie Apel Salazar – Lasam, Cagayan. Goto Violago – San Rafael, Bulacan. Marino Morales – Mabalacat, Pampanga. Felix Castillo – Langiden, Abra. Ex-Mayor Eufronio Eriguel – Agoo, La Union. Jesus Celeste “Boying alias” – Bolinao, Pangasinan. Jose “Pepe” Miranda – Santiago City, Isabela. Vicente Amante – San Pablo City, Laguna. Ryan Dolor – Bauan, Batangas. Vice Mayor Edgardo Trinidad – El Nido, Palawan.

In the Visayas: Alex Centena – Calinog, Iloilo. Julius Ronald Pacificador – Hamtic, Antique. Jed Mabilog, I think he’s the mayor of Iloilo City. Sigfredo Salangutin Betita – Carles, Iloilo. Marciano Malones – Maasin, Iloilo.

Sabi ko noon eh, noong sa campaigning actually lahat ng tao doon, lahat ng tao: Mayor, kung maari tulungan mo kami. Waay ko sentimiento sa inyo ah. Waay ko utang, ti waay ka man nagpangayu sa akon. So, doon sa Iloilo many times, almost desperate, mayor, ang droga. So we just pray, just pray that I will win and may be in the fullness of God’s time I will take care of this problem. Ito, I’m sorry, kaibigan tayo pero…

Marciano Malones, Maasin, Iloilo. Michael Rama – the former mayor of Cebu City. Hector Ong – Laoang, Northern Samar. Rolando Espinosa - alam mo hinahanap kita hanggang ngayon. Nauna ka lang kay Bato. Lahat kayong local officials, at this point mag ano muna ako ha?

Beda Canamaque – Basay, Negros Oriental. Ex-Mayor Madeline Ong – Laoang, Northern Samar. Dito muna ako.

All policemen, PNP personnel assigned as security guards, security personnel ng mayor I have mentioned, you are hereby relieved of your duty and immediately report to your mother unit. Wala na itong… tatanggalin ko iyong operational authority over them – 24 hours. Lahat – military, police nakadikit diyan sa mga ito, I give you 24 hours to report to your mother unit or I will whack you. I’ll dismiss you from the service.

Vice Mayor Francis Ansing Amboy – Maasin, Iloilo. Fralz Sabalones – San Fernando, Cebu – who ran for mayor but actually maybe they lost. Attorney Antonio Pesina of Iloilo City. Erwin “Tongtong” Plagata – Iloilo City.

The most shabulized – is that the word – shabulized, is there such a word shabulized? I will say that wala akong personal sa kanila ha – Iloilo.

Ex-Congressman JC Rahman Nava – Guimaras. Congressman Party-list Jeffrey Celis, Panay chapter. Lider pa ba ang yawa. Ayan oh. Panay chapter – bwisit. Wa pa ba ibang trabaho diyan? Baka may bakante sa inyo?

Mindanao: Abubakar Abdulkarim Afdal – Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur. Gamar Ahay Janihim – Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte. David Navarro – Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur. Bobby Alingan – Kolambugan, Davao del Norte. Yusofa Monder Bugong Ramin – Iligan City, Lanao del Norte. Jessie Aguilera – Alegria, Surigao del Norte. Fahad Salic – Marawi City. Mohammad Ali Abenal, iyong nag-surrender, sino kaya ang kasama ng yawa na yun? Dalawa sila. Jamal Dadayan – Buadiposo-Buntong, Lanao del Sur. Sabdullah Macabago – Saguiran, Lanao del Sur. Muslim Aline Macadatu – Lumbatan, Lanao del Sur. Rasul Sangki – Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao. Montaser Sabal – Talitay, Maguindanao. Vicman Montawal – Datu Montawal, Maguindanao. Pati iyong sarili niyang bayan. Samsudin Dimaukom – Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao. Norodin Salasal – Datu Salibo, Maguindanao.

Ex-Mayor: Benahar Tulawie – Talipao, Sulu. Reynaldo Parojinog alias Andong, the mayor of Ozamiz City. Nova Princess Parojinog Echavez, used to be the wife of, I think, Colangco. Iyong poster boy doon sa… pa-blondie-blondie pa ang buhok hindi naman tisoy.

