Key Philippine Military and Insurgency-Related Events

Thursday, January 30, 2020

Kalinaw News: NPA platoon, yields to Army in Ipil, Sibugay

From Kalinaw News (Jan 31, 2020): NPA platoon, yields to Army in Ipil, Sibugay (By 102nd Infantry Brigade)

CAMP SANG-AN, Pulacan, ZDS – A platoon-size of Communist NPA rebels surrendered to Army’s 102nd Infantry “IGSOON” Brigade at their headquarters in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, 10:00 a.m. Thursday, January 30, 2020.

The 27 Former Rebels (FRs), who also yielded seven firearms and explosives, were members of the Western Mindanao Party Committee who operates in Zamboanga Peninsula provinces and Misamis Occidental.

The group were ceremonially presented to the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict 9 (RTF-ELCAC – 9), represented by Mario Baterna – Provincial Director of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) – Sibugay together with Brig. Gen. Generoso “Gene” Ponio, Commander, 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division, Philippine Army and others.

Alias Diane, one of the former rebels, during his message says that “Nailad ko sa nagrecruit nako na NPA. Gipasaligan ko na naay SUPAMIL (suporta sa pamilya) kada bulan nga madawat akong pamilya kung moapil mi sa armadong pakigbisog. Apan walay pinansyal na niabot sa among balay”.
(I was deceived by the NPA recruiter. They’ve assured that my family will receive monthly financial support if I am going to join the armed struggle. But the finances they’ve promised were not able to reach our home”.

Alias Diego (former rebel), during the press conference, expressed his displeasure of the NPA organization administration and their armed struggle.

Col. Leonel Nicolas, 102nd Infantry Brigade Commander, who has operational jurisdiction of the Zampen and Mis Occ provinces, vowed to enroll the 27 FRs to the Enhance Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

He also assured to collaborate with the Task Force ELCAC, local chief executives, PNP and other stakeholders to facilitate the documents needed during the process of integration.

Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Ponio during his speech said that “The government is serious in the implementation of the EO-70 by the president through its Task Force ELCAC, or the whole-of- nation approach”.

“Convergence among government agencies, local government units and other stakeholders is the key to end the decades-long communist armed conflict in Mindanao”, Ponio said.

“Encourage some of your comrades, our doors is always open for those who wish to return to the folds of the law but we remain stern in performing our mandate of protecting the people if any situation arises,” he added.

The said activity was also attended by Hon Senen Angeles, Vice Governor Zamboanga del Norte, Mr Dennis Baguio, Representing Governor of Zamboanga Sibugay, DOLE, TESDA, PNP, and Battalion Commanders of 102nd Infantry Brigade.

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/npa-platoon-yields-to-army-in-ipil-sibugay/

Kalinaw News: 61IB lauds Igbaras town for declaring NPA Persona Non-Grata

From Kalinaw News (Jan 30, 2020): 61IB lauds Igbaras town for declaring NPA Persona Non-Grata (By 61st Infantry Hunter Battalion)

CAMP MONTECLARO, Igtuba, Miagao Iloilo – The Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion under the leadership of LTC Joel Benedict Batara lauded the bold action of Igbaras town in Iloilo against CPP-NPA Terrorist after passing a resolution declaring the group as persona-non-grata.

“Igbaras is the first town in the province of Iloilo this year that declares communist-terrrorists as persona non- grata. Rest assured that we will give our full support to the local government of Igbaras in its quest to end local communist armed conflict. And, I am encouraging other LGUs in the province to take a bold step against this group now, and don’t let them enter your peaceful community,” LTC Batara said.

The said resolution was passed by Igbaras Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) led by Honorable Jaime Esmeralda, the Municipal Mayor on Friday, January 30, 2019.

Members of the MPOC agreed to pass the said resolution in support to the Executive Order (EO) 70 or the institutionalization of the whole-of-nation approach in ending local communist armed conflict. LTC Batara further encouraged the council to continue helping the government in its battle against insurgency. “Let us start our 2020 right. The terrorists are no longer significant, and we do not want our children and the children of our children to become the next victims of their selfish and bloody armed struggle. Let’s do our share in making them forever irrelevant’’.

Kalinaw News: Two rebels killed in encounters at Malapatan

From Kalinaw News (Jan 30, 2020): Two rebels killed in encounters at Malapatan (By 73rd Infantry Battalion)

MALAPATAN, SARANGANI PROVINCE -Two Communist terrorists were killed during an encounter between the troops of 73rd Infantry Battalion and more or less 10 members of Weakened Guerilla Front TALA, Far South Mindanao Region in Barangay Kinam, Malapatan, Sarangani Province on Wednesday morning, January 29, 2020.

