Ex-MILF Rebels Say They Won’t Disarm Unless Philippine Lawmakers Pass Autonomy Law

From BenarNews (Apr 3): Ex-MILF Rebels Say They Won’t Disarm Unless Philippine Lawmakers Pass Autonomy Law



A Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighter guards a road block in Sultan Kudarat town, Maguindanao province, southern Philippines, June 2015.

Jeoffrey Maitem/BenarNews                

 

Former Muslim rebels who signed a peace pact with Manila four years ago said Tuesday they would not disarm up to 9,000 of their fighters, as scheduled for next month, if the Philippine congress failed to pass an autonomy law.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front said the guerrillas would not give up their weapons unless the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) makes it through the legislature, MILF secretariat chairman Mohammad Ameen told BenarNews.

 

“How could you decommission the guns if there is no BBL?” Ameen said. “That will only happen if there will be a passage of the BBL. If none, no decommissioning.”

MILF had committed to lay down its weapons in phases under the “disarmament, demobilization and reintegration” component of the peace pact aimed at limiting violence in the strife-torn southern region of Mindanao.

“We are expecting 5,000 to 9,000 men of the MILF to be disarmed, demobilized and reintegrated if the BBL is passed by Congress in May,” said Nabil Tan, deputy presidential peace process undersecretary.

The 12,000-strong MILF dropped its bid for self-rule to settle for an expanded autonomy when it signed a peace deal with Manila in 2014.

BBL: A potential buffer against other Marawis
The BBL outlines the basic structure of the proposed autonomy in Mindanao, the country’s mineral-rich southern third where many areas remain mired in poverty because of the insurgency.

The Senate and the House of Representatives have previously failed to pass the BBL, largely out of fear that giving the minority Muslims greater power could lead to trouble.

A January 2015 clash between MILF guerrillas and members of a police commando unit left 44 officers dead as they were hunting down a wanted Malaysian terrorist did not help ease lawmakers’ apprehensions.

But MILF has gained some measure of trust after it helped the military go after Islamic State-linked militants who laid siege last year to the southern city of Marawi.

Legislators who toured Marawi in January said they were shocked by the extent of the damage in the area, and vowed to pass the bill immediately.

Passing the BBL, they said, would help prevent another Marawi from happening because it would finally give Muslims in the south their chance at self-determination that they have long sought.

Duterte, who met with MILF leaders in March to mark the fourth anniversary of the peace deal, assured them of the BBL’s passage in Congress that his allies in the majority control.

But in case Congress does not pass the bill, Duterte said he would go to the extent of “exercising his residual powers through administrative directives to fulfil this commitment.”

“If this does not get done during the presidency of President Duterte, we seriously doubt if we can do it at all, in the future,” MILF chief Murad Ebrahim had said.

MILF panel member Abhoud Syed Lingga said Congress should realize the urgency and pass the BBL amid concerns about a growing Islamic State (IS) presence in Mindanao.

Should the bill not pass, it would add to the frustrations of the Muslims in the south, a potential breeding ground for IS, he said.

“A breakthrough in the peace process is direly needed to address these frustrations,” Lingga said.

Congress has been on a break since late March, and will resume its sessions on May 14. It is set to adjourn on June 1, and officials said Duterte wanted the law to be enacted by then.

Congress failed to pass the BBL in 2015 after a public uproar following the deadly misencounter between the police commandoes and MILF rebels that January.

In 2008, the Supreme Court also rejected the Memorandum of Agreement on the Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) signed by the government and MILF – a precursor to the BBL that was signed between President Gloria Arroyo’s government and the rebels.

Following the rejection, armed members of MILF staged attacks in the provinces of Lanao del Norte and in central Mindanao, causing massive evacuations of residents.

https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/philippine/philippines-militants-04032018113622.html

Karapatan hits harassment of human rights workers

From the Manila Bulletin (Apr 4): Karapatan hits harassment of human rights workers

The human rights group Karapatan has assailed the alleged harassment of human rights workers by suspected military agents, saying these are “desperate acts of cowards in uniform”.

This was raised after the group received reports on the attempted break-in of the residence of one its officers in the Cordillera region and dissemination of false propaganda materials against human rights defenders, including Karapatan staff and officers, in Cagayan Valley.

