DILG welcomes inquiry into rebel surrenderers program

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 30, 2019): DILG welcomes inquiry into rebel surrenderers program



Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año (File photo)

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is accepting the challenge of the so-called “Makabayan bloc” for a congressional inquiry into the government’s program for rebel surrenderers.

DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said it would be an opportunity to place on the record the thousands of rebel surrenderers who have been benefited by the program.

“Hindi uurungan ng gobyerno ang patutsada ng kaliwa na magkaroon ng imbestigasyon dahil wala namang korapsyon o anomalya sa programang ito (The government won't back down to the challenge of the leftist groups to hold an inquiry because there's no corruption or anomaly in the program). By all means, we urge Congress to do an inquiry so that the public will know the truth about the success of the ECLIP program,” Año said.

Año said a congressional probe would allow the government to report to the public the significant accomplishments of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) which provides a complete package of assistance to former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) and Militia ng Bayan (MB) and their family members who have laid down their arms to become productive members of the society.

“Kung inaakala ng Makabayan bloc na mapapahiya ang gobyerno sa isyung ito, nagkakamali sila. Nabigyan pa nga kami ng magandang oportunidad para maipakita kung gaano karami na na mga NPA at Militia ng Bayan ang nagbalik-loob sa pamahalaan at mang-engganyo sa iba pa na sumuko na dahil tutulungan sila ng gobyerno (If the Makabayan bloc thinks that the government would be shamed in this issue, they're wrong. We would even be given the chance to show the public the number of NPA and Militia ng Bayan (members) who have returned to the folds of law and encourage the others to surrender because the government will help them)," Año said.

Año made the remarks in response to the call of Bayan Muna Representatives Carlos Isagani Zarate and Eufemia Cullamat for Congress to look into the alleged corruption in the government’s E-CLIP program.

From July 2018 to November 2019 alone, a total of PHP171.6-million in financial assistance package have been released to 2,882 rebel surrenderers under E-CLIP of the interagency Task Force Balik-Loob, Año said.

Of the 2,882 total number of former rebels (FRs), 2,635 among them were granted immediate assistance; 1,788 with livelihood assistance; and 655 firearms remuneration amounting to PHP171.6-million through E-CLIP from July 2018 to November 2019.

Under the E-CLIP grant, FRs or their qualified beneficiaries are entitled to benefits ranging from guaranteed safety and security; monetary assistance such as a PHP50,000 as livelihood assistance, PHP21,000 for meals cost as FR is in the custody of Receiving Unit and other expenses, and PHP15,000 per FR for mobilization expenses; and firearms remuneration amounting to the value of turned-in firearms, among others.

“Kung kinakailangan ay pahaharapin namin sa Kongreso ang mga E-CLIP beneficiaries para sila mismo ang magpatotoo na natanggap nila ang ayuda ng gobyerno at nagbabagong-buhay na sila. Malalaman ng taongbayan doon kung sino ba talaga ang gumagawa ng kuwento (If necessary, we would let the E-CLIP beneficiaries attend the inquiry so that they themselves prove the government's assistance to surrenderers like them. The public would know who's telling the truth),” says Año.

Wrongly accused

Año expressed disappointment that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), which have been working to ensure peace and security have been wrongly accused by the leftist bloc.

“Hindi tama na kung sino pa ang nangangalaga sa seguridad ng estado at ng mga mamamayan ay sila pa ngayon ang pilit sinisiraan ng leftist bloc (It is wrong for the Makabayan bloc to accuse the ones who have been ensuring the safety and security of the state),” he said

“We are ready to face the Makabayan Bloc in Congress or in any forum so that the AFP and the PNP can defend themselves and prove to the world that it is these leftist lawmakers who are concocting stories and spreading lies,” he added.

Año also expressed disbelief that the Makabayan bloc was quick to the draw in attacking government but was unusually silent when a landmine planted by NPAs killed two and injured 12 civilians in Borongan, Eastern Samar last December 14.

“Ang bilis ninyong magtahi ng kuwento at patamaan ang gobyerno sa isyung ito. Pero nakapagtataka na kayo na pumoposturang tagapagtanggol ng interes ng naaapi ay hindi man lang pumiyok noong maraming nadisgrasya sa Eastern Samar dahil sa kagagawan ng NPA. Kaninong interes ba talaga ang pinoprotektahan ninyo? (You were quick to spin a yarn and hit the government on this issue. But it's puzzling that you, who posture yourselves as defenders of the people did not even speak a word when a number of civilians were killed and injured in Eastern Samar because of the NPA's doing. Whose interests are you protecting, anyway?)," he said.

Meanwhile, Año said the PNP and the AFP commands have ordered its units to be more circumspect in releasing photos and information to the public and are already taking appropriate measures to ensure that such lapses would not happen again.

“Huwag nating bigyan ng dahilan ang mga kaaway ng estado na hanapan ng butas ang magandang programa natin para sa ating mga kababayan (Let's not give the enemies of state a reason to look for any loopholes in a program that's good for the people)," he said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1089721

Duterte asks Año to supervise PNP

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 30, 2019): Duterte asks Año to supervise PNP
(By Azer Parrocha)

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday bared that he has asked Interior Secretary Eduardo Año to supervise the Philippine National Police (PNP) while he has yet to appoint a chief for the country’s police force.

Duterte admitted he is still having trouble deciding on who to appoint as next PNP chief lamenting that the police force in Manila remained problematic.

“Sa mga probinsiya, mahusay ang pulis (In the province, police are doing good). But in Manila...that’s why I did not appoint a PNP [chief.]. Sabi ko kay Gen. Año na hawakan niya (I told Gen. Año to supervise it first),” Duterte said in a speech in North Cotabato.

“You fix the police so that by the time we make the exit two years from now, at least yung mga problema ng Pilipino, medyo hindi na masyadong mabigat (the problems of Filipinos would be less heavy),” he added.

He also warned police and local politicians involved in the illegal drug trade and corruption from facing the worst type of punishment if caught.

“Pagka pumasok kayo sa droga (If you enter the illegal drug trade), there is no other way to deal with you except to kill you,” Duterte said.

Meanwhile, he slammed human rights groups for criticizing his aggressive crackdown on illegal drugs.

“Ang mga human rights na ‘yan, ang ginagawa puro human wrong, hindi human rights (Those human rights groups, they’re involved in doing ‘human wrong,’ not human rights),” Duterte said.

He criticized them for counting the number of suspects killed in the drug war instead of taking notice of those killed by crimes which resulted from drug overdose.

“Maraming buhay nasisira. Ikaw, may bahay ka, may adik ka lang sa bahay mo, may problema ka na. (There are many lives ruined. If you live with an addict, you have a problem). And even let me say, the family becomes dysfunctional,” he added.

Last month, Duterte said he would rather direct PNP himself than appoint a corrupt chief, insisting his desire for the next leader not to be involved in any allegation or case of corruption.

“I would rather not appoint anybody for that matter. Ako na ang hahawak (I will handle it). I will be the one directing...guidance and direction lang naman ako (I will only be there for guidance and direction),” Duterte said in a media interview on November 28.

In a TV interview earlier this month, he said even if all contenders were “good” he wanted the next PNP to guarantee that all drugs lords would be killed.

The PNP is currently headed by Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa as an officer in charge.

Contenders for the post are Gamboa, Lt. Gen. Camilo Cascolan, deputy chief for operations and Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, former Metro Manila police director and now head of the directorial staff.

Other names mentioned were Central Visayas regional director, Brig. Gen. Valeriano de Leon and Calabarzon regional director, Brig. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1089732

Gov’t troops will only fire to defend themselves: Lorenzana

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 30, 2019): Gov’t troops will only fire to defend themselves: Lorenzana (By Priam Nepomuceno)



Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. (PNA File photo)

Government troops will only react in self-defense and will do as they are not allowed to engage New People's Army (NPA) rebels during the ongoing ceasefire.

