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CPP/CIO: Red salute to Comrade Sosin, Ka Ella and women revolutionary fighters

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Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Aug 24, 2021): Red salute to Comrade Sosin, Ka Ella and women revolutionary fighters

MARCO VALBUENA
CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER
COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES

AUGUST 24, 2021



The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the New People’s Army (NPA) pays it Red salute to comrade Sosin Mihemed (Sosin Bîrhat), commander of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), and three other fighters who were martyred in a drone attack launched by the Turkish Armed Forces on the Til Temir Military Council communications center in Rojava on August 19.

The Party extends its deepest sympathies to the Kurdish people over their loss of Comrade Bîrhat who selflessly offered her life and all her capabilites to the cause of her people’s struggle to build their own democratic country.

We have learned how Comrade Bîrhat played a crucial role in the revolutionary war of defense in Rojava and armed offensives against occupying Islamic State and Turkish forces in Northern and Eastern Syria. As commander of the YPJ, she was also at the forefront of the struggle against misogyny and for women’s rights by organizing women’s self-defense units and promoting the engagement and leadership of women in the field of leadership, politics and military. Indeed, the YPJ is renowned for its revolutionary women fighters.

She is well-loved by her compatriots and comrades for her courage and dedication to advancing the revolutionary resistance against the Turkish state’s campaign of ethnic cleansing of the Kurdish people in Northern and Eastern Syria.

A day after Comrade Bîrhat’s death, revolutionary woman fighter of the NPA Kerima Lorena Tariman (Ka Ella), 42, was captured and killed by the fascist armed forces of the Duterte regime in Silay City, Negros Occidental. Like comrade Bîrhat, Ka Ella offered her life for the liberation of the Filipino people from fascism, oppression and exploitation. She was a mother, a journalist and poet who sacrificed everything she had to serve the people’s national democratic cause.

Together with the oppressed people across the world, we mourn the death of Comrade Bîrhat and Ka Ella. Let us vow to avenge their deaths by dealing heavy blows against the fascist oppressors.

Şehîd namirin! The fallen are immortal! They will forever be treasured by the people whom they have served and be an inspiration to the international proletariat and oppressed peoples in steeling their commitment to the revolutionary cause.

Let the martyrdom of Comrade Sosin and Ka Ella inspire women across the world to take up arms and make use of their weapons to break all political, cultural and social barriers and serve the cause of the oppressed and exploited masses for national and social liberation.

https://cpp.ph/statements/red-salute-to-comrade-sosin-ka-ella-and-women-revolutionary-fighters/

CPP/NPA-Bicol ROC: Slain civilian in San Fernando, Camarines Sur, proof of terrorism brought by PNP Chief Eleazar’s anti-communist order

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Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Aug 24, 2021): Slain civilian in San Fernando, Camarines Sur, proof of terrorism brought by PNP Chief Eleazar’s anti-communist order

RAYMUNDO BUENFUERZA
SPOKESPERSON
BICOL REGIONAL OPERATIONAL COMMAND (ROMULO JALLORES COMMAND)
NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY

AUGUST 24, 2021



Read in: Pilipino

The AFP and PNP’s declaration of a supposed encounter in San Fernando, Camarines Sur in early August is nothing but fake news. The slain victim, Arnel Marco Olitoquit, was a civilian and had not been a member of the NPA. This is proven by the Olitoquit family’s public plea on social media platforms after the victim disappeared last August 7 and was said to be killed during an encounter on August 9.

The killing of Olitoquit is an irrefutable proof of the escalating violence that PNP Chief Guillermo Eleazar anti-communist order will bring not only to Masbate, but to the whole Bicol region. Before the said directive, numerous civilians have been killed by the PNP under their Simultaneous Anti-Criminality and Law Enforcement Operations (SACLEO) campaigns.

Even worse, Eleazar’s orders stand atop various anomalies and corruption cases that shroud the PNP, AFP and the counter-insurgency machinery National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC). Eleazar commanded the PNP to overrun Masbate with their operations in the midst of the public’s condemnation of his statement that the Commission on Audit should stop publicizing their reports exposing cases of plunder and anomalies in the PNP. The P6.6 million discovered to be anomalously spent by the PNP Region V was most certainly used to fund fake encounters and for the killings of civilians like Olitoquit.

The US-Duterte regime’s ever worsening deception and violence deepen the societal crises. More than combatting militarization in their communities, exposing military and police’s abuses and condemning the intensification of state fascism and terrorism, the people cannot trust any other alternative but to take up arms and join the armed revolution. In advancing the democratic revolution, not only will this rotten system from which the masses’ dismal conditions are borne out of be destroyed, but a new system that shall give birth to genuine freedom and development be truly established.

https://cpp.ph/statements/slain-civilian-in-san-fernando-camarines-sur-proof-of-terrorism-brought-by-pnp-chief-eleazars-anti-communist-order/

CPP/NPA-Bicol ROC: Directive of increased police operations in Masbate, PNP and US-Duterte regime’s admission of failure to defeat the revolutionary movement

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Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Aug 24, 2021): Directive of increased police operations in Masbate, PNP and US-Duterte regime’s admission of failure to defeat the revolutionary movement

RAYMUNDO BUENFUERZA
SPOKESPERSON
BICOL REGIONAL OPERATIONAL COMMAND (ROMULO JALLORES COMMAND)
NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY

AUGUST 24, 2021



Read in: Pilipino

US-Duterte regime’s wrath for Masbate is sky-high. From the start, this province is one of his fascism and terrorism’s prime targets. PNP Chief Guillermo Eleazar’s latest order to further augment police operations in the province is just one out of the numerous orders that give legality to attacks and abuses against the Masbate people. They were forced to give out this command even if it means admitting their failure because despite the most vehement of their operations, brashest declarations of fake encounters and disparagement of the revolutionary movement, parade after parade of fake surrenderees – even when they went as far as embroiling children, they are still unsuccessful in preventing the wide spread of the people’s struggle.

