AFP sees NPA threat being degraded

From the Philippine Star (Feb 5): AFP sees NPA threat being degraded

“Should the trend continue, the AFP is confident that it could hit its target,” AFP spokesman Col. Edgard Arevalo said yesterday. Noel Celis/AFP
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is optimistic that the country’s insurgency problem will be resolved soon, citing the diminishing strength – if not the imminent defeat – of the New People’s Army (NPA).

The AFP issued the statement following the surrender of 326 NPA guerrillas last month.

“Should the trend continue, the AFP is confident that it could hit its target,” AFP spokesman Col. Edgard Arevalo said yesterday.

He said the higher number of surrenders in January alone indicated what to expect in the coming months, although the military is careful not to claim that victory is at hand when it comes to neutralizing the NPA.

While many are turning themselves in, Arevalo said the AFP is doing its best to prevent the communist group from recruiting new members.

“We’re going to deny them the opportunity to recruit. Not only will our combat and focused military operations continue, but also our programs to inform the would-be recruits of what awaits them through the help of their local government and communities if they change their ways,” he said.


The unprecedented number of NPA surrenderees can be attributed to President Duterte’s call for the rebels to lay down their arms, AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Emmanuel Garcia said.

He said among those who recently surrendered to the military was 35-year-old Gemma Quiroga of Davao Oriental, who turned herself in to the Army’s 28th Infantry Battalion on Jan. 28.

Quiroga served as a doctor for the rebels and chairperson of Anakpawis, a known leftist organization in Mati City.

Garcia said the AFP is hoping that the influx of surrenderees would encourage other rebels to also lay down their arms, abandon extremist violence and go for peace.

The AFP commended its various units on the ground for effectively using military pressure against the NPA and for the humane treatment of those who surrender.

http://www.philstar.com:8080/headlines/2018/02/05/1784688/afp-sees-npa-threat-being-degraded

ASG extortion activities worsen in Basilan

From the Manila Bulletin (Feb 4): ASG extortion activities worsen in Basilan

The Department of Public Works and Highways in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DPWH-ARMM) has expressed fears about the possible delay in the implementation and completion of vital infrastructure projects scheduled this year in Basilan province due to the persistent threat posed by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) on its officials and workers.

DPWH-ARMM Basilan District Engineer Soler I Undug yesterday said renegade ASG leaders are threatening them with harm should they continue to refuse to extend them protection money.

Undug said that if these series of threats will continue, the implementation and completion of vital government projects in the province might be delayed.

According to Undug the protection money that these ASG was asking for ranged from P200,000 or more, in areas where government projects were being implemented.

“We, in the government service, are not authorized to deal with them, more so, to give protection money to rebels like the Abu Sayyaf Group where government project we are implementing,” Undug said.

“We don’t deny that our fear is there, especially during our travel to the construction site as we might be ambushed by these ASG rebels anytime, while we are heading to the construction site in the province aboard government service trucks and vehicles,” he said.

According to reports, ASG leaders Jaid Mawalil and Nur Hassan were among those who have been trying to extort money from the DPWH officials in the province.

Mawalil is operating in the towns of Tuburan, Moh Ajul, Akbar while Hassan is operating in the towns of Tipo-Tipo, Tuburan and Lamitan City area, all in the province of Basilan.

As this developed, local residents have asked police and military authorities to conduct operations against the group in their suspected lairs in the province.

They urged the Joint Task Force Basilan, headed by Col Juvimax Uy, to conduct surgical operations in known ASG lairs in the province in order to free the people from possible ASG harassment.

As martial law implementor in the province, they said Uy should show that the military is on top of the situation and can illuminate them (ASG) anytime without fear, they said.

A government official in the province said, they couldn’t feel the implementation of martial law in the province as they can still see people moving around in public with their firearms in their waists.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/02/04/asg-extortion-activities-worsen-in-basilan/

Sayyaf bombs engineer’s house to demand P200,000

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Feb 5): Sayyaf bombs engineer’s house to demand P200,000

A day after killing two men in an ambush, Abu Sayyaf members bombed the house of the district engineer of Basilan province in what officials said was a bid to extort money.

