Key Philippine Military and Insurgency-Related Events

Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Facebook Page (Apr 14, 2020): Soldiers back relief operations in Maguindanao

Troops of the 601st Infantry Brigade backed the provincial government in the distribution of relief goods in Maguindanao.

The launching of the distribution was spearheaded by Gov. Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu at the Old Capitol Ground of the Municipality of Shariff Aguak on April 11, 2020.

The truckloads of relief goods presented will be dispatched to the different municipalities and barangays of Maguindanao for the further distribution of the relief goods to families who are severely affected by the enhance community quarantine.

In her message, Gov. Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu said, “My salute to our frontliners, the health workers, law enforcers as well as all volunteers who became part of this endeavors harnessing our efforts to contain the COVID-19 and be responsive to the needs of my constituents in the whole province."

“As public servants, it is our sole responsibility to instill awareness and enforce all guidelines in order to normalize our situation and as we join together to prevent the spread of COVID-19”, the governor added.

Said relief goods were jointly by the PLGU-Maguindanao and the AFP-PNP troops on the last week of March in response to the call of the national government relative to the declaration of state of public health emergency throughout the country.

“Your Army is on top of the situation, rendering 24/7 duties to monitor, update, and strictly enforce COVID-19 implementing guidelines on the ground to further ensure that the Maguindanao-IATFEID mandates are timely and totally imposed. Further, the 601st Infantry Brigade as IATF support-agency likewise optimize its capabilities and give full commitment in these endeavors as we go hand in hand to fight the spread of COVID-19," said Col. Joel Mamon, Officer In-Charge, 601IBde.

For the first wave of distribution, twenty-four vehicles were dispatched to distribute relief goods in the municipalities of Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Talayan, Talitay, Guindulungan, and South Upi that will aid 9,909 households of the province.

"As the national campaign says, We Heal as One, your armed forces will always be here to aid and abet the people and the government until our beloved Philippines will be totally healed from the COVID-19 crisis," said Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

"Moreover, Team WestMinCom continuously conducts military operations to ensure that peace and order in its area of operation are sustained," Lt. Gen. Sobejana added.

#AFPyoucanTRUST
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6th Infantry Division - Kampilan 601 Infantry - Unifier Brigade 602nd Liberator Brigaded 603 Persuader Brigade 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade Unang Marinong Brigada Team Tabak Joint Taskforce Basilan HARIBON TEAM Magbalantay Cmo 11 Infantry Division "Alakdan Troopers" Gagandilan Siete 1102 Infantry "ganarul" Brigade 1st BCT Aegis Kwatromarinobrigada Sulu Jtf Tawi Tawi IndomalphiJoint Task Force Zamboanga Joint Task Force Zamboanga Virtual Center Unbeatable Ranger Battalion Matatag Battalion Tow Westmin Cmo Tow Westmin Pio Naval Forces Western Mindanao Cmou Western Mindanao Katapatan Pangkatihan-Dagatan 33rd Infantry Makabayan Battalion 57th Infantry Masikap Battalion 1st Mechanized Lakan Battalion 90th Infantry Bigkis Lahi Battalion Seventh Infantry Tapat Battalion Reliablecmo R Section 6IB Redskin 37IB - Conqueror Battalion 40 Infantry "Magiting" Battalion 2nd Mechanized Infantry-MAKASAGBattalion OnlyOurBest MbltFive 38th Infantry We Clear Battalion Breathe Heart Ruel Casanes Ar-ar Galvez Afman Rosales Jr.Antriosanjh Espenida Nenea Sancus Princy Necessitas La Independencia Filipinas

https://www.facebook.com/afpwestmincom/photos/pcb.1704732283002154/1704726503002732/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/afpwestmincom/

Posted to BenarNews (Apr 14, 2020): Analyst: Pro-IS Militants in Southern Philippines to Gain from US Pullout (By Jeoffrey Maitem)

Philippine security forces prepare to clear the site of a bomb blast in Indanan, a town in southern Sulu province, June 28, 2019. Reuters

The Philippines stands to lose surveillance capability against peace “spoilers” linked to pro-Islamic State (IS) extremists in the south once a bilateral military pact with the United States expires in August, a U.S.-based security analyst said Tuesday.

President Rodrigo Duterte last month refused to reverse his position on ending the 1999 Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with Washington, in what was widely seen as a political protest after the U.S. State Department revoked an American visa for his former police chief.

“If they pull out along with the U.S. defense contractors down there, it means the Armed Forces of the Philippines is blinded,” Greg Poling, a director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think-tank, told foreign correspondents in Manila in an online news conference, referring to the volatile southern Philippines.

Duterte took the unilateral decision to terminate the VFA amid a resurgent threat in the Philippines from IS, which was largely defeated three years ago when its fighters were ousted by military force from the southern city of Marawi with American intelligence help.

“They will lose a lot of their intelligence collection and surveillance capability,” Poling said of Philippines soldiers.

That situation would be “very good news for spoilers who, all of the sudden, will find it much easier to evade because the military is blind,” he said.

Poling was talking about the Abu Sayyaf Group and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), which were among groups that backed the Marawi siege, a five-month battle in 2017 that killed around 1,200 people, most of them militants linked to IS.

BIFF is a splinter group of the former separatist group Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which has signed a peace deal with Manila and now controls a Muslim autonomous region in the south. BIFF did not officially join the siege in Marawi, but some of its members launched deadly diversionary attacks elsewhere in the Philippine south to divert military attention from that city, authorities said.

“The biggest driver of stability in Mindanao is going to be the consolidation of Bangsamoro and how much they implement the framework agreement,” Poling said, referring to the autonomous region governed by MILF for the past year.

Manila’s termination of VFA came after Duterte became angered by Washington’s decision to revoke a visa for his former national police chief, Ronald dela Rosa, who is now a senator.

The pact had allowed for large-scale joint military exercises between the two longtime allies after the U.S. vacated two of its largest overseas military installations – the Subic Bay Naval Base and Clark Air Base, both located northwest of Manila – in the 1990s.

Poling noted that Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana had recently talked about the success of a military raid in the south in 2015 that was launched with U.S. intelligence help and led to the killing of Malaysian bomb maker Zulkifli bin Hir (also known as Marwan).

While 44 elite police commandos were killed during the raid after a miscommunication with MILF forces, military officials still considered it a win as security forces took out one of Southeast Asia’s most-wanted terrorists.

“Those kind of operation will be impossible,” in the future without the VFA, Poling said. “The two biggest winners of the termination of VFA is China and Abu Sayyaf.”

Manila meanwhile is locked in a maritime territorial dispute with Beijing, which claims most of the mineral-rich South China Sea, including areas that reach the shores of its smaller neighbors. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan also have overlapping claims to the sea region.

https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/philippine/philippines-militants-04142020132756.html

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 15, 2020): Army lieutenant who died on Holy Week negative for Covid-19 (By Priam Nepomuceno)

2nd Lt. Vince Magbanua. (Photo courtesy of PMA Alab-Tala Class of 2018 Facebook page)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced that 2nd Lt. Vince Magbanua, who passed away last week in Bulacan after experiencing difficulty in breathing, tested negative for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

"We wish to announce that the late Army 2nd Lt. Vince Magbanua’s test for Covid-19 infection yielded negative per RITM (Research Institute for Tropical Medicine) test," AFP spokesperson Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said in a message to reporters late Tuesday.