Alam mo, maski saan kayo magpunta aabangan ko kayo. Maski wala na ako sa presidency, habang may baril ako. Gusto ninyo gisingin ninyo ako para… ito sabi niya, hindi… maybe I believe you. He’s a personal friend. Kasama namin iyan sa kawsa, but I’m sorry because your name appears here.

Omar Solitario Ali – Marawi City. He used to be the… I said alam mo magkaibigan tayo, Rama, Solitario - either I read all or I read not, I cannot play. Sa trabaho kong ito, I cannot play. Kailangan basahin ko itong lahat andito. Galing sa military pati sa pulis – lahat nandito, or hindi ko basahin.

Abdul Wahab Sabal – vice mayor ito, Talitay, Maguindanao. Otto Montawal, Datu Montawal, Maguindanao. Nida Dimagkon – Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao. Arafat Salic – Marawi City. Rasmiyah Macabago – Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur. Congressman Guillermo Romarate Jr. – 2nd District, Surigao del Norte. Former 2nd District Board Member Ricardo Parojinog Ardot, so iba itong si ano, kapatid siguro ito.

I would like to just give you the advice. Once you hear your name mentioned here, if you are somewhere, you are now relieved of your present assignment. Report to the PNP within 24 hours or I will order the entire Armed Forces and the police to hunt for you. Nasa sa inyo iyan.

Police Inspector Rolando Batulayan (retired). Police Superintendent Maristelo Manalo – PNP-CIDG. PCI Roberto Palisoc – Station 7 MPD. Superintendent Ciceron Ada (retired). PCI Eric Buenaventura – Navotas. Non-commissioned officers.

Kaya dumating tayo dito eh, you know why? Kayo iyong enforcer and you allowed yourself to be used. You are working for the government, ang nagbubuhay mo noon na bata pa kayo, bago, ang Pilipino. Pagdating ninyo, nasaan kayo? Nandito na kayo. You destroyed the country. Sabihin ninyo kung anu-anong gusto ninyo. Di mag-shabu na lang tayong lahat pati sundalo. You want a country now? Sabay na lang tayo. You have infected today iyong nag-surrender lang, ha? Ang hindi nag-surrender takot o matapang and ready, hindi pa iyan bilang.

There are now 600,000 Filipinos who are addict – pusher and user. Huwag mo akong bigyan diyan na user ka lang – wala ka namang pera, hindi ka naman anak ng… hindi kita iniinsulto. E ako anak rin ng mahirap pero hindi ako kagaya mo. Ang IQ ninyo, itong mga ito - katorse. Bakit kayo pumasa sa…? That’s treason. Kumbaga noong old times treason now is a state of war and you’ll become a spy and there is a war going on. But actually in the olden times it’s treason. That’s a crime against the country of the Republic of the Philippines. Di na lang kayo na-konsensya niyan?

Meron pa ditong mga pulis naririnig ko, sabi, bakit ako maggawa ng ganoon? E after six years ano? Say goodbye to your promotion. Maghintay kayo six years. Say goodbye. Hindi ka na ma-promote. Either you’re a cynic, sigurista ka or you are a coward. Ngayon kung takot ka, sinabi ko na sa inyo sagot ko kayo personally and officially – kung hindi pa ba na sapat sa inyo ang… umalis ka sa pwesto. Ito wala na to onor. We will file… wag na iyong criminal, beyond reasonable doubt, e marunong ka e pulis kaya. Administratively, you’re dead. You separate yourself from the PNP. Do not destroy the young men and women who are true to their country diyan. Huwag ninyong sirain ang PNP; huwag ninyong sirain ang Armed Forces, bagay which is a consolation to you, guys, here, wala.

Police non-commissioned officer: PO2 Geraldine Bautista Manuel – PNP PRO2 Health Service. Babae ito. SPO3 Ronald Calap – Isabela PPO. POC Rodel Samoledo – Lalio Police Station, ewan ko kung saan iyan. PO3 Cecilio Domingo – Nueva Ecija siguro ito, CIDT. PO2 Romando Mendoza, this is I think, excuse me, Ryan Mendoza – Tarlac Police Station. Jeffrey Serafica – Butuan PPO. PO1 Norman Adarlo – Puerto Galera NPS. Mark Canete – RSRPSB, ano itong yawa na ito, MIMAROPA, ngayon lang ako nakarinig niya, opisina iyan? Ah unsa nang, oo, Region 4-B nga.

