Ex-vice mayor, 3 other PAG followers surrender in Maguindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 6, 2021): Ex-vice mayor, 3 other PAG followers surrender in Maguindanao (By Noel Punzalan)

DISBANDED FOR PEACE. PRO-BARMM director Brig. Gen. Eden Ugale accepts the firearms from Shariff Aguak Mayor Marop Ampatuan following the surrender of his father, Datu Akmad Ampatuan (extreme left), ex-vice mayor of Shariff Aguak town and the leader of the surrendering private armed group, during surrender rites at Camp S.K. Pendatun in Parang, Maguindanao on Monday (July 5, 2021). The group also yielded assorted high-powered firearms during their surrender. (Photo courtesy of PRO-BARMM)

CAMP S.K. PENDATUN, Maguindanao – A private armed group (PAG), led by a former town vice mayor, surrendered to officials of this regional police headquarters on Monday afternoon.

Brig. Gen. Eden T. Ugale, Police Regional Office–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PRO-BARMM) director, identified the surrenderers as ex-Shariff Aguak vice mayor Datu Akmad Ampatuan, and his three followers identified as Abby Aguak, Pendatun U. Ampatuan, and Gani Macmod, all residents of Shariff Aguak town.

The surrenderers also yielded three M16 rifles and an M14 rifle.

The former vice mayor resigned from his post last year due to health reasons. His son, Amir Akmad S. Aguak, replaced him as vice mayor being the town’s top councilor.

Datu Akmad’s other son, Shariff Aguak Mayor Marop Ampatuan, accompanied him during the surrender rites.

“I am just overjoyed that my father has disbanded the group and surrendered to the authorities,” the mayor said in a phone interview Tuesday.

Ugale said Datu Akmad's surrender is in accordance with the directives of the National Task Force on the Disbandment of Private Armed Groups and the program under the security aspect of the normalization track of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro that focuses on the disbandment of armed groups in the BARMM.

“Once again, we have managed to once facilitate the surrender of a private armed group,” the police official said.

He said the former vice mayor has expressed his desire to surrender to clear his name and to give peace a chance in Shariff Aguak and its neighboring towns.

“We are still processing their surrender as their group was earlier listed as a faction of the Dawlah Islamiya extremist group in the province,” Ugale said.

He assured that the government would support Datu Akmad and his group to start a new life following their surrender.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1146075

Reservists not issued with firearms, says Army official

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 6, 2021): Reservists not issued with firearms, says Army official (By John Rey Saavedra)

FAKE RESERVIST. Photos show Jhefferson Higoy (wearing an Army t-shirt), during his arrest in Saekyung Village, Barangay Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu City by the NBI-7 and Philippine Army on July 2, 2021. Col. Melisan Raymund Recaido, commander of the 7th Regional Community Defense Group (RCDG) of the Army Reserve Command (Arescom), on Tuesday (July 6, 2021) said Higoy is not a reservist with the rank of captain, as the suspect has claimed. (Contributed photos)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) does not issue firearms to reservists and those who are illegally possessing them must be made to answer for the crime, an Army official said on Tuesday.

Col. Melisan Raymund Recaido, chief of the 7th Regional Community Defense Group (RCDG) of the Army Reserve Command (Arescom), said this after the arrest of 35-year-old Jhefferson Higoy for possessing high-powered firearms in a joint operation last Friday by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Philippine Army in Barangay Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu City.

“We don’t issue firearms to reservists except for training. It’s prohibited for them to carry firearms in public,” Recaido said.

The operatives served the search warrant issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 67 Judge Joseph Stephen Ygnacio on Higoy when he was about to enter his car parked inside the Saekyung Village.

The authorities searched the car and found several firearms and ammunition. More firearms were found when they searched Higoy’s condominium unit.

NBI-7 regional director Renan Oliva said confiscated from Higoy’s possession were three .45 caliber pistols, a Bushmaster 5.56 automatic M4 rifle, several ammunition, Army uniforms and paraphernalia, as well as two identification cards -- one AFP ID where Higoy has the rank of Captain, and a Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID stating that he is a mechanical engineer.

Recaido told reporters in a press briefing at the NBI office here that the Arescom headquarters in Camp Riego de Dios in Tanza, Cavite has certified that Higoy is not a reservist with the rank of captain.

He said the command is also investigating whether Higoy is an enlisted reservist with the rank of sergeant as his firearm's serial number was issued along with others to graduates of Cebu Technological University-Argao even if he is not a student-member of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps in the southern Cebu school.

Oliva told reporters that based on PRC’s certification, Higoy's name is not on the roster of mechanical engineers in the country.

Thus, apart from violations of Republic Act 10591, the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, the suspect will also face charges for falsification of public documents and usurpation of authority.

Higoy, who is now detained at the NBI holding cell, was subjected to inquest proceedings on Monday.