Supt. Restituto Pangusban, Isabela City police chief, said no one was hurt in the explosion outside the house of Soler Undug, Basilan district engineer, at 9 p.m. on Thursday.

It was the third time it was targeted by the terrorists. 

Undug said Abu Sayyaf was demanding protection money of up to P200,000 a month to spare government road projects in Basilan from attacks.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/966071/sayyaf-bombs-engineers-house-to-demand-p200000

3 Abu Sayyaf bandits surrender to military in Basilan

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Feb 4): 3 Abu Sayyaf bandits surrender to military in Basilan



The island province of Basilan (in red shading) in Mindanao (Image from Google Maps)

Three Abu Sayyaf bandits – one of them among the most wanted gunmen in Basilan – have surrendered to the military in Basilan.

On Sunday, Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez, chief of the Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) identified them as Garama Sulayman, 21; Omar Jaljalis, 18; and Marhaban Pael, 24.

The bandits turned over two M16-A1 rifles, a 5.56-millimeter Carbine rifle, and ammunition.

Based on military data, Sulayman is the No. 9 most wanted Abu Sayyaf bandit in Basilan under Subleader Radzmil Jannatul.

Jaljalis used to be with the group of Furuji Indama. No description was given for Pael.

Galvez said the three bandits first sought the help of Sumisip Mayor Boy Hataman, who in turn contacted the military on Saturday.

The there are now under custody of the military in Basilan.

According to Galvez, 170 bandits have surrendered to the military since 2017 – 75 from Basilan, 60 from Sulu, 33 from Tawi-Tawi, and two from Zamboanga City.

“Surrenderees in the Basulta [Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi] areas continue to snowball as the Western Mindanao Command, through the different Joint Task Forces, sustains its security operations, particularly isolating the reformables from the hard core ASG members, through community-based dialogue, community support programs, and diplomatic mentoring,” Galvez said.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/966020/3-abu-sayyaf-bandits-surrender-to-military-in-basilan

3 notorious Abu Sayyaf surrender in Basilan

From the Sun Star-Zamboanga (Feb 4): 3 notorious Abu Sayyaf surrender in Basilan

THREE notorious members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) have surrendered to the military authorities in the province of Basilan, officials announced on Sunday, February 4.

 

Brigadier General Juvymax Uy, Army’s 104th Infantry Brigade commander, identified them as Garama Sulayman, 21; Omar Jaljalis, 18; and, Marhaban Pael, 34.

 

Uy said they surrendered around 7 p.m., Saturday, February 3, and turned over two M-16 “Baby Armalite” rifles and a Carbine rifle with ammunition.

 

Uy said Mayor Gulam Hataman of Sumisip municipality has facilitated the surrender of the three bandits. They were taken to the headquarters of the 104th Infantry Brigade for custodial debriefing, medical checkup, and proper disposition.

 

Uy said the surrenderees informed them they decided to surrender due to difficulties in life and maltreatment from their leaders.

 

“We gladly welcome our surrenderees and those other members who wish to lay down their arms and end the armed conflicts in BASULTA (Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi) areas. There can be no better solution but to work in harmony to end terrorism,” Lieutenant General Carlito Galvez Jr., Western Mindanao Command chief, said.

 

The surrender of the three have brought to 170 the total number of Abu Sayyaf bandits who surrendered to the government authorities since last year. Of the total, 75 have surrendered in Basilan; 60 in Sulu; 33 in Tawi-Tawi; and, two in Zamboanga City.
 

