Troops disarm Sayyaf bomb

From the Mindanao Examiner (Apr 18, 2022): Troops disarm Sayyaf bomb

Patrolling soldiers recovered an Abu Sayyaf improvised explosive on a village in Sulu’s Indanan town in southern Philippines, officials said, adding it was the fifth homemade bomb discovered in the province since early this year.

A photo released by the 11th Infantry Division shows the recovered Abu Sayyaf bomb planted in the village of Tumatangis in Sulu's Indanan town.

Maj. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio, commander of the 11th Infantry Division and Joint Task Force – Sulu, said members of the 100th Infantry Battalion led by 2nd Lt. Enrey Rafael discovered the improvised explosive in Tumatangis village over the weekend. The area is frequented by patrolling military units.

Quoting a report by Col. Giovanni Franza, commander of the 1102nd Infantry Brigade, Patrimonio said additional soldiers combed the area to ensure no other explosives were planted in the village. “Upon discovery of our operating troops, we immediately deployed additional forces to secure the area,” Franza said. “We also deployed our Explosive and Ordnance Disposal Team in the area, and they were able to successfully disarm the IED.”

Patrimonio said lauded the soldiers for the discovery of the bomb. He said four other improvised explosives had been recovered by government troops in Sulu since January. Because of the latest discovery of the bomb, Patrimonio said he ordered security forces to further intensify efforts to neutralize remaining members of the terrorist group.

“The IED laid by the Abu Sayyaf group indicate the terrorists firm resolve to harm not only our troops, but also the innocent civilians. We will continue to hunt the remaining ASG bandits who continue to create havoc in peaceful communities. Now, it is only a matter of time before we can finally say that Sulu is completely free from the threats of these ASG bandits,” Patrimonio said.

He also urged villagers to continue helping security forces until the remaining members of the Abu Sayyaf are neutralized. “Our collective efforts in ending the local armed conflict significantly reduced the ASG strength and capabilities to terrorize our peaceful communities. Let’s continue to work together towards our vision of lasting peace and sustainable development in the province of Sulu,” Patrimonio said.

Hundreds of Abu Sayyaf members have surrendered to the military and police the past decades, especially during this administration of President Rodrigo Duterte where the national and provincial governments collaborated on peace and development efforts and provided former militants an opportunity to start a new life under the Sulu Task Force in Ending Local Armed Conflict.

In October 2020, Gov. Sakur Tan led the signing of the so-called “Parjanjian Indanan or the “Indanan People Peace Covenant” in an effort to harness the community’s participation and empowerment to achieve long-lasting peace in Sulu.

Tan signed the covenant with Indanan municipal officials and witnessed by senior military and police officials. The governor reiterated his all-out support for the peace and development effort in the town - then a stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf - and asked villagers to support the government program.

He also held a covenant meeting with other municipal mayors and publicly denounced the Abu Sayyaf atrocities and propounded initiatives to strengthen and institutionalize public safety, security, and well-being in the municipality. Tan activated the Municipal Task Force in Ending Local Armed Conflict in all of Sulu’s 19 towns in an effort to accelerate various government peace programs and working together with the community to sustain security and normalcy.

Tan led town officials in activating the Municipal Peace Action Operations and Monitoring Center and the Islamic Religious Council to address the socio-cultural, security, and development issues and to sustain and tap the development potentials of each town. Sulu has long declared the Abu Sayyaf and its supporters as “persona non grata.”

President Rodrigo Duterte previously sought Tan to help him in the peace process, but at the same time ordered security forces to crush the Abu Sayyaf, blamed for the spate of bombings that killed dozens of soldiers and civilians the past decades. Aside from Tan, Duterte also spoke to Nur Misuari, chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front, to support the government’s peace efforts.

Misuari now lives in Davao City after his followers raided Zamboanga City in September 2013 and battled security forces for three weeks after a failed attempt to raise the flag of the self-proclaimed Bangsamoro Republik at the City Hall. The battle affected over 200,000 people and killed at least 200 others.

http://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2022/04/troops-disarm-sayyaf-bomb.html

MILF forces attack army patrol in South

From the Mindanao Examiner (Apr 18, 2022): MILF forces attack army patrol in South

Moro Islamic Liberation Front forces attacked a group of patrolling soldiers and sparked a gun fight in Maguindanao province, a stronghold of the former rebel group which signed a peace deal with Manila in March 2014.

Members of the 33rd Infantry Battalion were patrolling the village of Datu Kilay in Shariff Saydona Mustapha town over the weekend when MILF forces under Ustadz Guiahudin Monib attacked them.