"So they (NPA) have a plenum? They can go ahead. Our troops are not prohibited from doing their other duties such as law enforcement and assisting the local populace. The ceasefire prohibits them from engaging the NPA in combat. Our troops will only react in self-defense," Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in a message to reporters Monday.

Lorenzana made this remark as communist rebels in Surigao Del Norte aborted their assembly which was scheduled Sunday night at Bacuag town due to the presence of military troops in the area.

A plenum is an annual gathering of NPA and the Communist Party of the Philippine leaders and their allies.

Lorenzana, however, said the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) takes exception to the accusation of an alleged violation of the holiday truce.

"Look who is talking! They, members of the terrorist CPP-NPA, are the peace spoilers. They prostituted and violated every ceasefire that has been declared," Lorenzana said.

He said government troops are faithfully and dutifully observing ceasefires.

"Even if soldiers were treacherously attacked by these criminals and extortionists during a humanitarian mission, they abided by the truce. But these CPP-NPA members, they proved to be a band of recidivists and habitual offenders to peace talks which prompted President Duterte to cancel an ongoing peace negotiation in November 2017," he added.

Just hours after their unilateral declaration of a ceasefire on Dec. 23, NPA rebels in Camarines Norte ambushed a team of soldiers who were on their way back to camp following the announcement of a suspension of military operations by the DND and AFP.

A soldier was killed and six others were wounded in the attack.

"Not long before that, NPA members blasted an anti-personnel landmine on unwitting policemen returning to station also from an operation halted by the ceasefire," Lorenzana said.

He added that it is the CPP-NPA which is against ceasefires.

The holiday truce between government forces and communist rebels took effect midnight of December 23 and will last until 11:59 p.m. on January 7.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1089705

AFP pays homage to martyrdom of Dr. Jose P. Rizal

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 30, 2019): AFP pays homage to martyrdom of Dr. Jose P. Rizal (By Priam Nepomuceno)



The Rizal monument in Manila 

The entire Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) paid homage to Filipino patriot and hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, as the country observed his 123rd martyrdom anniversary at Bagumbayan (now Rizal Park) on Monday.

"The AFP pays homage to our national hero. He epitomizes the AFP’s core values of honor, service, and patriotism," said AFP spokesperson, Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, in a message to reporters.

Aside from these traits, Rizal also exudes the leadership principles of a Filipino trooper.

"He labored tirelessly to improve himself personally and professionally. He led by example. He took care of his people and look out for their welfare," he said.

He added that above all, Rizal played an active role in the fight for nationalism and took responsibility and paid dearly for his heroic actions.

"Thus, every Soldier, Airman, Sailor, and Marine of the AFP emulates Dr. Rizal’s selfless devotion to duty to country and people -- offering the ultimate sacrifice like he did 123 years ago in Bagumbayan when duty demands it," Arevalo said.

Rizal Day was first celebrated on December 30, 1898 after General Emilio Aguinaldo issued a decree declaring December 30 as the anniversary of Jose Rizal’s death.

This year's celebration is themed “Jose Rizal: Huwaran ng Pilipino sa Ikadalawampu’t Isang Siglo" (Jose Rizal: Paragon of the Filipinos in the 21st Century).

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1089726

Great strides made in improving PH peace, stability: Lorenzana

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 30, 2019): Great strides made in improving PH peace, stability: Lorenzana (By Priam Nepomuceno)



Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. (File photo)

With 2019 coming to a close, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the department and its attached agencies, made excellent strides in improving the country's peace and stability.

"Let me express my thanks and gratitude to the men and women of the Department for the work we have done together to accomplish our mission. The dedication of the military and uniformed personnel of the Department is manifested in the excellent accomplishments for the year, significantly contributing to the peace and stability in the whole country," Lorenzana said in his yearend message forwarded to reporters.

Using the National Defense Strategy as its guide, Lorenzana said the DND has pursued the protection of our people and ensured our sovereignty and territorial integrity.

This includes establishing a permanent presence in our northernmost island, Mavulis, where the Philippine flag was hoisted, construction of a fishermen’s shelter and permanently stationing a Marine contingent on the island.

He added that more Marines will be station in the outlying islands in the Babuyan channel in the future.

"We are also actively working with Malaysia and Indonesia under the Trilateral Cooperative Arrangement on Immediate Measures to Address Security Issues in the Maritime Areas of Common Concern in the Sulu and Celebes Seas. This collaboration has decreased the kidnappings in those areas to almost nil in the past two years," Lorenzana said.

In line with the country's independent foreign policy, the DND has continued to pursue defense cooperation with the other ASEAN members, other partner-countries, and non-traditional partner-countries to promote Philippine defense interests aside from generating opportunities for capability and capacity building, and attain stability and progress as well as the protection of a rules-based international order.

"Our partner-countries are also assisting us to improve our defense capabilities by making available their defense materiel to the AFP Modernization Program," Lorenzana said.

As 2020 starts, he called upon all DND personnel to continue to pursue excellence in public service.

"The call to a more effective and efficient Defense sector is imperative in light of the enormous and varied security challenges confronting the nation," he added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1089700

PRRD wants peace panel out of talks with Sison

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 30, 2019): PRRD wants peace panel out of talks with Sison
(By Azer Parrocha)



President Rodrigo R. Duterte

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday reiterated his desire to talk with Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison, but this time, without the presence of any panel.

“We’re trying to have a talk. Pero ang gusto ko, sabi ko kay Sison (But I want, I told Sison), ‘You come home and we will talk alone.’ Kaming dalawa lang. Ayaw ko ng panel (Just the two of us. I don’t want a panel),” Duterte said in a speech in North Cotabato.

Duterte was referring to the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) peace panel.

“Tanungin ko siya dito. Ano ba talaga gusto mong p***** i** (I’m going to ask him about this. What do you really want)?” Duterte said.

“You want to destroy a country? Can you really think you can destroy the Philippines?” he added.

Duterte criticized the communist rebels anew for having no ideologies, tagging them as “plain bandits.”

“They collect from itong mga (these) farm enterprises, sunugin ‘yung mga trucks kung (they burn trucks)… It -- it does not really make any sense,” Duterte said, referring to revolutionary taxes.

He pointed out that the communist rebels have been losing supporters because many have already surrendered.

“Marami ang nagsu-surrender. Marami talaga ang bumababa (There are many who have surrendered. There are many going down from the mountains),” Duterte said.

The Chief Executive, meanwhile, reiterated his promise to give surrenderers shelter, livelihood, education if they returned to the folds of the law.

Last week, Duterte demanded an explanation from the communist movement on violations committed despite declaring a 15-day unilateral ceasefire.

The holiday truce between the government forces and the communist guerrillas will be in place from December 23 until January 7, 2020.

The ceasefire was implemented after Duterte and Sison separately declared their nationwide truce before the planned resumption of formal peace negotiations.

However, there have been reported attacks by suspected NPA members against soldiers and policemen in Labo, Camarines Norte; Tubungan, Iloilo; and Quezon province on the first day of the implementation of the temporary ceasefire.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1089757

Development projects win peace for Negros Oriental

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 29, 2019): Development projects win peace for Negros Oriental  (By Mary Judaline Partlow)



Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo (File photo)

DUMAGUETE CITY -- Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo has underscored the need for all the people in the province to unite as he vowed to put premium on development and not “bullets” as a means to attain lasting peace.

Negros Oriental, being the only province among four in Central Visayas that continues to face the problem of insurgency, has been receiving interventions from the national government to end local communist armed conflict.

The peace and order situation in the province this year was rocked by a series of shooting incidents in July, including the brutal slaying of four policemen allegedly by suspected communist rebels, that sparked public outrage.

Most of the shooting incidents were either insurgency-related or linked to the illegal drug trade, according to police authorities.

Degamo, in his yearend report on his administration’s gains for 2019, assured that despite the unfortunate events that marred the otherwise relatively peaceful atmosphere in the province, development projects especially under his focal program “HELP” will continue without let-up.