Oliva and Recaido urged the public to report to the authorities individuals who claim to belong to the reserve force and display firearms in public.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1146156

‘Whole-of-nation’ approach aids ex-rebel to lead new life

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 6, 2021): ‘Whole-of-nation’ approach aids ex-rebel to lead new life (By Annabel Consuelo Petinglay)

NEW LIFE. "Joy" is in tears when she receives her reintegration assistance from the Department of the Interior and Local Government on June 15, 2021. In an interview on Tuesday (July 6, 2021), she said the support she received after her surrender is a manifestation of the government’s genuine program in ending the local communist armed conflict through the “whole-of-nation” approach. (PNA file photo by Annabel Consuelo J. Petinglay)

SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – A woman from this province, who left the New People's Army (NPA) after being a member for 19 years, has personally experienced the genuine program of the Duterte administration in ending the local communist armed conflict through the “whole-of-nation” approach.

"Joy" (not her real name), one of the 35 rebels in Antique who gave up their armed struggle and embraced a new life under the wings of the government, said on Tuesday the assistance she received from various government agencies enabled her to start a new life as she reunited with her family.

Of the 35 rebel returnees, 25 have the Joint Philippine National Police-Armed Forces of the Philippines Intelligence Certificate (JPIC), proof that they have no pending cases in court and eligible to receive assistance from the government.

“Through the whole-of-nation, I felt the genuineness of the government in assisting me as I start my new life,” Joy said in an interview.

Now 38 years old, Joy was with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA for 19 years until she surrendered on August 5, 2020.

A native of Capiz, she opted to surrender in the municipality of Sebaste in this province as she felt “safer” with the town’s municipal police station.

In December of 2020, she received PHP10,000 from the provincial government under the Aid to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).

Last April 8, she was given PHP20,000 under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the money she used to buy a carabao.

“I bought a carabao, which I am renting to other farmers in our community to till their lands,” she said.

With the PHP450 daily rental, she was able to have an income she then uses to send her children to school.

Only last month, she received the PHP21,000 reintegration assistance from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and PHP15,000 immediate assistance from the Antique provincial government under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP).

Joy used the money as capital to start her small sari-sari store in Capiz.

The former rebel said she was thankful to the local officials of Antique for convincing her that “the government is here to support”.

Joy is now waiting for her inclusion to the emergency employment under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

James Rubino of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) said 19 of the 25 with JPIC have already received the assistance.

He added that the 18 other surrenderers who had been assisted already have livelihood projects.

Meanwhile, he said the remaining six former rebels as well as 10 others whose JPIC is also being processed, will also receive assistance from the DSWD and the DILG in the coming days.

Executive Order 70 issued by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte also known as the "whole-of-nation" approach in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace is aimed to end the local communist armed conflict.

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1146175

Hospital to rise in military camp in Capiz

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 6, 2021): Hospital to rise in military camp in Capiz (By Perla Lena)

GROUNDBREAKING. Gen. Eric C Vinoya, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division (left), Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Cirilito Sobejana (center), and Department of Public Works and Highways representative Architect Vicente Rabago Jr. pose during the July 3, 2021 groundbreaking ceremony of the 50-bed capacity hospital to be built inside the Camp General Macario Peralta Jr. in Barangay Jaena Norte, Jamindan, Capiz. The project is funded under the “Build, Build, Build” program of the national government. (Photo courtesy of 3ID)

A hospital with a 50-bed capacity will be built inside the Camp General Macario Peralta Jr. in Barangay Jaena Norte, Jamindan, Capiz under the “Build, Build, Build” program of the government amounting to PHP100.3 million.

“It’s an initiative of our higher headquarters after seeing the needs of their ground forces, including the 3rd ID, that there is a need to construct a new facility enough to accommodate all our soldiers together with their dependents and the civilian population in the area,” said Major Cenon Pancito III, spokesperson for the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) of the Philippine Army (PA), in an interview on Tuesday.

He said the two-story hospital building is a convergence project of the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) under the Tatag ng Imprastraktura sa Kapayapaan at Seguridad (TIKAS) Project to reinforce the capability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in providing medical service and security.

He added that the existing one-building station hospital inside the military camp is not enough to accommodate all soldiers of the division that covers Western and Central Visayas.

“While we have enough doctors, we have enough nurses, enough capability in terms of human resource, yet the infrastructure is left behind,” he added.

The hospital, which is expected to be completed within the year, will be for soldiers and their dependents.

In emergency cases, it can also accept civilians from nearby communities.

The nearest hospital is still in nearby Mambusao town, Pancito said.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the project that will stand in the camp’s 2,376- square meter lot was held on July 3.

The ceremony was graced by AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Cirilito Sobejana and hosted by 3ID commander, Maj. Gen. Eric C. Vinoya. DPWH regional director Lea Delfinado was represented by Architect Vicente Rabago Jr.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1146162

AMLC says implementation of freeze orders will be closely monitored by FATF

 From Business World (Jul 6, 2021): AMLC says implementation of freeze orders will be closely monitored by FATF

THE ANTI-MONEY Laundering Council (AMLC) told covered entities to urgently follow freeze order processes, as the Philippines needs to show tangible progress in effectively implementing tighter laws on anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) to be able to exit the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) “gray list.”

The AMLC advisory comes over a week since the country was added to jurisdictions placed under the FATF’s increased monitoring, specifically the implementation of AML/CTF measures.

AMLC Executive Director Mel Georgie B. Racela said urgent compliance to freeze orders will be closely monitored by the FATF.