Karapatan claimed that on March 30, 2018, suspected military agents attempted to enter the home of Audrey Beltran, member of the Karapatan National Council and Vice Chairperson of the Cordillera Human Rights Alliance (CHRA), a regional chapter of Karapatan.

In a Facebook post, Beltran said her family “heard loud thuds that alarmed us.”

“I was still awake at that time so I went to check whether some things fell in our kitchen where the sound came from. I was shocked to see that the kitchen door was open and that two locks have already been destroyed. Someone was pushing the door from the outside. I hurriedly took my phone and called up Station 5 of the Baguio City Police Office and also took effort to close the door without allowing whoever it was outside to get hold of me. After I was able to close the door, I heard faint footsteps of a person hurrying away from the door,” Beltran said.

“The attempt to break in to our house seemed planned and precise by the pieces of information we were able to gather. We could not discount it as just a mere case of burglary as it coincided with the harassment against our office, the Cordillera Human Rights Alliance and the Cordillera Peoples Alliance at #55 Ferguson Road, a day before the attempted break-in to our house,” she added.

On top of handling other cases of human rights violations in the Cordillera, CHRA is also assisting human rights defenders named in the Justice Department petition proscribing the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army as terrorist organizations.

Karapatan noted that the names of at least 60 human rights defenders were listed in the petition, including that of Karapatan National Executive Committee member Elisa Tita Lubi, two other officers of the Batangas Human Rights Alliance-Karapatan, and UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Victoria Tauli-Corpuz.

On April 2, flyers containing false and dangerous propaganda that incite and justify violence against ten human rights defenders in Cagayan Valley, including Karapatan staff and officers, were purportedly distributed by the military and its agents in Isabela.

Cristina Palabay Karapatan secretary-general, said the rights activists were tagged as “minions of godless communists” and “terrorists.”

“The more insidious motives of all this red-tagging and demonizing is to prevent the intelligent discussion of issues, and worse, to justify witch-hunting and physical attacks against activists and the communities they work with,” Palabay said.

“This incident also comes with the repeated public pronouncements of President Rodrigo Duterte inciting state-sponsored violence against Karapatan and other people’s organizations,” she added.

She claimed that since October 2017, Duterte has threatened to “go after” Karapatan and other progressive organizations at least six times, prompting the human rights alliance to file a complaint to UN independent experts on March 1, 2018.

The organization conducts monitoring and documentation work on human rights violations in the Philippines and provides services for victims of rights violations and their kin as part of their advocacy for human and people’s rights.

Palabay said Karapatan’s human rights workers in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Southern Tagalog, Negros, Panay, Central Visayas, Caraga, Socsksargends, and the Southern Mindanao region have been reporting several cases of surveillance, harassment and threats by state security forces since last year.

She said they also face fabricated charges filed by the military and police.

Palabay added the organization’s Negros Oriental coordinator, Elisa Badayos, was killed on November 28, 2017 during a fact finding mission.

Since 2001, there have been at least 40 human rights workers of Karapatan killed by state forces.

“Instead of addressing complaints of human rights violations, the Armed Forces of the Philippines shoots and harasses the messengers in its sorry attempts to silence and deter the work of the organization. These cowardly acts have reached new lows under the Duterte administration.” Palabay said.

“As Elisa Tita Lubi said in a statement, human rights attackers should back off and they should keep their hands off human rights defenders, their families and communities,” Palabay concluded.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/04/04/karapatan-hits-harassment-of-human-rights-workers/

Youth group condemns 'red-tagging' of activists

From the Philippine Star (Apr 3): Youth group condemns 'red-tagging' of activists

Anakbayan said police warnings are meant to keep the youth from seeing militarization themselves.
 

Youth group Anakbayan condemned what it called the government's malicious red-tagging of student organizations, saying this could be a prelude to crackdown against activists in schools and universities.

 

The group was reacting to activist groups being labeled recruiters of the Communist Party of the Philippines and of the New People’s Army,

“We condemn this latest publicity stunt by the Philippine National Police to further justify repression against organizations fighting the Duterte regime’s anti-people policies and fascist terror,” Anakbayan national secretary general Einstein Recedes said.