The troops recovered one (1) M16 rifle, one (1) M653, assorted belongings, and subversive documents.
“I commend the engaged troops and the people of Malapatan, Sarangani for their continued efforts in flushing out the communist terrorists from the community. The success of military operations can be attributed to the efforts of the Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict in the province and municipality,” said Lt. Col. Ronaldo G Valdez, commander of the 73rd Infantry Battalion.

1st Lt. Orestes Fausto, Commander of Alpha Company, said in a statement that they received information from concerned citizens in the area regarding the presence of armed communist terrorists extorting foodstuff.

The troops fought in a one (1) hour and thirteen (13) minutes running gun battle against the terrorists who also withdrew towards the forested portion.

In response, the 73rd Infantry Battalion led by 1st Lt. Jessie P. Hinampas the battalion Civil-Military-Operations Officer, organized a Quick Reaction Team together with Office of the Municipal Mayor Hon. Salway Sumbo to provide assistance for a decent burial for the killed terrorists.

“The Army will continue its offensive against the terrorist NPAs. I also encourage the people to continously support the government by reporting NPA movement and activities in their communities,” said Lt. Col. Ronaldo G. Valdez, 73rd Infantry Battalion Commander.

PH, U.S. armies look to 'future engagements' amid Duterte order to scrap VFA

From Rappler (Jan 31, 2020): PH, U.S. armies look to 'future engagements' amid Duterte order to scrap VFA (By JC Gotinga)

Joint activities between Philippine and US forces continue as the Duterte administration moves to terminate the PH-US Visiting Forces Agreement

JOINT EXERCISE. Philippine and US soldiers hold counter-terrorism drills in Palawan as part of their Balance Piston 20-1 joint training from January 26 to February 23, 2020. Photo from the Philippine Army

Top-ranking generals of the Philippine and US armies discussed how to “strengthen their defense capabilities through future engagements” in a yearly bilateral meeting, even as the Philippine government moves to terminate its Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States.

Philippine Army (PA) chief Lieutenant General Gilbert Gapay and US Army Pacific (USARPAC) deputy chief Major General John Johnson held the 8th Executive Steering Group Meeting at the Philippine Army (PA) Headquarters at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, on Wednesday, January 29, the PA said in a statement on Thursday, January 30.

The PA looks to boost its aviation, air defense, airborne, combat engineer, fires, sustainment operations, cyber security capabilities, as well as its combined arms training methods and doctrine by having exercises and other engagements with the USARPAC.

For the USARPAC, engagements with their Filipino counterparts improve their operational experience in an archipelagic environment such as the Philippines.

The two armies also took up interoperability functions and training gaps learned from previous joint exercises.

“We have come prepared and determined to plan out the next actions that will further strengthen our alliance. I am confident that we are moving in the right direction towards ensuring that the alliance remains strong, dynamic, and relevant,” Gapay said.

Johnson, for his part, said: “Everything we do here should support the mutual defense training and demonstrate the commitment that we have for each other. We learn together, we become more capable and we build trust.”

Scrap the VFA?

Last week, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered to terminate the VFA over what he said was the US government’s interference in Philippine sovereign affairs. Duterte made the statement a day after Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa confirmed that his US visa had been canceled.

The VFA of 1998, anchored on the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the US, allows for US military presence in the Philippines. The agreement forms the basis of joint military exercises, and security cooperation between the two forces.

The Philippine and US militaries held a total of 281 joint activities in 2019. They planned to hold 300 such activities this year.

The US government’s criticism of Duterte’s violent campaign against illegal drugs and the extrajudicial killings that came with it has angered Duterte, especially when the US Senate resolved to apply the Global Magnitsky Act to Philippine officials involved in the “war on drugs.” Resulting sanctions include the denial or cancellation of their US visas.

The US government also included a similar provision in its 2020 national budget law, condemning the unlawful detention of Senator Leila de Lima, a staunch Duterte critic. The provision denies Philippine officials and personalities involved in De Lima’s case, entry to the US.

Duterte has been criticized for putting the VFA on the line over Dela Rosa’s visa and his administration’s tussles with the US government. Several lawmakers have opposed the agreement’s termination.

Duterte’s Cabinet is still studying the implications and consequences of scrapping the VFA and there is no final word yet if it would indeed be terminated, although Duterte reiterated his order on Wednesday night.

New exercise

On the ground, activities between Philippine and US forces continue.

The PA and the US Army debuted a new joint exercise in Palawan on January 26, and set to run until February 23.

The Balance Piston 20-1 training exercise aims to strengthen the PA’s counter-terrorism capabilities, and to enhance the interoperability between the PA and the US Army, the PA said in a separate media release.