HELP stands for Health, Education and Environment, Livelihood Programs and Projects for Peace and Development.

“I have repeatedly said that winning the peace means not just employing the use of bullets, but bringing the government closer to the people by the delivery of basic services and goods,” he said.

These programs and projects, according to the governor, are aimed at helping alleviate the living conditions of his constituents, most especially those living in remote or hinterland villages that are affected by the communist insurgency.

Whether directly or indirectly, people will benefit from these as they are designed to address the more important issues and concerns facing them, the governor said.

Health is wealth

Degamo believes that “a healthy population means a wealthy community.”

One of the provincial government’s remarkable achievements this year is having brought down the malnutrition rate from 5.6 percent in 2018 to 5.2 percent in 2019, he said.

This year, the province also reported that 2,619 individuals had benefited from the Blood Program, which is free for indigents while the New Eye Care Center also served 1,500 patients more or less for free screening and cataract surgeries.

The No Balance Billing Policy adopted by the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital (NOPH) has benefited some 40,000 patients within the year.

The provincial government has enrolled in the Provincial Leadership Governance Program of the Department of Health (DOH) in preparation for the eventual implementation of the Universal Health Care Program.

The Zero Open Defecation program initially piloted three municipalities successfully increased the percentage access to sanitary toilet from the previous 73 percent to 82 percent this year.

Last Dec. 6, the DOH declared Negros Oriental as one of the 10 malaria-free provinces in the country based on standards of the World Health Organization.

Degamo also reported that various infrastructure projects at the provincial hospital and the district hospitals are ongoing, while projects funded by the Health Facilities Enhancement Program continue to improve the hospital efficiency at NOPH, and the district hospitals in Bayawan City, Siaton, and Guihulngan City.

Addressing the gap in education system

The provincial government continues to allocate funds for education programs to assist the Department of Education in providing better access to quality education to the constituents.

The Special Education Fund (SEF) of PHP36 million for 2019 was appropriated to research, infrastructure, textbooks, personnel hiring, and sports development.

Through the SEF, some 250 teacher aides were employed in the different schools in the province with an estimated annual payout of PHP6 million.

For school year 2019-2020, a total of 39 provincial scholars were reported to have gone to medical school. After graduation and passing the board, these new doctors will serve the province for a few years as part of the contract and will boost the number of doctors already working especially in the far-flung district hospitals.

Under a specialization program to further increase health services in the province, government medical doctors in Negros Oriental are now taking post-graduate courses at hospitals in Cebu City.

In three years’ time, these doctors with specialized disciplines will be employed at the provincial hospital to cope with the demands of the DOH, Degamo said.

Environment takes center stage

Amid the challenges brought about by the global climate crisis, the provincial government embarked on a variety of projects to ensure the sustainability and protection of the environment.

As a commitment to the Paris Agreement, Degamo issued Executive Order No. 9, series of 2018, mandating the use of clean and renewable energy in the 19 municipalities and six cities in Negros Oriental and imposed a moratorium on coal.

Also, following the issuance of Executive Order No. 22-18 in December 2018 declaring every 5th of March each year as Renewable Energy (RE) Day, the governor led this year’s first-ever celebration of RE Day.

As an offshoot, Negros Oriental is the first sub-national government member from the Philippines of the Powering Past Coal Alliance, an initiative of the Royal Embassy of the United Kingdom and the Embassy of Canada.

The Powering Past Coal Alliance is a coalition of national and sub-national governments, businesses and organizations working to advance the transition from unabated coal power generation to clean energy.

In collaboration with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the province’s Environment and Natural Resources Division, some of the gains worthy to note include the locally-established 51 Marine Protected Areas, mangrove rehabilitation and management with 3,000 seedlings of “bungarol” and 33,500 propagules of “bakhaw” species distributed and planted in different mangrove sites in the province.

Also, under the Adopt-A-Forest program, farmers’ associations are maintaining 10 hectares of forestlands while the Adopt-A-River program has been implemented at feasible sites in Canlaon City, Sta. Catalina, Siaton, and Mabinay.

Twenty-four farmers’ associations with 1,600 members were organized under the Integrated Social Forestry (ISF) program areas in Bayawan City, Sta. Catalina, Siaton, Amlan, Ayungon, Vallehermoso, and Canlaon City to protect the micro-watershed in these areas.

Livelihood for all

With the aim to give the people a better quality of life through dignified and reliable jobs, the province has undertaken various endeavors to achieve this goal.

Two local and overseas job fairs were conducted this year, with 56 individuals hired on the spot out of 1,387 applicants.

Training on rag-making was also conducted, as well as the Job Coaching Program for proper skills and job matching. Other trainings conducted include fish processing, fruit and vegetable carvings, cake baking, meat processing, poultry and meat processing, among others.

The Provincial Integrated Skills Training Center through the Technical Vocational Education and Training program of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has also conducted seven modular trainings, which produced 104 trainees with 12 female finishers.

Projects for peace, development

Degamo reported that gains from agriculture were “very strong” in 2019, even though the farming and fisheries sector had the highest poverty incidence in the province.

He said, however, that the provincial government has come up with interventions, support, and innovations to uplift the lives of this particular sector.

Funded interventions for agriculture amounted to PHP58 million from the national government, he added.

This year, the average rice and corn production on organic agriculture has increased to 2.61 metric tons (MT) per hectare (ha) and 1.25 MT/ha, respectively, versus that of last year’s data of only 1.3 MT/ha and 0.6 MT/ha in 2018.

This is more than the average production of 0.83 MT/ha based on the Philippine Statistics Authority data.

On conventional agriculture, the average production of rice increased from 2.95 MT/ha in 2018 to 3.04 MT/ha in 2019, although for corn, it remains at one MT/ha but is still higher than the PSA estimate.

This is encouraging, considering that many farmers in the province were affected by the Rice Tariffication law, but stop-gap measures were adopted to ensure that the farmers would not be displaced with the importation of commercial rice.

Other projects that would sustain food security include inland fishery projects, catfish production, and livestock sufficiency.

Despite the outbreak of the African swine fever in Luzon, Negros Oriental remained free of the virus that affects pigs with the vigilance and constant monitoring of inbound raw pork meat and processed meat products.

The Provincial Veterinary Office in coordination with the Bureau of Animal Industry had, in fact, confiscated a number of these from passengers arriving here from other ports of origin in the past months.

An amended executive order by the governor ensures stringent measures that will prevent the ingress and egress of pork meat and by-products as mandated by law.

Other programs and projects for peace and development include monetary assistance to individuals in crisis situations, amounting to PHP27 million for an estimated 6,000 beneficiaries, as well as financial aid for senior citizens, persons with disabilities and even living centenarians who each received PHP100,000 on their 100th birthday.

Degamo announced that the social pension for every senior citizen will be at PHP6,000 a year, subject to certain regulations.

Six rebel returnees integrated into the community received financial assistance of PHP65,000 from the Department of the Interior and Local Government and PHP3,000 from the provincial government, as well as additional livestock support as livelihood assistance.

For the differently-abled, a total of PHP1.5 million in assistance was handed out to more or less 174 individuals.

Tourism

In the first eight months of 2019, the province of Negros Oriental registered a spike in the number of tourist arrivals.

Records from the Provincial Tourism Office showed that 668,941 local and foreign tourists visited Negros Oriental in that period, which is 13.19 percent higher compared to the 2018 tourist arrivals marked at 590,975.

The tourists mostly came from the following countries: China (11,005); United States (9,896); Korea (6,135); Japan (4,247); Canada (2,543); France (2,216); Germany (1,839); Hong Kong (1,548); Australia (1,428); and the United Kingdom (1,208).

Negros Oriental ranks as the 13th top destination in the Philippines this year, while Dumaguete City, its capital, was recognized as one of the best places to retire in the world.

Crime prevention

Remarkably, despite the spate of shooting incidents in the province, its crime index is lowest in the region, and way below the regional average of 12.83 percent.

