Key Philippine Military and Insurgency-Related Events

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 14, 2021): Duterte is a coward and traitor to our country but the most reliable minion to his Chinese imperialist boss – Ka Oris

JORGE "KA ORIS" MADLOS

SPOKESPERSON

NATIONAL OPERATIONAL COMMAND

NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY

MAY 14, 2021

President Rodrigo Duterte is a coward and traitor to the Filipino people as he is sickeningly subservient and loyal to his Chinese imperialist boss.

The bully and macho Duterte has surrendered and conceded to China the sovereign and maritime rights of the country over the West Philippine Sea. Despite negative public reactions, he continues to take a treasonous stance on China’s blatant military incursion and economic plunder of our natural resources within the Philippines’ EEZ.

While Duterte is rough, profane and the No.1 Bully of his fellow Filipinos, he is generously kind, considerate and ”hospitable” to the Chinese imperialist bully. Napakabastos at pinagmumumura niya ang kapwa Pilipino pero para sa Tsina napakagalang at nag-uumapaw ang respeto. He ordered the murder of more than 33,000 poor people indiscriminately listed as “drug suspects”. He now employs the same “tokhang-style” assassinations, illegal arrests and detention on activists, members of the opposition and those red-tagged as “communists” or “communist supporters”.

It was Duterte who fast-tracked the spread of the pandemic in the country by welcoming the entry of more than 500,000 Chinese gamblers and nationals from January to March last year. Until now, he continues to refuse the allotment of funds for mass testing, medical care and ample economic assistance for the people. Instead, he has used the pandemic to further corrupt public funds.

Duterte has also used the pandemic as an opportunity to incur more huge loans from China. He has imposed on the Filipino people a record-high tax burden of Php10.33 trillion. Yet, he has the kapal ng mukha to chastise the Filipino people as “walang utang na loob” to imperial China for allegedly preferring other vaccines over the Chinese-manufactured vaccines at the expense of our sovereignty.

He publicly reprimanded DFA Sec. Locsin’s emphatic remarks yet he hailed praise for DOH Sec. Duque who botched the punctual procurement and delivery of vaccines to favor anomalous deals with China. True to his cowardice, he arrogantly challenged former SC Associate Justice Carpio to a public debate only to shrink back with his tail between his legs.

By bowing to his Chinese imperial boss, Duterte has completely stripped all nationalist and patriotic pretense. He had further exposed his personal and class interests. In exchange for promised public loans and private shady deals, he has allowed China’s reclamation of the West Philippine Sea and the building of its military facilities within the country’s territorial seas.

Duterte may be China’s most reliable minion but to the Filipino people he is the biggest traitor for admitting defeat even before putting up a fight. Sino ngayon ang walang utang na loob at nakakahiya? Hindi ba’t mas nakakahiya ang isang presidenteng duwag at traydor sa kanyang sariling mamamayan at bansa?

Thus, we call on the broad masses of the people to unite for national independence, genuine democracy, social justice and regime and system change. We call on all patriotic soldiers to side with the people by withdrawing support for a traitor Commander-in-Chief. Let us all fight for the removal of this treasonous regime that has betrayed the Filipino people over and over again. Defend national patrimony and sovereignty! Enough of Duterte’s tyranny, cowardice and betrayal! ###

https://cpp.ph/statements/duterte-is-a-coward-and-traitor-to-our-country-but-the-most-reliable-minion-to-his-chinese-imperialist-boss-ka-oris/

From the Philippine News Agency (May 14, 2021): 'I won't allow PH to join any war with US': Duterte (By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos)

File photo

President Rodrigo Duterte has made a firm stance that he would never let Philippine troops participate in any war with the United States (US) under his watch.

Duterte issued the remarks, as he slammed anew the US’ role in the withdrawal of Philippine vessels from the Scarborough Shoal in 2012 amid a standoff with China.

“Please do not include my country… Sa panahon ko (Under my watch), there will never be a time that I will allow my soldiers to go somewhere to fight and join the Americans,” he said in a pre-recorded public address delivered Thursday night but televised on Friday noon.

Duterte’s fresh statement against Washington DC came, as he once again chided former Supreme Court associate justice Antonio Carpio and former Foreign Affairs secretary Albert del Rosario over their supposed participation in the Philippines’ decision to withdraw ships from Scarborough Shoal.

On April 29, del Rosario recalled that there was an agreement brokered by the US in 2012 for the Philippines and China to withdraw their ships from Scarborough Shoal to resolve the standoff in the area.

China, however, “deceitfully breached” the deal by refusing to withdraw its vessels from the disputed waters.

Duterte lamented that the past administration, upon the US’ advice, ordered the immediate withdrawal of Philippine ships without considering the possibility that China might “renege on its commitment to everybody” and “stay there and claim the West Philippine Sea as their property.”

If he were Carpio and Del Rosario, he would never order the Philippine vessels to leave Scarborough Shoal, Duterte said.

“Ako, hindi ako aalis doon (I would not leave if I were you),” he said. “Carpio, at ikaw Albert, bakit ganoon? Bakit pumayag ka agad na derecho? Hindi naman sa segurista ka (Carpio and Albert, why did you do that? Why did you order the withdrawal immediately without hesitation)?”

Duterte also expressed dismay that the past administration listened to the US.

“Ang sabi ng Amerika, ‘Kapag pinag-awayan ninyo, territorial disputes, hindi kami makialam.’ Hindi nga kayo nakialam pero nakialam kayo, pinaatras ninyo ang Pilipinas. Eh kayo naman kasi, puro what the Americans say, susunod-sunod lang kayo (America said, ‘When you fight over territorial disputes, we will not interfere.’ You did not interfere but you ordered the Philippines to withdraw. And the past administration listed to what the Americans say),” he said.

Duterte said he would never allow the US to impose “imperialistic might” on the Philippines.

He gave the assurance, as he hit the US for refusing to give the Philippines the “dignity of being a true republic.”

“In the first place, you created a problem not only a few years [back], you created a problem as a matter of fact when you invaded my country,” Duterte said.

He added that in his remaining months, he wants the Philippines to “be left alone and live in peace.”

“Maski na hindi mo ako bigyan ng bagong armas, okay lang yun total wala naman tayong kalaban. So kung hindi tayo makipag-away (Even if you do not give me arms, that’s fine with me because we do not have enemy. So if we do not have enemy), we do not fight with anybody, there’s really no point in acquiring ballistic missiles. We just ask to be left alone and live in peace,” he said.

On April 23, the Philippines and the US concluded this year's 2021 Balikatan exercises.

Around 225 US military personnel and 415 Philippine soldiers participated with strict observance of health and safety protocols due to the prevailing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, during the closing ceremony of this year’s Balikatan, said the exercises help advance the two nations’ military-to-military partnership in pursuit of their shared commitment to “mutual defense in a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1140268

From the Philippine News Agency (May 14, 2021): PH vessels to stay put in WPS, Duterte tells China (By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos)

President Rodrigo Duterte (Presidential photo)

President Rodrigo Duterte has told China that the Philippines will continue conducting maritime patrols in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) amid Beijing’s incursions into the disputed waters.

