Army intensifies developmental activities for IP communities, localities

From the Philippine Information Agency (Aug 25): Army intensifies developmental activities for IP communities, localities

The 401st Brigade, Philippine Army based in the province has intensified its developmental activities for the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) community and localities.

In the recently held Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting presided by Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) board members Santiago Cane Jr. and Gilbert Elorde, with the presence of provincial director Arleen Ann Sanchez of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the council thoroughly discussed the provincial local peace and order and public safety plan for the calendar year 2017-2019 thru a formulation workshop of its respective programs and projects.

According to Captain Michael Bahian, 401st Brigade's Civil Military Operations (CMO) Officer, they are intensifying the conduct of its annual activity, the Youth Leadership Summit for the young ones in the province, which include the IPs.

“The allocation for this activity has been incorporated in the 2017-2019 budget, which will also be included in the presentation of DILG Agusan del Sur provincial director Sanchez as PPOC secretariat during the next meeting,” he said.

Bahian further disclosed that they are continuously holding lectures, orientation with the IPs in their area of responsibility to increase their awareness on their rights and how they can prevent from being fooled and recruited by the NPAs.

Also, it was learned that part of their three-year plan is the establishment of a rehabilitation center for illegal drug dependents as recommended by the provincial government of Agusan del Sur.

Bahian added that some 60 illegal drug dependents who will be subject for rehabilitation will soon be accommodated in their camp once finalized.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2041472104377/army-intensifies-developmental-activities-for-ip-communities-localities

President to grace Eastmincom 10th anniversary rites

From the Philippine Information Agency (Aug 25): President to grace Eastmincom 10th anniversary rites

President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to grace the 10th Founding Anniversary of the Eastern Mindanao Command tomorrow (August 26) at the Naval Forces Eastern Mindandao in Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Panacan Davao City.

EastMinCom’s 10th founding anniversary banners the theme EASTMINCOM: Katambayayong sa Tinuod na Kausaban (Eastmincom a partner in real change). The celebration will have high-ranking officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines awarding deserving Eastmincom personnel and civilian partners from areas under the command’s jurisdiction.

The President will be delivering a message as guest-of-honor. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana will also be present during the affair. EastMinCom chief Lt. General Rey Leonardo Guerrero will lead the awarding of medals and plaques.

EastMinCom is one of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Unified Commands combating terrorism and insurgency in Eastern Mindanao.

Before the inception of Easmincom in  2006, Mindanao was under a single area of command- the Southcom (Southern Command). The AFP General Headquarters then had assessed that Southcom had to be divided into two separate area commands due to a very large area of operations, wide span of control and complexity of threats. The other area command was named as WesMinCom (Western Mindanao Command).

The new command was given the responsibility over South Eastern Mindanao, Central and Northern Mindanao with the mission of conducting joint operations against all national security threats in the area in order to establish a physically and psychologically secure environment conductive to development and assist government agencies in their socio-economic, ecological and developmental activities.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1541472113162/president-to-grace-eastmincom-10th-anniversary-rites

President Duterte orders PNP, AFP to shun hostilities vs CPP-NPA; appeals the same to Moro insurgents

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 25): President Duterte orders PNP, AFP to shun hostilities vs CPP-NPA; appeals the same to Moro insurgents

President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to avoid hostile actions or going into antagonistic behavior against communist insurgents as he joined the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-National Democratic Front-New People’s Army (CPP-NDF-NPA) in seeking peace for the country.

Officially declaring ceasefire with the communist insurgents effective 11:30 on Wednesday night, the President asked the people in government and all security forces to be friendly with the forces of the revolutionary group and the CPP in the meantime that there is a ceasefire because of the ongoing peace negotiations in Oslo, Norway.

“Not because we have to be extra friendly…forget in the meantime even for a short period…and hope it would go for a long long period for a peaceful resolution of the communist rebellion,” said Mr. Duterte, who made the announcement in a press briefing outside of Ahfat restaurant in Victoria Plaza here on late Wednesday night.

The President highlighted the importance of his decision to declare a ceasefire which is mainly based on a consensus of all the commanding generals of the AFP, including Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana that he made the other day.

“This is important to be transmitted to all,” he said. He further asked the government forces not to get offended by his decision.