“The Philippine Army continues to support and conduct trainings with its foreign counterparts as it helps ensure that our troops get the necessary exercise to enhance their capabilities in various fields. It also helps develop and strengthen our cooperation with other armies in training and information exchange,” said PA spokesperson Colonel Ramon Zagala.

Balance Piston 20-1 involves the Philippine Army’s 18th Special Forces Company, Special Forces Regiment (Airborne), and the US Army’s 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne).

https://www.rappler.com/nation/250643-philippines-united-states-armies-future-engagements-duterte-scrap-vfa

Loreto residents declare NPA ‘persona non grata’

From the Manila Times (Jan 30, 2020): Loreto residents declare NPA ‘persona non grata’ (BY RHODA GRACE SARON)

At least 400 residents of Barangay Binucayan, Loreto, Agusan del Sur on Tuesday signed a manifesto declaring the Communist Party of the Philippines-New Peoples’ Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) and its various front organizations and supporters.

1Lt. Amadeuz VJ Celestial, the Civil-Military Operations (CMO) officer of the 60th Infantry Battalion, said manifesto was signed during the community dialogue, co-organized by the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and local officials of Binucayan and Loreto.

Barangay Binucayan was previously identified as a CPP-NPA “influenced area” based on the parameters set in the Joint Letter Directive No. 3, series of 2018 of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, which prescribes mechanisms by which the said agencies can assist LGUs in the implementation of programs and services for the people.

The residents—including farmers, small business owners, teachers, students, senior citizens, indigenous peoples, and even CSO representatives—reiterated their support for the government.

The dialogue centered on the barangay’s peace and order issues, particularly the recruitment of their residents to become members of the NPA. Later, various agencies also discussed the ongoing and upcoming government projects for Binucayan.

Municipal Administrator Samson Ramilo said the LGU is committed to deliver services, programs, and projects to improve the lives of the people.

Vice Mayor Randolph Plaza, on the other hand, asked the residents to be more vigilant and continue cooperating with the government in the spirit of the “whole-of-nation approach.”

Celestial added, “We need your help. We must choose to end this [local communist armed conflict] now so we can focus our energies and our resources to the development of our communities.”

In a separate statement, newly installed Battalion Commander of 60IB, Lt. Col. Ronaldo Sarmiento, vowed to continue their commitment to help “establish peaceful and conflict-resilient communities.” He also called on members of the CPP-NPA-NDF to “stop terrorizing the people and exploiting their vulnerabilities.”

https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2020/01/31/loreto-residents-declare-npa-persona-non-grata/

Norwegian envoy's visit seen to boost investor confidence in Basilan

From the Philippine Star (Jan 30, 2020): Norwegian envoy's visit seen to boost investor confidence in Basilan (By John Unson)

The Army's 104th Infantry Brigade gave Norwegian Ambassador Bjorn Staurset Jahnsen military honors as he arrived in Basilan Wednesday. The STAR/John Unson
The Norwegian ambassador was in Basilan Wednesday for a peace dialogue with provincial officials working to maintain the province's reputation as the new investment frontier in the Bangsamoro region.

Ambassador Bjorn Staurset Jahnsen was accompanied to Isabela City in Basilan by embassy officials.

"For us, it was again a tacit proof that there is peace now in the province, pestered for decades by the Abu Sayyaf terror group whose presence faded dramatically with the surrender of more than 200 local members in very recent years," Basilan Gov. Jim Salliman said Thursday.

Wednesday's dialogue, dubbed “Sustaining Peace, Preparing Basilan’s Future,” was a joint initiative of the Norwegian government, the International Organization on Migration and the governor's office.

It was the Norwegian embassy’s first ever engagement in the island province.

The provincial government and the office of Deputy Speaker Mujiv Hataman, lone congressional representative of the province, had worked out the surrender in the past three years of more than 200 Abu Sayyaf members in Basilan via their local Program Against Violent Extremism, or PAVE.

The PAVE has the support of Muslim and Christian religious leaders in Basilan, the military’s Western Mindanao Command and the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.

Salliman said the involvement of Norwegian government officials in Wednesday’s peace dialogue will boost the confidence of foreign investors on Basilan’s business climate.

Ranking dignitaries from Spain, representing the Agency for International Development Cooperation-Embassy of Spain, most known as the AECID, also toured Basilan last December.

Their purpose was to inspect peace-building projects the AECID is implementing along with Salliman’s office, the Cotabato City-based Institute for Autonomy and Governance and other non-government organizations, among them a group led by Spanish Priest Angel Calvo of the Claretian congregation.

“We are so thankful to these foreign benefactors. Surely these dignitaries would not come over if they don’t feel it is safe for them to come and roam around,” Salliman said.