In his taped public address delivered Thursday night but televised Friday noon, Duterte put China on notice that Philippine vessels would stay put in WPS.

“I’d like to put notice on China. May dalawang barko ako diyan, Philippine government (The Philippine government has two ships there),” Duterte said. “Kaya ako, sabihin ko sa China ngayon (So, I am telling China now), I am not ready to withdraw [the Philippine vessels from WPS].”

On Wednesday, the National Task Force for WPS (NTF-WPS) said maritime exercises in WPS will continue upon Duterte’s directive.

BRP Malapascua (MRRV 4003), MCS 3001, and 3008 were deployed at the Kalayaan municipality in Palawan, while BRP Sindangan (MRRV 4407) and MCS 3005 are within the area of Bajo de Masinloc, the NTF-WPS said.

The Philippine vessels, the NTF-WPS said, are being complemented by the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) four high speed tactical watercraft, three police gunboats, and police fast boats to patrol the municipal waters and portions of the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the disputed waters.

The Philippines’ heightened presence in WPS came following the “illegal” incursions of Chinese vessels into the country’s EEZ.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who attended the meeting with Duterte at Malacañan Palace, said the Philippine ships are conducting maritime patrols within Kalayaan Island Group and Mischief Reef.

Duterte said he has no plan to order the withdrawal of Philippine ships from WPS, even if Manila’s friendship with Beijing would be at stake.

“Ngayon, hindi talaga ako aatras. Patayin mo man ako kung patayin mo ako, dito ako. Dito magtatapos ang ating pagkakaibigan (Now, I will really not order them to withdraw. You can kill me if you want but we will stay there. I don’t mind if it would cost our friendship),” he said.

Not going to war

Echoing Duterte’s stance, the NTF-WPS said the Philippines would continue to defend its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction over WPS, and would not “yield an inch of our territory”.

Duterte said the Philippines would "not move an inch backward”.

He, however, clarified that he is not waging a war on China.

“I do not want a quarrel. I do not want trouble. I respect your position and you respect mine. But we will not go to war,” he said.

Duterte made the statement, as he maintained that the Philippines could not afford to launch a war against China.

“It’s not wrong to admit na inferior ka (that you are inferior) in terms of might and power. Hindi naman masamang magprangka ka na ito lang talaga ang kakayahan ko (It’s not wrong to be frank that this is just my limitation),” he said.

Duterte also reiterated that the Philippines continues to honor its debt of gratitude to China.

Sea ruling won’t solve dispute

On July 12, 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands ruled in favor of the Philippines’ petition when the court affirmed that China has no legal basis to assert its supposedly historic rights over nearly the entire WPS.

Despite the Philippines’ historic win, China has made a firm stance that it would not honor the 2016 arbitral ruling.

Thus, the sea ruling would not help resolve the sea dispute between Manila and Beijing, Duterte added.

“Kung papel, papel lang. Hindi madala iyan (You won’t be able address the dispute through that paper),” he said. “It’s really a piece of paper. If you wave it in front of the face of the Chinese, sabihin niya (he will say), ‘We will throw it to the basket, to the trash can. We do not honor it. It’s yours. First and foremost, we were not a party to that case that you won.”

Manila, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), has filed a series of diplomatic protests against Beijing's incursions into WPS.

On Thursday, the DFA filed another diplomatic protest against the presence of at least 287 Chinese maritime militia vessels in the waters of Kalayaan, Palawan.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1140251

From the Philippine News Agency (May 14, 2021): Missile boats to boost PH Navy's capability to defend key waters (By Priam Nepomuceno)

Photo courtesy of Israel Shipyards website

The Philippine Navy (PN)'s capability to defend the country's key sea lines of communications (SLOCs) such as Mindoro, Balabac, Sibutu, and Basilan Straits against conventional threats will get a boost with the forthcoming arrival of fast-attack interdictor craft missile (FAIC-M) boats it has acquired.

Navy chief, Vice Adm. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo made this remark as he confirmed that the three of a total of eight fast-attack interdictor craft missile (FAIC-M) boats it has acquired are scheduled to be delivered in the first quarter of 2022.

"Confirmed. The first three platforms will be delivered in 2022 already,"PN chief, Vice Adm. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo said in a message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Friday when asked for updates.

This came after shipbuilding firm Israel Shipyards released a statement saying it has awarded a contract to supply Shaldag Mark V fast patrol boats to an Asian country.

While operating in restricted waters, these boats can interdict surface threats and launch non-line-of-sight (NLOS) missiles safely using the surrounding littoral areas as maneuver space and cover.

"The FAIC-M will be deployed initially in the Mindanao AORs (area-of-responsibility) where there is continuous operations against LTGs (local terrorist groups) and CTGs (communist terrorist groups) These platforms are best suited operating in these environments to act as an effective deterrent not only against the terrorist groups but also against other lawless elements operating in the littoral areas," he added.

Four of the FAIC-Ms will be armed with NLOS missiles with pinpoint accuracy and a range of 25 kilometers while the other four will be armed with machine guns and light automatic cannons.

Bacordo said all documents regarding the FAIC-M acquisition project were signed earlier this year.

"The FAIC Project Contract was signed on 09 February 2021 while the Notice To Proceed was signed by the SND (Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana) on 27 April 2021," he added.

The Notice of Award was issued last January 4. The project, which consists of two lots, is worth around PHP10 billion.

Lot 1 consists of the acquisition of the naval platforms and the upgrade of the Cavite Naval Shipyard while Lot 2 is focused on the acquisition of the weapons system of these FAIC-Ms which include remotely-controlled gun and missile systems.

Bacordo earlier said successful negotiations with the Israeli shipbuilder resulted in the addition of one Shaldag Mark V unit to the eight boats initially ordered without any extra cost to the Philippine government.

The FAIC-Ms is expected to replace the force of patrol killer medium (PKM) or medium-sized patrol craft.

The Shaldag Mark V is a combat-proven, all-aluminum, light, and fast vessel with high payload capacity, providing exceptional maneuverability and seakeeping.

Delivering a high firepower-to-displacement ratio, it is designed to operate in naval security missions and can efficiently protect exclusive economic zones and littoral waters.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1140214

From the Philippine News Agency (May 14, 2021): Army training facility opens in Tarlac (By Zorayda Tecson)

INAUGURATION. DPWH Secretary Mark Villar (second from left), together with Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (second from right) lead the inauguration and blessing of the P117-million Army Leadership Development and Education Center (ALDEC) Phase I building located within Camp O’ Donnell in Capas, Tarlac on Friday (May 14, 2021). This will serve as a learning facility for the conduct of leadership development and education of the Army forces. (Photo courtesy of DPWH Region 3)

A new three-storey building dedicated to education will soon be available for the use of the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) of the Philippine Army in Capas, Tarlac.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark A. Villar, together with Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana and TRADOC commander Maj. Gen. Cornelio H. Valencia Jr., on Friday led the inauguration and blessing of the PHP117-million Army Leadership Development and Education Center (ALDEC) Phase I building located inside Camp O’ Donnell.