“As president my main task is to seek peace for my country. I am not a president who would enjoy waging war against citizens of this republic. It pains me to see people dying for an ideology. Pwede naman pala mapag-usapan ng mapayapa (That we can talk about this peacefully). Just like now,” he emphasized.

The President expressed regret that so many lives on both sides - the government and insurgents were lost in the 45-year struggle for ideology yet they could end up on the peace table, which he described as a significant event.

Mr. Duterte said had peace negotiations taken place a long time ago, the money for the anti-insurgency war could have been used for other concerns like housing for families living in slum areas.

“So that is my plea to everybody to the communist and sundalo (soldiers) to understand that there is always a time for everything. We cannot be at war at all times,” he added.

Meanwhile, the President also expressed his commitment to honor his promise to the Moro people on the Bangsamoro peace agreement. He appealed to them to lessen hatred of war.

“I am appealing to Moro brothers and sisters the same thing…di na tayo mag away (Let’s not fight),” he said. But he promised that the Moro people’s request would be embedded in the Constitution.

The President, however, asked Moro leaders to set aside the unconstitutional issues in the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) to avoid any conflict. “No court, no litigation, no nothing. In the fullness of God’s time we’ll have a successful talk,” he added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=917123

Abu Sayyaf bomb expert dies in Basilan

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 25): Abu Sayyaf bomb expert dies in Basilan
 

An Abu Sayyaf bomb expert died when the bomb he was carrying accidentally exploded while evading pursuing government forces in the hinterlands of Basilan.

Col. Cirilo Tomas Donato, Army’s 104th Infantry Brigade commander, disclosed that the incident occurred shortly after 10 a.m. Thursday in Barangay Mangalut, Akbar, Basilan province.

Donato identified the slain Abu Sayyaf bomb expert as Mussana Jamiri, whose group the military forces had been pursuing in the hinterlands of Basilan.

Jamiri is a first degree cousin of Basilan-based Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) leader Nurhassan Jamiri.

Donato said the group of Jamiri was fleeing towards the boundary of Akbar town as the troops were closing in on them when the explosive he was carrying exploded.

He said the group of Jamiri was involved in the clash on Tuesday in Tuburan town that resulted to the death of three soldiers and a militiaman.

He said Jamiri’s group ambushed the government troops on Wednesday night in Barangay Parangbasak, Lamitan City, Basilan.

He said one soldier died while another was wounded during the ambush. The soldiers belong to the Army’s 64th Infantry Battalion.

He said the mangled remains of Jamiri was turned over to the family for proper disposition.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=917188

President Duterte orders army troops to seek out Abu Sayyaf lairs in Sulu

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 25): President Duterte orders army troops to seek out Abu Sayyaf lairs in Sulu

The latest beheading of an 18-year-old minor by the Abu Sayyaf Group prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to order anew the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to seek out the lair of the ASG and “destroy them”.

The President said the Abu Sayyaf kidnapping activities is the reason why he is sending more troops to Jolo, Sulu to destroy all the enemies of the state. “My orders to the Police and to the Armed Forces against all enemies of the State: Seek out. Seek them out in their lairs whatever and destroy them,” he told reporters at a press briefing late Wednesday night outside of Ahfat Restaurant here.

The 10th Infantry Division has started to pull out forces from the 69th Infantry Battalion and the 79th Scout Rangers in Davao for the government’s counter-terrorism campaign focusing on the Abu Sayyaf.

About 400 to 500 soldiers left Davao on Wednesday and Thursday to their new base in Western Mindanao Command for deployment to Jolo, Sulu.

The President vowed his war against the Abu Sayyaf would be harsh. “Go out and destroy them,” he ordered.

On Wednesday night, a report said the Abu Sayyaf beheaded one of its Filipino victims identified as Patrick Almodovar after the family failed to pay PHP1 million ransom. The family was given until 3pm on Wednesday to deliver the money. Almodovar was kidnapped in Barangay Asturias in Jolo last July 16.

While he was saddened by the beheading of Almodovar, Mr. Duterte warned the Abu Sayyaf could not kill their Norwegian hostage Kjartan Sekkingstad because they were paid PHP50 million for his supposed release last July.

Mr. Duterte said Sekkingstad was not released after the Abu Sayyaf asked for an additional money.

Sekkingstad is the remaining hostage of the three foreigners and a Filipina taken by armed men from a high-end resort in the Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte last year.

