Army finishes peace, development projects in Mindanao; rebels howl propaganda

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / January 12, 2010) – The Philippine Army on Tuesday said it finished more than P76 million worth of peace and development projects in Mindanao, but communist rebels branded them as propaganda and part of Manila's anti-insurgency campaign.

The 10th Infantry Division said a total of 59 projects were completed by soldiers under the so-called Kalayaan sa Barangay Program in Davao region last year. It said soldiers finished many 16 farm-to-market roads, 13 school buildings, 13 rural electrification projects and 14 water systems, including 3 day care centers.

“Elements of 10th Infantry Division together with the Army Engineer Battalions and different support units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines spearheaded the implementation of these projects in coordination and support of local government units, non-government and people’s organizations and other stakeholders, particularly the civilians,” said Captain Emmanuel Garcia, an army spokesman.

He said Compostela Valley province, a known stronghold of communist rebels, has the most number of development projects, followed by Davao del Norte province.

Major General Carlos Holganza, commander of the 10th Infantry Division, said the overwhelming support of the citizens to the government’s peace and development efforts played a crucial role in the completion of the projects. “This is a proof of the sincerity of the government to bring much needed infrastructures for our people in the countryside,” Holganza said.

He also lauded the soldiers for their hard work and dedication to the peace efforts in Mindanao.

“Our soldiers deserve our admiration as they tirelessly carried on their tasks in implementing the KBP projects in the countryside where continued threats of saboteurs are present. The local government units, line government agencies, the local residents and other stakeholders also deserve our praise for their inspiring support. They are the true heroes in these endeavors,” Holganza said.

The KBP projects are infrastructures being implemented nationwide by the Armed Forces of the Philippines through funds coming from the Department of National Defense. It is line with the government’s peace and development initiative focused on national priority areas where the presence of threats to national development is strongly felt.

Communist rebels have recently accused the military of embarking on a massive propaganda in Mindanao aimed at targeting the New People’s Army and leftist organizations as part of the government’s anti-insurgency campaign.

The NPA branded as propaganda the Philippine Army’s ACEs or Army's Concern for the Environment, Army's Concern for Engineering, Army's Combat Excellence and Advocacy for Credible Elections.

“The fascist Philippine Army's recently pronounced four ACEs is only a preliminary propaganda purveyed by its chief, the notorious Lieutenant General Delfin Bangit,” said Rubi del Mundo, a rebel spokesman.

“The Philippine Army's Concern for Engineering means it will intensify its ‘winning the hearts and minds campaign’ through hard projects or road construction in areas where both United States and the Philippine Government have economic interests and where revolutionary movements such as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front are strong. These projects are part of its psychological war tactics in counter-insurgency operations and belie the sincerity of the Philippine government in delivering social services, which should otherwise be carried out by civilian institutions of government,” Del Mundo said.

The NPA has been fighting for decades now for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country. Peace talks between rebels and the government failed in 2004 after the NPA accused President Gloria Arroyo of reneging on several agreements, among them the release of all political prisoners and to put a stop to extrajudicial killings of activists in the Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner)

Philippine Army TVC - Mindanao Examiner Productions

Philippine Army TVC Katuwang sa Pag Unlad - Mindanao Examiner Productions.



Philippine Army TVC Karapatan Pantao - Mindanao Examiner Productions.

Philippine Army bares report on Mindanao NPA leader

MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / June 24, 2009) – The Philippine Army on Wednesday bared a report detailing an alleged sex scandal and money laundering involving a senior leader of the communist rebel group New People’s Army.

Colonel Daniel Lucero, commander of the Civil-Military Operations Group, said Leoncio Pitao, head of the NPA’s Pulang Bagani Command, had abused several women rebels.

He said the report on Pitao, whose nom de guerre is Kumander Parago, came from former rebels who had surrendered to the government in recent years. “The accounts here were revealed by Parago’s former followers who are now working with the government to restore the wellbeing of our nation which is being wrecked by a noxious social belief,” Lucero said.

Lucero said Pitao was previously meted disciplinary action by the Communist Party of the Philippines for having an illegal and illicit affair with a female member of his unit, Lalay, who was then the finance and logistic officer of the rebel’s Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC).

“A sexual relationship of Parago with a female member of his unit was discovered when one time Parago was inside a jungle hammock with CTL Lalay, the then finance and logistics officer of the main regional guerilla unit of the SMRC. Unfortunately, the rope of the hammock accidentally broke and they both rolled down toward the slope naked. As a consequence, Parago was placed on disciplinary action while Lalay was transferred to Front Committee 53 where she died during an encounter against government forces near the North Cotabato-Davao City boundary in 2003,” Lucero said.

Lucero said Pitao’s illicit relationship with other female rebels continued secretly. “He had an illicit liaison with CTL Inday, wife of CTL Federico Moreno, alias Luther. This relationship bore CTL Inday a child which led to the marital separation of Inday and Luther,” he said.

He said in 2005, Pitao was investigated by an NPA leader Ariel Badiang, the second deputy secretary of the SMRC, of yet another case of exploitation of women.

“Parago was reported to have organized an NPA platoon composed of all women whom he personally led. The husbands of these women later filed complaints against Parago for sleeping with their wives. As a result, Parago was instructed by the SMRC to return these female NPA members to their original organization,” Lucero said.

He said Pitao then had another illegal affair with a rebel named Cording, the wife of another NPA commander, Egor. Pitao allegedly transferred Egor to Bukidnon province to hide his illicit affair with the woman.

“Parago still maintains his relationship with Helen, his bona fide wife, but sometime first week of this month - June 2009, Parago was shot and wounded by another CTL Luther after learning that Parago also had an affair with his wife. Parago suffered gun shot wounds on his back and buttocks. This was the second time he was shot by his subordinate. At present, Parago is still recovering from his injuries,” Lucero said.

