Duterte promotes 9 PCG Captains to Commodore

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 27, 2022): Duterte promotes 9 PCG Captains to Commodore (By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz)

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has approved the promotion of nine Captains of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to the rank of Commodore.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, the PCG said the nine Captains were recommended for promotion by Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, with their appointment papers signed by Duterte on Wednesday.

Of those promoted, eight are general line officers of the PCG—Captains Rommel A. Supangan, Antonio P. Gines, Vivien Jane E. Cay, Eduardo P. De Luna Jr., Glenda T. Pereyra, Marifem U. Isaac, Philipps Y. Soria, and Angel Z. Viliran.

The ninth person on the list is a technical line officer, Captain Rodolfo S. Ingel Jr.

“The oath-taking and breaking of personal flag ceremonies of the said PCG flag rank officers will ensue thereafter,” the PCG said.

According to their appointment papers, the officers will officially assume their new rank once they begin the performance of their duties and provide the DOTr Secretary’s Office and the Civil Service Commission with copies of their oath of office.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1166538

Soldier killed, 2 others hurt in Sulu ambush

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 26, 2022): Soldier killed, 2 others hurt in Sulu ambush (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)

TAUSUG SOLDIER. Photo shows Private Joefrazen Tawasil, a Tausug native, who was killed while two of his companions were wounded in an ambush staged by Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits on Tuesday (Jan. 25, 2022) in Patikul, Sulu. The bandits ambushed them while they were facilitating the administrative movement of the 45th Infantry Battalion. (Photo courtesy of 11ID)

A Tausug soldier was killed while two others were wounded in an ambush staged by Abu Sayyaf Group (AG) bandits in the province of Sulu, the military disclosed Wednesday.

The Army’s 11th Infantry Division (11ID) said in a statement that the incident happened around 7 p.m. Tuesday in Barangay Tugas, Patikul, Sulu.

Killed was Private Joefrazen Tawasil, 25, a member of the Army’s 45th Infantry Battalion (IB).

Tawasil was one of the Tausug natives who belonged to the Magkagilas Class 656-2021.

The batch graduated from basic military training on September 20, 2021 at the 11th Division Training School in Sulu.

Wounded were a certain Private Morales and Private Mulkiri.

“They were hospitalized and are in stable condition,” 1Lt. Jerrica Angela Manongdo, 11ID information officer, told the Philippine News Agency over the phone.

Tawasil and his companions were aboard a military truck facilitating the administrative movement of the 45IB when ASG bandits led by sub-leader Ellam Nasirin ambushed them.

The 11ID said the ambush was in retaliation to relentless military operations during the Yuletide season that injured several ASG bandits.

“We are saddened by the untimely death of our brother in arms and we send our deepest sympathies to his family. He was born and raised in Indanan, Sulu; a loving son to his parents who are farmers,” the 11ID said in a statement.

“His bravery in joining the fight against terrorism embodies the values of a Tausug warrior. He will remain in our hearts and we guarantee that his sacrifices will not go in vain,” the 11ID added.

Residents of Sulu also denounced the attack, saying that it was both anti-Tausug and anti-Muslim.

“They killed a Tausug, not a soldier. We lost a brother Muslim,” said Saujar Bara, Barangay Tugas chairperson, in a statement Wednesday.

“We will not allow the ASG to stop us, the Tausugs together with the government, in working to attain peace and development in our province,” he added.

Troops were deployed to pursue the group of Nasirin.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1166421

Army condemns latest NPA landmine explosion in Samar

 From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 26, 2022): Army condemns latest NPA landmine explosion in Samar (By Sarwell Meniano)

EXPLOSION. The site where an anti-personnel mine planted by the New People's Army exploded on the outskirts of Pinabacdao, Samar. The detonation has wounded a soldier and a militiaman. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army)

The Philippine Army has condemned the New People’s Army for detonating an anti-personnel mine (APM) that wounded a soldier and a militiaman in Pinabacdao, Samar on Tuesday.

Maj. Gen. Edgardo De Leon, commander of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division, said in a statement on Wednesday the incident proves the NPA’s "willful disregard on the safety and well-being of humanity."

Their continuing manufacture, stockpile, and use of anti-personnel mines is a gross disrespect to the United Nations convention that bans the explosives to protect humans from its mutilating effects and suffering, according to the military official.

NPA members reportedly detonated an anti-personnel mine in Pelaon village, Pinabacdao town around 8:26 a.m. on Tuesday.

