Duterte wants focus on 'conflict-prone' areas to stop insurgency

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 19, 2019): Duterte wants focus on 'conflict-prone' areas to stop insurgency



COMMAND CONFERENCE. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte presides over the Joint National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict and the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Philippine National Police (AFP-PNP) Command Conference at the Malacañan Palace Monday (Nov. 18, 2019). Duterte emphasized the need for the government to focus on "conflict-prone" communities in an effort to stop the decades-old communist insurgency in the country. (Presidential photo by Albert Alcain)

President Rodrigo Duterte has emphasized the need for the government to focus on "conflict-prone" communities in an effort to stop the decades-old communist insurgency in the country.

Duterte made the call during a joint command conference with the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) held at Malacañan Palace on Monday, National Security Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said on Tuesday.

"During the joint conference, the President stressed his desire to put an end to the more than 50 years of communist insurgency, saying that the effort is for future generations," Esperon said in a statement.

Duterte, as quoted by Esperon, said during the joint command conference: "If we cannot solve this problem now, our children will be confronted with this problem still. Ako gusto ko tapusin na lahat (I want to end this)."

On November 23, 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Proclamation 360, formally scrapping the peace talks between state peace negotiators and consultants of the Communist Party of the Philippines' (CPP) political wing, the National Democratic Front (NDF).

Proclamation 360 provides that the CPP, NDF, and its armed wing New People's Army (NPA) failed to show sincerity in pursuing "genuine and meaningful" peaceful negotiations, despite the "best efforts" exerted by the Duterte administration.

On December 4, 2018, Duterte signed Executive Order (EO) 70, which institutionalizes the whole-of-nation approach that will be implemented by the NTF-ELCAC in a bid to attain "inclusive and sustainable peace."

'Challenges, limitations' need to be addressed

Esperon said the President provided guidance in addressing the challenges and limitations faced by government units on the ground in dealing with the communist movement.

"He (Duterte) further stressed the need to focus on conflict-prone communities, as he called on those present to ensure that the roots of the communist insurgency would be addressed through enhanced programs and harmonized efforts in providing for basic needs such as housing, water, education, and health," he said.

The National Security Adviser noted that nearly 400 government executives attended the joint command conference.

He said participants were Cabinet members; the Cabinet Officers for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) and their government consultants; heads of the Regional Development Councils and Regional Peace and Order Councils; and, the top brass and senior commanders of the AFP and the PNP.

"President Duterte called the special joint meeting to call the entire government to action in finally putting an end to the atrocities of the Communist Terrorist Group," he said.

"The participants acknowledged that the President, through his unrelenting commitment to bring change to the lives of Filipinos, had provided an enabling environment for the NTF-ELCAC operationalization," Esperon added.

The CPP-NPA has been tagged as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

To achieve the President's goal of ending local communist armed conflict, Esperon said the Retooled Community Support Program is now being implemented in areas with vulnerable populations to ensure the improved delivery of basic services.

Esperon added that the government's milestone programs such as free tertiary education, free irrigation, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, universal health care program, ease of doing business, "Build, Build, Build" infrastructure program, and intensified implementation of land reform have enhanced the living conditions of the Filipino people.

"This underscores the thrust of Executive Order 70 in placing good governance, through the whole-of-nation approach, at the center of the government's campaign against communist armed conflict," he said.

"By his (Duterte) staunch drive against corruption and for the passage of fundamental policy reforms and laws that address the root causes of armed conflict, the business of governance was made easier and more efficient," Esperon stressed.

Duterte wants 'greater' participation

Esperon said the NTF-ELCAC has so far organized 17 regional task forces led by the CORDS, while the local chief executives have led the provincial, municipal or city, and village task forces.

He said 12 Clusters or Lines of Efforts have also been organized to support the NTF-ELCAC at all levels.

Focused military operations, as well as delivery of basic services and infrastructure and provision of livelihood projects, have been launched in insurgency-affected villages, Esperon added.

Esperon said the Commander-in-Chief closed the session by prodding local governments for "greater" participation in the NTF-ELCAC for future generations.

