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5 NPA rebels surrender in Zambo Norte

September 12, 2019, 11:31 am
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From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 11, 2019): 5 NPA rebels surrender in Zambo Norte


NPA SURRENDERERS. Five New People's Army rebels surrender on Tuesday, September 10, to military authorities in Zamboanga del Norte. They turned over eight anti-tank improvised explosives, a Browning Automatic Rifle and a caliber.30 M1 Garand rifle. (Photo courtesy of the Army's 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs Office)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Five New People’s Army (NPA) rebels surrendered to authorities amid the continuing military offensives against communist guerrillas in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, officials said Wednesday.

The five NPA surrenderers have turned over eight anti-tank improvised explosives, a Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) and a caliber .30 M1 Garand rifle when they surrendered Tuesday to the Army’s 97th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Manukan, Zamboanga del Norte.

“The surrender of the five NPAs is a product of the fruitful information dissemination that encouraged them to return to folds of the law and we will help them enroll and benefit with the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the government,” said Lt. Col. John Andrada, 97th IB commander.

Col. Leonel Nicolas, Army’s 102nd Infantry Brigade commander, said they continue to gain grounds as “our relentless military operation in our area pressured them to surrender.”

“With their surrender, we hoped that they can encourage some of their comrades to follow their path for them to benefit the programs of the government,” Nicolas added.

Maj. Gen. Roberto Ancan, the Army’s 1st Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Zampelan (the Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao Provinces) commander, lauded the troops and the local government for the successful surrender of the five NPAs.

Ancan attributed the rebels' surrender to the "sterling leadership" of the Regional Task Force-to End Local Communist Armed Conflict-9 (RTF-ELCAC-9) and Provincial Task Force-ELCAC (PTF-ELCAC) of Zamboanga del Norte.

He assured that they will continue to work together with all government instrumentalities and stakeholders to defeat the NPA and attain just and sustainable peace in Western Mindanao.

Meanwhile, Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, said they stand firm in bringing about safety and security within the area of operation of Westmincom.

“While we intensify our operations in critical areas, we are more than willing to facilitate and encourage peaceful mechanisms to address the security concerns in Central and Western Mindanao,” Sobejana added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1080195
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Communist relying on Metro Manila ‘support system’

September 12, 2019, 12:18 pm
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From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Sep 11, 2019): Communist relying on Metro Manila ‘support system’

The “support system” of communist groups are in Metro Manila, according to Brig. Gen. Alex Luna, commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines – Joint Task Force (AFP-JTR) National Capital Region.

Membership in communist groups has been dropping since the 1980s, and they have been stagnant for the last 10 years, Luna noted in a press briefing on Tuesday following a joint meeting between the Metro Manila Regional Development Council (RDC) and Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) in Pasay.

“The reason why it’s not going down anymore is that they have an inflation support system here in Metro Manila,” Luna said, speaking partly in Filipino. “In the provinces, they’re having a hard time getting cadres. Now they’re also having a hard time getting financial support because of the move of other agencies of the government to stop foreign support to these communist-affiliated organizations.”

“They’re really suffering,” Luna went on. “So what they are doing now is make use of their support system, which is right now here in Manila. They do their recruitment of cadres here, mostly the youth and students. Their fund-generating system, they get it from the business sector.”

He cited previous reports of groups committing extortion against telecommunication, construction, and mining companies.

Luna said that communist groups had also resorted to recruiting members from the labor sector in Metro Manila since they had been having a hard time recruiting in the provinces.

“These are the things that they are doing now. They want to increase activities here to sustain their activities,” he said.

“That’s why the President would really want to have this kind of organizations in every region so that they will be a convergence of all government sectors to address this armed conflict caused by CPP-NPA,” he added.

For his part, Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), called the case in Metro Manila as “peculiar” compared to other regions.

“Unlike other regions that have armed conflict, here we don’t have that,” he said. “But it’s here where they have the center of their front organizations. So we will focus our efforts on countering that and show our countrymen the reality and how we can convince the public that communism is not the solution for the development of our country.”

During the joint meeting, the National Capital Region Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NCRTF-ELCAC) was formally created as a part of President Rodrigo Duterte’s 2018 order for a “Whole of Nation” approach for sustainable peace.

The special task force seeks to counter the recruitment efforts of groups such as CPP-NPA and their “deceitful propaganda” in schools and poor communities in Metro Manila.

The task force also seeks to ensure direct delivery of social services to the poor, who the authorities said are being targeted for recruitment.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1163216/communist-relying-on-metro-manila-support-system
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Reds negotiator: PH gov't ended chance for peace talks with arrest warrant for Joma, others

September 12, 2019, 12:22 pm
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From ABS-CBN (Sep 10, 2019): Reds negotiator: PH gov't ended chance for peace talks with arrest warrant for Joma, others


No more talks for now? NDFP chief negotiator Fidel Agcaoili with Luis Jalandoni and Jose Maria Sison. Photo from Fidel Agcaoili on Facebook

UTRECHT, The Netherlands --- The Philippine government has ended any chance of peace negotiations with the National Democratic of the Philippines (NDFP), the rebels group's chief peace negotiator Fidel Agcaoili said.

This, after a Manila court ordered the arrest of Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria Sison, his wife Juliet de Lima, NDFP senior adviser Luis Jalondoni, and 35 other members of the organization for murder.

“Wala na (nothing)... The regime is the one showing things that they are not anymore open to negotiations. Hindi naman kami. Pag pinalitan na iyan (It’s not us…when there’s a change in government). Hopefully that government that will take over will be open to negotiations,” he said during an interview from Utrecht.

Agcaoili said the NDFP has been open to negotiations but the arrest warrants may close peace talks until the next government.

The peace talks broke down in November 2017 after Duterte terminated the negotiations, saying he wanted more time to study all accords with the Reds even from past governments.

“Sabagay, tinerminate na niya noong December 2017 ang peace negotiations. But this time talagang wala na. (Well, Duterte terminated the peace negotiations in 2017. This time, the chance is nil). I think they have the illusion that they can end this fight of the Filipino people for national and social liberation through military and other means,” Agcaoili added.

The Philippine National Police on Tuesday said it has sought the assistance of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to help arrest Sison and others who are outside the country. The military also earlier said it has informed the Dutch government regarding the warrants of arrest.
PNP taps Interpol for Joma Sison's arrest

“That case is crazy. It supposed to happen in 1985. In 1985, Luis was here, Joma was in detention,” he said.

Agcaoili said Sison is protected by the European Human Rights Convention and the Dutch government cannot violate this convention, while Jalandoni is a Dutch citizen.

“The Duterte regime is not exactly acceptable to many European governments…They will be heard of course. They will be received out of diplomatic courtesy,” Agcaoili said, adding that European governments are also questioning the human rights record of the country.

“Merong kaso sa ICC, merong appeal ang UN Human Rights Commission (There’s a case at the International Criminal Court, there’s an appeal on the UNHRC) and it was sponsored by Iceland, a European country and supported by all members of the European Union asking Duterte to allow independent investigations into alleged human rights violations,” he said.

Earlier, Sison said in a statement that the Interpol cannot arrest him because he is a recognized political refugee.

“I am protected by the Refugee Convention and by the European Convention on Human Rights. There is also no extradition treaty between the Netherlands and the Philippines…The charge is invalid and cannot pass the test of due process in The Netherlands. I have my rights to be informed of the charge, to have counsel and to ask for judicial review,” he said.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/09/10/19/reds-negotiator-ph-govt-ended-chance-for-peace-talks-with-arrest-warrant-for-joma-others
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NPA in S. Luzon faces modern weapons in renewed all-out war––Solcom

September 12, 2019, 12:27 pm
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From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Sep 11, 2019): NPA in S. Luzon faces modern weapons in renewed all-out war––Solcom

LUCENA CITY –– The communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Southern Luzon would now face state security forces armed with modern war weapons, a regional military spokesman said Wednesday.

