Mangyan IPs abandon NPA cause in Mindoro

From the Philippine News Agency (May 13, 2019): Mangyan IPs abandon NPA cause in Mindoro

CAMP GEN. CAPINPIN, Tanay, Rizal -- Eleven Mangyan tribesmen, who were erstwhile active supporters of the communist New People's Army (NPA) terrorists, called it quits and voluntarily turned themselves in to Philippine Army and Philippine National Police (PNP) over the weekend.

The Indigenous People’s return to the fold of the law reportedly came after authorities conducted Community Support Operations in tribal communities in Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro.

The Mangyan tribe members, whose identities have been withheld for security reasons, hail from Barangay Lisap in Bongabong. The tribesfolk abandoned what they called the "lost cause" of the communist-terrorist group’s local party, Sangay ng Partido sa Lokalidad (SPL) and the Milisyang Bayan (MB), the NPA’s armed militant wing.

According to the Mangyan surrenderers, three of them women, they were coerced into serving as spies of the outlawed NPA to monitor the presence of military and police in their communities.

Following the tribe members’ surrender, an IP alias “Aguy” told government forces of their frustration and exhaustion while being forced to work with the communist-terrorist group.

"Pagod na kaming maniwala sa mga kasinungalingan ng mga NPA. Ginagamit lang nila kami sa pansirili nilang layunin, 'di nila tinutupad ang mga pangako nila sa amin (We are tired of all lies by the NPA. They only used us for their vested interest. They failed to fulfill what they have been promising to us),” Aguy narrated.

The Mangyan surrenderers are now undergoing debriefing and documentation for their enrollment in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) to aid their transition back to the folds of the government.

Lt. Col. Alexander Arbolado, commanding officer of 4th Infantry Battalion (4IB) based in Oriental Mindoro, who facilitated their surrender, has appealed to the NPA to stop exploiting the innocent minds of the indigenous peoples.

“Spare them from violence and let them live peacefully. Stop exploiting them. Stop manipulating them to join your sagging ranks,” Arbolado said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1069691

Murad casts vote for 2019 polls in Maguindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (May 13, 2019): Murad casts vote for 2019 polls in Maguindanao

MURAD VOTES. Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Interim Chief Minister casts his vote at the Simuay Junction Elementary School in Barangay Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao on Monday, May 13, 2019. He told reporters that he borrowed a guideline from President Rodrigo Duterte in wisely choosing his candidates for the polls. (Photo courtesy of Dennis Arcon – DXMY Cotabato)

Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Interim Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim cast his vote for the 2019 polls at Simuay Junction Elementary School in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao Monday afternoon.

Ebrahim is currently a registered voter in Barangay Simuay of Sultan Kudarat town situated in the first district of Maguindanao.

At 2:30 p.m., the 72-year-old Ebrahim emerged from his voting center in the school and told reporters that he wisely chose his preferred candidates.

“I have cast my vote with the guideline I picked up from President Rodrigo Duterte in connection with this election,” he said.

When pressed further on the matter, Ebrahim said he remembered the President saying voters should choose candidates based on their track record and their stand on issues affecting the country.

“I remember well the President saying to choose the people based on what they have so far done for the welfare of the people and I just did that through my vote,” he said.

Monday’s election was the second for Ebrahim, with the first one taking place last Jan. 21, at the same school as his voting center for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law that created the new BARMM entity.

“This day (Monday) though is my first time that I participated and voted for political candidates in an election,” he said with a smile.

Before becoming the BARMM interim head, Ebrahim, through his nom de guerre -- “Al Haj Murad” --headed the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), formerly the largest Moro rebel group in Mindanao.

He went out of school at the age of 19 to join the mainstream Moro National Liberation Front but later bolted to join the MILF with Islamic theologian and MILF founder Salamat Hashim due to political differences with MNLF founder Nur Misuari.

