5 NPA rebels yield in Maguindanao

From the Manila Bulletin (Jan 10): 5 NPA rebels yield in Maguindanao

Five members of the New People’s Army (NPA) laid down their arms and surrendered to the Army’s 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion at Brgy. Kamasi, Ampatuan, Maguindanao on Tuesday.


(MANILA BULLETIN)

The rebels, who surrendered to Lt. Col. Lauro Oliveros, the Commanding Officer of the 1st Mechanized Battalion, cited what they called the resentful system of the NPA “merely propagating lies to the T”boli community” in the town of South Cotabato, as the reason for their surrender.

The returnees who belonged to the platoon Samsung Guerrila Front 73 were identified as Sing O Maquil, 30; Daniel T. Fonok, 25; Panni L Sina, 18; Marvin S. Ginang, 30 and Taan M Ayunan, 30, all of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato

The five said they were tired of hiding, having experienced hunger , hardship and dissatisfaction with the NPA ideology.

The surrenderees turned over two homemade Ingram and one homemade Uzi the military.

Major General Arnel DelaVega, Army 6th ID Commander, said their intensified efforts through combat operations and information dissemination against terrorist group with the support of all local chief executives and other stakeholders encouraged the rebels to surrender.

He assured the former rebels that they would receive the benefits of the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP).

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/01/11/5-npa-rebels-yield-in-maguindanao/

No restlessness in the Navy: AFP chief

From Malaya Business Insight (Jan 10): No restlessness in the Navy: AFP chief

ARMED Forces chief Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero yesterday sought to dismiss reports of restiveness in the Navy due to last month’s unceremonious relief of Vice Adm. Ronaldo Joseph Mercado as Navy chief.

Interviewed after a joint DND-AFP New Year’s call in Camp Aguinaldo, Guerrero said Navy officials are not reporting any problem in the 30,000-strong Navy.

“Restlessness? I do not see any restlessness in the Navy,” said Guerrero. It was Guerrero who implemented Mercado’s relief on December 19.

The Navy is now headed in an acting capacity by Rear Adm. Robert Empedrad, AFP deputy chief of staff for reservists and retirees affairs.

Military officials earlier said there are “rumblings” in the Navy over Mercado’s unceremonious relief. One of them said Mercado did not deserve such treatment from the leadership of the defense department and the military because he was merely after installing the best equipment for two frigates being built by Hyundai Heavy Industries of Korea for the Philippine Navy.

It was Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana who recommended to President Duterte Mercado’s relief for his insisting the installation of a combat management system produced by a French company.

On Monday, Lorenzana said he has met with former Navy chiefs who have expressed their disappointment over Mercado’s relief. He said he requested the meeting to explain why Mercado was sacked. Lorenzana said the former Navy chiefs claimed he violated the “long-honored tradition of retirement, parade, and everything” of a Navy chief.

Lorenzana said there was no “formal turnover” ceremony “because the situation was fluid” at that time. He said the former Navy chiefs “understood” his explanation.

Guerrero said there is no problem with those in active service.
“As far as I am concerned, I’ve been in contact with our Navy officers, in the active service, and we don’t have any problem,” Guerrero said.

Mercado is on “special studies” at Guerrero’s office. Guerrero said Mercado is regularly reporting to his office.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/no-restlessness-navy-afp-chief

‘Silent worker’ is new Scout Ranger chief

From Malaya Business Insight (Jan 11): ‘Silent worker’ is new Scout Ranger chief

A SENIOR officer who took part in campaigns against communist New People’s Army rebels and Abu Sayyaf bandits is the new commander of the elite First Scout Ranger Regiment.

Col. William Gonzales assumed the post last Monday in rites led by Army chief Lt. Gen. Rolando Bautista and held at the headquarters of the Army’s Special Operations Command (SOCOM) in Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija.

The turnover was held jointly with the assumption of Maj. Gen. Ronnie Evangelista as SOCOM chief.

“He is a silent worker but he delivers,” Army spokesman Lt. Col. Ray Tiongson said of Gonzales, who holds a master’s degree in management.

Gonzales, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1989, replaced Brig. Gen. Rene Glenn Paje who is now Armed Forces deputy chief of staff for civil military operations.

Gonzales served as the Army’s assistant chief of staff for education and training, as commandant of the Officer Candidate School of the Army’s Training and Doctrine command, and commander of the 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion that was deployed in the Bicol region to go after communist rebels.