The government forces in Southern Tagalog and Bicol regions“will not hesitate to use the upgraded military might in our arsenal against the few CT (communist terrorists) who still refuse to abandon their arms,” said a statement from Lt. Col. Dennis Cana, information officer of the Army’s Southern Luzon Command (Solcom).

He made the statement in reaction to President Duterte’s renewed order for government forces to launch an all-out war against the Maoist-inspired NPA rebels across the country.

Cana clarified that the Solcom acquired new modern war equipment “like night capable helicopters, signal equipment like drones, range finders, thermal imagers, and additional naval assets.”

“But the main assets in our counter-insurgency operations are the text messages and calls from concerned citizens whenever there are strangers in their places,” Cana said in a phone interview.

But the primary weapon of government forces in their all-out war against the communist guerrillas, Cana emphasized, was the cooperation between the military, concerned government agencies, local governments, and nongovernment organizations.

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Tboli declares communist-terrorist group as persona non grata

September 12, 2019, 12:32 pm
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From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 10, 2019): Tboli declares communist-terrorist group as persona non grata


LGU Tboli's declaration of the CPP-NPA-NDF as persona non grata on September 9 was capped by a motorcade participated by LGU officials and employees, members of the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police and barangay officials. 

The CPP-NPA-NDF are unwelcome in the Municipality of Tboli in South Cotabato.

In a ceremony at the municipal covered court Monday, Tboli Mayor Dibu Tuan and other LGU officials made public Resolution No. 94 s. 2019 “Resolution Denouncing the Atrocities of Communist Party of the Philippines-New Peoples Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) and Declaring the Same as Persona-Non-Grata in the Municipality of Tboli, Province of South Cotabato” that the Sangguniang Bayan approved on August 13.

Members of the Philippine Army, the Philippine National Police, LGU employees and barangay officials were also present during the event.

The resolution cited that for years the communist terrorist group (CTG) has done atrocities in Tboli and neighboring municipalities including burning of heavy equipment owned by private contractors, extortions, recruitment of minors, and many other terrorist activities.

Mayor Tuan said, their declaration of the CTG as persona non grata is in response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s call for a whole-of-nation approach to fight insurgency through EO 70.

“Without second thought we responded especially because our tribe has been prone to recruitment by the NPA. We believe that almost 90 percent of those recruited and those they deploy to the battlefield are from the tribes,” the mayor said.

More than 70 percent of the population of Tboli municipality is comprised of indigenous people.

In an interview with the Philippine Information Agency, Tuan opined that President Duterte's EO 70 is a reminder for LGUs to step up environmental protection, strengthen disaster preparedness and resiliency, and sustain delivery of basic services.

For LGU Tboli, the efforts to fight insurgency started prior to the issuance of EO 70 by ensuring that communities, especially those considered as geographically isolated and depressed areas (GIDAS), are provided basic services through the local government's DST Kariton Project, Mayor Tuan said

DST Kariton is an outreach activity where the LGU brings to residents in hard-to-reach villages needed government services such as medical-dental services, feeding program, civil registration, ans many others.

Other government agencies such as Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Agriculture, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and others are also brought in to address the community’s concerns under their authority.

Education is also crucial in the fight against insurgency because indigenous people, especially those who are uneducated are easily swayed by the communist rebels, Mayor Tuan said.

“This is why we set aside P11 million specifically for free education from elementary to secondary level. We might not be able to change the older generation, but we hope that with proper education the younger generations are educated and will be protected from the recruitment by the NPA.”

Responding to the LGU’s declaration, 1Lt. Gen Adrian Gautane, commander of the Alpha Company of the 27th IB Philippine Army, said, “the declaration of CPP-NPA-NDF as persona non grata will have major impact on their operations, recruitment, and their other activities in the area.”

At present, the NPA’s operations in Tboli are mostly confined within the boundaries with Sarangani Province, General Santos City, and Polomolok, Gautane said.

He added that parts of Tboli only serve as “mobiling corridor” and that recruitment and other activities by the CTG in the area have waned because of military operations and LGU Tboli’s DST Kariton project.

Through the DST Kariton, residents receive services they need and learn that the government in reaching out to them, Gautabe said.

Mayor Tuan said that LGU Tboli's initiatives related to the whole-of-nation approach to end local armed conflict will be expanded to the grassroots and will involve barangay officials, sitio leaders, and tribal chieftains. (PIA XII)
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1027098
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Abu Sayyaf terrorist killed in Sulu clash was planning suicide attack – military

September 12, 2019, 1:13 pm
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From Rappler (Sep 12, 2019): Abu Sayyaf terrorist killed in Sulu clash was planning suicide attack – military

The military says Nanz Sawadjaan, nephew of ISIS' leader in the Philippines, would have become a suicide bomber if he had not been killed in a raid on Tuesday, September 10



FOCUSED OPERATIONS. The Armed Forces of the Philippines has launched a series of operations targeting the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group in Sulu. File photo by Jire Carreon/Rappler

Nanz Sawadjaan, the Abu Sayyaf terrorist killed in a clash with government forces in Patikul, Sulu, on Tuesday, September 10, was planning a suicide attack, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Joint Task Force (JTF) Sulu said on Thursday, September 12.

"The neutralized ASG bandit is the younger brother of a Tausug bomb expert, Mundi Sawadjaan. According to reports, the younger Sawadjaan had signified [that he would] carry out a suicide bombing in Sulu and was just awaiting orders from the ASG (Abu Sayyaf Group) hierarchy," JTF Sulu said in an official statement.

The AFP earlier said Nanz Sawadjaan, who was in his 20s, was the younger brother of Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, the ASG subleader said to be the Islamic State (ISIS) terror group's leader in the Philippines. However, JTF Sulu said on Thursday that Nanz was a nephew, not a brother, of Hatib Hajan, who is in his 60s.

"The neutralization of the volunteer suicide bomber Nanz Sawadjaan is a momentous achievement we can offer to the people of Sulu. He could have brought enormous destruction to the province if he had carried out the suicide bombing," said JTF Sulu commander Major General Corleto Vinluan Jr.

The military has blamed Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan's pro-ISIS faction of the ASG for suicide attacks in Sulu and Basilan.

On Sunday, September 8, a "caucasian-looking" woman self-detonated a bomb at an Army checkpoint in Indanan, Sulu. Only the suicide bomber was killed in the attack.

On June 28, two attackers, one of them Filipino, blew themselves up at the gates of an Army camp also in Indanan, killing at least 7 people.

An Indonesian couple self-detonated bombs at a Catholic cathedral in Jolo, Sulu, on January 27. At least 23 people were killed then.

A van explosion at a paramilitary outpost in the outskirts of Lamitan, Basilan, on July 31, 2018, killed at least 10 people, including the driver whom the military said might have been Moroccan.

Sawadjaan faction

Security officials have said the ASG Sawadjaan faction is working with foreign terrorists to train bombers – including suicide bombers – as ISIS seeks to carve out a territory in Mindanao.

JTF Sulu said Nanz Sawadjaan was one of 5 ASG members who were "anointed" to launch suicide attacks, of whom now only one survives and is believed to be at large in Sulu.

The AFP Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) said it is working to contain the threat within Sulu, where civilian communities have been providing information to help track down ASG members.

Earlier this week, the US Department of State added Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan and his aide's wife, Almaida Marani Salvin, to its list of global terrorists. This rescinds any access they may have to interests and properties under US jurisdiction, and prohibits US persons from transacting with them.