“Covered persons’ mandate to urgently implement freeze orders as required in the 2018 Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001, is a key component in ensuring that the Philippines sufficiently addresses the International Co-operation Review Group (ICRG) action plan items, particularly those relative to money laundering and counter-terrorism financing investigations; and targeted financial sanctions that would effectively deny funds to designated terrorists,” Mr. Racela said in a Viber message on Sunday.

The AMLC told covered persons to strictly observe the period for filing of returns and to consider the start of the 20-day effectivity of freeze orders from the time the accounts are actually frozen.

According to the AMLC advisory, some covered persons only implement freeze orders a few days or weeks before the expiry of the period prescribed by the court.

The AMLC said some covered persons only submit returns for related accounts when the six-month effectivity of a freeze order is almost at its expiry.

Based on implementing rules and regulations, written returns with pertinent details on an account should be submitted to the AMLC and the Court of Appeals (CA) within 24 hours since the account was frozen.

A freeze order covers a main account, which the AMLC and CA determined there is probable cause that it is related to money laundering and terrorist financing. On the other hand, related or materially linked accounts are determined by covered persons in compliance with the freeze order.

Mr. Racela said there could be serious repercussions from the delayed implementation of freeze orders against designated persons and suspected money launderers.

“If freeze orders are not immediately implemented, the accounts not frozen can be disposed of by the owner, thwarting the AMLC’s efforts in building its case and eventually filing civil forfeiture proceedings and/or prosecuting the owner. Worse, the money in the accounts can be further used in the commission of unlawful activities and/or money laundering,” Mr. Racela said.

The late implementation of a freeze order as well as delayed submission or non-filing of returns are considered as money laundering offenses that could result in penalties for uncooperative covered persons, the AMLC said.

The agency also stressed that failure to immediately freeze accounts upon receipt of a freeze order is considered a grave violation under Republic Act 9160 or the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001 (AMLA), as amended.

The late implementation of a freeze order and the subsequent delay in the filing of returns are also considered money laundering offenses that could be punishable with imprisonment of four to seven years and a fine of not less than P1.5 million, the AMLC said. Covered persons that fail to comply may face penalties from P25,000 to P500,000 per violation, it added.

In case the delayed implementation of a freeze order involving accounts in relation to the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012 and the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, the action could be considered as dealing directly or indirectly with the designated persons. AMLC said this could be punishable with reclusion temporal in its maximum period of 20 years to reclusion perpetua (up to forty years) and a fine of P500,000 to not more than P1 million.

Meanwhile, submitting late written returns or incomplete information related to a freeze order are considered as lighter offenses, the AMLC said. A complete written return should include the account number; names of account holder/s; amount in an account at the time it was frozen; all relevant information pertaining to the nature of an account or property; any information on related accounts or property related to the frozen asset, and the time when a freeze order took effect.

Under the Republic Act 11521 which further tightened the AMLA, covered persons were expanded to include Philippine offshore gaming operators and service provides as well as real estate brokers and developers.

In January, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) ordered lenders to submit their reports on accounts that have links to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), the New People’s Army (NPA), and Islamic extremist groups following freeze orders issued by the AMLC.

To recall, Republic Act 11521 was enacted into law on Jan. 29, only days ahead of the Feb. 1 deadline set by the FATF for the country to show effective implementation of tighter AML/CFT laws. Republic Act 11479 or the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 took effect in July 2020.

BSP Governor and AMLC Chairman Benjamin E. Diokno is hopeful that the country will be able to show its progress and leave the gray list on or before January 2023.

https://www.bworldonline.com/amlc-says-implementation-of-freeze-orders-will-be-closely-monitored-by-fatf/

NPA hitman killed in Negros Oriental clash with State troopers

From the Manila Bulletin (Jul 5, 2021): NPA hitman killed in Negros Oriental clash with State troopers (By Glazyl Masculino)

An alleged notorious member of the Special Partisan Unit (Sparu) of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in an encounter with the military in Sitio Pitik-Pitik, Barangay Luz, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental Sunday, July 4.

The Army identified the fatality as Randy Tapales, who was reportedly linked to various killings in Guihulngan City, including the fatal ambush on Corporal Mark Anthony Quiocson in Barangay Luz on July 1, 2020; Civilian Active Auxiliary (CAA) Mico Dinoy, who was also killed in Barangay Luz last Jan. 28; and two civilian swine traders, Jemer Pondador and Romeo Dunggoan, who were killed in Barangay Magsaysay last July 21, 2020.

Tapales also had two murder cases based on the records of the Guihulngan City Police Station, according to the Army.

Troops of the 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) encountered last Sunday at least five unidentified armed men believed to be members of the Sparu and SYP Platoon, Central Negros 1, Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros Cebu Bohol Siquijor (KR-NCBS), through the strong information network in Guihulngan City against the NPA.

The firefight lasted for five minutes which resulted to the death of one rebel and recovery of several firearms and a hand grenade.

No casualties were reported on the government side.

Lt. Col. Melvin Flores, 62nd IB commander, expressed his sincerest sympathies and condolences to the family of the slain rebel.