Ebrahim took over the MILF leadership following the death of Salamat in July 2003 due to a lingering illness.


https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1069670

1 killed, 7 hurt in Zambo Sur election eve shootout

From the Philippine News Agency (May 13, 2019): 1 killed, 7 hurt in Zambo Sur election eve shootout

A political supporter was killed while seven others, including a mayoralty aspirant, were wounded in a shootout on the eve of the election in the province of Zamboanga del Sur, a military official said Monday.

Col. Gerry Besana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) information officer, disclosed that the shootout occurred in Sitio Sibuan, Purok 3, Barangay Tubod, Lakewood, Zamboanga del Sur at about 10:15 p.m. Sunday.

Besana said the shootout broke out when the troops returned fire after the group of Domingo Mirrar, a mayoralty candidate in
Lakewood, fired upon the soldiers who were on mobile security patrol.

He said the shootout resulted in the death of one supporter of Mirrar, whose identity was not immediately available.

Mirrar, although wounded, managed to escape while the troops arrested six of his supporters, Besana said, adding that they have requested the police to conduct an investigation over the incident.

Recovered at the shootout site were a caliber .45 pistol with two magazines loaded with ammunition, and three magazines of M-16 Armalite rifle with ammunition, the military official said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1069680

No use negotiating with Reds: NTF-ELCAC exec

From the Philippine News Agency (May 12, 2019): No use negotiating with Reds: NTF-ELCAC exec



Major General Antonio Parlade, Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil Military Operations

An official of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) said there is no reason to conduct peace negotiations with communist rebels in view of the group’s plan to supplant the government even when a compromise is reached.

This was the reaction of Major Gen. Antonio Parlade, Jr. to the latest overtures of Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chair Jose Maria "Joma" Sison who is now based in Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Sison, in a statement Sunday, urged President Rodrigo Duterte to mend his ways and resume serious and sincere peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) through duly-authorized negotiating panels within the framework of The Hague Joint Declaration.

Parlade, who is also Armed Forces of the Philippines Deputy Chief-of-Staff for Civil-Military Operations, said he finds Sison's request "strange" after accusing the government of "being treasonous, tyrannical, murderous, corrupt, and swindling?" or things the communist rebels and their allies are known to do in furtherance of their ideology.

"Joma is obviously referring to the Comprehensive Agreement on Social Economic Reforms (CASER) and Comprehensive Agreement on Political and Constitutional Reforms (CAPCR) which are two of the four substantive agenda of the NDFP. But do we know that in this framework, there is nothing there that says that if the government signs the final peace agreement, the CPP NDFP have no plan to demobilize and disarm their NPAs (New People's Army)," he added.

Deactivation of government forces

What the communist rebels plan to do, he said, is to "demobilize the GRP (Government of the Republic of the Philippines) military" instead.

Parlade said this provision can be found in the Bayan-USA publication CASER Article VIII, NDFP Proposed CASER: A Pro-People Alternative to Neo-Liberation. Article VIII - Role of Demobilized GRP Military.

"Check their Bayan USA website for yourself and tell your government if this is propaganda," Parlade said.

"Come to think of it, Joma wants the government to capitulate and bow to their wishes. Will any patriotic Filipino agree with this? So is (this) not that the treason that Joma is talking about?" he added.

Also, on the tyranny accusation, Parlade said it is the communist rebels who espouse tyranny as stated in their CPP Constitution and Program of 2016, Article 3 Section 7 which states that all members of CPP "adhere to the principles of proletarian dictatorship."

"Check their website again and see that it's not propaganda. Isn't this tyranny in the severest degree? This is what Pol Pot (a Cambodian revolutionary) did during his reign," he added.

Parlade also bared that with the advent of "proletarian dictatorship", the CPP will purge Philippine society of all its intellectuals, professionals, businessmen engaged in the so-called "capitalist regime".

"Isn't that murderous? That’s the future. What about the recent killings of IPs (Indigenous Peoples') former rebels, civilians, and attacks of peace settlements for the RPA ABB (Revolutionary Proletarian Army Alex Boncayao Brigade)? What does Joma call all these? Justice?" he added.

