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AFP vows to protect, preserve PH Rise

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From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 11, 2020): AFP vows to protect, preserve PH Rise (By Priam Nepomuceno)



PROTECTING PHILIPPINE RISE. AFP chief-of-staff, Gen. Felimon Santos Jr. (2nd from right) leads the send-off for the Philippine Navy’s maritime vessel BRP Quezon (PS-70) and the Naval Task Unit 11.6.1. in Sta. Ana, Cagayan on Wednesday (June 10, 2020). The contingent is tasked to navigate and safeguard the areas of the Philippine Rise (formerly Benham Rise). (Photo courtesy of AFP Public Affairs Office)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday said it will continue to uphold the protection and conservation of the Philippine Rise.

“We are celebrating the fourth anniversary of the Philippine Rise and for the years that our dedicated soldiers have continued to protect one of the country’s most precious maritime areas. We commemorate this anniversary to raise awareness of its importance, to maintain marine conservation and protection, and to assert our sovereign rights,” said AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Felimon Santos in his speech during the event commemorating the fourth anniversary of the maritime area in Sta. Ana, Cagayan.

In line with this, Santos also presided the send-off ceremony for the Philippine Navy’s maritime vessel BRP Quezon (PS-70) and the Naval Task Unit 11.6.1.

The contingent led by Commander Junmar Sales is tasked to navigate and safeguard the areas of the Philippine Rise.

“With confidence and pride, we are also sending-off a maritime patrol vessel to navigate and safeguard these areas of the Philippine Rise. As a pioneer in maritime protection, the Armed Forces is certain that Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) will vigorously pursue all possible means to strengthen the protection of the area/in order to achieve their purpose of securing our State and protecting our people,” Santos said.

In previous anniversaries the AFP, through the Nolcom, successfully achieved historical milestones to assert that the maritime feature belongs to the Philippines.

An all-Filipino maritime scientific research was made possible in 2019 while an underwater flag was successfully placed on the plateau in 2017 and 2018.

The Philippine Rise (formerly Benham Rise) region, comprising the 200-nautical-mile continental shelf from the baselines of Luzon, extends 118 nautical miles beyond the legal continental shelf limits.

On May 16, 2017, Duterte signed Executive Order (EO) No. 25 changing the name of the undersea feature to Philippine Rise.

“The Benham Rise Region is subject to sovereign rights and jurisdiction of the Philippines pursuant to relevant provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, national legislation, and the UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) and applicable international law,” the EO read.

In 2012, the United Nations, through recommendations of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, approved the Philippines’ claim that the Philippine Rise is within the country’s 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.

The Philippines first sought recognition for its claims to the maritime area on April 8, 2009.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1105568

Army's 44IB clashes with NPA; recovers 2 high-powered firearms in Zambo Norte

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From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 11, 2020): Army's 44IB clashes with NPA; recovers 2 high-powered firearms in Zambo Norte (By Capt. Sotero P. Abrito III (TDPC))

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DIPOLOG CITY, Zamboanga del Norte, June 11 (PIA) - The 44th Infantry Battalion clashed with the Communist New People's Army Terrorist (CNT) in Sitio Waloangka, Barangay Tinuyop, Leon B Postigo, this province on Tuesday afternoon, June 9.

In a statement, LtCol Don Templonuevo, commanding officer of the 44IB said the troops have received an information from the locals of the continued extortion activities of the CNT in the farflung sitios of the said barangay.



The 5-minute firefight incurred no casualties on the government side and resulted to the recovery of one AK47 and one M16A1 rifles and subversive documents with intelligence value.

"The battalion is now conducting pursuit operations on the fleeing CNT group that escampered after the firefight," said Col Leonel Nicolas, commander of the 102nd Infantry Brigade.

"The active participation of the local populace is vital in our campaign in ending communist armed conflict as evident to the positive results brought about by the timely and accurate information on the presence of the CNT in their communities," stressed Col Nicolas.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Gene Ponio, Commander, 1st Infantry Division commended the troops for the laudable accomplishments.

"Our troops again displayed commendable competence in warfighting against the CNT guerrilla tactics," he said.

"We are now regaining the grounds of CNT exploited communities as well as gaining the trust and confidence of the local populace with the sincerity of the government in its pursuit of genuine peace," he added. (NBE/EDT/PIA9-Zamboanga del Norte)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1044462

Alleged ranking CPP member in CAR returns to the fold of the law

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From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 11, 2020): Alleged ranking CPP member in CAR returns to the fold of the law  (By Redjie Melvic M. Cawis)

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BAGUIO CITY, June 11(PIA) -- An alleged high ranking member of the Communist Party of the Philippines(CPP) voluntarily returned to the fold of the law.

National Security Adviser and National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) Vice Chairman Hermogenes Esperon Jr. and Cordillera Regional Peace and Order Council Chairman, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, presented Anne Margarette Tauli, an alleged Executive Committee member and former secretary of the Regional White Area Committee of the Ilocos- Cordillera Regional Committee (ICRC), in a simple ceremony in Baguio City today.

According to Esperon, Tauli’s voluntary return to the fold of the law was facilitated by her sister, former UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Victoria Tauli-Corpuz.

“I came here (Baguio) from Besao, Mountain Province and the Generals here facilitated my safe arrival here after being locked down for three months due to the COVID-19 protocols” Tauli said during her presentation at Navy Base here.

“I came here to clear my name from the various charges that have been hounding me since I have been there as a law abiding citizen in Besao for the past years,” she said.


National Security Adviser and National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) Vice Chairman Hermogenes Esperon Jr. presents Anne Margarette Tauli, an alleged Executive Committee member and former secretary of the Regional White Area Committee of the Ilocos- Cordillera Regional Committee (ICRC) , in Baguio City on June 11, 2020..(RMC- PIA-CAR)

Philippine Army 503rd Infantry Brigade (503rd IB) Brigadier General Henry Doyaoen, Police Regional Office - Cordillera (PRO-Cor) Brigadier General R’Win Pagkalinawan with retired Army General Ramon Yogyog fetched Tauli in Besao thru the Philippine Air Force Tactical Operations Group 1 after she turned herself to the law enforcers in the area.