"Through the combined efforts both at the national and regional levels, thousands of rebels have returned to the folds of the law," he said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1086488

CPP/NDF-Negros: Class contradiction behind the economic and political attacks in Negros

NDF-Negros propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Nov 18, 2019): Class contradiction behind the economic and political attacks in Negros

BAYANI OBRERO

SPOKESPERSON

NDF-NEGROS

NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT OF THE PHILIPPINES

NOVEMBER 18, 2019

The reactionary government and big comprador bourgeoisie – landlords are fussing over the future of the sugar industry particularly in Negros Island. However, in reality, the sugar workers in the sugarcane fields and sugar centrals are the slaves of exploitation wherein bureaucrat-landlords and big compradors overindulge on huge profits from their labor.

Negros is the seat of power of despotic bureaucrat-landlords and bourgeois compradors who control Negros’ economy and politics. Central and South Negros are ruled by the families of the Cojuangcos, Alvarezes, Zaycos, Solas, Hinojaleses, Montillas and the Lamatas while the Marañons, Lacsons, Ledesmas, Ballesteroses, Montelibanos and the Golezes hold power in North Negros. Big bourgeois compradors such as the Lopezes, Tans, Sys, Gokongweis, Chans and Pangilinans who own the sugar centrals, bio-ethanol plants, real estate and other businesses also have economic interests rooted here. This is the principal reason why Negros is a priority of the Duterte regime’s military campaign — in order to protect the interest of the ruling class.

Amidst the crisis of the sugar industry, farm workers and sugar mill workers engage in a protracted struggle to fight for their legitimate demands like wage, benefits and the right to organize along with their struggle to achieve genuine land reform and national industrialization.

There is class interest in subduing the growing struggle of the people against Duterte’s fascist-tyrannical reign. The Negrosanons encountered the brutal de facto martial law resulting to widespread extrajudicial killings, illegal arrests, red-tagging and trumped-up charges and planting of evidences-firearms-grenades-bombs under the Duterte regime’s Memorandum Order 32 and Executive Order 70.

The Joint Task Force – Negros of the AFP/PNP under the whole-of-nation approach of Duterte takes part in the cycle of failures against the revolutionary movement. It shows the eagerness of the ruling class to resolve the social crisis using violent instruments of the state but actually these only set ablaze the courageous struggle of the oppressed classes.

As class struggle between the exploited classes and the exploiting class sharpens so will the determination of the oppressed classes to advance armed struggle to end the rotten US-Duterte regime.

Carry through national industrialization and genuine land reform! Fight the liberalization of rice ang the sugar industry!

Forward the People’s Democratic Revolution!

Fight, overcome fear!

https://cpp.ph/statement/class-contradiction-behind-the-economic-and-political-attacks-in-negros/

100,000 Maranao sign petition to halt planned military camps in Marawi

From Rappler (Nov 18, 2019): 100,000 Maranao sign petition to halt planned military camps in Marawi

Increased military presence in the war-ravaged city may rile up residents' cultural and religious sensitivities, and take up land that has historic meaning to the Maranao people, the petitioners say

More than 100,000 people from Marawi City and Lanao del Sur province signed a petition asking President Rodrigo Duterte to halt the government's plan to build new military camps in the war-ravaged city.

Marawi-based civic groups SAKSI Radio Forum and Ranaw Confederation for Peace brought their petition to the Office of the President in Malacañang late afternoon on Friday, November 15.

The petitioners were still waiting for a response from the President on Monday, November 18, their spokesperson Abo Hayyan Malomalo told Rappler.

The petitioners warned that increasing military presence in Marawi would go against the Maranao's cultural and religious sensitivities, and could lead to unrest.

"We are all one and united in our stand that establishing a new military camp could bring about social and political repercussions or spark cultural sensitivity that may possibly lead to social unrest or chaos if adverse effects arise [from it], not to mention the ultimate plan to institutionalize it as a military industrial base," the groups said in their petition.

"The Maranaos vehemently oppose or resent the idea," they added.

The petitioners also expressed concern that the plan would expose Maranao women to non-Muslim men, and any violation of their "gender sensitivity" and "Maratabat" or sense of honor could result in violence.

They also worry that an influx of non-Maranao military families would bring about "possible changes in the political landscape" of Marawi, and these newcomers would have "undue influence" if they "actively participate in electoral exercises" once they become legal residents of the city.

Besides these, Malomalo said the land has become part of Maranao history, to which their identity is inextricably tied.

"Mahalaga po iyan dahil future po ng aming mga anak, generation ang nakataya diyan. Nandiyan po ang mga libingan ng aming mga magulang. Historic po 'yan," Malomalo said.