 

The recruiters of communist rebels, Recedes said, are not the activists but the PNP, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and President Rodrigo Duterte.

“By blatantly violating human rights, repressing legal dissent and silencing critical voices, they are pushing many to join the armed resistance,” he said.

Anakbayan’s statement came days after the PNP warned students against joining off-campus activities organized by groups with suspected links to communist guerrillas.

Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao, PNP spokesperson, also advised students not to visit areas with a heavy presence of communist rebels.

READ: PNP asks students: Shun NPA off-campus activities

The supposed maligning of youth groups is an attempt by the Duterte’s administration to “whitewash its fascist attacks against urban and rural poor communities.,” Recedes said.

“What Duterte really wants is to discourage the youth from going to the grassroots to see how urban and rural communities are militarized and prevent them from linking arms with the struggles of workers, urban poor, as well as farmers and indigenous peoples being driven off the land to make way for foreign investments,” he also said.

Duterte, in past speeches, has accused militant groups of being legal fronts of the communists.

Activists said the red-tagging by the chief executive and his men puts their lives in grave danger.

A Justice department petition was filed in a Manila court last month seeking to declare the CPP and NPA as terror groups and more than 600 individuals—most of whom are activists and rights defenders—as terrorists.

 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/04/03/1802447/youth-group-condemns-red-tagging-activists

Marines stick to their guns in bid for ‘independence’

From Business Mirror (Apr 2): Marines stick to their guns in bid for ‘independence’ 

The Philippine Marines has not given up on its bid of being transformed into a separate fighting force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and cut its umbilical cord from the Philippine Navy, which is its mother unit, although the idea had been shot down earlier by Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana.

“Every Marine personnel is in favor, however…whatever is its outcome, we will always obey the chain of command,” said Marine Commandant Maj. Gen. Alvin Parreño on Monday, adding the “separation” has no other intention, but to further improve the Marines as a unit.

“This is the clamor of every Marine deployed in many areas, and I, as their representative, it is my duty to express the sentiment of men under me. Lest, I will be remiss of my duty, in my obligation as their representative in their looking out for the welfare of the men and for the accomplishment of their mission,” the Marine commandant said.

The idea to detach the Marines from the Navy and count it as a separate armed service in the AFP, which is being supported and pushed by the current leadership of the Marines, had originated in the House of Representatives through Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez, a reserve Marine colonel.

While Parreño said that President Duterte, Lorenzana and the military leadership were addressing the “issues and concerns” of the Marines, they still have some questions on matters related to budgetary requirement.

“Our first concern is personnel and equipment that are needed in order to cope with the prevailing situation and the threats that may arise… those are our first concern because the people in the front line are in need of those equipment,” he said.

“We do not intend to compete with the Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force and Navy. We just want our troops, our table of organization to be filled up. The other branch of service, they may have other things, missions to do, but we also believe that we have some task to perform also in operations, especially in terms of, you know, we have built this expertise, 67 years of experience in amphibious operation and then the culture that we have as members of Philippine Marine Corps, and the doctrine is very important to all of us,” Parreño added.

Lorenzana is opposed to the separation of the Marines from the Navy, saying the Marines is basically a ground force and, as such, making it a separate service “doing the same functions as the Army will mean there will be two ground forces in the country.”

“The Philippine Marine Corps claims that they have particular skills like ship-to-shore operations. The Philippine Army could easily learn these skills,” he said.

“The Marines are expeditionary forces. In other countries like the US, their Marines, upon which we patterned ours, are utilized for overseas deployment. That is also true with the Royal Marines of the UK. Both units are invasion forces embedded with their navies. The Philippines, on the other hand, will not be invading foreign shores anytime soon or ever,” he added.

Lorenzana also said that, when the Marines was created in 1950 by an AFP general headquarters order, “it was designed as a light, hard striking force to pursue, pirates and smugglers. It was originally part of the Philippine Naval Patrol, which was the forerunner of the Philippine Fleet.”

He added: In short, “The Philippine Marines was created as an adjunct of the Philippine Navy and it was envisioned as a small force only.”