Esperon said the action of Tauli is a good gesture to support the effort of the government under the leadership of President Rodrigo Duterte in ending the more than 50 years of insurgency and the nonsense deaths of Filipinos.

He added that Tauli’s willingness to return to the fold of the law should serve as an encouragement to others.

“We hope that for those others that are still out there, you see the point that your more than 50 years of struggle has brought us nothing but depravation and some hardships especially for those in the countryside,” he added.

Esperon said Tauli has provided abode and shelter to high ranking officers of the CPP-NPA-NDF including the late Julius Soriano Giron, chairman of the National Military Commission and the National Finance Commission of the CPP-NPA.

Giron together with Lourdes Tan Torres, also known as “Ma. Lourdes Dineros Tangco,” a member of the CPP Executive Committee and a security aide were killed in a joint police and military operation in Barangay Queen of Peace in Baguio City on March 13 after resisting arrest.

“By providing shelter to the enemy of the state, she is liable for having violated the laws of the land and she has come out to be with the force of the law, and to be able to clear her name,” Esperon added.

He said Tauli will be processed for entitlement to the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), a government program to encourage members of the CPP-NPA-NDF to have a new life with their families.

E-CLIP provides a complete package of assistance to former rebels who were members of the CPP-NPA-NDF as well as their family members who have abandoned armed struggle and become productive members of the society.

E-CLIP and Amnesty Program is one out of the 12 clusters under Executive Order 70 dubbed as the “Whole-of-Nation Approach” to end local communist armed conflict in the country. (JDP/RMC- PIA-CAR)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1044534

Ranking ‘NPA leader’ arrested

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From the Visayan Daily Star (Jun 11, 2020): Ranking ‘NPA leader’ arrested

An organizer of the National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW) and an alleged ranking leader of the New People’s Army in northern Negros, was arrested at a monitoring control point in Brgy. Caduha-an, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, Tuesday night.

Nabbed for disobedience and illegal possession of explosives was Gaspar Davao, alias Aldong, Lt. Col. Robert Mansueto, acting Cadiz City police chief, said.

Upon checking with the Philippine Army and a government intelligence agency, Mansueto said they found out that Davao, who is a resident of Brgy. Pinapugasan, Escalante City, is the secretary of the Northern Negros Front (NNF) White Area and Section Committee Tabacco, as well as the NNF finance officer.

Mansueto said that the arrest of Davao yielded a fragmentation grenade, subversive documents, P14,000 in cash, eight cellular phones, cash transactions, newsletters of the Roselyn Jean Pelle Command, receipts and confidential documents.

ROUTINE INSPECTION

Davao and his four other companions were on board a public utility van that was flagged down by the police for a routine inspection and contact tracing activities in line with the COVID-19 preventive measures of the Cadiz City government, Mansueto said.

He said that Davao, who was not wearing a face mask, insulted and disobeyed police officers, who had asked him to fill out COVID-19 contact tracing forms as required by the Cadiz City government for commuters passing the Cadiz City area.

While his companions complied, Mansueto said that Davao for still unknown reasons pulled out a fragmentation grenade, which prompted police personnel, backed up by 79th Infantry Battalion soldiers, to subdue and disarm him of the explosive.

The NFSW and the NPA Apolinario Gatmaitan Command yesterday condemned what they called the illegal arrest of Davao, who is an organizer of the NFSW in northern Negros.

CLASSIC LIES

Ka Juanito Magbanua, spokesperson of the Apolinario Gatmaitan Command, issued a statement yesterday alleging that Davao is not a member of the NPA, and that the military claims that he is a ranking rebel leader is yet another one of their classic lies, red-tagging of legal organizers, imprisoning them through trumped-up cases and planted evidence.

NFSW secretary general John Lozande claimed that Davao was accosted by police personnel without telling him what violations he had committed.

Several hours later, according to Lozande, Davao was told that he had been arrested because a fragmentation grenade was recovered from a bag he had been carrying.

“We see this arrest of Gaspar Davao as another form of trumped-up cases which the Duterte regime adds up to its long list of repressive records against the progressive leaders of the sugar workers,” Lozande claimed in a statement.

Lozande, who is demanding the immediate release of Davao, said that they will not be cowed by this brazen attempt to silence Duterte’s critics through this unlawful arrest perpetrated by the state agents”.

Col. Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, yesterday recalled that Davao was among the subjects of the search warrants for violation of RA 10591 during a raid in Bacolod City, which was issued by Quezon City Regional Executive Judge Cecilyn Burgos-Villavert, who managed to escape during the raid.

Pasaporte lauded the efforts of 79IB troops and Cadiz City that resulted in the apprehension of Davao during the joint AFP-PNP checkpoint operations in the area.

"The AFP-PNP will continue to intensify its efforts to hunt down members of communist NPA terrorists in Negros to preempt their terroristic and extortions activities”, Pasaporte said, as he encouraged Negrenses to cooperate with them through their Whole of Nation Approach in Ending the Local Communist Armed Conflict in Negros Occidental.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2020/June/11/topstory2.htm

Kalayaan: A question of sovereignty and joint business opportunity

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Posted to CNN Philippines (Jun 12, 2020): Kalayaan: A question of sovereignty and joint business opportunity (By Roberto R. Romulo)

[Editor's note: Roberto R. Romulo was Foreign Affairs Secretary in the early 1990s. After decades of work in the private business sector both abroad and in the country, he joined government service in June 1989 when he was appointed Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the Commission of the European Communities. As a diplomat, he has been decorated by the governments of Belgium, Thailand, Spain, Chile, France and the Philippines. Mr. Romulo is a board member of several corporations and is chairman of the Carlos P. Romulo Foundation for Peace and Development.]

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 12) — The recent visit of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to Pagasa Island in the West Philippine Sea brings back a time when I was Foreign Affairs Secretary in the 1990s. It was during that period when we were blindsided by the incident on Mischief Reef in the same contested waters, where Beijing built a structure that it labelled as a resting house for fishermen. I described it as “blindsided” because the United States knew all about it with their satellite capability, so secret that they chose not to tell us about it.