He said they are trying to connect the provincial government with more foreign benefactors that can help them push their local peace and development efforts forward.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/01/30/1989020/norwegian-envoys-visit-seen-boost-investor-confidence-basilan

Police monitoring kidnap group 'spotters' in Sabah waters

Posted to Malaysiakini (Jan 30): Police monitoring kidnap group 'spotters' in Sabah waters (Bernama)

Police are monitoring the remaining few hostage ‘spotters’ or lookouts working in cohorts with the kidnap-for-ransom group (KFRG) responsible for the kidnapping incidents in Sabah’s east coast.

Sabah Police Commissioner Omar Mammah (above) said the spotters under surveillance were fishermen.

“We have received information, we are monitoring and strict action would be taken on spotters who keep an eye out for potential kidnap victims,” he told reporters after handing over medals to 264 recipients in Jasa Pahlawan Negara investiture ceremony in Semporna yesterday evening.

Omar said several spotters have been caught by the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) while 11 have been shot dead since 2018.

He said Philippines security agencies are hunting down the suspects responsible for the abduction of the five Indonesian fishermen in Sabah waters on Jan 15.

Esscom commander Hazani Ghazali, when contacted by Bernama, confirmed that two suspects were killed in an assault by the Philippines security forces.

The suspects, identified as Kah Bong and Melbi, had assumed the roles of navigator and negotiator for the Abu Sayyaf group.- Bernama

https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/508986

VFA termination could scrap EDCA, suspend Mutual Defense Treaty — analysts

From the Philippine Star (Jan 30, 2020): VFA termination could scrap EDCA, suspend Mutual Defense Treaty — analysts (By Patricia Lourdes Viray)

President Rodrigo Duterte's spoken order to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement between the Philippines and the United States may affect other security pacts with Washington despite the Palace earlier saying it would not.

Duterte is terminating the VFA for what the administration sees as US meddling in domestic issues, the latest of which was in cancelling Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa's US visa. Although Dela Rosa said the US did not explain why the visa was cancelled, it is believed that that this was over alleged extrajudicial killings in the "war on drugs" and Sen. Leila De Lima's continued detentions.

"I am terminating (the VFA). I was not joking. The day I said it, it’s the day that I decided to terminate it," Duterte said Wednesday night, although terminating the agreement requires a formal written notice.

The Department of Justice earlier this week said it has been tasked with conducting a preliminary impact assessment on the possible termination of the VFA, a possibility that Duterte said Wednesday night is already a certainty.

It was earlier reported that the Cabinet Cluster on Security, Justice and Peace—the Department of National Defense, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency and the Office of the Executive Secretary—would meet on January 31 to assess the potential impact of scrapping the agrement.

The Senate, meanwhile, had meant to include the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) in a review that it had planned to do of the VFA.

READ: Palace says other defense deals with US like EDCA won't be scrapped

'VFA scrapping could undo EDCA'

Jose Antonio Custodio, a military historian and defense analyst, said ending the VFA would "undo" EDCA.

"Because VFA is a [Status of Forces Agreement]. It governs the legality of US military presence in [the Philippines]," Custodio told Philstar.com.

According to a 2012 report from the US Congressional Research Service, SOFAs generally establish the framework under which US military personnel operate in a foreign country.

SOFAs also determine how domestic laws of the foreign jurisdiction, in this case the Philippines, apply to US personnel in the host country.

"A SOFA may include many provisions, but the most common issue addressed is which country may exercise criminal jurisdiction over US personnel," the report read.

Gregory Poling, director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, also said terminating the VFA would "effectively abrogate" EDCA as well, but this would have to be decided by the DOJ.

The preamble of the EDCA states that the agreement is "in furtherance" of the 1951 MDT and the 1998 VFA.

Section 1, Article I of the EDCA reads:

This Agreement deepens defense cooperation between the Parties and maintains and develops their individual and collective capacities, in furtherance of Article II of the MDT, which states that "the Parties separately and jointly by self-help and mutual aid will maintain and develop their individual and colletive capacity to resist armed attack," and within the context of the VFA.
Poling noted that the Supreme Court upheld both the VFA and EDCA as executive agreements as the Philippine government argued that the defense pacts are necessary for the Philippines to meet its obligations under Article 2 of the MDT.

He added that without the VFA and EDCA, the Philippines would not be upholding its end of the deal and the US could argue that its responsibilities under Article 4 of the MDT are suspended.

Under Article 4 of the MDT:

Each Party recognizes that an armed attack in the Pacific area on either of the Parties would be dangerous to its own peace and safety and declares that it would act to meet the common dangers in accordance with its constitutional processes.
In March 2019, US State Secretary Mike Pompeo assured the Philippines that any armed attack against Filipino forces, aircraft or public vessels in the West Philippine Sea would trigger mutual defense obligations under Article 4 of the MDT.