Soldiers and members of the auxiliary force were heading to a new detachment when the blast took place.

The military built the new detachment in response to an earlier request by the community leaders and residents.

"The leaders of the National Democratic Front (NDF), which represented the NPA in past peace negotiations, should be held answerable for the continuing International Humanitarian Law violations of the NPA that they have been representing,” De Leon added.

On September 18, 1997, the Ottawa Convention banned the use, stockpile, production, and transfer of anti-personnel mines to put an end to the unnecessary suffering and desecration of the human body caused by its explosion.

The military noted that aside from using and stockpiling the banned anti-personnel mines, the communist terrorist group has been abandoning explosives they laid hidden on trail, posing great risks to civilians.

In 2021 alone, government troops have safely recovered 96 pieces of abandoned anti-personnel mines in different parts of Eastern Visayas.

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

In July last year, the NDF has also been formally designated as a terrorist organization by the Philippines’ Anti-Terrorism Council. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1166357

Senate concurs with amnesty grant to members of 3 rebel groups

From the Philippine Star (Jan 26, 2022): Senate concurs with amnesty grant to members of 3 rebel groups (Angelica Y. Yang)

The Senate has voted to approve three resolutions seeking to grant amnesty to three rebel groups that have committed crimes "in pursuit of their political beliefs."  STAR / Geremy Pintolo, file

The Senate moved to adopt three concurrent resolutions seeking to grant amnesty to members of three rebel groups who may have committed crimes "in pursuit of their political beliefs."

These groups include the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), and the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas-Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB). The groups have signed peace agreements with the government.

The resolutions granting amnesty were adopted with 18 affirmative votes with no negative votes or abstentions on Monday.

The 1987 Constitution gives the president "the power to grant amnesty with the concurrence of a majority of all the Members of the Congress."

With the amnesty grants, the government is giving a second chance to over 7,600 prospective applicants who wish to start over in society, according to Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who sponsored the three resolutions.

The amnesty does not cover those who have already been charged under the Human Security Act or the Anti-Terrorism Act that replaced it.

Amnesty will also not apply to "kidnap for ransom, massacre, rape, terrorism and other crimes committed against chastity" as defined in the Revised Penal Code, violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, grave violations of the Geneva Convention, and crimes which can never be amnestied such as genocide or enforced disappearances, among others, as identified by the United Nations.

"Amnesty is an act of compassion on the part of the government. It is a chance to mend our wounds from our constant struggle. More importantly, this is our time to heal. If viewed the same by all parties concerned, then our concurrence may be another step closer towards reconciliation, and ultimately the attainment of lasting peace," Lacson said.

The three resolutions adopted by the Senate are aligned with previous presidential proclamations signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on February 2021.

The resolutions also called for for the creation of an Amnesty Commission that will be in charge of determining eligibility for amnesty.

Lacson — who chairs his chamber's committee on national defense and security, peace, unification and reconciliation — is running for president in this year's elections.

The Aquino administration granted similar amnesty to members of the Magdalo group who had participated in mutinies and similar actions during the presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/01/26/2156500/senate-concurs-amnesty-grant-members-3-rebel-groups

Tausug soldier killed in Sulu attack

 From CNN Philippines (Jan 26, 2022): Tausug soldier killed in Sulu attack

Pvt. Joefrazen J. Tawasil

A soldier from the Philippine Army's 45th Battalion died in what is described as an "anti-Tausug, anti-Muslim" attack in Patikul, Sulu Tuesday.

Joint Task Force Sulu says the attack that happened at the Tugas-Maligay Road was initiated by a leader of the Abu Sayyaf Group.

"The 11th Infantry Division confirms that there has been attack in Brgy Tugas, Patikul wherein 45th Infantry Battalion's Pvt. Joefrazen J. Tawasil, 25 years old, perished. He was part of a team on board a military truck, facilitating admin movements of the battalion. This act of violence was initiated by ASG subleader Ellam Nasirin around 7 pm yesterday," JTF Sulu said in a statement Wednesday.

The task force claimed that Nasirin's act was done "out of frustration" over military operations that were initiated during the holidays. Pursuit operations for Nasirin are underway.

The JTF paid tribute to Tawasil, saying his bravery embodied the values of a Tausug warrior.

The incident was also condemned by residents, saying it was both anti-Tausug and anti-Muslim.