Also present during the event were select key officials of the Philippine Army and from the DPWH Regional and Tarlac 2nd District Engineering Offices.

“This will serve as a learning facility for the conduct of leadership development and education, and will also house offices and a multi-purpose hall,” Villar said in a statement.

Meanwhile, DPWH Region 3 Director Roseller Tolentino said the project funded under the General Appropriations Act 2020 was implemented by the Regional Construction Division.

To ensure that the training and education of the Army will remain uninterrupted, a generator set as well as a water tank were included in the project’s scope of work - apart from the usual civil, mechanical, electrical and sanitary/plumbing works.

Aside from ALDEC Building, the DPWH also completed other projects inside the TRADOC devoted to strengthening the skills and capabilities of the military.

The Tarlac 2nd District Engineering Office started construction of infrastructure projects for TRADOC in 2019.

Among those completed are a training pool, classrooms and a mess hall for the School for Candidate Soldier (SCS), and an Army Transient Facility (ATF).

“The second phase of the concreting of TRADOC Road Networks was completed in 2020. However, additional funds amounting to PHP15 million was released to ensure that the upgrading of the entirety of the road networks would be achieved,” Villar added.

The inauguration and blessing ceremonies were carried out in strict compliance with the health and safety protocols to ensure the safety of all present in the event against coronavirus disease.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1140263

From the Philippine News Agency (May 14, 2021): 604 Butuan teachers find relief after cutting ties with ACT (By Alexander Lopez)

DISAFFILIATION. Rey Collado, the district supervisor of South West District of the Department of Education in Butuan City and the designated chairperson of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) in the area, is thankful to the government and the different line agencies for helping them cut ties with the leftist organization. Collado is among the 604 teachers from Butuan City who disaffiliated themselves from ACT on May 6, 2021. (Screenshot from PIA-13/PTV Report)

BUTUAN CITY – Some 604 public elementary and high school teachers from this city thanked the government for helping them cut ties with the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), an alleged front organization of the National Democratic Front (NDF) of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA).

The teachers formally disaffiliated from ACT after a seminar on Situational Awareness and Knowledge Management (SAKM) and on National Security Concerns conducted by the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency in Region 10 (NICA-10) at the Agusan National High School here on May 6.

The activity was also participated in by top officials of the Department of Education in Caraga (DepEd-13), the military, and the police.

Among those who disaffiliated from ACT was Rey Collado, the District Supervisor of South West District of DepEd Butuan and the designated ACT chairperson in the area.

“We are glad that government agencies, especially those in the security sector, are doing this kind of activity,” Collado said in an interview with the Philippine Information Agency Caraga and People's Television (PTV) network after the seminar.

He said the government officials present during the disaffiliation process and the pledge of loyalty to the government can vouch for the truthfulness of their statements particularly on their impressions as members of ACT.

Collado said he realized the need to cut ties with the organization when a school official here was arrested in March.

He was referring to Rosanilla B. Consad, the assistant principal of San Vicente National High School here, who was arrested for attempted homicide.

Authorities alleged that Consad worked for a rebel underground movement known as KAGUMA or the Katipunan ng Gurong Makabayan.

In a separate interview, Marilou Zerrudo, a headteacher from Butuan Central Elementary School, advised teachers to be aware of the kind of organizations they want to join.

“They must also determine what benefits they can get once they join an organization,” Zerrudo said.

Manuel Orduna, the regional director of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) in Northern Mindanao and Caraga Region, said the disaffiliation of the 604 teachers from ACT is the first in the country.

Top military and police officials in the Caraga region also lauded the courage of the public school teachers.

In a statement issued on May 10, Brig. Gen. Maurito L. Licudine, commander of the Army's 402nd Infantry Brigade (402Bde), hopes other sectors would emulate the "courage of the teachers by disaffiliating themselves from the legal front organizations of the CPP-NPA-NDF".

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1140290

From the Philippine News Agency (May 14, 2021): 8 more rebels surrender in Masbate (By Connie Calipay)

SURRENDERED. The firearms turned over to the authorities by former rebels in Palanas, Masbate on Wednesday (May 12, 2021). Capt. John Paul Belleza, 9th Infantry Division spokesperson, said seven members of the NPA's "Militia ng Bayan" and one supporter voluntarily surrendered to the combined troops of the Army and police in the province. (Photo courtesy of 9ID)

Motivated by their trust and confidence in government troops who are persistent in their call for communist terrorist group (CTG) members to return to the fold of the law, a new batch of CTG members and supporter has withdrawn their membership and patronage from the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in Palanas, Masbate.

In a statement on Friday, Capt. John Paul Belleza, 9th Infantry Division (9ID) spokesperson, said seven members of the NPA's "Militia ng Bayan" and one supporter voluntarily surrendered to the combined operatives of the Army and police in the province last Wednesday.

“Also turned in by the group were eight low-powered firearms, such as two caliber .45 pistols, three caliber. 357 revolvers and three caliber .38 revolvers,"he said.

Belleza, citing a statement from one of the surrenderers, said "the testimonies of their former comrades who chose the path of peace, helped them realize that the soldiers and police do no harm to the CTG members and supporters who yield to the government, unlike the fabricated stories the CTG leaders inculcated in their minds."

Lt. Col. Siegfried Felipe Awichen, commander of the 2nd Infantry Battalion (2IB), said the surrenderers, who are now undergoing the enrollment process for the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), are assisted by the troops.

He also said government troops will not relent on their goal to achieve peace in Masbate by going after CTG members who continue to intimidate and sow chaos in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs).

For his part, Col. Aldwine Almase, commander of the 903rd Infantry Brigade, said what urged these former rebels (FRs) to go down the mountains were the hardships and dangers they could no longer endure. "Dahil mas pinaigting natin ang kampanya laban sa terorismo kung kaya nawalan na ng lugar na mapagtataguan ang mga komunistang teroristang ito. (Because we intensified our campaign against terrorism, they have no more place to hide)," he said.

"This exposed them to extreme danger while suffering from hunger and exhaustion which along with the government's peace programs and initiatives led to the continuing influx of surrenderers," Almase added.

On the other hand, Maj. Gen. Henry Robinson Jr., commander of Joint Task Force Bicolandia, recognized the passion of the military and police to contribute significantly in the government's thrust to make Bicol a more peaceful and progressive region.

