Slow Marawi rehab puts the city at risk for another ISIS security threat

From the Manila Bulletin (Aug 29, 2019): Slow Marawi rehab puts the city at risk for another ISIS security threat

The snail-paced implementation of the Marawi rehabilitation program can be a factor that will push for another ISIS-inspired siege and this time, the civilian population might be passive and easily give up.



A soldier walks past pro-Isis graffiti in Marawi (Romeo Ranoco/Reuters Marawi Maute/ MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

This is the scenario painted by partylist Reps. Amihilda Sangcopan (AMIN Partylist) and Michael Aglipay (DIWA Partylist) in Muslim Mindanao as they urged government to nudge Bangon Marawi implementors to act swiftly in the rehabilitation of the city nearly destroyed during the Maute siege in 2017.

Appearing as guest panelist at the Partylist Forum, Sangcopan complained that budget released by government for the city’s rehabilitation has been drastically reduced even as plans to restore normalcy appeared to be unacceptable to the civilian population.

“I think that will be a factor, so what we need now is to show our sincerity in helping the displaced population in Marawi and immediately carry out the restoration and rehabilitation program,” said Sangcopan when asked whether the slow government action might push ISIS groups to lay siege in other areas.

Aglipay warned that inaction or slow action on the party of officials and agencies tasked to the Marawi City rebuild could jeopardize security in Muslim Mindanao.

“Everyday na may delay dito, naaapektuhan hindi lamang ang mga taga-Marawi, kundi pati ang mga kapatid na Muslim sa lugar. Baka mamaya maimpluwensyahan lamang sila ng ibang grupo na gumawa ng terroristic act,” said Aglipay. (Everyday that there is delay, it will affect not only Marawi folks but also other Muslims in the area. There is a possibility that some groups might influence them to stage terroristic act).

Sangcopan said the snail paced progress in the Bangong Marawi programs can be overcome with the passage of the Marawi compensation bill which proposes at least P50 billion in government funds as reparations for victims of the 2017 siege.

“This compensation bill is the remaining hope we have in order to make up for [or] compensate for the loss of lives and destruction brought about by the Maute attack,” she said.

Four Muslim legislators, including Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman, co-authored the legislative proposal.

Sangcopan also called on the House of Representatives to exercise oversight powers over the Bangon Marawi program to address the sluggish implementation of its program to rebuild the city.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/08/29/slow-marawi-rehab-puts-the-city-at-risk-for-another-isis-security-threat/

Police collar ‘NPA hitman’ accused of killing ex-rebel

Sunstar article posted to Yahoo News (Aug 29, 2019): Police collar ‘NPA hitman’ accused of killing ex-rebel

A SUSPECTED hitman for the New People’s Army (NPA) was arrested after the police found his hideout in Barangay Guiwanon, Tabuelan town, northern Cebu on Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 28, 2019.

Jonbert Momo, 29, was arrested by operatives of the first Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) led by Police Lt. Col. Rene Kyamko.
The suspect is a native of Barangay Bongbong, Pangantucan town in Bukidnon, Northern Mindanao.

The arrest was based on the warrant of arrest for murder issued by Malaybalay City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Eldred Cole last July 10.

Momo allegedly killed former NPA leader Jerry Baguio.

Kyamko said they were able to receive information from Bukidnon police that Momo was hiding in a northern Cebu town.

Baguio’s wife, Yolanda, said in her affidavit that Momo, a former NPA member, killed her husband following the victim’s defection to the government.

Before he died, Baguio had served in the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit.

On Nov. 27, 2018, Baguio was allegedly murdered by Momo in Maramag town in Bukidnon.

The PMFC’s surveillance showed that Momo found a job in Tabuelan as a construction worker, said Kyamko.

During the arrest, Momo was caught by surprise. He tried to escape; he failed.

Momo reportedly cut his ties with the NPA after he fled to Cebu, said Kyamko.

In a separate interview, Momo denied that he was involved in Baguio’s death; he admitted that NPA members were behind Baguio’s death. He also belied the accusation that he was a hitman for the communists.

Two months before Baguio’s murder, Momo said he had relocated to Cebu.