"In other words, the Philippines won't allow the US the access it needs to help defend the Philippines or help with AFP modernization, then the United States cannot possibly fulfill its mutual defense obligations if Philippine forces come under attack," Poling told Philstar.com.

Abrogating the VFA would also have an impact on the Philippines' ties with the US in terms of counterterrorism and disaster relief efforts.

"Without US intelligence collection and surveillance help, Marawi would have lasted much longer with higher casualties. Without the VFA, American forces couldn't have been first on the scene in Tacloban evacuating victims of Yolanda and delivering supplies," Poling said.

US troops previously provided "technical assistance " during the Philippine government's campaign against ISIS-inspired terrorists in Marawi City in 2017.

In 2017, the Balikatan exercises between the Philippines and the US focused on humanitarian assistance and disaster response following Duterte's previous remark that he wants to end the annual war games.

The joint military exercises would then focus on counterterrorism and mutual defense in 2018 and 2019.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/01/30/1989011/vfa-termination-could-scrap-edca-suspend-mutual-defense-treaty-analysts

Tagalog News: Pagsuko ng CTGs sa Palawan, binigyang palugit

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 30, 2020): Tagalog News: Pagsuko ng CTGs sa Palawan, binigyang palugit (By Orlan C. Jabagat)

Ang bumubuo ng Palawan Provincial Task Force-ELCAC na nagpasa ng isang resolusyon na nagbibigay ng ultimatum o palugit sa mga miyembro ng Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) sa Palawan na sumuko na sa pamahalaan hanggang sa Pebrero 29. (Larawan mula sa Provincial Information Office)

PUERTO PRINCESA, Palawan, Enero 30 (PIA) -- Isang buwan na lang ang nalalabi sa ibinigay na ultimatum o palugit ng Palawan Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) sa mga miyembro ng Communist Terrorist Groups (CTG) na CPP-NPA-NDF sa Palawan upang sumuko o magbalik-loob sa pamahalaan.

Ang pagbibigay ng ultimatum sa mga CTG ay nakapaloob sa isang resolusyon na inaprubahan ng Palawan Task Force-ELCAC noong Enero 24, kasabay ng isinagawang Task Force ELCAC Action Planning sa Gusaling Kapitolyo.

Sa nasabing resolusyon ay binibigyan na lamang ng palugit na hanggang Pebrero 29 ang mga natitira pang miyembro ng New People’s Army (NPA) at mga taga-suporta nito sa Palawan sa sumuko sa pamahalaan.

Ang sino mang miyembro ng CPP-NPA-NDF, maging ang mga taga-suporta nito na hindi susuko sa itinakdang panahon ay paiiralin na ang batas at ang sino mang susuko bago o sa petsang itinakda ay maaari pa nitong matamasa ang mga programa ng pamahalaan para sa mga nagbabalik-loob.

Sa kasalukuyan ay patuloy na tinatamasa ng mga nauna nang sumukong mga rebelde ang mga programa ng gobyerno katulad ng pagbibigay ng tulong- pinansyal sa ilalim ng Local Social Integration of Former Rebels Program ng Provincial Social Welfare & Development Office (PSWDO) at Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) ng Department of Interior & Local Government (DILG).

Sa tala ng DILG-Palawan, nasa 24 na mga dating rebeldeng New People's Army (NPA) o 'former rebels’ (FR) sa Palawan ang nabigyan na ng tulong ng pamahalaan sa ilalim ng E-CLIP noong 2019 lamang. Umabot sa kabuuhang P1,560,000 ang tulong na naibigay sa mga ito. Ang bawat isang FR ay tumanggap ng P15,000 na immediate assistance at P50,000 na livelihood assistance kung saan may kabuuhang P65,000 ang natanggap ng bawat isang FR. (OCJ/PIA-MIMAROPA, Palawan)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1033609

Tagalog News: CPP-NPA-NDF, idineklarang persona non-grata sa Puerto Princesa

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 30, 2020): Tagalog News: CPP-NPA-NDF, idineklarang persona non-grata sa Puerto Princesa (By Orlan C. Jabagat)

Sa pamamagitan ng Resolution No. 01 series of 2020 na ipinasa ng City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) ay idineklara nang persona non-grata ang CPP-NPA-NDF sa Puerto Princesa. (Larawan ni Orlan C. Jabagat/PIA-Palawan)

PUERTO PRINCESA, Palawan, Enero 30 (PIA) --- Idineklara nang persona non-grata (PNG) sa Puerto Princesa ang Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

Ang deklarasyong ito ay sa pamamagitan ng resolusyong ipinasa ng Puerto Princesa City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) sa isinagawang pagpupulong ng konseho noong Enero 23 sa Gusaling Panglungsod.