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/zamboanga/local-news/2018/02/04/3-notorious-abu-sayyaf-surrender-basilan-587259

Lumad communities flee homes anew in Surigao

From the often pro-Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) online publication the Davao Today (Feb 4): Lumad communities flee homes anew in Surigao

Twelve Lumad communities composed of 161 families or 758 individuals decided to evacuate on Monday, January 29 due to series of threats, harassment and intimidation allegedly by military troops. (Photo courtesy of Higala: Friends of the Lumad in Caraga)

Twelve indigenous peoples’ communities fled their homes in Surigao del Sur due to the heavy military presence in the area, a Lumad group reported.

Sarry Campos, spokesperson of MAPASU or the Malahutayong Pakigbisog Alang sa Sumusunod, a local IP group, told Davao Today in a phone interview that at least 161 families composed of 758 individuals are currently seeking refuge in Km. 9 Barangay Diatagon, Lianga town, while unaccounted number of individuals are currently staying with their relatives.

 

The Lumad communities decided to evacuate on Monday, January 29 due to series of threats, harassment and intimidation allegedly by military troops.

“How can we go to our farmlands if the military troops are present around the community? Lumad farmers were interrogated and were asked to present their identification cards,” Campos said.

He added, “clearly they are harassing civilians. If they failed to provide IDs, soldiers will take photos and threaten them that if something will happen to military troops, the state forces will go after the civilians.”

A civilian was also forced by the soldiers to surrender “even he vehemently denied he was an NPA member.”

Also affected were 706 students and 51 faculty staff of Alternative Lumad school Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural Development (ALCADEV) and Tribal Filipino Program of Surigao del Sur (TRIFPS).

 

Classes were suspended at the school but the faculty continued lessons inside the evacuation center.

Campos said that the “intensified military operations in the countryside especially in Lumad communities clearly shows that the military is not going after the NPAs but communities and organizations that struggle to defend their ancestral lands from mining and foreign corporations.”

 

Kahugpungan sa mga Lumadnong Organisasyon (KASALO) – Caraga said in a statement that eight battalions of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) under two brigades were deployed in the region “resulting in widespread human rights violations.”

“All these are being implemented to eliminate opposition against the continuing operation of 23 large scale nickel, chromite and gold mines and the entry of 15 coal mining operations, expansion of banana and oil palm plantations and other destructive projects within our ancestral lands,” it added.

On Thursday, Duterte told the Lumad delegates of the indigenous peoples leaders summit in Davao that he wants ancestral domain in Mindanao to be opened for investors.

“I’ll do the search of investors myself,” he said.

Duterte said this would help for the development of Lumad communities and assured leaders that they will be given chance to decide.

“Kung muingon mo dili mag-mina, dili (ta) mag-mina. Kung mag hugaw-hugaw sa inyong lugar, barahon nako (If you don’t want mining, then we won’t do it. If they’ll mess around your area, I’ll block them),” Duterte added.

But for Campos, the entry of big companies does not mean real development for Lumad communities.

“For decades, we have witnessed other areas where mining operates but there was no real progress as these operations only destroyed the natural environment and people’s livelihood,” Campos said.

Campos urged the Duterte administration to pull-out military troops from civilian communities.

“He [Duterte] should respect our right to self-determination and ancestral lands. We can develop our own communities through our indigenous practices in agriculture and free education,” he added.

http://davaotoday.com/main/human-rights/lumad-communities-flee-homes-anew-in-surigao/

China squeezing out Manila in sea dispute – expert

From the Manila Times (Feb 4): China squeezing out Manila in sea dispute – expert

First of two parts

 Beijing is only holding off its plans to build over the disputed Scarborough Shoal in order to squeeze out everything from the Duterte administration and move to the “next step,” according to a maritime expert.

Gregory Poling, director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative and Southeast Asia program fellow of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, made the statement on Friday as he pointed out that China has been building structures over disputed waters in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea).

Poling backed a statement made by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana last year that he was expecting China to eventually build “something” over Scarborough Shoal.

“It’s a matter of when, not if, and it’s a matter of what they built. So maybe, they don’t build another giant island [which]was easy to start in late 2013 when nobody was watching,” he said in an interview at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

“I promise that everybody won’t be publishing photos of Chinese [dredgers]tomorrow if [it]started today, so maybe, it’s a small facility,” Poling added.