And for the extortion part, Parlade cited as an example the collection of funds by front organizations of the CPP-NPA from foreign governments and donors.

Swindling front organizations

He also chided communist-front organizations for having the gall to collect money even when their registrations are cancelled by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

"Is not that swindling in the highest degree?" Parlade said.

The NTF ELCAC official was referring to the following organizations with alleged links to the CPP-NPA, which the SEC Company Registration and Monitoring Department last week said have revoked registrations.

*Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA), whose registration was ordered revoked on September 30, 2003, for non-filing of reports from 1997 to 2002;

*Karapatan (full name KARAPATAN: Alliance for the Advancement of People's Rights) with revoked registration since October 25, 2005;

*Concerned Artists of the Philippines, whose registration had been revoked on July 8, 2003, for non-filing of reportorial requirements from 1997 to 2002;

*Kalipunan ng mga Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas, with registration, ordered revoked on August 20, 2003, for non-filing of reports from 1997 to 2002; *Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay), Inc., whose registration was revoked on June 27, 2006, for failure to submit reports from 2001 to 2005; and

*Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) in Northern Mindanao, with registration suspended on December 21, 2017.

Also, the SEC Company Registration and Monitoring Department issued a certification showing the non-registration as a corporation or partnership of the League of Filipino Students, Suara Bangsamoro, ANAKPAWIS, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), New Patriotic Alliance, and May First Movement Labor Center, all alleged legal front organizations of the CPP-NPA.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

Parlade said Sison's call for the resumption of peace talks can be attested by the fact that groups allied with the CPP-NPA, including the Makabayan bloc, are all close to extinction due to to the government's incessant efforts to unmask their deception and lies, and massive surrenders by their fighters and allies.

"To date, 5,800 also of Joma's armed minions have surrendered to the folds of the law. Clearly, Joma is afraid of these continuing trend and the sustained efforts of the government to expose them some more," he added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1069604

Go out, vote despite blasts: AFP tells voters

From the Philippine News Agency (May 13, 2019): Go out, vote despite blasts: AFP tells voters

Despite three explosions that rocked three unpopulated areas in Cotabato City and Maguindanao, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday assured voters that security forces are on top of the situation and that they should go out and casts their ballots.

In an interview with reporters, AFP spokesperson, Marine Brig. Gen. Brig. Edgard Arevalo said the motives of the perpetrators appears to be only scaring voters from exercising their political rights as all of the explosions took place in uninhabited areas and there were no reported casualties nor damage to any structures or property.

The military official was referring to a grenade explosion in an open space in Cotabato City around 8:45 p.m. Sunday and with the perpetrator still unidentified as of this posting; an improvised explosive device detonation in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao which transpired at 10 p.m. and the third and latest explosion, also in Datu Odin Sinsuat, at 7: 40 a.m. Monday.

"We are still getting information on the latest explosion in Datu Odin Sinsuat as this just took place but the message the perpetrators are sending to the voters is be scared and don't go out and vote. But we are saying otherwise, your AFP and PNP (Philippine National Police) are on top of the situation," he said in Filipino.

Arevalo said his views were shared by Major Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Maguindanao-based 6th Infantry Division, those troops were immediately on the scene shortly after the explosions.

"General Sobejana also said that our countrymen should not be scared and they should still go on and vote and foregoing their right to exercise their political rights automatically means that the suspects have succeeded in their objective," he quoted Sobejana as saying.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1069620

SC orders re-arrest of 2 suspects in US Marine's death

From the Philippine News Agency (May 13, 2019): SC orders re-arrest of 2 suspects in US Marine's death

The Supreme Court (SC) voided the downgraded sentence of probation handed down by a Makati court against the two individuals, who ganged up on and mauled to death George Anikow, a US Marine, in a street fight seven years ago.

In a two-page resolution dated March 27, the SC First Division affirmed the decision issued by the Court of Appeals (CA) in March last year and ordered the re-arrest of Galicano Datu III and Crispin dela Paz.