Sa Resolution No. 01 series of 2020, sinasabi rito na kinokondena ng mga miyembro ng CPOC ang mga kalupitan at kawalang-awa na gawain ng CPP-NPA-NDF, mga basehan para ideklara ang mga ito bilang persona non-grata sa buong lungsod.

Ang hakbang na ito ng CPOC ay bilang pagsuporta sa Executive Order No. 70 ng Pangulong Rodrigo R. Duterte o itong ‘Whole of Nation Approach’ upang mawakasan na ang armadong pakikibaka sa buong bansa.

Ang resolusyon ay agad na nilagdaan ni Mayor Lucilo R. Bayron bilang Chairman ng CPOC ay ipapadala ang kopya nito sa Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine National Police (PNP0, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at sa iba pang ahensiya ng gobyerno.

Sa ulat ng Western Command (WESCOM) kamakailan, nasa 29 na lamang ang mga armadong miyembro ng NPA sa Palawan. Bumaba na ito ng 38 porsiyento kung ikukumpara noong 2018 na mayroon pa itong 47 miyembro.

Sa nakalipas na taon, nakapagtala na ang Wescom ng 46 sumukong mga miyembro at taga-suporta ng NPA, maging ng mga Militia ng Bayan.

Sampu naman ang nahuling miyembro ng NPA noong 2019. (OCJ/PIA-MIMAROPA, Palawan)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1033618

ELCAC task force gains ground in NegOr

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 30, 2020): ELCAC task force gains ground in NegOr (By Roi Anthoni Lomotan)

Col. Noel Baluyan, commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army, believes the efforts of the NOTF ELCAC is ganing ground in Negros Oriental. Baluyan was one of the resource speakers of the Kapihan Forum on the topic: 'Insurgency Situation Updates' held Jan. 22, 2020. (PIA7-NegOr)

DUMAGUETE CITY, Jan. 28 (PIA) -- The efforts of Negros Oriental Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NOTF ELCAC) in countering insurgency is already gaining ground in the province.

Col. Noel Baluyan, commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army, made this statement when asked about his assessment on the programs and activities carried out by the task force during a Kapihan sa PIA forum here recently.

The brigade commander noted that it is premature to give a full assessment on the effectiveness of NOTF ELCAC at the moment because it is still in its early stage and data are still limited.

However, Baluyan said this is a “golden opportunity” for Negros Oriental, noting that all of the government’s efforts, programs, and activities are focused in the province to completely eliminate its problem on insurgency.

“As far as the Region 7 Task Force on ELCAC is concerned, ang focus is really Negros Oriental because we have Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor already declared as insurgency-free. So lahat ng effort, resources, programs, and projects dito ngayon nakapokus sa Negros Oriental. We have been telling the people this is a golden opportunity for NegOrenses itong ELCAC na ito,” Baluyan said.

NOTF ELCAC held a series of “Dagyawan sa Barangay” or face-to-face consultations between residents of communities affected by insurgency and government agencies in Guihulngan City, Canlaon City, Valencia, Zamboanguita, Siaton, and Sta. Catalina during the latter part of 2019.

Residents present pressing issues in their communities before the government agencies, who in turn, provided the appropriate interventions to solve the issues that are used by insurgents to make residents turn away from the government.

The list of priority projects which came out during these consultations were already forwarded to the National Task Force on ELCAC for their approval for implementation in November 2019.

“These are in form of health centers, water system, irrigation na maliliit. Naisama na rin doon ang big ticket items. Iyong road (construction). Kailangan itong iayos. Ang gobyerno naman pagdating sa projects, it’s the social benefits that counts (These are in form of health centers, water systems, small irrigations. Big ticket items like construction of roads are also included there. We really need to address these. In the part of the government, it’s the social benefit that counts),” Baluyan said.

LTC. Randy Pagunuran (2nd from right), commander of the 94th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army (PA) giving an update on the security situation in the northern part of Negros Oriental during a Kapihan Forum held Jan. 22, 2020. He said the number of the barangays to be covered by the Negros Oriental Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict may increase this year. He is joined by (l-r) PMAJ. Miguel Andeza of Philippine National Police- Negros Oriental, Col. Noel Baluyan, commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army, and PIA Provincial Coordinator Jenny Tilos. (KAT/PIA7-NegOr)

The local government units identified by NOTF ELCAC as priority areas are due to the presence of insurgents.

Aside from this, NOTF ELCAC, in partnership with the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) also conducted Serbisyong Malasakit Caravans or Caravan on Basic Services in selected barangays in the said towns and cities as part of their strategy to extend government services to the people.

The Caravan on Basic Services is a one-stop shop of government services ranging from medical and dental services to issuance of permits, free consultation, civil registration, and other services offered by different national government agencies.