Monib, who belonged to the 105th Base Command, was killed in the clash, according to reports.

The MILF, under Murad Ebrahim, signed a peace accord with the government and eventually appointed as governor of the Muslim autonomous region. But despite the peace deal, many members of the MILF are still armed and even expanded their territories in the South that led to occasional clashes with security forces.

Just last month, government troops clashed with pro-ISIS militants and recovered a cache of weapons and at least five kilos of crystal meth from the hideout of the Dawlah Islamiya fighters in Maguing town in the neighboring province of Lanao del Sur.

Army Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario, Jr., chief of the Western Mindanao Command, said soldiers captured the terrorist camp in the village of Ilalag following fierce clashes since that killed at least three gunmen and one soldier.

The Moro Islamic Liberation, which signed a peace accord with Manila in 2014, said the fighting was between them and security forces and accused the military of attacking their members in Maguing town.

But Ebrahim said security forces clashed with MILF members and not Dawlah Islamiya as the military claimed. He said the regional government is making sure that the on-going ceasefire between the MILF and the Armed Forces of the Philippines will produce positive outcomes and provide permanent resolution to the conflict.

But Lt. Col. Palawan Miondas, a spokesman for the 103rd Infantry Brigade, said those killed in the fighting were terrorists and members of the Dawlah Islamya and the Maute Group which were also involved in the deadly siege of Marawi in May 23, 2017 that lasted five months. He said the terrorist lairs were also near an illegal camp of the MILF. “We are sure that those terrorists are members of the Dawlah Islamiya,” Miondas said.

The acronym of the group’ full Arabic name is al-Dawla al-Islamiya fi al-Iraq wa al-Sham, translated as “Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (or the Levant).”

The Western Mindanao Command maintained the gunmen were terrorists and that troops recovered a total of 22 improvised explosives, anti-personnel mines, and at least 45 assorted crew-served weapons and high-powered firearms, including three .50-caliber machine guns, one .30-caliber machine gun, two M60 machine guns, twelve M16 automatic rifles, one M653 rifle, one M4 Carbine rifle, one AR15 rifle, five M14 rifles, one M4 automatic rifle, six anti-tank grenade launchers, two M203 grenade launchers, six .50-caliber sniper rifles, one M1 Garand rifle, one Browning automatic rifle, one AK47 assault rifle and a shotgun, assorted ammunition, rocket-propelled grenades, improvised rockets and ISIS flags, among others.

“Our troops averted and countered possible desperate attacks employed by the Dawlah Islamiya to inflict casualties not only to the armed forces but even the innocent civilians,” Rosario said.

http://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2022/04/milf-forces-attack-army-patrol-in-south.html

3 suspected NPA rebels killed in Cagayan clash

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 16, 2022): 3 suspected NPA rebels killed in Cagayan clash (By Villamor Visaya, Jr.)

CASUALTIES. The bodies of suspected New People's Army fighters found in Maguilling, Piat town after an armed encounter between rebels and government soldiers in the boundary of Piat and Sto. Niño, Cagayan on Maundy Thursday (April 15, 2022). Soldiers and police processed the clash site and recovered items left by the fleeing rebels. (Photo from Philippine National Police-Cagayan)

Some three suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in an armed encounter with government soldiers in the boundary of Piat and Sto. Niño, Cagayan on Maundy Thursday.

Cagayan Police spokesperson, Capt. Isabelita Gano, said Friday the gun battle erupted at about 10:30 p.m. in Virginia, Sto. Niño town but the remains of the rebels were found in Maguilling, Piat town.

The slain suspected rebels were identified as Saturnino Lao Agunoy alias Peping, head of the Regional Organizing Department; Mark Canta alias Uno, of the Giyang Pampulitika/Kilusang Larangang Gerilya (GPKLG) West, Komprob Cagayan; and a certain Val, medical officer of the GPKLG.

Sto. Niño police said they were informed of the clash between the rebels and soldiers, prompting them to put up a “high-risk checkpoint” and verified with hospitals whether there were casualties brought for treatment.

The 17th Infantry Battalion led by 2Lt. Josua Arpon, 501st Brigade operations chief, initiated a combat operation and engaged with 15 communist rebels led by a certain Ferdinand Bautista alias Ka Edgar/Simoy in an area between Virginia, Sto. Niño and Maguiling, Piat, Cagayan.

Army Capt. Rigor Pamittan, 5th Infantry Division spokesperson, said Agunoy has pending arrest warrants – 12 cases of qualified assault upon an agent of a person in authority with PHP120,000 bail bond each; two cases of qualified assault with murder, no bail; arson with PHP24,000 bail bond; murder with no bail; and rebellion with PHP200,000 bail.

