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Attack on delivery of gov’t services in Surigao Norte condemned

Sergio Labrador
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Attack on delivery of gov’t services in Surigao Norte condemned

In a statement, PRO-13 Director Brig. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr. said personnel from Surigao del Norte Police Provincial Office (SDNPPO), the troopers from the 30th Infantry Battalion and the local government unit of Sison were conducting “Barangayanihan” in Barangay Iman when they were attacked by the NPA rebels at 4 p.m. Monday.

An armed encounter immediately ensued that resulted in the wounding of an Army personnel.

The NPA rebels immediately withdrew after the five-minute clash.

“This act is clear evidence that Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the NPA, show no respect for peace and unmindful on the effort of the government in ensuring that the programs and services are being delivered to the community,” Caramat said.

He said the action of the NPA insurgents also put at risk the lives of civilians who joined the Barangayanihan activity to avail of the basic programs and services of the government.

The same attack also endangered the lives of local officials, led by Sison Mayor Karissa Fetalvero-Paronia and the representatives from the different line agencies of the government, he added.

“The Barangayanihan is an initiative of the Philippine National Police that exemplifies the true spirit of the Filipinos who would naturally look after each other in times of disasters in Barangay Ima, Sison,” Caramat said.

A police intelligence report indicated that the attackers belonged to the Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda 16B of Guerrilla Front 16, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee of the NPA.

“The Caraga police is determined to pursue and arrest the members of these lawless armed groups responsible for numerous atrocities in the region. We are calling the peace-loving Caraganons to report the presence of the rebels to the nearest police or army units. Let us join efforts to suppress the insurgency in the region,” Caramat said.

The Philippines’ Anti-Terrorism Council has labeled the CPP, NPA, and the National Democratic Front (NDF) as terrorist groups.

The United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand also listed the CPP-NPA-NDF as a terrorist organization. (PNA)

BI, may paalala sa mga dayuhan na nagpaplanong makialam sa politika sa Pinas

Sergio Labrador
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BI, may paalala sa mga dayuhan na nagpaplanong makialam sa politika sa Pinas

Pinaalalahanan ni Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente ang mga dayuhan, na irespeto nila ang umiiral na batas at huwag makialam sa politika ng bansa, lalo na ngayong nalalapit na ang panahon ng halalan.

Iginiit ni Morente, na ang mga dayuhan ay ipinagbabawal ng batas na makisali sa mga gawaing pampulitika sa Pilipinas.

Kabilang dito ang pagsali sa mga mass action at protesta gaya ng election campaigns.

Ito aniya ay hindi pagrespeto sa batas at paglabag sa kanilang pananatili sa bansa.

Ayon kay Morente, kahit na ang mga dayuhan na may permanent residence visa ay hindi pinagkalooban ng parehong mga karapatang pampulitika at pribilehiyo bilang isang mamamayang Pilipino, kaya hindi rin sila maaaring makisali sa mga naturang aktibidad.

Ipinapatupad aniya nila ang “zero tolerance,” para sa mga dayuhan na makikialam sa panloob na usapin ng Pilipinas bilang isang soberenyang bansa.

Nauna nang naglabas ng babala si Morente sa mga empleyado ng BI, na manatili silang “apolitical” mapa-internet man o personal.

Sanggol napugutan ng ulo habang isinisilang sa Abra Provincial Hospital

Sergio Labrador
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Sanggol napugutan ng ulo habang isinisilang sa Abra Provincial Hospital

Putol ang ulo ng bagong silang na sanggol sa isang ospital sa Abra. Ayon sa magulang ng sanggol, sinabi ng nagpaanak na patay umano ang kaniyang anak noong mailuwal, pero hindi sinabi na putol pala ang ulo ng anak niya.

Nalaman lamang ng mag-asawa ang nangyari sa anak noong ibinigay na ito sa kanila. Handang sampahann ng kaso ng mga magulang ang Abra Provincial Hospital. Ayon sa osptal handa silang harapin ang ano mang kasong isasampa laban sa kanila.