"The US declaration further limits Sawadjaan's maneuver space, information sharing among interested parties is enhanced, and our fight against the ASG is strengthened," said AFP Westmincom chief Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana.

The AFP has launched "focused military operations" against the ASG in Sulu. It reported 3 armed encounters with the terrorist group so far this week.

"The positive developments in our campaign to end the ASG in Sulu were made possible because of the active participation of the peace-loving Tausug community. This only proves that the people of Sulu recognize the relevance of peace in their province and are already fed up with the terrorists' presence. Hence, I am confident that the problem with the ASG in Sulu will soon be over," Vinluan said in a statement.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/239980-military-says-abu-sayyaf-terrorist-killed-sulu-clash-planning-suicide-attack
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Activist's mom tells Kabataan: No one knows my daughter but me

September 12, 2019, 1:30 pm
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From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 12, 2019): Activist's mom tells Kabataan: No one knows my daughter but me



43-year-old Elvie Caalaman in an interview on Wednesday (Sep. 11, 2019). (PNA photo)

MANILA -- A youth activist's mother seeking the return of her child, once and for all, stood her ground on Thursday saying it is Kabataan party-list group that is making fake stories, as she shared how her daughter, Lorevie, ended up with progressive youth group while she was still studying at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP).

Responding to a statement of the Kabataan party-list Metro Manila chapter saying that a Philippine News Agency’s article titled “Weeping mom to Elago: ‘We are getting sick from worrying’” posted on its website on September 10, 2019, has a few erroneous details that have already been cleared up in Lorevie interviews on August 14, Mrs. Elvie Caalaman said no other person knows what happened to her daughter but her, as the mother.

“Wala akong dapat i-explain kasi anak ko yan eh, alam ko lahat yun (I don’t need to explain anything. I am her mother, I know what happened),” she said in an interview.

On Kabataan’s claim that it is not true Lorevie Caalaman is 16 years old because it has been used as fodder for troll farms to dramatize some form of injustice or crime.

“Lorevie is 19 years old. She became part of Kabataan Partylist when she was already 18 years old,” the group’s statement said.

Started at 16

Mrs.Caalaman, however, said though her daughter has turned 19 last July 2, she was already involved with Kabataan party-list while she was still studying in PUP as a Grade 12 student.

“16 years old po (si Lorevie) nung nag umpisa syang [in]doktrinahan. Nag full-time siya, August 26, 2018. Iniwan niya kami October 24 (She was 16 when she was indoctrinated into the organization. She went on to become a full-time [member] on August 26. She left us on October 24),” she clarified, adding that her daughter was 16 when she started with Kabataan while still in PUP during that time.

“They just waited for her to turn 18, and then she left us. That’s why it feels infuriating, they don’t know how hard it is for parents like us and they just dismiss us that way," she said in the vernacular.

The group claimed that Mrs. Caalaman’s statement saying joining the youth group made a huge impact on her child's personality, who eventually quit school and left home, is misleading because Lorevie graduated from Senior High School but did not even apply for college as she and her family were unable to process her papers to apply for university.

“She went from job to job —call center, fast food service, etc. She was already working and not in school when she joined Kabataan Partylist. She was even inspired to join the group because of her own hardships and the inequalities she experienced in her various jobs in the service sector,” the group added.

'Refused to go to school'

Mrs. Caalaman said her daughter refused to attend school because the "spirit of activism" has taken over her.

“Bago gumraduate ng Grade 12, pina-exam ko na siya sa PUP. Ang exam niya (ay) first session pero pinasukan niya yung second session. Hindi niya sinabi sa akin yung sitwasyon na 'yan (Before she graduated from Grade 12, I made her take the exam in PUP, too. Her schedule was during the first session but she went to the second session. She did not tell me about that),” she said, adding that it was Lorevie’s cousin who told her that she did not take the exam.

Her daughter, she said, then enrolled at Bestlink College in Novaliches, Quezon City and attended for a few days but she kept complaining about the school.

Lorevie also checked with Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila but wanted to go to PUP because a colleague keeps in contact with her there, she added.

“Meron daw na pwedeng Sabado ang pasok. Pero nakarating kasi sa amin [galing] sa pinsan niya na nasa PUP din na ang organisasyon pala ang inaapplyan nya doon, 'yun pala ang Kabataan party-list, kaya pinahinto ko siya (They said she can take classes on weekends. But it came to us, through her cousin who also goes to PUP, that she was applying with Kabataan Partylist so I told her to stop),” she said thus, her suggestion for Lorevie to apply for a job, in the meantime.

She said her daughter tried working in a fast-food chain but quit after two nights, and she was not at home when a call center company tried to reach her for an interview.

No plan to work, study

“Wala talaga siyang plano na magtrabaho o mag-aral na, kasi nasa pagiging aktibista na talaga ang puso nya (She was not interested to work or go to school anymore because she was already decided to become an activist),” she said.

“Paano asikasuhin [ang papers], di nanaman siya nagpakita at ayaw na niya mag aral. Pinilit ko at yung pangalawa kong anak, pina pa-chat ko na mag aral siya, ayaw na raw talaga niya kaya anong i-process? Siya mismo ayaw niya mag-aral (What papers will we process? She was not showing up, we could hardly reach her. Lorevie said she’s not interested, so what will we process? She won’t go to school anymore),” she added.

Contrary to Kabataan’s statement that Lorevie is not missing but in fact, in constant communication with her mother, despite being sent hostile messages, Mrs. Caalaman said she only saw her daughter come home at least seven or eight times since she left to stay at the Kabataan headquarters since October 24, 2018.

“She was never missing as her own mother’s Facebook photos can attest to that. All-year-round last year, she goes home regularly. The latest and most notable events of her being at home are mother’s day in May, her turning over her crown in the beauty pageant in the barangay (witnessed by all of those in attendance in the barangay) in June, and her birthday in July,” the group said. “She was still even going home even after her mother started appearing on television (government station PTV 4 on July 17) claiming she is “missing”, to ask her why she is doing that. She was only met by the reply ‘stop what you are doing or I won’t stop.’”

Mrs. Caalaman has this reply, “Sa tanda ko, umuwi sya noong masakit ang ngipin nya, papacheck-up sya daw sya, tapos noong nag turn over sya ng crown sa barangay, at nung July 2 kasi birthday nya. July 3 ng madaling araw pasado alas kwatro, umalis din. Mas marami yung oras nya doon kaysa dito (As I recall, she went home when she needed to see a dentist because her tooth aches, she came home when she had to turn over her crown at the barangay, and on July 2 her birthday but she left at past 4 the following morning. That’s still almost all her time spent there and not with us).”

But right now, Elvie said, she hardly heard of Lorevie anymore.

“Hindi na sya sumasagot ngayon eh. Ayaw na mag reply, sine-seen lang. Pero hindi ko alam kung sya yun. Sana nga sya yung nagbabasa ng mga text ko. Hindi ko naman alam kung sya may hawak (She no longer responds to us. She won’t reply, our messages are just ‘seen’. But I don’t know if it’s her, maybe she’s not the one reading my messages, maybe someone else holds her phone. We don’t know),” she added.

Not used by gov't

Mrs. Caalaman belied Kabataan claims that she is being used by the police and army to go against leftist youth organizations.

The group said Lorevie is afraid of her own safety and of her mother being exploited by police and military for what ends and to what benefits.