The battalion was later sent to Basilan, a bailiwick of the Abu Sayyaf, and achieved feats against the terrorist group with Gonzales at the helm.

A PMA classmate of Gonzales, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the new Scout Ranger chief as a “true-blue Ranger.”

“While in the field, he is always operating, engaged in internal security operations,” the official said of Gonzales, who he said finished a Ranger course from United States.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/%E2%80%98silent-worker%E2%80%99-new-scout-ranger-chief

Defense chief: CPP ‘crumbling from within’

From Malaya Business Insight (Jan 11): Defense chief: CPP ‘crumbling from within’

DEFENSE Secretary Delfin Lorenzana yesterday dismissed a call of the Communist Party of the Philippines to its members to build an alliance with forces against President Duterte forces and work for his ouster.

Lorenzana assured the public that that the defense and military establishments are going to protect Duterte and the democratic way of life from the CPP and the New People’s Army.

“We will guard the institutions which are sacred to our democratic way of life and not let any group destroy the ideals which our nation’s forefathers fought and died for,” he said.

Duterte started formal talks with the communists shortly after he assumed the presidency in 2016. Four rounds of talks have been held before Duterte suspended and eventually cancelled the peace negotiations because of continued attacks by the NPA on government forces. Last month, he formally declared the CPP and NPA as terrorist organizations.

Last week, the CPP told its members that “Duterte’s overthrow is the most important task at present for the revolutionary forces.”

It urged revolutionary forces to ally with other sectors and groups, including those with “sharp contradictions” with the movement, “to create the widest anti-Duterte alliance.”

Lorenzana said: “This latest statement of the CPP-NPA once again shows how far these communist-terrorists are from the truth and how years of propagating lies have deluded their sense of reality.”

He also said the CPP’s call manifests the communist group’s “desperation since the movement is now crumbling from within.”

“They have already lost their mass-based support and their members are returning to the fold of law as their motives and criminal acts have already been exposed to their former cadres and the entire Filipino nation,” said Lorenzana.

The latest to surrender are two NPA logistics officers and a team leader.

Randy Atong alias Andikon and Renie Atenza alias Ryan surrendered yesterday to the Army’s 73rd Infantry Battalion in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, said the unit’s civil military operations officer, 1Lt. China Celina Castro.

Castro said Atong is the logistics officer of the Andoy and Basil Platoons of the NPA’s Guerilla Front 51 while Atenza is the leader of the Basil Platoon’s First Squad.

Castro said the two said “they are already tired of fighting against the government forces, coupled with the experience of starvation caused by the dwindling support from their masses, hence they decided to return to the folds of the law.”

In Zamboanga del Sur, another NPA rebel surrendered to the Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion in Guipos town on Tuesday afternoon, said Maj. Richard Enciso, spokesman of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division.

Enciso said the 33-year-old rebel --  identified only as Jaypee, a resident of Pagadian City, is the logistics officer of Squad 3, Team Baking of the NPA operating in the province. He brought with him an AK-47 rifle.

“According to Jaypee, the physical hardships and limited supply of food were the reasons for his surrender,” said Enciso.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/defense-chief-cpp-%E2%80%98crumbling-within%E2%80%99

P25 B set aside for 2018 AFP modernization program

From Update Philippines (Jan 10): P25 B set aside for 2018 AFP modernization program



The government has set aside for 2018 some PHP25 billion for the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that will include the acquisition of brand new attack helicopters, tanks and other military hardware.

Maj. Gen. Restituto Padilla Jr., AFP deputy chief of staff for plans and programs, said the acquisition of new military hardware was long overdue for the country’s national security.

For several years now since the enactment of the AFP Modernization Act in 1995, the AFP modernization has been at snail pace because of budgetary constraints.

Padilla told the Philippine News Agency Sunday that the amount for the AFP’s modernization program was allocated in the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for 2018.

Padilla said President Rodrigo Roa Duterte was giving top priority to the AFP’s modernization program during his term of office.

He pointed out that the modernization program was long overdue.

Padilla also assured the public that all transactions or dealings in the acquisition of new military equipment would be above board.

He said the President was keen on the modernization program so that the Philippines would earn the respect of other nations.

At the same time, he said Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero gave their full support to the military’s modernization program.