Magbanua, 24, was a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 2018. He was assigned as a platoon leader and executive officer of the weapons company of the Headquarters Service Battalion, 48th Infantry Battalion based in Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan.

He was declared dead on arrival at the Norzagaray Municipal Hospital on Holy Wednesday where he was rushed after complaining of severe difficulty in breathing.

Magbanua's remains were cremated at the Bernard de Guzman Funeral and Crematory in Barangay Sta. Clara, Sta. Maria, Bulacan on Maundy Thursday.

His brother, 2nd Lt. Vico Magbanua, represented his family during the cremation rites.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1099870

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 15, 2020): NCIP condemns slay of unarmed tribal militiaman in Surigao Sur (By Alexander Lopez)

KILLED UNARMED. Soldiers and villagers load onto a military vehicle the dead body of Estar Behing, 34, a government militiaman who was killed by armed men believed to be members of communist New People’s Army in San Miguel, Surigao del Sur, on Tuesday (April 14, 2020). Authorities condemned the killing, as they called on human rights advocates to investigate the rebels' latest atrocity. (Photo courtesy of 36th IB, Army)

The National Commission on Indigenous People in Caraga Region (NCIP-13) condemned the killing of an unarmed militiaman believed to be perpetrated by the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in San Miguel, Surigao del Sur.

In a statement Wednesday, acting NCIP-13 Director Marlon P. Bosantog, said Wilson Estar Behing, 34, of the Manobo tribe, and member of Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU), was killed Tuesday while he was clearing weeds on his farm to prepare for planting in Sitio Baroboan, Barangay Carromata, San Miguel.

“As our world continues to plunge into the uncertainty brought about by the unrelenting assault of the Covid-19 (Coronavirus Disease) pandemic, the CPP-NPA-NDF is also doing its best, as it has always done, to sow chaos and terror throughout our country,” Bosantog said, referring to the Communist Party of the Philippines, the NPA's mother organization, and the National Democratic Front, the rebel movement's political arm.

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

Reports said the victim was killed in front of his children. His body was retrieved the following day at about 9:30 a.m.

“Our farmers are indispensable front-liners in the fight against this pandemic," he said. "Our indigenous cultural communities are significant sources of our food supply. Let them plant and harvest, so that you (NPA) have something to steal."

CPP-NPA-NDF members, he added, are ransacking and snatching relief goods in Samar intended for the people with the direst of needs.

“This terrorist group is also extorting food supplies and relief goods from farmers all over our country,” he said, adding that last week they gunned down and killed Ildefonso Tobias, a farmer in Samar, while he was is tilling his fields.

A week before, they killed a Manobo tribal chieftain.

“To the CPP-NPA-NDF and to all your legal fronts, I beg you the impossible. Stop killing our farmers. Stop killing our indigenous peoples. Even the worst of evils must know reason,” Bosantog said.

Farmers, he said. are indispensable frontlines in the fight against this pandemic while indigenous cultural communities are significant sources of our food supply.

“Let them plant and harvest, so that you have something to steal. I understand you go hungry, too. Stop killing them and we will not speak of how a self-styled anti-government organization is living on stolen relief goods from the same government,” he added.

He assured fellow farmers and indigenous brothers and sisters that they will never be just victims, or survivors of Covid-19 and the CPP-NPA-NDF virus, but will be triumphant conquerors.

“Just as the human spirit has never seen defeat, Our Nation, we as People, with the blessings of the earth in our Indigenous Cultural Communities, with hope and resiliency, with grace from our One God of many names, be it Kabunian or Magbabaya, we will emerge triumphant. And we will be here to witness the CPP-NPA-NDF draw its dying breaths,” he added.

The police and military also condemned the killing.

“We condemn this act of the NPA considering that the victim was attending to his farm for a living. He only has in his hand's farm tools,” said Col. James Goforth, chief of the Surigao Del Sur Provincial Police Office.

He said the victim died on the spot while the perpetrators immediately fled towards the mountainous portions of Barangay Carromata.

The relatives of the victim were not able to immediately report the incident to authorities due to fear as they believed some NPA members were still in the area, he said.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Army's 36th Infantry Battalion said Behing was killed by rebels believed to be members of Platoon 2, Sub-Region Sentro de Grabidad 2130 of the NPA's North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee.

“It is very clear that the CNTs (communist NPA terrorists) showed their true identities as murderers and butchers,” said Lt. Col. Jezreel Diagmel, 36IB commander.

Diagmel also called on human rights advocates to investigate the NPA's apparent violation of the International Humanitarian Law.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1099958

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 15, 2020): NPA supply officer nabbed in Davao Oro (By Che Palicte)

Google map of Mabini town, Davao de Oro.

Government troops arrested a supply officer of the communist New People's Army (NPA) in the Davao de Oro town of Mabini on Monday morning, an official said Wednesday.

2Lt. Kim Carlos, civil-military operations officer of the Army's 71st Infantry Battalion (71IB), identified the arrested rebel as Samuel Elemino Jr., supply officer of the NPA's "weakened" Guerrilla Front 2 operating in the Davao de Oro towns of Mawab, Maco, Mabini, and Pantukan.

Carlos attributed Elemino's arrest in Barangay Cadunan, Mabini, to the heightened enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

“Prior to his (Elemino) apprehension, the tribesmen in the area already reported to us their presence in their ancestral domain,” Carlos told Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Wednesday.

According to Carlos, the AFP and PNP recently formed a Covid-19 joint defense patrol following reports from civilians that the NPA continued to terrorize locals in the hinterlands, often extorting money and vital food supplies from residents.

For instance, he recalled that villagers in Mabini and Pantukan towns complained of the rebels' presence, forcing them to abandon their crops and seeking refuge in other areas.

Carlos said Elemino has standing warrants of arrest for robbery with homicide and multiple attempted murders issued in 2018 by a regional court in Nabunturan, Davao de Oro. No bail has been recommended for his temporary liberty.

According to Carlos, Elemino was also involved in the armed encounter with Army’s 46IB in 2018 and with 71IB in April 2019, in Mabini.

Lt. Col. Sonny Gonzales, 71IB commander, vowed the Army will "thwart evil plans of the CNTs (communist NPA terrorists)" that would disrupt the government's effort to address the Covid-19 pandemic.

As of this posting, Elemino is in the custody of the PNP while the 71IB said they are trying to find ways to provide financial assistance to the rebel's family.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1099956

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 15, 2020): Air Force buys veggies for poor families in Manila (By Liza Agoot)

VEGETABLES FOR DONATION. The Philippine Air Force (PAF) led by team leader Capt. Edward Licnachan is transporting 16 tons of assorted vegetables bought from farmers in Benguet which will be donated to the poor families in Manila affected by a recent fire. Some of the vegetables would be distributed to indigents in Metro Manila affected by the enhanced community quarantine. (PNA photo by Liza T. Agoot)

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The Philippine Air Force (PAF), through its civil-military operations office, has purchased more than 13 tons of assorted vegetables from farmers here for distribution to poor families in Metro Manila affected by the enhanced community quarantine.