One proof of this is that despite the all-out military and police operations, including the assault of more than 1,400 combined elements of the police, military and CAFGU in South Masbate, not one of Jose Rapsing Command BHB-Masbate’s units has incurred any record of a defensive battle this year. The mercenaries know all too well that this is because of the people’s warm embrace of the revolutionary movement and aspirations.

But the PNP is too late. They cannot remove the revolution entrenched in the hearts of the Masbatenyos – from the hearts of all the exploited and oppressed from all corners of the country. The people’s just war has taken root and has been nurtured by generations of the Filipino people. The masses and their Red army’s unity has already overcome multitudes of challenges and obstacles. There have been many PNP chiefs and fascist leaders that came and went who dreamt of breaking this unity but failed. This cannot be shaken down nor stopped by puppet fascists like Duterte and his murderous stooges such as Eleazar.

It is no secret how the revolutionary movement and the NPA maintains its strength and continues to gain in force. They are from the peasantry, workers, youth, women, national minorities, professionals and all the other exploited and oppressed sectors. They are the most loyal and committed sons and daughters of the country who wholeheartedly cherish the common good, genuine liberty, justice and peace. They are the ones who do not and will not tolerate being slaves nor will allow the next generations to experience this bone-crushing destitution. And because they are from the masses, they are for the masses. The welfare and interests of the people are always in the hearts and minds of all Red fighters and commanders. Though they receive no wage, unlike the police and military who are coddled with mountains of funds for fascism and corruption, the kasamas tirelessly serve the masses in any way possible – be it through education, health, attainment of justice, production. How can the police who knows nothing but to kill even during the pandemic ever match this?

In the end, it is every NPA fighter and commander’s pledge to decisively face all attacks by the mercenary army, defend the people from state terrorism and to pave the way for the victory of the people’s democratic revolution and the establishment of a new system that shall truly serve and liberate the people from the olden chains of exploitation and oppression.

https://cpp.ph/statements/directive-of-increased-police-operations-in-masbate-pnp-and-us-duterte-regimes-admission-of-failure-to-defeat-the-revolutionary-movement/

CPP/NDF-MSP-Bicol: Support the health workers’ protests and demands for their right to adequate and substantial wages, compensation and benefits!

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Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Aug 24, 2021): Support the health workers’ protests and demands for their right to adequate and substantial wages, compensation and benefits!

MAKABAYANG SAMAHANG PANGKALUSUGAN-BICOL
NDF-BICOL
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT OF THE PHILIPPINES

AUGUST 24, 2021



Read in: Pilipino

The health workers’ daily battle against the Covid-19 pandemic is no easy feat. They gamble their own lives and their families’ safety every single day that they struggle against this crisis that strangles the country today. The Makabayang Samahang Pangkalusugan (MSP-Bikol) strongly supports the massive protest action and strike that the health workers plan to launch. It is rightful for the US-Duterte regime to provide, and in fact even go beyond, all the rightful demands of frontliners. Promises of benefits written in thin air are never enough. It is unacceptable for the regime to claim that there is not enough funds. The DOH and the whole Duterte government must not be allowed to escape accountability.

How can this not be so when even from the very beginning, Duterte treats the lives and welfare of the Filipino people with not the slightest grain of respect. Even before the pandemic, he has continued and worsened the implementation od neoliberal projects and oppressive labor practices that have pushed the health workers and the whole sector into a depressing state. While the DOH’s budget trails behind all the other agencies’ budgets and has always received insufficient funding, trillions of funds have been pouring interminably for the Build,build,build program and other projects that big capitalists and foreign investors drools after.

Most of all, the tyrant knows nothing else but fascism and terrorism. Hundreds of billions have been wasted away for bullets, bombs and weapons of mass destruction that have wrecked communities while not even a cent went to the pockets of health workers and professionals. The people will not forget how Duterte doubled the police and military wages way before giving spare change for the wage increase of workers from all sectors. The regime prioritizes the modernization of the murdere institutions of AFP and PNP while there is no meaningful program to support research and development. Now, even in the midst of the pandemic, Duterte chose to prioritize the implementation and funding of his futile and massively destructive war against the people.

Even worse, the grave corruption and anomalies within the health sector exhaust the already lacking funds. From the scandal of hundred of billions plundered by the Philhealth to the P67 billion funds that the DOH did not allocate for the frontliners – the whole sector is undeniable riddled with cases of graft and corruption. In the face of it all, Duterte has the nerve t insult the people and announce that even if he is the only remaining person in the world, he will always be by DOH Sec. Francisco Duque III’s side.

MSP-Bikol calls for the Bikolano masses to support the medical frontliners struggle. Strongly condemn, expose and oppose the fascist regime’s attempts to feed their twisted logic that the health workers’ protests and the people’s struggle will only bring about conflict and disunity. The medical frontliners do not shy away from their mandate to provide care and remedy for the people. They are only justly defending their rights that the government takes away from them. It will never be wrong to fight for the people’s democratic rights that have long been usurped. Truly, only the united people’s struggle shall bring meaningful change and shall clear the way for the healthworkers and all the other exploited and oppressed classes to own and realize what is rightfully theirs.

https://cpp.ph/statements/support-the-health-workers-protests-and-demands-for-their-right-to-adequate-and-substantial-wages-compensation-ang-benefits/

CPP/Ang Bayan: AFP’s despicable campaign to vilify: NPA’s commitment to women’s rights

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Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Aug 21, 2021): AFP’s despicable campaign to vilify: NPA’s commitment to women’s rights



The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in recent year has campaigned to vilify the New People’s Army (NPA) by peddling despicable lies about “abuses” against women. It based its allegations on “evidences” of birth control pills, condoms and pregnancy test kits confiscated in NPA camps during encounters which they claim as “proof” of “sex slavery.”