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Infant beheaded at birth in Abra : An infant was decapitated after birth in the province of Abra, according to a report on “Saksi” on Monday.

According to the mother, she was told by the one who assisted her in giving birth that the infant has died.

She was not told that the infant was decapitated. They only saw this when they reached their house.

The family is considering filing charges against the Abra Provincial Hospital.

Hospital officials said they are prepared to face the charges that will be filed. An investigation is being conducted on the incident and the attending physician has been asked for a statement.

source: GMA NEWS

Duterte ‘glad’ peace talks with communists terminated

Sergio Labrador
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Duterte ‘glad’ peace talks with communists terminated

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said he is “glad” that the peace talks between his administration and the Communist Party of the Philippines – National Democratic Front (CPP-NDF) were terminated.

Duterte made the remarks during the inauguration of the Bicol International Airport in Daraga, Albay, as he once again slammed the arrogance of the communist movement’s armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA).

“Hindi ako bilib sa tapang-tapangan nila (I’m not amused by their arrogance),” Duterte said. “Ewan ko kung ano ang nakuha nila (I don’t know what they get [or]) what gain they earned by killing people.”

Duterte said he could not give the communist guerillas another chance to resume the peace negotiations with the government, because they continue their killing spree.

He said the NPA insurgents’ continued attacks against government troops and civilians enraged him.

ALSO READ: Duterte, ipinag-utos ang tuluyang pagwasak sa CPP-NPA-NDF

“Galit ako sa kanila (I am mad at them). To continue the killing and continue the ferocity of the hate, ewan ko kung ano ang gusto nitong mga ito (I don’t know what they want). But I’m not happy with them. I’m glad that we suspended the talk,” Duterte said.

Duterte said the communist group’s political wing, the National Democratic Front (NDF), has to wait for his successor to renegotiate the stalled peace talks with the government.

“Maybe the next president can do it but hindi ko kaya (I could not do it),” he said.

In June this year, Duterte said no peace talks can ever succeed, unless NPA stop attacking state forces and civilians.

The peace talks between the national government and NDF have been intermittent since 1986.

Duterte held a series of peace negotiations with the NDF, but was forced to scrap the talks following the NPA’s relentless attacks against government troops and civilians.

He formally ended the peace dialogue with the NDF through Proclamation 360 inked on Nov. 23, 2017.

ALSO READ: Duterte, ipinag-utos ang tuluyang pagwasak sa CPP-NPA-NDF

The termination of talks was followed by the Dec. 5, 2017 signing of Proclamation 273 which brands the CPP-NPA as a terror group.

Apart from the Philippines, the CPP-NPA has been listed as a terror organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. (PNA)

ALSO READ: Duterte, ipinag-utos ang tuluyang pagwasak sa CPP-NPA-NDF

House voids approval of UP Security Bill

Sergio Labrador
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House voids approval of UP Security Bill

MANILA – The House of Representatives has reconsidered its third reading approval of the House Bill 10171 or UP Security Bill institutionalizing the 1989 University of the Philippines (UP) -Department of National Defense (DND) agreement into the UP Charter.

Cavite Representative Jesus Crispin Remulla made the motion to rescind the approval of House Bill 10171 on September 30 and it was carried by the plenary.

The lower chamber overwhelmingly approved the bill on final reading with 179 affirmative votes on September 21.

In a virtual press conference of the National Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on Monday, Remulla noted that the passage of the bill at the House was done during the budgetary process, which was a very busy season for the chamber.

“Kapag budget na kasi ang pinag-uusapan, sabay-sabay ang hearings niyan eh sa iba-ibang hearing rooms at pagdating ng session, parang pagod na lahat (If budget is the topic, all the hearings would be synchronous at different hearing rooms. And once the session starts, everyone is tired),” he said. “So kapag magsisimula na ang plenary, abalang-abala lahat kung paano ginagawa ang mga budget (So once the plenary starts, everyone is busy about the budget).”

Remulla said he believes the legislative process for the UP Security Bill rushed, and did not undergo much scrutiny and deliberations.