It was around that period that former Defense Secretary Rene de Villa recalled: “During the early days of President Fidel Ramos, we noticed that the Chinese were putting small concrete markers with Chinese characters in some of the reefs and shoals that are part of our claimed area in the West Philippine Sea. I ordered the navy to remove those Chinese markers and then recommended to FVR that we should task the Philippine Navy to put up lighthouses in some of the islets/reef/shoals we are claiming and man them with navy personnel as a means to occupy them and establish our possession and ownership of the area...in addition to their basic function as aids to navigation in the area.”

Unfortunately, we never got the budget for the project. I suspect that the prevailing sentiment at the time echoed by our ASEAN partners was not to disturb the status quo but to push for a code of conduct on the South China Sea. This code is still being negotiated today, decades later — and is looking more and more like a lesson in futility.

Lorenzana’s visit to inaugurate a beach ramp that will facilitate delivery of supplies to the island is a strong manifestation of our claim on Pagasa, which we occupy but is also claimed by China, Vietnam, and Taiwan.

It’s about time we do so.



As early as 1978, we already had a municipality on Pagasa, with a local government in place and a permanent population of 334 souls. The municipality of Kalayaan predates Sansha City which the Chinese government set up only in July 2012 to administer the disputed islands that China has claimed.

Yet Kalayaan has been left to wither in the vine. Its population has dwindled to a little over half of its peak of 365 in 1995. And no wonder. Other than a school, a five-bed hospital and a municipal hall, there is not much by way of significant infrastructure on the island.

More important, there is little by way of opportunities for livelihood on Pagasa to keep people there.



Kalayaan should be given special status, its growth encouraged and supported by the government and private business as well. A fish landing and processing plant, an ice plant, an ecotourism facility (like the one Malaysia has built), a marine biology laboratory affiliated with a university, and greenhouse farming can, I think, make the island self-sustaining and remain ecologically viable. A public-private sector endeavor should be encouraged.

Needless to say, our military installations on the island should be upgraded and modernized. The air strip should finally be upgraded. All of this, of course, would not be possible without good telecommunications infrastructure which only the private sector can provide. Perhaps it would be too much to expect Smart and Globe to go there to inaugurate a joint cell tower, much to the delight of DICT Undersecretary Ramon Jacinto. But I hope the two Philippine telcos can consider such a venture to assert our ownership of the broadband space that apparently Vietnamese and Chinese mobile operators have been using to charge roaming rates.

The commercial significance of such a joint venture is minute but the symbolic value for our country is very significant.

In sum, Chinese actuations in the West Philippine Sea today pose a threat to regional security and to freedom of navigation. It behooves us—the government and private sector—to support Kalayaan, a fifth-class municipality in the province of Palawan.

Possession is nine-tenths of the law!!!

Anti-terror bill addresses 'mutating' global terror threat

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From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 11, 2020): Anti-terror bill addresses 'mutating' global terror threat (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)



Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, chairperson of the Regional Peace and Order Council in the Zamboanga Peninsula. (PNA file photo)

The Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) has expressed support for the passage of the Anti-Terrorism Bill into law, saying the measure would further boost the authorities' capability to protect civilians from the increasingly evolving terror acts.

In a June 10 letter addressed to Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, the RPOC-9, chaired by Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, described terrorism as a global threat to peace and human life.

It noted that in the Philippines, numerous terror-related attacks have been perpetrated by the Abu Sayyaf Group, communist New People’s Army (NPA), and the Islamic State-inspired Maute group in 2017, claiming hundreds of lives and displacing thousands of civilians.

The RPOC-9 also took note that even this city has suffered from terror-related attacks in the past years, citing the 2015 bombing of a bus terminal in Barangay Guiwan here, which killed two persons and injured 52 others.

“Clearly, there is a need to enact drastic measures to protect our country and its citizens from terrorism, which is constantly a mutating global threat that has no place in our society today,” the peace council said, adding that the legislation would enable law enforcers to effectively preempt terror acts.

Preemptive measures, it said, include the legal conduct of surveillance and intercepting and recording communications of terrorists who now use social media to promote violent ideologies and recruit new members.

The RPOC-9 noted that no less than the United Nations Security Council’s Resolution 1624 calls upon all states to adopt measures as may be necessary and appropriate and based on their obligations under international law.

“Nevertheless, we reiterate that while we support the passage of the anti-terrorism bill in order to enable our law enforcement and security personnel to protect civilians, especially from terrorist recruitment and operations in the region, we will yield to the rule of law, the Constitution, and the judiciary,” it added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1105592

Alleged BIFF member falls in drug bust

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From the Manila Bulletin (Jun 11, 2020): Alleged BIFF member falls in drug bust (By Joseph Jubelag)

An alleged member of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter yielded some P3.5 million worth of illegal drugs during a drug entrapment operation conducted on Thursday by government’s anti-narcotics agents in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.



via Joseph Jubelag / MANILA BULLETIN

Juvenal Azurin, regional chief of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, identified the suspect as Jordan Mamasapano Rakim, 39, said to a member of the ISIS-linked BIFF who was involved n illegal drug trade and carnapping.

Azurin said PDEA agents backed by soldiers and policemen arrested the suspect during a drug bust in Barangay Datu Pangiaman, Datu Odin Sinsuat and yielded some 500 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride locally known as “shabu’ worth P3.5 million.

Azurin said the local drug network of Rakim was believed to be busted following the suspect’s arrest. Authorities said aside from illegal drug trade the suspect was also involved in a series of carnapping activities in Maguindanao province.

The PNP-Regional Highway Patrol Group listed the suspect as number one most wanted carnapper in the region. Charges for selling and possession of illegal drugs were filed against the suspect who is presently detained at the PDEA detention facility in the city.

Esperon helps ex-classmate clear ties with communist rebels

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From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jun 12, 2020): Esperon helps ex-classmate clear ties with communist rebels (By: Inquirer Northern Luzon)

BAGUIO CITY—A former high school classmate of National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. on Thursday returned to this city with his help so she could clear her name after being linked to the communist New People’s Army (NPA).

Anne Margaret Tauli, 70, sister of Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, the former United Nations special rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, was flown from her house in Besao town, Mountain Province, in a government helicopter.
Militant activists here thought Tauli, a member of the Cordillera People’s Congress that founded the Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) in 1984, had been arrested.