This is despite the fact that these are medical supplies for responsible family planning. Contrary to lies peddled by the AFP, the use of these supplies proves the promotion of women’s rights to reproductive health in the revolutionary movement. The lies are not only malicious but proves the reactionary army’s bigotry and contempt of women.

Members of the NPA actively promotes women’s rights and welfare, especially those of women Red fighters. This is stipulated in the Eight Points of Attention of the NPA: “Do not take liberties with women.” This principle is upheld in all guerrilla fronts, especially in relationships and marital affairs. Those who violate this are meted with appropriate disciplinary action.

The revolutionary movement has policies in terms of marriage, as well as annullment and divorce. Part of this is the recognition of women and couple’s rights to reproductive health and family planning in the people’s army. NPA units allots resources to ensure needs for contraception. Discussions on establishing revolutionary families and contraception are actively held in the people’s army.

AFP’s record of abuses against women

The AFP and NPA are direct opposites in terms of upholding women’s rights. Rodrigo Duterte, the AFP commander-in-chief himself, ordered to shoot women Red fighters in the vagina. He is notorious for misogyny, and for inciting soldiers and policemen to commit crimes against women.

AFP abuses against women and minors are widespread. These are usually perpetrated during the conduct of military Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) operations wherein they encamp in communities for long periods of time.

Last year, it was reported that soldiers summoned women residents of Sitio Tapayanon, Barangay Gupitan, Davao del Norte every Saturday to pick who they will rape. This resulted in numerous cases of unplanned pregnancies in the said community which devastate residents’ families.

In 2018, a soldier of the 54th IB raped a 16-year old girl in Tinoc, Ifugao. During the same year, another soldier reportedly sexually harassed another woman in Barangay Lob-ong, Asipulo.

In Ifugao, soldiers are also notorious for having extramarital affairs with women. A soldier also reportedly peed in front of a girl minor, while another shouted, “Virgins here are worth only two hundred pesos!” in a community in Asipulo.

In interview published by Daba-Daba, the revolutionary publication of Panay, parents said, “We are more confident leaving our daughters in an NPA platoon than leaving them in the presence of soldiers.”

https://cpp.ph/2021/08/21/afps-despicable-campaign-to-vilify-npas-commitment-to-womens-rights/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Residents foil construction of military camps in Quezon anew

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Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Aug 21, 2021): Residents foil construction of military camps in Quezon anew



Barangay councilors and watchmen of San Francisco-B, Lopez, Quezon led the mass action to stop the planned contruction of a military camp in their community on August 7. Residents collectively evicted the soldiers who were deployed in the area to construct a detachment. Barangay officials said residents immediately complained upon hearing the news of the military’s plan.

This was the fifth time that residents in Quezon succeeded in evicting military camps in their community since May. Prior to this, residents already evicted soldiers from their communities in Sta. Elena and Cawayan in Lopez; and Vista Hermosa and P. Herrera in Macalelon.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cpp.ph/2021/08/21/residents-foil-construction-of-military-camps-in-quezon-anew/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Ka Parts Bagani, Red fighter and people’s artist

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Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Aug 21, 2021): Ka Parts Bagani, Red fighter and people’s artist



Joint elements of the 5th Special Forces Battalion and the local police summarily executed Jhon Niebres Peñaranda, more known as Parts Bagani, 54, an official of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the Southern Mindanao Region, and renowned revolutionary artist, in Barangay Cannery Site, Polomolok, South Cotabato on August 16. He was unarmed and incapable of fighting back.

Ka Parts is known in and outside the revolutionary movement as a leading revolutionary painter and illustrator based in the NPA. He came from the petty-bouregois class but offered his entire life and intellect to defend the oppressed masses. While holding an armalite and performing military and mass work, he produced artworks which reflect the aspirations of the people for freedom from oppression, exploitation, hunger and poverty, and for national and social liberation.

While known for his artworks as a revolutionary artist, Ka Parts was primarily a Red fighter and military cadre of the NPA. He has a rich experience in warfare, in its advances and retreats, in leading tactical offensives and studying the art of war. He knitted his brows when making plans to further strengthen the capacity of the NPA and Red fighters in armed struggle.

He was able to maximize his talent in sketching to draw plans for tactical offensives. His contributions in advancing the armed revolution in Southern Mindanao and other parts of Mindanao are exceptional.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cpp.ph/2021/08/21/ka-parts-bagani-red-fighter-and-peoples-artist/

CPP/Ang Bayan: 8 armed actions in 6 provinces

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Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Aug 21, 2021): 8 armed actions in 6 provinces



Units of the New People’s Army (NPA) mounted eight offensives in Negros Oriental, Northern Samar, Oriental Mindoro, Surigao del Sur, Capiz and Agusan del Norte from July 25 to August 14. At least eight soldiers were killed in these actions.

An element of the 62nd IB was slain during a harassment operation of the NPA in Negros Oriental on August 11. A policeman was also wounded during the armed operation in Los Angeles, Butuan City on July 27. Another soldier was killed in Barangay Victory, Las Navas in Northern Samar on July 9.

Oriental Mindoro. Four policemen were killed while two others were wounded after being blasted by the NPA-Mindoro in its camp in Barangay Panaytayan, Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro on August 4.

The NPA also blasted a military convoy with six vehicles at Sitio Tambangan, Barangay San Juan, Bulalacao on August 14.

Capiz. The NPA meted out revolutionary justice against Cpl. Frederick Villasis of the 12th IB on August 11 in Barangay Lahug, Tapaz. A Glock pistol was confiscated from him. He was involved in the massacre and mass arrest of Tumandoks on December 30, 2020.