Out of the PHP25 billion for 2018, the AFP would procure brand new attack and utility helicopters for the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and tanks for the Philippine Army, Padilla said.

He said other armaments would be acquired also to modernize the AFP.

The PAF had recently acquired a dozen brand new FA-50 jets from South Korea for PHP18.9 billion.

But this was still a far cry from its inventory years back when PAF was second to none in Southeast Aisa in defense capability with squadrons of jet fighters such as F-5s, F-8s, and Sabre jets, but all of these warplanes had been retired long ago.

There was also a time when the PAF had in its inventory over 140 helicopters but had drastically reduced over the years due to wear and tear.

PAF pilots are looking forward to an Air Force that will soon acquire supersonic jet fighters to boost the air defense capability of the Armed Forces.

Aside from planes acquisition, the Philippine Navy is also in dire need of brand new ships to secure the country’s long sea lane which is twice as long as that of the United States.

The Navy used to have a large number of ships but through the years many of them have been mothballed due to old age. (PNA)

https://www.update.ph/2018/01/p25-b-set-aside-2018-afp-modernization-program/23768

2 NPA terrorist leaders surrender to government

From Update Philippines (Jan 10): 2 NPA terrorist leaders surrender to government

Philippine Army 10th Infantry ‘Agila’ Division (10ID) has reported the surrender of 3 NPA terrorist leaders to the 73rd Infantry ‘Neutralizer’ Battalion this January 2018.

According to 10ID NPA leaders who surrendered were from Guerilla Front 51 (GF51), Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC). They are Randy N. Atong alias Andikon, Finance and Logistics Officer of Andoy and Basil Platoons of GF51, SMRC; and Renie C Atenza alias Ryan, Team Leader of First Squad, Basil Platoon, GF51, SMRC.

“The former terrorists said that they were already tired of fighting against the government forces coupled with the experience of starvation caused by the dwindling support from their masses hence they decided to return to the folds of the law,” 10ID said.


10ID photo

10ID added that they surrendered unarmed but later revealed that they have hidden high powered firearms composed of one M14 Rifle and one M16 Rifle attached with M203 Grenade Launcher in Brgy Sibulan, Toril District, Davao City.

Troops of 73rd Infantry Battalion (73IB) recovered the mentioned firearms.

“This is an excellent manifestation that our efforts on winning against communist terrorists through focus military operations and Community Support Program (CSP) activities are effective. Because of this, we are expecting more surrenderees in the coming days. Thus, we are reiterating our call on other NPA members to lay down their arms, surrender and avail the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP),” 73IB commander Lieutenant Colonel Marion Angcao said.

“The significant increase of former NPA terrorists returning to the folds of the law is also an evidence of our effective collaboration with the Local Government Unit and Local Officials of Province of Davao del Sur,” Lieutenant Colonel Angcao added.

https://www.update.ph/2018/01/2-npa-terrorist-leaders-surrender-government/23772

Rimando of PMA '86 named new 5th ID commander

From Rappler (Jan 10): Rimando of PMA '86 named new 5th ID commander

Brigadier General Perfecto Rimando Jr of PMA Sinagtala Class of ’86 officially assumes the position during a turnover ceremony in Camp Melchor F. Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela



PERFECTO RIMANDO JR. A shot of Brigadier General Perfecto Rimando Jr. Photo from https://www.facebook.com/801stInfantryBrigade/photos

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – Philippine National Police’s (PNP) chief Director General Bato Dela Rosa’s classmate in the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) was assigned as the new commander of the Philippine Army’s 5th Infantry Division.

Brigadier General Perfecto Rimando Jr of PMA Sinagtala Class of ’86 officially assumed the position during the turnover ceremony in Camp Melchor F. Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela.

Rimando succeeded Lieutenant General Paul Atal, who served the army division from August 2016 to December 2017. Atal is now the new Central Command (CentCom) chief in Visayas region.

Prior to his new assignment, the army division chief served as the Deputy Commanding General of the Eastern Mindanao Command based in Davao City.

Rimando was hailed from La Union province and was married to a woman from Ilagan, Isabela.

As the 5th ID commander, Rimando will head 8 battalion units and 3 brigade units. The 5th ID, also known as the “Star Division,” is focused in counter-insurgency in Cagayan Valley and Cordillera regions.