(That is important because our children's future and generations are at stake. Our forebears are buried there. That's historic.)

The Maranao people of Lanao del Sur and its capital, Marawi, early on opposed plans to build new military camps as part of the government's program to reconstruct the city after the 5-month battle against the pro-Islamic State (ISIS) Maute terror group that began in May 2017.

This recent signature campaign began in October, when the Philippine Army secured writs of possession, or recovery orders from a legal court, for more than 10 hectares of land in barangays Caloocan East and Kapantaran in Marawi's most affected area (MAA), the city's commercial hub almost completely destroyed by the fighting.

Some 2,000 hectares of Marawi City were declared a military reservation in 1953, and the military would merely be reacquiring land it really owned, Housing Secretary and Task Force Bangon Marawi chief Eduardo del Rosario earlier said.

The Philippine Army's 103rd Infantry Brigade already has a camp in Marawi, but adding new ones is necessary to stamp out terror threats in and around the city, Major General Jesus Sarsagat, Army chief of staff, said on October 14.

Different Maranao groups have complained and decried the government's insistence on keeping Marawi's roughly 100,000 remaining displaced residents out of the city's MAA until all unexploded bombs and other safety hazards are cleared, which could take until mid-2021.

That's just too long, Maranao civic leaders have said. Meanwhile, security experts warn that the people's resentment could become fodder for radicalization, and help terror groups recruit new fighters among the desperate and homeless.

Malomalo said they expect Duterte to grant their petition, "dahil galing ito sa mga internally displaced person, at alam natin na may dugong Maranao ang President, and we trusted him as our President (because this came from internally displaced persons, and we know that the President has Maranao blood, and we trusted him as our President)."

Duterte has claimed a number of times that his mother was of Maranao descent.

Although hoping for the best, the petitioners are looking at other legal remedies should they receive a negative response from the President, Malomalo said.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/245202-maranao-petition-halt-military-camps-marawi

More military assets to be deployed in Sulu

From the Philippine Star (Nov 19, 2019): More military assets to be deployed in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — More military equipment will be deployed in Sulu to help ground forces defeat Abu Sayyaf bandits and neutralize foreign terrorists hiding on the island.

Armed Forces chief Gen. Noel Clement announced during his visit to the Western Mindanao Command last week the acquisition for the Light Armor Battalion of additional C-130s and the arrival of a C295 personnel transport plane, attack helicopters, a Navy warship and armored tanks, which are equipped with sophisticated weapon systems that can hit long-range targets, Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Westmincom chief, said.

More military equipment will arrive as part of the AFP modernization program, Clement said.

“Once the AFP declares the new equipment as mission-capable, it will be deployed in Westmincom to help ground forces address threat groups,“ Sobejana said.

He said the AFP chief’s assurance and support boosted the morale of ground forces, given President Duterte’s order to neutralize Abu Sayyaf bandits before the end of this year.

Sobejana said Clement also ordered pursuit operations for the remaining foreign terrorists being coddled by Abu Sayyaf bandits to prevent them from staging suicide bombings.

”We do not want these activities to occur in Sulu or any part of the country,” Clement told government troopers.
 
https://www.philstar.com/nation/2019/11/19/1969889/more-military-assets-be-deployed-sulu

Cagayan Valley NPA leader surrenders

From the Philippine Star (Nov 19, 2019): Cagayan Valley NPA leader surrenders

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — A leader of the New People’s Army recently surrendered to government troopers in Isabela.

Identified only by his aliases of Popoy and Marlboro, the military said the surrenderee was a squad leader of the Sentro Grabidad Unit Central Front of the Komiteng Rehiyon-Cagayan Valley.

The Northern Luzon Command said the former rebel, who reportedly had four children, escaped from the underground movement on Nov. 11, saying he wants to have a peaceful life with his family.

Two 5.56 rifles, 12 magazines, 230 bullets, a handheld radio, a bandoleer, improvised explosive devices and bomb materials were among those turned over by the surrenderee, according to Lt. Col. Gladius Calilan of the 95th Infantry Battalion.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2019/11/19/1969884/cagayan-valley-npa-leader-surrenders

Arevalo warns youth vs Reds’ deceptive recruitment scheme

From the Sun Star-Bacolod (Nov 18, 2019): Arevalo warns youth vs Reds’ deceptive recruitment scheme

A MILITARY official has warned students against the alleged deception made by rebels, who are recruiting youth into their organization.