The other two foreigners - Canadians James Ridsdel and Robert Hall were beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf separately in April and June while Filipina Marites Flor was released last June 24 after negotiations by Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza with the help of Sulu Governor Sakur Tan.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=917245

House confers Congressional Medal of Distinction on Diaz

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 25): House confers Congressional Medal of Distinction on Diaz

The House of Representatives on Wednesday conferred the Congressional Medal of Distinction on Zamboangueña weightlifter Rio Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz.

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez led the awarding of the medal to Diaz during her visit at the House of Representatives.

Diaz also received Php 1.5 million cash reward, which was achieved through the personal, voluntary and generous contributions of congresspersons through agreed salary deduction.

First district Rep. Celso Lobregat delivered a privilege speech to welcoming, congratulating and extolling Diaz before the awarding ceremonies.

“Finally after 20 long years, a Filipina, a Mindanaoan and Zamboangueña, weighing only 53-kilogram (117lbs) measuring less than five feet wins a silver medal in the 2016 Olympics,”

Lobregat said that Diaz have proven to all Filipinos, especially the youth, that with hard work, determination, perseverance and true gift, “no dreamer is too small and no dream is too big to be realized.”

“Hidilyn you make us proud and you stand tall, the tallest among all Filipinas for you are the first and only Filipina to achieve this feat, a medal, a silver medal at that in the Olympics,” Lobregat said.

The House of Representatives approved a resolution that congratulated and commended Diaz in recognition of her outstanding performance in the Olympics.

Lobregat has thanked Alvarez, Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas, Minority Leader Danny Suarez and the members of the House of Representatives for their support in giving monetary award to Diaz.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=917255

PHL embassy in Malaysia warns Filipinos using backdoors as entry point

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 25): PHL embassy in Malaysia warns Filipinos using backdoors as entry point

The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday warned Filipinos about exiting the country through Western Mindanao and then Sabah in pursuit of jobs overseas, after a number of them were held by Malaysian authorities.

With the implementation of stricter anti-trafficking measures at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and other airports, illegal recruitment syndicates have sent those wishing to work overseas to Zamboanga or Tawi-Tawi and then cross-over to Sabah for their onward destinations in Dubai or elsewhere.

“Being made to exit via Zamboanga or Tawi-Tawi is a sure tell-tale sign of illegal trafficking and should ring alarm bells to job-seekers, otherwise, they risk apprehension by Sabah authorities for unauthorized entry or fall victim to sex and other traffickers along the way,” the Embassy said.

“Proper employment visas issued by the embassy or consulate in Manila of their destination country and work permits processed by the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) are generally required before a Filipino can depart for work overseas. If the job offer requires the applicant to exit through Mindanao, it is most likely a human trafficking ploy,” the Embassy added.

Meanwhile, the Embassy lauded the announcement of the Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente to deploy more Immigration officers and intelligence agents to six stations in Mindanao and Palawan.

This is in view of reports of the entry and presence of foreign terrorists in Mindanao, and that victims of human trafficking are being spirited out of the country via the backdoor with the help of syndicates and illegal recruiters.

One such case is about a Filipina who was offered a job as a domestic helper in Dubai by a certain Layes Lynian of Al Eternad Labor Supply company based in Manila.

According to her husband who alerted the Embassy, the Filipina and other recruits were made to go to Zamboanga, and then boarded a ferry to Sandakan in Sabah.

Upon arrival there, the Filipina and her companions were apprehended by Sabah authorities and incarcerated.

The Embassy is extending assistance to these Filipinas.

Fifteen Filipinas also seeking work in Dubai who crossed over to Sandakan were taken into custody by Sabah Immigration authorities on July 20.

They were charged in court and meted sentences ranging from four to 10 months in prison and payment of fines. The Embassy is working on reducing their time in prison.

According to one of the Filipinas, they were recruited to work as household service workers via Facebook by a certain Flordeliza Flores Eborde, who referred them to a Ms. Venus, whom can be contacted only through mobile phone.

Ms. Venus instructed them to go to Palawan. From Brooke’s Point in Palawan, the Filipina was made to board a motorboat to Mapun in Tawi-Tawi.

There, she and seven others were transferred on a speedboat to travel to Sabah with an agent/guide known as Mr. Jomar or Dumar Kasim.

They were apprehended in Sandakan by Sabah authorities while they were awaiting onward transportation to Dubai.