In his speech during the turn over ceremony, Rimando said he will intensify the counter-insurgency operations in the area.

He also urged the communities to support the government's campaign for peace and development, and the fight against terrorism.

The Duterte administration recently branded the New People's Army (NPA) rebels as terrorists, making them one of the main targets of the Army.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/193353-perfecto-rimando-jr-5th-infantry-division-commander

Sandiganbayan suspends Misuari’s graft, malversation trial

From GMA News (Jan 8): Sandiganbayan suspends Misuari’s graft, malversation trial

The Sandiganbayan has ordered the suspension of trial in the graft and malversation cases of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman Nur Misuari over the alleged anomalous purchase of P115 million worth of educational materials from 2000 to 2001.

In a minute resolution dated December 6, the anti-graft court's Third Division ruled to suspend the trial of Misuari after it approved his motion for preliminary investigation in November.

"The motion to order preliminary investigation is granted considering that the prosecution did not object thereto, and the motion defer the scheduled arraignment is noted," the Sandiganbayan said in a minute resolution in November.

"Let the proceedings in these cases be suspended with respect to accused Nur P. Misuari only until the said preliminary investigation against him shall have been terminated," it added.

Then-serving as governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Misuari was charged with three counts each of graft and malversation through falsification for allegedly conspiring with his co-accused in giving "unwarranted benefits, advantage and privilege" to three private companies.

Ombudsman investigators found that "no such materials were delivered" by MBJ Learning Tools, CPR Publishing, and White Orchids Printing and Publishing House.

The Ombudsman also alleged that the respondents conspired to "take, appropriate or misappropriate" the said amounts by supposedly falsifying the corresponding procurement documents for the educational materials.

State prosecutors, in its motion to hold in abeyance the proceedings, said it was "constrained to move for the suspension of the proceedings of all the cases" of Misuari pending the results of the preliminary investigation.

The prosecution said the suspension is essential in the case since the probe may find a different outcome in the criminal liability of Misuari.

"This is not to preempt the result of the preliminary investigation but there is always a possibility that a different conclusion may be arrived at depending on the evidence presented. Hence, the necessity of suspending further proceedings in these cases," the motion read.

In his 11-page omnibus motion, Misuari said the Office of the Ombudsman failed to give him an opportunity to defend himself and answer the allegations hurled against him.

“Accused Nur Misuari most respectfully request the Honorable Third Division of the Sandiganbayan to refer the present cases against him for preliminary investigation by the Ombudsman and to defer the date of his arraignment if it is already scheduled,” he said.

Misuari added that he was also "shocked" upon learning about his case at the Sandiganbayan, saying he was not even notified by the Ombudsman that there was a complaint against him.

“For lack of preliminary investigation, herein, accused was deprived of his right to adduce controverting documents against the complaint lodged against him,” Misuari said.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/638924/sandiganbayan-suspends-misuari-s-graft-malversation-trial/story/

NPAs urged to come down, avail of livelihood program

From the Manila Bulletin (Jan 9): NPAs urged to come down, avail of livelihood program

The remaining members of the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), on Tuesday were urged to come down and avail of the government’s peace, livelihood and development program.



New People’s Army (NPA) fighters in formation in the Sierra Madre mountain range.
(AFP/ MANILA BULLETIN)

The NPA terrorists were asked to lay down their arms peacefully and take advantage of the “Balik-Baril, Bayad Agad” program and the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) for rebel returnees, jointly implemented by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPPAP), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and different local government units (LGUs).

Maj. Gen. Ronald C. Villanueva, commanding general of the Army’s Northeastern and Northern Mindanao 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division,called upon the NPAs to come down and be spared from the current offensive operations conducted by field units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

“Surrender now or face the consequences of your evil activities,” he said.

“There will be no let-up in our operation to hunt down the remaining terrorist members in this part of the country,” the highest-ranking area commander of the AFP in northeastern and northern Mindanao, said.

He said that combat maneuvering battalions and the operational control (Opcon) units of the 401st Infantry Brigade, 402nd Brigade and 403rd Brigade, supported by earth-moving equipment, Artillery battalions and air assets of the Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) Strike Wing and Helicopter Wing, are complementing each other “to crush” the remaining communist terrorists in the region.