His statements came days after the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) patrolled Scarborough Shoal where it monitored more Chinese vessels including fishing and Coast Guard ships surrounding the territory.

For him, there was also a “political decision” that China feels that it is winning the dispute with other claimants to the waters 124 nautical miles off Masinloc, Zambales.


“If China feels right now that it is winning, why provoke crisis with the Duterte administration? You know, day by day the Chinese are allowed to strengthen their military control over the South China Sea and the Philippines does nothing in response,” Poling explained.

‘Next phase’

He said Manila might be “forced” to take action once Beijing spoiled its authority over the territorial waters.

“If they overplay their hand at Scarborough Shoal, Malacañang might be forced to respond and I think they will hold off to build in Scarborough Shoal until they [China] feel like they have extracted as much as they can from the Duterte government,” Poling added.

“Then, they will move on to the next phase,” he said.

The maritime expert visited the Philippines as part of the US State Department-sponsored multi-country speaker program that includes two days in the country.

Another point Poling raised is that the claimant nations must take the first necessary steps to come up with a “clear-eyed” policy recognizing the worthiness of pursuing the Code of Conduct (CoC) drafted during last year’s Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit, which was hosted by the Philippines.

In August 2017, China and Southeast Asian foreign ministers adopted a negotiating framework for a Code of Conduct in the disputed South China Sea that was hailed by the Asean foreign affairs leaders.

President Rodrigo Duterte mentioned during the Asean Leaders’ Summit last year that China “graciously agreed” to bind itself to the drafted agreement by the foreign ministers.

But for Poling, it was obvious that China was not willing to bind itself to the code, citing the establishment of several man-made islands in the disputed waters.

“The evidence of the last 18 months or so does not support the idea that China is willing to negotiate the binding of the Code of Conduct that brought all parties,” he said.

“This is not to say that the [CoC] talks are a waste of time, that we should not be reaching out to China automatically, simply, we should be doing this with open eyes and recognize that the Chinese built thousands of square meters of military facilities over the course of 2017,” Poling added.

‘Coercive tactic’

While Asean countries, particularly the claimants to the South China Sea territories were discussing the code, China had already built bunkers, missile shelters and radar facilities that can be described as a “coercive tactic,” according to him.

“If you haven’t put the footage in there yet, it’s like waving around an empty gun and it’s inherently threatening at the same time,” he said.

Structures on the man-made islands in South China Sea sum up China’s approach as “military in nature,” Poling added.

He said over the “rainy days,” China will be basing its fighter jets on a runway built over the waters.

“You’re going to see more signals of intelligence and things like that. You’re gonna keep on seeing the increase in number of Chinese coast guards and maritime naval ships making calls to these,” according to Poling.

“Little by little, the Chinese plan seems to establish [a]de facto control, maybe without provoking an immediate sharp clash but by sheer force of number that eventually is going to be there such as coast guards and navy ships,” he added.

Poling said every claimant nations should be “realistic” with their expectations from the Asean Summit in Manila that China would bind itself to the Code of Conduct drafted earlier last year.

“Asean is not a mutual security alliance. It’s not equipped to handle something like this [because]Asean is about confidence-building and socializing China into habits of cooperation,” he explained.

“There is a whole lot of options between surrender and war that are not being tried and the idea that in theory, a future war would be winnable but nobody wants to go to war [over]the South China Sea. But does that [not]mean that we cannot talk about other stuff in the middle?” Poling added.

(To be continued)

http://www.manilatimes.net/china-squeezing-manila-sea-dispute-expert/378031/

General linked to plunder named Army camp commander

From the Manila Times (Feb 4): General linked to plunder named Army camp commander

AN Army general, who was charged with plunder before the Sandiganbayan, was named the new camp commander of Fort Bonifacio, home of the 75,000-strong Philippine Army.