Momo claimed he and Baguio were close friends, so he would not harm him. They left the NPA to focus on their personal lives.

https://ph.news.yahoo.com/police-collar-npa-hitman-accused-141200722.html

Hanwha Systems wins contract to upgrade Philippine naval vessels

From Yonhap News Agency (Aug 30, 2019): Hanwha Systems wins contract to upgrade Philippine naval vessels

SEOUL, Aug. 30 (Yonhap) -- Hanwha Systems Co., a major South Korean defense firm, has signed a deal with the Philippines to export a ship combat system, an arms procurement agency official said Friday.

Under the 30 billion-won (US$24.82 million) contract signed Tuesday, Hanwha will supply the ship combat system to the Philippine Navy for its project to upgrade three 3,000-ton frigates, according to the official of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).

By integrating equipment at naval vessels, the ship combat system generates and shares information on tactical situations.

Under the contract, Hanwha will also export electronic warfare equipment and sonar systems for frigate ships, he added.

Meanwhile, DAPA held a seminar in Manila on Wednesday, involving dozens of government officials from South Korea and the Philippines, as well as some 13 Korean defense companies.

"The event served as a venue for the two sides to discuss ways to further boost their defense industry ties and for the Korean companies to promote their weapons systems," DAPA said in a release.



Wang Jung-hong (2nd from R), chief of South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration, poses for a picture along with Bernard Valencia (L), head of the Philippine Navy Business Unit; Delfin Lorenzana (C), defense minister of the Philippines; and Chang Si-kwon (R), CEO of Hanwha Systems, in Manila on Aug. 27, 2019, after signing a 30 billion-won contract to supply a ship combat system, in this photo provided by Hanwha. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20190830006900325

Cloak and dagger: Duterte's record-high 2020 intel budget

From ABS-CBN (Aug 30, 2019): Cloak and dagger: Duterte's record-high 2020 intel budget



President Rodrigo Duterte is asking Congress to authorize P8.28 billion of the government’s proposed P4.1-trillion national budget for 2020 on surveillance alone—the highest during his term so far.

As it stands, the 2020 national budget will be the highest in Philippine history.

This, despite questions by critics on the use of intelligence information by the Duterte administration.

According to the Budget of Expenditures and Sources of Financing attached to the National Expenditure Program (NEP) submitted to the House of Representatives, the Duterte administration allocated P5.57 billion in intelligence and confidential funds in 2017—the first budget written and prepared by the administration. The surveillance budget spiked to P8.16 billion in 2018, before going down to P7.032 billion in 2019 and then to P8.28 billion in 2020.

Duterte’s surveillance funds dwarf even the surveillance budget of the military and police, as well as the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA). Duterte alone controls more than half of what his government hopes to spend on surveillance in 2020—about P4.5 billion.

This is because as commander-in-chief, Duterte gets P2.25 billion in intelligence plus P2.25 billion in confidential expenses in 2020.

On the other hand, for their 2020 intelligence funds, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Philippine National Police (PNP) gets only P806.02 million, the Department of National Defense (DND) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) get only P1.7 billion, the Department of Transportation which controls the Philippine Coast Guard has P10 million, while the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency gets only P20.2 nillion.

The intelligence funds of the DND/AFP, broken down, are as follows: Office of the Secretary, P10 million; Philippine Army, P444 million; Philippine Air Force, P17 million; Philippine Navy, P39.7 million; and General Headquarters, P1.18 million.

Duterte’s confidential funds—at P2.25 billion—also dwarf the confidential funds of other agencies in government.

Agencies with confidential funds are: Department of Environment and Natural Resources (P13.95 million), Department of Finance (P80.5 million), Department of Foreign Affairs (P50 million), Department of Interior and Local Government (P80.6 million), Department of Justice including the Bureau of Immigration and National Bureau of Investigation (P357.64 million), Department of National Defense (P23 million), Department of Transportation including the Philippine Coast Guard (P6.67 million), the Commission on Audit (P10 million), Ombudsman (P33.7 million), and the Commission on Human Rights (P1 million).