The PAF also got three more tons, mostly carrots, from the farmers as part of their donation.

Capt. Edward Licnachan, PAF team leader, said on Wednesday they decided to buy the vegetables after seeing a social media posting showing farmers already disposing of their produce due to the minimal number of buyers.

“Nabuo ang idea noong nanggaling ako sa Ifugao at nag uwi ako sa Manila ng gulay tapos nakita pa namin mga post na nagtatapon ng gulay ang mga farmer kasi nabubulok kaya naisip namin na tulungan ang farmers at the same time, makatulong sa mga mamamayan sa Manila (The idea was conceptualized when I brought with me vegetables from Ifugao and matched with what we saw on social media where farmers have been throwing their vegetables as they were rotting. We thought of helping the farmers at the same time, help Manila residents),” said Licnachan, also a native of Mayaoyao town in Ifugao.

He said the money came from the PAF community relations fund and the cash donations they received to buy the vegetables.

“We are bringing it to Villamor where it will be repacked and will be donated to the residents in areas where there were fire incidents,” Licnachan said.

He said they will also bring to Binondo, Baseco and if there are still remaining vegetables, they will give to front-liners and to the hospital personnel who lead the fight against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19)

“Marami po tayong mapagbibigyan (There are many we can give these vegetables to),” he said.

He said it is the first time they are doing the said community relations activity, hitting two birds with one stone- helping the farmers and aiding the victims.

He said they might have succeeding trips, especially if there are donors.

Agot Balanoy, public relations officer of the league of associations at La Trinidad Trading areas and the Benguet farmers' marketing cooperative head, said they were contacted by the PAF about buying vegetables and give them as donations.

“Of the 16 tons, they bought about 80 percent composed of assorted vegetables and we added about three tons mostly carrots,” she said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1099917

From the Philippine Information Agency (Apr 15, 2020): Army distributes rice in Dinalupihan (By Mar Jay delas Alas)

BALANGA CITY, April 15 (PIA) -- The 48th Infantry Battalion (48IB) distributed Tuesday sacks of rice to residents of Barangay Pita in Dinalupihan town.

In a statement, 703rd Brigade Commander Col. Andrew Costelo said 932 families received the rice as aid during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) period.

Personnel of the 48IB delivered each sack, which is equivalent to 25 kilos, house-to-house in coordination with the municipal and barangay officials.

48th Infantry Battalion delivers sacks of rice to 932 families in Barangay Pita of Dinalupihan, Bataan. (48th Infantry Battalion)

Costelo extended gratitude to the municipal government of Dinalupihan for their assistance and asked residents to abide rules being implemented in their area.

“The efforts of our different local government units are superb in order to satisfy needs of the deprived especially that we are in the middle of ECQ. With this, we ask the public to just stay home and strictly follow ECQ protocols,” Costelo stressed. (CLJD/MJSD-PIA 3)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1039070

From the Philippine Information Agency (Apr 15, 2020): Tagalog News: 84IB, tumulong sa mga mahihirap na pamilya sa San Jose (By Camille C. Nagano)

LUNGSOD NG SAN JOSE, Abril 15 (PIA) -- Nasa 75 pamilya ang binigyang ayuda ng mga kasundaluhan ng 84th Infantry Battalion o 84IB sa lungsod ng San Jose.

Ayon kay 84IB Commander Lieutenant Colonel Honorato Pascual Jr., sa pamamagitan ng munting gawain ay hangad ng hanay na makatulong sa mga higit na nangangailangan lalo ngayong nakararanas ng krisis dulot ng coronavirus disease.

Patuloy aniyang maaasahan ang pagtulong, paghahatid serbisyo at pagtupad sa sinumpaang tungkulin ng mga kasundaluhan.

Ang pamamahagi ng mga kasundaluhan ng 84th Infantry Battalion ng mga food packs sa mga higit na nangangailangang mamamayan ng lungsod San Jose. (84th Infantry Battalion)

Kabilang sa mga nakatanggap ng food packs ang mga residente ng Zone-6 Barangay Sto. Niño II na naglalaman ng apat na kilong bigas, isang buong manok, mga de lata, tig-isang bote ng bagoong at mantika.

Pinuri naman ni 7th Infantry Division Commander Brigadier General Alfredo Rosario Jr. ang gampaning ito ng mga kasundaluhan na nag-ambag ambag mula sa sariling sweldo upang makatulong sa mga nangangailangang nasasakupan.

Kaniya ding hinihikayat ang mga kapwa kasundaluhan sa mga kagayang inisyatibong magbigay tulong sa abot ng makakaya. (CLJD/CCN-PIA 3)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1039079

From the Philippine Information Agency (Apr 15, 2020): Tagalog News: Army, GMA Foundation namahagi ng relief goods sa Meycauayan (By Vinson F. Concepcion)

LUNGSOD NG MALOLOS, Abril 15 (PIA) -- Nagsagawa ng Operation Bayanihan ang mga sundalo ng 48th Infantry Battalion o 48IB at GMA Kapuso Foundation sa barangay Malhacan sa lungsod ng Meycauayan.

Ayon kay 48IB Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Felix Emeterio Valdez, layunin nito na matugunan ang mga pangunahing pangangailangan ng mga residente habang umiiral ang Enhanced Community Quarantine.

Nagsagawa ng Operation Bayanihan ang mga sundalo ng 48th Infantry Battalion at GMA Kapuso Foundation sa barangay Malhacan sa lungsod ng Meycauayan. (48th Infantry Battalion)

May 650 pamilya o katumbas na 2,600 indibidwal ang nabigyan ng mga relief goods. Bawat isa ay naglalaman ng dalawang kilong bigas, isang loaf bread, isang pakete na may walong slices na frozen chicken, sampung pirasong instant noodles, walong lata ng sardinas, apat na pakete ng seasoning, isang dosenang kape, biscuit at anim na pirasong sabon.

Kasama sa nakibahagi sa naturang aktibidad ang iba’t ibang kumpanya gaya ng Ajinamoto, Jollibee Food Corporation, Gardenia, Kopiko at Vouno Trading and Marketing. (CLJD/VFC-PIA 3)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1039036

From the Philippine Information Agency (Apr 15, 2020): PH Army deploys new troops in Quarantine Assistance Stations in Metro Manila borders (By Rhodelia R. Divina)

Philippine Army deploys personnel to Quarantine Assistance Stations to ensure safety and security during the implementation of the Luzon-wide Enhanced Community Quarantine. (Photo by Philippine Army)

CALOOCAN CITY, April 15 (PIA)--The Philippine Army deployed a new set of troops that will man the Quarantine Assistance Stations (QAS) in the border of Metro Manila starting yesterday, April 14.

Soldiers from the 92nd Infantry Battalion will take over the QAS after the troops from the Army Security Escort Battalion (SEBn) manned the Luzon checkpoints for 30 days.

A total of 150 Army personnel were deployed in QAS, Metro Manila at Mc Arthur Highway, Barangay Malanday, Valenzuela City; Camachile, Caloocan; Smart Connect Interchange, Mindanao Avenue, Valenzuela City.

SEBn troops, upon return to Ft Bonifacio underwent decontamination procedure at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani. After which, they will proceed to designated quarantine stations inside Army Headquarters and Army Wellness Center for their 14-day quarantine.