“Walang gamitan dito. Pursigido lang kaming mga magulang na makuha ang anak namin. At ganito kami ka pursigido kasi ayaw na namin na may mga magulang pang maranasan ang naranasan naming hirap, sakit, pagdurusa kasi di biro ang nangyayari sa amin (We are not being used here. We are just dedicated as parents to get our child back from them. We are this driven because we do not want any more parents to suffer the way we did, the way we are-- it’s no joke),” Mrs. Caalaman said.

“May pangarap kami sa anak namin, may pangarap sila, pangarap ni Lorevie maging guro. Pangarap namin matupad ang pangarap nila (We have dreams for them, they have dreams of their own. Lorevie wanted to be a teacher. Our dream is to have their dreams fulfilled),” she added.

It is also an old trick of the party-list, she said, to play the victim and twist the story while avoiding the questions they should answer.

“Hindi naman yan [Kabataan] sumasagot kung ano-anong issue eh. Gumagawa sila ng bago para makaiwas. Kung alam namin na maganda ang patutunguhan ng Kabataan na yan, hindi namin sila kukunin doon pero hindi eh alam namin na kapahamakan lang (They never really answer the issue. They make up something else to avoid it. If Kabataan really helps our children, we won't stop them but we can see that our children only end up in trouble),” she said in between sobs.

"Sila ang [gumagawa] fake news (They are the ones making fake news)," she said.

In a report released by Inquirer.net on August 14, Lorevie has refuted her mother’s claims, saying she was not kidnapped nor forced to stop schooling by militant activists.

The report said Lorevie was shocked at her mother’s appearance in a Senate hearing and clarified that “while she did not live at home, she made periodic visits and was constantly in contact with her parents.”

The older Caalaman is a member of the newly-formed League of Parents of the Philippines, which expressed strong condemnation of the acts perpetrated by militant organizations, such as alleged brainwashing and controlling the minds of minor students.

The group earlier petitioned the Department of Justice for a writ of habeas corpus against Kabataan party-list Rep. Sarah Elago to produce the minors who were recruited into progressive youth groups.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1080330
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Joma can be extradited if The Netherlands allows it: Palace

September 12, 2019, 1:35 pm
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From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 12, 2019): Joma can be extradited if The Netherlands allows it: Palace



Jose Ma. “Joma” Sison

Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chair Jose Ma. “Joma” Sison can be extradited if the government of The Netherlands allows it, Malacañang said on Thursday.

Presidential Spokesperson and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo rejected Sison’s claim that the arrest warrant against him is politically motivated and disagreed that he cannot be extradited from The Netherlands.

"If The Netherland government allows it, eh nasa sa kanila rin iyon (it is also up to them),” Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

Panelo said because there is already a warrant of arrest issued against Sison, everything he says would be considered “moot and academic”.

“They were given the opportunity to rebut the evidence submitted before the court, or prior to that, the preliminary investigation. Prosecutors found probable cause filed before the Regional Trial Court and the Court finds probable cause, oh eh papaano pa (so how else),” Panelo said.

Panelo, meanwhile, told Sison to abandon his dream of overthrowing the administration under President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Until such time as he faces the music, may problema siya (he has a problem). He should unchain himself from that illusionary dream of ousting the present dispensation. Fifty years plus na iyon eh (That’s over 50 years already),” he said.

Last week, a Manila court ordered his arrest and 37 others for their involvement in the so-called Inopacan Massacre in the 1980s.

Presiding Judge Thelma Bunyi-Medina, of the Regional Trial Court Branch 32 in Manila issued a warrant of arrest against Sison and 37 other people in relation to the mass purging by the armed wing of the CPP, the New People’s Army (NPA), in Leyte.

On Sept. 10, the Philippine National Police (PNP) asked the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to issue a “red notice to expedite Sison’s arrest.

Sison, who is currently in self-exile in The Netherlands, dismissed the allegations as “fake” noting that he and other suspects were in jail during the time of the supposed killing.

He claimed that the case was only being used to distract the public from the controversial release of almost 2,000 heinous crimes convicts.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1080359
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PRRD not dropping claim on WPS for joint oil exploration

September 12, 2019, 1:36 pm
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From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 12, 2019): PRRD not dropping claim on WPS for joint oil exploration



President Rodrigo Duterte is not setting aside the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) in favor of a joint oil and gas exploration with China, Malacañang said on Thursday.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador made this clarification after former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said there was no need for government to “ignore” the arbitral ruling to give way to economic activity with China.

In a media interview on Tuesday (Sept. 10), Duterte was quoted saying the “exclusive economic zone is part of the arbitral ruling which we will ignore to come up with an economic activity.”

Panelo explained that Duterte did not mean that he is abandoning Philippine claims on the disputed sea by using the word “ignore.”

“What the President means is that, as we have repeatedly said and as he has said too, the arbitral ruling is still subject to talks between the two countries. Negotiation is ongoing peacefully. But meanwhile, we focus on the other concerns that may mutually benefit the two countries,” Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

He criticized del Rosario for his comments about the way the President handled the sea dispute blaming him for losing control over the Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal) during the previous administration.

“The problem with him is he talks a lot. But as the President says, he was behind the loss of Scarborough Shoal. Moreover, the setting aside (of the arbitral ruling) doesn’t mean that we will abandon it,” Panelo said.

“We already responded to all his opinions and he should look at himself in the mirror and admit that he is the one responsible for losing Scarborough Shoal,” he added.

Panelo also denied that Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. refuted the President when he said that China has never made ignoring the arbitral ruling a “prerequisite” to come up with a joint exploration.

“He (Locsin) did not say that Philippines will drop the claim. What was he said, the arbitral ruling is still subject to peaceful talks,” Panelo said.

“In other words, impasse pa e so hayaan na muna natin mag-usap (there’s still an impasse so let’s allow them to talk). Let’s talk about other things like this joint exploration. He’s not refuting the President,” he added.

Panelo pointed out that what Duterte meant was that he was opting not to confront China about the arbitral ruling “immediately.”

“Kumabaga, hindi kino-confront immediately nag-uusap pa rin (It’s as if saying, we’re not confronting immediately since we’re still talking) how to resolve it. Not set aside, but set aside in the sense na ‘O sige pag-usapan natin ‘yan’. Yun ang ibig sabihin nun (‘Let’s talk about it. That’s what he meant),” Panelo said.

“Hindi yung naka-focus lang doon (We won’t just focus on the arbitral ruling alone). The relationship between the two countries is not measured by the conflict in the West Philippine Sea alone,” he added.

Earlier, del Rosario cited the suggestion of Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio to agree on a service contract arrangement with China to remain faithful to the arbitral ruling.

“If a service contract arrangement is followed, where a Chinese company participates either as an equity holder or a subcontractor, the President would remain faithful to the Constitution and the arbitral ruling,” del Rosario said in a statement.

“In this way, the President will also not turn back on his promise to the Filipino people made during his October 16, 2016 departure speech, as he embarked on State visits to Brunei Darussalam and China, that he cannot be the ‘sole authorized agent’ to share with the Chinese, our EEZ which belongs exclusively to the Filipino people,” he added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1080324
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US funds P92.3-M project for Filipino kids with disabilities

September 12, 2019, 1:38 pm
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From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 12, 2019): US funds P92.3-M project for Filipino kids with disabilities



USAID Mission Director in the Philippines Lawrence Hardy II (Photo by Joyce Ann L. Rocamora)

MANILA -- The United States government on Thursday launched a PHP92.3-million project that seeks to strengthen the country's inclusive education for children with disability.

Dubbed as Gabay Project, the initiative will be led by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and Resources for the Blind, Inc. for three years in targeted areas in Maasin City and the provinces of Batangas, Sorsogon, and Southern Leyte.

USAID Mission Director in the Philippines Lawrence Hardy II said the initiative would increase the capacity of service providers and community health workers to detect the needs of children with visual and hearing impairments.