“Minsan iyong floor, may nangyayari na hindi dapat at ito nga ang sitwasyon naman dito (There are times that some things happen that shouldn’t happen on the floor, and this is such situation),” he said.

He said the “corrective action” was the motion to reconsider the approval of such an important measure.

The UP-DND accord, he said, is an “executive agreement that should be left alone and left to the Executive”, stressing that lawmakers should not meddle with the affairs of another branch of government.

With the motion to reconsider approved by the plenary, Remulla said the bill would be brought back to the House Rules Committee for its disposition.

“Kami [House Rules Committee] na ngayon ang magsasabi kung iyan ay mabubuhay pa o palulusutin pa rin namin (We now have the say if we will still let it live or let it through),” he said.

The bill seeks to prevent state security forces, such as the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), from entering and enforcing its operations in all UP campuses without prior notice to “the President or the Chancellor of the constituent university or the dean of the regional unit concerned” except “in cases of hot pursuit and similar occasions or emergencies.”

It mandates university officials, whenever requested by law enforcers, to extend the necessary assistance in law enforcement within the premises of the UP campuses.

The bill shall prohibit subjecting any student, faculty member, or employee to custodial investigation without prior notice to the university president or chancellor of the constituent university or dean of the regional unit concerned.

Members of law enforcement agencies shall be prohibited from interfering with peaceful protest actions by individuals or groups within university premises.

The DND-UP Agreement, signed on June 30, 1989, prohibits the military and the police from entering all UP campuses without prior notice to its administration.

The agency decided to terminate the agreement effective Jan. 15, 2021, with Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana calling the arrangement “obsolete”. (PNA)

NPA child combatant yields in central Negros

Sergio Labrador
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NPA child combatant yields in central Negros

BACOLOD CITY – A 15-year-old boy, who recently became a child warrior of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), surrendered to the military and the police in central Negros on Oct. 4 .

According to reports of the Philippine Army released on Wednesday, the teen is among the combatants who clashed with troops of the 94th Infantry Battalion (94IB) in Sitio Cunalom, Barangay Carabalan in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on Oct. 1.

Capt. Kim Apitong, officer-in-charge of the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) Public Affairs Office, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that alias “RR” was recruited about two months ago by communist terrorists.

“They frequently visited the child and convinced him to join them, without his parents knowing it. They used deceptive propaganda to recruit him,” he said.

The minor then became a member of the NPA’s Squad 1, Sentro de Grabidad Platoon, Central Negros 2.

Three days after the encounter, the boy, accompanied by his mother, surrendered to the joint personnel of 94IB and Himamaylan City Police Station.

In its report, the 94IB said his claim of being an NPA member was backed by a former rebel, who positively identified him as one of the estimated 10 minors recruited by one alias “Carding”.

“RR” has been endorsed by the government forces to the City Social Welfare Department (CSWD), which classified him as a child-at-risk.

He is then temporarily placed under the care and protection of the 94IB troops upon the consent of his mother, the report added.

In a statement, Maj. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, commander of the 3ID, assailed the CPP-NPA in Negros Island for continuing to exploit minors by recruiting them as child warriors, which is a blatant violation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), which is a set of rules that seek to limit the effects of armed conflict and protects people who are not or are no longer participating in hostilities and restricts the means and methods of warfare.

“Don’t allow these CPP-NPA terrorists to enter your communities. Be vigilant and report any suspicious movement in your area for us to spoil their recruitment activities. Let us save our children by putting communist terrorism to an end,” he said.

Lt. Col. Angelo de Guzman, commanding officer of the 94IB, said he is grateful to the local Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict of Himamaylan City for its commitment of support to the former child warrior and their unit’s pursuit of peace and progress in Negros.

“Recruitment of minors as combatants is a clear violation of the IHL. For decades, they have ruined the lives and future of many children with their deceptions. This devious tactic should be stopped,” he added.

During the two clashes in Sitio Cunalom last Friday, the 94IB troops seized an M16 rifle with a long magazine and ammunition as well as an M14 rifle, a backpack, a solar panel, a power bank, and subversive documents with high intelligence value.