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/regional/2022/1/26/joefrazen-tawasil-sulu-attack.html

Soldier killed, 2 others wounded in Abu Sayyaf attack in Sulu

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jan 26, 2022): Soldier killed, 2 others wounded in Abu Sayyaf attack in Sulu (By: Julie S. Alipala)

The military confirmed losing one soldier while two others were wounded in an attack by Abu Sayyaf terrorists in Sulu on Tuesday.

First Lieutenant Jerrica Manongdo, spokesperson of the Army’s Joint Task Force Sulu, said they lost Private Joefrazen Tawasil, 25, of the 45th Infantry Battalion when the bandits attacked their truck while moving along Maligay Road, in Barangay Tugas, Patikul town on Tuesday night.

Manongdo said the attack was carried out by gunmen under Abu Sayyaf subleader Ellam Nasirin whose forces have been feeling the pressure of continued military operations on their lair.

Two of Tawasil’s companions, identified only as Privates Morales and Mulkiri, were wounded and are currently recuperating at the military station hospital in Jolo.

The Joint Task Force Sulu said they were saddened over the death of Tawasil, who was among the Tausug graduates of recent military training in 2021, inspired by his brother, who is also a soldier.

Residents of Sulu also denounced the attack saying it was meant to destroy the gains of peace achieved in many communities through the partnership of civilian authorities and the military.

“We have done enough, so we will continue working for peace,” said Tugas village chief Saujar Bara.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1545712/soldier-killed-2-others-wounded-in-abu-sayyaf-attack-in-sulu

Soldier killed in Abu Sayyaf attack

From the Philippine Star (Jan 27, 2022): Soldier killed in Abu Sayyaf attack (By Roel Pareño, Michael Punongbayan, John Unson)

A soldier was killed and two others were wounded in a gun attack by Abu Sayyaf bandits in the outskirts of Patikul, Sulu on Tuesday.

The Joint Task Force Sulu confirmed that soldiers belonging to the 45th Infantry Battalion were on their way to their headquarters when they were fired at by an undetermined number of Abu Sayyaf bandits along the Tugar-Maligay road in Barangay Tugas.

The military said the bandits retreated when the troops returned fire.

The fatality was identified only as Pvt. Tawasil and the wounded as Pvts. Morales and Molkeri.

Brig. Gen. Antonio Bautista, Joint Task Force Sulu and 11th Infantry Division (ID) officer-in-charge, said pursuit operations for the bandits are underway.

As this developed, in Samar, a soldier and a Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary member were wounded in a landmine attack by suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Pinabacdao town, also on Tuesday.

Capt. Ryan Layug, 8th ID public information officer, said the government troopers were on their way to a military detachment under construction when the rebels detonated an anti-personnel mine in Barangay Pelaon.

Pinabacdao Mayor Teodorico Mabag condemned the use of landmines, citing the risk it poses to civilians.

“The incident proves the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines)-NPA’s willful disregard on the safety and well-being of humanity,” 8th ID commander Maj. Gen. Edgardo de Leon said. ”Their continuing manufacture, stockpile and use of anti-personnel mine is a gross disrespect to the UN convention that bans anti-personnel mines to protect humans from its mutilating effects and suffering.”

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2022/01/27/2156567/soldier-killed-abu-sayyaf-attack

Senate concurs with PH ratification of Arms Trade Treaty

From Rappler (Jan 26, 2022): Senate concurs with PH ratification of Arms Trade Treaty (By MARA CEPEDA)

The treaty requires states to prohibit the shipment of weapons that could be used in human rights violations, including attacks against civilians

Filipino senators concurred with the Philippines’ ratification of the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), amid President Rodrigo Duterte’s tougher and bloodier crackdown on communist rebels, activists, and civilians critical of his abusive policies.

On Wednesday, January 26, a total of 16 senators voted in favor of the third and final reading approval of Proposed Senate Resolution No. 260, which stipulates the chamber’s agreement to President Rodrigo Duterte’s ratification of the UN treaty that aims to control the sale and shipment of conventional weapons globally.

Six senators, however, abstained from the vote, among them two ranking members of the chamber: Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, and senators Ronald dela Rosa, Bong Go, Grace Poe, and Francis Tolentino.

The treaty requires states to prohibit shipments of weapons that could be used in human rights violations, including “attacks directed against civilian objects” or other war crimes as defined by international agreements to which the member-state is a party.