Brigadier General Benedict Arevalo, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, made the emphasis in a short lecture at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, November 16, on the “Deceptive Youth Recruitment Strategy of the CPP-NPA-NDF” to the parents and students of Colegio de Sta. Ana de Victorias (CSAV), Victorias City, Negros Occidental.

Arevalo, who was invited as guest of honor and speaker for the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Presentation of Sponsors and Recognition of Parents, showed to the 600 faculty, parents and students a short animated video entitled “Pindoy,” exposing the modus of the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People's Army, and National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) in deceiving and misleading the youth to join the NPA.
During the lecture, the military commander also emphasized the CPP-NPA-NDF’s schemes on infiltrating different schools, state colleges and universities in the country.

He also warned the students to be wary of joining NDF organizations since some intend to corrupt or mislead them, clarifying the distinction of “activism” from “supporting terrorism.”

“Activism is not a crime, but supporting terrorism is a crime," Arevalo said.

"Our government respects the right to academic freedom. However, a student joining the NPA or supporting terrorist organizations is illegal and a crime,” he added.

Arevalo received a Certificate of Appreciation from the CSAV faculty headed by lawyer Romeo Vincente Sta. Ana Jr.; Dr. Nemia Yorac, Dean of Instruction; and Dr. Nelly Parreño, Research Director and Officer-In-Charge.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1832468

Parents, students warned vs NPA enticements

From Panay News (Nov 18, 2019): Parents, students warned vs NPA enticements

BACOLOD City – “Activism is not a crime, but supporting terrorism is a crime.”

This was Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade commander Brigadier General Benedict Arevalo’s stark reminder to parents and students in Victorias City, Negros Occidental.

Arevalo was the guest of honor and speaker during the Reserve Officer Training Corps Presentation of the Colegio de Sta Ana de Victorias on Saturday.

He urged both the students and their parents to be wary of student organizations which he believed to have been infiltrated by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

“Our government respects the right to academic freedom, however a student joining the NPA or supporting terrorist organizations is illegal and a crime,” Arevalo stressed.

Arevalo also showed a short animated video entitled “Pindoy”, exposing the modus of the in deceiving and misleading the youth to join the CPP-NPA.

https://www.panaynews.net/parents-students-warned-vs-npa-enticements/

Grandson of ex-Kabankalan mayor slain in ambush

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Nov 18, 2019): Grandson of ex-Kabankalan mayor slain in ambush

The grandson of the late Kabankalan Mayor Pablo Sola was killed in an ambush around 5 p.m. Sunday.

John Paul Sola, 38, was driving his McArthur type jeep, when four unidentified assailants fired upon him as his vehicle was crossing a bridge in Barangay Camansi, Kabankalan, Negros Occidental.

Police Colonel Romeo Baleros, provincial police director, said witnesses claimed that Sola’s assailants raised a clenched fist leading investigators to suspect that the New People’s Army could be behind the killing.

The killing that happened about 10 kilometers from the Kabankalan police station was reported an hour after the incident.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1191219/grandson-of-ex-kabankalan-mayor-slain-in-ambush

PH strengthens border security with Indonesia, Malaysia

From UNTV News & Rescue (Nov 18, 2019): PH strengthens border security with Indonesia, Malaysia

Participants are seen gathering near a Royal Malaysian Navy (RAM) patrol gunboat at the port of Zamboanga City, southern Philippines, 27 November 2018. The RMN is participating the Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines (INDOMALPHI) 4th Trilateral Maritime training exercise to enhance joint patrol with the three navies aiming to combat the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group and pirates operating in the common borders of the three nations in southern Philippines. EPA-EFE/LAURENZ CASTILLO

Backdoor entry through the Philippines southern border has made the country susceptible to threats from foreign terrorists.

Thus, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has been working with its neighboring countries Indonesia and Malaysia to further strengthen its border security.

In 2017, the three countries entered into an agreement coined as ‘INDOMALPHI’ or Indonesia, Malaysia, and Philippines Trilateral Cooperative Agreement which commits the three nations to securing common borders.

“If ever there are reports from let’s say Indonesia or Malaysia that they going here, they have to share that information (to prevent entry of terrorists),” explained AFP Chief of Staff General Noel Clement.

“The same is true also if we have reports that we have fighters that are coming here and going to their respective countries,” he added.