Surigao del Sur. Two elements of the 36th IB were wounded while another was killed during a harassment operation by the NPA-Surigao del Sur along the border of Barangay Bayogo, Madrid on July 25. The NPA also fired at elements of the 75th IB who were scouring Barangay Bolhoon, San Miguel on July 29.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cpp.ph/2021/08/21/8-armed-actions-in-6-provinces/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Courts and prosecutors junk trumped-up charges against 9 activists

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Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Aug 21, 2021): Courts and prosecutors junk trumped-up charges against 9 activists



Two regional trial courts and prosecutors successively dismissed trumped-up charges slapped against seven activists in Metro Manila, Albay and General Santos City, and two staff of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

On August 4, the Legazpi Regional Trial Court in Albay dismissed the gun running charge against Pastor Danilo Balucio. It voided the search warrant used by the police in raiding his residence and arresting him last May as this was “not based on personally-verified information.”

On August 13, prosecutors also junked the charges of kidnapping and failure to return a minor slapped against youth activists Elaine Edzel Emocling, Christine Joy Dual, Alex Danday and Alfie Omaga. The four were accused of recruiting for the people’s army and kidnapping a student activist named “Trisha.” The prosecutors clarified that participation in protests is not armed struggle.

On August 12, the General Santos City Regional Trial Court junked the illegal possession of firearms and explosives charges against couple Edgar and Regina Patulombon who were arrested by the police in 2015 based on planted evidences of firearms and explosives. The charges were dropped because the arresting officers failed to inform the couple of their rights when they were arrested and subjected to investigation.

On August 19, the a court in Quezon City also voided the warrant used by state forces to raid and plant evidences of firearms and explosives in the residence of couple Alexander at Winona Birondo in 2019. Both are staff of the NDFP in the peace negotiations.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cpp.ph/2021/08/21/courts-and-prosecutors-junk-trumped-up-charges-against-9-activists/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Soldiers murder Mangyan leader

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Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Aug 21, 2021): Soldiers murder Mangyan leader



Three farmers were killed and seven others arrested by armed state agents in the past few weeks.

In Occidental Mindoro, the 203rd IB killed former indigenous leader Baduy de la Cruz at Sitio Cawit, Barangay Gapasan on July 29. He has long been subjected to surveillance and coerced by the military to “surrender.”

In Northern Samar, the 20th IB murdered Nilo Ogatcho, barangay captain of Victory, Las Navas, on August 19. The local NPA unit in the area said that the killing was an act of retaliation by the military for the death of a soldier during an NPA offensive in the same barangay on July 9.

Elements of the 63rd IB killed Juddy Ragawdaw, former member of a peasant organization, during the first week of June in Barangay Loog, Basey, Western Samar.

Illegal arrest. The 203rd Brigade and police arrested a farmer identified only as “Ernesto Panganiban” in Barangay Lisap, Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro on August 6. He was arrested by soldiers and policemen to get the ₱4.5-billion bounty for the this invented name.

In Sibale, Romblon, four farmers who were seeking shelter to avoid the typhoon last July 2 were illegally arrested by policemen and coerced to surrender as NPA members. The victims, identified as Nolan Ramos, Benny Hilamon, Marlon Angelo Torres and Ma. Teresa Dioquino, were slapped with trumped up charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

The 62nd IB and 94th IB accosted George Francis and Edwardo Mission, residents of Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental on August 3. Francis is yet to be surfaced while Mission was surfaced at the police station in Binalbagan, Negros Occidental. On August 3, elements of the 94th IB indiscriminately strafed houses of the Ponsiano and Enriquez families at Sitio Tibak, Barangay Santol, Binalbagan.

In Masbate, barangay councilors Virginia Esperanza Cabiles, Jinky Esperanza Villadolid and Dee Madrilejo were arrested in Barangay Talisay, San Fernando on August 12 after being accused of having links with the revolutionary movement. They managed to escape initially but were later arrested in Masbate City.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cpp.ph/2021/08/21/soldiers-murder-mangyan-leader/

New Westmincom chief assumes post

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From the Philippine Star (Aug 25, 2021): New Westmincom chief assumes post (Roel Pareño)

Maj. Gen. Generoso Ponio, 1st Infantry Division and Joint Task Force ZamPeLan commander, assumed his post as the new chief of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) yesterday.

Armed Forces chief Gen. Jose Faustino virtually presided over the change of command ceremony from his isolation room at Camp Aguinaldo. He was supposed to attend the turnover rites in this city, but tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday.

Ponio replaced Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., who reaches the mandatory age of retirement of 56 today.


Faustino lauded Vinluan for leading military units in the fight against terrorist groups, particularly Abu Sayyaf bandits, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and foreign terrorists in Sulu.

He credited Vinluan for the decline of the strength of these groups as well as the “effective insulation of our community from their influence and intimidation.”

Faustino also commended Vinluan for the heightened security in the territorial waters and protected strategic resources against foreign threats with the deployment of technologically advanced platforms from naval and air force personnel under Westmincom.

The AFP chief vowed to support the leadership of Ponio and directed him to continue a relentless campaign to ensure the security and stability of the region.

Faustino noted that Ponio is no stranger to his new post, having served as former deputy commander of Westmincom prior to his assignment to the 1st Division.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2021/08/25/2122388/new-westmincom-chief-assumes-post

Anti-communist campaign gets new name in Cordillera

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From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Aug 25, 2021): Anti-communist campaign gets new name in Cordillera (By: Vincent Cabreza)

‘Tokhang’ vs suspected communist supporters dropped but latest gov’t strategy uses similar drug war tactic
 


STUDENTS’ VOICE: In this file photo, student activists in Baguio City join a street protest to raise different issues, such as tuition increase, human rights violation and Chinese incursion in Philippine waters. (Photo by EV ESPIRITU / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

BAGUIO CITY, Benguet, Philippines — A controversial plan to implement the government’s anti-drug tactic “tokhang” (contraction of Visayan terms for “knock and plead”) on activists, journalists, and government employees in the Cordillera has been replaced with a similar anti-communist strategy called “dumanun makitungtung” (Ilocano for “visit and discuss”).