PO1 Mark Christian Catalina – PNP Camarines Norte. PO2 Alan Carpio – PCP 8 Pasay City. PO3 Eric Lazo – QCPD Station 6. PO3 Alexander Macabeo – PCP 3 Paranaque City. PO3 Johnny Mahilum – QCPD Station 6, Batasan. Doon siguro pinapasa iyong congressman na iyon. PO2 Celito Melendrez – Binangonan Police Station.

Actually ngayon lang ito, as corrected, I have retrieved validation pagdating – raw lang iyong akin eh. Tanggalin mo iyong protector-protector, kasi hindi natin sigurado iyan, or take what. Baka sabihin niya iyong bata niya, e huwag mong galawin iyan, bata ni Duterte iyong security niyan, parang ganun. So I had it revalidated. And again when I saw the mayors na kilala ko, I had it revalidated. Ngayon lang ito pinasa sa akin.

PNP officers: General, tapos na ito, Vicente Loot (retired). General Valerio – Santa Barbara, Iloilo (retired). General Bernardo Diaz – Region 6. General Idio – RTC of Calbayog City. Police Superintendent Floro (retired) – Antique PNP and City Director. Police Superintendent Kashmir Disomangcop – COP of Iloilo Base Commander. Police Superintendent Delia Paz – Chief RDIDM. Police Superintendent Genepa – RIU Region 6 Intelligence. Police Superintendent Ipil Duenas, walang address. Superintendent Condag. Police Superintendent Eugenio Malic – PNP Maritime Group. PNP Lamsis, former P/Supt of Chief Antique, anti-drug. Police Superintendent Gomboc. Police Superintendent Lebin. PCI Rio Maymay. PSI Kenneth Militar – iyong isa sa Iloilo – Militar – Iloilo. PSI Donasco, walang address. Inspector De Jose – SOG PNP Region 6. Police Inspector Duarte, buti na lang hindi Duterte ang yawa (laughter), former PCOP of Arevalo, Iloilo. Iloilo grabe talaga. Wala ito, sabihin mong pulitika. PIC Vicente Vicente – Chief of Police Banate. Superintendent Romeo Santander – former chief Intel Cebu.

Kaya umabot tayo ng 600,000 tibuok, ano bang tibuok? Buong Pilipinas kasi may naglaro. Gaano bakit kadali? Bakit napakarami po? How is it that is in this magnitude? It is because government personnel were into it. Iyan ang explanation. Kung anu-ano lang diyan ang shabu-shabu. Kaya dalawa, tatlo, apat. Ako iyong human rights violator, talagang hinawakan ko ang Davao kasi alam ko delikado, talagang inipit ko sila dito. Extrajudicial killing, maybe. Pero sabihin mo nagpatay ako ng tao nakatali na, you must be crazy. Extrajudicial killing.

At alam mo sa totoo, I’ll share with you a secret that you do not want to believe. Iyang mga pusher bangag iyan. And the first thing alam ninyo kung meron kayong mga… di ba sinasabi may nagha-hunting sa akin, meron taong sumusunod. Because the first thing that will destroy the mind or the mindset is paranoia – paranoid – kaya magdala ng baril.

Ngayon sabi nitong mga NGO, itong mga newspaper, bakit patay lahat? Bakit may baril? Planted? Maybe one or two. Ang pulis pag mag-operate iyan hindi isa lang siya o dalawa. May back up iyan - tatlo, apat iyan sila may dalang armalite. Kaya pagka itong mga pusher alam nila makukulong na sila eh. Bangag, sira ang ulo, talagang…

O tingnan mo ang nangyari sa Chief of Police ng Magsaysay, Davao del Sur, o di patay, ah buhay. Ngayon, I hope and I pray that he would make it. Tinamaan sa dibdib, shattered. Iyong isang pulis… I forgot I apologize for the lapse of memory, iyong namatay he was serving a warrant, droga, patay. O iyong mga NGO ngayon, mga newspaper, mga… we respect your views but kindly explain to me. Kung sina-salvage iyan bakit mamatay itong pulis. Ngayon he’s hanging between life and death. Kindly tell me. Bakit? E di kung salvage, barilin mo na lang ng armalite distansiya. Huwag mo na lang lapitan, hintayin mo nang lumabas ng bahay, e di targetin mo. O bakit ito ngayong mga pulis na… hindi lang ito, karami na ‘yan in the past.