Brig. Gen. Roy Devesa, former brigade commander of the Army’s 503rd Infantry Brigade, replaced Col. Kiram-Azcar Grajo, who served as head in acting capacity after Brig. Gen. Rodel Mauro Alarcon retired in January 24, 2017.

The Office of the Ombudsman exonerated in 2013 Devesa, who was accused of allegedly misusing P2.3 billion in military funds.

Also charged with Devesa were former Armed Forces chiefs Diomedio Villanueva, Roy Cimatu and Efren Abu, who all served under the administration of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo; two resident auditors and several military officers.

Devesa had a rank of full colonel in 2012 when the charges were filed against him.

It was retired Col. George Rebusa, a former budget officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines who revealed the corruption issues within the military organization.

It was Maj. Gen. Robert Arevalo who presided the change of command ceremony between Devesa and Grajo.

Arevalo himself was charged with plunder but was also cleared by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales.

Devesa is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Sandiwa” Class of 1985, whose members include Maj. Gen. Restituto Padilla Jr., former AFP spokesman and now AFP deputy chief of staff for plans; Vice Admiral Narciso Vingson Jr., AFP deputy chief of staff; Lt. Gen. Rolando Joselito Bautista, commanding general of the Philippine Army; Lt. Gen. Galileo Garard Kintanar Jr., commanding general of the Philippine Air Force, among others.

http://www.manilatimes.net/general-linked-plunder-named-army-camp-commander/378189/

NFA employees must fill up new forms on ‘affiliation’ with AFP. Forced conscription of civilian state workers?

From InterAksyon (Feb 4): NFA employees must fill up new forms on ‘affiliation’ with AFP. Forced conscription of civilian state workers?



The cover letter from NFA personnel instructing employees to fill up the new forms.

The human rights group Karapatan is questioning why the National Food Authority is “affiliating” itself with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and requiring its personnel to fill up forms in relation to this.

The rights group raised the alarm following reports from the public sector union Confederation for Unity, Recognition, and Advancement of Government Employees, or COURAGE, about a January 18 memorandum — HRMD-MSBD-REC-2K18-A-0062 — issued by lawyer Anna Karina Coronel, manager III of the NFA’s human resource management department, asking officials and employees to fill up a lengthy “Personal History Statement” on such information as one’s personal background, work history, location of residence, countries visited, and even credit reputation, and to submit these by January 31.

Aside from this information, the form also requires five character references, the names of three neighbors, and asks if one is “willing to undergo periodic lie detector test.”

The forms are also downloadable (https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiCjuC4x4vZAhVDe7wKHVJHAXcQFggoMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fadroth.ph%2Fafpmodern%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2011%2F11%2FPHS-Form3.doc&usg=AOvVaw3zYGNZ4cO9kN1ZgkMsxc0N) from theAFP website.

A similar downloadable form, this time from the Philippine Coast Guard (http://www.pcgauxiliary.com/uploads/1/7/6/3/17630795/annex_iii_personal_history_statement_form_.pdf), is called an “applicant’s personal history statement form.”

There is also a separate “security declaration” supposed to be “read and signed by all military personnel, civilian employees, foreign students and research contract personnel,” that binds them to confidentiality regarding any classified information during and after their tenure in the AFP.

COURAGE president Ferdinand Gaite said this is the first time NFA personnel have been required to fill up such forms.

 Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay said the form “is, in essence, conscription to military service, either as part of the military’s reserve force or its auxiliary. This takes militarization of the civilian bureaucracy to a whole new level.”

“We do not know what Duterte and his cohorts in the military and Cabinet are up to, but this suspicious move merits proper investigation,” Palabay said. “If this is forced conscription of government employees, imposed and especially without due consent, the people behind this memo should be held accountable.”

She also worried that “this could be happening in other agencies as well,” adding that “the effect of such a scheme is chilling, especially for a government that is already threatening a crackdown on legitimate organizations and its citizens.”