The 302nd Infantry Brigade covers the towns and cities in the second and third districts of Negros Oriental while the 94th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army headed by LTC. Randy Pagunuran covers the first district of the province.

Meanwhile, Pagunuran also cited in the Kapihan that the number of barnagays in the first district of the province covered by the NOTF ELCAC might also increase this year.

He said the task force is set to hold another round of workshops and it will be determined later which barangays in the northern part of the province will be included in the updated list of priority areas for NOTF ELCAC.

Currently, there are 10 barangays in Guihulngan City that are included in the list of NOTF ELCAC’s priority areas.

The Philippine Army together with the Philippine National Police (PNP) are the lead agencies of the security cluster of NOTF ELCAC.

Security officials in the province renewed their call for the public to cooperate with the government troops and law enforcement agencies in maintaining the security situation in the province. (ral/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1033520

Tagalog News: CPP-NPA-NDF, idineklarang persona non-grata sa Puerto Princesa

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 30, 2020): Tagalog News: CPP-NPA-NDF, idineklarang persona non-grata sa Puerto Princesa (By Orlan C. Jabagat)

Kinaray-a News: Kalinong kag progreso ginatib-ong kang ELCAC

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 30, 2020): Kinaray-a News: Kalinong kag progreso ginatib-ong kang ELCAC (By Liez'l Marie Lamasan)

SAN JOSE, Antique, Enero 30 (PIA6) -- May kaangtanan sa kalinong kag progreso kang probinsya ang mga hirikuton nga ginapatigayon angot sa National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), ini ang pahayag kang Antique Police Provincial Office (PPO).

Suno kay Information Officer kag Staff Sergeant John Mark Gonzaga, lakip sa mga binuhatan nga gina-implementar kaupod ang mga ahensya kang gobyerno amo ang information and education campaign, gift-giving ka mga barangay, kag pagtukod kang task forces ka mga pulis.

“Wara run ti iban pa kami nga bisyon kundi ang maghili-usa para sa kalinong kag progreso”, kuon ni Gonzaga.

Sa bahin kang mga lokal nga gobyerno, nagpalapnag run kang executive orders ang mga alkalde nga nagpahayag kang persona non grata sa mga rebelde.

Anda man nga ginpadayon kang mga kapulisan ang pagtugro kang suporta sa pagpatigayon kang Enhancement of the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) bilang paghikayat sa mga rebelde nga magbalik sa bahin kang gobyerno.

Sa pagpatuman kang E-CLIP, makabaton kang bulig halin sa gobyerno ang mga anay myembro kag pamilya kang Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), New People’s Army (NPA) kag National Democratic Front (NDF) nga luyag bayaan ang pag-ginamo sa baylo nga sila mangin mabinungahon nga mga pumuluyo.

“Ginatugruan sanda kang cash incentives nga makabulig kananda kapin pa sa pagpatindog kang negosyo,” ginpaathag ni Gonzaga.

Samtang, sa ana nga pagbisita ni Police Regional Office (PRO-6) director PBGen. Rene Pamuspusan sa Antique PPO, luyag niya nga ma-sustener ang estado kang Antique bilang hilway sa mga gamo.

“Now you realized how fast the progress and the development of the province is when that problem is gone, and I hope we could showcase this that Antique province has already progressed a lot (Makita ninyo karon kon ano ka dasig ang progreso kag pagsanyog kang probinsya kon waay ron ra nga problema, kag ginalauman ko nga mapakita ta dya nga ang Antique hanggud ron gid man ang pag-uswag)”, pahayag ni PBGen. Pamuspusan.

Ginpasad ang NTF-ELCAC paagi sa Executive Order 70 nga gin-mando ni Presidente Rodrigo Duterte nga may tinutuyo sa pagpasanyog kang participatory governance agud maagom ang padayon nga kalinong kang pungsod. (JSC/LML-PIA6 Antique)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1033636

Tagalog PR: PTF-MTF-ELCAC nagbigay serbisyo sa 2 barangay ng San Jose

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 30, 2020): Tagalog PR: PTF-MTF-ELCAC nagbigay serbisyo sa 2 barangay ng San Jose (By 4th Infantry Battalion, 2 ID)

Kabilang ang dental mission sa mga serbisyong hatid ng PTF-MTF-ELCAC. (4th Infantry Battalion, 2ID, PA)

SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro, Enero 30 (PIA) -- Naghatid ng serbisyo caravan, libreng medical, dental, optical mission at counseling ang Provincial at Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-MTF-ELCAC) at Team Jesus Mission sa Barangay Naibuan at Monteclaro ng bayang ito kamakailan.