The rest of the suspected rebels allegedly fled toward the northwestern part of Cagayan.

Personnel of the Provincial Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Canine Unit and Scene of the Crime Operation, as well as Army soldiers recovered from the encounter site two cal. 45 pistols, a hand grenade, a backpack with a laptop, a mobile phone with charger; personal devices and medical supplies; and anti-government documents with “high intelligence value.”

The Communist Party of the Philippines - 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/1172277

Unclaimed body of CPP-NPA fighter buried in Negros

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 18, 2022): Unclaimed body of CPP-NPA fighter buried in Negros (By Nanette Guadalquiver)

INTERMENT. Troops of the Philippine Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion provide assistance during the burial of CPP-NPA fighter "Johnny" in the public cemetery of Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on Sunday (April 17, 2022). None of the rebel’s kin came to claim his body after he was killed in an encounter with soldiers on April 14. (Photos courtesy of 94th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army)

Without any family member witnessing his funeral, a Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) rebel, who was killed during an encounter with soldiers in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on April 14, was laid to rest on Sunday.

Troops of the Philippine Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion (94IB) assisted the city’s Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC) in facilitating the interment of alias Johnny, leader of Squad 1, Sentro de Grabidad Platoon of the NPA’s Central Negros Front 2, at the Himamaylan City Public Cemetery.

In a statement on Monday, Lt. Col. Van Donald Almonte, commander of 94IB, said they grieve with the family of "Johnny", whose death is unfortunate as none of his kin was able to witness his burial.

“Let (his) death be a lesson to the remaining members of CPP-NPA in central Negros. Surrender peacefully and preserve your life. There is so much to enjoy outside your terrorist organization,” he added.

According to the 94IB, the rebel’s cadaver was brought to Soledad Funeral Homes, but after three days, no one from his family came to claim his remains, prompting the Himamaylan City TF-ELCAC to facilitate the burial rites.

He was among the estimated 10 CPP-NPA fighters who clashed with troops of 94IB in Sitio Pandan, Barangay Caradio-an after their presence was reported by the locals when they came asking for food to the point of harassing the residents, the battalion said in an earlier report.

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 National Democratic Front (NDF) has been formally designated as a terrorist organization by the Anti-Terrorism Council on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and inseparable part” of the CPP-NPA created in April 1973.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1172317

Remains of alleged NPA execution victim exhumed in Davao de Oro

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 18, 2022): Remains of alleged NPA execution victim exhumed in Davao de Oro (By Che Palicte)

NPA ATROCITY. Authorities exhume the remains of Reneboy Abiao, 39, a New People’s Army rebel believed to have been executed by his own commander in Montevista town, Davao de Oro, in 2019. The grave site was discovered after a former rebel revealed its location to the military and police on Monday (April 18, 2022). (Photos courtesy of Montevista MPS)

Authorities exhumed Monday the body of a communist New People’s Army (NPA) combatant believed to have been killed by his own commander on suspicion that he was a government spy.

Police said the skeletal remains dug up by the Army’s 25th Infantry Battalion (IB) and the Montevista police personnel in the Davao de Oro town of Montevista belong to Reneboy Abiao, 39.

A squad leader of the NPA's Guerrilla Front 33, Abiao was killed in 2019 by the commander of his own unit after he was accused of being a government agent.

Abiao's cadaver was identified by his mother, Rose Tumanan, through the identification card found at the shallow grave of her son.

The Montevista police said the discovery of the grave site was made possible through the help of a former rebel.

Interviewed by the Montevista Public Information Office (PIO), the NPA surrenderer said Abiao had planned to surrender days before he was killed.

"His wife eloped with another man, and he has a 13-year-old daughter who is left under her mother's care," the former rebel said, according to the transcript provided by the PIO.

Abiao had not been seen by his family for five years, the former rebel said, adding that his own mother thought all along that his son was working somewhere in Davao City.

Police said Abiao's remains have been turned over to his mother.

The Communist Party of the Philippines-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 National Democratic Front as a terrorist organization on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and inseparable part” of the CPP-NPA that was created in April 1973.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1172331

NTF-ELCAC, vital legacy of Duterte admin

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 18, 2022): NTF-ELCAC, vital legacy of Duterte admin (By Zorayda Tecson)

BARANGAYNIHAN CARAVAN. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and other government agencies hold the ‘Duterte Legacy: Bayanihan Caravan Towards National Recovery’ in San Fernando City, Pampanga on Monday (April 18, 2022). The event aims to inform the public of the achievements of the Duterte administration as well as to deliver basic services to the public. (Photo courtesy of NCIP-Region 3)

The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) which addresses the decades-long problem brought about by the communist terrorist groups is an important legacy of the Duterte administration that needs to be continued by the next administration.