The Makabayan bloc earlier expressed fears over the rising levels of government spending on surveillance.

"Take this proposed intelligence budget with the proposed amendments to the Human Security Act (HSA) along with the PNP's and AFP's push for the revival of the Anti-Subversion Law and the militarization of campuses, then these would effectively make the whole Philippines as a police state. De facto martial law sa buong bansa ang mangyayari sa atin nito," said House Deputy Minority leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate.

Zarate last Tuesday expressed concerns that intelligence funds, along with the budget of the military and police, may just be used in "red-tagging".

“In the past, ano ba ginagawa nila? To villify progresisve organizations including (members of the) the Makabayan bloc who are in Congress,” he said.

Even Vice President Leni Robredo called on the government to justify the increased spending on intelligence.

'JUSTIFIED'

Duterte’s spokesperson, Salvador Panelo, has tried to explain the increased intelligence spending, insisting it simply made more sense for the President to corner a huge chunk of the money. “Eh siguro—I do not know exactly the reason; but if you will ask me, I’ll be using my common sense by saying that you really need money if you want to secure your country. And the Office of the President is one of the better offices that can secure the security of the land.”

Panelo belittled concerns that more money should have been given to the intelligence funds of uniformed personnel, who have the primary deliverable of securing the public.

"Iisa lang naman ‘yan, they are still within the Office of the President, lahat sila," he said.

An official of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), meanwhile, said last Tuesday that the increase in intelligence funds sought by the Office of the President for 2020 is justified.

"It is--to us--justified because we ourselves are not privy to the extent of national security issues," said DBM acting Secretary Wendel Avisado.

But Avisado could not give further details on how the additional funds would be used. He said he leaves it up to the President to share the current situation of the country in light of threats and issues affecting the country's exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea, which is being claimed by China in near entirety.

The General Provisions of the NEP define intelligence expenses as those related to intelligence information-gathering activities of uniformed and military personnel, and intelligence practitioners that have direct impact to national security.

Agencies using intelligence funds are required to submit to the President of the Philippines a quarterly report on the accomplishments in the use of said funds.

Implementation is subject to Commission on Audit-DBM-DILG-Government Commission on GOCCs-DND Joint Circular No 2015-01 dated January 8, 2015.

On the other hand, confidential expenses refer to those related to surveillance activities in civilian government agencies that are intended to support the mandate or operations of the agency.

Confidential funds are disbursed only upon approval of the department secretary concerned, according to Section 75 of the General Provisions.

Agencies using confidential funds are required to submit to the President of the Philippines and both Houses of Congress a quarterly report on the accomplishments in the use of said funds.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/08/30/19/cloak-and-dagger-dutertes-record-high-2020-intel-budget

Former MILF strongholds to be transformed into thriving communities

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Aug 31, 2019): Former MILF strongholds to be transformed into thriving communities



Sec. Carlito Galvez, Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity, welcomes the 225 former fighters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) who begin training for peacekeeping work on Thursday, August 1. PHOTO by Taher Solaiman / Inquirer Mindanao

After a monthlong training, 219 former fighters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are returning home as newly minted peacekeepers.

They will form part of the Joint Peace and Security Teams (JPST) to help secure former MILF strongholds and guerrilla bases as these are transformed into economically thriving civilian communities.

Making them peacekeepers is also part of the decommissioning of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), the MILF’s armed wing.

Decommissioning is a component of the peace deal forged in 2014 between the government and the MILF. It involves “putting beyond use” the BIAF’s cache of firearms held by guerrillas and facilitating erstwhile fighters transition to full civilian life.

Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., presidential adviser on peace, reconciliation and unity, said the JPST would also help settle disputes and actively take part in ridding the villages of “terrorists” and illegal drugs.

The BIAF members were trained on basic military and peacebuilding skills inside Camp Lucero at Carmen, Cotabato, base of the Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade.

A former combatant, Abdul Nul, said he could not believe at first that he was setting foot inside the camp of a former enemy and that he was being trained by military officers.