Reiterating the CA's decision on the matter, the High Court said: “(T)he Regional Trial Court of Makati City Branch 59 committed grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction when it granted petitioner’s application for probation."

Makati City Branch 59 Presiding Judge Winlove Dumayas, who erroneously granted the application for probation, had earlier been ordered dismissed from the service by the court for downgrading the penalty against the two after finding them liable only for homicide instead of murder in 2014.

“The circumstances surrounding the killing of George Anikow showed the gravity of the crime and to grant probation to the perpetrators would clearly diminish its seriousness,” the SC explained.

The tribunal noted that the trial court erroneously relied on the post investigation report of the Makati City Parole and Probation Office (MCCPO) and failed to make its own determination.

In its March 2018 decision, the CA ruled that before granting probation, the court should consider the possibility of the offender to reform, together with the demands of justice and public interest, along with other relevant circumstances.

It noted that the application for probation is an admission of guilt on the part of an accused, however, Anikow’s killers stood by their innocence, which is contrary to their availment of the benefits of probation.

Furthermore, the appellate court held that probation should have not been issued by the trial court since it would depreciate the seriousness of the crime committed by the two accused.

“The evidence at the trial established that Anikow was stabbed, kicked and punched multiple times, even after he had disengaged from his attackers and unable to defend himself or retaliate, resulting in his death. The nature of the crime of homicide and the manner of its commission is undoubtedly serious,” it noted.

Anikow was stabbed to death in a brawl that happened outside the gate of Bel-Air subdivision near Rockwell Center, Makati City, on Nov. 24, 2012, when he confronted a group in a car trying to convince a guard to allow them to pass through the village gate.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1069657

AFP reports ‘minimal breach of peace’ as polls near end

From the Philippine News Agency (May 13, 2019): AFP reports ‘minimal breach of peace’ as polls near end

The military has so far recorded a minimal breach of peace and order in the ongoing Monday’s elections.

"As of (2:40 p.m.) today, very minimal breach of peace and order was monitored and reported from all over. There were last minute attempts to disrupt the conduct of elections but these were immediately addressed by our security forces," Col. Noel Detoyato, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief, said in a message to the Philippine News Agency.

Voting hours started 6 a.m. and will end at 6 p.m. as per Commission on Elections (Comelec) rules.

"The months of preparations through coordination and conferences by the PNP (Philippine National Police), AFP and the Comelec is seen working through to make sure the elections will be conducted," Detoyato said.

Earlier, AFP spokesperson Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said groups attempting to sabotage Monday's elections will not succeed.

"They will never succeed. The degree of preparation, the degree of planning, as well as execution and coordination between the AFP, PNP, Comelec, and other agencies as very encouraging," the AFP spokesperson said in a mixture of English and Filipino.

He added that this coordination will help ensure that the May 13 mid-term elections will be orderly, peaceful and credible aside from giving voters the opportunity to cast their ballots for their desired candidates.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1069662

Peaceful situation as poll precincts close: AFP

From the Philippine News Agency (May 13, 2019): Peaceful situation as poll precincts close: AFP

AFP public affairs office chief, Col. Noel Detoyato.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) lauded the Filipino people for the peaceful conduct of the mid-term elections as polling precincts closed at 6 p.m. on Monday.

"The AFP congratulates the Filipino people for the successful conduct of the National and Local Elections 2019 and their peaceful exercise of their right to choose our leaders who will continue to plot the future of our country. Very minimal breach of peace and order was monitored and reported from all over the country," said AFP public affairs office chief, Col. Noel Detoyato, in a message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

While there were last minute attempts to disrupt the conduct of the elections, Detoyato said these were immediately addressed by government security forces.

"The months of preparations through coordinations and conferences by the PNP, AFP and the Comelec have been effective in ensuring that the Filipino people can exercise their right to vote free from intimidation, threats, and harassment," he noted.