“Another life was wasted because of the NPAs’ deception and lies. However, justice was also served to the families who were victims of this communist terrorist hitman,” Flores said.

https://mb.com.ph/2021/07/05/npa-hitman-killed-in-negros-oriental-clash-with-state-troopers/

NPA female combatant killed in Zamboanga del Norte clash

From the Sun Star-Zamboanga (Jul 5, 2021): NPA female combatant killed in Zamboanga del Norte clash

A YOUNG New People’s Army (NPA) female rebel was killed in a clash with government forces in the hinterlands of Zamboanga del Norte, the military reported Monday, July 5.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1899792/Zamboanga/Local-News/NPA-female-combatant-killed-in-Zamboanga-del-Norte-clash

3rd fall for a C-130 gave military its worst air disaster

From Rappler (Jul 5, 2021): 3rd fall for a C-130 gave military its worst air disaster (By MANNY MOGATO)

(1st UPDATE) The C-130 is suitable to land in any airfield – even in short and unpaved ones

It was the worst air disaster in Philippine military history.

At least 49 army enlisted men, fresh from a training school and assigned to their first combat duty in Sulu, died when their C-130 Hercules military transport plane went down in flames before it could land at the Jolo Airport.

For most of these soldiers, it was likely their first time to be on a four-engine turbo-prop C-130H, the workhorse of the Philippine Air Force. At least 47 of them survived the crash.

This is the third time that a Lockheed C-130 aircraft has crashed since the 1990s, when the Philippine Air Force started using the plane for logistics run, rapid troop deployment, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

When a C-130 crashed in August 1993 in Camarines Sur, it was carrying relief goods for typhoon victims. Thirty people died in the accident.

In 2008, a total of 11 people died when another C-130 went down minutes after it took off from an airport in Davao City.

Durable, flexible

Military pilots say the C-130 aircraft is one of the safest military planes because it has the capability to glide and will not drop from the sky.

The aircraft is suitable to land in any airfield, even in a short and unpaved runway, such as the 1.2-km at Pagasa Island in the Spratly Islands. In the case of the Jolo Airport, this was expanded more than a decade ago – with help from the United States – from about 2,000 meters to 3.8 km.

There were speculations that the C-130 had overshot the runway and was attempting to pull up for another attempt to land when it ran out of power. Others were saying the aircraft’s brakes and reverse track did not function after it touched down on the runway.

The Philippine Air Force will examine all available data from the plane’s blackbox to determine if the crash was caused by mechanical defects or human error.

Experienced pilots

But the two pilots on board, both with ranks of major, were very experienced aviators with probably hundreds of flying hours in a C130 plane.

Military spokesman Major General Edgard Arevalo appealed to the public to avoid speculating on what happened. “This exacerbates rather than helps in the current situation,” he told a news conference on Monday, July 5, a day after the crash. “The public can be assured the armed forces will be transparent in the conduct of the investigation. At this point, we have to wait for the result of the investigation.”

The Philippines has only five C-130 aircraft. Only two are flying and three are undergoing preventive maintenance. 

(READ: Sulu crash leaves AFP without C-130s)

A brand-new C-130 aircraft costs more than $150 million, but the plane that crashed was acquired this year by the Philippines from the United States for about P1.54 billion or roughly $32 million.

The money went to avionics, other equipment, and instruments that were removed by the United States when it transferred the aircraft to the Philippines under a Foreign Military Financing grant. The plane was given for free under a hot transfer program, meaning the aircraft was still being used by the United States.

Sunday’s air accident has exposed the air force's patchy safety record.

Just a month ago, a brand-new Polish Sikorsky Black Hawk combat utility helicopter crashed during a night training flight north of the capital, killing all six people.

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Arevalo conceded the crash will definitely have an impact on its operations. The C-130 planes are not only ferrying troops and military supplies but they were transporting medical equipment and supplies during the coronavirus pandemic. It had also flown personal protective equipment bought from China.

It is now uncertain how the Philippines will proceed with its first-ever air-to-air four-day exercise with the Japanese Air Self Defense Forces in Clark.

Japan is sending a C-130 aircraft to show Filipino pilots how to load and unload cargo as well as air drop relief goods in a disaster area.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/third-fall-c-130-plane-cost-military-worst-air-disaster

Sulu crash leaves AFP without C-130s – for now

From Rappler (Jul 5, 2021): Sulu crash leaves AFP without C-130s – for now (JAIRO BOLLEDO)

(1st UPDATE) This would affect operations because the C-130 is the most reliable transport plane of the military

The recent aircraft accident in Sulu, which killed at least 52 individuals, left the military with no C-130 plane to use for its operations.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Major General Edgard Arevalo said the military temporarily prohibited its remaining C-130 planes from flying, following standard protocol.

“The standard operating procedure every time that an accident happens among our aircraft, the standing operating procedure is to ground the fleet of that aircraft until the investigation that has been conducted is concluded,” Arevalo said in a press conference on Monday, July 5.

“So in this case, we have another C-130 that is flying that will be grounded,” the AFP spokesperson added.

On Sunday, July 4, the C-130 Hercules plane crashed in Patikul town and killed at least 52 people, including 49 military personnel.

According to Arevalo, the military has five C-130 planes in total, including the one that crashed. Another C-130, which is in flying condition, will be grounded. Two others are currently under maintenance in Portugal. The fifth plane – recently purchased – has yet to arrive.

The AFP also previously grounded its Black Hawk choppers after the Black Hawk chopper crash in Tarlac on June 23, which killed six people. Nine other units of Black Hawk chopper were temporarily barred from flying.