Comrades now

“Our enemies before are now our friends and they train us [on the] basic military course. Our former enemies are now our comrades,” said Nul, who was stationed at Camp Darapanan, the MILF administrative base.

“We are all happy that the training has already ended but this is not the ultimate end,” he said. “We have to do good in our task not only in securing the Bangsamoro but also the civilian communities here in Mindanao.”

He said he was excited to fulfill his role as “soldier for peace.”

The former combatants, who were provided with financial and food assistance, reunited with their families after a monthlong absence.

“It was really good that the solidarity and good relations [between us] were maintained. This paves the way for achieving peace in our country,” another trainee said.

“For me, it is really good that the BIAF, the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and the PNP (Philippine National Police) are working together to secure and protect our communities,” he added.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1159417/former-milf-strongholds-to-be-transformed-into-thriving-communities

Soldier hurt as teachers’ convoy ambushed

From Tempo (Aug 30, 2019): Soldier hurt as teachers’ convoy ambushed



MAP of Patikul, Sulu

A soldier was injured when a security convoy assigned to a group of teachers was ambushed by suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group in Patikul, Sulu yesterday.

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command, identified the injured soldier as Private First Class Ferdinand Payumo of the Philippine Army Special Forces.

The Special Forces and Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team were providing routine security carpooling for a group of teachers when they were waylaid by around five armed bandits in Sitio Kan Bangsawan, Barangay Kadday Mampallam at around 8 a.m., Sobejana said. Where the teachers were headed to was not disclosed.

A firefight ensued between the government troops and the bandits until reinforcement from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao-Police Regional Office responded, said Police Brig. Gen. Marni Marcos, regional director of the PRO-BARMM. “However, upon arriving in the area, they were also fired upon by the same lawless elements,” Marcos said.

The firefight lasted for a couple of minutes until the bandits withdrew towards south of Barangay Kadday Mampallam.

The teachers and the police were unharmed but Payumo sustained slight shrapnel wound in the back due to a possible rifle grenade explosion, Sobejana said.

Sobejana noted that the bandits used small firearms and an M203 grenade launcher.

Two teams of Special Forces have been sent to the area to conduct hot pursuit operations while police personnel were deployed for clearing operations.

http://tempo.com.ph/2019/08/30/soldier-hurt-as-teachers-convoy-ambushed/

Special Forces soldier wounded in Sulu clash with Abu Sayyaf

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Aug 30, 2019): Special Forces soldier wounded in Sulu clash with Abu Sayyaf

An Army soldier was wounded following a clash between government troops and suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group in Sulu on Friday morning.

Soldiers were providing route security when they were fired upon by Abu Sayyaf members in Sitio Bangkawan in Brgy. Tanum at around 8 a.m., said Western Mindanao Command spokesperson Maj. Arvin John Encinas.

Private First Class Ferdinand Payumo of the 6th Special Forces Battalion sustained shrapnel wound on his back due to a rifle grenade explosion.

The suspects ran away after the soldiers returned fire. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1159344/special-forces-soldier-wounded-in-sulu-clash-with-abu-sayyaf

AFP vows to exhaust ‘lethal and non-lethal’ means vs. Reds

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Aug 30, 2019): AFP vows to exhaust ‘lethal and non-lethal’ means vs. Reds



FEWER BUT STILL FIGHTING Members of the communist New People’s Army. AFP FILE PHOTO

The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Friday vowed to exhaust all means to end communist insurgency, following President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to finish the decades-long insurgency problem.

“We will exhaust all means available — lethal and non-lethal to hit the enemy and hit them hard,” AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said in a statement.

“We will employ the different lines of efforts with other agencies of government address or help alleviate the identified social issues that the New People’s Army capitalizes,” he added.

The President early this week told the military to put an end to insurgency: “We can’t afford to pass it in the next generations. It has to be now.”

He warned the public to expect “a little trouble”as he ordered the military to go after the NPA.

Arevalo said that one of their concerns is to stop the reported recruitment of NPA in schools through front organizations, IP communities, and other areas in the country.

He also claimed that the number of NPA fighters continue to decline, either through armed encounters, surrenders or arrests.