Three of the senators who abstained – Dela Rosa, Go, and Tolentino – are known allies of Duterte, whose deadly rhetoric against his critics have translated into violence against people on the ground.

As of August 2021, rights group Karapatan had documented 421 incidents of killings since July 2016. There were also least 504 recorded cases of frustrated killings, while 1,138 activists had been arrested and detained over the past five years.

The ATT seeks to regulate the international trade in conventional firearms and to prevent the illegal trade of these weapons, aiming to reduce human suffering and promote peace and security worldwide.

The ATT considers the following as conventional arms:

• Battle tanks
• Armored combat vehicles
• Large-caliber artillery systems
• Combat aircraft
• Attack helicopters
• Warships
• Missiles and missile launchers
• Small arms and light weapons

The Philippines, then under the late president Benigno Aquino III, had been among the 153 member-states that voted in favor of the ATT during the UN General Assembly in April 2013, but the Southeast Asian country became a signatory only in September of that year. Aquino’s successor Duterte later ratified the ATT within his first year in office.

The 1987 Constitutions requires at least two-thirds of the Senate to concur before any International agreement that the Philippines has signed becomes binding.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/senate-concurs-philippine-ratification-arms-trade-treaty/

Commission on Appointments confirms Centino as AFP chief

From Rappler (Jan 26, 2022): Commission on Appointments confirms Centino as AFP chief (By JAIRO BOLLEDO)

The Commission on Appointments also confirms the ad interim appointments of 16 other senior military officers

The Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday, January 26, confirmed the ad interim appointment of General Andres Centino as chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Prior to his appointment as Philippine military chief in November 2021, Centino served as the commanding general of the Philippine Army. He is the 57th AFP chief and the 11th under President Rodrigo Duterte.

Centino is Duterte’s last AFP chief because under the 1987 Constitution, two months immediately before the presidential election, a president “shall not make appointments, except temporary appointments to executive positions when continued vacancies therein will prejudice public service or endanger public safety.”

Centino would serve as AFP chief longer than his predecessors appointed by Duterte, since he would reach the mandatory age of 56 on February 4, 2023. Centino belongs to the Philippine Military Academy Maringal Class of 1988, along with Navy chief Vice Admiral Adeluis Bordado and PNP chief General Dionardo Carlos.


The CA also approved the promotions of other senior military officers, including Philippine Air Force chief Connor Anthony Canlas and Philippine Army chief Romeo Brawner Jr., both promoted to the rank of lieutenant general.

Here’s the full list of senior military officers who got the CA nod on Wednesday:

• Andres Centino, to the rank of general
• Connor Anthony Canlas Sr., to the rank of lieutenant general
• Romeo Brawner Jr., to the rank of lieutenant general
• Ernesto Torres Jr., to the rank of lieutenant general
• Roy Galido, to the rank of major general
• Andrew Costelo, to the rank of major general
• Eric Nicanor, to the rank of major general
• Alex Rillera, to the rank of major general
• JT Bajet, to the rank of brigadier general
• Pedro Balisi Jr., to the rank of brigadier general
• Romeo Racadio, to the rank of brigadier general
• Jimmy Larida, to the rank of brigadier general
• Leandro Abeleda III, to the rank of brigadier general
• Frederick Cutler, to the rank of brigadier general
• Aldwine Almase, to the rank of brigadier general
• Rey Alemania, to the rank of brigadier general
• Randolph Cabangbang, to the rank of brigadier general

https://www.rappler.com/nation/commission-on-appointments-confirms-andres-centino-afp-chief/

Ranking NPA leader in Mindanao slain in Bukidnon

From the Davao Today (Jan 25, 2022): Ranking NPA leader in Mindanao slain in Bukidnon (By JIGGER J. JERUSALEM)

Pedro Codaste (right) was released from prison in 2016 to join the peace negotiations as a consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines. (Photo from Mindanao Gold Star Daily)

A ranking leader of the New People’s Army in Mindanao was killed in an encounter with government troops in Bukidnon, the military said on Tuesday.

A report circulated to media by the Philippine Army’s 16th Infantry Battalion said Pedro Codaste, also known as Ka Gonyong, Ka Serv and his companion, a certain Ka Zandro were killed.

Codaste, along with the late ‘Ka Oris’ Jorge Madlos, were considered as top commanders of the NPA in Mindanao. He was 70 years old.