"Hanggang sa maaari, ayaw nating may namamatay na miyembro ng CTG sa mga engkwentro. Kaya kasabay ng ating pinaigting at pinalawak na security operations ay walang humpay din ang ating panawagan sa kanila na sumuko na lang. (As much as we want, no lives of CTGs were killed during the encounter, that's why we always asked them to surrender.) Their lives, just like anyone else, are precious and we are happier to see them alive, enjoying the gift of peace with their loved ones. To our brothers in the mountains, there is no point in delaying your surrender. Walang benipisyo sa kilusan pero sa gobyerno, napakarami: cash, livelihood, educational, housing, and medical assistance as well as firearm remuneration.. yan ang naghihintay sa inyo. (No benefits in the movement, while in the government, there is cash, livelihood, educational, housing and medical assistance as well as firearm remuneration that await you),” Robinson said.

In the first week of May, 23 CTG members have also surrendered in Masbate, bringing with them high and low-powered firearms.

This is aside from the recent successful operations of the troops which only reflect the government's triumphs against communist insurgency in the province while at the same time gaining the all-out support of the Masbateños.

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1140231

From the Philippine News Agency (May 14, 2021): Abu Sayyaf bandit killed, 3 soldiers hurt in Sulu clash (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)

Google map of Barangay Kagay, Indanan, Sulu.

An Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandit was killed while three soldiers were wounded in a firefight that ensued while government troops were on focused military operations in Sulu province, officials said Friday.

Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said troops under the Joint Task Force (JTF)-Sulu were conducting combat operations when they clashed with a group of ASG bandits early Friday in Barangay Kagay, Indanan, Sulu.

Vinluan said the ASG bandits withdrew in different directions, leaving behind the remains of their slain comrade following a five-minute firefight.

Maj. Gen. William Gonzales, JTF-Sulu commander, identified the slain ASG bandit as Arab Undo, whose remains were taken to Camp General Teodulfo Bautista for proper disposition.

Gonzales said Undo was one of the remaining followers of slain ASG senior leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan.

The identities of the wounded soldiers were not immediately known, except that they belong to the Army's 1101st Infantry Brigade.

“The battle casualties (wounded soldiers) were immediately extricated from the area and rushed to Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital for medical attention and they are now in stable condition,” said Brig. Gen. Antonio Bautista, the Army's 1101st Infantry Brigade commander.

Bautista said the troops recovered during the clearing operations a caliber .45 pistol, a backpack, one solar panel, personal belongings, and food supplies.

The JTF-Sulu has so far neutralized a total of 94 ASG members, eight of which were killed, 76 surrendered, and 10 were apprehended since January this year.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1140304

From the Philippine News Agency (May 14, 2021): NegOr guv says AFP chief 'worthy of emulation' (By Mary Judaline Partlow)

CITATION AWARD. The province of Negros Oriental, headed by Gov. Roel Degamo (second from left) holds a recognition ceremony for AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Cirilito Sobejana (center) at the Negros Oriental Convention Center in Dumaguete City on Friday (May 14, 2021). Sobejana hails from Zamboanguita, Negros Oriental. (Screengrab from the Facebook page of Negros Oriental)

Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo on Friday called on his constituents, especially the youth, to emulate the example of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Cirilito Sobejana in his commitment to serve the country with sincerity and dedication.

Degamo led other provincial leaders in giving due recognition to Sobejana for his outstanding contributions to the country and for being a son of the province worthy of emulation.

Sobejana, a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Hinirang” Class ’87, hails from the town of Zamboanguita, about an hour’s drive south of this capital city, and is the first from the province to hold the highest position and rank in the AFP.

Degamo, in recognizing Sobejana’s achievements, notably being a recipient of the country’s highest military award for courage, the Medal of Valor, said in his message at ceremonies held at the Negros Oriental Convention Center here that the province wholeheartedly support him.

“Let us all learn from the lessons of Gen. Sobejana’s life. With all his achievements, Gen. Sobejana is not a superman but just an ordinary man doing his work with extra passion,” the governor said, while hoping that giving recognition to him would inspire the youth to strive for excellence.

“Makahatag kini ug panag-ingnan sa kabataan ining atong probinsya nga hatagan ug dakong pagtagad ang pagtungha alang sa maayong edukasyon (this will set an example to the province’s children to give priority to better education),” he said.

The values of a good education, sincere and transparent service, and love for the country, and showing respect in protecting the rights of the people are key to achieving the desired peace and order, Degamo said in a mix of English and Cebuano dialect.

Sobejana, for his part, told the political leaders and others in attendance in Friday’s ceremonies that public service is not just limited to the military but one can serve in other capacities as well. He thanked the province for the recognition that would encourage him more to serve the country and the people.

Recalling his early years in Negros Oriental, Sobejana said he lived a simple life with his parents in Zamboanguita, and he dreamed of being a pilot but that dream “died when my father passed away” when he was just five years old.

Sobejana said his life in the Armed Forces was not easy, “but I consider myself fortunate being deployed in the most troubled parts of the country because it will really test your tenacity, your bravery, your courage, your heroism, and of course, your combat leadership.”

The city government will also hold its own ceremony of recognition for the AFP chief of staff late Friday at the Pantawan 3 of the Rizal Boulevard, with Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo leading the activity.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1140246

From the Philippine News Agency (May 14, 2021): NPA 'finance officer' nabbed in Surigao Sur (By Alexander Lopez)

ARRESTED NPA LEADER. Police authorities in the region and the Army’s 3rd Special Forces Battalion, arrest Friday (May 14, 2021) suspected communist rebel Marcela Basa Diaz in the Marihatag, Surigao del Sur. She is allegedly the acting finance and liaison officer of an NPA unit under the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee. (Photo courtesy of BCPO)

Authorities arrested the alleged acting finance and liaison officer of a unit under the communist New People's Army's (NPA) North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC)in a joint manhunt in Surigao del Sur Friday, a police official said.

Col. Canilo Fuentes, Butuan City Police Office (BCPO) director, identified the suspect Marcela Basa Diaz alias “Silay Diaz,” who was arrested in the Surigao del Sur town of Marihatag by police officers from the BCPO, the intelligence unit of Police Regional Office in Caraga (PRO-13), Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office (SDSPPO), and the Army's 3rd Special Forces Battalion (3SFBn).

“Diaz is also a member of the Malayang Kilusan ng Bagong Kababaihan, an underground mass organization (UGMO),” Fuentes said.

Diaz was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest for attempted homicide under Criminal Case No. 3197 issued by the Municipal Circuit Trial Court (MCTC) of Tubay-Santiago, Agusan del Norte on March 15, 2021.

Fuentes said BCPO is also looking into Diaz's possible involvement in previous harassments by the NPA in Agusan del Norte and Butuan City.

“We are conducting a thorough investigation to see if Diaz is also in charge of sending extortion letters to handfuls of business establishments and financial institutions and collecting extortion money to support the rebel group,” the police official said.

He also urged the remaining NPA rebels in the area to surrender and take advantage of the government's reintegration program.

“We are more than happy to assist towards your new and better lives,” Fuentes said.