One of its goals is also to improve the abilities of teachers in delivering appropriate learning plans for persons with disabilities.

"The United States is a strong advocate of disability policies and programs. We believe that people with disabilities have and should have all the same rights as others, including education, health, training and employment," Hardy said.

"As we launch this project today, we look forward to what is to come," he added.

Dr. Yolanda Quijano, Project Gabay's chief of party, said the project will be well-coordinated with the Department of Education and the local government units and is seen to benefit around 1,800 Filipino children with disability by the end of its implementation in June 2022.

"We want to institutionalize this in the areas and where they will become models. In the future, we want to introduce it to other local government units," she told reporters in an interview on the sidelines of the project launch.

The target beneficiaries of the program are children enrolled from Kindergarten to Grade 3 or the levels where a large percentage of kids are dropping out of school.

"One of the causes for dropping out is that some of these children could not hear well or they could not see well so they choose to drop out from school. This is when some of our teachers have a hard time detecting," she said.

"So we're really looking at early detection here and then intervention for the kids as a model then, later on, institutionalize it in the other schools. The DepEd will help us," she added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1080286
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CPP/NDF-Bicol: P300-million fund for development cannot conceal the fascist and terrorist character of RTF-ELCAC

September 12, 2019, 9:04 pm
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NDF-Bicol propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Sep 12, 2019): P300-million fund for development cannot conceal the fascist and terrorist character of RTF-ELCAC

MARIA ROJA BANUA
SPOKESPERSON
NDF-BICOL
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT OF THE PHILIPPINES
SEPTEMBER 12, 2019

DICT Sec. Gringo Honasan may brandish the P300-million fund for socioeconomic projects, but this will not hide the fascist and terrorist character of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC). No amount of money can ever parallel the value of civil rights and the people’s sovereignty, and the Bikolano masses will surely never surrender these to the fascist and terrorist US-Duterte regime.

In the formal creation of RTF-ELCAC last August 19-20 in Legazpi City, Albay, Honasan, one of the Cabinet Officers for Regional Development (CORD) Bikol, boastfully proclaimed that good governance, the delivery of health services, food, clothing and housing will curb insurgency in the region. True, for the longest time, these are things that the people been longing for. Is it proper to demand gratefulness and expect the masses to renounce their other civil rights in return for basic social services that, in the first place, are rightfully theirs?

Isn’t it the responsibility of the state to faithfully administer the people’s treasury – the fruit of the people’s toil and sacrifice? But what socioeconomic development will come from a fund that is not even enough to give a kilo of rice to more than five million Bikolanos? What can a few tabs of pain killers, free circumcision and haircuts and dance fairs do in the brunt of the Rice Tariffication Law and TRAIN Law?

In the formation of RTF-ELCAC, the US-Duterte regime will use the whole civilian bureaucracy and the people’s treasury to push and to fund an all-out war with the masses as a main target. The 83rd IB and Philippine Air Force (PAF) welcomed the creation of the RTF-ELCAC with the bombing and strafing of Brgy. Lidong, Caramoan, Camarines Sur. Those who truly defend and fight for the interests of the people are hunted down and murdered. Members of nationalist and progressive organizations are continuously being harassed, threatened and tagged as terrorists. All forms of struggle and airing out of legitimate grievances are considered crimes.

Masked between Honasan’s flowery words and sweet promises is the true face of RTF-ELCAC—a gang of corrupt grave diggers. The damage to the life and livelihood of the Bikolano masses brought on by RTF-ELCAC will surpass the combined losses of a storm and a mountain’s eruption.

The Filipinos are conscious that they can only rise from poverty once they overthrow the rotten and oppressive system that RTF-ELCAC rose from and protects. NDF-Bikol strongly calls on the Filipino people, especially the Bikolanos, to fight the RTF-ELCAC and all its efforts to suppress the people’s struggle. Bribes and alms can never restrain the fair and just struggle of the people.

Frustrate MO32 and EO70!

Fight the RTF-ELCAC!
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CPP/CNL-Bikol: Pamibi ng Masang Bikolano sa Mahal na Birhen ng Penafrancia para sa Katarungan at Pangmatagalang Kapayapaan

September 12, 2019, 9:06 pm
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Christians for National Liberation (CNL)-Bikol propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Sep 12, 2019): Pamibi ng Masang Bikolano sa Mahal na Birhen ng Penafrancia para sa Katarungan at Pangmatagalang Kapayapaan

CHRISTIANS FOR NATIONAL LIBERATION - BIKOL
SEPTEMBER 12, 2019

Mahal na Ina, Patrona ng Kabikulan,

Pagpalain mo kami ng inyong proteksyon mula sa tiranikong nagpapahirap, nanggigipit at umaalipin sa sambayanan.

Sa bawat sulok ng rehiyon, tumatangis ang sambayanan dahil sa sumisidhing krisis. Ipinapaubaya ng tirano sa kanyang mga alipures ang malalawak na lupaing linikha ng Amang Diyos at matagal nang ipinaglalaban at linilinang ng taumbayan. Gaano man katinding pagpapagal, patuloy na dumarami ang kumakalam na tiyan. Silang mga kasapakat ng tirano at mapagsamantalang kapitalista at malalaking panginoong maylupa na walang araw na nagbilad sa gitna ng kabukiran ang masibang nakikinabang mula sa aming lakas-paggawa at likas-yaman ng bayan.

Mahal na Ina, bigyan mo ng kami ng lakas para sa aming mga tunguhin. Sa bawat araw na lumilipas, pinapaslang, tinutugis at dinudusta ng mga ahente ng estado yaong walang hiningi kundi ang kanilang mga batayang karapatan.

Mahal na Ina, bigyan mo kami ng katatagan para sa aming paninindigan. Ipinapangako naming walang tunay na anak ng Diyos – anak ng bayan – ang makikipagsabwatan kay Duterte at kanyang pangkatin.

Mahal na Ina, bigyan mo ng liwanag ang aming mga kapatid na sundalo at pulis upang mabuksan ang kanilang isipan sa tamang landas ng pagsisilbi sa bayan. Nawa’y maunawaan nilang hindi tunay na sakripisyo at pagmamalasakit sa kapwa ang pagiging tuta ng mga naghaharing-uri. Ibukas mo ang kanilang mga isipan tungo sa landas ng kanilang mga tunay na kapanalig. Sila’y aming kapatid at kababayan at tulad din naming dinukha at inalipusta ng lipunan.

Mahal na Ina, dinggin mo ang aming paglaban. Dinggin mo ang mga sigaw sa lansangan at ang dagundong ng kanayunan. Nakakuyom ang aming kamao’t namamanatang ipaglalaban ang bayan at masa para matamasa ang tunay na kalayaan, katarungan at kaunlaran.

Ikaw, Mahal na Ina, ang aming huwaran sa pagmamalasakit sa kapwa at walang pag-iimbot na pagmamahal. Ikaw din ay lumisan sa iyong tahanan at tumawid ng mga bayan upang ipagtanggol ang anak ng Diyos laban sa mga tirano. Sa ngalan ng Ama at ng anak at ng Espiritu Santo, pagpalain mo po ng katatagan ang Sambayanang Pilipino. Amen.

https://cpp.ph/statement/pamibi-ng-masang-bikolano-sa-mahal-na-birhen-ng-penafrancia-para-sa-katarungan-at-pangmatagalang-kapayapaan/
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CPP/NDF-Bikol: Mensahe ng Pakikiisa ng NDF-Bikol sa Pista ng Penafrancia

September 12, 2019, 9:08 pm
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NDF-Bikol propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Sep 12, 2019): Mensahe ng Pakikiisa ng NDF-Bikol sa Pista ng Penafrancia

MARIA ROJA BANUA
SPOKESPERSON
NDF-BICOL
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT OF THE PHILIPPINES
SEPTEMBER 12, 2019

Mahigpit na nakikiisa ang NDF-Bikol sa pamibi ng sambayanan para sa katarungan at pangmatagalang kapayapaan. Sa ilang siglong pagdiriwang ng pista ng Penafrancia, naging dulugan si Ina sa nagkakaisang panalangin ng masang Bikolano at mga deboto sa loob at labas ng bansa para sa tunay na kaunlaran, katarungan at kapayapaan.