Disaster response

The grounding of the C-130 came amid the restiveness of Taal Volcano. The military gave assurances that there will be other aircraft that can be used for disaster response.

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“It may be able to affect us but again, contingency measures are there. We have navy ships, navy aircraft to help and assist in the delivery of these basic goods and services,” Arevalo said.

The C-130 planes were purchased by the defense department to enhance the country’s capability in heavy airlift missions. It was meant to enhance the military’s movements during territorial defense efforts and disaster response operations.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/sulu-crash-leaves-military-no-c-130-plane

303rd IB honors outstanding soldiers

From the Visayan Daily Star (Jul 5, 2021): 303rd IB honors outstanding soldiers (BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN)

Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte (left), 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, led the conferment of Military Merit Medals on outstanding soldiers at Camp Gerona in Murcia, Negros Occidental Saturday Army photo

The 303rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army marked its 35th founding anniversary on July 3 at Camp Gerona in Brgy. Minoyan, Murcia, Negros Occidental, by recognizing its outstanding soldiers and holding other activities.

Newly-promoted Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, who led the celebration, lauded the collective performance of the 303IB soldiers that led to the accomplishment of its mandated tasks.

“Thus, it is just timely and right to give due credit for all of their sacrifices and their dedication to duty,” Pasaporte said as he conferred Military Merit Medals on recipient soldiers during the program that also observed strict health protocols.

The celebration was also highlighted by a mass, wreath-laying ceremony, and blessing of vehicles and equipment.

“Let us always work together for the greater aspiration of peace and development for the Filipino nation, especially in support of our unit’s mission accomplishment,” Pasaporte said.

“We will exemplify honor, patriotism, and duty,” he added.*

https://news.visayandailystar.com/303rd-ib-honors-outstanding-soldiers/

‘This is my second life,’ says Brawner following C-130 plane crash in Sulu

From MindaNews (Jul 5, 2021): ‘This is my second life,’ says Brawner following C-130 plane crash in Sulu (By RICHEL V. UMEL)

Col. Romeo Brawner Jr. at the 103rd Infantry Brigade headquarters in Kampo Ranaw, Marawi City, 13 May 2019. MindaNews photo by BOBBY TIMONERA

Major General Romeo Brawner, Jr., the new commander of the 4th Infantry Division, and his family boarded the ill-fated C-130 plane before it crashed in Patikul, Sulu on Sunday.

“”Pangalawang buhay ko na ito (This is my second life). Yesterday, July 4 , my family and I rode on the same C-130 that crashed in Jolo,” he told reporters during the turnover of command at Camp Edilberto Evangelista here Monday.

Brawner replaced Major General Andres Centeno, who was appointed commander of the Philippine Army. Brawner vowed to sustain the fight against the communist rebels and other threat groups in the region.

Brawner said he and his family boarded the C-130 plane from Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, and disembarked at the Lumbia Airport here.

From Lumbia Airport, the C-130 aircraft with tail number 5125, proceeded to the Laguindingan Airport to fetch the soldiers assigned to the 11th Infantry Division in Sulu, he said.

The ill-fated C-130 plane crashed at 11:15 a.m. Sunday in Patikul town, killing 50 people, 47 of them military personnel and three civilians, according to the Department of National Defense on Monday morning.

Brawner said they offered mass and lit candles for the soldiers who perished in the crash.

He also expressed their sympathies to the families that the soldiers left behind.

Brawner said that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte was due to arrive in Zamboanga City at 3:00 p.m. Monday to visit the wounded troops brought in the city.

Brawner said there is no definite plan yet on how to transport the remains of the soldiers who died in the crash.

He said the AFP was still in the process of identifying the cadavers.

Zia Alonto Adiong, a Member of Parliament of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said that Brawner has proven his worth and gallantry during the Marawi siege in 2017.

“General Brawner is both a soldier and a gentleman. He is brilliant and articulate,” Adiong said.

“He’s a good choice, probably the best choice to assume the post,” the official added.

Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr., of Lanao del Sur said that with Brawner leading the 4th Infantry Division, “we are assured that its residents and that of nearby provinces, which include Lanao del Sur, are safe.”

The governor noted that Brawner attended to the concerns of his constituents, such as the internally displaced persons, when the rehabilitation of war-torn Marawi started.

Brawner used to be the spokesperson and deputy commander of the military task force Ranao fighting the ISIS-aligned militants who attacked Marawi City in 2017.

He later took over the command of the 103rd Infantry Brigade based in Marawi as the military launched operations to flush out the remaining militants.

https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2021/07/this-is-my-second-life-says-brawner-following-c-130-plane-crash-in-sulu/

50 dead in C-130 plane crash in Sulu

From the Mindanao Examiner (Jul 5, 2021): 50 dead in C-130 plane crash in Sulu

The Philippine military said a total of 50 soldiers, including three civilians, were killed in the crash of an air force transport plane in the southern province of Sulu.

Military photos from Kalinaw News show the wreckage of the ill-fated transport plane in Sulu's Patikul town.

It said 49 soldiers and four civilians were also wounded when the C-130 cargo plane crashed Sunday after it overshot the runway in the capital town of Jolo. The plane was transporting soldiers from Cagayan de Oro City in northern Mindanao.