Last Jan. 5, the combat maneuvering battalion under the 403rd Brigade scored one dead, several wounded, and one AK47 recovered when the battalion engaged NPA terrorists at the outskirts of Sitio Mahan-aw, Barangay Bulonay, Impasugong town, Bukidnon province, military sources said.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/01/09/npas-urged-to-come-down-avail-of-livelihood-program/

'NPA officer' surrenders

From the Sun Star-Zamboanga (Jan 10): 'NPA officer' surrenders

A MAN claiming to be the logistics officer of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered on Tuesday, January 9, to the government forces in Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur, a military official said Wednesday.

Major Richard Enciso, spokesperson of the 1st Infantry Division, said “Ka Jaypee” was a logistics officer of Squad 3, Team Baking, SECOM-KARA of Western Mindanano Regional Party Committee.

"Ka Jaypee" turned himself in to Lieutenant Colonel Virgilio Hamos, commanding officer of the 53rd Infantry Battalion stationed at Camp Sabido, Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur.

Enciso said the surrenderer also turned over his firearm, an AK-47 rifle, along with several ammunition to the army officials.

“According to Jaypee, the physical hardships and limited supply of food were the reasons for his surrender. Being a family man, the love and responsibility to his wife and their children are more important than risking his life in the mountains for a terroristic cause,” said Enciso.

For his part, Major General Roseller Murillo of the Joint Task Force Zampelan and 1st Infantry Division commander lauded the efforts of the 53rd Infantry Battalion for its successes against the terrorist NPA.

He called on the NPA fighters to return to their normal lives and contribute to building a peaceful and sustainable nation.

Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte encouraged the NPA rebels to surrender with a promise to provide them with shelter and decent jobs.

Duterte last year branded the NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, as a terrorist organization after he scrapped the peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, the communists' political arm.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/zamboanga/local-news/2018/01/10/npa-officer-surrenders-583252

Joma Sison slams Malacañang for 'fake news' on Dutch citizenship

From Rappler (Jan 10): Joma Sison slams Malacañang for 'fake news' on Dutch citizenship

Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairman Jose Maria Sison accuses the government of targeting him, former Bayan Muna representative Teddy Casiño, and Bayan Secretary-General Renato Reyes Jr 


 
Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman Jose Maria Sison has called out Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque for spreading "fake news" that he has become a Dutch citizen after decades of exile in The Netherlands.

The 77-year-old Sison accused the government of targeting him, former Bayan Muna representative Teddy Casiño, and Bayan Secretary-General Renato Reyes Jr. (READ: Renato Reyes slams fake news on son's 'sports car crash')

"I have never applied for Dutch citizenship and have never been naturalized as a Dutch citizen. The legitimate mass media or any respectable person can verify this fact from the Dutch authorities in The Hague or the Dutch embassy in Manila," Sison said in a statement this week.

Sison fled to Europe after peace talks with the administration of Corazon Aquino failed in 1987. The Netherlands eventually granted Sison political refugee status.

"My actual residence in The Netherlands is in accordance with my being a recognized political refugee since 1992 and also in accordance with Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights. I can travel for the purpose of peace negotiations under a laissez passer without having to be a Dutch citizen," Sison said.

Roque made the statement on Sison's supposed Dutch citizenship in December last year.

Sison made the clarification after a video of his interview spread on Facebook spliced with photographs showing Sison with female companions like former sexy starlet Ara Mina.

"It is exceedingly impertinent for my detractors in the Duterte regime to include in the film clip in my photos with various beautiful persons over a period of two decades. These photos have been taken during happy public occasions in which I and the other persons (overseas Filipino workers, academics, and TV entertainment personalities) are properly dressed and behave in a friendly way towards each other," said Sison.

Sison had hoped to end his exile under President Rodrigo Duterte but the negotiations collapsed last year. In December last year, Duterte signed a proclamation declaring the CPP-New People's Army as a terrorist organization. (READ: PH military vows to reduce by half NPA's 3,700 fighters)

The NPA and its so-called "support groups" were included as new targets in Malacañang's request to Congress for a one-year extension of martial law in Mindanao, although a military document shows the communist armed group was a target from the beginning.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/193296-joma-sison-citizenship-fake-news

1 soldier slain, 3 civilians wounded by IEDs in Maguindanao

From InterAksyon (Jan 10): 1 soldier slain, 3 civilians wounded by IEDs in Maguindanao



Army soldiers patrol in a forest in Maguindanao. (photo by Dennis Arcon, InterAksyon)

A soldier was killed and three civilians, including a child, were wounded in separate bombings in the towns of Datu Hoffer and Datu Unsay, Maguindanao on Tuesday, authorities said.