Kaya sabi ko sa pulis ko dito noong mayor ako, huwag kong makita ka na you are dying there, sipain kita. Bakit ka magpa-una? Barilin mo. Hostile iyang bunot-bunot. Huwag ka nang maghintay maglabas pa ng baril. Basta iyong mga ganun-ganun. E ngayon kung magkamot ka, e di pasensya. (laughter) Alang-alang ka maghintay ka ba, ano, magkakamot o may baril? Kaya sabi ko itong mga pulis huwag ko kayo maabutan ko na nagkikirig-kirig dyan, sipain kita. Bakit ka nagpa-una? Iyan ang order ko sa pulis. Iyang Davao. Ngayong Presidente ako, ganoon. Bakit maghintay ka pa na ilabas niya at sabihin, sir, apple lang ito, gutom ako. That ain’t that way. Illegal? No, of course not. Human rights violation.

Ngayon, itong mga NGO, you’ve been repeating this kind of sloganeering that, you know, drug addiction is a disease, is an ailment. Sakit iyan, hindi natin patayin. Dapat igamot. Okay. Saan bang opisina ninyo? Itong 600,000 ibigay ko sa inyo bukas. Sabihin ko doon sa mga iyon i-deliver ninyo iyan. Sino yan, iyang NGO? Hala, sige, ipagamot mo. Sabi mo sakit iyan. Sige, bigay mo. Kayo na ang bahala.

Human rights? United Nations? Come here. You lecture dito. Instead kayong mga NGO you go around lecturing iyong shabu let alone iyong salvaging-salvaging na huwag kayong pumasok diyan kayong mga anak. Kayo naghihintay lang, pag may matumba, ah, human rights violation. Ako I guarantee it, they will not go to prison. Period. In the performance of duty itong mga ito not one of them will go to prison hanggang Presidente ako, wala iyon. I will not allow a police officer or a soldier or an officer of the Armed Forces, in the performance of their duties, kasuhan ninyo. I would like to say now – they will never go to prison – not under my watch.

Ngayon itong mga pulis na kidnapper, itong mga naglasing diyan ug spraying the armalite and killing civilians, well, I’m sorry, kasali iyan dun sa - basura ka sa akin tingin ko. Do not pray for any deliverance from me.

PO2 Michael Cortez – Barile Police Station. SPO1 Jen dela Victoria – PS5 Cebu CPO. SPO1 Onel Nabua – Barile Police Station. PO2 Jomar Ibanez – Lapu-Lapu Police Station. PO3 Ryan Martus Kiamco – Cebu Provincial Office.

PNP Officers Mindanao: PCI Ibrahim Jabiran – Zamboanga CPO. PCI Perfecto Abrasaldo Awi Jr. – Misamis Oriental. Police Inspector Roy Sinojales Montes – Iligan PRO. Police Superintendent Ricardo Gando Pulot alias Daganis – Chief of Police, Quezon Bukidnon. Police Inspector Martin Plaza – former Panabo chief intel.

Kaya 600,000 ito iyan sila.

Police non-commissioned officer: PO1 Pierre Dizo, iyong aide ko pa man si Dilo, baka mapalitan nila ito maaresto kaya si Dilo kawawa naman. Iyong isang aide ko iyong counterpart niya sa Maynila.

PO3 Omar, ito Zamboanga del Sur iyan ha, Dizo. PO1 Omar Juani – Zamboanga City Public Safety. Rommel Mansul – PRO9. Ba’t itong report na ito?

PO3 Daryl Page – Tabasan Municipal Station. SPO1 Totong Joe Valdez – 9th RNG. SPO1 Rodrigo, mabuti na lang at hindi Duterte, (laughter) malapit na akong ma-disgrasya dito. Babarilin ako sa likod, naka-cap nang mga baril niyan eh. Naghanap lang yan ng excuse para mamatay.

SPO4 Rodrigo Ramos – Bukidnon PRO. SPO1 Reynaldo dela Victoria – CDO. SPO3 Emilio Mendoza – Lozario PP5 Iligan City. Marlo Espinosa – Bukidnon. SPO3 Ritchie Mat – CDIG Mati, Davao Oriental. Ano siguro, ito iyong Davaoeno. SPO3 Rosell Iliviera – CIDG Tagum, Davao del Norte. PO3 Jessie Balabag, hala, Region 11. Ikaw, bakit ka nakatawa diyan? Ikaw ha?