Buong tatag na sinuong ni Ina ang hirap at sakit upang mailigtas ang kanyang anak sa pangmamasaker ni Herodes sa libu-libong bata matapos mapabalita na isinilang na ang Tagapagligtas. Ibinuhos ni Ina ang kanyang pagkalinga sa kanyang anak at pinalaki itong mulat sa hirap at pagdurusa ng abang masa ng kanilang panahon. At sa huli, sa paanan ng pasakit na krus ay taas noo niyang pinagpugayan ang kanyang rebolusyonaryong anak na buong-lugod naglingkod upang wakasan ang pagsasamantala at pang-aapi sa lipunang alipin.

Dumudulog ngayon ang mamamayan sa Ina ng Tagapagligtas. Daan-libong pamilya ang hikahos sa kabuhayan dulot ng mabibigat na buwis at matataas na presyo ng mga bilihin sa kabila ng mababang pasahod at mababang presyo ng palay, kopra at abaka. Nagnangalit ang taumbayan sa tuluy-tuloy na pagdanak ng dugo sa ilalim ng pasista at tiranikong paghahari ng makabagong Herodes na si Duterte.

Sa tatlong taong pamumuno ni Duterte, 92 Bikolano na naitatalang biktima ng ekstrahudisyal na pamamaslang maliban pa sa ilang libong “nanlabang” biktima ng tahasang pagkitil ng buhay ng Oplan Tokhang. Mahigit sa tatlong libo ang biktima ng pambabanta, pananakot at pandarahas ng mga ahente ng estado. Ang katarungan, sa ilalim ng pasistang rehimen, ay nakalaan lamang para sa mga naghaharing-uri at kanyang mga kasapakat. Binuo na rin ni Duterte ang kanyang sibilyang junta at pormal nang itinatag ang Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) sa rehiyon bilang pagsasakatuparan ng EO 70 at Whole-Of-Nation Approach. Magkasunod ding binuo ang Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) sa Camarines Norte at Camarines Sur.

Ang pista ng Penafrancia ang isa sa mga nagbibigay-hugis sa nagkakaisang hangarin ng mamamayan upang makamit ang katarungan, kalayaan at pangmatagalang kapayapaan. Noong September 17, 1898 saksi si Ina sa pagningas ng digma ng masang Bikolano laban sa Espanyol.

Bilang mga tunay na anak ng bayan, muling pagtitibayin ng masang Bikolano ang kanilang pananampalataya at panata kay Inang mapagpalaya. Makakaasa si Ina at lahat ng inang mapagkalinga, na ang kanilang mga anak ay magpapatuloy sa landas ng rebolusyon.

https://cpp.ph/statement/mensahe-ng-pakikiisa-ng-ndf-bikol-sa-pista-ng-penafrancia/
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MILF: Editorial -Decommissioning not tantamount to surrendering

September 12, 2019, 9:12 pm
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Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Website (Sep 12, 2019): Editorial -Decommissioning not tantamount to surrendering

“We are not surrendering. Decommissioning is not tantamount to surrendering,”

Thus declared Ahod Balawag Ebrahim, the Chief Minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), during the ceremony for the decommissioning of 1,060 combatants and 920 weapons of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), the armed wing of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) held at the gymnasium of the Old Provincial Capitol in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao on September 7.

The weapons were turned over to the custody of the Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB)

“I would like to emphasize the decommissioning does not mean we have given up what we used to fight for,” Ebrahim said.

Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPPRU) saiddecommissioning is a clear testament of the MILF’S desire to sustain the gains of the peace process, President Duterte’s political will and unwavering commitment to fulfill all signed peace agreements.

“As we proceed with the decommissioning process, let me assure our MILF combatants that the government will assist you as you reintegrate into society and enjoy fruitful and productive civilian lives,” said President Rodrigo Duterte during the ceremony.

As provided in the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB), the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the MILF 'agree that normalization is vital to the peace process. It is through normalization that communities can return to conditions where they can achieve their desired quality of life, which includes the pursuit of sustainable livelihoods and political participation within a peaceful deliberative society.'

'The aim of normalization, according to the FAB, is to ensure human security in the Bangsamoro. Normalization helps build a society that is committed to basic human rights where individuals are free from fear of violence or crime and where long-held traditions and value continue to be honored. Human security embraces a wide range of issues that would include violation of human and civil rights, social and political injustice and impunity,' the FAB further provides.

It is for this reason that 'the MILF shall undertake a graduated program for decommissioning of its forces so that they are put beyond use.'

The GPH and the MILF signed the FAB in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on October 15, 2012.

What is Decommissioning? Decommissioning is the process of putting the weapons of the MILF beyond use and the process of allowing a smooth transition for MILF combatants to productive life which shall be parallel and commensurate with the redeployment of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and dismantling of Private Armed Groups (PAGs) and other aspects of the peace agreements.

What is the Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB)? The Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB) is the body tasked to oversee the decommissioning of the MILF weapons and forces, chaired by the expert from the Republic of Turkey with members made up of one expert each from the Kingdom of Norway and Brunei Darussalam, and four local experts jointly nominated by the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the MILF. The IDB shall conduct verification, registration, validation and inventory of weapons and forces of the MILF.

It is worth mentioning here that the word ‘surrender’ is never found in the peace agreements signed by the GPH and the MILF.

http://www.luwaran.com/news/article/1899/decommissioning-not-tantamount-to-surrendering
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MILF: TWG to prepare for smooth transfer of 63 North Cotabato Villages to BARMM

September 12, 2019, 9:14 pm
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Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Website (Sep 12, 2019): TWG to prepare for smooth transfer of 63 North Cotabato Villages to BARMM


TWG FORMATION. North Cotabato Board Member Kelly Antao speaks during the first-ever meeting on Tuesday (Sept. 10) of the Technical Working Group at the North Cotabato provincial capitol in Kidapawan City for the smooth transfer of jurisdiction of the province’s 63 villages to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. (Photo courtesy of North Cotabato PIO)
Sultan, Kudarat, Maguindanao–North Cotabato Vice Governor Emmylou Mendoza, serving as acting governor, met with BARMM representatives at the provincial Capitol in Amas, Kidapawan City on Tuesday to create the first Provincial Technical Working Group (TWG) tasked with laying down the mechanism of transition for the 63 villages from North Cotabato to BARMM, said a report by Philippine News Agency (PNA) on September 11.

Present during the meeting together with Mendoza were Provincial Interior and Local Government Officer Ali Abdullah, Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade commander, Brig. Gen. Alfredo Rosario, BARMM DILG Minister Naguib Sinarimbo, and North Cotabato municipal officials of the towns of Aleosan, Pikit, Carmen, Kabacan, Pigcawayan, and Midsayap where the 63 villages are situated, the PNA report said.

Mendoza said town mayors and their respective local government officers will regularly meet to lay down implementing guidelines for the smooth transfer of governance.

It is recalled that during the plebiscite held early this year, the 63 villages, all Muslim-majority areas in six North Cotabato towns voted for inclusion to the BARMM.