The military is investigating the fiery crash, adding all passengers and crew of the ill-fated aircraft had been accounted for.

Philippine military chief General Cirilito Sobejana said the C-130 aircraft missed the runway and failed to gain altitude and crashed in Patikul's Bangkal village.

Photos of the crash quickly went viral on social media with several pictures showing the two soldiers lying on the grass near the wreckage. The crash site is surrounded by small trees and a bamboo fence indicating it is a civilian area.

One photo shows two an army lieutenant, his head bloodied and another soldier nearby being assisted by unidentified men, probably soldiers too, who were on the scene. And another photo shows the burning wreckage of the aircraft – its tail number 5125 is visible even as black and white smoke billowed from the plane. Uniformed soldiers were also on the scene trying to help put out the fire.

According to a report of MaxDefense Philippines, the transport plane was the former MC-130 Combat Spear aircraft of the US Special Operations Command. The aircraft, it said, was purchased under Horizon 2 phase using Philippine funding and U.S. military assistance grant.

The crash came four days after a Philippine Air Force S-701 Black Hawk helicopter crashed during night flight training in the town of Capas in Tarlac province in central Luzon, killing all six airmen aboard.

The downed Polish-built chopper was under the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing based at Clark Air Base. The cause of the crash is still being investigated.

The helicopters are manufactured by PZL Mielec, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, which had also previously acquired Sikorsky, the original manufacturer of the Black Hawk.

The Philippines acquired the helicopters under a government-to-government deal with Poland, signing a contract worth $241 million in 2019. The Black Hawks are being bought under the U.S. ally’s five-year Horizon 2 modernization program, which will run from 2018-2022. (Mindanao Examiner)

http://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2021/07/50-dead-in-military-plane-crash-in-sulu.html

9 alleged Abu Sayyaf members surrender in Sulu, says military

From ABS-CBN (Jul 25, 2021): 9 alleged Abu Sayyaf members surrender in Sulu, says military

Nine alleged members of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group surrendered to authorities in Talipao town, Sulu, the Philippine military said Monday.

The Joint Task Force Sulu said in a statement the bandits turned themselves in at the Philippine Army's 1101st Infantry Brigade Headquarters, with two M-16 rifles, two Garand rifles, and a caliber .38 pistol.

According to 2nd Special Forces Battalion commander Lt. Col. Jooney Jay Businos, one of those who surrendered is a deaf-mute who joined the terrorist group when he was a teenager.

He was 32-years-old when he gave himself up after being under ASG leader Radulan Sahiron's group, Businos said.

Maj. Gen. William Gonzales, commander of the 11th Infantry Division, said those who yielded will undergo long-term rehabilitation and enroll in livelihood programs.

Last March, 14 Abu Sayyaf Group members also surrendered with their firearms to the military in Sulu.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/05/21/abu-sayyaf-surrender-philippine-military-sulu

Red Spark/NPA-Negros Island ROC: The Filipino Masses Cherish The NPA

Propaganda statement posted to Red Spark (Jun 30, 2021): The Filipino Masses Cherish The NPA

Juanito Magbanua

Spokesperson

Negros Island Regional Operational Command (Apolinario Gatmaitan Command)

New People’s Army

June 30, 2021

New People’s Army (NPA) – Negros Island spokesperson Ka Juanito Magbanua said in a video released on social media yesterday, June 29, that the NPA as the genuine people’s army fights against the US-Duterte regime’s National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) which aims to destroy the revolutionary movement in the entire country within President Duterte’s term.

“The people cherish the NPA because it fights for the interests mainly of the peasants and workers. In terms of land, how the peasants can own land through free land distribution,” said Magbanua.

According to Magbanua, the NPA also helps in improving economic conditions of farmers by actually participating in farming and maintaining peace and order by solving contradictions between the people. Also part of the NPA’s tasks is to launch medical missions and treat illnesses through herbal medicine and acupuncture.

Magbanua also claimed that the efforts of the Duterte regime to destroy their mass base caused considerable devastation to farmers especially the indigenous peoples (tumandoks) in the countryside who are victims of human rights violations.

“During the pandemic, they need help in their economic situation; but instead, usually in combat operations, they experience bombings and abuse of human rights,’ he said.

The Apolinario Gatmaitan Command video explained the difference between the NPA and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

It said the NPA’s difference from the AFP is that the AFP receive regular salaries from government coffers, people’s taxes but in return they do not serve rather inflict harm on the people. Meanwhile, the NPA does everything to improve the living conditions of the people, their health, literacy and their security.

Magbanua elucidated that particularly in Negros, the five guerrilla fronts continue to expand [its territory] and deepen its link to the masses.

“It cannot be denied that the enemy’s combat operations have caused harm here in Negros but this does not mean that they have decimated two guerrilla fronts in Negros. The truth is, as I already mentioned, the support of the people for armed struggle continues to broaden and deepen,” he said.

He added that the Apolinario Gatmaitan Command, with the wholehearted support of the people, will confidently continue to develop, expand and strengthen the five guerrilla fronts in Negros and possibly establish more.

Magbanua also mentioned the victims of red-tagging by government agencies, most recently the officials leading the NTF-ELCAC.

“Due to serious abuse of human rights not only here in the countryside but also in the cities and town centers, there have been an increasing number of victims of red-tagging. Red-tagging is linked to harassments up to killings,” he said.