PO3 Filomeno Toronio – Digos Police Station. PO1 Glenn Alicarte – PRO 12. Walang address. PO1 Philip Pantarolia – Tacurong City Police Office. SPO1 Gerry dela Rosa – SCPPO. It’s not complete. PO3 Bebot Ruiz – GSCPO. PO3 Estelito Solanio – Malongon MPS Sarangani. PO1 Jerebel Ocsio – PRO RMN.

I am sorry for my country. I grieve for the agony and suffering of the Republic of the Philippines.

SPO1 Billones, Ernesto – NCR. JS1 Montemayor, Lito – Roxas District Jail Aparri District. PO1 Vicente Reynaldo Celis – NCR. PG Saet, Drexel – MIMAROPA. SPO1 Tubil, Felix – Region 3. SPO3 Angeles, Nicolas Ponce – Region 3. SPO2 Erseni, Rod – Marinduque BFP. FO1 Reynaldo Valencia – Claveria Police Station. S/Sergeant Vic dela Cruz – MIMAROPA. Brigadier General Leoncio Daniega – NCR. SPO3 Gerry Mendoza – NCR. Reymante Dayto – Region 5. Reymar Dayto – Region 5.

Visayas: Zamora, Renato Gumaro – Region 6. JO1 Alan Coca Manatad – Region 7. SPO3 Christie Cielo Tingad – Region 7.

Mindanao. This is the last. Meron tayong problema dito. RSAD Casimiro Castro – CAFGU 38IB 6th Infantry Division ARMM. Pfc. RSAD Philip Miro – 40IB 6th Infantry Division ARMM. Corporal Cusinan Lopez Giamad Loy – 52 Brigade ARMM. Pfc. Mamadali Ipad – 64IB 6th Infantry Division ARMM. Yasin Abolgalib – Bobong, Yasin Boboy, walang ano. JO1 Ogacho, Alfredo Galis. FO1 Ablaca, Nicolas Ponce – ARMM. FO3 Ibanez, Ricardo Villaris – Region 9. Marine Corporal Alfrenz Gurias Abedin, Western Mindanao. Jimmy Manlangit - Region 12.

This is… others are undergoing revalidation again. Ano kasi hindi ma… I could be wrong. I could be wrong. Pero pag ito kasi it has undergone a process. So any mistake of the military and the police dito, ako iyong nagkasala.

I ordered the listing, I ordered the validation. I’m the one reading it and I am the sole person responsible for these all.

Now, I am ordering those mentioned here, I said: report to your chief PNP in 24 hours. You are hereby relieved of your, whatever your position there. Umalis kayo diyan, mag-report kayo. I said I’ll be harsh.

Lahat ng mga mayors dito na-mention, I’m ordering the PNP chief tanggalin iyong police supervision and cancel any and all private arms na naka-lisensya sa kanila. They’re all cancelled. Go out to naked. Go out naked to the world and show your kalokohan ninyo.

Lahat. Military, pulis, pag ikaw assigned sa security, go back to your mother unit immediately. Tapos iyong cancellation of the firearms licenses and permits – sa lahat nang minention na ito – are ordered cancelled as of tonight.

Lahat kayong judges or whatever, you report to the Supreme Court. Police, you report to PNP Chief. And sa Army, you report to the Chief-of-Staff – General Visaya – 24 hours lahat. You do not do that, I will order the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the entire PNP to hunt for you.

Salamat po.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=911373

Palace: PVAO to supervise internment of former President Marcos at Libingan ng mga Bayani

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 7): Palace: PVAO to supervise internment of former President Marcos at Libingan ng mga Bayani

Malacanang on Sunday night said the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) was tasked to supervise the planning and preparation for the internment of former President Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

According to a statement issued by the Presidential Communications Office, preparations for the internment of the former president "is now underway."

"The Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), the government office that supervises and administers the Libingan (ng mga Bsyani), has been designated as the office of primary responsibility for the planning and preparations for this activity, including close coordination with the Marcos family," it said.