Immigration regulations are strictly enforced in Sabah, and a night-time curfew is in place in the waters off the said area.

“We have seen all too often these sad cases of job seekers who end in a foreign jail or in the hands of sex traffickers. These are risks not worth taking,” the Embassy said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=917254

Decapitated head of ASG kidnap victim recovered in Sulu

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 25): Decapitated head of ASG kidnap victim recovered in Sulu

The Western Mindanao Command (WMC) said the decapitated head of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) kidnap victim, Patrick Jhames Almodavar, was recovered by local police in Barangay Kadjatan, Indanan town, Sulu on Wednesday at 7:30pm.

WMC spokesperson Major Filemon Tan said the head, which was wrapped in a plastic bag, was left in the area by three motorcycle-riding members of the ASG.

"As of this report, the decapitated head is being processed and investigated by elements of the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) and Indanan Police," Tan said.

Almodavar was abducted by the Ajang-Ajang group last July 16 in Barangay Asturias, Jolo, Sulu.

"The Armed Forces of the Philippines, together with every sensible and peace loving Filipino, including our Muslim brothers whom we work with in peace and development efforts, condemn this barbaric murder perpetrated by this terror group," Tan added.

He stressed that beheading of an innocent man by the ASG is an absolute affront to the peace loving Moros in the Philippines.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=917098

DND seriously looking into text messages claiming of terror attacks

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 25): DND seriously looking into text messages claiming of terror attacks

While the military is still to verify text messages claiming that the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) will deploy women suicide bombers in its planned attacks in Metro Manila malls, the Department of National Defense (DND) announced it is looking at such threats seriously.

"Texts like these have been circulating for some time and they have proven to be hoaxes," DND public affairs service director Arsenio Andolong said.

"Nevertheless, we take all of them seriously and we will certainly look into this one," he added.

Andolong, however, said that they have not received any intelligence report on the matter as of this posting.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=917110

Latest ASG victim beheaded due to inability to pay ransom -- WMC spokesperson

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 25): Latest ASG victim beheaded due to inability to pay ransom -- WMC spokesperson

Inability to pay the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) ransom demand prompted the bandits to behead kidnap victim Patrick Jhames Almodavar on Wednesday afternoon.

This was disclosed by Western Mindanao Command (WMC) spokesperson Major Filemon Tan in an interview Thursday.

Almodavar was beheaded by the bandits around 3:00 p.m. at Barangay Buanza, Indanan, Sulu. His decapitated head was recovered by police at Barangay Kadjatan, of the same town, around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Almodavar's family was reportedly unable to raise the PHP1 million ransom demand and this failure prompted the bandits to behead the victim on Aug. 24, the imposed deadline of the ASG.

The former was abducted by the Ajang-Ajang group last July 16 in Barangay Asturias, Jolo, Sulu.

With this latest atrocity, Tan said that additional troops will be deployed to Sulu to help in the ongoing campaign against the ASG.

He added that additional troops will come from the battalions currently inactive due to the ceasefire with the New People's Army.

There are currently 5,000 troops in Sulu as of this posting, with another 2,500 from Luzon and Visayas on the way.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=917143

Eastern Mindanao Command tells public not to panic when they hear howitzer fire Friday

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 25): Eastern Mindanao Command tells public not to panic when they hear howitzer fire Friday

People living near Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Panacan, Davao have been advised not to panic should they happen to hear howitzer fire on Friday.

These volleys of fire will be for welcoming President Rodrigo Duterte, who is the guest-of-honor for the 10th founding anniversary of the Eastern Mindanao Command (EMC).

The 21-gun salute will be rendered upon the arrival of the Chief Executive at the naval facility, said EMC public affairs office chief Maj. Ezra Balagtey.

"Please help us inform the public so that they will not be alarmed on Friday," he added.

The celebration, which carries the theme "Katambayayong sa tinud-anay nga kausaban", will also be highlighted by the presentation of awards to personnel and stakeholders who have made significant contribution to the accomplishment of EMC's mission.

The EMC was activated some 10 years ago following the deactivation of the former Southern Command in Zamboanga City.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=917303

Senate hails PHL naval officer awarded at British Royal Navy College

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 25): Senate hails PHL naval officer awarded at British Royal Navy College

The Senate on Thursday hailed Philippine naval officer Ensign Maycee Angga for receiving the best international student award at the Britannia Royal Navy College (BRNC) in Darmouth, United Kindgom.