The peace and order in the province is generally peaceful and safe for tourists, investors, and businesses to thrive, the governor reassured.

Although Negros Oriental is under terrorist threat level 2 because of its proximity to Mindanao and the upcoming Sinulog Festival in Cebu City in January, the security preparation here is way above the perceived threat, he said.

Ending local communist armed conflict
On Aug. 14, 2019, the Negros Oriental Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NOTF-ELCAC) was formally launched in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order 70 in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace via a whole-of-nation approach.

Negros Oriental was the first in the country to create and launch its Task Force ELCAC, chaired by Degamo.

Its objective is to bring together government agencies to end communist insurgency by delivering basic services as well as addressing the needs of the people, particularly in conflict areas.

Priority areas include 16 barangays in six towns and cities, namely: Barangays Bayog and Lumapao in Canlaon City; Trinidad, Binobohan, Sandayao, Tacpao, Imelda, Hinakpan, Humay-humay, and Planas in Guihulngan City; Dobdob in Valencia; San Pedro and Talalak in Sta. Catalina; Tayak in Siaton; Calango and Mayabon in Zamboanguita.

A series of Dagyawan: Talakayan sa Mamamayan and Gobyernong Serbisyo Caravans was held in all of these towns and cities by the NOTF-ELCAC, spearheaded by the DILG and in collaboration with the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas.

The Dagyawan is a solution-driven consultation with barangay officials and residents to identify their respective problems, concerns, and other issues, and find ways to address these.

The Gobyernong Serbisyo Caravan, meanwhile, brings together the different government agencies to provide various services to hundreds of residents in the communist insurgency-affected areas.

Degamo has lauded the support of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, and all the national agencies for their support and cooperation to make the first round of ELCAC activities in the province a success.

On Nov. 29, the governor handed over the official list of priority projects to DILG-Region 7 regional director Leocadio Trovela who turned this over to DILG Undersecretary for Operations Epimaco Densing III.

Densing, who delivered his keynote address during the “Dagyawan sa Barangay: Handover of Priority Projects” held at the Lamberto Macias Sports and Cultural Center here, promised that the list will be forwarded to the national government agencies concerned.

Asked what would happen next, Degamo noted that even before the Task Force ELCAC was created, his administration had already started development projects, such as infrastructure, in many parts of the province, including those affected by the insurgency.

He promised to make a follow-up with national authorities on how soon the priority projects identified through the Dagyawan series would be implemented.

Continuity, unity in 2020 ‘key’ to peace

As the year comes to a close, the governor expressed thanks to provincial and local officials, government agencies, non-government and civil service organizations, the private sector and the general public for their contributions to making the year 2019 a fruitful one.

As of Nov. 30, 2019, the provincial government has generated a total income amounting to more than PHP2.347 billion and it is expected to reach PHP2.556 billion by the end of the year.

This is a realization rate of 105 percent against the PHP2.272 billion projection for the year, he said.

Degamo stressed that to achieve peace and prosperity for the province, “we need to do away with politics while providing genuine and sincere public service for the good of all.”

He is hopeful that with a sustained campaign against the insurgency, many Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) members and supporters will come forward and surrender and return to mainstream society.

This would be possible if government agencies will make good their promise to deliver the basic necessities and sustain the provision of government services to the people especially in the hinterland barangays, he said.

At the provincial government level, the governor reassured that his administration will continue with its priority plans, programs, and projects to ensure that every Oriental Negrense will have a better future.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1089678

Salugpongan school closure one of major events of 2019

From the Mindanao Times (Dec 28, 2019): Salugpongan school closure one of major events of 2019 (Rhoda Grace Saron)

The stop-and-go peace talks with the CPP-NDF-NPA, the extension of Martial Law, and the closure of Salugpongan schools hogged the headlines this year.

Here are some of the major events to close down 2019, and usher us to the year ahead.

Salugpongan in UCCP Haran Davao City.

DepEd XI orders closure of Salugpongan schools

The Department of Education (DepEd) XI announced the “total closure” of 55 Salugpongan Ta’Tanu Igkanogon Community Learning Center Inc. in the region.

DepEd Davao spokesperson Jenielito Atillo said the closure order was the result of the investigation conducted by the five-man fact-finding committee, which found “substantial evidence” that the center committed various irregularities and offenses, including non-compliance of the curriculum standards set by the DepEd.

Addressed to Salugpongan executive director Ma. Eugenia Nolasco, DepEd assistant regional director Evelyn Fetalvero sent the Sept. 5 resolution of the fact-finding committee, which also directed the center to turn over all the records of the students to the DepEd School’s Division office for proper custody.

The Salugpongan already received a copy of the order last Monday morning. Copies of the order were also furnished to all school division superintendents in the region, the chair of the Regional Development Council and the chair of the Regional Peace and Order Council XI.

Atillo said DepEd created the fact-finding committee because “we do not want to limit our efforts to the complaints of National Security Secretary Hermogenes Esperon against Salugpongan.” The committee was formed after DepEd issued a temporary suspension against the Salugpongan on July 10.

“We want to dig deeper more and expand the horizons of the investigation,” Atillo said.

The committee was chaired by Maria Ines Asuncion, CESO V, and co-chaired by Atty. Arvin Antonio Ortiz, with Roy Enriquez, Janette Veloso and Isidra Despi as members.

On Aug. 14, the tribal chieftains in areas where Salugpongan operated testified. A former student and a former Salugpongan organizer narrated their experiences during their stay at the center the following day.

On Aug. 27, the team conducted a conference with the Salugpongan officials for them to counter the allegations.

After the investigation, the team found out the following:

a. Salugpongan did not comply with curriculum standards set by DepEd;

b. Salugpongan brought its students away from their home without the consent of their parents and used them to generate funds by making them perform the plights of the Lumad in violation of the DepEd’s child protection policy;

c. Teachers of Salugpongan are not passers of licensure exam for teachers;

d. Salugpongan operates within the ancestral domain of the indigenous peoples (IP) community without obtaining the mandatory consent of the concerned IP communities and certification from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples;

e. Some Salugpongan students did not have Learners Reference Number, in violation under DepEd Order No. 26, 2015;

f. Salugpongan has misrepresented its enrollment data. The data contained in the documents it submitted did not match the data found in the Learners Information System.

Atillo said the Salugpongan even taught its students “Bayang Mahiwaga,” not the “Lupang Hinirang,” as the national anthem, in violation of Sec. 35 of the Republic Act No. 8491.

He said Salugpongan also engaged in historical revisionism. Based on the testimony of Asenad Bago, a former student, the school taught them that a certain Fr. Faustino Victorino is the national hero, supplanting Dr. Jose Rizal.

“Salugpongan, as a school, should make the education of its students as its priority. However, the revelation of the students would point to the fact that it is not the case,” the resolution said. “The students are instead not only encouraged, but even commanded, to attend rallies.”

Army’s armored personnel carrier deployed at Davao City hall ground after President Rodrigo Duterte declare martial law in Mindanao on May 23, 2017,

Martial Law to end

Malacañang is not extending martial rule for the fourth time in Mindanao. The announcement pleased the private sector and the city government as local officials have been rooting for the city’s exemption should martial law be extended for another year.

Early this year, City Mayor Sara Duterte sent a letter to President Duterte to reconsider and review the declaration of martial law in Mindanao.

The City Council also passed a resolution on August 6, authored by Councilor Mabel Sunga Acosta, committee chair on peace and public safety, requesting the President to exempt Davao City should martial law be extended.

President Rodrigo Duterte heeded the military ground commanders and Philippine security officials’ recommendation not to extend martial law, following the drop in crime incidents in the southern Philippines, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said.

“The Office of the President wishes to announce that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte will not extend martial law in Mindanao upon its expiration on December 31, 2019,” Panelo told Palace reporters.

“The Commander-in-Chief made the decision following the assessment of his security and defense advisers of the weakening of the terrorist and extremist rebellion, a result of the capture or neutralization of their leaders, as well as the decrease in the crime index, among the factors considered,” he added.