The civilians, including a 10-year old child, were hurt in the first blast, which happened around 6 a.m. on the Decalungan Bridge in Datu Hoffer.

Private First Class Ian Celeste of the 57th Infantry Battalion, on the other hand, was involved in a clearing operation on the highway in Barangay Maitumaig in Datu Unsay when the second improvised explosive device was detonated past 8 a.m., killing him instantly.

Colonel Gerry Besana, spokesman of the Army’s Task Force Central, said military detachments have also been constantly harassed by gunmen of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, who are believed to be behind the IED blasts as well.

The municipal peace and order councils of the two towns and of Datu Saudi convened a joint meeting with the military and police following the blasts.

On Wednesday, Governor Esmael Mangudadatu is scheduled to preside over a provincial peace and order council meeting to discuss the continued bombings and violence that earlier prompted a state of calamity to be declared in Datu Unsay.

http://www.interaksyon.com/1-soldier-slain-3-civilians-wounded-by-ieds-in-maguindanao/

Abu Sayyaf threat subsides after 2017 military ops – Gen. Galvez

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 5): Abu Sayyaf threat subsides after 2017 military ops – Gen. Galvez

The Abu Sayyaf threat is waning as government troops have accumulatively neutralized members of the infamous terrorist group during the past year.

According to Lieutenant General Carlito Galvez, Jr., commanding officer of the Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom), soldiers under his command have neutralized a total of 352 Abus for the year 2017. Specifically, 128 bandits were killed during military operations and 80 were apprehended.

Add to that some 144 Abus from Zamboanga City, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi have returned to the folds of the law.

General Galvez also reported that 223 firearms were either recovered, seized or surrendered to the government.

For 2017, Wesmincom reports that 26 soldiers died serving their country combating the Abu Sayyaf terrorist threat.

“Ultimately, our efforts will continue to sustain our development support operations in Mindanao, through our interagency and stakeholder engagements and our commitment in supporting the law enforcement operations of different agencies,” said General Galvez.

http://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1003883

The Mindanao Trust Fund: Supporting Reconstruction and Development in Conflict-affected areas in Mindanao

Posted to the Relief Web (Jan 10): The Mindanao Trust Fund: Supporting Reconstruction and Development in Conflict-affected areas in Mindanao

 

Report from World Bank
Published on 10 Jan 2018 — View Original


As of June 2017, about 650,000 people (52 percent of whom are women) in 284 villages across Mindanao have benefited from 641 community infrastructure and livelihood subprojects (access roads, water systems, community centers and pre- and post-harvest facilities) and support for community-enterprise development.

Challenge

Conflict-affected communities in Mindanao are among the poorest in the Philippines suffering from poor infrastructure and lack of basic services (including education and health), weak local governance, and minimal private sector investment. Insecurity has been a major challenge. Frequent armed clashes driven by multiple and inter-related forms of conflict—insurgent groups, clan disputes, and quasi-ideological criminal banditry—have created severe economic dislocation and displacement of people. Armed conflict and poverty are inextricably linked. The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), one of the most heavily conflict-affected regions, has poverty incidence of 52.9 percent, almost double the national average. Based on the peace deal with the Philippine government in 2012, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is expected to transition into a social and political movement. One of the key challenges for a successful transition is to help the MILF build development planning, budgeting, and public administration skills within its ranks.

Approach

The MTF works to enhance access to services and economic opportunities and build social cohesion while enhancing the capacity of local institutions in conflict-affected areas. It supports the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA), the development arm of the MILF. Based on a 2001 agreement between the Government of the Philippines and the MILF, the BDA is tasked to determine, lead, and manage relief, rehabilitation, and development projects in the conflict-affected areas. It’s a unique project that enables various stakeholders—government, the World Bank, and other development partners—to work with a revolutionary movement in delivering development results even before the signing of a final peace agreement.

With an enhanced role of women, the program helps the BDA to deliver community development and income-generating subprojects in communities. This enhances access to basic services such as clean water, roads and day care centers. BDA also works to strengthen community enterprises for employment and income generation. The community-based approach brings people from different groups—Muslims, Christians, and Indigenous Peoples—together for the common good, building social cohesion and trust. Over time the program has expanded beyond community development to assist the BDA to develop skills in macro-development planning.