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1140254

From the Philippine News Agency (May 14, 2021): NPA couple surrender in Eastern Samar after 18 years (By Sarwell Meniano)

ABANDONING THE REBEL MOVEMENT. The map of Dolores, Eastern Samar where the New People's Army (NPA) couple surrendered to policemen on Thursday night (May 13, 2021) after 18 years of joining the armed struggle. The couple decided to abandon the NPA after both of them were accused last month of being traitors and were punished to settle outside Eastern Visayas. (Google image)

A couple recruited by the New People’s Army (NPA) nearly two decades ago, surrendered to policemen in Dolores, Eastern Samar late Thursday.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) identified the couple as alias Maoy, 34, and her 30-year-old wife, who was not named for security reasons. They were newlyweds when recruited by the communist terrorist group 18 years ago in their hometown in Dolores.

"They served the organization with several positions as regular guerrilla members and even nurtured their four children in an antagonistic way of life. Their loyalty cannot be disputed but not until they realized that the NPA organization did nothing to help their family,"the PNP said in its report sent to media on Friday.

The couple decided to abandon the NPA after they were accused last month of being traitors and were punished to settle outside Eastern Visayas.

“That convinced them to defy them and denounced their cause and consequently yield to the fold of law through the PNP 1st Eastern Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company headquarters,” the PNP added.

"Maoy", who was a fighter under the NPA Eastern Visayas regional party committee sub-regional operation command turned over a .38-caliber pistol with five live ammunition.

His wife acted as intelligence personnel, courier, and revolutionary tax collector of the communist terrorist group.

The two yielded to authorities around 10 p.m. on Thursday. The couple is now under the custody of PNP while their children (all minors) are under the watch of their relatives.

The NPA, which has been waging a five-decade armed struggle against the government, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1140244

From the Philippine Information Agency (May 13, 2021): New Defender brigade commander vows intensified counter-insurgency efforts (By Joyah Mae C. Quimoyog)

Newly-appointed brigade commander of the 702nd Infantry (Defender) Brigade, Philippine Army Brigadier General Krishnamurti Mortela vowed to continue and strengthen the counter-insurgency efforts of the Army through the whole-of-nation approach to end armed conflict institutionalized through Executive Order No. 70.

“As the new brigade commander, I intend to continue our programs that led to the clearing, particularly in Ilocos Sur, from the armed group,” Brig. General Mortela said in an interview after his courtesy call with Ilocos Sur Governor Ryan Luis Singson on May 7.

“There’s always a plan coming from the communist terrorist groups (CTGs) that once we clear the conflict-affected areas, they want to come back and recover it, so we’ll make sure – the Philippine Army, the 702nd Brigade, will be a partner to pursue especially our development efforts and we will support all the initiatives of the provincial government of Ilocos Sur led by Governor Singson,” he added.

BGen Mortela expressed his gratitude to Governor Singson for the 100 percent support of the provincial government to all the programs and activities of the Philippine Army in bringing sustainable peace and security in the province.

Likewise, Governor Singson lauded the constant peace initiatives of the Philippine Army in connection to the withdrawal of support to the CTGs and oath of allegiance to the government of 69 members of Underground Mass Organization (UGMO) in Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur on May 3.

COURTESY CALL. Brigadier General Krishnamurti A. Mortela (left), accompanied by Lieutenant Colonel Rodrigo Mariñas Jr., the commander of the Army's 81st Infantry Battalion (center), during his courtesy call with Ilocos Sur Governor Ryan Luis V. Singson (right) on May 7 at the Provincial Capitol, Vigan City. (jmcq/pia)

With the recent accomplishments of the Army in Ilocos Region, especially in Ilocos Sur, Brig. General Mortela vowed the continuous neutralization of the CTG remnants as there are still some underground and sectoral front organizations that could be potential source of NPA fighters against the government, hence, the intensified presence of the government not only by the military but the whole government – local government units (LGUs) and the national government agencies (NGAs) that will bring enhanced governance in these areas.

“Dito sa Ilocos Sur, ang effort natin ay zero NPA talaga and zero support system to the CTGs,” Brig. Gen. Mortela said.

The military will increase their presence to the communities which were affected by CTGs but it will now be in the form of securing government development projects through the Army’s Community Support Program.

“It’s about getting in touch with these misled individuals through convenient peace advocacy – educating them and correcting the misled ideology implanted by the CPP-NPA, talking with them, and putting together the development programs of various national government agencies discredited by the CPP-NPA. So if we’re able to correct all of these, the UGMO members will be enlightened and will have faith in the government,” Brig. Gen. Mortela said.

“We entice them to come back and fully support the government and the government will provide the needs of the communities kung saan andoon mga UGMO natin and when we say UGMO, these could be farmers, fisherfolks, women, and even youth organizations that have been misled by the CPP-NPA kasi sila talaga ang tina-target nila,” he added.

“They are now ready to fight and prevent the NPA from victimizing them again so we have to show our sincerity by bringing services to them,” Brig. General Mortela ended.

Brig. General Mortela was installed as the new commander, replacing Brig. General Audrey Pasia, in a ceremony held at the 702nd Brigade Headquarters, Camp Tito Abat, Manaoag, Pangasinan on April 26.

The new 702nd Brigade Commander is the former Brigade Commander of the 701st Infantry Brigade based in Mindanao while the outgoing commander, Brig. Gen. Pasia, is now assigned as the Assistant Division Commander of the 5th Infantry Division in Isabela Province. (JCR/AMB/JMCQ/PIA Ilocos Sur)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1075011

From the Philippine Information Agency (May 14, 2021): DPWH completes construction of Army building in Capas (By Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu)

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) completed the construction of the Army Leadership Development and Education Center (ALDEC) Phase I building inside Camp O’ Donnell in Capas, Tarlac.

The PhP117 million, three-storey facility is now ready for use by the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC).

“This new building will serve as a learning facility of the Philippine Army as it fulfills its mission of training and educating army forces to strengthen land warfare competencies,” DPWH Secretary Mark Villar said.

Villar and Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana led the inauguration of the ALDEC Building. The completed project was funded under the General Appropriations Act of 2020 and implemented by DPWH Region 3 Construction Division.

Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar (second from left) and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (second from right) lead the inauguration of the Army Leadership Development and Education Center Phase I building inside Camp O’ Donnell in Capas, Tarlac. (DPWH)

Intended as venue for the conduct of training on leadership, development and education, the facility will house offices and a multi-purpose hall. It is equipped with generator set and water tank.

Apart from the ALDEC Building, DPWH also completed other infrastructures at Camp O’Donnell to support TRADOC’s program for strengthening the skills and capabilities of the military.

“Under the Tatag ng Imprastraktura para sa Kapayapaan at Seguridad Convergence Program with DND, our Tarlac 2nd District Engineering Office completed in 2019 the training pool, classrooms and a mess hall for the School for Candidate Soldier and an Army Transient Facility,” Villar disclosed.