“Turning entire agencies and government institutions into intelligence networks would have an inevitable, adverse effect to people’s freedom of assembly and their right to organize,” she said. “There is a need to map out where else this is happening, as well as to investigate the motive behind this.”

“In the context of continued political persecution, killings, illegal arrests and harassment among the ranks of activists, members of progressive organizations, human rights defenders and civilians, such a memorandum raises many red flags,” she added.

http://www.interaksyon.com/nfa-employees-must-fill-up-new-forms-on-affiliation-with-afp-forced-conscription-of-civilian-state-workers/

Ex-CSC chief is new Army Reserve commander

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 4): Ex-CSC chief is new Army Reserve commander



Former Civil Service Commission (CSC) chief in this province, Major Eleanor Marco Prado, is now the new battalion commander of the Army's 307th Community Defense Center, the Aurora Ready Reserve Infantry Battalion (ARRIBn).

Prado officially assumed her new post Saturday afternoon in a change-of-command ceremony presided by Col. Danilo Cariǹo, group commander of the 3rd Regional Community Defense Group (3RCDG), Army Reserve Command based at the Northern Luzon Command in Tarlac .

“This is my dream, to be a soldier. As I assumed the duties and responsibilities as battalion commander of Army’s 307th ARRIBn, I considered it as a blessing. For the trust entrusted with me, a million thanks,” she said.

Prado vowed to continue the plans started by his predecessor, Lt. Col. Jessie Pimentel, and pledged to do her "best efforts."

“I will not promise but I will do my best, if not to surpass my predecessor at least get even with his accomplishment and to meet what is expected from me as a battalion commander. To the members of the Army’s 307th Community Defense Center and Aurora ARRIBn. Let us work together as a team,” she added.

Pimentel, for his part, said he would still work hand-in-hand with the command to intensify recruitment of reservists and to ensure that activities programmed for the province would be carried out.

“I am still inside the organization as the chief of our Standby Reserve Battalion,” Pimentel said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1024046

2 PAF AW-109 attack choppers up for maintenance

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 4): 2 PAF AW-109 attack choppers up for maintenance

Two of the Philippine Air Force's (PAF) brand-new AgustaWestland AW-109 attack helicopters, which were used extensively in the five-month battle to retake Marawi City from the clutches of the Maute terrorists, will be undergoing a periodic maintenance.

Budget for the acquisition of spares and services was placed at PHP23,398,000, the bid bulletin posted at the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System said.

Scheduled for maintenance are PAF AW-109 attack helicopters with tail numbers 815 and 823.

Submission and opening of bids is slated for Feb. 14, 9 a.m. at the PAF Procurement Center Conference Room, Villamor Air Base, Pasay City.

"All particulars relative to Eligibility Statement and Screening, Bid Security, Performance Security, Pre-Bidding Conference/s, Evaluation of Bids, Post-Qualification and Award of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of RA 9184 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR)," PAF Bids and Awards Committee chair Brig. Gen. Erickson R. Gloria said.

The first two PAF attack AW-109s were commissioned last Aug. 17, 2015 while the remaining six were formally accepted for PAF service on Dec. 5 of that year.

The Philippines signed an eight-unit attack AW-109E order with AgustaWestland in 2013 for PHP3. 44 billion.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1024030

AFP confident of neutralizing NPA as surrenders continue

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 4): AFP confident of neutralizing NPA as surrenders continue
With January's record number of surrendering New People's Army (NPA) members at 326, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) expressed confidence it would be able to meet the target of neutralizing the communist rebels soon.

"Ayaw nating sabihin na imminent but we're confident that we will be able to hit our target kung ang ating titingnan ay itong trend na ito, kasi ganyan na karaming (surrenders) January lang, magandang indicator to say the least," AFP spokesperson Col. Edgard Arevalo said Sunday.

Earlier, the AFP vowed to reduce NPA's strength nationwide by half, if not totally by this year.

"Mahirap tayong magsalita ng conclusive lalo't lalo na January pa lang naman ngayon, that's why very carefully sinasabi natin if this trend is going to continue we are confident that we will be able to hit our target," Arevalo said.