Earlier reports said President Rodrigo R. Duterte has given the go signal for the transfer of the former President's remains at the Libingan ng mga Bayani and the internment was reportedly targeted on September 18 this year.

Marcos led the Philippines from 1965 to 1986, the longest for a Philippine president. He declared Martial Law in 1972 and ruled under this set-up until 1981. He was toppled by the world famous peaceful People Power Revolution in 1986 and fled to Honolulu, Hawaii, where he died on September 28, 1989.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=911467

NDF/NPA: Abusive AFP operating troops in Monkayo, Comval struck in NPA counter-offensives, 6 firearms seized

New People's Army propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Website (Aug 5): Abusive AFP operating troops in Monkayo, Comval struck in NPA counter-offensives, 6 firearms seized  

Press Statement, New People’s Army, Regional Operations Command, Southern Mindanao Region

The 8th Pulang Bagani Company-New People’s Army carried out a series of counter-offensives against the operating troops of the 25th Infantry Battalion, punishing 11 fascist soldiers and seizing six firearms during a raid, an attritive action and an ambush on August 2, 4 and 5, 2016 in Monkayo town, Compostela Valley.

The NPA’s punitive action is a just reprisal in the face of atrocities committed by the 25th IB combat soldiers such as ransacking of civilian houses and farms, mauling and intimidation of peasants and Lumads in Monkayo town since June. In fact, the notorious Army unit had not reduced the intensity of its combat-intel-psywar operations in the communities during GRP. Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s short-lived unilateral ceasefire last week.

The 8th PBC-NPA on August 2, neutralized Cpl. Castro, an intelligence operative of the 25thIB who was caught conducting combat intel operation in the communities of Brgy. Baylo, Monkayo. Seized from him were a 9mm caliber and .22 caliber pistols.Two days later, the Red fighters engaged a platoon of the 25th IB in Brgy. Pasian, Monkayo, killing two Army soldiers and wounding three others.

At around 7:30 this morning, August 5, the Red fighters successfully ambushed a company of the 25th IB in Sitio Inuburan, Brgy. Rizal, killing 5 AFP troops, seizing two M203 grenade launchers, one M4 rifles, Harris radios, and several other military hardware.

The 8th PBC’s tactical counter-offensives against an abusive AFP unit in the peasant and Lumad villages should serve as a stern warning to other operating Army units in Southern Mindanao region. These AFP troops that are active in combat-intel-psywar operations in the countryside continue and remain to be legitimate targets of the Red Army.

The NPA Southern Mindanao Regional Operations Command has directed all Red fighters in the region to remain on alert status, intensify its base building and base defense work, expand its services in the guerilla bases and guerilla zones, punish AFP troops operating in civilian communities, and pursue revolutionary justice for the basic masses who are victims of repression and fascist abuses.

As it awaits positive development in the forthcoming peace negotiations between the GRP and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, the Red Army shall defend its ranks and the masses through armed offensives and counter-offensives, foil the AFP’s treacherous and ruthless military operations, and remain committed in addressing the roots of the armed conflict.

Rigoberto F. Sanchez
Spokesperson
NPA-SMROC

http://www.ndfp.org/abusive-afp-operating-troops-monkayo-comval-struck-npa-counter-offensives-6-firearms-seized/

Fast craft to boost Navy capability to defeat pirates, curb terror threats

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 7): Fast craft to boost Navy capability to defeat pirates, curb terror threats

The Philippine Navy (PN) will be faster and more capable of intercepting and defeating piracy, terrorism and kidnapping threats once the the decision to acquire more naval fast craft is finalized.

This was stated by PN public affairs office head Lt. Cmdr. Marineth Domingo in a message to the PNA.

"Acquisition of (more) fast craft will be of great help to our organization since it will provide additional defense and interdiction capability to thwart piracy, terrorism, kidnapping and other dubious activities of lawless elements in the country," she added.

Earlier, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte vowed to fast-track the procurement of more fast craft for the Navy and attack helicopters for the Air Force to help in the government's internal security operations.

"The PN supports the pronouncements of the President," Domingo pointed out.

A fast craft is a small, fast, agile and offensive warship armed with anti-ship missiles, gun and/or torpedoes.

It is usually operated in close proximity to land as they lack both the seakeeping and all-round defensive capabilities to survive in blue waters.