“The Philippine Army will continue its mission in the protection of our communities against the threat of Covid-19 by deploying more troops to ensure safety and security during the ECQ,” Army Spokesperson Col Ramon Zagala said.

“We assure our soldiers that we will provide them with appropriate health assistance as they undergo their quarantine period,” Zagala added. (PH Army/PIA-NCR)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1039054

Posted to Kalinaw News (Apr 15, 2020): Army assists Surigao City distribute Cash Assistance under Social Amelioration Program (SAP) in SurNor (By 4th Infantry Division)

Placer, Surigao del Norte- The Philippine Army’s 30th Infantry Python Battalion (30IB) assisted Surigao City LGU release Cash Assistance under the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) from April 11-13, 2020 to qualified families of eleven Island barangays of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte.

Surigao City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) headed by Ms. Gloria Salvador, facilitated the release of the SAP cash assistance amounting to P5,000 to P8,000 to 1,008 qualified beneficiaries from eleven island barangays of Surigao City on 11-13 April 2020. The SAP cash assistance distribution to the rest of the barangays of the City will be done thereafter. Said activity was assisted by 30IB together with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine National Police (PNP) and Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP).

This social amelioration program from the national government aims to provide cash assistance to qualified beneficiaries to help them mitigate the effects of the dreadful Corona Virus Disease 19 (Covid-19) pandemic. Target beneficiaries of the SAP are low-income earning families or those on subsistence economy or workers in the informal economy, and with members belonging to the vulnerable sector, assessed to be the most affected by the declaration of Enhanced Community Quarantine given their existing life situations or circumstances.

Lt. Col. Jeffrey A Villarosa, Commanding Officer of 30IB said, “Our government, from the national to the barangay level, are closely working so that help will timely reach the rightful beneficiries, those who are most affected by this Covid-19 pandemic. As for the SAP, the Social Welfare and Development Officers are the focal persons in its implementation. To ensure the success of the distribution of cash assistance, your AFP and PNP, as well as other government agencies, will always jointly work with the Social Welfare personnel of the LGUs.”

“It is everyone’s desire to keep our province, our communities Covid19-free. As we speak, Surigao del Norte and the Province of Dinagat Islands are Covid19-free. Let us keep it this way. Our government is doing all it can to end this health emergency. SAP is among the programs of our government to help us endure this emergency. It is important that all will contribute so that we will finally end this emergency. With everyone’s cooperation, we will heal as one,” Villarosa ended.

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

https://www.kalinawnews.com/army-assists-surigao-city-distribute-cash-assistance-under-social-amelioration-program-sap-in-surnor/

Posted to Kalinaw News (Apr 15, 2020): NPA member nabbed in Davao de Oro amid COVID-19 crisis (By 10th Infantry Division)

Mawab, Davao de Oro – Supply Officer of the Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs) was successfully apprehended as the AFP-PNP jointly conducted active defense patrol in connection with the implementation of Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) for COVID-19 in Brgy Cadunan, Mabini, Davao de Oro, Monday morning.

Former rebels who were once with him affirmed that the apprehended CNT is Samuel T Elemino Jr @SAM, resident of Sitio Bonglas, Brgy Cabuyoan, Mabini, by. Sam is a supply officer of the Weakened Guerilla Front 2 (WGF2) of the NPA which operates in the municipalities of Mawab, Maco, Mabini and Pantukan all of Davao de Oro.

Sam was apprehended by virtue of his warrants of arrest for his crimes of robbery with homicide and multiple attempted murder with case numbers 7063 and 6966 respectively all issued in 2018 by Regional Trial Court Branch 3, Nabunturan, Compostela Valley (now Davao de Oro) with no bail bond recommended.

Samuel was involved in an armed encounter with Army’s 46th Infantry Battalion (46IB) sometime in 2018 and with 71IB in April 2019 all in the municipality of Mabini, Davao de Oro.

Joint active defense patrol was launched by 71IB and Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) of the Police in relation to the strict implementation of ECQ for COVID-19 following the reports from civilians that CNTs continued to terrorize locals in the hinterlands forcing them to give and buy food and other supplies for the rebels.

Tribal members in the municipality of Maco and Mabini earlier complained that those rebels trespassed into their ancestral domains which negatively affected the livelihood of the tribesmen.

It can be recalled that last week, locals in the hinterlands of Brgy Golden Valley and Cadunan both of Mabini and barangays of Tagdangua and Tibagon of Pantukan, were so afraid of NPA rebels’ presence in their farms forcing the locals to abandon their crops and find safe refuge in the nearest purok halls. The populace already suffered from the peril brought by COVID-19 pandemic but graver peril by the CNTs’ exploitation and abuse. “We were already at the mercy of the virus but suffered even more as the hungry rebels kept asking food forcibly and ransacked others who did not gave them the favor,” locals said in their language.

The rebels’ continued terrors upon the farmers instigated the locals to report and seek the help of the 71IB which led to an armed encounter last April 7 resulting in the recovery of high powered firearms and significant amount of medical supplies and paraphernalia among others and the death of 2 high ranking members of the CNTs who fired upon the approaching troops of 71IB and RMFB. One cadaver was recovered on the day of the clash belongs to @Asthro, (Julius Aquaiatan Jr) who was recruited at a minor age of 17 and became a child warrior as medic of WGF2, one of the fronts of Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC) of the NPA. The other cadaver was that of @Neby (Benjamin Olvis) and was found on a cliff near the encounter site after 2 days of the incident when he was abandoned by his fellow NPA rebels despite his more than 30 years of service to the rebellion. He was barely 15 years old when he was recruited, another child warrior of the NPA who later became the chief of the regional medical bureau of SMRC. The 71IB in coordination with the local government units of Pantukan and Mabini and provincial government of Davao de Oro accorded decent burials to the deceased NPA members and extended small assistance to the bereaved families.

Lieutenant Colonel Sonny E Gonzales, Commanding Officer of 71IB, was elated as the unit successfully prevented CNTs’ hostile plans of ridiculing the effort of the government in its measures against COVID-19. “We will continue to successfully hamper evil plans of the CNTs that would malign the united effort of our fellowmen in easing out from the virus pandemic. Much more that local populace are now very active in providing us real-time information, an indication that rebels significantly lost the support of the exploited locals who were tired of being deceived by CNTs false ideology,” he added.

All barangays and tribal council of the municipality of Mawab, Mabini and Pantukan and many barangays of Maco have declared the CPP-NPA-NDF as persona non grata since last year and pledged not to support them in any form.

As of this writing, Sam is at the custody of PNP. Meanwhile, 71IB lobbies whatever assistance may be extended to Sam’s family.

https://www.kalinawnews.com/npa-member-nabbed-in-davao-de-oro-amid-covid-19-crisis/

Posted to Kalinaw News (Apr 15, 2020): EMC encourages starving NPA to surrender amid COVID-19 (By 10TH INFANTRY DIVISION)

NSFA, Panacan, Davao City – Amidst the crisis brought about by the COVID-19, MGen. Jose C. Faustino Jr., the Commander of Eastern Mindanao Command (EMC) challenges the starving members of the New Peoples Army (NPA) to surrender and avail the Government’s Enhanced Local Integration Program and other Social Programs instead of harassing communities and grabbing their relief goods.