Detoyato also assured that security efforts remain in place to protect the transfer of election paraphernalia to the canvassing centers.

"We hope for everyone's continued cooperation and vigilance in protecting our votes as we continue on with the canvassing in the coming days," he said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1069692

AFP-CRS: WATCH: Former Rebels who surrendered bares how they were recruited and deceived by CPP-NPA-NDF front organizations

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook page (May 12, 2019): WATCH: Former Rebels who surrendered bares how they were recruited and deceived by CPP-NPA-NDF front organizations

WATCH: Former Rebels who surrendered bares how they were recruited and deceived by CPP-NPA-NDF front organizations and leading them to join the NPAs.

WATCH l Major General Antonio Parlade, Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil Military Operations, presents couple Bert and Seth, former News People's Army members. Seth, a former student activist, exposed the recruitment activities of above ground organizations into the communist terrorist group.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=f8af_JBW7do

https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/?fref=photo

Philippine Army in Leyte apprehends 30 men, links Codilla clan

From Rappler (May 12, 2019): Philippine Army in Leyte apprehends 30 men, links Codilla clan

A former village guard who was said to have held a .45 pistol is among those who were apprehended by the Philippine Army.

VERIFYING. Camp of Rowena Codilla verifies informations about the incident at Kananga Municipal Police Station. Photo from Rowena Codilla's Facebook Page

LEYTE, Philippines – The Philippine military apprehended about 30 men and arrested at least one of them in Kananga town, Leyte at 1 am on Sunday, May 12.

This was confirmed by 802nd Brigade General Lope Dagoy in a phone interview with Rappler.

“Kaduda-duda na gabing-gabi, nandoon sila sa isang lugar. Now what is revealing, ay yung kasamahan nila na may baril. Alam naman nila na eleksyon period tayo. So, yung isang kasama ng mga tauhan ng kabilang partido, sa mga Codilla, nakunan ito ng .45 pistol,” Dagoy said.

(It’s suspicious that they were all in one place in the middle of the night. Now, what was revealing, was their companion who had a pistol. They knew that we are in the middle of the election period. So, one of the men of the other party, those of the Codillas, were found out to be in possession of a .45 caliber pistol.)

The man in possession of a pistol was identified by the Kananga Police as Aurelio Dumlanos, 55, a former village tanod in Brgy. Rizal of Kananga town. Dumlanos is now under the custody of Kananga police.

Gen. Dagoy told Rappler the other men were released due to lack of evidence.

In a Facebook post, the Gomez camp alleged that the Army arrested “38 armed goons of Eming and Winnie Codilla.”

Ormoc City mayoral reelectionist Richard Gomez told Rappler that he "spoke to Gen. Dagoy at 3 am" to confirm the content of the post.

Winnie Codilla is running for the congressional post against incumbent 4thDistrict Representative Lucy Marie Torres-Gomez while Eming Codilla is a vice mayoral reelectionist in Kananga, Leyte. (READ: Leyte's 4th district: Will the Torres-Gomez clan take the last Codilla bailiwick?)

Kananga, Leyte Mayoral reelectionist Rowena “Weng” Codilla is the wife of Eming Codilla.

Responding to the post, Rowena Codilla debunked Gomez camp's claim on social media and said that only one has been arrested.

“So the people of Kananga and the 4th District of Leyte will not be misled by fake news, I would like to clarify what really happened during the alleged arrest…. The real story, based on the police record and with the presence of Gen. Lope Dagoy is that only 1 man was arrested and not 38 as is being falsely circulated in social media…”

Gen. Dagoy confirmed Gomez’s claim that the group is connected to Codilla's camp, “Oo. Confirmed yun. Kasi pumunta sila sa, kinakausap nila ako. Sabi ko, ‘Doon na lang sa presinto.’… Si Weng at si Eming, doon kami nagkita sa presinto ng Albuera… Mga tao nila, precisely, nandoon sila. Tinitingnan nila, syempre, kung ano ang sitwasyon ng mga tao nila.”