The siege laid by the Islamic State-inspired Maute group on May 23, 2017, prompted Duterte to place the whole of Mindanao under martial law.

Section 18, Article 7 of the 1987 Constitution provides that a President can declare martial law and suspend the writ of habeas corpus for a period not exceeding 60 days, in case of invasion or rebellion.

“The Palace is confident in the capability of our security forces in maintaining the peace and security of Mindanao without extending martial Law,” Panelo added.

Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana and National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. earlier expressed opposition to any proposal to extend the military rule in Mindanao.

On Oct. 25, Esperon stressed that there was no need to further extend martial law in Mindanao if the Congress can pass a measure that amends Republic Act 9372 or the Human Security Act of 2007.

RA 9372, which took effect on March 6, 2007, seeks to provide law enforcement and judicial authorities with the legal tools to confront terror threats in the country.

Meanwhile, The Task Force Davao is recommending a conditional gun ban in Davao City if the Martial Law in Mindanao will finally be lifted.

Mayor Sara Duterte earlier submitted for the exemption or lifting of Martial Law in Davao city.

“We need to have prepared actions on the effect of the lifting of Martial Law,” Task Force Davao commander, Col. Consolito Yecla, told reporters yesterday during the AFP-PNP press briefing held at The Royal Mandaya Hotel.

A conditional gun ban means the permit to carry is suspended in Davao City. Owners may still apply for documents to legalize their firearms. For non-city residents, they need to leave their guns when they plan on entering Davao City. For residents, they should leave their firearms when they go out of their house.

The proposal for a conditional gun ban was raised during the Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Council (JPSCC) meeting at Police Regional Office XI on Monday. It is part of the culture of security hat the Task Force Davao has been espousing.

 t.

Soldiers of Task Force Davao checks vehicle entering Davao City at a checkpoint in Barangay Sirawan, Toril.

Maximum Security Zones
Earlier, the Task Force Davao recommended that maximum security zones be established, particularly in high-traffic areas. For instance, they are thinking of limiting the number of vehicles that can park in the areas surrounding City Hall, San Pedro Cathedral, and the Sangguniang Panlungsod. They are also thinking of adopting the same measure at the Roxas night market.

“There should be an ordinance institutionalizing that effect,” he said. “And we should increase parking violation to ensure that there would be no vehicle-borne IED that will be used by terrorists in Davao city.”

Yecla said they are already preparing for the possible lifting of Martial Law in the city, but they need the cooperation of the local government and the public. “We need to back it up with policy pronouncement to ensure that we will not become a soft target for the terrorists,” he added.

NPA now down to 598 active rebels

The 10th Infantry Division said the New People’s Army (NPA) population in the region continues to shrink, as it estimated that the rebel group only has 598 active guerrillas.

“Not only in Davao region, but also some parts of North Cotabato, South Cotabato and portions of Sarangani province, Agusan Del Sur, Surigao, and Bukidnon,” Capt. Jerry Lamosao, the spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division, said during the AFP-PNP press conference held in The Royal Mandaya Hotel.

From the 11 guerrilla fronts, Lamosao said the NPA is now down to four guerrilla fronts operating in 46 barangays.

“There are many groups that dissolved,” he said. “There are only four guerrilla fronts that were numbered to 20 to 25 members and eight weakened guerrilla fronts composed of 10 to 15 members, ” he added.

He also said that there are only three remaining Pulang Bagani Commands of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee.

Based also on their record, they estimate that the NPA has a total inventory of 722 firearms.

“Records from operations and Intelligence branch and, at the same time, the report from concerned citizens regarding the validation of the number of casualties because there are some encounters that we’re not able to determine but we can identify after two to three days,” Lamosao said.

He attributed the increasing number of surrenderees and the diminishing number of NPAs to the whole-of-nation approach of the government to pursue inclusive development projects.

Lamosao said they partnered with the local government units and non-government agencies for the implementation of peace and development. He also emphasized that to prevent the rebels from shoring its militant force, the concerned agencies should address the root cause of rebellion.
Davao City tribe declares

NPA ‘persona non grata’

Close to 600 members of the Obu-Manobo tribe in the far-flung village of Tambobong, Baguio District, here declared the communist New People’s Army (NPA) as “persona non grata” in their ancestral lands.

The “persona non grata” declaration — literally meaning “unwelcome person” — came during Monday’s culmination activity of the three-day peace-building seminar attended by the tribe.

Datu Joel Unad, chairman of the Mindanao Indigenous Peoples Council of Elders, said the three-day seminar also resulted in the passing of a joint barangay and tribal council resolution calling for the closure of an alleged NPA-supported school run by the Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation Inc. (MISFI) in the area.

Unad said the villagers also hailed the surrender of 30 members of the Militia ng Bayan, a mass-based support group of the NPA and its mother organization, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union.

Residents demolish Salugpongan school

On June 1, Residents of Sitio Puting Bato in Barangay Ngan, Compostela Valley joined hands in demolishing a Salugpongan school, which they accused of teaching communist ideology.

This as the provincial government turned over a newly constructed two-classroom school building, just fronting the old Salugpongan school, to the residents.

The sitio, near the boundary of Compostela and Cateel in Davao Oriental, used to be a stronghold of the New People’s Army (NPA). It is under the area of responsibility of the Philippine Army’s 66th Infantry Battalion.

In an interview at the site, Gov. Jayvee Tyron Uy said he was happy that the school building requested by the community is finally completed and ready to be used to serve the children in the area.

“The community is involved in constructing,” Gov. Uy said. The local government and national government agencies joined hands with the military and police for the realization of the school.
The governor said the two-classroom building cost P1.2 million pesos was constructed in 22 days.

Uy led the blessing and turnover ceremony with Reynante Solitario, the officer-in-charge of the Schools Division Superintendent in Compostela Valley.

Renanto Soliterio, the schools division superintendent, said two teachers, both from neighboring New Bataan town in the same province, will be assigned in the area.

In an interview, teachers Michelle Mangko, 22, and Rhea Rojas, 24, said they accepted the task because they want to “teach the children.”

“As teachers, our goal is to teach those who are in need,” Mangko said. “We pray to God to put us in a place where we are needed and this is His answer.”

“The children need us here and we know that they are the future of our country,” Mangko added.

Initially, there will be 75 students in the sitio.

The school will have a multigrade: Grade 1 to Grade 3 in one classroom and Grade 4 to Grade 6 in another classroom.

Soliterio said they prioritized the elementary students because the Bango National High School is just adjacent.

However, they are targeting high-school education by next year in Sitio Puting Bato.

https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2019/12/29/salugpongan-school-closure-one-of-major-events-of-2019/

Eastern Visayas gaining ground in fight vs. NPA

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 28, 2019): Eastern Visayas gaining ground in fight vs. NPA (By Sarwell Meniano)




ANTI-NPA FORCE. Soldiers of the newly-formed 93rd Infantry Battalion, also known as the 'Bantay Kapayapaan' (Peacekeeper). The battalion is composed of well-trained army officers and enlisted military personnel tasked to fight communist insurgents in Samar provinces. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army)

TACLOBAN CITY -- Much has been done to wipe out the communist terrorist group in Eastern Visayas this year with the institutionalization of a “whole-of-nation approach” in addressing the five-decade communist insurgency.

Although the fight against the New People’s Army (NPA) took away the lives of many soldiers, policemen, and even civilians this year, government troops are more determined to end the armed struggle with the support of national government agencies and local government units.

As of November, at least 140 local government units in Eastern Visayas have declared the NPA as persona non grata for derailing development efforts in their communities.

UNWELCOME. Copies of resolutions declaring the New People's Army (NPA) persona non grata have been issued by 10 towns in Northern Samar. At least 140 local government units in Eastern Visayas have declared the NPA unwelcome in their localities. (Photo courtesy of the Philippine Army’s 20IB)

Brig. Gen. Ramil Bitong, assistant division commander of the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division (8ID), said they expect more local government units to formally reject the ideology and activities of the terrorist communist group in their areas.