But at a news conference here, Tauli said Esperon, her classmate at Philippine Science High School (PSHS) in 1968, helped facilitate her travel back to Baguio so she could defend herself against allegations that linked her to the communist rebels.

Tauli owns the house in Baguio where Julius Soriano Giron, supposed chair of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), was killed in a clash with policemen and soldiers in March.

Giron reportedly replaced detained CPP chair, Benito Tiamzon, also head of the NPA finance committee.



FRIENDS National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon and Mountain Province elder Anne Margaret Tauli share a moment after he helped fly her back to Baguio on Thursday (June 11) so she could clear her name, after being linked to communist rebels. —EV ESPIRITU
Legal bind

“I will not speculate,” Esperon said when asked how deep Tauli was allegedly entrenched in the NPA.

He added: “For harboring an avowed enemy of the state, Ms Tauli is in a legal bind. What was her role [in the NPA]? Does she know Giron? People have speculated.”

Esperon said Tauli would be under his custody although she would be temporarily staying in the city.

During the press briefing, Tauli insisted that she had no ties with the NPA.

According to the CPA, Tauli had retired and had been active in arranging clan reunions and organizing the documentation of the “batangan” system (indigenous forest management system) of her hometown. An elder, Tauli is president of Batil-ang Peypeyan clan in Besao.

She completed her elementary education at Easter School here and was among the first graduates of PSHS in 1968. She taught at Brent School and was coordinator of the Cordillera studies program of the Cordillera schools group in Easter School until 1984.

Tauli said her return to Baguio took time because of the Luzon lockdown. Leaving Besao required a strict quarantine process “because Mountain Province remains free of COVID-19 (new coronavirus disease),” she said.

She submitted to a medical test as soon as she landed at the Loakan Airport here as part of the city’s quarantine procedures, said Police Gen. R’Win Pagkalinawan, Cordillera police director.

“The general idea was to let her come in peacefully and she came to us peacefully,” Esperon said, adding that the government would also help his former classmate if she had difficulty proving that her alleged links to the NPA were not true.

“Others who are still out there [in the mountains], I hope you see the point that your 52-year struggle has brought us nothing but hardships in the countryside,” Esperon, a former general and Armed Forces chief of staff, said.

“Let us help each other improve lives,” he added. —REPORTS FROM EV ESPIRITU, KARLSTON LAPNITEN AND KIMBERLIE QUITASOL

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1290184/esperon-helps-ex-classmate-clear-ties-with-communist-rebels

Cordillera CPP-NPA leader surrenders to gov't

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From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 11, 2020): Cordillera CPP-NPA leader surrenders to gov't (By Liza Agoot)



SUPPORTING THE GOV'T. National Security Adviser and National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict vice-chairman Hermogenes Esperon (right) joins Anne Margarette Tauli, a member of the Executive Committee and former Secretary of the Regional White Area Committee of the Ilocos-Cordillera Regional Committee (ICRC) who surrendered to the government. Tauli and two of her friends flew with military and police officials from Besao, Mountain Province to Baguio where she met with Esperon and Cordillera Peace and Order Council chairman Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong. (PNA photo by Liza T. Agoot)

BAGUIO CITY – A high ranking official of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) has surrendered to the government to start a normal life, National Security Adviser Secretary Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. said on Thursday.

Esperon said
Anne Margarette Tauli, a member of the Executive Committee and former Secretary of the Regional White Area Committee of the Ilocos-Cordillera Regional Committee (ICRC) voluntarily yielded to authorities last Thursday in Kin-iway, Besao, Mountain Province.

In the communist movement, Tauli provides shelter to high-ranking officers of the CPP-NPA-NDF during their stay in Baguio,
Esperon said.

Tauli helped Julius Soriano Giron, CPP-NPA Military Commissioner, and his two companions, who were later killed in a firefight with government forces on March 13 in Baguio after resisting arrest.


Esperon, who is also vice-chairman of the National Task Force to End the Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), said Tauli’s surrender was facilitated by her sister, former UN Special Rapporteur Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, and 503rd Infantry Brigade (503rd IB) led by Brig. Gen. Henry Doyaoen under the 5th Infantry Division (5ID) of the Philippine Army and the Police Regional Office Cordillera (PROCOR) led by Brig. Gen. R’Win Pagkalinawan.

"This is a sign that the more than 50 years of nonsense armed struggle is nearing closure," Esperon said.

Esperon said members of the CPP-NPA-NDF who want to embrace the law are afforded assistance but the government is also always ready to counter the atrocities perpetrated by enemies of the government.

Esperon was with Cordillera Regional Peace and Order Council chairman and Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong when the PNP and the Philippine Army in the Cordillera formally turned over Tauli to the government.

Tauli and two of her friends flew with the officials from Besao, Mountain Province to Baguio to meet with Esperon and Magalong.

She will be assessed for availing of the benefits under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

In a media statement, Tauli said she came forward to clean her name and have a peaceful life.

Government officials have reiterated their call to the NPA rebels to surrender and abandon their lost cause.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1105658

MNLF 'member' nabbed in Zambo Sibugay anti-drug op

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From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 12, 2020): MNLF 'member' nabbed in Zambo Sibugay anti-drug op (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)



ARRESTED. An alleged member of the Moro National Liberation Front (seated, left) was arrested while a minor was rescued (seated, right) in an anti-drug operation in Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay on Wednesday (June 10, 2020). The lawmen recovered from the suspect some 2.5 grams of suspected shabu. (Photo courtesy of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 9)

Authorities arrested an alleged member of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and rescued a minor in an anti-drug operation in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay, an official said Friday.

Emerson Margate, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) director,
identified the arrested MNLF member as Johan Bensali, 28, of Kabasalan town, Zamboanga Sibugay
.

Margate said Bensali was arrested by a team of PDEA, police, and military personnel at a bakeshop in Barangay Poblacion, Kabasalan at about 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

The minor who was with Bensali was turned over to the municipal social welfare and development office for proper disposition, he said.

Bensali yielded some 2.5 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of PHP17,000, the buy-bust money, an MNLF identification card, PHP1,690 cash in different denominations believed to be proceeds from the sale of illegal drugs, and other pieces of evidence, Margate said.