(Yes. That’s confirmed. Because they went to, they spoke to me. I told them, “Let’s do this at the police station.”… It was Weng and Eming, we met at the Albuera police station… Those were their men, precisely, they were there. They were chekcing, of course, what the situation was for their men.)

https://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2019/230365-philippine-army-apprehends-men-leyte-links-codilla-clan

3 rebels surrender, 7 rifles turned over

From the Mindanao Times (May 12, 2019): 3 rebels surrender, 7 rifles turned over

A high-ranking political NPA cadre surrendered, along with two others, to soldiers of the 89^th Infantry Battalion, under the 1003^rd Infantry Brigade, in Bukidnon on Wednesday.

Col. Nolasco Mempin, the commander 1003^rd IB,  identified them alias Junjun, 29; alias Garry, 20; and alias Kinkin, 24, all from Barangay Digongan, Kitaotao, Bukidnon.

In his revelation to the soldiers, Junjun said he was the head of the NPA’s political wing, Komiteng Rebolusyonaryo sa Baryo, while Garry was a guerrilla unit squad leader. Meanwhile, Kinkin was a member of the Milisyang Bayan.

“All of them  belonged to the Guerilla Front 55, Sub-Regional Committee 5, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee, the terrorist arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines under Joma Sison conducting extortion, killings, sabotage of government equipment recruitment of minors and many more atrocities in the Bukidnon province,” Mempin said

The trio also pointed where they stashed their firearms. Soldiers recovered two Garand rifles, two  Carbine rifles, and an M14 rifle, along with subversive documents.

On April 29, 22 firearms were also recovered by the unit from surrenderrers in Paquibato District, making the recovery total of 27 high-powered firearms in a span of two weeks.

The three will be enrolled in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or ECLIP where livelihood benefits and firearms remuneration, among others, await them.

http://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2019/05/12/candlelighting-memorial-for-people-with-hiv-set-on-friday-2/

PAF airlifts poll paraphernalia, personnel to Tapaz, Capiz

From the Philippine Information Agency (May 11, 2019): PAF airlifts poll paraphernalia, personnel to Tapaz, Capiz

AIR SUPPORT. Personnel of the Philippine Air Force Tactical Operations Group 6 (PAF-TOG 6) and members of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEI) on Saturday (May 11, 2019) pose before boarding the helicopter that will take them to the three upland barangays of Tapaz, Capiz for their election assignment on May 13. Barangay Hilwan, the farthest town from the Poblacion, can be reached after a 16 hour travel by foot or motorcycle ride for a two-and-a-half hour. (Photo courtesy of PAF-TOG 6)
Two days before the mid-term elections, members of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) and election paraphernalia for the three far-flung villages of Tapaz, Capiz were flown to their respective assignments by the Philippine Air Force Tactical Operations Group 6 (PAF-TOG 6) on Saturday.

In a phone interview, Lt. Col Dennis A. Alcarde, Group Commander of the PAF-TOG 6, said around 24 personnel who will be serving Barangays Rizal Sur, Rizal Norte and Hilwan, were airlifted by two helicopters.

A total of 10 personnel of the TOG 6 were tasked for the three sorties back and forth to complete the deployment, he said.

After being dropped off at Rizal Norte, the members of the board proceeded to their respective assignments in the barangays.

Meanwhile, Tapaz election officer Lene Sausa said Rizal Sur has 283 registered voters, Rizal Norte has 208 while Hilwan has 334 voters. The polling center will be at the primary schools of each barangay.

Of the three barangays, Hilwan is at 80 kilometers from the town Poblacion. Traveling by foot takes about 16 hours while it is a two and a half hours ride on motorcycle.

Barangay Rizal Norte is 30 kilometers away from the town proper and can be reached after an eight-hour walk or a two-hour motorcycle ride.

Barangay Rizal Sur is 25 kilometers away from the Poblacion and can be reached after a seven-hour walk and a two-hour motorcycle trip.