Kabilang sa serbisyong ibinigay sa mga mamamayan ay ang Birth Certificate, Voters at Philhealth registration, libreng gupit mula sa kasundaluhan at iba pang mga government services. Aabot sa 1,850 ng mamamayan na karamihan ay katutubo mula sa dalawang barangay ang nabiyayaan ng nasabing aktibidad.

Nagkaroon din ng pagsusuri sa Barangay Development Plan ng nabanggit na barangay, na may layon na maisaayos ang kanilang mga proyektong pang-imprastraktura.

Dahil sa aksyong ito ng PTF-MTF-ELCAC at Team Jesus Mission, lubos ang naging pasasalamat nina Kap. May-at Luzon ng barangay Naibuan at Kap. Von Joseph Ortilano ng Monteclaro. Ayon sa dalawang opisyal, malaking bagay na nakakarating sa kanilang lugar ang mga programa ng pamahalaan dahil sa pamamagitan nito’y nararamdaman ng mga mamamayan ang malasakit sa kanila ng gobyerno.

Samantala, hinikayat naman ni LTC Alexander M. Arbolado, pinuno ng 4th Infantry Battalion (IB), ang dalawang punong-barangay na magtulungan upang mabilis na maabot ang kaunlaran ng kanilang mga lugar.

Tiniyak naman ni Brigadier General Antonio R. Lastimado, pinuno ng 203rd Infantry Brigade, na magpapatuloy ang kahalintulad na programa mula sa ibat-ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan kasama ang mga pribadong sektor upang matugunan ang mga pangangailangan ng mga mamamayan, lalo na ang mga katutubo, at gawing maunlad at payapa ang kanilang kumunidad.

Ang programang dinala sa Naibuan at Monteclaro ay bunga ng pagtutulungan ng pamahalaang bayan ng San Jose sa pangunguna ni Mayor Romulo Festin, pamahalaang panlalawigan sa pamumuno ni Governor Eduardo Gadiano, Team Jesus Mission sa pangunguna ni Dr. Shiela Aranas at ng 4th IB ng Phil Army. (4th IB, 2 ID, PA)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1033657

Canadian expert stresses importance of youth's role in preventing violent extemism

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 30, 2020): Canadian expert stresses importance of youth's role in preventing violent extemism (By Jerome Carlo R. Paunan)

Dr. Kenneth Christie (PIA photo)
TAGUIG CITY, Jan. 30 (PIA) -- A Canadian academic and subject matter expert on preventing violent extremism (PVE) on Tuesday said engaging young people is key to preventing violent extremism in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia.

During the Radicalization in the Southeast Asia Forum held at the University of the Philippines in Bonifacio Global City, Dr. Kenneth Christie of the Royal University in Victoria, British Columbia urged government officials and policymakers to ensure that the youth is involved as partners in developing and implementing policies, which effectively counter the growth of extremism.

“I think we must start at the bottom-up, we must start talking to young people, and make sure that they are socialized, and make sure that they feel part of the community,” Christie said.

“Knowing what young people need, let us give them what they yearn for – dignity and positive role models. This way we can halt and reverse the trend of violent extremist group,” he added.

Christie also called on government to “increase funding in youth in initiatives sector, especially within schools” as part of an effective PVE strategy and in order to engage and encourage more young people.

“Canada has got a fairly and far more approach to youth de-radicalization and may have a positive effect on youth. Last year, or since 2016, Canada has spent about 35-million dollars on de-radicalization and countering violent extremism. That’s quite a lot of money because they’ve estimated that in Canada, there’s probably a volume of really about 130 kind of dedicated radicals in that sense, and that’s still 130 too many as far as government is concerned, but that’s quite a lot of money,” he said.

As he called for more investment and systematic participation of the youth in decision-making and governance, Christie said other sectors also have more proactive roles in communities and their society at large.

“The role of religious leaders is very important of course. People do give a lot of respect for religious leaders,” he said.

“But I don’t think there’s just one thing that will eradicate radicalization. It has to be more than religious leaders, it has to be more than talking between religious leaders but that is an important step. We need to have the whole community involved, we need to have leaders, which could educate people, we need to have the government involved, we need to have the Catholic Church involved, we need to have Islamic leaders involved,” he added.

“Radicalization is highly complex, multi-faceted, I would also argue that the people being radicalized of course certainly don’t think of themselves as being radicalized. It just seems like a process for them, in which they have no other alternative,” Christie said.

“We have to build trust. We have to develop security and we have to look at it at the perspective of community security,” he added.

Presented by the ASEAN Society of the Philippines (ASP), in cooperation with the Embassy of Canada, the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy and the University of the Philippines, the forum is part of ASP’s lecture series program to raise awareness on ASEAN and issues affecting the region, according to its chairperson and Ambassador Delia Albert. (PIA NCR)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1033638