In 2020, the second phase of the concreting of TRADOC Road Networks was completed and additional funds amounting to PhP15 million was released to ensure that the upgrading of the entirety of the road networks would be achieved. (CLJD-PIA 3)

The PhP117 million, three-storey facility is now ready for use by the Training and Doctrine Command. (DND)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1075239

From the Philippine Information Agency (May 14, 2021): 19 former rebels in Tarlac receive cash assistance (By Gabriela Liana Barela)

TARLAC CITY, May 13 (PIA) -- A total of 19 former rebels in Tarlac received cash assistance from Department of the Interior and Local Government and the provincial government.

It is part of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the government wherein rebel returnees and their families are given a wide array of benefits to help them start anew as they are reintegrated to mainstream society.

In her message, Governor Susan Yap assured the returnees that the government is maximizing its efforts to attend to the people's needs.

"There is no perfect government, no perfect president, no perfect governor, no perfect mayor. But all I can assure all of you is we are always here trying to find solutions on our problems and address where we are lacking, we will always try to fix it,” Yap said.

She encouraged the returnees to use the cash assistance given to them to start life anew.

Each former regular New People's Army member received immediate assistance and livelihood assistance amounting to PhP 65,000 while each former Militia ng Bayan member received PhP 15,000.

A total of 19 former rebels in Tarlac receive cash assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program of the government. (Gabriela Liana S. Barela/PIA 3)

Eight of the returnees are from San Jose town, six from Sta. Ignacia, two each from Camiling and Capas, and one from Tarlac City.

For his part, Tarlac Police Provincial Director PCol. Renante Cabico noted that the return of the former rebels holds a bright future for the next generation.

"We, on the part of the uniformed personnel, are grateful for your return and support to the government's programs because we have been fighting for years now and this, reaching its end, will help the future generation," Cabico underscored.

Meanwhile, a former rebel expressed her gratitude for the benefits they received under E-CLIP.

"We are extending our greatest appreciation for this initiative which aims to help us begin a new life with trust in our government," she said.

"Before, they made me believe that to create solutions to the problems in our society is to fight the government, but now I realized that only ourselves can find solutions to our own problems and the government will guide us through it," she furthered. (CLJD/GLSB-PIA 3)

Governor Susan Yap assures former rebels that the government is maximizing its efforts to attend to the people's needs. (Gabriela Liana S. Barela/PIA 3)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1075059

From BenarNews (May 15, 2021): Philippine Muslim Autonomous Region Leader Seeks More Time to Control Militants (J.C. Gotinga)

Troops prepare to secure a roadway near the town of Datu Paglas in Maguindanao during an attack by Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters members, May 8, 2021. Mark Navales/BenarNews

The transitional autonomous government in the southern Philippines needs more time to control militants linked to the Islamic State (IS) but has begun talks with them, its leader told lawmakers on Friday.

Ahod Balawag Ebrahim, chief minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), told senators during a legislative inquiry that he had asked for a three-year extension for his government because normalization in the restive south would take longer than the three years granted to the interim administration.

“The normalization is not a failure. The problem is really that it is not completed. That is why we are asking for an extension, in order to complete the transition and the normalization said the leader of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which used to be a separatist group before it signed a peace deal with the government in 2014.

Ebrahim is popularly known as Murad Ebrahim, the name he used as the leader of MILF.

“Our strategy [to deal with militants] is, we opened [a] dialogue with them and we tried to convince them,” to end the violence, Murad told the senators during online deliberations.

Murad said in January that he had made preliminary contact with the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) as well as the Abu Sayyaf Group in efforts to persuade them to come into the fold of the law.

BIFF is a faction that broke away from the MILF and refused to sign the peace agreement.

One BIFF faction has continued to fight for an independent Muslim state in the southern island of Mindanao.

Another faction of BIFF and Abu Sayyaf, which also operates in the southern region of Mindanao, have both pledged their allegiance to IS.

“We have influenced a bit the faction of Ismael Bongos, then some [in] the group of Karialan,” Murad said.

He was referring to BIFF commanders Ismail Abubakar, or Bongos, and Ustadz Karialan, whose forces faced off with military troops last weekend after they briefly took over the small southern town Datu Paglas. Karialan has not come out openly to pledge support to IS, but as a group, BIFF has not censured IS attacks that advance their own goals.

A third, more radical faction, led by Abu Turaife, has openly pledged support to IS.

Murad said hundreds of militants have already turned their backs on BIFF.

“In fact, 900-plus from these groups have registered with us. They joined back with MILF,” he said.

Murad has been under pressure to rein in BIFF. President Rodrigo Duterte flew to the south earlier this week to meet with BARMM and military officials.

Duterte warned BARMM leaders that if they did not convince BIFF forces to stand down, he would order the military to launch an all-out offensive.

“The monkey wrench in the whole situation now is the BIFF and they continue to inflict not just small violence,” Duterte said on Tuesday.

“They continue to burn, ambush and detonate bombs, really full-blown terrorism.”

Transitional government extension

On Friday, Murad asked the senators to pass a law that would postpone regional elections set for May 2022 and allow BARMM leaders to retain power until 2025. Under the current law on the BARMM, the transitional government is supposed to step down in May 2022.

This is to give the regional government more time to establish reforms and stamp out remaining militant groups, BARMM officials have said. The officials were appointed in 2019 by the central government in Manila rather than by a vote.

A panel of senators questioned the BARMM regional government’s performance, noting that many of the reforms outlined in the peace deal with the central government have yet to be delivered, including the elimination of militants and armed groups in the perennially strife-torn Mindanao region.

The senators asked officials from BARMM and Manila’s peace process office whether incidents like last weekend’s attack in Datu Paglas town in Maguindanao province, and another fight on Wednesday when five suspected BIFF members were killed, indicated a failure in the normalization or process.

The “normalization process is not a magic formula,” said Mohagher Iqbal, BARMM’s education minister and one of the MILF’s top leaders,

MILF leaders have said three years was too short a time to establish a strong regional government, noting the COVID-19 pandemic severely hampered their efforts.

“We are still pushing for extension because we believe it is the only way to complete the normalization process,” Murad said.

Peace Process Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. backed the BARMM governors. “Limiting factors,” including the pandemic, and the consequent reallocation of funds meant for the normalization effort were reasons for the regional government appearing to have underperformed.

“While the BARMM interim government has done a remarkable job with such a short period of time, we believe that the three-year transition period is still not enough to accomplish what it had set [out] to do,” Galvez said.

Besides, elections tend to be divisive and what the Bangsamoro region in Mindanao needs most is unity, he said.

Mark Navales in Cotabato City contributed to this report.

https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/philippine/senate-request-05142021165228.html

From ABS-CBN (May 14, 2021): Islamist militant BIFF's recruitment in Mindanao gains ground amid pandemic: Galvez

Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) spokesperson Abu Misri (4th R) with fellow rebels meet with members of the media for an interview at their hideout in Maguindanao province on January 29, 2014. Mark Navales, AFP/File

Recruitment of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) has intensified amid the pandemic, Presidential Peace adviser Carlito Galvez, Jr. told Senators Friday, admitting that the government "failed" to foresee radicalization as an impact of the global health crisis.