BARMM Parliament is contemplating for the enactment of a bill that would form another province with four towns comprising the 63 villages.

The creation of BARMM is contained in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) signed between the GPH and the MILF Peace Panels in 2014 leading to the passage of R.A. No. 11054 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in August 2018.

BARMM is composed of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and the cities of Cotabato, Marawi and Lamitan.

http://www.luwaran.com/news/article/1898/twg-to-prepare-for-smooth-transfer-of-63-north-cotabato-villages-to-barmm
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OPAPP: Good governance, convergence of efforts, key to ending communist insurgency

September 12, 2019, 9:18 pm
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Posted to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Website (Sep,11, 2019): Good governance, convergence of efforts, key to ending communist insurgency



SAN FERNANDO CITY, PAMPANGA — Peace can never be a singular effort. In order to achieve it, the implementation of a “Whole-of-Nation” Approach is needed.

At the heart of this approach is good governance, coupled with the dynamic participation of residents in communities. This will be the key in addressing the scourge of communist insurgency in the country.

Peace, a shared responsibility

This was the prevailing theme during the two-day “Regional Convergence Planning Workshop to Craft the Cluster Implans and Action Plans” held here at the Kingsborough International Convention Center.

“Keeping the peace is a shared responsibility, for without us having ownership of it, peace can never be achieved,” said retired Brigadier General Abraham Casis, representing the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), in his remarks during the event.



Member agencies of the 12 Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) III clusters convened to craft implementation plans (IMPLANs), which were grouped into three categories: local governance and development, legal and intelligence operations, and peace, security and justice.

The outputs of the convergence workshop will then be presented during the second meeting of the RTF-ELCAC III later in September to be attended by members of the Regional Development Council (RDC) and Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC).

“There is no more fitting time to continuously plan and implement solutions to the communist insurgency than this month, which is the Peace Month,” Casis said, adding, “Kailangan po realistic ang ating mga programa, and these programs, they will be worthless if we cannot implement them.”

The workshop also aimed to mainstream and operationalize the provisions of Executive Order No. 70 in order to harmonize the implementation of national government agencies’ programs and projects in target communities based on a Whole-of-Nation Approach.

Closing the gap

According to Director Rolando Asuncion, Regional Director for Central Luzon of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, and Deputy Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) III, the national government’s anti-communist insurgency efforts need to address two main targets.

“Ano ba ang gusto nating mangyari? Hindi ba, to end local communist armed conflict? Dalawang (components) ho ‘yun — to reduce the current threats and to prevent recruitment and recurrence of the same to close the gap (between the two), that will be the principal target of convergence,” Asuncion pointed out.

He stressed the government cannot resolve the communist insurgency by itself and needs the full support of all stakeholders.

“There is a need for solidarity and cooperation, of not only us from the bureaucracy, but among the different sectors of society,” Asuncion said.

The 12 ELCAC clusters consist of: Local Government Empowerment; Basic Services; Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment; Infrastructure and Resource Management; Sectoral Unification, Capacity-Building, Empowerment and Mobilization; International Engagement; Legal Cooperation; Situational Awareness and Knowledge Management; Strategic Communications; Local Peace Engagement; EClip/Amnesty Program, and; Peace, Law Enforcement and Development Support.

The two-day workshop was attended by representatives from the Department of Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Bureau of Investigation, National Economic Development Authority, Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Philippine Information Agency, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, National Security Council, Department of Health, Department of Finance, Department of Budget and Management, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, Philippine Coast Guard, Department of Agrarian Reform, National Irrigation Administration, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Department of National Defense, Department of Social Welfare and Development, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Department of Science and Technology, and Department of Labor and Employment. ###
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Kalinaw News: Five NPA in Zambo Norte surrenders, yields firearms and explosives

September 12, 2019, 9:21 pm
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Posted to Kalinaw News (Sep 11, 2019): Five NPA in Zambo Norte surrenders, yields firearms and explosives


Five NPA in Zambo Norte surrenders, yields firearms and explosives 1

Five NPA in Zambo Norte surrenders, yields firearms and explosives 2

CAMP SANG-ANG, Labangan, ZDS – Five members of Communist NPA Terrorist (CNT) surrendered to Army’s 97th Infantry Battalion at their Headquarters in Manukan, Zamboanga del Norte Tuesday, September 10, 2019.

“The five surrenderees also yielded one Browning automatic rifle, one M1 Garand rifle and eight anti-tank improvised explosives”, said Lt. Col. John Andrada, Battalion Commander of 97IB.

“The surrender of the five CNTs is a product of the fruitful information dissemination that encouraged them to return to folds of the law and we will help them enroll and benifit with the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the government”, he added.

Col. Leonel Nicolas, Commander of 102nd Infantry (IGSOON) Brigade who operationally controlled the 97th IB said that, “We are gaining grounds and our relentless military operation in our area pressured them to surrender”.

“With their surrender, we hoped that they can encouraged some of their comrades to follow their path for them to benefit the programs of the government”, Nicolas added.

Custodial debriefing is still ongoing as of this posting.

For his part, Maj. Gen. Roberto Ancan, the 1st Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Zampelan (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao Provinces) commander, lauded the troops and the local government for the successful surrender of the CNTs.

“The stern leadership of the RTF-ELCAC 9 and PTF-ELCAC of Zamboanga del Norte resulted into this successful surrender,” Ancan added.

“Your Army together with all the government instrumentalities and stakeholders will continue to work together in order to defeat the CNTs and to attain just and sustainable peace in Western Mindanao,” added Ancan.

Source:  102nd Infantry Brigade

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace by the Philippine Army. It provides information on the activities of Army Units nationwide in the performance of their duty of Serving the People and Securing the Land. This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
Contact us: contact@kalinawnews.com]

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Kalinaw News: MGen Dolina: Just and lasting peace is within reach with the decommissioning of RPA-ABB combatants

September 12, 2019, 9:25 pm
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Posted to Kalinaw News (Sep 11, 2019): MGen Dolina: Just and lasting peace is within reach with the decommissioning of RPA-ABB combatants

CAMP PERALTA, Jamindan, Capiz – 310 former combatants of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army – Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB) from eight Peace Development Community (PDC) sites in Western Visayas gathered at Headquarters, 3 rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division on September 08, 2019, Sunday.

MGen Dinoh Dolina, the Commander of the Army’s 3ID warmly welcomed the former rebels who are set to undergo decommissioning process starting September 16. “With the bold move of the RPA-ABB to make true to its promise to surrender their firearms and took full allegiance with the government, we are seeing that the just and lasting peace in Negros and Panay is within reach. They are now our partners in building a more progressive and developed Region 6,” MGen Dolina stressed.

As part of the decommissioning process, these former rebels will be at
Headquarters, 3ID for 2 months to undergo training that conforms military standard and will be given government issued firearms to become Special Civilian Active Auxiliary as another component in the peace and security operations in their respective localities.

RPA-ABB currently known as Kapatiran para sa Progresibong Panlipunan signed a peace agreement with the government in 2000 and though it took almost two decades for it to be realized, finally, it’s been proven that peace is not just an elusive dream but an achievable vision which can be attained through localized peace talks.

Decommissioning is one of the five components of Clarificatory Implementing Document (CID) to the 2000 Peace Agreement, formulated in consultation with the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas-Revolutionary Proletarian Army – Alex Boncayao Brigade and Kapatiran para sa Progresibong Lipunan
(RPMP/RPA/ABB-TPG/KAPATIRAN). The CID was agreed by various national government agencies.

This is a classic example of a successful localized peace talk and a breakthrough to the government’s peace campaign that manifests its sincerity of helping those who took the wrong path but chose to go back to the fold of the law.