All six provinces in the region issued the declaration. Also on the list are 58 towns, three cities, and 73 villages. The region has 136 towns, seven cities, and 4,390 villages.

“Executive Order (EO) 70 is just seven months old and Region 8 (Eastern Visayas) is one of the fastest. The rate of our declaration is faster than (in) other regions but we need some more. This is not just a declaration since this is a manifestation of rejection. They cannot simply do that if they are under the influence of (the) NPA. Something has to be done,” Bitong said.

The local government’s rejection of the NPA is in connection with EO 70 that created the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC). The declaration means treating the presence of the communist terrorist group as unwelcome and unacceptable in their communities.

President Rodrigo Duterte issued the directive to institutionalize a "whole-nation approach" policy in attaining peace and end the long-time conflict between the government and the communist group.

Among the towns that created task force ELCAC is Calbiga in Samar where the NPA launched its first tactical operation 45 years ago.

Some of the villages in Calbiga have been known as sites of clashes between government troops and armed rebels. One of the bloodiest gun battles was on April 23, where six soldiers died and another six were hurt.

Capt. Reynaldo Aragones, the Army’s 8ID spokesperson, said the creation of an ELCAC in every city and town is a big boost to their community support program.

“We are more motivated now to go up in the mountains to bring basic services to vulnerable communities, now that we have the full support of (the) task force in this campaign,” Aragones said.

National Economic and Development Authority Regional Director Meylene Rosales was upbeat that through the task force’s convergence efforts, the region would be able to resolve the decades-long insurgency.

“Peace and order should have tailor-made solutions with all government resources available. We were told to realign budget this year and propose a new budget for next year to attain our goals,” Rosales said.

Anti-recruitment drive

One of the major efforts to fight insurgency is to prevent the recruitment of NPA among teens on campuses to boost their armed struggle against the government.

The army has tied up with schools to organize a community peace development forum in various schools joined by thousands of students.

These rounds of campus-based forums are not only meant for students but also educators to further strengthen their objective in sparing the youth from the persuasions of NPA front organizations that could lead to armed rebellion.

DECEPTION. A young soldier distributes reading materials illustrating the deception strategies of communist rebels. The Philippine Army has been raising awareness among students to save them from being recruited by communist rebels and their supporters. (Photo courtesy of 14th Infantry Battalion)

The capture of young rebels and the recovery of documents in Northern Samar confirmed the recruitment of students and extortion activities of the NPA in the region.

An official of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) 8 has asked tertiary students to examine the fate of young rebels.

CHED-8 Director George Colorado asked students to think of the fate of their peers who joined the communist terrorist group before listening to the latter’s ideologies.

“I don’t understand why our young people join the insurgency and they can’t learn from what happened to those who joined rebellion who suffered hunger, sickness, or even death. You can choose a better life for your family instead of going to the mountains to fight the government,” Colorado told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

The official said young people have the option to work, provide the needs of their families, become productive citizens or lead a horrible life in the mountains.

Treacherous attacks condemned

Bitong noted that growing support in the fight against the communist terrorist group has disappointed the NPA, prompting it to launch treacherous attacks against government forces by detonating landmines.

The military reported that rebels used explosives seven times this year as they attacked soldiers and policemen.

Mines detonated by rebels this year took the lives of 13 soldiers, a policeman, and four civilians, including a boy.

The use of explosives has wounded 45 soldiers, four police officers, and 12 civilians in separate attacks in Samar provinces.

“The use of landmines is really barbaric because that does not discriminate any target. In Las Navas, Northern Samar, a boy was killed and in Borongan City, three civilians perished while several others were wounded,” Bitong added.

BOMBING VICTIMS. Passersby rescue tricycle passengers who are seriously wounded by an explosion perpetrated by the NPA in Libuton village in Borongan City, Eastern Samar on Dec. 13, 2019. The attack killed a police officer and three civilians while four policemen and 10 civilians, including three minors, were injured in the incident. (Photo courtesy of Alexis Genelex Deloria)

The latest incident was on December 13, when a junior police officer and an old woman were killed on the spot while four other policemen and 10 civilians, including three minors, were injured in a blast attack. A government employee died a few hours after while a mother succumbed to head injury after five days.

In Las Navas town, rebels detonated a landmine near a temporary patrol base of the Army’s 20th Infantry Battalion, Charlie Company last April 17 to harm soldiers but instead killed a Grade 3 pupil.

Last November 11, a civilian was wounded in Pinanag-an village in Borongan City, Eastern Samar. The landmine attack and gun battle killed six soldiers and wounded 24 others.

The other three incidents were recorded in San Jorge, Samar where 11 soldiers were injured on January 12; in Calbiga, Samar where six soldiers and six others were wounded on April 23; and in Basey, Samar where a soldier perished and six of his comrades were hurt.

The military repeatedly condemned the NPA for using landmines in their attacks, which shows disrespect to basic human rights. The rebels also disregarded the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.

2022 timeline

The Philippine Army’s 8ID is upbeat on ending insurgency in Samar and Leyte provinces by 2022 after the national government identified the region as one of the priority areas in its drive to wipe out the NPA.

Maj. Gen. Pio Diñoso III, 8ID commander, said as one of the "national priority areas" is crushing the NPA, they will be given the "best", both in personnel and assets.

“The President said that Samar (Island) is one of the priority areas. Meaning, we have the support. They will bring in all the best -- officials, armor assets, and air assets,” Diñoso, said.

“There is a marching order that before the President steps down, we can at least contain, not necessarily totally eliminate, the insurgency problem to a manageable level and it’s doable,” he said.

Samar Island comprises the provinces of Samar, Eastern Samar, and Northern Samar, where the presence of the NPA is still felt due to poor road networks and thick forest cover.

The NPA, which has been waging a five-decade armed struggle against the government, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

As of October 2019, the NPA in Eastern Visayas has 506 active members and 447 firearms, affecting the region's 144 remote villages, the Philippine Army reported.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1089606

YEAR-END REPORT: Philippine military transforms daunting challenges to concrete opportunities in 2019

From the Manila Bulletin (Dec 30, 2019): YEAR-END REPORT: Philippine military transforms daunting challenges to concrete opportunities in 2019 (By Martin Sadongdong)

Donning a Barong Tagalog, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana surveyed the military equipment and technologies that were featured in a static display at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.



Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)

It was the 20th of November and the Defense Department was celebrating its 80th founding anniversary.

From rifles, snipers and other high-powered firearms, miniatures of attack helicopters and ships, to advanced systems such as the Air Force’s Virtual Combat Simulator (VCS), Lorenzana checked on each material — taking pride in how far the military has come in its modernization program. He later presented them to President Duterte, the Commander-in-Chief.


In 2019, the Philippine military had its fair share of ups and downs in terms of safeguarding the national security and peace and order while having one of the most under-equipped armed forces in Southeast Asia.

The country was not spared from continued terrorist attacks from Daesh-inspired and local threat groups. It remained on a quest to achieve the seemingly elusive peace with the five-decades old problem on Communist insurgency. It is faced with new and emerging threats from foreign influences — most especially China.

However, General Noel Clement, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff, said the challenges that the country faced in 2019 were turned into “concrete opportunities.”

“The year 2019 has been replete with daunting challenges, which the Armed Forces was able to transform into concrete opportunities,” Clement said.

Slow modernization

Modernizing the Philippine military proved to be one of the priorities of President Duterte. Indeed, how can a country protect itself from local and foreign threats if it has no credible Armed Force?

The AFP intends to allocate P25 billion in its proposed P258-billion budget in 2020 primarily for the acquisition of various land, air, and sea assets as part of its Revised AFP Modernization Program dubbed “Horizon.”

Horizon, which has three phases, aims to modernize all branches of the AFP namely the Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force and Philippine Navy. The first phase was implemented from 2013 to 2017, the second is from 2018 to 2022, and the last phase will be from 2023 to 2028.

Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala, AFP spokesperson, said that 22 capability, materiel and technology development (CMTD) projects have been completed under the Horizon 1 as of August 2019. Some 25 CMTD projects and six bases support systems development projects are still in the various stages of procurement process and implementation.

Meanwhile, Zagala said the completion of 76 projects under the Horizon Phase 2 was being expedited to further enhance the Armed Forces’ capabilities for air and maritime defense.

On a brighter note, among the major assets that were delivered this year include the amphibious assault vehicles (AAVs), anti-submarine helicopters, Level 3 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), cobra attack helicopters, multi-purpose attack crafts, the BRP Conrado Yap, small unit riverine crafts and the AFP Civil Engineering equipment.

The AFP is also expecting the delivery of its pioneer missile-capable frigates, the BRP Jose Rizal and BRP Antonio Luna, next year while plans for the acquisition of the country’s first ever submarines are on-going.

Issues with China

The modernization of the AFP will be crucial in defending the country’s maritime territory what with the lingering sea row by the Philippines and China in the South China Sea, where the latter is claiming 80 to 90 percent of the area including the West Philippine Sea, or those areas within the country’s 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The country was angered with the sinking of a Filipino fishing boat by a Chinese vessel in the Recto Bank in June. The lives of the boat’s 21-member crew were put in danger after they were abandoned at sea by the Chinese that rammed them.

It was followed by various reports of uncoordinated passage of Chinese vessels in the Philippine waters. Media reports showed that there were at least 12 incidents of Chinese vessels passing through the Philippine waters without informing the proper authorities. Some of the vessels were attack ships of China’s Coast Guard while others were marine research vessels.

The military also monitored an increase in the number of Chinese fishing boats swarming the territories in the West Philippine Sea.

All these issues challenged the military’s response to foreign threats, but Clement assured the public that the AFP remains committed to protect and defend the country’s territories.

“The AFP continues to monitor and patrol our territorial waters in the West Philippine Sea and the Philippine Rise in the eastern seaboard,” he said.

The acquired sea assets are expected to be of big help for the military in patrolling the Philippines’ maritime territory, he added.

Terrorism

The year also saw the rise of suicide bombing which used to be a non-conventional means of terrorist attack in the Philippines.

In 2019, three suicide bombings were recorded by the military — most notably was the June 28 attack involving the first known Filipino suicide bomber who blew himself up with a cohort at the tactical command post of the Army’s 1st Brigade Combat Team in Indanan, Sulu. The attack claimed eight lives, including three soldiers and three civilians.

The other cases were the suicide attack involving an Indonesian couple at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in Jolo, Sulu on January 27 that killed 18 people and wounded 82 others; and a female foreigner who detonated a body-worn bomb in Indanan on September 8.

Another case of suicide bombing was recorded on July 31, 2018 when a Moroccan national detonated a bomb inside a white van at a military detachment in Lamitan, Basilan. Ten people died in the incident.

Duterte had ordered the military and police to crush the terrorist groups in the country, particularly the notorious Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), before the year ends.

Data from the AFP showed that from January 1 to December 11, 175 ASG rebels have been neutralized by the authorities, 82 of whom surrendered, 70 were killed, while 23 were apprehended.

Meanwhile, 107 Daesh-inspired Maute terrorists, the group that laid siege in Marawi City on 2017, were neutralized: 39 of them were killed, 34 surrendered and 34 were captured.

The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) also suffered heavy blows as 57 of its members were neutralized: 14 were killed, 41 surrendered and two were captured.

One of the biggest accomplishments of the AFP in its fight against terrorism was the successful rescue of British-Filipino couple Allan and Wilma Hyrons from their ASG captors on December 22. The couple was abducted on October 4.

It was followed by the safe rescue of Indonesian fishermen Maharudin Lunani and Samion Bin Maniue, who were abducted by the ASG on September 22 along with another companion in the waters off Sabah, Malaysia.

The military has also actively worked with Malaysia and Indonesia to curb the issues in the Sulu and Celebes Seas where sea piracy and kidnappings were prevalent, and to prevent the entry and exit of foreign terrorists at the backdoor of the concerned countries.

Communist insurgency, peace talks

Aside from terrorist groups, the AFP also waged a war against communist groups since the collapse of the peace talks between the national government (GRP) and the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) in 2017.

However, Duterte raised the possibility of reviving the peace talks when he ordered Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III to start the informal talks with CPP founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison earlier this month.

The planned resumption of the peace negotiations were off to a rough start when suspected Communist rebels launched three violent attacks against withdrawing troops in Camarines Norte, Iloilo and Quezon province amid a unilateral ceasefire between the GRP and the CPP-NPA-NDF from December 24, 2019 to January 7, 2020. A soldier was killed while eight others were wounded in the series of attacks.

This year, the AFP had 468 encounters with the Communist groups that also resulted in the dismantling of 12 guerilla fronts across the country, Clement said.

He added that 12 more guerilla fronts will be the subject of their combat operations until March 2020, excluding the period of the holiday truce.

“The rest of the targets will be weakened by then,” Clement said optimistically as he sees an end of the problem on communist insurgency by 2020.

Hopeful in 2020

Looking forward, Lorenzana encouraged the military to continue pursuing excellence in public service while Clement thanked the public for its support to the soldiers and hopes that they will continue to do so in 2020.

“The call to a more effective and efficient Defense sector is imperative in light of the enormous and varied security challenges confronting the nation,” Lorenzana stated.

“As your AFP continues to professionalize, evolve and modernize, your enormous trust and support to the AFP has made us more capable in addressing current and emerging threats to our national security,” Clement said.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/12/30/year-end-report-philippine-military-transforms-daunting-challenges-to-concrete-opportunities-in-2019/

Panelo: Photos of surrendering NPA rebels merged into ‘collage

From the Business Mirror (Dec 30, 2019): Panelo: Photos of surrendering NPA rebels merged into ‘collage’ (By Jasper Y. Arcalas)

MALACAÑANG on Sunday said the photos recently released by the Philippine Army showing supposed surrender of some New People’s Army members were not manipulated, but were “authentic” but “collaged” pictures.

Presidential Spokesman and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador S. Panelo said Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana told him that the photos were two separate genuine pictures that were merged together.

“I talked to Secretary Delfin Lorenzana today, and his explanation was that the two pictures were just merged, like a collage. Those two pictures are both authentic,” Panelo said in Filipino during a radio interview on Sunday.

He added that Lorenzana has already ordered an investigation over the controversial photo that was released to the public recently.

Nonetheless, Panelo said there is nothing wrong with the photo released by the army, despite them being two photos merged into one.

“It was not manipulated. It was just collaged. The two pictures were merged in one picture. So that’s not manipulation. It would be different if the two photos are not real and were merged just to show that a lot of rebels surrendered,” he explained.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/12/30/panelo-photos-of-surrendering-npa-rebels-merged-into-collage/

Palace warns Reds: Don't violate ceasefire again

From the Philippine Star (Dec 29, 2019): Palace warns Reds: Don't violate ceasefire again (By Alexis Romero)

"He should come home so they can have a one-on-one meeting. If he does not come here, that means, he is afraid and he is not sincere," Panelo said of CPP founder Jose Maria Sison.  The STAR/Edd Gumban, file

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Sunday called on communist rebels to refrain from committing another violation of the holiday ceasefire even if the rebels have denied launching offensives against government forces.

Security officials have accused the New People's Army, the armed wing of the communists, of carrying out attacks in Labo, Camarines Norte and Tubungan, Iloilo on Dec. 23, the first day of the 16-day truce. The incidents resulted in the death of one soldier and the wounding of eight government troopers.

The National Democratic Front, which represents the rebels in the peace talks with the government, has claimed that the NPA members did not violate the ceasefire because they only defended themselves from the attacks of the military and the police. NDF has also claimed that it had yet to receive copies of the orders directing the military and the police to suspend their operations against the NPA.