New military chief eyes 'regulating' social media to combat radicalization

"We failed to consider the impact of the COVID-19. During the COVID-19, marami pong nagsara na mga plantations (many plantations closed down). At the same time, it restricts the people from doing things to take their livelihood,"Galvez, a military chief and now Presidential peace adviser, told the Senate's local government panel.

"Because of this situation... many people now, on the verge of hunger, madali po silang ma-recruit (it's easy to recruit them) considering that these are the situations that worsened their livelihood," he said.

The BIFF is a breakaway group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), opposing the latter's decision to pursue peace talks with the government that has led to the creation of the Bangsamoro political entity.

Galvez said the BIFF "exploited" the situation that made poor people more susceptible to recruitment.

"Normally kasama dun ang some of the families ng MILF at also some of the families ng BIFF nawalan po ng trabaho (Normally this includes some families of the MILF and of the BIFF of lost jobs). Because of these hard situations brought about by the COVID-19, it also induces the members of the BIFF to exploit the situation and recruit," Galvez said.

Asked by panel chair Sen. Francis Tolentino if the spike in recruitment was a "failure of intelligence," Galvez said it was not.

"It’s not a failure of intelligence, but basically congruent disabling conditions in the Bangsamoro," Galvez said.

The government is still working on the decommissioning of some 28,000 MILF combatants, which is part of the normalization process that should have been accomplished last year.

Galvez also underscored the need to extend the terms of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region's regional government for another 3 years so they can complete the transition process and avoid potential bloodshed.

3-year extension of Bangsamoro transition necessary, says interior minister
With new Bangsamoro law, MILF opens doors to BIFF members

"Nakita po natin na pagka nagkaroon po ng eleksyon, nagkakaroon po tayo ng malaking dibisyon (we see that whenever we have elections, there's a great division)... The BIFF and the terrorist group might use the elections that creates much division and rido (clan war) in the midst of the Bangsamoro," Galvez said.

About 20 BIFF members over the weekend occupied a market in Datu Paglas, Maguindanao province in the Bangsamoro region, forcing residents to flee. BIFF members shot it out with soldiers, who later drove away the militants.

Military declares Maguindanao town clear after clash with Islamist rebels

On Wednesday, the military clashed with fleeing militants anew. Four BIFF members died in the encounter.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday issued a warning to the BIFF to stop its attacks on civilians.

Duterte tells separatist BIFF to stop attacking civilians
Duterte pleads for Bangsamoro gov't help vs BIFF

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/14/21/biff-recruitment-pandemic

From CNN Philippines (May 14, 2021): Bangsamoro officials push back vs alleged failure to normalize Mindanao (By Eimor Santos)

Officials of the Bangsamoro transition government on Friday admitted they have yet to normalize the situation in the conflict-stricken region, but it does not mean they failed — they just need more time.

"The normalization process is not a magic formula," Bangsamoro Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal said during a Senate hearing on proposed amendments to the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

"Certainly, right now we cannot normalize the situation in Mindanao kasi 'yung lahat ng binanggit ko, naumpisahan pero hindi pa lahat substantial ang pag-implement (because not all the things I mentioned have been substantially implemented)," he added.

Iqbal was referring to several components under the BOL, including the decommissioning of members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, abolition of private armed groups, and socio-economic development, which are all seen to bring lasting peace down south.

The landmark legislation created the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which is now being governed by the MILF-led Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA). It was a result of decades-long negotiations between the government and Moro rebels who fought for self-determination.

Senator Imee Marcos raised criticisms that the BTA is "not held in high regard" for its supposed failure to normalize the situation in Mindanao.

"I do not wish to argue that point. I'm merely stating what has been told to me in the effort to have the elections as quickly as possible and on schedule. The claim is that there are very serious flaws in the Comprehensive Agreement of the Bangsamoro which is the reason for what happened in Datu Paglas," Marcos said.

Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim said there is no failure in the implementation of the peace deal.

"The normalization is not a failure. The problem is really, it is not completed. That is why we are asking the extension in order to complete the transition and the normalization track," Ebrahim said.

Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez, Jr. said the Duterte administration continues to support the BTA's call for another three-year term, or until 2025, to fulfill its mandate.

Galvez said the BTA has done "a remarkable job" so far, but the current three-year transition period is simply not enough. Restrictions brought by the COVID-19 pandemic have also derailed the timetable, he added.

To extend the BTA's term, Congress needs to pass a measure that would postpone the first regular election in the Bangsamoro, which the BOL set for 2022.

The Commission on Elections is asking Congress to come up with a decision by July so the necessary preparations can be made in case the regional polls would push through. The Senate panel ended its public hearing on Friday to allow the technical working group to convene and draft a committee report that will be discussed in plenary.
The case of Datu Paglas

Senators asked why peace remained elusive in the region, citing the fresh attack by some 20 members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters near a public market in Datu Paglas, Maguindanao last week.

The BIFF is a breakaway group of the MILF. Hundreds of BIFF members have expressed willingness to rejoin the MILF and cooperate with the government, Ebrahim said, but standing arrest warrants and other issues have to be resolved first.

Bangsamoro's Minister for the Interior and Local Government Naguib Sinarimbo said the May 8 incident in Datu Paglas should not be used to discredit the improved peace and security situation in the region.

"In 2000, yung kalsada going to Davao and General Santos was held for several days by the MILF. In the case of Datu Paglas, wala hong isang oras wala na hong BIFF doon sa pwesto nila," Sinarimbo said. "Malayong malayo ho."

[Translation: In 2000, the street going to Davao and General Santos was held for several days by the MILF. In the case of Datu Paglas, the BIFF fled in less than an hour.]

He also explained that the BIFF rebels reached Datu Paglas after being forced out of Datu Piang town by MILF forces. The Joint Peace and Security Team, which currently maintains order in the region, is composed of members of the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces, and MILF.

https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/5/14/bangsamoro-transition-mindanao-congress.html

From MindaNews (May 14, 2021): Army official says 2 remaining NPA fronts in ZamPen dismantled by end-2021 (By FRENCIE CARREON)

Only two guerrilla fronts of the New People’s Army (NPA) have reportedly remained in the Zamboanga Peninsula, and an Army official in the region said they will be gone by the end of this year.

NPA rebels file photo. (MindaNews)

In a phone interview Thursday, BGen Leonel Nicolas, commander of the 102nd Infantry Brigade said his unit is now focusing on Front BBC and Front Sendong, both under the Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee (WMRPC) of the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA.

BBC (for Big Beautiful Country) refers to Mt. Malindang, a lush mountain straddling Zamboanga del Norte and Misamis Occidental, and where the National Democratic Front-Mindanao held its maiden press conference sometime in 1985.

Front Sendong also covers Zamboanga del Norte.