“All those who aspire to go to the countryside to help in strengthening and building of the mass base, increasing the red fighters and launching anti-feudal campaigns. Your talents are needed in the armed struggle until we achieve victory,” he ended.

https://www.redspark.nu/en/peoples-war/the-filipino-masses-cherish-the-npa/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Ang maduming gera ni Duterte sa unang hati ng 2021

Special propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jul 4, 2021): Ang maduming gera ni Duterte sa unang hati ng 2021

Download here

Pilipino: PDF

 

Ang ulat na ito ay halaw sa nakalap na mga balita ng Ang Bayan (AB) hinggil sa mga kaso ng paglabag sa karapatang-tao na isinagawa ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP) at iba pang mga armadong pwersa ng reaksyunaryong rehimeng US-Duterte mula Enero hanggang Hunyo ngayong taon. Layon ng ulat na ito na ipakita ang lawak ng brutalidad at karahasan na dinanas ng mamamayang Pilipino sa ilalim ng maduming gerang panunupil ni Rodrigo Duterte.

Sa talaan ng AB, 16,845 (o 93 kada araw sa abereyds) ang naging mga biktima ng mga paglabag sa karapatang-tao sa unang anim na buwan ng kasalukuyang taon. Hindi pa kabilang dito ang puu-puong libong sibilyang inaresto at idinetine o pinarusahan dahil sa “pagsuway” sa mga restriksyon sa panahon ng lockdown at ang mga pinaslang sa ngalan ng nagpapatuloy ng “gera kontra-droga.” Hindi rin kasama rito ang daan-daang indibidwal na ni-red-tag at ipinailalim sa sarbeylans sa kalagitnaan ng pagdinig sa mga petisyon laban sa Anti-Terror Law (ATL) kabilang ang mga aktibista, upisyal ng pamahalaan, abugado, huwes, at ordinaryong mamamayan.

Sa abereyds, hindi bababa sa dalawang kaso ng pampulitikang pamamaslang ang naitala kada linggo. Kada araw, may dalawang biktima ng pang-aaresto.

Ipinakikita ng mga datos na ito na sistematikong tinatarget ng mga armadong pwersa ng estado ang mga sibilyan. Ang ganitong mga paninibasib sa mga sibilyan at sa kanilang mga komunidad ay maruming taktikang ginagamit ng rehimeng Duterte at ng National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) sa balangkas ng kanilang madugong gerang kontra-insurhensya.

Taliwas sa internasyunal na batas ng digma na dapat ay nagliligtas sa mga taong di tuwirang kalahok sa armadong tunggalian, tinatarget ng AFP ang mga sibilyang komunidad na kanilang kinukubkob at inookupa, kaakibat ng inilulunsad nitong mga operasyong militar laban sa Bagong Hukbong Bayan (BHB). Ipinapataw sa mga baryong ito ang batas militar kung saan ipinatutupad ang mga paghihigpit, walang mandamyentong panghahalughog, paninindak sa mga tao at pagkontrol sa kilos, kabuhayan at komersyo ng mga residente. Ang mga erya na nakapagtala ng pinakamatataas na mga kaso ng operasyong militar ang nakapagtala rin ng pinakamatataas na mga kaso ng mga paglabag sa karapatang-tao sa parehong panahon.

Nais ipabatid ng AB sa mga mambabasa na marami pang kaso sa kanayunan ang hindi naiulat dulot ng tindi ng mga operasyong militar laluna sa Mindanao.
Pagpaslang, bigong pagpaslang, tortyur, at pagdukot

Hindi bababa sa 60 sibilyan ang naging mga biktima ng pampulitikang pamamaslang sa buong bansa ngayong unang hati ng taon. Mas marami ang pinaslang ngayong taon kumpara sa bilang ng mga biktima sa parehong panahon noong 2020 (46). Kalakhan ng pinaslang (33) ay mga magsasaka. Tatlo sa mga biktima ay mga menor de edad. Kalakhan sa mga biktima ay pinalabas ng mga pwersa ng estado na “nanlaban” at namatay sa mga “engkwentro.”

Gaya sa nakaraang taon, ang rehiyon ng Bicol ang nakapagtala ng pinakamataas na bilang ng mga pinaslang (18), kasunod ang Southern Tagalog (13) at Negros Island (12). Ang unang dalawang rehiyon ay saklaw ng mga operasyon ng Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) na pinamumunuan ng tagapagsalita ng NTF-ELCAC at notoryus na red-tagger na si Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade, Jr. Ang Bicol at Negros ay parehong saklaw ng Memorandum Order 32 na inilabas ni Duterte noong 2018 na direktang nagdeploy ng dagdag na mga batalyon sa naturang mga lugar. Sa mga prubinsya, pinakamarami ang pamamaslang sa Negros Occidental (7), kasunod ng Rizal at Camarines Norte (tig-6).

Nakapagtala ang AB ng limang masaker sa parehong panahon. Pinakahuli rito ang pagmasaker ng 3rd Special Forces Battalion sa Barangay Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur sa tatlong Lumad, kabilang ang isang menor de edad noong Hunyo 8. Pinaniniwalaang tinortyur ang mga biktima bago pinaslang, habang dalawa sa kanila ay pinaniniwalaang ginahasa. Isang linggo bago nito, minasaker din ng mga elemento ng 2nd IB at pulisya ang tatlong magsasaka sa Barangay Anas, Masbate City.