The buy-bust operation was launched following surveillance in the suspect’s illegal drug activity, he said, adding that cases for violation of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, are being readied to be filed against the suspect.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1105735

Multiple raps filed versus ‘NPA official’

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From the  (Jun 12, 2020): Multiple raps filed versus ‘NPA official’

The arrested organizer of the National Federation of Sugar Workers, claimed by the police and military to be a ranking leader of the New People’s Army in northern Negros, is now facing charges for illegal possession of explosives, after the recovery of a fragmentation grenade during his arrest on Tuesday at a checkpoint in Brgy. Caduha-an, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental.

Police chief Lt. Col. Robert Mansueto said yesterday that charges for illegal possession of explosives, resistance and disobedience to a person in authority, and violation of Provincial Executive Ordinance Order No. 20-22 were filed against
NFSW organizer Gaspar Davao before the Cadiz City Prosecutor’s Office Wednesday.

Davao was tagged by the military and police as
secretary of the Northern Negros Front White Area and Section Committee Tabacco, who also serves as finance officer.


Aside from the fragmentation grenade, his arrest yielded subversive documents, records of financial transactions, P14,000 in cash, newsletters of the Roselyn Jean Pelle Command and eight cellular phones, the Cadiz City police said.

With the arrest of the alleged NPA top leader, Brig. Gen. Rene Pamuspusan, regional police director of Western Visayas, said they expect the identification of other NPA members and further aid them in the neutralization of terrorist groups or persons in Western Visayas.

Pamuspusan added that PNP chief Archie Francisco Gamboa commended the Cadiz City police and 79th Infantry Battalion for a job well done.

The NPA Apolinario Gatmaitan Command issued a statement denying that Davao is a member of the NPA, while NFSW insisted that he is among their organizers.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2020/June/12/topstory2.htm

Kalinaw News: 5th Infantry “Duty Bound” Battalion, Bound to sustain peace in Butig

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Posted to Kalinaw News (Jun 11, 2020): 5th Infantry “Duty Bound” Battalion, Bound to sustain peace in Butig (By 5th Infantry Division)



The 5th Infantry (DUTY BOUND) Battalion of the 1st Infantry (TABAK) Division is set to take over military operations and sustain peace and order in Butig, Lanao del Sur after their retraining closing ceremony held here Tuesday.

Led by Lt. Col. Romulus B. Rabara, the unit will replace the 49th Infantry Battalion, who will return to their mother unit, 9th Infantry Division, in Bicol Region.


Brig. Gen. Bagnus P. Gaerlan Jr., the Assistant Division Commander and keynote speaker, during his speech emphasized the importance of training and how it saves soldier’s lives if seriously internalized.

“In our pursuit and sustainment of peace and progress in Lanao del Sur, particularly in town of Butig, let integrity, loyalty and professionalism be your strong foundation”, said Brig. Gen. Gaerlan.

“Continue to be soldiers of peace and security by standing firm in guarding the welfare of the people, tapping the support and collective effort of our stakeholders, carrying on in reaching communities and relaying to them our government’s efforts”, said Brig. Gen. Gaerlan.

“Be a disciplined and responsible soldier who is always cautious in actions so that we may continue to sustain the progress that we have achieved in the pursuit of our mission”, added Brig. Gen. Gaerlan.

For 16 years, the unit before was a Cafgu battalion, administering Civilian Active Auxillaries (CAAs) in the area of responsibility of 1ID.

The battalion was then unfilled with troops and later was brought back to become a combat manuever unit last year.

In the same occasion, closing ceremony of the 11th Division Sniper Company was orchestrated.

The snipers are now combat-ready to support operating troops in 1ID’s area of operation.

[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/5th-infantry-duty-bound-battalion-bound-to-sustain-peace-in-butig/

Kalinaw News: Army’s 1ID Promotes, Recognizes Covid-19 Frontliners

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Posted to Kalinaw News (Jun 12, 2020): Army’s 1ID Promotes, Recognizes Covid-19 Frontliners (By 1st Infantry Division)



CAMP SANG-AN, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur | The 1st Infantry (TABAK) Division promoted and recognized the medical frontliners during the simultaneous Flag Raising for the 122nd Independence Day held here at the grandstand early morning today, June 12, 2020.

Maj. Gen. Gene M. Ponio, commander of 1ID, pinned the Lieutenant Colonel ranks to Maj. Jussel Parlan and Maj. Romulo Aujero of the Kuta Major Cesar Sang-an Station Hospital and 1st Dental Detachment respectively.

Together with Maj. Parlan, eight officers, six enlisted personnel and three civilian human resource were awarded with a Certificate of Appreciation for their invaluable services rendered as medical frontliners and delivering essential health services to the personnel assigned and operationally controlled by the command.

In his message, Maj. Gen. Ponio congratulated the newly promoted officers and thanked them as well as their personnel for their efficient and effective management in significantly mitigating the spread of the disease in the camp despite one officer was infected with the virus.

He further read the message of Lt. Gen. Gilbert I Gapay, Commanding General, Philippine Army.

“This commemoration reminds us foremostly of the essence of our nationhood-our people who fought for freedom and recognition for the first ever democracy in Asia. Time and again, we rise up and assert our right for self-determination throughout the years”, said Lt. Gen. Gapay.

“In the New Normal, Liberation takes on a different challenge. While we face the COVID-19 pandemic, we also deal with terrorism and heal our soldiers’ inner wounds incurred in the performance of their duty”, Lt. Gen. Gapay added.

The activity was then followed with a “Brigada Hospital” where troops cleaned the vicinity of the infirmary, a gesture of gratitude for their indispensable services.






[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/armys-1id-promotes-recognizes-covid-19-frontliners/

Kalinaw News: Australian Government gives P17.9 Million worth of medical equipment to AFP

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Posted to Kalinaw News (Jun 12, 2020): Australian Government gives P17.9 Million worth of medical equipment to AFP (By AFP Public Affairs Office)



CAMP GENERAL EMILIO AGUINALDO, Quezon City – The Australian Government joins the long list of groups and individuals who helped the Armed Forces of the Philippines in its fight against COVID19, as the AFP receives P17.9 Million worth of medical equipment in a simple turn over ceremony at Victoriano Luna Medical Center on June 11, 2020.