A broad package of engagement complements the MTF promoting inclusive growth across Mindanao. For example, US$121 million for farm-to-market roads in Mindanao is included in the nation-wide PRDP while the National Community Driven Development Project is financing US$190 million for CDD activities in Mindanao.

Results

Results of April 2017:

Over a decade, 650,000 people (52% of whom are women) in 284 villages have benefitted from 641 subprojects financed by the MTF. The subprojects have included water systems, community centers, sanitation facilities, access roads, post-harvest facilities, and farming and fishing equipment. Eighty-six percent of the beneficiaries say that the project reflected their needs.

The subprojects have reduced travel time to market, increased agricultural productivity, reduced post-harvest costs, and increased access to basic services such as clean water. Beneficiaries of income-generating subprojects reported a 10 to 20 percent increase in incomes.

About 330,383 women beneficiaries learned skills in community planning and implementation.

42 community enterprises in 11 villages have been trained in business development to generate sustainable employment and income.

The Bangsamoro Development Agency has evolved from a small group of volunteers with no development experience to a leading development agency in Mindanao with 300 staff across seven regional management offices. BDA cooperates with multiple national and international partners, including JICA, WFP, and UNICEF.

Bangsamoro Development Plan: the MTF provided technical assistance to help the BDA formulate the first comprehensive economic development blueprint prepared by a non-state armed group.

Under the Alternative Learning System project, about 1,832 former combatants, housewives and out-of-school youth reported increased confidence because of improved reading, writing and numeracy abilities. These contributed to their more active participation in community meetings, stronger support for their children’s schoolwork, and better fair farm pricing transactions in city markets.

The MTF has remained an important mechanism for consolidating peace and development in Mindanao. Beyond the impact of subprojects at the community level, the program’s ability to converge government and international support to empower Bangsamoro people and institutions to lead in community development seeks to lay the foundation for future sustainable and inclusive development in the Bangsamoro.

The program fostered social cohesion by creating spaces for dialogue between Muslims, Christians, and Indigenous Peoples, as well as a diverse mix of local, regional, and national institutional actors. In many remote locations, the project provided the only opportunity for different groups to interact. The increased familiarity built mutual understanding—the basis of trust. Project policies also ensured active and meaningful participation of indigenous peoples and women, who are often otherwise marginalized from decision-making processes at the village level.

The participative approach fostered social unity and built trust among stakeholders. In tri-people communities, minority groups shared better understanding and more harmonious relations with Muslims due to the consensus-building nature of CDD/CDR. While residents of remote communities—who had had little to no government access—disclosed growing trust towards government institutions at the end of the project due to the assistance provided by officials.

The Bank’s technical and analytical support through the MTF and other engagements supporting peace and development in Mindanao have produced a significant body of literature that helps inform policy dialogues among various stakeholders. For instance, the Land Conflict study prepared for the Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission provides short- and medium-term recommendations that can help address land conflict in Mindanao. Also, the Public Expenditure Review in basic education for the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao promoted dialogue between the national government and ARMM. This enabled ARMM to secure a larger budget for education.

Bank Group Contribution
The Mindanao Trust Fund (MTF) enables development agencies to pool resources and coordinate support for conflict-affected areas in Mindanao. The MTF is administered by the World Bank, which contributed US$1.5 million out of a total of US$28.88 million.

The Bank’s development partners have made the following contributions: European Union (US$17.66 million), Sweden (US$4.29 million), Australia (US$2.89 million), Canada (US$1.6 million), the United States (US$.75M) and New Zealand (US$0.2 million).

Partners

Besides the BDA, other partners in the project are: Community and Family Services International (CFSI), a humanitarian organization that has been involved in reconstruction and development work in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao since 2000; the Mindanao Land Foundation (MinLand), a nongovernmental organization that has been working for social cohesion building in conflict-affected communities in Mindanao since 2001; and the International Labour Organization (ILO).

CSFI, MinLand and the ILO operate as a financial intermediary for the program and source of technical assistance to BDA to ensure smooth operations and efficient fund use.

The MTF is governed by a Steering Committee co-chaired by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process. The BDA also works with local government units (LGUs) in project sites and has signed Memorandums of Agreement with 79 LGUs to promote cooperation and support for the program.