During the Duterte Legacy: Barangaynihan Caravan Towards National Recovery at Camp Olivas here on Monday, organizers and participants of the program expressed hope that the successor of President Rodrigo Duterte will sustain the gains of the NTF-ELCAC.

Maria Luisa De Guzman, regional director of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), said the NTF-ELCAC, since its creation in 2018, has so far achieved in raising awareness and in providing the people with the truth about the communist terrorist groups and their front organizations.

“The unprecedented gains made by the NTF-ELCAC, particularly in raising awareness on the problems against communist terrorist groups, through the intensified information campaign and to bring about development in areas that once been under the cudgels of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) is an important legacy of President Duterte. The effects of which will be felt by generations to come,” de Guzman said.

Brig. Gen. Matthew Baccay, regional director of the Police Regional Office 3, said the fight against insurgency has gained a lot of ground.

“Napakalayo na ng ating narating sa ating laban sa mga communist terrorist groups at ito ay nasa ilalim ng pangangasiwa ng NTF-ELCAC na nasimulan sa administrasyon ni Pangulong Duterte. Sa halos anim na taon ay nalansag na ng pwersa ng ating pamahalaan ang mga guerrilla fronts sa buong bansa. Kasabay na rin nito ang ating pagsisikap ang maputol ang kanilang suporta na nanggagaling sa white areas na kung saan ang whole of nation approach na nasaad sa directive ng NTF-ELCAC (Our fight against communist terrorist groups has gained ground and this is under the supervision of the NTF-ELCAC which was started under the administration of President Duterte. Within almost six years, guerrilla fronts have been dismantled by our government forces in the entire country. This is in consonance with our efforts to cut their support from the white areas through the whole of nation approach under the NTF-ELCAC directive),” Baccay said.

Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, meanwhile, assured that the government services being offered by the Duterte administration will continue until June 30 this year.

He expressed hope that those reforms and programs initiated by President Duterte will be continued by the next successor.

“Sana, hindi ito mahinto sa June 30 at magtuloy-tuloy ito hanggang sa susunod na administration. Ang lahat ng mga magaganda proyekto at program ay tuloy-tuloy (Hopefully, this will not stop on June 30 and continue by the next administration. Hopefully, all the good projects and programs will continue),” Malaya said.

The Duterte Legacy: Barangayanihan Caravan Towards National Recovery is a national event that aims to cascade to the people the project, programs, and accomplishments of the Duterte administration and how they directly benefited the Filipino people.

The event likewise included a one-stop-shop of government services.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1172379

Gonzales hints at ‘communist infiltration’ in Robredo’s campaign

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 18, 2022): Gonzales hints at ‘communist infiltration’ in Robredo’s campaign (By Lade Jean Kabagani)

Presidential candidate and former National Security adviser Norberto Gonzales (PNA photo by Robert Alfiler)

If alleged threats from the camp of Vice President Leni Robredo were true to sow “possible terrorist action” in the event Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wins in the May 9 elections, then communist elements may have infiltrated the campaign of the country’s No. 2 official.

Presidential aspirant and former Defense secretary Norberto Gonzales said Sunday he is still verifying if the threat indeed came from the Robredo group.

“Ang tinitingnan ko talaga kung talagang nanggaling sa Vice President iyan. Hindi niya talaga pinaniniwalaan ang resulta ng survey kaya naghahanap na sila ng other options, possibilities dito sa sinasabing possible terrorist action (What I'm really looking at is if those really came from the Vice President’s camp. She doesn't really believe in the results of surveys so they are now searching for other options and possibilities here, on that alleged possible terrorist action),” Gonzales, also a former National Security adviser, said during a press conference at The Peninsula Manila Hotel in Makati City with fellow candidates Sen. Panfilo Lacson and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso.

“Hindi ko masasabi na walang communist element sa grupo ni (I can’t say that there’s no communist elements within the group of) Vice President. I can say, yeah, there are, there are,” he added.

He said there’s still time to verify the legitimacy of the alleged planned violence.