“Instead of harassing and gabbing the relief goods of the communities and adding to their misery, it is better for the NPA members to surrender and avail the Government’s Enhanced Local Integration Program and other Government Social Programs. We have a caring government that attends to the need of every citizen of this country in times of crisis,” MGen. Faustino Jr. said.

The challenge came after troops under the EMC figured in series of encounters after responding to reports that several members of the NPA are harassing the communities in Barangay Cuyago, Jabonga, Agusan Del Norte on April 13, 2020, and in Barangay Mahan-ub, Baganga, Davao Oriental on April 11, 2020. Previously, an encounter also transpired in Barangay Tagdangwa, Pantukan, Davao De Oro on April 7, 2020, after an AFP-PNP Inter-Agency group responded to a reported NPA extortion in the said area.

Relatedly, MGen. Faustino Jr. in his directive lauded the efforts of the different units in Eastern Mindanao in supporting the different LGUs in their initiatives against COVID-19. He also reminded them of their task in securing the communities from the terroristic acts of lawless armed groups.

“Let us continue to support the Local Government initiatives and programs to prevent the spread of the virus and mitigate its social and economic impact without compromising the security of our communities from possible terroristic acts,” MGen. Faustino Jr. directed.

https://www.kalinawnews.com/emc-encourages-starving-npa-to-surrender-amid-covid-19/

Posted to Kalinaw News (Apr 15, 2020): NPA kills another militiamen in SurSur town (By 4th Infantry Division)

Tago, Surigao del Sur, Apr 15 – The Communist NPA Terrorist (CNT) has brutally killed another militiaman in San Miguel town, this province, yesterday April 14, 2020.

The victim was identified as CAA Wilson Behing, 34 years old a resident So Lamesa, Brgy Carromata, San Miguel, SDS who is rendering duty at Bitaugan PB, Brgy Bitaugan, San Miguel. SDS. CAA Behing was murdered by more or less 5 NPAs believe to be a member of Platoon 2, Sub-Region Sentro de Grabidad (SRSDG) 2130 of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC).

In an initial investigation, CAA Behing came from San Miguel Municipal hall because he gets the 5k assistance as beneficiary of Social Amelioration Program (SAP), upon his return to his residence at Sitio Lamesa, Brgy Carromata he was shot and stabbed that resulted to his untimely death. CAA Behing suffered multiple gunshot wounds and stabbed wounds on the different parts of his body.

Based on the Art 4, Part IV of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL): Civilian population and civilians shall be treated as such and shall be distinguished from combatants and, together with their property, shall not be the object of attack. This is another history of the Communist NPA Terrorist disrespect of the International Humanitarian Law and human rights law. The killing of innocent civilians without armed is a war crime and a crime against humanity.

It is also very clear that the communist NPA Terrorist is not sincere on their declaration of ceasefire against the government, it can be noted that the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) has announced a ceasefire from March 26 to April 15 to allow the government to focus on its fight against the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country. But the CNTs are taking advantage of the ceasefire to target vulnerable and innocent civilians to cause fear on the communities to support their futile cause.

In his statement, Lt Col Jezreel Diagmel, Commanding Officer of 36th Infantry (Valor) Battalion vehemently deplores the brutal killings of the CAA Behing who just want to bring the government support to his family amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is very clear that the CNTs showed their true identity of being a murderer and butcher. This is a manifestation of a war crime and a crime against humanity,” Army Official Added.

“I call on the human rights advocate again to investigate on this matter and give justice to the families of the victim,” Lt Col Diagmel ended.

Meanwhile, troops of 36IB proceeded to the area and retrieved the cadaver and immediately transported to San Miguel MPS for post mortem examination and proper investigation.

Posted to Kalinaw News (Apr 15, 2020): Six members of BIFF operating in Maguindanao lay down their firearms and returned to the Fold of Law (By 6th Infantry Division)

Camp Siongco, Maguindanao – Amidst the occurrence of COVID-19, the 601st Brigade under the Joint Task Force Central continues its intensified collaboration with the local leaders in the area to entice lawless terror armed groups to lay down their firearms and return to the fold of the law. By embracing the way to peace, these lawless elements can contribute to the efforts of the government in fighting the spread of COVID-19 in the whole province.

Relative to this, another six (6) members of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF) under Bungos faction submitted themselves to 33rd Infantry Battalion and abandoned their worthless struggle under the extremist terrorist ideology on April 13, 2020 at about 10 o’clock this morning. Among the surrenderers were; Naldo Babalay, Nashrudin Kanapia, Abil Kusain, Dok Adam, Alamansa Manampad and Antok Pendatun. As a show of sincerity, they brought along with them the following high powered firearms: two (2) M14 rifles, one (1) cal .30 sniper rifle, one cal .50 sniper rifle, and two (2) M79 grenade launchers.

It was learned that through genuine commitment and comprehensive livelihood programs that were extended by the government to the previous surrenderers within the 601st Infantry Brigade area of operation, said individuals were convinced to lay their firearms and live a normal life together with their families.

“We expect a continuous influx of surrenderers in the unit area of operation as we sustain our campaign against the terrorist armed groups in collaboration with the different stakeholders in the area. We acknowledge the support of the local leaders in this period of crisis”, said by Lt. Col. Elmer M. Boongaling, the commanding officer of 33rd Infantry battalion.

It has been perceived that incessant numbers of terror armed groups from Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter and Dawlah Islamiah Turaiffe Group surrendered in 601st Infantry Brigade during the period of 1st quarter CY 2020 as the brigade continues to carry out its mandated mission in the unit area of responsibility notwithstanding the current fight against COVID19. The Bde’s effort is in consonance with the guidance set by Maj. Gen Diosdado C. Carreon, Commander, JTFC that JTFC shall be able to effectively fight in two fronts; fighting against COVID19 and fighting for peace in Central Mindanao in support to the lead agencies of the government.

Col. Joel Q. Mamon, OIC, 601IBde said, “With this challenging situation brought about by the pandemic, it is our duties and responsibilities to sustain the peace and order in the area while we work together to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Maguindanao province”.

“Our desire is to persuade the BIFF members in the area, change their perspective and ideology in accordance with the true Islamic beliefs as we harness our efforts among the local officials and religious leaders”, he added.

Meanwhile, the surrenderers will undergo the custodial debriefing and processing and they will be endorsed to the provincial government of Maguindanao for appropriate livelihood assistance. The mentioned firearms were at the Headquarters 33IB for safekeeping and proper disposition.”

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

https://www.kalinawnews.com/six-members-of-biff-operating-in-maguindanao-lay-down-their-firearms-and-returned-to-the-fold-of-law/

Posted to Kalinaw News (Apr 15, 2020): Army Captures 6 CNTs, Rescues 3 Minors in Agusan del Norte (By 4th Infantry Division)

CABADBARAN CITY, Agusan del Norte- After a series of encounters with the Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs) due to their violation of the unilateral ceasefire last April 13, 2020, the troops of the 29th Infantry (MATATAG) Battalion captured 6 CNT personalities and rescued 3 minors on the same day at Barangay Cuyago, Jabonga, Agusan del Norte.