From Jan. 1 to 29, military records revealed that 310 NPAs surrendered from various parts of the country while the remaining 16 voluntarily gave themselves up from Jan. 30 to 31.

"The unprecedented number of surrenders is attributed to the call of President and AFP Commander-in-Chief Rodrigo Duterte on the rebels, as well as the hardship and sense of betrayal experienced by the returnees in staying with the NPA," AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Emmanuel Garcia said.

One of the notable surrenderees is Gemma Quiroga, 35, of Davao Oriental who surrendered to the 28th Infantry Battalion last Jan. 27.

Garcia said the former was a squad medic of the NPAs operating in Davao Oriental and was also designated as ANAKPAWIS chair, a known leftist organization, in Mati City.

"The AFP leadership congratulates its various units on the ground for the effective use of military pressure against the NPAs, as well as in their humane treatment of the former rebels," he added.

Garcia is hoping the recent surrenders will encourage other rebels to lay down their arms, abandon violent extremism and embrace the peaceful path towards.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1024038

Tribal leader, son killed by suspected NPA rebels

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 4): Tribal leader, son killed by suspected NPA rebels

A tribal leader of the Langilang-Manobo tribe and his son were shot dead by armed men inside their home in Barangay Palma Gil, Talaingod, Davao del Norte on Sunday dawn.

The victims, Datu Banadjao Mampaundag and his son, Jhonard Mampaundag, were attacked around 4 a.m. inside their home by the armed men posing as soldiers but were believed members of the New People’s Army (NPA).

AFP Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) spokesperson Maj. Ezra Balagtey said the attackers were Tagalog-speaking members of the NPA who entered the house of the Mampaundags and murdered the two tribal leaders.

Balagtey said a medical team from Talaingod was sent to give assistance but they stopped when the team heard an explosion.

The remains of Banadjao and Jhonard are still in Sitio Igang waiting to be retrieved.

The NPA members were believed to be in an ambush position and could possibly attack army troops who would respond to the incident.

The incident happened a day after Banadjao came home from the two-day "Panagtagbo Alang sa Kalinaw ug Kalambuan," an Indigenous Peoples Leaders’ Summit held in Davao City at the Green Height convention Center on January 31 and February 1.

Banadjao was one of the participants of the gathering at the EastMinCom headquarters in Panacan, Davao City where President Rodrigo Duterte called on tribal leaders from four regions in Mindanao to "dissociate from the NPA."

“Distansya mo as NPA. Ayaw mo pakig away (You distance yourselves from the NPA. Do not fight them,” he had told them.

The two-day IP Leaders Summit was aimed at providing the "lumads" with an avenue to air their concerns to the national government.

Two of the issues included security and lack of economic opportunities.

Banadjao was also one of those who signed a manifesto calling for a push on their struggle and fight for self-determination based on their customary laws, cultures and traditions passed by their ancestors that are deeply rooted in their communities.

In the manifesto, they vowed not to fail Duterte in his peace and development program spelled-out in the administration’s 10-point socioeconomic agenda.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1024035

Kidnap victim and son of Labason Mayor brought to Sulu by captors - Beltran

From Zamboanga Today Online (Feb 4): Kidnap victim and son of Labason Mayor brought to Sulu by captors - Beltran

Police authorities here disclosed yesterday that kidnap victim Jed Quimbo, a businessman and son of Labason Mayor Eddie Quimbo might have already been brought to Sulu by his kidnappers and was already turned over to the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) operating in the province.

Police Regional Office 9 regional director Chief Supt. Billy Beltran said that they have indications that Quimbo is now in the custody of the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu.

“Based from monitoring and intelligence information in the area we have indications that Quimbo and his captors were able to slip out of Zamboanga Del Norte and are now in Sulu,” Beltran revealed.

However, Beltran said they cannot prevent the Quimbo family from negotiating with the kidnappers, although the police and the military still maintain the government’s no-ransom policy.