Going to these areas also entail crossing rivers. In case of heavy rains, the water level has a tendency to rise, rendering river crossing dangerous.

“Some of the members of the board are from the Poblacion but they teach in those areas,” she said.
She added that they just tapped residents of the place and from neighboring barangays to be members of the board.

After the elections, she said there is a possibility that the transmission will be done at the Poblacion due to lack of cellular phone signal in the barangays. Barangay Rizal has a weak signal but there is no assurance that it is capable to transmit the result, she said.

With close to 1,000 voters, Sausa said their votes still matter, especially at the local level, where vote counts could be close.

Sausa said security is also provided to the election personnel because it is situated in the upland areas of Tapaz.

While there were no reported sightings of communist rebels in the areas in the past days, she advised them to keep safe.

“Looking at how far their assignment and they still have to cross a river, we always advise them that their safety is paramount,” she said.

Nonetheless, she said they are ready; they brought with them provisions such as their food.

She added that while their honorarium is not commensurate with their tasks, they are still committed to serve.

Meanwhile, Alcarde said they will just wait for instruction as to whether or not election personnel and paraphernalia will be airlifted during the retrieval of the results.

“Our helicopter is now on standby and we are just waiting for the directive tomorrow as regard to other requests of the Comelec. As far as our government is concerned, we give our all-out support to help in this election at the same time remaining apolitical,” he said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1069567

MILF, MNLF, village chiefs’ help sought to ensure peaceful polls

From the Philippine Information Agency (May 12, 2019): MILF, MNLF, village chiefs’ help sought to ensure peaceful polls

UNITY FOR POLLS. Lieutenant Colonel Elmer Boongaling, the commander of the Army's 33rd Infantry Battalion, speaks before barangay officials of six adjoining Maguindanao towns and two local government units in Sultan Kudarat as part of the Army’s aspiration for a peaceful and orderly balloting Monday. The military has sought the help of village officials, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and the Moro National Liberation Front in the two provinces on Saturday (May 11) to ensure honest, orderly and peaceful elections. (Photo courtesy of 33rd IB)

Military authorities in Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat provinces have sought the assistance of village officials, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) as front-liners to ensure honest, orderly and peaceful elections (HOPE) on Monday.

Lt. Col. Elmer Boongaling, the commander of the Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion (33IB), has met with village officials of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat, and reminded them of their vital role in assuring that elections in their respective communities are orderly and peaceful.

“Your Philippine Army is your peace partner in every village and your cooperation is needed so that all of us are successful,” Boongaling told them on Saturday.

The activity, which was held at the headquarters of the 33IB in Barangay Tual, Pres. Quirino, Sultan Kudarat, was attended by village officials of Tacurong City, Pres. Quirino town, and the municipalities of Buluan, Paglat, Mangudadatu, Gen. S. K. Pendatun, Datu Paglas, and Pandag in Maguindanao.

The Army’s 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion, headed by Lt. Col. James Fernando, also separately met with former leaders of Moro rebel group and MILF, and head of MNLF, in Datu Salibo and Datu Piang, both in Maguindanao, Saturday.

Fernando said since the Army, MILF and MNLF groups are advocating for peace, they all agreed to support each other, respect and adhere on the signed mutual understanding on troop deployment.

He stressed there is unity in strength and through teamwork and collaboration “something great” is expected to happen in the locality.

Both Fernando and Boongaling expect peaceful elections after laying down and implementing the mechanics that would ensure orderly balloting.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1069581

Groups out to sabotage polls will not succeed: AFP spox

From the Philippine Information Agency (May 12, 2019): Groups out to sabotage polls will not succeed: AFP spox

AFP spokesperson, Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo

Groups that might be out to sabotage the May 13 mid-term elections will never succeed, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson, Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, said Sunday.

He made this comment as he assured the public that those planning to disrupt Monday's polls at the last minute will never succeed in their dastardly plans as coordination between the AFP, Philippine National Police, the Commission on Elections and other government agencies tasked to secure the mid-term elections are going well.