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

2 NPA rebels killed in Mt. Province clash

Sergio Labrador
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2 NPA rebels killed in Mt. Province clash

CAMP MELCHOR DELA CRUZ, Gamu, Isabela – Some two New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in a 30-minute gunfight with troops from the Army’s 54th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Mainit, Mountain Province on Tuesday, the military said on Wednesday.

In an interview, 5th Infantry Division (5ID) spokesperson, Maj. Jekyll Julian Dulawan, said the slain communist rebels were identified by their relatives as Ernesto Lucaben Jr. alias “Ka Ashley/Lando” and Wilfredo Gaayon alias “Ka Jaz”, both of the NPA’s Komiteng Larangang Gerilya-Abra-Mt. Province-Ilocos Sur.

No casualty was reported on the military side.

Soldiers have recovered an M14 rifle, five magazines with 70 rounds of bullets, three magazines of Ak-79 rifle with 20 rounds of bullets, nine anti-personnel mines, two rifle grenades, two hand grenades, two blasting caps, wires, medicines, and other personal belongings that were left by the rebels as they fled from the clash site.

Dulawan said the soldiers went to the area after receiving information from villagers about the presence of some 10 communist rebels.

He said the insurgents fired upon the troops when they arrived, resulting in the gunbattle.

Villagers in Bontoc, Mountain Province have earlier declared the communist rebels as “persona non grata”, Dulawan noted.

“Barangay Mainit, Bontoc, Mt Province is not a place for you to hide. The people are giving us information about your presence in their community. We are one with the peace-loving residents of the said locality,” said Maj. Gen. Laurence Mina, 5ID commander, in a statement.

“We wish to see you start a new life. And so, I am appealing to the remaining members of the CTGs (communist terrorist groups) to return to the fold of the law and avail the assistance of the government under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP),” he added.

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

Bomb factory ng NPA, nadiskubre ng PNP at AFP sa Gapan, Nueva Ecija

Sergio Labrador
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Bomb factory ng NPA, nadiskubre ng PNP at AFP sa Gapan, Nueva Ecija

Nadiskubre ng mga tropa ng pulis at militar ang kuta ng New People’s Army (NPA) sa Brgy. Mamaclay, Gapan, Nueva Ecija na gawaan ng Improvised Explosive Device.

Ayon kay Police Col. Fitz Macariola, Force Commander ng Regional Mobile Force Batallion 3 natagpuan nila ang “bomb factory” ng NPA sa pagsasagawa nila ng maigting na “anti-insurgency campaign” sa lugar katuwang ang Philippine Army.

Ito’y matapos na makatanggap ng impormasyon mula sa mga sibilyan.

Wala aniya silang naabutang NPA sa lugar, pero narekober nila ang mga improvised explosive devise (IED) at samut-saring sangkap sa paggawa ng bomba.

Kasama rito ang mga 9 volts battery; electric at non electric blasting cap; time fuse, electronic parts at dalawang piraso ng PVC pipe improvised land mine.

Samantala, tiniyak naman ng PNP na patuloy silang magiikot at reresponde sa sumbong ng mga residente para magbantay ng seguridad at tiyakin ang kapayapaan.



Negros Occidental clash site residents declare CPP-NPA persona non grata

Sergio Labrador
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Negros Occidental clash site residents declare CPP-NPA persona non grata

BACOLOD CITY – Almost 10 days after their peace was disturbed by an armed encounter, residents of Barangay Tabu in Ilog, Negros Occidental declared the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) and its political wing, the National Democratic Front (NDF), as persona non grata.

In a peace rally held at the village grounds on Sept. 23, some 120 villagers marched while carrying placards condemning the atrocities and the extortion activities of the communist-terrorist groups, after the clash between joint government forces and NPA rebels in Sitio Balik-balik on Sept. 14.

As of Tuesday, troops of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) 6th Special Action Battalion (6SAB), who engaged the communist-terrorists in the encounter, are still deployed in the village to secure the residents.

Lt. Col. Ryan Manongdo, commander of 6SAB, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that his men will remain in Barangay Tabu possibly in the next two to three months to help maintain peace.