Parreño assured that, while the Marines may become a separate branch of service, it will see to it that the “umbilical cord is always there.”

“We are amphibious in nature, we will be coming from the sea. We know that the sea is not an obstacle, but is a [there] maneuver space for us. So, it’s a different perception on our part when we are on the sea, and we will develop some more in terms of doctrine, culture and many other things that pertains to the Philippine Marine Corps,” Parreño said.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/marines-stick-to-their-guns-in-bid-for-independence/

Surigao clashes yield rifle, IED

From the Mindanao Times (Apr 4): Surigao clashes yield rifle, IED

A SERIES of clashes between soldiers of the 36th Infantry Battalion and New People’s Army rebels in San Miguel, Surigao del Sur on Monday resulted in the recovery of high-powered rifle and an improvised explosive device in the encounter site.

Capt. Francisco Garello Jr., the civil-military operations officer of the 36th IB, told TIMES yesterday that the planned attempt of the armed group to attack the Bolhoon patrol base was foiled when the soldiers fired at the rebels.

Garello said the troops encountered more or less 30 NPA members in separate encounters in Barangay Bolhoon and Barangay San Roque of the same town at around 12:05 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. of April 3.

Troops of Bravo Company of 36th IB were sent to verify the report coming from local folk that armed men were surrounding the Bolhoon patrol base. Meanwhile, another group has set up a blocking force to thwart reinforcement.

Around past midnight, troopers clashed with more or less 15 NPAs for about 10 minutes as they cleared the perimeter of the patrol base.

On the other hand, Garello said soldiers encountered with the 10 rebels who served as a block force in Barangay San Roque of same town.

He said the enemy withdrew and scampered to different directions. Government forces recovered one AK47 rifle and one IED, along with the 150-meter wire.
Lt. Col. Xerxes A. Trinidad, the commanding officer of the 36th Infantry Battalion, credited the cooperation of the community in thwarting the attack. He said it proved that the people are fed up with the lies of the NPA.

“Once again, we are calling on the remaining (NPA) members to lay down their arms and surrender,” he said. “There’s no other option but to surrender or suffer the tragic consequences.”

Troops are still conducting pursuit operations.

http://mindanaotimes.net/surigao-clashes-yield-rifle-ied/

1,204 NPA supporters reoriented

From the Mindanao Times (Apr 4): 1,204 NPA supporters reoriented

A REORIENTATION program was conducted by the local government of Maco, Compostela Valley and the 71st Infantry (Kaibigan) Battalion for 1,204 former New People’s Army (NPA) members around 8 a.m. at the Barangay Anibongan gym on April 2.

1Lt. Jhocell D. Asis, the civil-military operations (CMO) officer of the 71st IB, said the event aims to reintroduce government programs to former NPA rebels and supporters in far-flung communities in the hopes of making their transition back to mainstream society easier.

The event was participated by identified members of the NPA’s underground mass organizations (UGMOs), former rebels and supporters from barangays Sangab, New Visayas, Magangit, Concepcion, Taglawig, New Asturias, Lapu-lapu, Dumlan, Anibongan, Mipangi, and Libay-libay of Maco.

She said the participants were given a chance to surrender and clear their names through a series of interviews and validations conducted by the Philippine Army and PNP personnel in the area.

Col. Erwin Bernard L. Neri, 1001st Infantry Brigade commander; Maco Vice Mayor Voltaire Carlos R. Rimando; Sr. Supt. Marvin Manuel P. Pepino, director Compostela Valley Provincial Police Office; Lt. Col. Esteveyn E. Ducusin, commanding officer of the 71st IB; Chief Insp. Gomersendo L. Diwata II, Maco Municipal Police Station commander; and Jonathan J. Leybag, municipal local government operation officer of Maco.

The officials shared the sincerity of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to help poor communities and bring government closer to the people. The participants were also given a chance to ask questions after the speeches.

The activity culminated with the commitment of the participants to denounce their allegiance to the NPA.

http://mindanaotimes.net/1204-npa-supporters-reoriented/

Dayanghirang slams violent attack by NPA in his district

From the Mindanao Times (Apr 4): Dayanghirang slams violent attack by NPA in his district

A CITY councilor has condemned the members of the New People’s Army (NPA) for burning 10 construction heavy equipment in different areas in the city last March 31.