Lieutenant Colonel Neil Armstrong Batayola, commander of the 16th IB, said Codaste and his companion were killed during a 30-minute gunfight in Barangay Kalabugao in Impasugong, Bukidnon.

Ka Oris, knows as the spokesperson of the National Democratic Front Mindanao and the NPA, was also killed in Impasugong in Barangay Dumalaguing on October 30, 2021.

Bayatola said Codaste held a ranking post in the NPA being the deputy secretary of Komisyon Mindanao (KOMMID).

Codaste was released from prison in 2016 to join the peace negotiations as a consultant of the NDF. He joined Alfredo ‘Ka Paris’ Mapano as among consultants coming from the Northern Mindanao Region.

A year later, Codaste and several NDFP consultants were ordered arrested after the talks were terminated by the national government.

Mapano later surrendered to the government but is now detained facing court cases.

Codaste was a former secretary general of the NPA’s Guerrilla Front 4A in Agusan del Sur during the early ‘90s then later became secretary of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee in 2009. He was elected to the Central Committee during the CPP 2nd Congress in 2016.

http://davaotoday.com/main/headline/ranking-npa-leader-in-mindanao-slain-in-bukidnon/

‘Don’t give rebels the chance to strike’

From Panay News (Jan 26, 2022): ‘Don’t give rebels the chance to strike’ (By Ruby P. Silubrico)

“Huwag bigyan ng pagkakataon na maka-score ang kaaway. Dapat extra careful at laging handa.”

This is Region 6 police director Police Brigadier General Flynn Dongbo’s order to policemen.

The kaaway (enemy) refers to the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels.

Dongbo has been going around Western Visayas inspecting various police units’ readiness to possible rebel offensives.

“I told my men to carry their firearms all the time. Dapat naka-buddy-buddy system sila,” according to the police director.

The buddy system is a procedure in which two individuals, the “buddies”, operate together as a single unit so that they are able to monitor and help each other.

Dongbo also reminded his men to not to wear uniform when going home to avoid becoming easy targets of rebels.

Last year, the Philippine National Police headquarters sent high-powered firearms and bullet proof vests to the PRO-6.

For his part, Major General Benedict Arevalo of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) ordered his soldiers detailed in mountainous areas to monitor the movements of rebels, especially their extortion activities.

“We are very serious in running after these terrorists so they will not be able to do terroristic activities against the people and our troops. We want to ensure that the coming elections are free from their interference,” Arevalo said.

https://www.panaynews.net/dont-give-rebels-the-chance-to-strike/

MILF, Bangsamoro gov’t hail Senate’s amnesty nod

From MindaNews (Jan 26, 2022): MILF, Bangsamoro gov’t hail Senate’s amnesty nod (By BONG S. SARMIENTO)

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Bangsamoro government lauded Wednesday the concurrence of the Senate to grant amnesty to members of the erstwhile largest Islamic rebel group in Mindanao.

MILF combatants at Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat town, Maguindanao. MindaNews file photo by BONG S. SARMIENTO

Von Alhaq, MILF spokesperson, described the Senate’s adoption to grant them amnesty as a “very good development.”

“Supposedly, the amnesty should have been granted even before the peace negotiations started [in 1997],” he said in a phone interview.

“This development is a sign of compliance of the government to the peace agreement,” he added.

On Monday, the Senate adopted three House resolutions granting amnesty to the MILF, the Moro National Liberation Front and the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB).

In February 2021, President Rodrigo Duterte issued proclamations that grant amnesty to the rebel groups.

Alhaq said that if the general amnesty will fully take effect, MILF members charged with crimes in pursuit of their political beliefs would be cleared and can go out without fear of getting arrested.

Such amnesty will allow them to run for elective positions should they decide to participate in the elections, he added.

Alhaq said the top MILF leaders and members were charged for crimes in pursuit of their political beliefs.

“A revolution is a political offense. We waged a war against the government in pursuit of our political aspiration… This general amnesty will clear us of such case,” Alhaq said.

The MILF originally waged a rebellion for the right to self-determination of Muslims in Mindanao, and in the course of the peace negotiation opted for autonomy.

In 2014, the government and the MILF signed a final peace agreement, the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), after 17 years of negotiations.

Under the CAB, a Bangsamoro region shall be created, which was realized in 2019 following the ratification of Republic Act 11054 or the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

BARMM spokesperson Naguib Sinarimbo said the regional government welcomes the Senate’s decision favoring the granting of amnesty by the President to MILF members.