“Pero depende sa strategy na pinag-uusapan. Pero kung ang Vice President ay dyan nagbibigay at magsabi ng certain options, ang eksperto dyan ay ‘yung mga komunista. Hindi ko alam kung how deep ‘yung understanding pero ang komunista, iyan ang laging hinahanap niya ay ganyang klase ng operation kasi mas sanay sila dyan eh. Tingnan natin, may mga ilang weeks pa naman (But it depends on their strategy. But if the Vice President is providing and will say certain options, the experts in that field are the communists. I don’t know how deep their understanding is but the communists are always looking for that kind of operation because they are used to it. That’s why, but I don’t know. Let’s see, there’s still how many weeks),” Gonzales said.

This is not the first time that Robredo was linked to communist terrorist groups but she had repeatedly dismissed the so-called coalition.

National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict spokesperson for Sectoral Concerns, Communications Undersecretary Lorraine Marie Badoy, previously lashed at the Robredo camp as the alleged endorsement of Communist Party of the Philippines founder, Jose Maria Sison, “is proof positive that this marriage made in the bowels of hell has been consummated”.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1172297

PH Army test fires Israeli-made howitzers in live-fire exercises

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 18, 2022): PH Army test fires Israeli-made howitzers in live-fire exercises (By Priam Nepomuceno)

NEW HOWITZER. The Philippine Army has test-fired its Autonomous Truck Mounted Howitzer System (ATMOS) 155mm/52 caliber self-propelled artillery pieces from April 6-8 at the Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation Area in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija. The Army received 12 ATMOS howitzer units in December 2021 from Israeli defense company Elbit Systems. (Photo courtesy of Army Artillery Regiment)

The Philippine Army's artillery units have test-fired for the first time its newly-acquired Autonomous Truck Mounted Howitzer System (ATMOS) 155mm/52 caliber self-propelled artillery pieces.

In a statement sent to reporters Sunday, Army spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the live-fire exercises were held from April 6 to 8 at the Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation Area in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija.

Trinidad said the ATMOS 155mm howitzer system is a "shoot-and-scoot" weapon that can be rapidly deployed in rugged terrain.

"The weapon incorporates an 'inertial navigation system' (INS)-based gun-laying method and an automatic loader," he added.

The Army received 12 ATMOS howitzer units in December 2021 from Israeli defense company Elbit Systems.

The self-propelled artillery pieces are procured under the Horizon 2 of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Plan. It is worth PHP2.4 billion.

Trinidad earlier said the weapons would augment the existing 155mm towed-howitzers being operated by the Army Artillery Regiment.

"It is in addition to the existing fire support artillery guns, the 155mm-towed howitzers," he added.

The Army Artillery Regiment’s 1st and 2nd Self Propelled Batteries and the Artillery Training School (ATS) participated in the drill.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1172302

No word from PRRD yet on Carlos term extension: DILG chief

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 18, 2022): No word from PRRD yet on Carlos term extension: DILG chief (By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan)

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos (File photo)

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año has yet to receive word from President Rodrigo R. Duterte on the possible term extension of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos who is set to retire on May 8.

“There is no guidance from PRRD (President Rodrigo Roa Duterte). So far, Gen. Carlos will retire as scheduled,” Año said Sunday.

Carlos, who replaced Senate aspirant and former PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar last November, is scheduled to retire on May 8, when he reaches the mandatory age of retirement of 56. The date comes a day before the national and local elections.

On whether he was going to recommend the extension of Carlos’ tenure, Año said he would have to assess and wait for the president's order.

“He has two options. PRRD can say ‘okay I’ll extend you (Carlos) up to June 30. Or he can appoint an OIC (officer-in-charge) up to June 30 so that the new president will be the one to appoint (a new PNP chief),” he added.

“But more likely, the President does not want any extension (of the PNP chief's term) to avoid any issue,” Año added.

If the President does not want to extend Carlos’ term, Año said he was going to submit to the president this week a list of police officials who can succeed Carlos.

Among the officials who can succeed Carlos are Lt. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia, PNP’s No. 2 man as the deputy chief for administration; and Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao, the PNP’s No. 4 man as chief of the PNP Directorial Staff.

The PNP’s No. 3 man, PNP deputy chief for operations Lt. Gen. Ferdinand Divina, is due to retire on May 2 or six days before the scheduled retirement of Carlos.

At a media briefing in Camp Crame Monday, Carlos said he would go on with his duty as the country's top cop until he retires.

“Well if there is an order, I will follow. Ako naman trabaho lang (I just work). If the task is done, then I will retire come May 8, that is according to the law,” Carlos told reporters.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1172306

56 PMA cadets train onboard Navy ships

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 18, 2022): 56 PMA cadets train onboard Navy ships (By Priam Nepomuceno)

Photo courtesy of Philippine Navy

Some 56 midshipmen cadets of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 2022 have trained onboard four ships of the Philippine Navy's Offshore Combat Force (OCF) over the weekend.