Third District Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, in his privilege speech, said the burning was disguised as an act of nationalism in pursuit of the Communist ideology. He said all the atrocities and harassment committed by the NPA in his area must stop.

“I hope that the leadership of the NDF (National Democratic Front) will review its methodology and its strategy,” he said, adding that there’s no way the “destruction of property can advance the interest of the Filipino people.”

Based on the police report, at around 11 p.m. Saturday, rebels burned four dump trucks and one backhoe owned by Leonard Trucking Services (LTS) in Barangay Callawa, Buhangin District. Reportedly, the company refused to pay revolutionary tax, which led to the attack to serve as a lesson.

Then the armed men commandeered a four-wheeled vehicle and proceeded to Sitio Sta. Maria, Barangay Fatima, Paquibato Dstrict, and burned two heavy equipment, with the cost of damage pegged at P15 million.

The report added that around eight armed men trooped to Barangay Dalagdag in Calinan and burned a backhoe unit worth more or less P8 million.

The separate incidents happened during Black Saturday, or a couple of days after the NPA celebrated its 50th anniversary last March 29.

Meanwhile, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, on Monday issued a statement condemning the incidents.

“Let me reiterate my previous appeal to the people of Davao and to our partners in the peace and development movement— let us support our soldiers and police and let us openly condemn NPA as a terrorist group, the statement read.

Previously, the Davao City government has proposed a localized peace talks with the NPA rebels operating within its territorial bounds. However, the plan was scuttled when the administration of President Duterte started the legal proceeding to declare the armed movement as a terrorist group.

Mayor Duterte said there’s no more sense to talk to the NPA because the government doesn’t negotiate with terrorists.

http://mindanaotimes.net/dayanghirang-slams-violent-attack-by-npa-in-his-district/

NPA rebels torch another backhoe in Talaingod town

From the Mindanao Times (Apr 4): NPA rebels torch another backhoe in Talaingod town

ANOTHER backhoe was torched by alleged seven armed men in Sitio Banualay, Barangay Palma Gil, Talaingod, Davao del Norte around 10 a.m. on April 3.

Chief. Insp. Milgrace Driz, the spokesperson of Police Regional Office (PRO) XI, said around 10:55 a.m. of Tuesday, Florante Ferraren, project engineer of Ulticon Builders Incorporated (UBI), appeared at the police station and reported that their excavator was burned by armed men who introduced themselves as members of the New People’s Army.

Sr. Insp. Rogaciano Gara, the officer-in-charge of the Talaingod Police Station, directed his personnel to verify the report.

They interviewed Leo Bustamante, foreman of the construction site, who said that they were approached by seven men carrying high-powered rifles who reportedly told them, “Don’t be afraid. We asked for a little yet they refused,” one of the armed men said, referring to the company.

The armed men then proceeded to torch one excavator before leaving the area.

The Talaingod police are still conducting further investigation to identify and arrest the perpetrators of the incident.

On Black Saturday, reported NPA members burned 10 heavy equipment in the three hinterland barangays of Davao City.

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio condemned the attacks, which she described as “downright cowardly.”

The construction of roads in Barangay Callawa in Buhangin, Barangay Fatima in Paquibato, and Barangay Dalagdag in Calinan are now temporarily stalled because of the attacks, she said.

“The road projects could make the delivery of other basic services to the people faster — including health, education, agricultural development and livelihood,” the mayor said. “The said projects could change the lives of the people for the better.”

“The fresh atrocities reveal that the terrorist group only truly intends for people to continue living in a condition of poverty, which they could use as a capital in their propaganda against the government and to justify their presence in the communities where their influence and significance are waning,” the mayor said.

Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza also condemned “in the strongest way the senseless destruction of heavy equipment.”

“The fact that the three consecutive attacks happened during the observance of Holy Week all the more angers us,” Dureza said.