KAPATIRAN is composed of members of the former rebel group which separated from the CPP-NPA in 1996 after denouncing Jose Maria Sison’s violent and bloody ideology. The group entered peace negotiations in 1999 and signed a peace agreement in 2000.

On March 26, a dialogue with the group was initiated by 3ID in the presence of Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Glavez Jr., where the members of the group committed to fulfill the components of the CID specifically the disposition of firearms and forces.

During the dialogue, Veronica Tabara, Chairperson of the KAPATIRAN ensured the full transformation of her members and gave assurance to continue to help the people and the government in attaining genuine peace in their communities.

In line with this, Commander, 3ID is appealing to the leaders of the other local communist groups in the region to take a cue from the RPA-ABB of talking to their government so that valid issues will be resolved in peaceful ways. “It has been proven that armed struggle is not the answer to your causes. Denounce your national leaders for they only feed you nothing but misery and poverty while they are living lavish lifestyle in the cities. Laydown your arms, return to the folds of law, talk to your government and be our partners in drawing a common solution of ending violence that affects every Filipino people,” Dolina added.


MGen Dolina: Just and lasting peace is within reach with the decommissioning of RPA-ABB combatants 1

MGen Dolina: Just and lasting peace is within reach with the decommissioning of RPA-ABB combatants 2


MGen Dolina: Just and lasting peace is within reach with the decommissioning of RPA-ABB combatants 5


Division Public Affairs Office 3rd Infantry Division Philippine Army
CPT CENON C PANCITO III (SC) PA
Chief, 3rd Division Public Affairs Office
Camp General Martin T Delgado, Fort San Pedro, Iloilo City
Contact: dpao.3idpa@gmail.com / 0917-124-1983

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace by the Philippine Army. It provides information on the activities of Army Units nationwide in the performance of their duty of Serving the People and Securing the Land. This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
Contact us: contact@kalinawnews.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/mgen-dolina-just-and-lasting-peace-is-within-reach-with-the-decommissioning-of-rpa-abb-combatants/
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Kalinaw News: Army, PNP Troops awarded in defending community post in Butuan City

September 12, 2019, 9:28 pm
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Posted to Kalinaw News (Sep 11, 2019): Army, PNP Troops awarded in defending community post in Butuan City


Army, PNP Troops awarded in defending community post in Butuan City 1

Army, PNP Troops awarded in defending community post in Butuan City 2

Bancasi, Butuan City – Col Maurito L Licudine, 402nd Brigade Commander attended on September 9, 2019 an Awarding Ceremony initiated by PRO13 in connection with the recent gallant and courageous stand of the joint forces of PNP and Army personnel in Station 5 of Butuan City Police Office (BCPO), against the undetermined number of CPP-NPA Terrorist (CNTs) believed to be members of Guerilla Front (GF) 4A of North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) on September 6, 2019 around 11:45 o’clock in the evening in Purok 5, Brgy San Mateo this city.

PRO 13 Regional Director Gilbert DC Cruz led the awarding to 19 personnel of BCPO Station 5 and Butuan City Mobile Force Company and 6 troops of 23IB under the 402nd Infantry Brigade who successfully defended their Community Post in the said Brgy.

According to Police Lieutenant Rannel Caya, BCPO Station 5 Officer In Charge, the CNTs prepositioned more than 200 meters distance from the station and conducted nuisance intermittent fires even with the presence of civilians that lasted for 5 minutes.

Commanding Officer of 23IB, Lt Col Francisclo Molina and City Director Police Colonel Albert G Magno of Butuan City Police Office (BCPO) together with Ms Joan Baker representing Hon Ronnie Vincent Lagnada, City Mayor of Butuan City also witnessed the said activity in support to the exemplary performance of the Army and PNP personnel.

Police Brigadier General Gilbert DC Cruz in his speech said, “Hindi Police station ang dinepensahan sa nangyaring insidente kundi ipinaglaban at prinotektahan nila ang mamamayan ng isang kumunidad. Ang ipinapakita dito sa seremonyang ito ay isang regular na pagkilala sa mga nagawang maganda sa pagseserbisyo. Sana ito ay mas magbigay ng inspirasyon sa inyo na ipagpatuloy ang sinumpaang tungkulin”.

Meanwhile, Col Licudine in his statement lamented that the CNTs did not even care about the welfare and safety of the people. “The CNT’s themselves are the ones exposing their true color. Putting innocent civilians in danger, with complete disregard to the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) contrary to their claim of being the “soldier of the masses.”

“We congratulate the Army and PNP personnel of BCPO Station 5 and Mobile Force Company for always being ready to defend the people and the community. We shall not let our guards down and continue to intensify our monitoring to negate similar hostile acts of the terroristic plans of the CNTs. We reiterate our call to the remaining CNT’s to lay down their arms and abandon the lost cause resulting to 50 years of fear and terror to our people and derailing progress and development in the countryside”, Col Licudine ended. The activity ended with the distribution of basketball to the children of said barangay and the traditional boodle fight together with the PNP, Army, Brgy Officials and other civilian residents.



402nd Infantry Brigade, 4th Infantry Division Philippine Army
CPT FRANCISCO P GARELLO JR (INF) PA
402nd Bde Civil Military Operations Officer
Contact Number:0915-054-3439/0948-641-6783
Add us on Facebook at: RAJAH KULAMBO (Stinger)

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace by the Philippine Army. It provides information on the activities of Army Units nationwide in the performance of their duty of Serving the People and Securing the Land. This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
Contact us: contact@kalinawnews.com]

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Kalinaw News: 6 Arrested in joint military, police operation

September 12, 2019, 9:31 pm
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Posted to Kalinaw News (Sep 11, 2019): 6 Arrested in joint military, police operation


6 Arrested in joint military, police operation 1

6 Arrested in joint military, police operation 2

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – Six were arrested in a joint military and police operation Pikit town of North Cotabato at early dawn yesterday (September 9, 2019).

The operation was conducted by Joint Task Force Central’s 7th Infantry Battalion and North Cotabato Provincial Field Unit of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-12 against the suspected criminal elements thriving in the area.

At around 2:00 a.m., the operating government troops served search warrants at Barangay Inug-ug of Pikit town and arrested 6 suspected criminals.

The suspects are tagged to be involved in gun-for-hire, car napping and extortion activities in the town and its neighboring personalities. They were identified as Toto Panares 34 yrs old, Ibrahim Guimalan, 33 yrs old, Jonathan Batunga 18 yrs old, Ibrahim Katogan, 20 yrs old, Bohari Katogan, 20 yrs, and Kus Minga, 59 yrs old, all are residents of Brgy Inug-ug who are also believed to be members of the armed lawless group.

Government authorities confiscated two M16 rifles, M1 Garand rifle – 1, homemade caliber .30 rifle, two M19 pistols, hand grenade, bolo knife, assorted magazines, and assorted ammunition.

“The arrest of this armed lawless group will help in the on-going investigation of increasing number shooting incidents and other form of criminalities in Pikit ,” said Joint Task Force Central Commander Maj. Gen. Diosdado C. Carreon.“I commend our government troops involved in the operation for their dedication in working to squeeze crime in JTF Central area of responsibility,” the Commander added.


6 Arrested in joint military, police operation 3


Division Public Affairs Office 6th Infantry Division Philippine Army
Maj Arvin G Encinas
Chief, Public Affairs Office, 6ID, PA
Camp Siongco, Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao
+6391775226469

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace by the Philippine Army. It provides information on the activities of Army Units nationwide in the performance of their duty of Serving the People and Securing the Land. This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
Contact us: contact@kalinawnews.com]

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