He cited the arrest of top communist leader Esterlita Suaybaguio Espinosa of the Central Committee and Secretary of the Metro Manila Regional Party Committee recently as one of their gains.

In 2018, Duterte signed an executive order to create a national task force to “end local communist armed conflict,” following the collapse of peace talks between the government and communist rebels.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1159425/afp-vows-to-exhaust-lethal-and-non-lethal-means-vs-reds

Group seeks closure of 9 IP schools in Caraga region

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Aug 31, 2019): Group seeks closure of 9 IP schools in Caraga region

A multisectoral body has stepped up its campaign against nine private schools for indigenous communities in the Caraga region, which the military has tagged as alleged training grounds for communist rebels.

The Caraga Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-Elcac) on Tuesday asked the Department of Education (DepEd) to permanently shut down schools under the Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development (Alcadev) and the Tribal Filipino Program of Surigao del Sur (TRIFPSS) which, Cabinet Secretary and RTF-Elcac chair Karlo Alexei Nograles said, have refused to be accredited by the DepEd.

In a press release, Col. Maurito Licudine, 402nd Infantry Brigade commander, said closing down these “non-DepEd” schools would mean scuttling their recruitment scheme for the New People’s Army.

Sought for comment, Bayan Muna Rep. Eufemia Cullamat, a Manobo leader, condemned what she said were renewed efforts by the government to Red-tag and close down “lumad” schools.

“The TRIFPSS and Alcadev have been bestowed a literacy and numeracy award by the DepEd because they have been proven to be teaching a curriculum based on our culture,” she said.

Cullamat also denounced the use of government resources in the “violence and intimidation” against lumad communities, and deplored the “false allegations” by the 402nd brigade about the schools bringing “conflicts in the communities.”

She instead cited the killing of a lumad leader and Alcadev executive director allegedly by paramilitary troops in 2015.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1159439/group-seeks-closure-of-9-ip-schools-in-caraga-region

Clash with NPA kills soldier, wounds 5 others

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Aug 30, 2019): Clash with NPA kills soldier, wounds 5 others

A soldier was killed while five others were wounded in a clash with New People’s Army (NPA) at Barangay Mabini, Basey town, Samar on Friday (Aug. 30).

The lone fatality was identified as a certain Cpl. Tabanao.

The soldiers, led by 1Lt. Reyzander Ga of the 46th Infantry Batallion, were on patrol in the area when they encountered the rebels.

Eastern Visayas, particularly Samar Island, remains to be a hotbed of communist rebellion.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1159435/clash-with-npa-kills-soldier-wounds-5-others

Media orgs unite vs. red-tagging of 2 Oro journalists

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 31, 2019): Media orgs unite vs. red-tagging of 2 Oro journalists



Google map of Cagayan de Oro City

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Media organizations have condemned the red-tagging of two local journalists based in this city, saying the allegation was dangerous and an affront to free speech.

In a statement on Friday, the Cagayan de Oro Press Club (COPC) described the red-tagging of Leonardo Vicente Corrales and Froilan Gallardo as “unfounded accusations”.

Corrales is an associate editor of Mindanao Gold Star Daily and current member of the COPC board of directors, while Gallardo, a veteran journalist and photojournalist, writes for the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Mindanews, and Benar News.

COPC said it can vouch for Corrales and Gallardo, describing the journalists as “fair and unbiased in their reporting”.

Philippine jurisprudence defines red-tagging as “the act of labelling, branding, naming and accusing individuals and/or organizations of being left-leaning, subversives, communists," or worse, "enemies of the State".

Red-tagging is commonly employed by State agents, particularly law enforcement agencies and the military, according to the various jurisprudence on the subject.

COPC maintained that "obtaining stories from non-government entities as sources, even if they are perceived to be critical of the government, does not make a journalist a communist rebel or a terrorist”.

In a separate statement released on the same day, the Mindanao Independent Press Council (MIPC) said red-tagging "is tantamount to suppression of the freedom of the press and the right to free expression".

"Such baseless allegations could force any targeted journalist to exercise self-censorship and smacks of prior restraint,” MIPC said.