“This unnecessarily squanders whatever gains we have been quietly getting lately in our common efforts with the CPP/NPA/NDF leadership to achieve just peace through the negotiations table,” the country top peace negotiator said.

http://mindanaotimes.net/npa-rebels-torch-another-backhoe-in-talaingod-town/

Woman abducted in Zamboanga town

From the Mindanao Examiner (Apr 4): Woman abducted in Zamboanga town

Unidentified gunmen seized a Filipino woman working for a private buyer of marine products in the coastal town of Malangas in the southern Philippine province of Zamboanga Sibugay, police said Wednesday.

Police said at least 7 armed men barged into a boarding house owned by Adelaida Bayno in downtown Malangas and abducted the 38-year old Laarni Bandi, who works as a secretary for Celebes Marine Product, late Tuesday.

Police photos released to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner show abducted woman Laarni Bandi. 

The woman was dragged out of the boarding house to a waiting motorized boat that sped off towards Muyong Island, according to Chief Inspector Helen Galvez, a regional police spokeswoman. “Abductors together with the victim allegedly fled towards Muyong Island using a yellow motorized pump boat,” she said.

It was not immediately known how the gunmen managed to enter the town without being detected by the police and military.

Galvez said a massive security force composed of soldiers and policemen were deployed to track down and rescue Bandi. “Elements of the Zamboanga Sibugay Mobile Force Company, 44th Infantry Battalion, the Maritime Police, Coast Guard, Navy and Regional Mobile Force Company are now conducting hot pursuit operation while inland policemen are patrolling and conducting checkpoint operation for the possible apprehension of the abductors and recovery of the victim,” she said.

No individual or group claimed responsibility for the abduction, but rebel and ransom kidnapping groups are actively operating in the province, about 210 kilometers from Zamboanga City. Bandi’s employer did not release any statement.

 

https://mindanaoexaminer.com/woman-abducted-in-zamboanga-town/

Army, police vow to get suspects in heavy equipment burning in Davao

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 3): Army, police vow to get suspects in heavy equipment burning in Davao

Police and security forces in Davao vowed to get the perpetrators in the burning of the heavy equipment used in the construction of government roads as suspected New People’s Army (NPA) members launch one more attack at Sitio Banualay, Barangay Palma Gil in Talaingod, Davao Del Norte on Tuesday.

Chief Inspector Milgrace Driz, spokesperson for the Police Regional Office (PRO) XI, reported that one unit backhoe was set on fire by armed men on Tuesday morning in Talaingod.

Driz said the incident was reported by Florante Ferraren, the project engineer of Ulticon Builders Inc. (UBI).

In an investigation conducted by the Talaingod police, construction workers said they were approached by seven fully-armed men, who told them “ayaw mo kahadlok mangayo mi gamay pero dili man mohatag (do not be afraid we are just asking a little, but they will not give)." It was then that the armed men burned the equipment.

Driz said police authorities are still investigating the incident.

The Philippine Army’s 1003rd Infantry Brigade commander, Col. Ernesto Torres, said the Army, in coordination with other security forces in Davao and the city government, is now taking actions to get the perpetrators and make them answerable for their acts.

Torres, who is also the spokesperson for martial law in the Eastern Mindanao Command, said the burning incident was a manifestation of the NPA’s criminal nature, as arsonists and extortionists.

He said the incident also showed the communist movement’s deceptive posture on peace by launching violent attacks on one hand while showing interest in peace talks on the other.

“An enabling environment for peace can never be created with deceptive behaviour,” he said. Torres also called on all peace-loving Dabawenyos to support all efforts in putting a stop to these atrocious acts.

“With our collective actions and continuous vigilance, we can totally rid Davao of criminals and terrorists,” Torres vowed.

PRO XI regional director, Chief Superintendent Manuel Gaerlan, said it was a desperate act of NPA putting the business entities and the civilians at stake.

He said the NPA does not fear the law. “They deceived people just to earn and get their personal interest of wealth by extorting business entities and other entities working on the projects of the government,” he stressed.

Gaerlan said the NPA has shown its terroristic nature by attacking unarmed, helpless civilian businessmen.

Gaerlan said the NPA no longer gave importance to the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) which provides that no civilians should be attacked especially those doing projects for the benefit of the people..

According to Gaerlan, information reached him that the NPA was going to attack the military and police before the anniversary on March 29. However, he said the NPA was not successful and could not carry out their plan.