“The timeline set by the President [to dismantle the two fronts] is before the end of his term. However, we have a self-imposed timeline that we will be able to accomplish this by the end of 2021,” he said.

The brigade claimed to have dismantled five guerrilla fronts, two regional operational command units, and the main regional guerrilla unit, aside from one regional urban committee, all under the WMRPC.

“As of the end of 2020, we were able to clear all Communist Terrorist Group-affected barangays in Zamboanga Sibugay, which is one of the criteria in declaring a province as Insurgency-free,” Nicolas said.

By the end of April 2021, Zamboanga del Sur was also declared insurgency-free.

“What’s left for the Brigade, with the support of the Local Task Force to ELCAC (End Local Communist Armed Conflict) in ZamPen and MisOcc, is addressing these two remaining armed groups of WMRPC,” Nicolas stated.

As of this day, Zamboanga del Norte and Misamis Occidental are the two provinces in the Zamboanga Peninsula that still have communist insurgents.

“The chance for the declaration of Zamboanga del Norte as insurgency-free is very high. But we are not relying on chances, we make it is our mission and our objective that through the government’s ‘whole of nation’ approach, we will make not only Zambo Norte but as well as MisOcc, insurgency-free,” Nicolas said.

In an interview last week, Zamboanga Sibugay Gov. Wilter Y. Palma said, “We’ve been here for 53 years and it has been long enough. After this point in time what have they (rebels) achieved? Nothing. Just disorder.”

“Many have died, many have been displaced and development cannot be implemented or proceed because there is a problem in peace and order. Now it’s time for us to give peace a chance and development will follow. If there is no peace, development could not happen next,” Palma added. (Frencie L. Carreon/MindaNews)

https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2021/05/army-official-says-2-remaining-npa-fronts-in-zampen-dismantled-by-end-2021/

From Politiko (May 14, 2021): Evidence insufficient: Davao del Norte prosecutors’ office throws out raps vs ‘Bakwit 7’

The Davao del Norte Office of the Provincial Prosecutor has dismissed the criminal complaint against seven teachers who were arrested last Feb. 15 at the University of San Carlos Retreat House (USCRH) in Cebu City for allegedly kidnapping 19 Lumad children believed to be trained as fighters for the communist terrorist group.

The Provincial Prosecutor’s Office stated in its resolution dated May 5 that the complaint filed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) was dismissed “for insufficiency of evidence, lack of probable cause, and being outside the territorial jurisdiction of this Office.”

“All told, it appears that there is insufficient evidence to support any of the alleged crimes of Kidnapping and Serious Illegal Detention, Human Trafficking, and Child Abuse committed by respondents Segundo Lagatos Melong, Benito Dalim Bay-ao, Moddie Langayed Mansimoy-at, Esmelito Paumba Oribawan, Chad Errol Booc, Roshelle Mae C. Porcadilla and Jomar Benag,” it said.

“Even when there are indications of acts committed by said respondents that would fit the elements of the above-mentioned crimes, these acts either happened at Davao City or at Cebu City, outside the territorial jurisdiction of this Office,” it added.

The seven respondents were arrested by the PNP at the USCRH where 19 Lumad children from Talaingod, Davao del Norte.

The parents sought the return of their children last February after learning that they were taken to Cebu City even though the parents agreed to allow their children to transfer to another school in Talaingod after a nearby Salugpungan school closed down.

The PNP conducted the rescue after learning from former Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) member Ariel Tabal Ansan disclosed being a former teacher of the Salugpungan School which he alleged is run by the CPP “as recruitment and indoctrination centers for minors.”

“At USCRH, Ansan again taught minors the ideologies and methodologies of the CPP. Among his co-teachers, he identified respondents Roshell Porcadilla, Segundo Melong, Benito Bay-ao, and Chad Erol Booc who, like him, instigated their students to go against the government in consonance with the teachings of the CPP-NPA. Ansan identified respondents Moddie Mansimoy-at and Jomar Benag as students who had been radicalized and influenced by the CPP-NPA’s doctrines that they were encouraging and recruiting the youith to join the CPP-NPA,” the prosecutor’s office noted.

https://politics.com.ph/evidence-insufficient-davao-del-norte-prosecutors-office-throws-out-raps-vs-bakwit-7/

From the Philippine News Agency (May 16, 2021): Manhunt on vs. alleged NPA rebels linked to NegOr killings (By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan)

A manhunt is underway against suspected members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) who allegedly killed five persons in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said on Sunday.

Eleazar assured the bereaved families of the victims that the PNP will exert all efforts to put the perpetrators behind bars.

“Sa ngayon po ay patuloy ang pagtugis ng mga awtoridad sa mga suspek sa krimen. Ipinapangako ko po sa mga naulila ng mga biktima na bibigyan namin ng hustisya ang kanilang pagkamatay (Right now, authorities are conducting manhunt operations against the suspects of this crime. We promised to the bereaved families of the victims that justice will be served),” Eleazar said in a statement.

He said the entire PNP family is offering condolences to the families of the victims.

“We are getting the statements from the victims’ families and witnesses which will be a big help in identifying the persons behind the killing and solving this case,” he said.

Initial investigation showed that the victims were killed in front of their loved ones inside their respective homes in Barangay Trinidad.

He said the victims were possibly suspected by the NPA as government informants in the clash between the military and the communist terrorists last March 23, in which 10 NPA fighters died.

“Medyo marami, umabot sa 10, ang nalagas sa NPA kaya isa ito sa tinitignan nating anggulo sa pagpatay sa mga biktima. Maaaring sa kanila gumanti itong mga NPA. May impormasyon din tayong natanggap na dating supporters ng NPA ang dalawa sa mga biktima. Titignan natin lahat ng posibleng motibo sa pagpatay sa mga biktima (At least 10 were killed from the NPA side and this is one of the possible motives of the killings. The NPA might have taken revenge. We have information that two of victims were former NPA supporters. We will look into all possible motives),”he said.

Eleazar assured the public that the PNP will always be ready to protect the citizenry, particularly residents of barangays in Guihulngan City, against atrocities by the NPA and other lawless elements.

“Inatasan na natin ang ating lokal na pulisya na makipagtulungan sa mga opisyal ng lokal na pamahalaan para mas higpitan ang seguridad sa barangay at mga karatig-pook nito (We have directed our local police to coordinate with our local government officials to intensify security in barangay and nearby places),” he said.

Eleazar said the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines are in control of the situation.

“We are ready to protect the community against atrocities by the NPA and other lawless groups,” said Eleazar.

He said the PNP will respond to the appeal of Mayor Carlo Joan Reyes of Guihulngan City to maintain peace and security of the residents.

“Ngunit tayo ay nakikiusap sa publiko na agad ipagbigay alam sa ating mga awtoridad kung sila ay may mapansin na mga kahina-hinalang indibidwal o insidente para kaagad natin magawan ng nararapat na aksyon (We appeal to the public to immediately inform authorities of any suspicious individual or incident so that we can respond properly),” Eleazar said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1140417