The medical equipment was received by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro Locsin Jr, Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana, and AFP Chief of Staff General Felimon Santos Jr., on the other hand the Australian Government was represented by the Australian Defence Attache to the Philippines Group Captain Ian Goold.

The medical equipment donated are essential in fighting and recovering from COVID19 such as Beta Plus Motor Electric Bed with Bedside Cabinet and Overbed, Pulse Oximeter, ECG Machine, Defibrillator, Patient Monitor, Electric Suction Machine, Infusion Pump, Mobile Radiography System, and Steam Sterilizer.

“The AFP expresses its gratitude to the Australian Government for choosing the AFP Medical Center as the recipient of almost P18 Million worth of medical equipment. The equipment will help the AFP in fighting the COVID19 in the Philippines. We hope that the cooperation of the two nations continue as the whole world collectively faces the threat of this unseen enemy, COVID-19,” General Santos said.

[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/australian-government-gives-p17-9-million-worth-of-medical-equipment-to-afp/

Kalinaw News: Army’s 4th Mechanized Battalion Seized Loose Firearms in Lanao Norte

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Posted to Kalinaw News (Jun 12, 2020): Army’s 4th Mechanized Battalion Seized Loose Firearms in Lanao Norte (By Kalinaw News)



CAMP SANG-AN, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur| The 4th Mechanized Battalion seized loose firearms in Barangay Darimbang, Tagoloan, Lanao del Norte 3 p.m. Friday, June 11, 2020

“Disclosed by a concerned citizen, our troops immediately proceeded to the area and managed to recover various firearms and ammunitions”, said Lt. Col. Domingo G. Dulay, 4th Mech Battalion Commander.

The unlicensed firearms were consisted of three M16 rifles, one M 1918 Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) and three shotguns.

The recovered firearms were in the custody of 4th Mech Battalion for safe keeping and proper disposition.

Brig. Gen. Facundo Palafox IV, 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade Commander, who has operational jurisdiction of Lanao del Norte, in his message lauded the civilian who reported the location and the troops who recovered the loose firearms.

“The trust and support of the local populace in our area of operation to our campaign against loose firearms manifest their desire for a lasting peace and prosperity in the province,” said Brig. Gen. Palafox.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Gene M. Ponio, the 1st Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Zampelan (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao Provinces) commander, urged the local populace to continue on report to security forces any threats and illegal activities that disrupts peace and prosperity in their community.

“We ensure to the public that we will respond to their call 24/7, to secure and protect them from any threats and to sustain the peace and progress in our area or responsibility,” Maj. Gen. Ponio added.

[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]


Kalinaw News: Fourteen CPP Members Regain Freedom on 122nd Independence Day

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Posted to Kalinaw News (Jun 12, 2020): Fourteen CPP Members Regain Freedom on 122nd Independence Day (By 2nd Infantry Division)



CAMP CAPINPIN, Tanay, Rizal — As Filipinos gear up to celebrate Philippine Independence, seven full-time members and seven candidate party members formally withdrew their affiliation from the Communist Party of the Philippines on Wednesday.

The former Communist Party members were formally received to mainstream society by joint AFP and PNP forces at Camp Vicente Lim in Calamba, Laguna.

Colonel Alex Rillera, Commander of the 202nd Infantry Brigade which has operational jurisdiction over CALABARZON, said that “the former rebels’ act of turning over five firearms with live ammunition to the security forces is a tangible proof of their sincerity and desire to turn their backs from armed struggle as a means to achieve the reforms that they hope for our country and people.”

Col Rillera expressed optimism that the local peace engagements which paved the way for the surrender will continue to gain traction in the region while commending “the government negotiating team’s previous headways such as the mass surrender of 40 NPAs last March 29 during the terrorist group’s 51st Anniversary.”

Police Brigadier General Vicente Danao Jr, Director of Police Regional Office 4A, identified the surrenders as alias Sony, alias Jay, alias Sixto, alias Onyok, alias Czar, alias Joni, alias Mundo, alias Lolo, alias Daniel, alias Laki, alias Ato, alias Itak, alias Tsix and alias Jhong.

P/BGen Danao added that “two of them were ranking members of Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee’s armed group who, together with the other 12, were also key players in the enemy of the state’s white area operations.”

Per the government security forces’ records, the former party members were recruited through the different labor unions of various companies located in Laguna’s industrial zone and have already performed their “TOD” or immersion with the CPP’s armed group in the hinterlands of Region 4A.

Major General Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr, Commander of the Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry Division, has already ordered his staff to begin the enrollment procedure of the former rebels to the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-CLIP which include debriefing and DSWD profiling.

He said that “this withdrawal of party membership is more painful for the underground movement since what they are losing are not just plain fighters whom they can just leave behind in combat but, rather, these are hard core organizers and thinking cadres who facilitate logistics and financial support from the urban centers to the hinterlands.”

Maj Gen Burgos has always attributed the police and military’s accomplishments to the commitment and dedication of the member agencies of CALABARZON’s Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict or RTF ELCAC.

“The accomplishments against insurgency that we have recorded in this part of the country is a testament to the people’s yearning and aspirations for peace, prosperity and development which shall overcome gargantuan challenges, including the threat of Covid-19 pandemic which we are simultaneously fighting”, Maj Gen Burgos said.

He ended his statement by calling on the few remaining NPA terrorists to “follow the lead of your fourteen former comrades and return to mainstream society while you still can because we are now on the process of realigning our forces and rationalizing our military might so that your ranks will be decimated and Southern Tagalog may be liberated from the clutches of terrorism.”

The identity of the 14 former party members of the Communist Party of the Philippines are being withheld as part of the security protocol against possible offensive actions by the NPA terrorists to their former comrades.