The said CNT captured personalities were identified as Seljun A. Amol, 24y/o who was recognized by a former rebel (FR) as a former member of Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda (SYP) 16A and who is not in active combat but is currently serving as a recruiter of the youth to join the NPA; Junrell E. Balbero, 24 y/o, one of the target personalities in Brgy. Baleguian tagged as a youth organizer and has a direct link with alias @Gab, who is the Political Instructor of SYP16A; Jainie A. Alatraca, 21y/o, who has a brother who is a former NPA member, who has also taken a noncombat role since late 2015, her parents were also active mass supporters/couriers in Brgy Jaliobong; Jhon T. Sayson, 21y/o, the leader of the newly recruited NPAs; Cristine P. Baghocan, 19 y/o; and James Jusua B. Amolo, 19y/o. All are recruits and attendees of the CNTs’ teach-in while three minors aged 17 y/o were also identified and rescued.

The CNTs have been recruiting minors for some time and have continued their recruitment activities despite the Covid 19 pandemic. The military has unceasingly condemned the CNTs’ recruitment of minors as combatants to join their armed struggle against the government. This strategy of the communist terrorists is a manifestation of their complete disregard for the rights of the minors as well as a violation of the provisions of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and the Republic Act 7610 (Special Protection of Children against Abuse Exploitation and Discrimination Act).

According to Lt. Col. Isagani O. Criste, Commanding Officer of 29IB,” We can see how selfish and insensitive these NPAs are. That while everyone is exerting all their best efforts to solve problems related to the COVID-19 pandemic, these NPAs are busy persisting in their evil deeds recruiting people including minors. Is this what they call assistance to these people? They are deceiving young minds and leading them to a desolate and desperate life.”

“I do not know how many times we need to plead for the people to stop believing the NPAs’ lies. But I am sure of one thing, that we will never get tired of fulfilling our duty to protect our land and our people against the deadly virus that are these NPAs. And we will make sure that, like the scientists and doctors who are targeting the destruction of the pandemic virus, we will also destroy these NPAs if they do not put an end to their evil machinations. So, to all who are still blinded and are in the snares of the NPA’s chain of death, surrender now before it’s too late,” Criste boldly uttered.

The captured CNT personalities were presented to Hon. Napoleon M. Montero, the Municipal Mayor of Jabonga and then brought to the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office for inquest proceedings, where they were charged with multiple attempted murder and violation of RA 9516. They were then detained at Jabonga Municipal Police Station while the three rescued minors were confined at the Provincial Social Welfare and Development (PSWD) of Agusan Del Norte facilities at Bahay Pag- Asa in the Municipality of Tubay and Home for the Girls in Butuan City.

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

https://www.kalinawnews.com/army-captures-6-cnts-rescues-3-minors-in-agusan-del-norte/

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 14, 2020): Report on relentless counterinsurgency operations by AFP and PNP during Covid-19 ceasefire

COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES

MARCO VALBUENA

CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER

APRIL 14, 2020

In the past 25 days, units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) have conducted relentless counterinsurgency operations across the country. Fascist troops continue to conduct combat, psywar and intelligence operation exposing the Duterte regime’s sham ceasefire declaration issued on March 16 and effective until April 15 purportedly to concentrate on the Covid-19 crisis.

Based on field reports and public statements issued by various units of the New People’s Army (NPA) and Party committees, AFP and PNP offensive operations have been carried out in at least 216 villages in 104 towns and 31 provinces across the country since March 17. Further details are still being gathered.

The provinces with the most number of affected barangays are Bukidnon, Quezon, Negros Occidental, Zamboanga del Sur, Sorsogon, Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga Sibugay, Palawan, Davao de Oro, Abra, Western Samar, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Zamboanga del Norte, Occidental Mindoro and Oriental Mindoro.

Units of the AFP have been conducting combat operations targeting NPA units in their encampments. These armed offensives have resulted in at least 13 armed clashes between the AFP and NPA in Malaybalay City, Mt. Kitanglad and Kabasalan in Bukidnon; Pantukan, Davao de Oro; Baganga, Davao Oriental; Lambunao, Iloilo; Gumaca, Mulanay and San Narciso in Quezon; Rodriguez, Rizal; Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur; and in Kabasalan and Siay in Zamboanga Sibugay.

Despite the AFP’s insistence that these armed clashes are NPA violations of its own ceasefire, their own spot reports and media statements point to the contrary, as their units admit to mounting “security patrols” and “pursuit operations.” The NPA units attacked were on defensive mode and where either at rest, doing mass work, or busy preparing materials and supplies and training for mass campaigns.

In addition to the offensive combat operations, the AFP also conducted at least five aerial bombing and artillery shelling operations on March 17, March 24 and March 27-29 in Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro and Bukidnon provinces, all in the island of Mindanao. Reports in Bukidnon indicate that the AFP dropped several rounds of 500-pound bombs which caused widespread trauma among the residents in nearby villages and damage to the environment which serve as sources of food and livelihood of the local Lumad peasants.

On the pretext of conducting Covid-19 related activites, AFP troops roam civilian communities, set up checkpoints, prohibit people from buying food and other necessities, prevent peasants from tending to their crops, forcibly enter people’s homes, accuse them of being armed fighters or NPA supporters, and compel them to “cooperate” lest they remain in the military’s “list.” There have been several incidents of arrests of peasants, including the detention of 11 Lumad farmers in Pantukan town, as well as the arrest of a 71-year old local peasant leader Proceso Torralba in Butuan City, accused of being an NPA member. In Laguna, scores of peasants rounded up from Kalayaan and Cavinti towns, as well as from General Nakar, Quezon, were rounded up and paraded as “surrenderees.”

In addition to complaints against harassments and intimidation, village residents have raised concerns that these soldiers who come from different places do not wear face masks or any protective gear raising the probability of spreading Covid-19 among the hinterland villages. They also question why the Duterte government has deployed armed soldiers to their villages, instead of mobilizing, training and equiping local health officials and health workers to manage and prevent the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

NPA units across the country have observed the March 25-April 15 ceasefire declaration issued by the Party Central Committee, in response to the call of the United Nations Secretary General for a global ceasefire. They have refrained from mounting attacks against the counterinsurgency troops of the AFP and PNP, although always alert to give battle to defend themselves and the masses.

Despite the AFP counterinsurgency operations, units of the NPA, in partnership with the health committees of the local peasant organizations were able to mount a still continuing public health campaign in order to help the people implement measures to prevent the spread of the Covid-19.

Some units have successfully mounted mass clinics where NPA medics and local health workers conducted medical check-ups, treated common ailments, gave care and advise to the elderly and pregnant women, and conducted seminars to raise the people’s awareness of the disease. This campaign is well received by the masses because they are empowered and encouraged to take the necessary action, instead of being paralyzed by fear of the virus.

There are also plans to carry out a widespread campaign to raise food production, as well as push for the just demands of peasants to lower land rent or have it temporarily waived, lower interest rates and cancel debts, raise farm wages and demand fair prices for farm produce, as well as other agrarian reforms. This campaign has become of great urgency as food shortages in some parts of the country become imminent as a result of the Duterte lockdown and the impending sharp downturn of the economy.