From April 15 to 17, the cadets who will serve in the Navy after graduation, visited offshore patrol vessels BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PS-15), BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS-16), and missile frigates BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) and BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151).

In a Facebook post of the BRP Antonio Luna Sunday, the shipboard familiarization tour is part of the cadets' orientation program in the OCF.

"These midshipmen cadets will be graduating next month and will be commissioned in the service of the Philippine Navy. Needless to say, these future Ensigns will be the next junior officers in various Philippine Navy units -- especially in the primary fighting force at sea, OCF," the post read.

The crew of the four ships, stationed at South Harbor, Manila and Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Olongapo City, Zambales, crafted a joint training program designed for the cadets.

The training includes shipboard tours, lectures on introduction to naval warfare and Jose Rizal class frigates' sensors and weapons capability, firefighting capability demonstration, viewing of audio-visual presentations, sharing of personal experiences as a naval officer, and other extracurricular activities.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1172301

13 PAF choppers, aircraft mobilized for 'Agaton' relief efforts

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 18, 2022): 13 PAF choppers, aircraft mobilized for 'Agaton' relief efforts (By Priam Nepomuceno)

FLOODS. An aerial view of the flooding in Capiz due to the onslaught of Tropical Depression Agaton in the Visayas last week, taken during an inspection on Saturday (April 16, 2022). Some 13 helicopters and aircraft of the Philippine Air Force are mobilized for the ongoing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts in these areas. (Presidential Photo)

Some 13 helicopters and aircraft of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) are mobilized for the ongoing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts in parts of the Visayas battered by Tropical Depression Agaton last week.

Air Force spokesperson Col. Maynard Mariano said Monday four S-70i Black Hawk combat utility helicopters, another four Bell 412 choppers, one W-3A Sokol rescue helicopter, two C-295 medium transport aircraft, and two NC-212i light transport aircraft.

Mariano said these resources are deployed to transport relief goods and personnel, as well as conduct rapid damage assessment needs analysis.

Also mobilized are the Philippine Army's K-9 units and engineers to assist in the search, rescue-and retrieval efforts for landslide victims in Baybay City, Leyte.

Apart from combat tracking and explosive detection, the Army's K-9 units are also used extensively as scout dogs.

These units, along with local policemen and Mines and Geosciences Bureau personnel, surveyed and assessed landslide-hit Barangay Katangos in Baybay City.

Army spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad said Army troops have been deployed to inaccessible areas in the barangays of Bunga, Mailhi, Cal-ipa to search and retrieve bodies that were buried by landslides or were swept by floods during the onslaught of "Agaton".

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1172311

6 female cadets land in top 10 of PNPA Class '22

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 18, 2022): 6 female cadets land in top 10 of PNPA Class '22 (By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan)

CREAM OF THE CROP. Philippine National Police chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos presents to the media the top ten graduating cadets of the PNP Academy on Monday (April 18, 2022). Six female cadets landed in the top ten. (PNA photo by Lloyd Caliwan)

Six graduating female cadets of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Class of 2022 have landed in the top 10.

PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos welcomed on Monday the top 10 graduating cadets of the PNPA Alab-Kalis (Alagad ng Batas na Kakalinga sa Sinilangang Bayan) Class of 2022 at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

A total of 226 cadets -- consisting of 198 male and 28 female -- are set to graduate this April 21.

Carlos said the PNPA is the primary source of commissioned officers of the PNP, with its alumni occupying key positions in the command structure of the organization.

“Talagang natural graduates of PNPA would want to join the PNP. So in the top 10 marami talaga sa kanila 'yung (many of them) they would like to join the PNP but of course meron din tayong mga (we also have) jail officers and fire officers that are part of the top 10 so we congratulate everyone,” Carlos said.

Graduating as the class valedictorian is Cadet Ernie Alarba Padernilla from Passi City in Iloilo.

“Nung nag-exam po ako at nakapasok sa PNPA para na siyang continuation ng journey ko (When I took the exam and made it to the PNPA, it was a continuation of my journey). I worked hard and dedication hanggang sa naging class valedictorian ako (I worked hard and I was dedicated until I became class valedictorian),” Padernilla told reporters.

Padernilla will be receiving the Presidential Kampilan, Chief PNP Kapilan, Best in Forensic Science Award and the Best in Thesis Award.