He said residents welcomed the assistance such as food packs and other essential items brought by the government troops as part of the Army-PNP Barangayanihan during the peace rally.

“They were cooperative and they appreciated what we did for them,” Manongdo said.

Lt. Col. Erwin Cariño, commanding officer of the 15th Infantry Battalion, whose men were also part of the Sept. 14 operation, said he recognized the efforts of the village officials and their constituents in condemning the atrocities of the communist terrorists to counter-insurgency in their community.

“The Army, together with the PNP, will continue to boost its efforts to address the insurgency problem and ensure the safety and security of the people in Negros,” Cariño added.

Aside from declaring that the communist-terrorist groups are no longer welcome in their community, residents of Barangay Tabu also held a candle-lighting ceremony and prayers for peace and protection from terrorism to cap the peace rally.

The activity was also supported by the local government unit of Ilog, 14th Civil-Military Operations Battalion, 2nd Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company, Ilog Municipal Police Station, and the religious sector.

The clash resulted in the death of four NPA rebels and the wounding of two others, one of them Nilda Bertulano, secretary of the NPA’s South West Front Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor.

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.

In July this year, the NDF has also been formally designated as a terrorist organization by the Philippines’ Anti-Terrorism Council. (PNA)

Anakbayan member nabbed for rape

Sergio Labrador
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Anakbayan member nabbed for rape

MANILA – A man later found out to be a member of militant group Anakbayan was arrested for rape in North Cotabato, the Philippine National Police- Criminal Investigation and Detection Group said on Tuesday.

CIDG chief, Maj. Gen. Albert Ignatius Ferro, said the suspect, John Daniel Tan Mobo, who was arrested in Kabacan, North Cotabato on Sept. 25, has a standing warrant for statutory rape (Revised Penal Code Article 266-A in relation to Article 266-B. 

Ferro said Mobo, a member of Anakbayan at the University of Southern Mindanao in Kabacan, North Cotabato, was participating in a silent protest against the government, when arrested.

“Yung aktibista kung may criminal offense, hindi natin sacrifice yung justice doon sa isang tao kasi kahit pulis or pulitiko hinuhuli natin. In the same manner, kahit part yan ng Makabayan bloc or makakaliwa. Kapag may criminal case or may warrant of arrest, huhulihin natin (If there is a criminal offense, we shall arrest a wanted person regardless if the suspect is an activist, police, politician, or a member of a group belonging to the Makabayan bloc),” Ferro told Philippine News Agency (PNA) in a phone interview.

The arrest of wanted persons, he said, is part of the PNP’s implementation of “Oplan Pagtugis”.

“PNP has Oplan Pagtugis against most wanted persons at may warrant of arrest. Hindi natin alam kung ilan pa silang mga member malalaman lang natin yang affiliation pag nahuli natin alam lang natin yan may warrant of arrest then nung nacheck natin na member siya ng Anakbayan so nilagay natin yung affiliation niya,” he said.

Anakbayan is a militant left-wing youth-led organization of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, earlier named by Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman Jose Maria Sison as part of the CPP-New People’s Army (NPA).

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.

Meanwhile, the CIDG together with local police units also arrested three Most Wanted Persons (MWPs) for rape in separate manhunt operations on Sept. 25.

Police identified the suspects as Tyrhon P. Villareal alias “Ron”, No. 1 MWP in Anda, Pangasinan, who was arrested in Talisay, Batangas, and Luisito Villagonzalo alias “Idol”, No. 2 MWP in Cebu City, who was nabbed in Cebu. 

Villagonzalo is an identified member of the “Argie Billones Criminal Group” that is engaged in gunrunning, gun-for-hire and illegal drug trade activities in Cebu City, Mandaue City, nearby cities, and Cebu province.

On Sept. 26, Joemary P. Buendia, No. 1 MWP in Naguilian, La Union, was arrested in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur for two counts of rape.

“Our duty is to uphold the law against wanted criminals, regardless of their affiliations or status, we will never quail until they face the bars of justice,” Ferro said in a separate statement. (PNA)

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