As this developed, the PRO 9 chief said the police and the military are coordinating with each other and are exerting efforts for the rescue of the victim including others who are still in the custody of the bandit group.

Beltran added that the kidnap victim is alive based from the proof of life the family recently received directly from the kidnappers.

It will be recalled, Quimbo, 30, was forcibly taken by six heavily armed men while he tendering his grocery store in Labason, Zamboanga del Norte last September 6, 2017.

During the abduction, the employees and laborers in the grocery store failed to help Quimbo as all of them were held at gunpoint.

Responding police immediately launched hot pursuit operation but failed to catch up with the fleeing kidnappers. However, authorities recovered the van used by the captors which was abandoned along the coastal area of Barangay Osukan, just some three kilometers away from the town proper.

“We are doing everything to help rescue of the victim from his captors,” Beltran said.

 

http://www.zamboangatoday.ph/index.php/top-stories/23469-kidnap-victim-and-son-of-labason-mayor-brought-to-sulu-by-captors-beltran.html

Another NPA leader yields in Davao

From the Sun Star-Davao (Feb 4): Another NPA leader yields in Davao
ANOTHER top officer of the communist group surrendered to the military on February 1 in Sta Cruz, Davao Del Sur.

The surrenderer was identified as Alvie Marie Salvaleon Cominador alias Ara, the Secretary of Guerrilla Front (GF) 51 of Southern Mindanao Regional Command (SMRC).

She surrendered together with staff Sub-Regional Command (SRC) 3 named Shane Rosete Cacdac alias Neo. They surrendered to joint elements of 39IB and 73IB in Sta Cruz, Davao Del Sur last Thursday.

In an initial interview with the troops, Cominador revealed that she embraced the communist ideology since 1999 when she joined Kabataang Makabayan. Three years in the organization, she became a full time member of the New People’s Army (NPA) and rose in the hierarchy and became the Front Secretary of GF 51.

She has been in the communist movement for 16 years. According to her, she is already tired hiding from the government troopers who have launched an all-out war against the NPA.

They were pressured by this relentless offensive operation in the hinterland and at the same time, she already missed her children. This prompted her to decide to return to the folds of the law in order to live a normal and peaceful life.

“Gimingaw na ko sa akong pamilya labi na sa akoang mga anak, dili gyud ko makadalidali ug uli para makabisita sa ilaha kay tungod naa ko sa kalihukan, ug gi-kapoy na jud ko sigeg tagotago kay ang mga tropa nag sigeg operate [I miss my family specially my children, I can’t make myself available to them in times when they need me the most, because I am in the (CPP-NPA-NDF) movement. And I’m tired of hiding in the jungle and evading the intensive military operation],” she said.

It can be recalled that last January 15, 2018, Deputy Secretary of Far South Mindanao Region of CPP NPA, Noel MiniotoLegazpi, alias Efren, together with his wife JeanalynDefensorBendalian, alias Wendy, the medical staff of FSMR, surrendered to the troops of 27IB in South Cotabato.

Since then, notable number of NPA terrorists surrendered to the units under 1002nd brigade.

“With our intensive security operations and continuous collaborations with our stakeholders, we can array our efforts in attaining lasting peace,” 39IB commander Lieutenant Colonel Rhojun Rosales said.

 The former rebels will be presented to the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Davao Del Sur for immediate assistance and enrollment to the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) of the government for rebel returnees where they will receive financial and livelihood assistance.

The national government reiterated its call for the red fighters to lay down their arms and return to the mainstream society to enjoy the programs of the government.

"We are calling the attention of the remaining NPA terrorist of GF 51 and other Communist NPA Terrorist who are still hiding, to grab this opportunity to return to the folds of law together with your firearms. You deserve to have a peaceful life with your family. Most of your high ranking officials and members are already enjoying the support program of the government,” Colonel Roberto Ancan 1002nd Brigade Commander said.

 http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2018/02/04/another-npa-leader-yields-davao-587205