The council also noted that Corrales has been a victim of the same harassment in the past.

“Journalists can be critical in their stance about the issues that they are passionate about. Just like any other citizen, they can hold varying political and social beliefs and these are protected by law,” the group said.

MIPC said that when media practitioners go out of line, libel laws can be invoked by any injured party. “In short, legal venues are available when any citizen, journalists or not, is deemed to have broken the law," it said.

“There is no recourse, however, when phantom personalities resort to vicious propaganda against any member of the press whose lives are public in character and whose views are readily accessible to the general public,” it added.

For its part, the Philippine Press Institute (PPI) said it “finds the red-tagging of journalists and media organizations baseless and irresponsible".

"This does not only endanger the profession and render chilling effect but also put the lives of those red-tagged and their families at risk,” PPI said.

“We urge the government to hold accountable the perpetrators of such false, malicious and dangerous propaganda,” the PPI added.

Meanwhile, Mayor Oscar Moreno said he deplored the red-tagging as well as other forms of baseless accusations against any person.

“I am not aware of any governmental action or tactic (in which I am involved) employing tagging of any form, and am squarely against that,” Moreno said in a statement on Friday.

Moreno said he himself has been subjected to relentless, vigorous and orchestrated demolition jobs and character assassinations. “But I have found refuge in my clear conscience and in the thought that democracy must have space for dissent and conflicting views.” he said.

The mayor said he personally knows Gallardo and Corrales, “and I have no reason to believe at all that they should be subjected to any form or manner of demolition; neither do I doubt – even for a moment – their love of country and firm adherence to democratic principles”.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1079149

1K families benefit from Maguindanao outreach program

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 31, 2019): 1K families benefit from Maguindanao outreach program



HELPING HAND. A soldier of the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade hands over a relief pack to one of the families affected by the recent conflict in Barangay Dasawao, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao. More than 1, 000 families benefited from the outreach program spearheaded by the local government in the area on Friday (Aug. 30, 2019). (Photo courtesy of SSM LGU)

More than 1,000 families have benefited from a joint medical and dental mission spearheaded by the local government of Shariff Saydona Mustapha (SSM), Maguindanao on Friday.

Among the partners of the SSM municipal government in the undertaking were the provincial health office, military, and the office of Senator Nancy Binay.

Mayor Sajid Islam Ampatuan said the senator has given rice assistance to the families, most of whom were displaced by a recent military offensive against the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in the area.

During the program, the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade provided security and manpower for the distribution of goods to the beneficiaries.

“This outreach package aims to bring government services to my town’s farthest barangays whose constituents could hardly come to the town center,” Ampatuan said of the activity held at far-flung Barangay Dasawao.

“The welfare of the people always comes first,” he added.

Aside from the distribution of food packs, the program also included prenatal checkup, dental services, diabetic tests, consultation, and minor surgical operations.

The SSM is situated near the so-called “SPMS box” that the military termed for the adjoining towns of Shariff Aguak, Pagatin (Datu Saudi), Mamasapano, and Salibo, where the BIFF mainly operates.

On August 5, thousands of families fled the area due to the air and ground offensive launched by the military against the BIFF massing at the peripheries of the adjoining towns. After two weeks of the campaign, the military halted its operation and gave the displaced families the go-signal to return home.

Many of the families, however, preferred to stay at the evacuation centers for fear that the conflict between the government forces and BIFF might erupt again soon.

Ampatuan said more outreach programs are to take place in the remote villages of his town in the coming days.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1079185

CPP/Ang Bayan: New US military facility

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Aug 21, 2019): New US military facility

The recent agreement to construct a new facility for the “war against terrorism” further strengthens the US’ hold of the Philippine military and police.

The agreement for the construction of a training center at the Philippine National Police Academy in Silang, Cavite was signed on August 15 by US Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission John Law and Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Oscar Albayalde. The US allocated a P520-million budget for its construction and operation.

The said facility will serve as an additional base of the US military. This is in addition to their base in Marawi City and in other camps of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as stated in the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement.