Moving Forward

From 2017 to 2019, the MTF will continue to provide socioeconomic assistance to communities in the Six Acknowledged Camps to help transform them into peaceful and productive areas. Expanding beyond the BDA, the project will train MILF’s Task Force on Camps Transformation officers to lead in community organizing and project monitoring. Meanwhile, 343 People’s Organizations that have undergone capacity building will continue to maintain community infrastructure and operate community enterprises for income generation. World Bank engagement continues to respond to evolving needs in conflict-affected areas of Mindanao. The Bank is closely working with government, development partners, and other stakeholders to deliver technical support for recovery and reconstruction in Marawi City.

Beneficiaries

“I cried when water spouted out of the water system. It was an affirmation that life will be a little better for us now.” (Nhor Asia Momin, secretary of the Upper Campo Islam People’s Organization, in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur.)

“What [the project] has done is allow people’s organizations whose members are of different faiths to interact – an opportunity that was not available before. Now we say hello to each other when we meet in the streets.” (Morsid Macabangin, People’s Organization President, Barangay Koronadal Proper, Polomolok, South Cotabato)

“The community-driven development program worked because it allowed us to identify our needs, maximize our resources, and implement the project in the manner reflective our customs.” (Tessie Piang, a Teduray and People’s Organization President, Barangay Pilar, Upi, Maguindanao.)

https://reliefweb.int/report/philippines/mindanao-trust-fund-supporting-reconstruction-and-development-conflict-affected

Presence of foreign terrorists remains a challenge in PH

From Rappler (Jan 10): Presence of foreign terrorists remains a challenge in PH

At least one faction of the Maguindanao-based Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) is coddling foreign terrorists 




The continuing presence of foreign terrorists remains a challenge in the Philippines months after its military defeated in Marawi City local armed groups linked with international terrorist network Islamic State (ISIS).

At least one faction of the Maguindanao-based Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) is coddling foreign terrorists, according to Mohagher Iqbal, peace implementing panel chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

"The BIFF has foreign elements in their ranks," Iqbal told Rappler on Tuesday, January 9.

BIFF, the breakaway group of the MILF, is the same group that coddled Malaysian bomber Zulkifli Binhir. Marwan, as he was more popularly known, was the target of a bungled police raid in Mamasapano, Maguindanao in January 2015 that killed 44 elite cops.

BIFF leaders have also pledged allegiance to ISIS, based on their recent video releases.

The group is one of the threats that the government cited when it asked Congress to extend martial law in Mindanao. (READ: End martial law? Lorenzana warns vs another Marawi)

Reports from Malaysia, Indonesia

What is not clear is if the foreign terrorists are new arrivals or they have been staying in the Philippines even before the Marawi siege erupted in May 2017.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said foreign militaries have warned the Philippines against the continuing entry of foreign terrorists.

"There are reports coming from other countries. Malaysia ang Indonesia are reporting that there's an increase of foreign terorrists in our southern back door. We are trying to verify that," Lorenzana told reporters in an interview on Tuesday.

"We are conducting continuous intelligence gathering," he added.

The BIFF has been the target of persistent military operations – including air strikes – in Cental Mindanao.

Different roles for foreigners

Philippine Army chief Lieutenant General Rolando Bautista said foreigners provide different kinds of assistance to local armed groups.

"Sa ngayon hindi namin ma-quantify. They just come in. Hindi mo alam kung talagang foreign fighter in terms of sasama sa actual engagement or they will just provide technical support other than the armed component," Bautista said. (As of now, it's hard to say how many foreign fighters there are. They just come in. It's hard to tell if they are foreign fighters in the sense that they will participate in actual engagements or they will just provide technical support other than the armed component.)

Bautista said they are also continuing work to make sure that the local armed groups do not have access to resources from foreign fighters abroad.

"Mayroon na tayong mga means kung paano natin mapuputol o ma-cut off ang support. Ang solution kasi ngayon is not more on the tactical operation. We already leveled up. Ang solution is strategic. Hindi ko na pwedeng i-expound 'yun," he said. (We have the means to cut off the support. The solution now is not more on the tactical operation. We already leveled up. The solution is strategic. I can no longer expound on that.)

https://www.rappler.com/nation/193276-foreign-jihadis-remain-challenge-philippines