The size of the vessel also limits the fuel, stores and water supplies. In terms of size, they are usually between 50–800 tons and can reach speeds of 25–50 knots.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=911312

AFP in high morale with series of President Duterte's camp visits

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 7): AFP in high morale with series of President Duterte's camp visits

The morale of the 125,000-strong Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has been very high due to the recent visits of President Rodrigo Duterte in various military camps nationwide.

This was stressed by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana who said that this can be gauged by the warm responses and cheers the President gets during his interactions with military personnel.

The former has been accompanying the Chief Executive in these tours and have so far visited headquarters of Lucena-based Southern Luzon Command, Davao City-headquartered Eastern Mindanao Command and Zamboanga City-based Western Mindanao Command.

Last Friday, President Duterte paid a visit to 3rd Infantry Division headquarters in Camp Macario Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz and Cebu-based Central Command.

During his talks with troops, the President emphasized his desire to upgrade military equipment as part of the AFP modernization especially in dealing with the bandits Abu Sayyaf believed to be affiliated with the Islamic State (IS).

“I will give you an edge; I will see to it that you are in an advantageous position. We fight only when we are ready. We will end terrorism,” Duterte said.

As for the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing the New People’s Army, he said these groups are not a force to reckon with.

Also, he mentioned about the upgrade of military hospitals by procuring high-end equipment that will aid wounded soldiers from the battlefield such as an MRI, gamma x-ray and the construction of a new hospital buildings

President Duterte also talked about the educational benefits for military dependents, citing that their children will avail free education to the nearest school from kinder to high school while college level will only be available for deserving ones under a scholarship grant.

Lastly, he discussed the effects of illegal drugs and how it menaced the country.

Once again, he stressed the important role of the military in support to the PNP’s anti-drug drive.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=911313

Fierce clashes with NPA escalate

From the Manila Bulletin (Aug 7): Fierce clashes with NPA escalate

Armed encounters between the government and the New People’s Army (NPA) erupted in Compostela Valley and Bukidnon provinces Friday that reportedly killed four soldiers and two rebels, while another soldier remained missing.

Twelve soldiers were also reported wounded.





Armed conflict between the government and NPA rebels continued to escalate in Mindanao after President Duterte withdrew his earlier order of a ceasefire with the insurgents.

In a police report, a 45-minute firefight between the Scout Platoon of the 25th Infantry Battalion and the 60-fully armed NPA rebels under the Southeastern Command 20 of the Southern Mindanao Regional Command (SMRC) took place at Km. 56 in Barangay Rizal in Monkayo, Compostela Valley while the soldiers were conducting field monitoring on Friday morning.

Identified as wounded in that encounter were “First Lieutenant Damaso, Cpl Bornasal, Cpl Rebuta, PFC Lagunday, PFC Necesito , Cpl Embo, Cpl Bayta, Cpl Mapa, PFC Lagura, PFC Sarmiento, PFC Torrefiel and Pvt Laput.”

Of these wounded, three were reported to have been declared dead on-arrival at the hospital. Their names were withheld pending information of their families.
A certain PFC Del Mundo was reported as missing in action.

On the side of the NPA, a female fighter was killed, while three others who were wounded were put under arrest.

In Barangay Parasanon, Maragusan, Compostela Valley, another encounter left a soldier dead.

Army troops also found the body of a rebel, a carbine rifle, and an IED.

Meanwhile, in Sitio Kambangon, Barangay Lilingayon in Valencia City, Bukidnon, a Special Forces trooper was reported killed after soldiers fought it out with a band of NPA rebels, also Friday.

Capt. Patrick Martinez, spokesperson of the Army 4th Infantry Division, Martinez withheld the name of the slain soldier, who belonged to the Army’s First Special Forces Battalion, pending the notification of the next of kin.

Martinez said government troops were able to captured nine high-powered firearms that included eight AK-47 rifles; three M14 rifles, a rifle grenade; a gallon of gasoline; three handheld radios and NPA classified documents in the encounter.

Capt. Rhyan Batchar, 10th Infantry Division spokesperson, said the encounter in Monkayo, Compostela Valley was sparked by a skirmish earlier on Thursday when troops of the Charlie Company were engaged by the insurgents in a 15-minute firefight at Km 56 in Barangay Rizal. There was no casualty reported.

http://www.mb.com.ph/fierce-clashes-with-npa-escalate/