The construction of the facility serves the aim of the US to direct and control “counterterrorism” operations in the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries. PNP and AFP troopers will be tranied in the said facility along with other US-allied forces from other Southeast Asian counties. They will be indoctrinated to identify and fight “terrorists” as declared by the US. These forces will operate as an extension of the US military.

The five newly formed battalions of the PNP Special Action Force (SAF) will be the first to undergo training in this facility as promised by Albayalde. In 2004, it can be recalled that the US military also secretly trained two SAF companies in Zamboanga City, that were subsequently deployed to operate in Mamasapano, Maguindanao wherein 44 operatives were killed in action.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippinesand is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cpp.ph/2019/08/21/new-us-military-facility/

CPP/Ang Bayan: FFM in Isabela

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Aug 21, 2019): FFM in Isabela

Karapatan spearheaded a fact-finding mission (FFM) on August 8-10 in San Mariano, Isabela after a spate of human rights violations was reported in the province.

The investigation disclosed that five companies of the 95th and 86th IB have been deployed across 15 barangays in San Mariano, as well as four barangays in Benito Soliven and three in Ilagan City. The military intensified their operations and surveillance in the said areas under the pretext of conducting so-called development programs. Cases including sexual harassment, encampment in civilian infrastructures, indiscriminate firing, and illegal arrest and detention were documented during the investigation.

Starkest among these was the strafing of the house of peasant leader at Sitio Disiguit, Gangalan, San Mariano by the 95th IB last July. His wife, two children and two-year old grandson were in the house when the incident happened.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippinesand is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cpp.ph/2019/08/21/ffm-in-isabela/

CPP/Ang Bayan: 200 Caramoan residents evacuate

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Aug 21, 2019): 200 Caramoan residents evacuate




The Philippine Air Force’s aerial bombardment and strafing of communities in Barangay Lidong, Caramoan, Camarines Sur last August 13 resulted in the evacuation of more than 200 individuals.

To justify the attack, the fascists made it appear that there had been an encounter between the 83rd IB and Red fighters in the area. This claim was, however, belied by National Democratic Front-Bicol spokesperson Ka Ma. Roja Banua.

Last August 14, 18 families were reported to have evacuated from the towns of Lopez, Macalelon, Catanauan and Agdangan in Quezon Province. The farmers were demanding an increase in the farmgate prices of copra and whole coconut. They were summoned to a military camp and coerced to surrender as NPA members.

More than 100 soldiers of the 26th IB encamped in residents’ houses, clinic, and corn mills in a Lumad community at Sityo Simowao, Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur last August 16. The residents opposed the occupation as this engenders fear and disrupts the harvest season. Lumads from Tubod, Bolhoon, San Miguel also reported that their community has been occupied by the military since August 17.

Elements of the 20th IB reentered Barangay Capotoan in Las Navas town, Northern Samar on August 12. They segregated 143 men and women from their children. They were then interrogated and threatened to be killed. Seven other residents were isolated, detained for a few hours, and were separately interrogated and threatened. Soldiers continue to occupy civilian infrastructures in the community.

Abduction in Samar. Elements of the 43rd IB abducted Nario Lagrimas, a farmer and resident of E. Duran, Bobon, Northern Samar, along with his companion last August 8. His companion was released few hours later, but Lagrimas is still missing up to the present.

Harassment in Mindanao. Men armed with high-powered rifles looked for Pedro Arnado, national officer of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, in his residence in Davao City on August 20.

In Cagayan de Oro City, two elements of the 1st SFB in plainclothes went to the residence of Kadamay-Northern Mindanao Chairperson Francisco “Iko” Pagayaman, 63, in Barangay Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City and asked for his whereabouts.

Illegal detention. Despite the dismissal on July 30 of the illegal possesion of firearms and explosives charge against Alexander and Winona Birondo, staff of the NDFP negotiating panel, the couple are yet to be released by the police. They were arrested without a warrant by the police last July 23 in Barangay Maribio, San Francisco del Monte, Quezon City and were subsequently detained at Camp Caringal. Both are suffering from diabetes.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippinesand is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cpp.ph/2019/08/21/200-caramoan-residents-evacuate/