Resolution No. 6 issued by the Cordillera Regional Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (RLECC) in July no longer targets journalists and state workers suspected of having links with communist groups.

Instead, the RLECC, an intelligence-sharing body, will send out teams from the police, civic and religious groups, and village councils to homes of suspected supporters of “communist front organizations,” and talk them out of backing the communist ideology.


Rejected

The local chief of police is required to vet a list of suspected communists in a community, and all visits must be conducted “with utmost courtesy and respect for human rights,” the RLECC document says.

Should they succeed, the subject of the visit must be accompanied by a relative to the closest police station for “documentation and proper disposition.”


According to the new resolution, the tokhang method, crafted under RLECC Resolution No. 4 and released at the start of the year, has already been discarded.

Resolution No. 4 uses the police’s “Oplan Tokhang” as a blueprint for “visiting or knocking [on the doors of] the residences [of suspected Leftists] to dissuade them from further supporting, or being active members of the Communist Party of the Philippines, the New People’s Army (NPA), the National Democratic Front of the Philippines or their front organizations.”

It was rejected and returned to the RLECC in March by the Regional Peace and Order Council led by Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong.

Legal, legitimate

The new RLECC resolution was criticized by Tongtongan ti Umili (TTU), a member of the Baguio-based Cordillera People’s Alliance.

According to TTU, the RLECC “erroneously concludes” that all activist organizations recruit members for the NPA, which has waged an armed rebellion for more than 50 years.

“We reiterate, Tongtongan, and its affiliate organizations are legal, legitimate and democratic organizations. We are not terrorist organizations nor recruiters for revolutionary armed groups, as opposed to what state security forces make us out to be,” the group said in a statement.

Tokhang, derived from “toktok” (knock) and “hangyo” (plead), was the house-to-house campaign employed by the police against suspected drug peddlers or users after President Duterte took office in 2016.

The RLECC also issued Resolution No. 1, which compels Cordillera villages to declare membership in the communist underground or Left-leaning organizations as a “community dishonor,” and Resolution No. 2, which requires organizers of protest rallies or food drives to first get the permission of the police and the military.

The constitutionality of these RLECC resolutions was challenged in court on March 8 by Bishop Emeritus Reuel Norman Marigza of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines. The case is still being heard at a Baguio Regional Trial Court.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1478238/anti-red-campaign-gets-new-name-in-cordillera

Palace wants P28 billion NTF-ELCAC budget

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From the Philippine Star (Aug 25, 2021): Palace wants P28 billion NTF-ELCAC budget (By Helen Flores)



File photo shows presidential spokesperson Harry Roque. The STAR / Joven Cagande

Malacañang defended yesterday the P28-billion proposed budget for the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) for next year, saying it would be spent for the poorest communities where rebel recruitment is high.

The Duterte administration is seeking a budget of P28.1 billion for the NTF-ELCAC in 2022, up from P19 billion this year.


“Even if there is a pandemic, we still know that hunger is the cause of insurgency. These projects will provide employment to those who are struggling in life and the reason why they become rebels,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said at a press briefing.

“Most of the barangays where the New People’s Army (NPA) recruits members are in fifth and sixth class municipalities,”he said in justifying the administration’s move to subsidize local projects such as those under the NTF-ELCAC’s Barangay Development Program (BDP).

Roque also denied allegations by the Makabayan bloc that there was an illegal fund transfer from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to the NTF-ELCAC.

“There is no truth to that because the funding is given directly to the communities,” the Palace spokesman said.

Roque said while the budget comes from the NTF-ELCAC’s program, the projects are being carried out by the local government units or the Department of Public Works and Highways.

He also assured the public that the funds transferred to communities would not be used for the 2022 general elections.

“We already have constitutional guarantees. We have a ban on public works projects during the election period,” Roque said.

Under the proposed 2022 national budget, the NTF-ELCAC’s BDP will rehabilitate 1,406 barangays in conflict-hit areas in the country.

Senators slam NTF-ELCAC budget

Senators slammed yesterday what they described as Malacañang’s misplaced priorities in increasing the budget of the NTF-ELCAC.

Sen. Nancy Binay said the NTF-ELCAC’s allocation increased by P11 billion, but the budget for the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), the country’s primary infectious disease research and laboratory facility, was slashed by P170 million.

“What’s happening? Our enemy is COVID. Is the ELCAC more important than RITM? It does not make sense. Government seems to be removed from the realities on the ground,” Binay said.

Given the limited fiscal resources, Binay said it is wrong to prioritize P28 billion on a misplaced agenda over a crucial public health agenda that has a direct impact on the health of 100 million Filipinos.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon vowed to root out what he said were the wasteful and unnecessary government spending in the proposed P5.024-trillion 2022 national budget to ease the impact of the mounting national debt and expanding budget deficit.

Drilon said it would be up to Congress, where the power of the purse lies, to trim the unnecessary spending in the budget, such as the P28.1-billion anti-insurgency fund lodged under the NTF-ELCAC.

He also cited the government’s confidential and intelligence funds worth billions of pesos as among the items that can be reduced to save money.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/08/25/2122457/palace-wants-p28-billion-ntf-elcac-budget

Charges filed vs Joma, 3 NPA commanders for recruitment, abuse of minor

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From the Manila Bulletin (Aug 24, 2021): Charges filed vs Joma, 3 NPA commanders for recruitment, abuse of minor (By Aaron Recuenco)

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has filed criminal charges against Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria Sison and three ranking officials of the New People’s Army (NPA) for allegedly recruiting a minor who was allegedly sexually abused later.