[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/fourteen-cpp-members-regain-freedom-on-122nd-independence-day/

Kalinaw News: Terrorist NPA Leaders Arrested

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Posted to Kalinaw News (Jun 12, 2020): Terrorist NPA Leaders Arrested (By 8th Infantry Division)



TOLOSA, LEYTE – Live-in partners and terrorist NPA leaders Alma GABIN aka Ela /Joy and Alden DAGOHOY aka Rica were arrested in Barangay Burak, Tolosa, Leyte yesterday evening, June 8, 2020, during the Law Enforcement Operation conducted by combined forces of 802nd Infantry Brigade, Leyte Provincial Police Office, Tacloban City Police Office, and Tolosa Municipal Police Office.

Alma GABIN, 34-year old native of Tolosa, Leyte, was the former Education Staff (ED) of SRC Emporium while Alden DAGOHOY, 33-year old resident of Barangay Happy Valley, San Isidro, Northern Samar, is the Squad Leader of the Abe Squad, Buhawi Platoon of SRC Emporium – an NPA unit operating in Northern Samar.
The couple were arrested by virtue of two (2) Warrants of Arrest (WOA) issued by Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 21 in Laoang, Northern Samar: CCN 4403 for murder and CCN 4702 for frustrated murder. Also captured from their possession were: one (1) Cal.45 pistol; three (3) live ammunition; and, subversive documents.


Initial information gathered reveal that Alma Gabin is projected to occupy one of the functional staffs of the Regional White Area Committee of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee of the Communist Terrorist Group based in Tacloban City and is currently undergoing training prior to posting. Her supposed promotion is a recognition of her experience and contribution as the former Secretary of the Northern Samar Provincial White Area Committee – the committee that is responsible for providing logistical, financial and human resources to the NPA Terrorist Organizations operating in the said province.

Meanwhile, Alden DAGOHOY has participated in the two (2) ambush incidents and an attack against the government forces in Northern Samar sometime in 2013 and 2018. During those incidents, a government soldier paid the ultimate price of protecting our country’s freedom and democracy.

802nd Infantry Brigade Commander Col Oliveros considers their arrest as a victory of the government’s anti-terrorism drive. Nevertheless, he reiterates his sincere call for other NPA members to lay down their arms, abandon their deceptive and anti-people activities, and avail of the government’s sincere peace and reconciliation offer through the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) before they suffer the fate of the recently arrested NPA Terrorist leaders.

Col Oliveros further extends the Brigade’s appreciation to the residents of Tolosa, Leyte, who are already fed-up with the terrorist’s exploitation scheme, for their support by way of providing real-time information leading to the arrest of the NPA leaders. Furthermore, he assured that all Army units in Biliran, Leyte, and Southern Leyte will unceasingly perform to the best of their abilities in order to serve and protect the people from the NPA Terrorist’s continuous threat and intimidation even during this unwanted situation that the whole country is experiencing due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

As of this posting, the two (2) NPA leaders are placed under the custody of Tolosa Municipal Police Station for preliminary investigation and documentation.

[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/terrorist-npa-leaders-arrested/

Kalinaw News: TESDA Secretary visits Talaingod and commit continued government services for IP community

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Posted to Kalinaw News (Jun 13, 2020): TESDA Secretary visits Talaingod and commit continued government services for IP community (By Kalinaw News)



Camp General Manuel T Yan Sr., Mawab, Davao de Oro- The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Secretary (TESDA) visited municipality of Talaingod on June 11, 2020, 8:30 in the morning together with Davao del Norte Governor and staff, AFP and PNP.

Secretary Isidro S Lapeña checked on the progress of the ongoing AGAK IADDA-CREP training-cum-production on Raising Organic vegetable and Raising Organic Chicken leading to Organic Agriculture Production NC ll with 60 IP beneficiaries in Sitio Kaylawan, Barangay Sto Niño and the on going AGAK IADDA-CREP training-cum-production on cardava banana production with 15 IP as beneficiaries in Sitio Igang, Brgay Palma Gil.

The Community Development Team (CDT) of 56IB under 10ID partnered with TESDA, Provincial and Municipal Agrarian Reform Office and LGU of Talaingod in order to enhance technical knowledge of the IP communities, specially the people’s organization, on organic farming.

It can be recalled that since April 2020 10ID initiated the project throigh CDTs, the people’s organization of Talaingod received initial farming materials and seedlings and reported its first harvest with considerable profit.

The organic agricultural production in Sitio Kaylawan include vegetables such as bell pepper and eggplant and raising of chickens and ducks.

The training provided by TESDA is one the concrete solutions in terms of sustainability of livelihood for the IP. Datu Macky Dada, Tribal leader of Kaylawan said “kaniadto nagahawa kami sa lugar aron mangitag makaon. Pag abot aning programa sa gobyerno, nabal an namo ang pagpananom gamit ang bag-ong pamaagi, dili na namo kinahanglan biyaan ang among lugar (Before, we will leave our place to look for food. Now that the program of the government came, we’ve learned to plant using new method and we do not need to leave our place).”

One of the beneficiaries, Aye Apuga, 30 years old expressed her gratitude to the government and to the soldiers for bringing livelihood projects to their Sitio. “Nagapasalamat ako sa gobyerno og sa sundalo tungod kay gitabangan nila kami nga makaangkon og panginabuhian alang sa among pamilya og sa umaabot na henerasyon. Dili na namo kinahanglan muadto og layo, dili nami mahaylo nga magpatabang sa haran og dili nami mailad sa mga NPA (I thanked the government and the soldiers for helping us own a livelihood for our family and the generations to come. We don’ t need to go to far place, we do not need to ask for help in haran and the NPAs can’t deceive us anymore).”

“Akong gipanawagan ang akong mga katribu nga naa pa sulod sa haran diha sa Davao nga panguli namo, kay maayo dinhi ang kahimtang sa Talaingod, makapananom ta kay nagatabang gayud ang goyerno, ang tinuod nga gobyerno. Nanghatag sila og mga pananom nga mga gulay og hayupan. Balik namo sa inyong matag pamilya diri sa Talaingod (I call on to our fellow manobo tribe who are still inside haran in Davao to leave that place.
The government gave us vegetables to plant and livestock. Come back to your families here in Talaingod),” she added.