Ranked second and the class salutatorian is Cadet Regina Joy Belmi Caguioa from Taguig City in Metro Manila. She will receive the Vice Presidential Kampilan award.

On the third spot is Cadet Precious Shermaine Domingo Lee from San Juan City in Metro Manila.

She will receive the Secretary of Interior and Local Government Kampilan Award and the Best in Public Safety Award.

Ranking fourth and fifth are Cadets Fidel Elona Triste III from Palo Leyte and Geneva Limjuco Flores from San Carlos City in Pangasinan.

The top six, Cadet Zoe Compleza Seloterio from Santa Barbara, Iloilo will also be the recipient of the Athletic Kampilan Award for having displayed exemplary performance in sports in the corps of cadets.

The top six cadets will all join the PNP.

On the seventh spot is Cadet Neil Winston Navalta from Diffun, Quirino who will receive the Chief Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Kampilan for graduating as the highest-ranking cadet. He will join the BFP.

Also joining the PNP is the class top 8 and 10, Cadets Mhar Dum-Ayan Viloria from Pugo, La Union and Alyssa Angalan Bantasan from Bauko, Mountain Province.

Ranked 9th is Cadet Collyn Mae Dimazana Panganiban from Antipolo, Rizal who will be joining the ranks of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to lead the graduation ceremonies at the PNPA campus in Silang, Cavite.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1172321

NTF-ELCAC's slashed budget ‘heartbreaking’: Badoy

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 18, 2022): NTF-ELCAC's slashed budget ‘heartbreaking’: Badoy (By Lade Jean Kabagani)

BDP PROJECT. Residents of Barangay Magangit in Maco town, Davao de Oro receives their newly-constructed health center from the government's Barangay Development Program (BDP) under the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on Feb. 8, 2022. The program aims to eradicate the root causes of the insurgency, poverty, disease, lack of education and opportunities, and social injustice in far-flung communities across the country identified to have been influenced by the communist ideology. (Photo courtesy of Davao de Oro PIO)

The slashed budget of the government’s anti-insurgency task force will not only affect this year's nationwide implementation of the Barangay Development Program (BDP) but also "breaks the hearts" of the beneficiary communities.

In a press conference on Monday, National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) spokesperson and Communications Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy lamented that hundreds of barangays were expecting to implement the previously discussed development programs within their communities.

But with the budget cut, Badoy said the NTF-ELCAC might not be able to fulfill the other projects in some communist-cleared areas.

“What happened here is we let our kababayans (countrymen) go through the whole process and chose farm-to-market road projects because we told them that we will be giving them 20 million so from January until December they went through that process. They were so excited because they are finally getting farm-to-market roads, water, schools -- those what they really asked for that they never had all these years,” Badoy said.

In December last year, the NTF-ELCAC received PHP17.1 billion budget allocation, which is much lower than the PHP28.1 billion earlier proposed by Malacañang to Congress for the task force's BDP for areas freed from the insurgency.

Since the people in the beneficiary communities already knew that they will be getting PHP20 million for BDP projects, Badoy said they have no choice but to explain why some lawmakers are not amenable to giving them the proposed budget.

“When I talked to the governors whose budgets were slashed, they were really struggling and even the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) -- because they are the ones who will be saying to our kababayans that sorry we don’t have it,” she said.

Badoy cited the insurgency happening because the government did not serve well and the only way to address the problem is by pushing for good governance -- which is the NTF-ELCAC’s main purpose.

“We made them happy, we made them expect, and then when the December comes, we failed them again. These are the communities that for the longest time were held by the communist groups,” she added. “We asked them to carry more than their fair share and then we will ask them again because of these senators. It is heartless.”

Badoy slammed the lawmakers who approved the slashing of the NTF-ELCAC’s 2022 budget.

“It’s just really heartbreaking. Of course, magagawan ng paraan (there’s still a way),” she said.

The task force’s BDP, a counter-insurgency plan, has an initial budget of PHP20 million wherein beneficiary communities can acquire or construct farm-to-market roads, school buildings, water and sanitation systems, livelihood programs, and health stations.

BDP aims to deliver various government programs in conflict-afflicted and geographically isolated villages that have been considered "cleared" from the influence of communist rebels.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1172357

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: Kahit Semana Santa, AFP nanganyon sa Agusan del Norte

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis online propaganda posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 14, 2022): Kahit Semana Santa, AFP nanganyon sa Agusan del Norte (Even Semana Santa, AFP shelled Agusan del Norte)

 

April 15, 2022

Walang sinasanto ang mga sundalo ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) sa panibagong serye nito ng panganganyon malapit sa sibilyang komunidad sa Palo 12, Barangay Poblacion 2, Santiago, Agusan del Norte nitong Huwebes.