CIDG director Maj. Gen. Albert Ignatius Ferro said Sison and Redsa Balatan tagged as the recruiter of the minor, were charged with violations of the provisions of the Republic Act 10364, or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012 and RA 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act before the Department of Justice.

Ferro said that two counts of rape were also slapped against Rey dela Peña, an NPA commander; and another four counts of rape against Joel Caliwliw, another NPA commander.

Currently, Sison is at the Netherlands, while Balatan, Dela Peña, and Caliwliw are detained at Nueva Ecija Provincial Jail, Caalibangbangan, Cabanatuan City; at Bambang Police Station, Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya; and at BJMP Provincial Jail, Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, respectively.

The cases stemmed from the complaint of a former NPA fighter who said she was recruited to join the CPP-NPA when she was 14 years old which were backed by two former communist rebels.


“She revealed that she was recruited at the age of 14 as a member of Anakbayan, a CTG (Communist Terrorist Group) front organization involved in above ground works. She had received Radicalization Courses from Radicalization Centers,” said Ferro, quoting the affidavit of the alleged victim.

“She then became a CTG Urban Operator, then eventually joined the Communist Terrorism (Red Area Operation) at the CARABALLO Guerrilla Front covering the areas on Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya and Pangasinan,” he added.

Ferro said the victim became a full-pledge member of the group at the age of 18.

But while an active member of the NPA, the victim said that she was raped twice by her commander, dela Peña, in 2016 and in 2017.

In 2018, the victim said that she was raped four times by another Caliwliw. She added that she was also sexually molested by an NPA squad leader identified as Alvin Soria, alias Ka Bunso.

“When she tried to call the attention of CTG higher-ups, she was dismayed because instead of getting the justice she deserved, she was mocked, maligned as somebody who has Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a ‘sex addict’ and she was likewise branded as mentally deranged,” said Ferro.

https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/24/charges-filed-vs-joma-3-npa-commanders-for-recruitment-abuse-of-minor/

6 more BIFF extremists surrender in Maguindanao

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From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 26, 2021): 6 more BIFF extremists surrender in Maguindanao (By Noel Punzalan)



FED UP WITH LIES. One of the six Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) hands over one of the firearms they gave up at the headquarters of the Army’s 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade in Barangay Kamasi, Ampatuan, Maguindanao on Wednesday (Aug. 25, 2021). The surrenderers said they were fed up with the lies of their BIFF leaders. (Photo courtesy of 6ID)

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – Six more members of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) yielded to the military in this province on Wednesday afternoon.

The latest batch of surrenderers came barely a day after10 of their comrades also gave up to the Army’s 1st Mechanized Brigade (1MBde) headquarters in Barangay Kamasi of Ampatuan town on Tuesday.

In an interview, Lt. Col. Charlie Banaag, Army’s 6th Infantry Battalion commander, said on Thursday he presented the six surrenderers to Col. Pedro Balisi, the 1MBde commander.

He identified the six surrenderers as Aratok Silongan, Aladin Kuntong, Haime Guinaid, Ton-Ton Guinaid, Pagal Sape, and Datu Ali Kalagyo, all members of the BIFF-Bungos faction in the so-called SPMS box.

The SPMS-box is a military term referring to the contiguous towns of Shariff Aguak, Pagatin (Datu Saudi Ampatuan town), Mamasapano, and Shariff Saydona Mustapha, where the BIFF operates.


“The succession of surrender by the BIFF extremists simply means the security landscape in the province is changing for the better,” Banaag told reporters here.

The group also turned in nine assorted war materiel comprising one mortar launching pad, three M16 rifles, one M1 Garand rifle, one Springfield rifle, one rocket-propelled grenade launcher, one homemade .50-caliber Barrett sniper rifle, and one shoulder-fired M79 grenade launcher.

“We are fed up with our situation and with the lies to us by our BIFF commanders. We are already tired and we want to live a normal life with our families,” Silongan said.

Balisi, for his part, thanked Mayor Solaiman M. Sandigan of Datu Salibo, Maguindanao; and to Datu Renz Tukuran, a former Moro Islamic Liberation Front commander for facilitating the voluntary surrender of the six BIFF extremists.

“What just transpired is a clear manifestation that the partnership of the security forces, local government units, and the members of the community is crucial in attaining the long-aspired peace in Central Mindanao,” Balisi said in a statement.

With the capitulation of the six, the total number of BIFF surrenderers increased to 136 since January this year.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1151657

NPA’s senseless fight brings grief overload to Leyte mom

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From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 26, 2021): NPA’s senseless fight brings grief overload to Leyte mom (By Sarwell Meniano and Elvie Roa)



IN MOURNING. Jocelyn Romadora stands beside the coffin of her husband, Ambrosio, who died in a clash with soldiers on Aug. 18 in Southern Leyte in this Aug. 22, 2021 photo. The mother is also worried about the fate of her son hiding in the mountains fleeing from government forces. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army)

For a mother in Leyte, the grief seems unbearable as she mourns the death of her husband during a clash with soldiers, at the same time worries about the fate of her son hiding in the mountains running from the government forces.

Jocelyn Romadora, 48, a mother of 10, said life could have been better despite financial woes had no one in their family joined the senseless armed struggle of the New People’s Army (NPA).

In an interview with soldiers of 802nd Infantry Brigade on Wednesday, Jocelyn said she is afraid of what fate awaits her 26-year-old son, John, who joined the NPA with his father, Ambrosio, in 2019.

On Aug. 18, Ambrosio was one of the two NPA leaders killed in a clash with the military in the upland village of Lawgawan in Bontoc, Southern Leyte.

He was in a company of 11 other rebels belonging to the remnants of NPA’s Island Committee Levox, Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee.


Villagers reported that John was one of the 11 rebels who engaged soldiers in the firefight.

The NPA fighters were hiding in the jungles of Bontoc as government forces intensified their combat operations in Leyte.