"Ensign Angga's achievement exemplifies the determination and commitment of all our uniformed personnel in bringing honor and recognition to the country through their outstanding achievements in their respective fields,” Senate President Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III said.

Pimentel, on the same day, filed a Senate Resolution congratulating and commending Angga’s exemplary achievement which he said showed “formidable courage” and “innate talent” in the pursuit of excellence in the presence of equally able contenders from other nations in the world.

"I hope her story will inspire another generation," the Senate President said.

In his Senate Resolution No. 109, Pimentel said that Angga, who hails from Orion, Bataan, emerged as the first Philippine naval officer to attend and complete the grueling course at the BRNC and the first female naval officer to be given the distinguished award.

Angga was also cited for being the lone female officer among the international cadets from Albania, the Bahamas, Egypt, Libya, Qatar, the United Emirates, and Ukraine, who graduated along with cadets of the United Kingdom.

This commendation comes after the Senate last week hailed Olympic Games silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz of the Philippine Air Force, who finally ended the country's 20-years medal drought in the quadrennial Games.

S&T scholarship program expansion

Pimentel meanwhile filed a bill to encourage poor but intelligent students to pursue higher education in the field of science and technology (S&T) through a scholarship program available to all incoming students enrolled in its related courses.

Pimentel’s new bill builds on the S&T program of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through its Science Education Institute (SEI) in Republic Act No. 7687 or the "Science and Technology Scholarship Act of 1994," and in R.A. 10612, or the "Fast-Tracked S&T Scholarship Act of 2013."

Under the proposed scholarship, Filipino students currently enrolled in any state university or college taking up priority S&T courses with a general weighted average (GWA) of 83 percent or higher.

Scholars will also be entitled to an annual award for full-time study equal to the complete financial package of R.A. 7687.

Moreover, they will have an award while matriculating in an approved program but shall not exceed five years from the time the program is availed.

The proposed scholarship program would be funded by this year's appropriations of the SEI under the DOST. The SEI would be authorized to accept grants, contributions or donations from domestic and foreign sources

Pimentel said that it was a declared policy of the state to promote the right of all citizens to affordable quality education and to ensure that education shall be accessible to all.

"The state shall also give priority to research and development, invention, innovation and their utilization. Thus, priority shall also be given to science, technology, mathematics, and engineering," Pimentel said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=917356

GRP-NDF panels ok accelerated timetable on substantive agenda

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 25): GRP-NDF panels ok accelerated timetable on substantive agenda

Negotiators from the Philippine government (GRP) and the National Democratic Front (NDF) on Thursday agreed an accelerated timetable for their Reciprocal Working Committee (RWC) and Reciprocal Working Groups (RWG) to complete work on the substantive agenda of the peace talks in less than a year.

The accelerated timetable was agreed upon and submitted to the GRP and NDF panels by their respective working committee and groups, which held simultaneous discussions on Tuesday (Oslo time) afternoon.

"We commend the RWC and RWGs of both panels for working hand-in-hand and agreeing on a fixed timetable for the substantive agenda in record time," said Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, concurrent chair of the government peace panel.

"We, in the government panel, were surprised that the RWC and RWGs came up with agreements in so short a time. Discussions only lasted from nine minutes to 30 minutes. It was really morale-boosting for both panels," Bello said.

As expected, the longest session was reserved for the discussion on the Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms (CASER), which would eventually tackle the most contentious issues, such as agrarian reform, national industrialization, and foreign policy.

The GRP-RWC on CASER is led by Atty. Efren Moncupa, a human rights lawyer and former political detainee, while his counterpart from the NDF is Juliet de Lima-Sison, member of the NDF negotiating panel.

In their report to the panels, the RWC on CASER of both parties agreed to "endeavor to complete work within a period of six months."

Bello noted that CASER is considered the "heart and soul" of the peace negotiations between the GRP and the NDF, pointing out that work on socio-economic reforms would determine the outcome of the talks.

"This committee will work on the most important issue: how to address the root causes of conflict in the Philippines in order to attain just and lasting peace. The sooner CASER is wrapped up, the better for the peace negotiations," Bello explained.