“Under the Constitution, the power of the President to issue an amnesty will require concurrence of the Congress, and because we have a provision under the CAB for such purpose, the national government complied to that in a form of a proclamation granting an amnesty,” said Sinarimbo, also the Minister of the Bangsamoro’s Interior and Local Government.

Sinarimbo said that the amnesty is a milestone that is very significant especially to the members of the MILF as “everyone knows that majority of the MILF members who fought against the government have incidentally committed violations to the law in pursuit of their political beliefs.”

“Since the national government recognized the legitimacy of their cause, we have this amnesty,” he added.

Section 4 of Presidential Proclamation No. 1090 states that the amnesty “shall extinguish any criminal liability for acts committed in pursuit of political beliefs, without prejudice to the grantee’s civil liability for injuries or damages caused to private persons whose right to be indemnified is fully recognized therein. The grant of amnesty shall also effect the restoration of civil or political rights suspended or lost by virtue of criminal conviction.”

Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. also welcomed the Senate’s decision favoring the granting of amnesty to the MILF, the MILF and the RPMP-RPA-ABB.

“It will allow them to put the past behind them, and give them and their families the opportunity to make the full transition to peaceful and productive civilian life as their social and political rights are restored along with the granting of amnesty” Galvez said in a statement.

He called upon the members of the former rebel groups to take advantage of the amnesty program, and use it as an opportunity to help sustain the gains of peace.

“To the members of the former rebel groups who are now working with the government through the various peace mechanisms, may the granting of amnesty further inspire and embolden us in our journey towards a just and lasting peace,” he said.

Under the amnesty proclamations, any member of the MILF, MNLF and RPM-P/RPA/ABB who has committed any act or omission in pursuit of their political belief, including those detained, charged, or convicted for such acts or omissions, may apply for amnesty, according to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity.

https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/01/milf-bangsamoro-govt-hail-senates-amnesty-nod/

Crush communist threat before end of PRRD's term: AFP chief

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 26, 2022): Crush communist threat before end of PRRD's term: AFP chief (By Priam Nepomuceno)

FINAL PUSH. AFP Chief, Gen. Andres Centino (center), holds a command conference with chiefs of the military's major services and unified commands in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Tuesday (Jan. 25, 2022). He urged officials to sustain the AFP's momentum in the fight against communist terrorism to end local armed conflict before the end of President Rodrigo Duterte's term in June. (Photo courtesy of AFP)

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief, Gen. Andres Centino, has directed all military commanders to ensure that the local communist insurgency threat is eliminated before President Rodrigo R. Duterte's term ends in June.

Centino issued the directive during Tuesday's command conference at the AFP headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City attended by all chiefs of major services and unified commands.

“As your Chief of Staff, I am taking the lead in this final push of our campaign. I enjoin everyone to maintain our momentum, sustain our gains, and remain victorious. Let us finish the local armed conflict within the President’s term. As the Armed Forces of the Filipino people, we shall not fail them in their desire of having a peaceful and secure society,” he said in a statement Tuesday night.

Centino also directed all AFP commanders to intensify their operations with a sense of urgency and focus on defeating the remaining local threat groups through intelligence-driven combat operations.

He particularly ordered the redeployment of AFP forces to where the communist group is based, launch decisive engagements aimed at destroying the enemies’ will to fight, cut off their source of funds and logistics support, and hit the enemy leadership, which is considered their center of gravity, hard.

Citing the AFP's accomplishments for 2021, he said the military had neutralized 43 top New People's Army (NPA) leaders and Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Central Committee members.

These are Jorge Madlos, Menandro Villanueva, Pedro Codaste, Eddie Genelsa, and Maria Loida Tuso Magpatoc – all members of the CPP Politburo Committee.

Likewise, 10 CPP-NPA guerilla fronts have been dismantled while more than 3,000 party and underground organization members and supporters have withdrawn their membership from the CPP and the National Democratic Front.

In its focused military operations against local terrorist groups, the AFP reported the surrender of 144 members of the Abu Sayyaf Group, 41 members of Dawlah Islamiya, and 249 members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

Centino also ordered all AFP commanders to actively support the Commission on Elections, Philippine National Police, and Department of the Interior and Local Government in maintaining peace and order and security during the election period.

“Let us once again be reminded to isolate ourselves from partisan politics so we can focus on our noble mandate of protecting the people and the State. We must avoid participating in any partisan political activities, except to exercise our individual right to vote,” he said.