The military managed to locate the small NPA lair based on tips from villagers. The hideout is about 16 kilometers upland from Bontoc’s town center.

A soldier died and another was wounded during the hour-long gun battle.

“I am begging my son to come down from the mountains and surrender so he won’t die fighting like what happened to his father,” Jocelyn pleaded.

The widow recalled that Ambrosio joined the NPA after shooting a village official in 2018. He later joined the rebels with his son and completely left his family in January 2019.

Jocelyn repeatedly condemns the terroristic acts committed by her husband, but she said there is nothing she can do to turn back time.

“I never stopped longing for my son. I never saw him again since he joined the NPA more than two years ago. I am deeply hoping for him to surrender before death takes him,” she said.

The mother wrote a personal letter to her son, urging him to surrender and return home.

The Philippine Army believes that John has been hiding in the mountains of Mahaplag and nearby towns. They are optimistic that his family’s call and his father’s death will convince John to abandon the armed struggle.

Meanwhile, Ambrosio was laid to rest on Aug. 22, 2021 at the Mahaplag public cemetery.

Mahaplag Mayor Daisy Lleve disclosed that Ambrosio is a beneficiary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development's Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) Program for poor households and individuals.

The local government recently found that he has unclaimed cash aids. It will be released to the wife.

“Once John surrenders, the local government will assist him in claiming the assistance intended to the returning NPA based on the guidelines provided by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict,” Lleve said.

The local governments of Bontoc and Tomas Oppus in Southern Leyte, Hilongos in Leyte, and the Philippine Army have provided cash and goods to the Romadora family.

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1151592

2 NPA ‘kangaroo court’ members, spotter yield in Leyte

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From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 25, 2021): 2 NPA ‘kangaroo court’ members, spotter yield in Leyte (By Sarwell Meniano)



FIGHTING THE NPA. The Philippine Army dismantled the New People’s Army (NPA) "kangaroo court" in Carigara, Leyte following the recent surrender of its two members and its courier-spotter, Capt. Kaharudin Cadil, the spokesman of the Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade, said on Wednesday (Aug. 25, 2021). Photo shows a .45 caliber pistol turned over by one of the surrenderers. (Photo courtesy of 802nd Infantry Brigade, 8ID, Philippine Army)

The Philippine Army (PA) has dismantled a New People’s Army (NPA) "kangaroo court" in Carigara, Leyte following the recent surrender of its two members and the rebels' courier-spotter.

Capt. Kaharudin Cadil, the spokesman of Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade, said on Wednesday the three surrendered to soldiers last week during the conduct of retooled Community Support Program (CSP) in the upland villages of Carigara town.

CSP is the PA's people-centered program to bring peace and development in conflict-affected barangays and an initiative to bring the government closer to the people through immediate delivery of basic services.

“They have been under the custody of the Philippine Army. We just completed the interview Tuesday night. Since they confessed to killing soldiers, we are coordinating with the Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group on appropriate actions for them,” Cadil said in a phone interview.

Each of the surrenderers turned over a .45 caliber pistol with a loaded magazine.


Alias Jun and alias Kakay admitted their membership with the NPA’s "kangaroo court", ignoring due process and come to a predetermined conclusion.

The court kills people on mere suspicion that they are against the insurgents, Cadil said, adding the court also sentenced a soldier to death in 2017.

Alias Tor, now a motorcycle driver, claimed of his past association with the special operations group of the dismantled NPA Guerrilla Front 41 in Leyte.

Both Jun and Kakay claimed the late Boy Caliwan alias Kumander Apoy, the late alias Santoy, alias Biyong, and alias Tibor, all of the defunct Platoon Agila of Guerrilla Front 41 designated them and several others to the kangaroo court without any training and specific guidance on how to conduct the so-called “revolutionary justice system.”

“They also identified the other members of the 'kangaroo court', four of whom are still alive today, including one who earlier surrendered to Army’s 93rd Infantry Battalion as a mass member,”
the army said in a statement sent to reporters.

Kakay recalled handing down the death sentence to a certain Tonyo executed by three NPA members. A village chief and a brother of the victim reportedly served as principal complainants.

The NPA recruited the two by organizing Municipal Upland Farmers Association in Carigara.


Troops of the Army’s 93rd Infantry Battalion found more evidence linking the farmer’s group to NPA when they discovered documents at the house of a suspected NPA member on Nov. 13, 2020 in upland Canlampay village in Carigara town.

For his part, Tor admitted his ties with the NPA in Carigara town and nearby towns as a courier, spotter, and driver for members of the rebel’s liquidation group.

He recalled driving NPA members to a remote place in Carigara where they assassinated Cpl. Erwin Niegas of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division in 2015.

The three surrenderers belong to the remaining politico-military structure of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) in Carigara town.

There are still less than 20 NPA remnants hiding in the town’s thick forest, according to Cadil.


Brig. Gen. Zosimo A. Oliveros, Commander, 802nd Brigade, condemned the summary execution of victims without the benefit of a thorough and just investigation similar to the purging of their own members in the gruesome Inopacan massacre.

“I am calling on our fellow Filipinos to unite and demand justice for the victims of the CPP-NPA-NDF’s baseless, cruel, and inhuman so-called revolutionary justice system”, he said.

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.

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1151538

Security beefed up in Maguindanao town after foiled bomb try

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From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 25, 2021): Security beefed up in Maguindanao town after foiled bomb try (By Edwin Fernandez)



CLEARING OPERATION. Police and soldiers secure a portion of the highway in Barangay Pura, Datu Blah Sinsuat, Maguindanao, where three hand grenades were found on Tuesday (Aug. 24, 2021) afternoon. Additional military-police checkpoints were set up in the municipality following the foiled bombing attempt. (Photo courtesy of Datu Blah Sinsuat LGU)

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – More military-police checkpoints have been set up in Datu Blah Sinsuat (DBS) in this province after a foiled roadside bombing attempt by alleged saboteurs in the area Tuesday afternoon.