That is why, he said, the NPA attacked the construction companies.

He pointed out that the CPP-NPA does not want the “Build, Build, Build” because their significance would be lost under a progressive Mindanao.

“They are not for the Filipino people, they are having the personal interest at the expense of others. They don’t have buildings built, no structural reforms for the Lumad or their ancestral domain, no structures built for the poor or the marginalized and the people they claim to be helpless,” he said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1030698

AFP marks significant gains vs Abu Sayyaf

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 4): AFP marks significant gains vs Abu Sayyaf

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), through the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), has achieved significant accomplishments in its campaign against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).

Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Westmincom chief, on Tuesday announced that troops, through intensified operations, have neutralized 84 ASG members as of April 1, this year.

Galvez said in a press conference that of the total neutralized bandits, 60 ASG members have surrendered, 13 were arrested, and 11 others were killed in the military offensives.

Galvez said the 11 ASG members were killed in eight firefights initiated by the troops from January 1 until April 1, this year.

He said among the 60 ASG members who surrendered included Basilan-based ASG leader Nurhassan Jamiri and his 13 followers.

Jamiri’s group surrendered on March 28 to government troops in Barangay Seronggon in Muhammad Adjul in Basilan province.

They turned over 10 high-power firearms consisting of seven M-16 Armalite rifles, an M4 Carbiine rifle, an M653 “Baby Armalite” rifle, and an M-14 rifle.

“There were no demands, but there were concessions,” Galvez said citing everything is being evaluated and studied in accordance with the law.

Galvez said Jamiri admitted joining the ASG at the height of the Lamitan siege in June of 2001.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1030708

Gunmen abduct woman in Zamboanga Sibugay

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 4): Gunmen abduct woman in Zamboanga Sibugay

Seven gunmen seized Laarni Bandi, 38, on Tuesday evening in Malangas, Zamboanga Sibugay. Bandi is the secretary of the Cebeles Marine Product, which is into the business of buy and sell of all kinds of marine products. (Photo courtesy: PRO-9 PIO)

Authorities have launched a pursuit operation to locate and rescue an employee of a marine products firm who was taken by gunmen in Zamboanga Sibugay early Tuesday.

Police Regional Office 9 (Zamboanga) information officer Chief Insp. Helen Galvez identified the victim as Laarni Bandi, who works as a secretary at the Cibeles Marine Product, and a resident of Talusan, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Cibeles Marine Product is in the business of buying and selling all kinds of marine products in the province.

Galvez said Bandi, 38, was kidnapped by seven gunmen in Purok Maabiabihon, Barangay Poblacion in Malangas town at about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

He said investigations showed that Bandi was at the boarding house of Adilaida Bayno, when the suspects arrived and abducted the victim.

The victim, together with some co-workers and friends, had just arrived from a picnic in Muyong Island, Malangas.

Galvez said the gunmen, believed to be members of a kidnap-for-ransom group, dragged the victim to the shore and forced her to board a motorboat that sped off towards Muyong Island.

She said policemen, in coordination with the maritime police, coast guard and navy, immediately launched an operation at sea and in nearby islands.

Authorities have also conducted patrol and checkpoints in the mainland “for the possible apprehension of the abductors and recovery of the victim”, Galvez added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1030812

Manila cop assigned to Basilan shot dead

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 4): Manila cop assigned to Basilan shot dead

A police officer from Manila, who was among the alleged rogue cops assigned to Mindanao, was shot dead in Isabela City, Basilan Wednesday.

Killed was Senior Insp. Aristoedes Miranda, deputy chief for police community relations of the Task Force Basilan, said Supt. Restituto Pangusban, Isabela City police chief.

Pangusban said Miranda was shot and killed around 5:35 a.m. Wednesday along Rizal Avenue, Barangay Aguada, Isabela City.

Miranda was having an early morning jog, his daily routine, when shot by a lone gunman with a caliber .45 pistol.

He said Miranda, native of Quiapo, Manila City, succumbed to a gunshot wound in the head which caused his instantaneous dead.

Miranda was among the more than 50 policemen from the National Capital Region who were assigned to Basilan province last year after they were implicated in illegal drug activities, the police official added.