The AFP admits, however, that the lack of floating assets of its naval arm – the Philippine Navy – gives foreign terrorists the chance to penetrate the country’s territories like the suicide bombers in the Sulu attack.

Worse, these terrorists teach their local counterparts how to create explosives and execute their plans, according to Clement.

“Ang kanilang intention bakit sila nandito is para makapag-conduct ng kanilang mga terroristic activities particular ang pagbobomba (Their intentions for entering our territory include conducting terrorist activities particularly bombings),” the official said.

“Hindi natin dapat payagan ito because kapag naisagawa nila yung kanilang mga hangarin na ito ay maraming mape-perwisyo at madadamay, (We won’t allow that because if they succeed in their plans, many people will suffer),” he added.

The ‘INDOMALPHI” is conducting joint maritime exercises aimed at strengthening capabilities against sea-jacking, piracy, smuggling and other illegal activities at sea.

Meanwhile, the AFP also tapped the support of the fishing industry in ZAMBASULTA area to augment as force multipliers in guarding and protecting the waters within the Philippine territorial jurisdiction.

https://www.untvweb.com/news/ph-strengthens-border-security-with-indonesia-malaysia/

Family of suicide bombers behind attacks in Sulu, military says

From ABS-CBN (Nov 19, 2019): Family of suicide bombers behind attacks in Sulu, military says

A family of suicide bombers was responsible for a series of suicide blasts in Sulu this year, a top military official said Monday.

Major General Corleto Vinluan, the commander of 11th Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Sulu, said DNA test results showed the lone female suicide bomber who launched an attack near a military camp in the village of Kajatian in Indanan, Sulu last Sept. 8, was the mother of one of the 3 suicide bombers who were killed in a shootout with government forces in the village of Kan Islam in same town on Nov. 5.

DNA test confirms Sulu bomber a woman

3 suspected suicide bombers killed in Sulu

The Egyptian national identified only as Abduramil, who was also killed during the shootout, was also confirmed by Vinluan as the spouse of the female suicide bomber.

“Bale lumalabas na 'yung kasama nung latest noong November 5, 'yung relationship nung dalawa is parang stepson niya, isang pamilya lang sila. Last year niya inasawa yung naunang suicide bomber,” Vinluan said.

Abduramil has a teenager son, who is also in Sulu allegedly helping local bandits.

Abduramil and his son settled in Sulu last 2017 after allegedly training with an ISIS-related group in the Middle East.

Not long after, he met his Filipina wife, who was also connected with the Abu Sayyaf group.

Abduramil allegedly convinced his Filipina wife and his stepson to carry two separate suicide bombing missions.

The first attack happened near a military camp in the village of Kajatian, wherein the woman blew herself up using a vest packed explosives.

The second mission was foiled by the military, after Abduramil, his stepson, and a local bandit was killed in a shootout with government forces in the village of Kan Islam.

“Sa isinagawa ng DNA test ng ating PNP ay tumugma nga po 'yung unang suspect which is a female doon sa pangalawang suicide bomber po natin, yung bata," said Major Arvin John Encinas, spokesperson of the Western Mindanao Command.

“Yun 'yung lumalabas sa ating investigation na family nga itong mga suspect, dahil ang unang suspect noong nagdaang suicide bombers na isang female at the same time yung pangalawa nga, ay nakita po natin at lumalabas sa ating investigation na iisang family lang po ito," he added.

Encinas said Abduramil’s son is among the five foreign terrorists, including 4 Indonesians, who are being hunted down by the military in Sulu.

Vinluan said based on intelligence reports, the four Indonesians are related to the two suicide bombers who attacked the Jolo Cathedral on Jan. 27 this year, which left 22 persons dead and more than 100 injured.

Indonesian suicide bombers behind Jolo blasts: Año

In the entire Mindanao, at least 50 suspected foreign terrorists are being tracked down by authorities.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/18/19/family-of-suicide-bombers-behind-attacks-in-sulu-military-says

Patient Zero: PH creative, digital workers being used to spread disinformation

From ABS-CBN (Nov 19, 2019): Patient Zero: PH creative, digital workers being used to spread disinformation

Creative and digital workers in the country are being exploited for disinformation campaigns, a communications professor said Tuesday.

Creative workers are lured into the "digital underground to do disinformation work," according to Jason Vincent Cabañes, an associate professor of communication at De La Salle University.