Alert soldiers and bomb experts of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division safely deactivated three hand grenades planted beside the highway in the coastal town, its spokesperson Lt. Col. John Paul Baldomar said Wednesday.


“Fortunately, nobody was hurt in the attempt,” Baldomar said.

In a separate interview, DBS Mayor Marshall Sinsuat said three fragmentation grenades were found beside the national highway in Barangay Pura at past 2 p.m.

“The police and military are still determining who could be behind the foiled grenade attack,” he said, adding that alert civilians tipped off the police and military about the explosives.

Following the incident, Sinsuat appealed to the residents to remain vigilant in helping authorities thwart attempts to disrupt peace.

“We have a peaceful town, please help us maintain this," he said.

Sinsuat said it remained unclear as to who is being targeted by the bombing attempt, and the brains behind it.

Lt. Pasigan Abas, DBS police chief, said investigation on the incident is ongoing.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1151529

10 more BIFF extremists yield in Maguindanao

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 From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 25, 2021): 10 more BIFF extremists yield in Maguindanao (By Edwin Fernandez)



NEW LIFE. Military and local officials of Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao accept the surrender of 10 BIFF extremists during simple ceremonies held at the camp of the Army’s 1st Mechanized Brigade in Ampatuan town on Tuesday (Aug. 24, 2021). The surrenderers, who also yielded assorted firearms, are assured of livelihood packages under the AGILA-HAVEN program of the provincial government. (Photo courtesy of 6ID)

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – Ten more extremists of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) yielded to military and local officials in Maguindanao, bringing to 130 the total number of surrenderers in Central Mindanao since January.

Col. Pedro Balisi, commander of the Army’s 1st Mechanized Brigade, and Mayor Edris Sindatok of Datu Saudi Ampatuan welcomed the returnees during simple surrender rites held at the military unit’s headquarters in Barangay Kamasi of Ampatuan town on Tuesday afternoon.

The surrenderers turned in six assorted firearms – a caliber .50 Barrett sniper rifle, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, one M16 rifle, one M1 Carbine rifle, two Garand rifles – and ammunition.

Balisi said the surrenderers belonged to the BIFF-Karialan faction operating in the adjoining towns of Shariff Aguak, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Mamasapano, and Shariff Saydona Mustapha, all in Maguindanao.


“The latest batch of surrenderers was convinced to lay down their arms by former comrades who earlier yielded and are now living normal lives with their families,” he said.

For security reasons, Balisi declined to disclose the identities of the surrenderers.

In a phone patch interview with reporters here, a certain alias Ahmad, one of the surrenderers, said they surrendered after they grew tired of fighting a lost cause and to be with their families.

“We saw the benefits of the government programs that were being enjoyed by our comrades who earlier yielded, prompting us to abandon the BIFF struggle to be reunited with our loved ones,” Ahmad said in the vernacular.

Records of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division here showed that since January, 130 BIFF extremists have surrendered to military and police authorities in Central Mindanao.

Initially, the latest batch of surrenderers is set to undergo the required process to avail of livelihood packages under the AGILA-HAVEN (Anak na may GInintuang LAyunin upang Hintuan Ang Violent Extremism Ngayon) program of the provincial government.

Since its introduction in 2019, a total of 211 former violent extremists have received various assistance from the AGILA-HAVEN program.

The province of Maguindanao, led by Governor Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu, earlier declared the BIFF as “persona non grata”, prompting communities and their leaders to condemn the atrocities and presence of the extremist group in the area.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1151528

AFP confers military awards on Hidilyn, Eumir for Olympic feats

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From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 25, 2021): AFP confers military awards on Hidilyn, Eumir for Olympic feats (By Priam Nepomuceno)



MILITARY AWARDS. Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz (right) and boxer Eumir Felix Marcial show their Olympic gold and bronze medals, respectively, and the military medals they received from the Armed Forces of the Philippines during the awarding rites at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Wednesday (Aug. 25, 2021). Diaz and Marcial are members of the Philippine Air Force with the ranks of Staff Sargent and Sargent, respectively. (Photo courtesy of AFP)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday conferred military awards on Olympic medalists and soldier-athletes, Air Force Staff Sgt. Hidilyn Diaz and Sgt. Eumir Felix Marcial during ceremonies held in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Diaz, the first Filipino to win an Olympic gold medal in Tokyo Olympics, received the Outstanding Achievement Medal with Second Bronze Anahaw Leaf for her triumphant performance in the women's weightlifting (55kg category) competition.

She also received a plaque of recognition, the Philippine flag and a simple token from the military leadership.

“What Staff Sgt. Diaz has done was to bring hope and inspiration to millions of our fellow Filipinos, who up until this day continue to battle against the deadly Covid-19 pandemic,” AFP deputy chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Erickson Gloria, who represented AFP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Faustino Jr., during the recognition ceremony at the General Headquarters canopy area in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Faustino is now in self-isolation after testing positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) last Monday.

Marcial, a bronze medal winner in the men's boxing middleweight division, received the Chief of Staff, AFP Commendation Medal and Ribbon.

The military also acknowledged boxers Nesty Petecio and Carlo Paalam for winning silver medal in Tokyo.

“We hope that through this simple yet meaningful ceremony, we would be able to inspire our soldiers and civilian human resource, not only to be more active in sports, but also in the performance of their respective duties in protecting and securing the peace and stability of our country,” Gloria said.

The AFP has a program of direct enlistment that enables athletes to join its ranks.

This provides them access to training facilities as well as includes them in the AFP payroll for their regular salaries.

As of July year, there are a total of 128 military athletes and coaches who compete in various sport events. Of which, 23 are from the Philippine Army, 64 from the Philippine Air Force and 41 from the Philippine Navy.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1151617
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