The revolutionary forces are also establishing cooperative efforts with friendly officials of the GRP’s local government units at various levels. Many officials are genuinely concerned with the well-being of their constituents who are in dire straits as a result of the military lockdown. They are also gravely concerned with the ever greater difficulties the people are going to face in the coming months and years.

The Party calls on all its committees, all NPA units and all revolutionary forces to continue to strengthen and consolidate their ranks in an all-sided manner in order to enable them to lead the masses in facing the public health crisis and the grave socio-economic crisis.

DOWNLOAD: Data sheet on COIN Operations (as of April 14)

https://cpp.ph/statement/report-on-relentless-counterinsurgency-operations-by-afp-and-pnp-during-covid-19-ceasefire/

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 15, 2020): Comment on Duterte’s refusal to entertain debt cancellation

COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES

MARCO VALBUENA

CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER

APRIL 15, 2020

Finance Sec. Sonny Dominguez, neoliberal zealot, stubbornly declared yesterday that the Duterte government will not even entertain the thought of cancelling foreign debt servicing, even temporarily, as an immediate measure to provide the wherewithal for the Covid-19 crisis.

Dominguez’s position reveals the anti-people economic policies and priorities of the Duterte government. It is such views that are causing grave hardships on the people and the continuing backwardness of the economy, which is now preventing the government from comprehensively addressing the public health and socio-economic problems brought to the surface by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Duterte and Dominguez are more concerned about preserving the regime’s “credit standing” before the foreign banks than ensuring urgently needed funds for Filipinos amid the Covid-19 crisis.

Even the IMF was obliged to recognize that continuing debt payments is an unbearable burden on third world countries which are having trouble sourcing funds to respond to the Covid-19 crisis. Yesterday, at least 25 countries were allowed by the IMF to suspend payments for six months. The least that Duterte and Dominguez could do is ask that the country be allowed to avail of such arrangements.

Duterte has allocated around P450 billion for debt payments for 2020, to service more than $82 billion in the country’s total external debt. If it suspends debt servicing for even just six months, it will have enough funds (the equivalent of around $4 to $5 billion) to fund its Social Amelioration Program to provide immediate cash to millions of families.

Duterte has complained of lack of funds and has tightfisted the people, with millions of families being left out of state subsidy causing widespread suffering during the extended quarantine and lockdown.

Instead, Dominguez has announced that the government targets to borrow an additional $5 billion in new loans to address the Covid-19 crisis, which will redound to more economic burden on the Filipino people, in the form of additional taxes in the future.

The Philippine’s external debt now stands at more than $82 billion, of which more than 80% are medium- and long-term.

https://cpp.ph/statement/comment-on-dutertes-refusal-to-entertain-debt-cancellation/

NPA-Negros propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 15, 2020): Ekstensyon sang Enhanced Community Quarantine Dugang Perwisyo kag Peligro sa Pumuluyo

DIONESIO MAGBUELAS

NPA-NEGROS ISLAND

MT. CANSERMON COMMAND

NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY

APRIL 15, 2020

Gutom na, singgitan sang pumuluyo! ang dugang 15 ka adlaw nga Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) dugang nga perwisyo kag peligro sa seguridad sang pumuluyong Pilipino kag sang Negrosanon.

Sa una nga implementasyon sang ECQ gikan Marso 30, 2020 tubtob subong nga adlaw Abril 14, 2020, nakita ang tuman kahinay nga distribusyon sang ayuda halin sa gobyerno sa pihak sang P275B nga gin-alokar sang rehimeng Duterte sa pagpakig-away sa COVID-19 pandemic. Sandig sa pahayag ni Duterte, ini iga-partineser sa pagsuporta sa pumuluyo samtang naka-kwarantina sa tagsa sini ka mga puluy-an bilang isa ka pamaagi sa paglikaw sa paglapta sang makamamatay nga Coronavirus. Samtang uyaya naman sa pagpatigayon sang Mass Testing kag iban pa ilabe na sa paghatag proteksyon kag pag-atipan sa mga Frontliners. Sa aktwal mas nagataas pa ang indibidwal sa pungsod nga natumod nga mga PUM, PUI kag nagkalamatay sa COVID-19 sa pihak sang may pipila nga mga nakarekober. Sa subong malapit 5,000 na ka Pilipino nga inibidwal ang apektado sa Coronavirus sa pungsod.

Nakita sang kadam-an nga indi mapatay ang pumuluyo sa COVID-19 nga krisis kundi mapatay bangud sang krisis ekonomiya kag pulitika sa pungsod. Ang wala sang makaon kag wala sang sandigan nga panginahanglanon ang tagsa ka puluy-an sa ginatumod nga mga “poorest of the poor” sa diin tubtob subong kadam-an sini ang wala makabaton sang gintalana nga ayuda. Nagapakita ini sang pagka-inutil sang rehimeng Duterte.

Ang Social Amelioration Program nga tag P5,000.00-P8,000.00 nga gintalana nga ayuda sang gobyerno para sa tagsa ka pamilya ilabe na ang sahing mamumugon sa pungsod, padayon pa nga nagahangla bangud tubtob subong nagapabilin nga “nagalutaw pa sa sabaw sang tugabang” ang ayuda sang gobyerno. Kadam-an sini ang wala makabaton bunga sang marikot nga pamaagi sa paghim-os sang mga rekisitos kaangay sang pabalik-balik nga pagpirma, sulit-sulit nga pag-fill-up kag malawig nga pagpila sa tagsa ka talatapan. Nagresulta ini sang malaparan nga kinagamo bunga sang pamulitika, palapit sa luwag kag pinamilya nga pamaagi sang mga hakugan nga pulitiko kag iban pa nga burukrasya sang gobyerno.

Matuod nga nakabaton ang pipila ka benepisyaryo sang 4P’s sang SAP apang P4,650.00 lamang indi amo sa gintalana nga minimum nga tag P5,000.00-P8,000.00. Nakita ang lapnagon nga korapsyon sang natalana nga ahensya sang gobyerno base sa isip sang mga benepisyaryo kag aktwal nga kantidad nga ila nabaton.

Dugang pa ang lunsay militar nga pamaagi sa mga checkpoints dira sa mga boundaries sang baryo, syudad kag kabanwahan, nga naghalit sa dalagan kag daloy sang ekonomiya sa pungsod. Nagtuga man ini sang lapnagon nga paglapas sang tawhanon nga kinamatarung, pagpugong kag pag-ipit sa sibilyan nga kinamatarung sang pumuluyo sa pagbyahi, pagpangita sang pangabuhian kag ang pagkriminalisa sa mga nakakomiter sang paglapas kaangay sang pagbayolar sa curfew, wala sang quarantine pass, wala paggamit sang face mask, paglapas sa traffic rules and regulation kag iban pa. Kon sumahon, mas madamu pa ang nadakpan sa mga check point sa sini nga paglapas ikumpara sa naapiktuhan sang Covid-19 virus.

Nagapakita lang ini nga indi para nga kontrolahon ang paglapta sang makamamatay nga pandemya kundi plano nga kontrolahon ang paghulag sang pumuluyo sa ila matag-adlaw nga pag-ekonomiya nga kinahanglanon nga nagdugang nga nagpa-antus sa pumuluyo.