On the AFP’s humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) operations, Centino directed the AFP engineering units to lead in rehabilitation efforts so that regular combatant forces can shift their focus on internal security operations.

He likewise ordered the unified commands to maximize the use and deployment of reserve units in the conduct of HADR operations.

Centino also reminded officials to increase operational efficiency, continue capability development, optimize the use of resources, and advance professionalism and meritocracy in the military.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1166358

Carlos names new PNP spokesperson

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 26, 2022): Carlos names new PNP spokesperson (By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan)

PNP spokesperson, Col. Jean Fajardo (Photo courtesy of PNP)

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Dionardo B. Carlos on Wednesday announced the designation of Col. Jean S. Fajardo as his official spokesperson.

In a news conference in Camp Crame, Carlos formally introduced Fajardo, who is also a lawyer, to members of the PNP Press Corps, replacing newly-promoted Brig. Gen. Roderick Augustus Alba.

Fajardo, a member of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Class of 1996, graduated from Jose Rizal University College of Law and passed the Bar examinations in 2009.

Positions previously held by Fajardo are deputy director for operations of PNP Drug Enforcement Group, director of the Pampanga provincial police, and chief of the Public Information Office (PIO) of the Police Regional Office 3 (Central Luzon).

Alba, meanwhile, will assume as full-time chief of the PNP PIO, the unit designated as the official publicist of the police force.

Aside from being PNP PIO chief, Alba is also the PNP's head coordinator with the Presidential Task Force on Media Security, and executive producer of PNP public affairs programs on radio, television, and social media platforms.

Alba is a member of the PNPA Class of 1992.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1166403

Group wants NPA rebels disarmed as requisite for peace talks

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 26, 2022): Group wants NPA rebels disarmed as requisite for peace talks (By Lade Jean Kabagani)

Liga Independencia Pilipinas national chairperson Jose Antonio Goitia (File photo)

MANILA – Anti-communist group Liga Independencia Pilipinas (LIPI) sees the need to disarm members of the New People's Army (NPA) before reopening the government table for another peace talks.

This, according to Jose Antonio Goitia, LIPI national chairperson, on the unanimous stand of some presidential candidates to pursue peace negotiations with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), its armed wing NPA, and political arm National Democratic Front (NDF).

"As a democratic nation, state, we have issued a strong position as a matter of state policy not to negotiate or conduct talks with any terrorist groups. The CPP-NPA-NDF has been labeled by the international countries as terrorist groups and similarly the Philippines also with the enactment of the Anti-Terrorist Act," he said in a statement Tuesday.

Preconditions imposed by the government must be observed before the peace talks, he added.

"The CPP-NPA-NDF should renounce all its terroristic activities during the past and present and stop future plans. They should accept conditions of demobilizations and disarmament of its military wing NPA before talks can proceed," Goitia said.

Goitia said peace negotiation with the communist groups should be conducted here in the Philippines, as the insurgency itself is happening locally.

"Drop its claims of belligerency status. At the same time its insistency on conducting talks in the international setting. Issues that brought about by this insurgency are local in nature," he said.

"Since the 1986 Peace talks, the government has been in a losing end. The terrorist CPP-NPA-NDF has used the cessation of hostilities to conduct propaganda and pursue the communist line among different sectors of the society, the youth being the most vulnerable of such," he added.

Goitia cited during the earlier peace talks, the CPP-NDF has been strengthening its political fronts in the white areas, while its armed wing NPA, continued the pursuit of a "bloody revolution" on the rural side of the country.

"It has penetrated pillars of our institutions as if they are nationalist and democratic while hiding their communist/atheist intention of a bloody revolution," he added.

Goitia was pertaining to a series of attacks on government troops, community extortion, and the killings of civilians, particularly indigenous peoples.

"We hope that these presidentiables would discern enough the terror plot being hatched by the CPP-NPA-NDF using the democratic space that we have," he said.

Goitia, meanwhile, hoped the public would have a wise choice of a presidential candidate in the upcoming May 9 polls.

"Educate yourself to not be alluded by popular votes. As a potential leader of the country, learn from mistakes and historical errors done in the past. Never again shall we be fooled by populist rhetorics," he said.

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.

The Anti-Terrorism Council also formally designated the NDF as a terrorist organization on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and separate part” of the CPP-NPA that was created in April 1973.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1166412