Hon Edwin I Jubahid, in his speech told the IP, “I am very happy that the National agencies and the provincial government are here bringing the necessary support to all the indigenous people in Talaingod. This will enable you to have foods in your table and eat at least three times a day, send your children to school, and have decent income. TESDA secretary is here they will train us on the technological aspect of farming. He said to me that he is also happy knowing that you are interested in these projects. In fact, he will give you 2 sets of solar-powered lighting system next week and I will supervise it in the province. We will have short, meduim and long term projects here in your place and all of Davao del Norte.”

“Government programs are pouring and so it saddens me when I hear that some of you still join the NPAs. While its true that before there are those who were deceived and joined the NPA, the administration now headed by our most generous and caring President, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, is focused and determined to help those marginalized,” Jubahib added.

Likewise, Secretary Lapeña responded and said, ” we are happy being here to serve. There are twelve national government agencies with me (DA, NCIP, members of poverty reduction employment and livelihood cluster of NTF-ELCAC, DICT, DENR, DepEd, PCA, NIA, BFAR, DSWD, COA, PIA, NICA and including the AFP and PNP).

Our presence here is an affirmation that the National government is committed to help you. With Governor Jubahib and Mayor Libayao, it is a good model that all government agencies are here to help the people of Kaylawan, Brgy Sto Niño, Talaingod. This is just a start, there are still more coming. Your governor said that it is the provincial government to buy your products, with this, you already have a sure market.

Meanwhile, in Sitio Igang, Brgy Palma Gil, Ms Rosanna Tuason-Fores, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Hijo Resources based in Tagum City gave lectures on commercialization of bananas and introduced hydroponic technology as another level of farming and livelihood opportunity. The President of LeadTech Philippines Engr Reyman G Zamora also discussed Smart Agriculture modules.





[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/tesda-secretary-visits-talaingod-and-commit-continued-government-services-for-ip-community/

Kalinaw News: 13 Former Rebels Receive PhP3M E-CLIP Financial Assistance in SurNor

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Posted to Kalinaw News (Jun 13, 2020): 13 Former Rebels Receive PhP3M E-CLIP Financial Assistance in SurNor (By Kalinaw News)



BANCASI, Butuan City – The Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) Committee of Surigao del Norte awarded in the morning of June 11, 2020, more than three (3) million pesos worth of financial assistance to thirteen (13) Former Rebels (FRs) held at Capitol Road, Surigao City, Surigao del Norte.

During the Awarding Ceremony, the E-CLIP Committee of Surigao del Norte spearheaded by Hon Francisco T Matugas, Provincial Governor, together with Director Lilibeth T Famacion, Regional Director of DILG Caraga and other committee member agencies awarded the remuneration of twenty (20) surrendered firearms worth two million four thousand pesos (P2, 004, 000.00) for twelve (12) FRs and one million sixty-eight thousand pesos (P1, 068, 000.00) as Immediate Assistance worth fifteen thousand pesos (P15, 000.00) each, and Financial Assistance worth fifty thousand pesos (P50, 000.00) each, respectively, for the thirteen (13) FRs as part of the DILG financial assistance package. The activity was held at the Provincial Governor’s Office Conference Room.

Thirteen (13) FRs composed of members of Guerrilla Fronts (GFs) 16A, 16B, and 16C of North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) and GF 88 of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) were the beneficiaries of said activity. They surrendered a total of twenty (20) High-Powered Firearms. These HPFAs consist of the following: six (6) AK47 rifles, four (4) M16 rifles, three (3) M4 rifles, two (2) M14 rifles, one (1) AR18 rifle, one (1) home made shotgun and three (3) M203 Grenade Launchers. The corresponding remuneration of each FAs were doubled as additional reward for those FRs who brought along with them their issued FAs upon surrender to the government troops.

One of the highlights during the ceremony was the ceremonial turnover of firearms as a symbol of the Former Rebel’s giving up the path of violence and embracing the life of peace and commitment by pledging their support and allegiance towards the government. The firearms were ceremoniously received by Provincial Director of Surigao del Norte PCol Adolph C Almendra and Lt Col Ryan Callanta, Commanding Officer of the 30th Infantry (Python) Battalion under the operational control of the 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade.

Moreover, under the E-CLIP package of assistance, the FRs also received support from TESDA, Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) during the said ceremony.

Meanwhile, Governor Matugas lauded the E-CLIP Committee for exerting efforts to follow up and prepare the financial package for the FRs. He also congratulated the Philippine Army particularly the 30IB under 402nd Brigade for taking care of the FRs while waiting for the assistance from E-CLIP. He reminded the former rebels to continuously live peacefully with their families and become responsible and productive members of the community as they go back to the mainstream society.

Also, Brigadier General Maurito L Licudine, Commander of 402nd Infantry Brigade, said “We are indeed glad that the FRs already received the assistance under the E-CLIP. We fervently hope that they will use the money wisely to start their new life with their families free from violence and uncertainty. We call on the remaining CNTs to value their lives and not waste on a rotten ideology that has no relevance. We will continuously pursue peace and development amidst the pandemic crisis. We urge them to take advantage of the government’s reintegration program and avail the E-CLIP until it’s available or else suffer the consequences, “either be captured or killed in battle.”




[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/13-former-rebels-receive-php3m-e-clip-financial-assistance-in-surnor/

CPP/CIO: Condemn arrest and detention of Cordilleran leader

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Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 12, 2020): Condemn arrest and detention of Cordilleran leader

COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES
MARCO VALBUENA
CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER

JUNE 12, 2020



The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) condemns the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for arresting and detaining Annie Tauli, an elderly leader of the Batil and Peypeyen clan and long-time activist of the Cordilleran people’s movement for genuine autonomy and self-determination. Tauli was picked-up by military agents yesterday at Besao town, Mountain Province.

The Party condemns the media disinformation campaign orchestrated by National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon himself where Tauli is being described as a “top CPP leader” who “came forward to clear her name” to obscure the fact that she was arrested unlawfully and is being detained without charges.

According to reports, Tauli is not facing any criminal charges. However, she has long been subjected to military red-tagging, surveillance and harassment for her involvement in local people’s struggles. Her sister, Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, UN Special Rapporteur on Rights of Indigenous Peoples, has also been repeatedly red-tagged by the AFP.

https://cpp.ph/statement/condemn-arrest-and-detention-of-cordilleran-leader/
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