It has since acknowledged receipt of copies of the orders to suspend military and police operations.

Asked to react to the NDF's claim, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo reiterated that the communist rebels should avoid staging attacks during the ceasefire period, which started last Dec. 23 and will end on Jan. 7.

"Whatever the reason is, pinagbigyan sila ni Presidente. Kaya huwag na nila ulitin (the President let it pass. So they should not repeat it)," Panelo said in a radio interview.

RELATED: 'Localized' peace talks best way to end insurgency — OPAPP

Panelo said President Duterte remains open to resuming the talks with the rebels despite the recent incidents involving the NPA. He, however, maintained that Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison, who has been on self-exile in the Netherlands since 1987, should come home to the Philippines to meet with Duterte.

"He should come home so they can have a one-on-one meeting. If he does not come here, that means, he is afraid and he is not sincere," Panelo said.

Panelo also dismissed as "nonsense" Sison's statement that he does not want to come to the Philippines because he is worried for his safety.

"Nothing will happen to him (Sison) here," the Palace spokesman said.

Duterte canceled the talks with the NDF in 2017 after the NPA staged successive offensives against the military and the police. The President, however, reversed his decision this month, saying a leader should always be open to peace negotiations. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/12/29/1980623/palace-warns-reds-dont-violate-ceasefire-again

NDF Bicol: Military resorting to fake news to desperately build image

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Dec 28, 2019): NDF Bicol: Military resorting to fake news to desperately build image (By: Mar S. Arguelles)

LEGAZPI CITY — The military is so desperate to build its image that it has to resort to spreading fake news, disinformation and manipulate photo releases to the media, the spokesperson of the National Democratic Front (NDF) in Bicol said on Saturday.

Ma. Roja Banua, NDF Bicol spokesperson, said that “spreading fake news and photos would not improve their (military) image but it would further tarnish it.”

Banua was reacting to the issue of a manipulated photo attached to a press release by the Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry Battalion that earned criticisms from netizens since it was used by the media on Thursday.

The photo, showing the surrender of former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in a ceremony in Masbate City on Thursday, gained attention on social media when netizens pointed out that it was “manipulated” or “photoshopped” to add the image of people standing in line before a table full of firearms.

Banua said the presentation of the former rebels were “recycled” saying the story and the firearms surrendered were for several times have been presented to the media.

“In desperation they (military) have to engage in this kind of gimmickry and propaganda by fooling the people,” Banua said.

In line with the 51st Anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), the military and police machinery launched on Thursday an Indignation Rally against the NPA in Bicol and the event in Masbate was meant to be another highlight in the government’s campaign against communist insurgency.

Banua said that aside from the government-sponsored rallies, it has issued press and photo releases to the media about the success of the government campaign against insurgency.

The NDF is committed to oppose President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order 70, institutionalizing the whole-of-nation approach in attaining peace and the creation of a national and regional task force to end local communist armed conflict, she said.

“The movement is steadfast to protect the freedom of the press and the people’s right to information,” Banua said.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1206897/ndf-bicol-military-resorting-to-fake-news-to-desperately-build-image

'Localized' peace talks best way to end insurgency — OPAPP

From the Philippine Star (Dec 29, 2019): 'Localized' peace talks best way to end insurgency — OPAPP

This photo from state-run Philippine News Agency shows an anti-communist rally at the EDSA Shrine on December 26, 2019. December 26 marks the anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines.  Facebook/Philippine News Agency

MANILA, Philippines — Although the Christmas ceasefire is a welcome development, "localized" peace talks with communist rebels are the best way to end the 51-year-old insurgency, presidential peace adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. said in a statement.

The government has opted for the localized talks, which it calls Local Peace Engagements, to negotiate the surrender of members of the New People's Army and of local communist militias.

READ: OPAPP: New panel to oversee localized 'peace engagements' with Reds

"The LPE approach directly addresses the needs of people and communities and prevents them from being exploited by the insurgents. The government provides basic services, livelihood, and security, among others, as a means of capacitating them," Galvez said.

The Communist Party of the Philippines has rejected the "localized" peace talks, saying the reforms needed to end the insurgency must be on a national level.

"Localized talks are a classic divide and rule tactic. The idea is to hoodwink local CPP leaders and NPA commanders into agreeing to local ceasefire arrangements and later on induce them to surrender," the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, which represents the communist rebels at peace talks, also said in July 2018.

But Galvez said the LPEs have led to mass surrenders "of members of the CPP-NPA Southern, Northeastern, and Western Mindanao Regional Party Committees operating in Regions [Zamboanga Peninsula], [Northern Mindanao], [Davao] and CARAGA."

RELATED: 'Honest mistake': Army apologizes for manipulated photo of alleged rebels

"Through the efforts of local chief executives, the Regional Task Force – Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) IX, and the CPP-NPA’s Western Committee, the parties forged an agreement in which they committed to jointly carry out socio-economic programs and projects in their communities," he said.

Galvez said that he is hopeful that unilateral but reciprocal ceasefires declared by the government and by the Communist Party of the Philippines would be "a step towards finally putting an end to the armed violence" but also warned that peace talks have not prevented rebel attacks.

"As peace talks were being held at the national level, attacks were being carried out by the rebels. In short, there have already been precedents. We have to be prepared and make sure that such incidents are prevented at all costs," Galvez said.

READ: Palace: Reds must explain attacks during ceasefire

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2019/12/29/1980545/localized-peace-talks-best-way-end-insurgency-opapp

Bangsamoro meeting with Turkish officials ‘not unconstitutional’

From the Philippine Star (Dec 29, 2019): Bangsamoro meeting with Turkish officials ‘not unconstitutional’ (John Unson)

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Friday insinuated in his Tweeter post the possibility of filing a diplomatic protest against Turkey and charges against BARMM officials for the meetings that he said was “a slap on Philippine sovereignty.”  AFP/Emmanuel Dunand

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — The dialogue between Bangsamoro Chief Minister Hadji Ahod Ebrahim and Turkish officials in Ankara, Turkey from Dec. 11 to 16, was not unconstitutional, a senior regional official said yesterday.

Lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, local government minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), said the engagement was, in fact, held in the presence of representatives from the Philippine diplomatic corps assigned in Turkey.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Friday insinuated in his Tweeter post the possibility of filing a diplomatic protest against Turkey and charges against BARMM officials for the meetings that he said was “a slap on Philippine sovereignty.”

Turkey, a member of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation that includes more than 50 Muslim states, is a benefactor of the current peace process between Malacañang and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Ebrahim, an appointed BARMM chief minister, is MILF’s leader who acts as chairman of the group’s central committee.

The creation of BARMM was premised on two peace compacts between the government and the MILF – the 2012 Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro and the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro that were a product of 22 years of peace talks that Malaysia, another OIC member-state, brokered.

Turkey leads the International Decommissioning Body at the forefront of the MILF’s and the government’s gradual deactivation of Moro rebels and transfer of their firearms to hasten the restoration of normalcy in the Southern Philippines.

Sinarimbo said Ebrahim traveled to Ankara for the meetings with Turkish government officials with full imprimatur from President Duterte.

“The travel of the chief minister was upon the invitation of the government of Turkey and he was given authority to travel abroad by the Office of the President of the Philippines,” Sinarimbo said.

He said Bangsamoro regional officials are certain the Turkish government will not ruin the southern Mindanao peace process it has been supporting for a long time by inviting Ebrahim for official functions in Ankara in a manner transgressing the diplomatic ties between Turkey and the Philippines.

“There is an inter-governmental relations mechanism that should have been the venue for resolving the confusion and misunderstanding on the chief minister’s travel to Turkey,” Sinarimbo said.

The inter-governmental relations body was jointly established by Malacanang and BARMM in support of measures meant to ensure strong governance cooperation between both sides. 

 
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/12/29/1980479/bangsamoro-meeting-turkish-officials-not-unconstitutional