Sa tuyo kuno nga mapahapos ang pamaagi sa paglikaw kag pagpakig-away sa COVID-19 pandemic, sa baylo nag-ani sang kinagamo sa tunga sang awtoridad kag indibidwal. Subong man ang malaparan nga pagka-diskontento sang kadam-an nga pumuluyo sa rehimeng US-Duterte kag sa mga alipores sini.

Sa una nga hugna sang pagpatuman sang lockdown kag ECQ, paslaw ang pamaagi sang rehimeng Duterte sa paglikaw kag pagpakig-away sa COVID-19 pandemic. Paslaw man sa pagsabat sang socio-ekonomiko nga panginahanglan sang pumuluyong Pilipino sa diin madugay na nga naga-antus sa kagutom kag kapigaduhon bangud sang kawad-on sa duta, palangabuhian kag kakulang sang serbisyo soyal.

Agud hinabunan ang kapalpakan sang rehimen sa pagpakig-away sa epidemya nga Coronavirus, kulang sang serbisyo sosyal kag korapsyon, ginagamit sang rehimen ang pasismo batok sa mga kritiko kag nagahimakas nga pumuluyo. Gusto ni Duterte nga pahipuson ang mga nagahambal sang kamatuoran sa pagpa-aresto sa mga indibidwal dira sa tri-media kag social media. Apang paghilway naman sa mga idu-ido sini sa pagpalapnag sang fake news.

Ang COVID-19 nga isyu ilabe na ang pagpatuman sang lockdown kag ECQ ang naghublas sang pagka-inutil, pabaya, korap kag tiraniko sang pasistang Duterte.

Dapat handaan sang pumuluyo kag lubos nga pamatukan ang liwat nga pagpatuman sang Martial Law sa pungsod sa kamot sang pasistang Duterte paagi sa pagpalawig sang lockdown kag ECQ.

Ginamando man sa tanan nga yunit sang NPA idalum sa Mount Cansermon Command nga pabilin mabinantayanon, mag-alerto kag aktibo nga magdepensa batok sa mga pagpang-atake sang pasistang AFP,PNP, paramilitar kag iban pa nga mapintas nga mga makinaryas sang rehimen samtang nagapatigayon sang serbisyo medikal sa pag-away sang COVID-19 pandemic. Kadungan man ang pagtigayon sang produksyon sa pagpatuhaw sang dugang nga pagkaon kag iban pa nga kinahanglanon sang pumuluyo.###

https://cpp.ph/statement/ekstensyon-sang-enhanced-community-quarantine-dugang-perwisyo-kag-peligro-sa-pumuluyo/

NPA-Negros propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 15, 2020): NDF Negros calls for the Duterte regime to address the people’s needs

BAYANI OBRERO

SPOKESPERSON

NDF-NEGROS

NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT OF THE PHILIPPINES

APRIL 14, 2020

NDF Negros points out the double threat of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its socio-economic impact especially on the poorest families whose needs are yet to be properly addressed by the Duterte regime as soon as possible.

While it is almost commendable that politicians are donating a part or their entire salaries as a form of aid in the crisis, it is misleading the public eye. It is unnecessary for politicians to resort to a philanthropic approach if the state had the foresight to prepare for a national emergency, instead of military overspending and prioritizing pork barrel—which is billions more than the supposed donated amount of any politician.

As reported by Duterte to Congress, despite the said allocated emergency fund, government agencies are using their current appropriated funds to address the pandemic. This means the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will only realign budget towards DSWD, DOH, DOLE and other departments if necessary, making the process more stringent and prone to red tape.

The expedited release of the 275 billion budget should be of utmost priority. The granting of emergency powers to Duterte was railroaded, but the powers granted are still yet to prove its purpose. Mass testing are yet to be conducted starting today. Local Government Units (LGU) are making individual strides to cope with the crisis. Millions of families who have been waiting for support in the past three weeks are instead subjected to additional procedures that do not answer their imminent need against hunger. The 4Ps beneficiaries will only receive a top-up fund (from 5,000-8,000 down to 2,850 to 5,850), while recipients of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) are yet to be determined by LGUs. So far, the granting of ‘emergency powers’ is proving to be ironic, to say the least.

Instead of hastening aid, the Duterte government is hell-bent on the witch-hunt against critics. Duterte spent an entire conference criticizing Diokno and the call for his ouster, while his AFP-PNP lapdogs are vilifying those who show sincerity in helping the people, on top of mass arrests and threats. The AFP-PNP are also widely violating their own declaration of a unilateral ceasefire. Military and police operations continue all over the country, such as the ransacking of homes in Guihulngan, an illegal arrest in Canlaon, and aerial bombings in Mindanao. The only quick response the current administration has given amid the COVID-19 pandemic involves fascism and brutality.

Meanwhile, the CPP-NPA-NDF is strictly adhering to its unilateral ceasefire declaration. Revolutionary forces and mass organizations are focusing on mass health campaigns and emergency economic measures. Particularly in Negros, all guerrilla fronts and revolutionary forces are holding community educational discussions and are drafting plans, if not already implementing them, to confront the pandemic. A Klinikang Bayan was launched and immediate measures are being undertaken en masse.

With the threat of additional weeks of quarantines coupled with a largely disorganized manner of responding to the people’s needs, Duterte is clearly leaving the Filipino people behind to further his tyrannical interests. His ambitions will only result to a broader united front more determined than ever to oust him, and establish a social order that is rooted on social justice, genuine democracy, and a just and lasting peace. ###

https://cpp.ph/statement/ndf-negros-calls-for-the-duterte-regime-to-address-the-peoples-needs/

WESTMINCOM: Soldiers back relief operations in Maguindanao

Analyst: Pro-IS Militants in Southern Philippines to Gain from US Pullout

Army lieutenant who died on Holy Week negative for Covid-19

NCIP condemns slay of unarmed tribal militiaman in Surigao Sur

NPA supply officer nabbed in Davao Oro

Air Force buys veggies for poor families in Manila

Army distributes rice in Dinalupihan

Tagalog News: 84IB, tumulong sa mga mahihirap na pamilya sa San Jose

Tagalog News: Army, GMA Foundation namahagi ng relief goods sa Meycauayan

PH Army deploys new troops in Quarantine Assistance Stations in Metro Manila borders

Kalinaw News: Army assists Surigao City distribute Cash Assistance under Social Amelioration Program (SAP) in SurNor

Kalinaw News: NPA member nabbed in Davao de Oro amid COVID-19 crisis

Kalinaw News: EMC encourages starving NPA to surrender amid COVID-19

Kalinaw News: NPA kills another militiamen in SurSur town

Kalinaw News: Six members of BIFF operating in Maguindanao lay down their firearms and returned to the Fold of Law

Kalinaw News: Army Captures 6 CNTs, Rescues 3 Minors in Agusan del Norte

CPP: Report on relentless counterinsurgency operations by AFP and PNP during Covid-19 ceasefire

CPP: Comment on Duterte’s refusal to entertain debt cancellation

CPP/NPA-Negros: Ekstensyon sang Enhanced Community Quarantine Dugang Perwisyo kag Peligro sa Pumuluyo

CPP/NPA-Negros: NDF Negros calls for the Duterte regime to address the people’s needs