"Fast-tracking discussions on CASER means accelerating the process of seeking political settlement with the NDF and ending almost half a century of armed conflict with communist guerillas," he added.

Bello said the GRP-NDF Working Committees on CASER would hold their first meeting in October 2016 to discuss the framework and outline of the CASER, their work schedule, and methods of work.

The RWGs on Political and Constitutional Reforms (PCR), for their part, agreed to hold their first meeting also in Oslo in synchronization with the RWC on CASER in October.

The RWG on End of Hostilities and Disposition of Forces (EOH-DOF), for its part, agreed to present their respective draft outlines for a Comprehensive Agreement on the substantive issue on Oct. 24, 2016 or the next scheduled Panel meeting, whichever comes first.

Bello explained that the simultaneous discussions of the substantive agenda would improve the chances of the GRP meeting its self-imposed deadline of forging a final peace agreement with the NDF in a year's time.

"We are right on schedule and the talks are proceeding smoothly. We expect a final peace agreement after one year so we can devote five more years of President Rodrigo Duterte's term in implementing the reforms agreed upon by both parties," he said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=917257

More troops to be deployed to Sulu, Basilan to neutralize Abu Sayyaf threat

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 25): More troops to be deployed to Sulu, Basilan to neutralize Abu Sayyaf threat

The military will deploy more troops to Sulu and Basilan to eliminate the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) once and for all, Western Mindanao Command (WMC) spokesperson Maj. Filemon Tan said Thursday.

Additional troops will come from Luzon and Visayas and from battalions currently unengaged due to the ceasefire declared by the New People's Army, Tan said.

He declined to give exact figures on the number of soldiers to be deployed but said the reinforcements will be "sizeable".

Tan said the additional troops will prove very handy in searching forested areas where the group is hiding.

As of this posting, there are 5,000 soldiers in Sulu and another 2,500 in Basilan.

Insertion of additional soldiers started early this month and Air Force Lockheed C-130 "Hercules" transport aircraft were used to deploy these troops.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=917216

President Duterte asks military, police to be "extra" friendly to communists, might yield to some leftist demands

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 25): President Duterte asks military, police to be "extra" friendly to communists, might yield to some leftist demands

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday urged the military and police to be “extra” friendly to members of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the New People’s Army (NPA) in light of their ongoing peace negotiation with the government.

In a press briefing in Davao, the President expressed his willingness to free the other political prisoners.

He said he is also inclined to yield to some of their demands in pursuit of lasting peace, hoping this could end years of communist rebellion in the country.

The President asked the military and the police to refrain from any “bloody confrontation” and to forget the hostilities for the meantime, as peace talks in Oslo, Norway are underway.

He ordered both the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to immediately honor the truce he had declared and cease from attacking the NPA.

“So I’m joining the Communist Party of the Philippines in its desire to seek peace for this nation,” he said.

“We avoid hostile actions against each other, we do not go into any antagonistic behavior in front of whoever and as a matter of fact, I am encouraging people in the government, the military and the police to be friendly with the forces of the revolutionary government of the Communist Party of the Philippines,“ he said.

“As President, my main task is to seek the peace for my country. I am not a President who would enjoy waging war against the citizens of this Republic,” he added.

The President became emotional when he said that it pains him deeply to see people dying for an ideology.

“Pwede naman nating mapag-usapan ng mapayapa (We can hold a dialogue in a peaceful manner), just like now. I would have just also wondered bakit kailangan pa tayo magpatayan (why we have to kill each other) for 45 years only to end up, which is really a significant event for everybody. Ngayon palang, mag-usap naman tayo. (Only now, let us talk.) And to think there’s so many lives lost both for government and on the other side,” he said.

The President said issues on poverty and housing problems, which are part of the roots of the communist insurgency in the country, should have been addressed a long time ago.

“That is my regret for my nation that sana noon pa ito, wala na masyadong patayan at magagamit ko pa yung pera para sa mga mahirap na Pilipino (that it should have been addressed a long time ago so that killing would have been avoided and we could have used the money for the poor),” he said.

The President expressed optimism that the government’s conflict with the communists shall be resolved under his term and in his lifetime.

As for the demands of the NPA, the armed wing of the communists, the President said he is even willing to release money and lands to them.

“But there’s so much land in the Philippines, and I could… Sabihin lang nila (Just tell me) and I would give them everything,” he said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=917248