Anim na beses na kinanyon ng 29th IB ang mabundok na bahagi ng komunidad na nagdulot ng takot sa mga sibilyan. Dahil sa panganganyon, nataboy at napalayas ang mga maliliit na minero sa lugar.

Ayon sa ulat ng Lingkawas, panrehiyong publikasyon ng Northeastern Mindanao, marami ang bumabang malilit na minero mula sa panning area pabalik sa sentrong barangay at lungsod dahil sa takot. Tinatayang aabot sa 50% sa mga residente sa nasabing bayan ay naghahanapbuhay sa panning area.

Kinanyon ng 29th IB ang lugar matapos bigwasan ng isang yunit ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan (BHB)-Agusan del Norte ang 40 elemento ng mga sundalo. Dalawa ang paunang ulat na kaswalti sa armadong aksyon ng BHB.

Sa panahon ng tradisyunal na paggunita ng mga Katolikong Pilipino sa Semana Santa, nagpapatuloy ang mga operasyong militar at kombat sa mga kabundukan na gumagambala at bumabasag sa kapayapaan ng mga komunidad.

https://cpp.ph/angbayan/kahit-semana-santa-afp-nanganyon-sa-agusan-del-norte/

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: Panibagong panrered-tag sa isang mamamahayag, tinuligsa ng grupong NUJP

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis online propaganda posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 14, 2022): Panibagong panrered-tag sa isang mamamahayag, tinuligsa ng grupong NUJP (Another red-tagging of a journalist, denounced by the NUJP group)

 

April 14, 2022

Kinastigo ng National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) ang panibagong kaso ng panrered-tag laban sa isa nitong kasapi at mamamahayag na si Lian Buan noong Abril 13, gayundin ang pagbabansag sa kanilang organisasyong bilang “prenteng” organisasyon ng rebolusyonaryong kilusan.

Ayon sa grupo, nired-tag at binansagang “isa sa mga matataas na upisyal ng CPP-NPA-NDF” si Buan ng isang anonymous na account sa social media. Tinarget si Buan ng red-tagging matapos siyang magpost sa social media ng pananaw laban sa pagpapasara ng rehimeng Duterte sa ABS-CBN na malaki sana ang maitutulong nitong panahon ng bagyong Agaton.

Malaon nang tinarget ang grupo ng mga mamamahayag ng red-tagging dahil sa paninindigan ng mga kasapi nito at kritikal na pagbabalita tungkol sa gubyernong Duterte.

“Ang paggigiit para sa karapatan sa pamamahayag at pagsusulong ng kagalingan ng manggagawa sa midya ay mga adhikaing bahagi ng demokrasya na ating tinatamasa,” ayon sa pahayag ng NUJP.

“Ang pangrered-tag sa NUJP, mga kasapi nito at kanilang katrabaho sa midya ay nagmumula sa pinakamataas, ang Palasyo, hanggang sa pinakamababa, na mula sa mga anonymous na mga akawnt sa social midya…,” dagdag ng NUJP sa pahayag.

Kamakailan, kinastigo rin ng grupo ang tagapagsalita ng NTF-Elcac na si Lorraine Badoy dahil sa panreredtag sa midya. Ani Badoy, sangkot umano ang midya sa rebolusyonaryong kilusan dahil hindi nito iniuulat ang mga “nabuwag na mga larangan” ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan habang iniuulat nila ang sandamakmak na mga kasong isinampa ng mga progresibong grupo laban sa kanya sa mga ahensya ng gubyerno.

Noong nakaraan taon, sinuportahan din ng grupo ang pagsasabatas ng panukala sa Senado para parusahan ang red-tagging at pagbabasura sa malupit na Anti-Terrorism Law.

“Kadalasang humahantong sa harasment at pandarahas ang red-tagging laban sa mga target nito at sinusuportahan ng NUJP ang lahat ng mga hakbng na makapagbibigay-proteksyon sa mga mamamahayag laban sa mga bantang ito at papanagutin ang mga gumagawa nito,” ayon sa pahayaag ng grupo noong Marso ng nakaraang taon.

Kasapi at upisyal ng NUJP si Lady Ann Salem, patnugot ng Manila Tody, na naging biktima ng red-tagging at ikinulong sa gawa-gawang mga kaso gamit ang isang hindi balidong mandaymento.

https://cpp.ph/angbayan/panibagong-panrered-tag-sa-isang-mamamahayag-tinuligsa-ng-grupong-nujp/