Naganap din noong Marso 7 ang tinaguriang “Bloody Sunday” kung saan siyam na aktibista ang magkakahiwalay na pinaslang sa Cavite, Batangas at Rizal. Noong Mayo 28, nilikida ng mga pwersa ng estado ang dalawang konsultant ng National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) sa Visayas na sina Fr. Rustico Tan at Reynaldo Bocala. Labag ito sa Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG).

Limang indibidwal ang naiulat na dinukot ng mga pwersa ng estado at hindi pa rin inililitaw sa kasalukuyan. Kabilang sa kanila ang kabataang aktibista na si Kemuel Ian Cometa na dinukot ng pulisya sa Barangay Macabling, Sta. Rosa City, Laguna noong Mayo 21, kasabay ng pagmasaker sa tatlong iba pang aktibista.

Dagdag pa rito, nakapagtala rin ang AB ng tatlong biktima ng bigong pagpaslang at limang biktima ng tortyur. Kabilang sa mga biktima si Angelo Karlo Guillen, kabilang sa mga abugado ng mga petisyuner kontra ATL, na sinaksak sa ulo noong Marso 3 sa Iloilo City. Abugado rin siya ng siyam na Tumandok na minasaker, at 16 na iba pang inaresto sa Capiz at Iloilo noong huling araw ng 2020.



Pag-aresto at detensyon

Umabot sa 201 kaso ng arbitraryong pag-aresto at detensyon ang naitala ng AB sa unang hati ng taon. Pinakamarami ang inaresto noong Marso (78 biktima), at pinakamarami ay mula sa sektor ng magsasaka (74), kasunod ng pambansang minorya (73). Pinakamataas ang bilang ng biktima (80) sa Southern Tagalog. Hindi bababa sa 63 indibidwal ang inaresto sa Rizal pa lamang. Kabilang sa kanila ang nasa 60 Dumagat na inakusahang kasapi ng BHB at arbitraryong inaresto sa Rodriguez at Antipolo City noong Marso 14 at at Abril 13.

Nakapagtala rin ang AB ng hindi bababa sa walong insidente ng maramihang pag-aresto sa parehong panahon. Pinakahuli rito ang pag-aresto ng mga elemento ng 22nd IB sa siyam na kasapi ng pamilyang Mapula at apat na iba pang indibidwal sa Bulan, Sorsogon noong Hunyo 28. Anim sa kanila ang menor de edad. Pinakabata sa mga biktima si Althea Mapula, 2 taong gulang, na inaresto kasama ng lima pang bata.

Sa kabuuan, hindi bababa sa 28 menor de edad ang inaresto sa naturang panahon. Kabilang sa kanila ang 19 na na estudyanteng Lumad na inaresto sa kanilang paaralang bakwit sa Barangay Talamban, Cebu City noong Pebrero 15 kasama ng pitong guro at kanilang mga tagasuporta. Kabilang naman sa mga gurong inaresto si Chad Booc na isa sa mga petisyuner laban sa ATL.

Dagdag pa rito, nakapagtala ang AB ng 15 kaso ng pagbabanta, panggigipit at intimidasyon. Hindi pa kasama rito ang mga indibidwal na ni-red-tag ng NTF-ELCAC at mga kasapi ng mga progresibong organisasyong patuloy na ginigipit ng mga armadong pwersa ng estado.

  .
Atake sa mga komunidad

Mula Enero, nakapagtala ang AB ng iba’t ibang tipo ng mga atakeng militar sa hindi bababa sa 610 barangay ng 321 bayan sa 65 prubinsya. Pinakamarami ang apektadong barangay sa North Central Mindanao (80), kasunod ang Southern Tagalog (74 barangay) at Eastern Visayas (58).

Hindi bababa sa 32 barangay ang apektado sa walang patumanggang pambobomba, at 27 barangay naman ang sinaklaw ng pag-istraping ng militar sa naturang panahon. Kabilang dito ang 21 barangay sa lalawigan ng Quezon na sinaklaw ng pambobomba at pag-istraping ng militar noong Pebrero. Apat na barangay din ang naiulat na kinanyon ng militar.

Pinakahuli sa mga pag-atakeng ito ang pambobomba at pag-istraping ng militar sa magubat na bahagi ng Barangay Kasapa II, La Paz, Agusan del Sur noong Abril 6, malapit sa sakahan at komunidad ng mga residente. Anim na bomba ang ihinulog ng militar sa lugar gamit ang dalawang FA-50 fighter jet. Tatlong beses ding kinanyon ng militar ang naturang barangay noong Pebrero.

Ang walang patumanggang mga atake at ang okupasyong militar sa mga baryo ay nagresulta sa pagbabakwit ng hindi bababa sa 16,232 residente mula sa kanilang mga komunidad sa iba’t ibang panig ng bansa. Kalakhan ng mga bakwit ay mula sa Southern Tagalog (nasa 15,000).

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

https://cpp.ph/2021/07/04/ang-maduming-gera-ni-duterte-sa-unang-hati-ng-2021/