"We have this burgeoning digital and creative industries. The people who lead in these different models of disinformation are tapping into this and exploiting many of our precarious digital workers," he told ANC's Early Edition.

"The more worrisome thing is that disinformation has been outsourced to the creative and digital industry and these are the ones that are innovating quickly and growing really fast."

The Philippines has been called by experts "patient zero" of disinformation, Cabañes said, as it surfaced in the country in the May 2016 elections, before Brexit in June 2016 and the US elections in November 2016.

"Disinformation in the Philippines is becoming much more entrenched, diverse and especially lucrative for people who are part of it. So the situation is really quite worrisome," he said.

"It’s very amoral and commercially driven. It’s all about money."

In his upcoming study, Cabañes said he and his co-author found 4 models of disinformation in the Philippines. The first is led by advertising and public relations experts who offer a 3-month disinformation campaign for P30 million.

Cabañes said another one is the clickbait model, which the digital marketing group Twinmark Media used. The firm earned hundreds of millions of pesos from spreading disinformation on Facebook and Google before its takedown.

EXCLUSIVE: Twinmark Media earned millions of dollars before Facebook takedown

Politicians also obligate their staff to "do trolling on the side" in an in-house model, according to Cabañes. He, however, said they have yet to confirm the state-sponsored model, where public funds are used for disinformation campaigns.

'Fake news' innovations increased in 2019 PH midterm polls: study

The professor warned that the digital disinformation industry in the country is being exported, citing data analytics firms who do political insight in other countries and offer a one-stop-shop for disinformation.

"If you could provide social safety nets, incentivize ethical practice and professionalize the digital industries then perhaps we could stem disinformation from the source rather than trying to play catch up in terms of regulation," he said.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/19/19/patient-zero-ph-creative-digital-workers-being-used-to-spread-disinformation

DND to submit agreement between AFP, Dito to Senate

From ABS-CBN (Nov 19, 2019): DND to submit agreement between AFP, Dito to Senate

The Department of National Defense (DND) will submit to the Senate before the end of the month the memorandum of agreement (MOA) entered into by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Dito Telecommunity, formerly Mislatel, the third telco player in country, for the setting up of communications towers inside military camps.

This was bared during deliberations Monday on the proposed P7.7-billion appropriation for the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in 2020, in response to Sen. Grace Poe’s question on how public security, safety and privacy can be ensured despite the presence of these towers inside the camps.

DICT budget proponent Sen. Panfilo Lacson said the MOA is still being reviewed by Defense chief Delfin Lorenzana.

Responding to Sen. Ralph Recto’s query on cybersecurity threats documented by the agency’s Cybersecurity Bureau, Lacson said there are a reported 13 million malware spread through flash drives, 4.1-percent of which are banking trojans, 0.4-percent are ransom ware, 15.6-percent crypto miner, 13.2-percent mobile.

The bureau said 7 million users in PH got attacked online, and the rise in cyber threats is at 15 percent.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/19/19/dnd-to-submit-agreement-between-afp-dito-to-senate

EASTMINCOM: Eastmincom lauds LGU in surrender of 9 high-powered firearms

Posted to the Eastern Mindanao Command (EASTMINCOM) Website (Nov 18 2019): Eastmincom lauds LGU in surrender of 9 high-powered firearms

NSFA, Panacan, Davao City - Lt. General Felimon T. Santos Jr., Commander of Eastern Mindanao Command lauded the efforts of the Mayor Florencio T Flores, Jr of Malaybalay City in initiating the surrender of the members of the Communist Terrorist Group that brought about the recovery of nine high powered firearms on November 15, 2019.

"With all stakeholders working together, we look forward to achieving more in our peace efforts." Lt Gen. Santos Jr. said

On November 11, 2019 a certain alias Jay/Jr and alias Gelai/Venus voluntarily surrendered to Malaybalay City Mayor Florencio T Flores, Jr and 403rd Brigade Commander Brigadier General Edgardo Y De Leon. 

During the conduct of the interview by Ltc. Sergio P Macarandan, Jr, Battalion Commander of the 1st Special Forces Battalion, the two divulged the existence of an armed cache in a forested area in Sitio Kubayan, Brgy Kibenton, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon.

Upon verification, elements of the Special Forces yielded nine high-powered firearms and war materials consisting of five 5.56mm M16A1 rifles; one 5.56mm R4A3 rifle; one M14 rifle; one (1) Carbine rifle; one (1) AK47 rifle; one Telescope; 30 magazine assemblies; assorted live ammunition of different calibers; and two commercial radios.
The surrenderees and firearms are now being processed under the E-CLIP procedure.

Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP

https://www.eastmincomafp.com.ph/2019/11/eastmincom-lauds-lgu-in-surrender-of-9.html

Bangsamoro gov’t gives lecture vs violent extremism

From Politiko Mindanao (Nov 19, 2019): Bangsamoro gov’t gives lecture vs violent extremism



The Office of the Chief Minister (OCM) through its Development Academy of the Bangsamoro (DAB) has spearheaded a forum against violent extremism.

Over a hundred youths from different schools and organizations in Bangsamoro region attended the Forum on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism held Monday, November 18, in Cotabato City.

Sheikh Abdulkahar Musa, one of the resource persons, noted that violent extremism has no language, no color and no religion.

He urged the participants to understand the roots of extremism to prevent it.

“Ang violent extremism ay isang malalang virus na kung saan kapag dinapuan ka ay wala ka ng papakinggan maliban sa iyong sarili lamang,” Musa said.

The forum’s briefer states that the term “violent extremism” refers to the beliefs and actions of people who support or use ideologically-motivated violence to further radical ideological, religious, or political aims. Violent extremist views can manifest in connection with a range of issues, including politics, religion and gender relations.

https://mindanao.politics.com.ph/bangsamoro-govt-gives-lecture-vs-violent-extremism/

Two members of NPA’s liquidation squad yield

From the Mindanao Times (Nov 19, 2019): Two members of NPA’s liquidation squad yield

Two members of the Special Partisan Unit (Sparu) of the New People’s Army (NPA) were arrested by soldiers of the 403rd Infantry Brigade and the police in Barangay Tongan-Tongan, Valencia City, Bukidnon on Nov. 15.

Capt. Ryan Layug, the Civil- Military Operations officer of the 403rd Infantry Brigade, identified them as Frederic Tagurda and Pedeng Matikinon. Seized from them were two .45 caliber pistols, hand grenade, four blasting caps, and an XRM motorcycle.

The two were reportedly the primary suspects in the shooting of teacher Zhaydee Cabanelez last Oct. 15 inside the classroom; the murder of CAA Pedro Omblero Jr. last Oct. 26, who was killed in front of his common-law-wife; the grenade blast at Quezon Municipal Police Station; and the attack at an Army checkpoint in Valencia City, wounding four military personnel.

Accordingly, the two were arrested following a brief gunfight.

Brig. Gen. Edgardo De Leon, 403rd IB commander, lauded the law enforcers for the arrest of two members of the Sparu, the NPA’s notorious liquidation squad.

“Their arrest gives initial justice for teacher Zhaydee who is still recuperating from the trauma and for Cafgu Auxiliary Pedro Omblero who was handcuffed and killed while being deprived of liberty,” De Leon said.

It can be recalled that ACT Teachers Partylist blaimed state forces for the attack on Cabanelez. Meanwhile, the Communist Party of the Philippines, on its website, accused the 4th Infantry Division of perpetrating the attack on the teacher.

According to Valencia City PNP, the Sparu is responsible for eight shooting incidents in Bukidnon. Among them are:

1. Jermel Tejada Pulido, Barangay Nabag-o – killed reportedly due to internal purging of the NPA.

2. Bernardino Maldan Matanod, Barangay Sinayawan – hogtied and shot on the head by 10 NPAs.

3. Zhaydee Bitago Cabañeles, Barangay Lumbayao – teacher who survived the slay attempt

4. Rodolfo Cabido Estember, Barangay Lumbayao – attacked for not reportedly remitting the extortion money.

5. Pedro Mancao Omblero Jr., Barangay Kahaponan-Batangan Boundary – victim was a Cafgu volunteer. He was handcuffed and shot in the head.

6. Nathaniel Capunay Tagaylo, Barangay Vintar – killed for unremitted revolutionary tax.

7. Leah Mandanhog Tumbalang, Barangay Poblacion – killed after she surrendered to authorities.

8. Reynan Salvo Egargin, Barangay San Carlos – killed on suspicion that the victim was a government informant.
The military said the Sparu members are all living in the urban areas. They kill civilians and non-combatants. They also kill fellow NPA members and supporters, then blame government forces for their deaths.

http://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2019/11/19/two-members-of-npas-liquidation-squad-yield/