He said all possible motives in Miranda’s slay are being looked into.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1030837

Police nab suspect in 'Duterte' couple kidnapping in Zambo Norte

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 4): Police nab suspect in 'Duterte' couple kidnapping in Zambo Norte

Authorities have arrested a suspected member of a kidnap-for-ransom group during an operation in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, a top police official announced Wednesday.

Chief Supt. Billy Beltran, Police Regional Office 9 (Zamboanga) director, identified the alleged kidnapper as Hambali Jamad alias Jomar, of Baliguian, Zamboanga del Norte.

Jamad's arrest in Barangay Nonoyan in Baliguian town at about 4 a.m. Tuesday was brought about by a law enforcement operation by way of serving a warrant of arrest, Beltran said.

He said Jamad has a standing warrant of arrest for kidnapping and serious illegal detention issued by a regional court in Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte.

Jamad was reportedly involved in the kidnapping of the Duterte couple -- Jose, 60 and Jessica, 52 -- in Barangay Sta. Maria in Siocon on March 3 last year. The couple owns a coconut farm in Siocon.

Beltran said the suspect is a follower of Roger Kalas, alias Tiguan, One Eye and Abu Anhar, a kidnap-for-ransom leader in Zamboanga del Norte.

Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Joint Task Force Sulu commander, earlier disclosed that the Dutertes are among the hostages still being held by the Abu Sayyaf in the province of Sulu.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1030848

PRRD open to resume peace talks with Reds

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 4): PRRD open to resume peace talks with Reds



OPEN TO RESUME PEACE TALKS. President Rodrigo R. Duterte, in his speech during the inauguration of Lisap Bridge in Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro on April 3, 2018, said the government could build more bridges if there is no resistance from armed groups. (Albert Alcain/Presidential Photo) 

President Rodrigo R. Duterte has expressed readiness to resume peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) provided that the New People’s Army (NPA) stops its extortion activities and attacks.

“If you really want to make it happen, then you stop immediately. You and I, let’s have ceasefire. No single shot, not even firecracker and I will be happy,” Duterte said in a speech during the inauguration of Lisap Bridge project in Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro on Tuesday (April 3).

Duterte terminated the peace talks in November last year, citing the communist rebels’ failure to show sincerity and commitment to pursue genuine and meaningful peaceful negotiations.

The President said he will subsidize the peace process but insisted he cannot grant CPP founder Joma Sison’s demand for a coalition government.

“So this, I first spoke this since Sison is always mentioning about the peace process. I am ready. First thing is we should stop killing each other. Then if we can have peace; and if you do not have the money, government will subsidize it,” Duterte said.

“It's about time that you stop scratching and I am ready. I said we first go to the fundamentals minus a coalition government,” he added.

He said as Filipinos, NPA rebels and government troops should not fight and kill each other.

“I said if you want peace, you have to invest money in peace. So we can talk. Stop the revolutionary government. Do not burn in the name of taxation because businessmen are suffering,” the President said.

Duterte has even encouraged the communist rebels to form a political party and “I will join you”.

“The progress of the nation is really being pushed down. It’s about time. Fifty years in the making. You want another 50 years of bloodshed? That’s the problem,” the President said.

“I want to (achieve) peace in my time. Actually, I’m not angry with you. I understand you. So you support me,” he added.

Duterte also called anew on NPA rebels to lay down their arms as he reiterated his administration’s commitment to support those who will surrender to the government.

More than 600 NPA returnees went to Malacañang in three batches and had dinner with Duterte last month.

The President had promised to provide livelihood trainings to former NPA rebels.

He is hoping the Lisap Bridge project would help convince NPA rebels to lay down their arms and join the government in achieving a progressive Philippines. Barangay Lisap was the site of several skirmishes with the NPAs since decades ago.

The bridge is expected to reduce travel time from Bongabong to Roxas to 20 minutes and will benefit over 7,000 motorists daily.

Duterte was joined by Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar and other local leaders led by Congressmen Reynaldo Umali and Oriental Mindoro Gov. Alfonso Umali Jr., League of Municipalities of the Philippines National Chairperson and Socorro Mayor Maria Fe Brondial and Bongabong Mayor Elgin Malaluan.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1030766