"They will never succeed. The degree of preparation, the degree of planning, as well as execution and coordination between the AFP, PNP, Comelec, and other agencies as very encouraging," the AFP spokesperson said.

He added that this coordination will help ensure that the May 13 elections will be orderly, peaceful and credible aside from giving voters the opportunity to cast their ballots for their desired candidates.

Arevalo also encouraged all Filipinos to go out and vote as doing so will determine not only the security of their areas but also peace in the entire country, national security and nationwide sustainable progress.

The AFP spokesperson reiterated the order of Chief-of-Staff, Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr., to remain non-partisan at all times. Arevalo added that commanders of units or troops who fail to observe this order will be held liable.

Aside from securing Monday's elections, air, naval, and land transport units of the AFP were utilized to transport election paraphernalia in various areas of the country with the various Unified Commands tasked to bring these items in various voting precincts.

Arevalo said the Tarlac-based Northern Luzon Command has 100 percent successfully completed its election material transport mission as well as the Puerto Princesa-headquartered Western Command.

This was followed by the Zamboanga-based Western Mindanao Command with 98 percent, Lucena-headquartered Southern Luzon Command also with 98 as deliveries are still ongoing as of this posting.

Meanwhile, Central Command, which is in Cebu, has delivered 85 percent of the election materials entrusted to it and expects delivery of the remaining 15 percent within the day.

Likewise, the Eastern Mindanao Command, which is located in Davao City, has delivered 90 percent of all election paraphernalia and expects completion of all deliveries also within the day (Sunday).

The AFP spokesperson added that Comelec personnel are escorting these items which are undergoing transport by the military.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1069596

Sison to Duterte: Reopen peace talks to ‘escape hell’

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (May 12, 2019): Sison to Duterte: Reopen peace talks to ‘escape hell’

LUCENA CITY, Philippines – Exiled Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison on Sunday advised President Rodrigo Duterte to resume the peace negotiation between government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) to “escape the wrath of hell.”

“I absolutely have no intention to accompany Duterte in his trip to hell, whether this be a medieval religious presumption or a figure of speech for historical infamy,” Sison said in a statement from his base in Utrecht in the Netherlands.

Sison made the statement after the President declared that both he and Sison had nowhere else to go but hell after their death.

“I’d be happy to go with him hand in hand to the mouth of hell. We won’t go to heaven. It’s really hell for us,” the President said in his speech on Saturday during the mitíng de avance of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan’s (PDP-Laban) in Pasig City.

Sison maintained that the President “is destined for historical damnation for being treasonous, tyrannical, murderous, corrupt and swindling.”

However, Sison said the Chief Executive, who was his former student in college, could still save himself from eternal damnation by reopening the stalled peace talks with the communist rebels.

“I invite Duterte to change course from the direction of hell, mend his ways and resume serious and sincere peace negotiations with the NDFP through duly-authorized negotiating panels within the framework of The Hague Joint Declaration,” Sison said.

“Then we can work together to respond to the demands of the Filipino people for social, economic and political reforms,” Sison said.

He added: “I am not blinking but I am winking at my former student to indicate to him that he can avoid getting hell from the Filipino people and their revolutionary forces by acceding to the reforms needed for a just peace”.

The peace talks between the government and the NDFP first broke down in November 2017 as the administration cited the continued attacks by fighters of the New People’s Army (NPA), the NDFP’s armed wing on state forces despite ongoing negotiations.

The NDFP is the umbrella group of all communist-led underground organizations in the country that has been conducting on-and-off peace talks with the government since 1986.

Consequently, the President signed Proclamation No. 360 formally terminating the peace discussions with the communist rebels.

The President also terminated the appointment of all government peace negotiators.

The government earlier planned to create a new five-member government peace panel to be composed of two civilians and three military representatives to pursue localized peace talks.

However, the rebels rejected the local peace talks.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1117091/sison-to-duterte-reopen-peace-talks-to-escape-hell