It was unknown what happened to Luther. Lucero did not say whether Pitao was charged separately for having an affair with Luther’s wife.

But Lucero said Pitao was also found guilty by an NPA revolutionary court for allegedly pocketing funds, mostly derived from extortion activities in southern Mindanao.

“Aside from all those sexual molestation charges, Parago was also found guilty by the Communist Party of the Philippines of pocketing NPA funds. Despite of the disciplinary actions imposed on him, he still retained his command – the Pulang Bagani. And as revealed by his former followers, Leoncio Pitao pockets an average of five million pesos at least every quarter of the year and these came from extortion activities - from different business establishments in Davao area - which he embezzles for his personal use. His family is reportedly living in affluence.”

“In a similar fashion, CTL Ryan Pitao, a son of Parago, was also revealed to have sexually molested a number of female members of the Pulang Bagani Command, which Parago is said to be tolerating,” Lucero further said.

There was no immediate statement from Pitao, one of the most elusive leaders of the NPA and the object of long years of military operations in Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)

Special Forces show their skills during a drill in Mindanao

Philippine Army’s Special Forces show their capability in watercraft maneuvers

during a drill Thursday, May 21, 2009 in Cotabato City in Mindanao.

(Mindanao Examiner Photo / Mark Navales)

40th Founding Anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)

40th Founding Anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP): Celebrating Forty Years of Continuous Denial of A Better Way of Life for Every Filipino by Col. Daniel A. Lucero

As the Communist Party of the Philippines celebrates its 40th founding anniversary, it highlights as it always does, its propaganda that it is fighting to achieve an equitable society through a democratic political system for the Filipino Nation.

Just like any insurgent group, the CPP, with its armed component, the New People’s Army (NPA) and its mass base organizer, the National Democratic Front (NDF), continues to promise anything to advance its political cause without any obligation and responsibility to prove it. It still uses the usual deceptive measures such as lying, cheating and exaggerating hoping that these can undermine the government’s credibility and press forward its political and social ambitions.

A case in point of this observation is the recent condemnation against the Philippine Army’s 48th Infantry Battalion based in Aurora Province which is another clear media trick initiated by the NDF, and supported by the proposal of the Multi-Sectoral Action Group of Aurora submitted to the Commission of Human Rights for the closure of the battalion’s camps in Aurora.

It speaks well of the NDF’s influence over an unsuspecting non-government organization. The Philippine Army has been positively receptive of any criticism from the public hoping that this can improve the delivery of its sworn security contract with the Filipino Nation. However, any request for a pullout of an army’s encampment is seen rather as a move of a local terrorist group to get rid of a hindrance to the achievement of its political aims.

Today, Aurora Province is the only remaining CPP/NPA/NDF’s sanctuary in Central Luzon, after nine guerrilla fronts have been dismantled in this year alone. As an added setback, in September of this year, four NPA members namely; Carlos Hurial, Ton-Ton Mijares, Orlando Aimboyutan and Jessie Garcia decided to turn their backs against the terrorist group in Aurora and surrendered five firearms to the government forces. Carlos Mijares even killed four of his comrades when they tried to stop him from joining the cause of the government and even took two M-16 rifles when he fled.

The story mentioned above is just one of the many stories of failure of the CPP/NPA/NDF. The group has continuously denied every Filipino of achieving a better life. It has continuously ignored the fact that there are still citizens and groups in our nation which only support them because of fear and reprisal. The CPP/NPA/NDF then has nothing to celebrate. (The author is the Commander of the Civil-Military Operations Group, Philippine Army in Fort Andres Bonifacio, Makati City)

Army Assures Respect For Human Rights, Rule Of Law In Pursuit Of MILF Raiders In Mindanao

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Philippine Military Prepares For Offensive, Vows To Uphold Human Rights In Mindanao

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / July 22, 2008) – The Philippine military on Tuesday said it will always uphold human rights as troops prepare to mount fresh offensive against communist rebels in Mindanao.

“The 10th Infantry Division assures the public that the military troops is committed in bringing peace and will always uphold the basic rights of the populace as they perform their mandated task,” Army Lt. Col. Kurt Decapia said.

He said more troops and armored vehicles, including Howitzer cannons, arrived in the southern Philippines to boost the government’s fighting power against the New People’s Army (NPA), which is being blamed for the spate of attacks in the provinces, especially in Compostela Valley.

Militant groups Karapatan and Bayan have accused the military of violating the rights of indigenous tribesmen and civilians in Mindanao. It said soldiers arrested and tortured many civilians and political activists, including human rights advocates who were accused of supporting the NPA.

The groups also accused two Philippine Air Force servicemen of torturing a six-year old boy in Davao City last week. The boy was playing near a military base when the two soldiers, who were both drunk, seized the child and burned his body with cigarettes.

The rebels vowed to launch more attacks in Mindanao.

Lt. Col. Rolando Bautista, spokesman for the 10th Infantry Division, said the Army’s 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion land the 3rd Field Artillery Battalion have arrived in Mindanao to augment thousands of troops already deployed in the troubled region to fight the rebels.

He said two dozen armored vehicles and about a dozen Howitzer cannons have been added to the military’s arsenal in the south. “Their arrival is in response to the clamor of the local government executives in the Region to stop the criminal and terrorist acts of the Communist party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army.”

“It has now become a pattern of the communist rebels to target business industries which provide jobs to our people and this has seriously threatened their livelihood. Thus, the augmentation of these troops to our line units, especially in the province of Compostela Valley, will pre-empt the continuous threat posed by these NPA criminals,” he said.

Compostela Valley is one of several provinces in Mindanao where the NPA rebels are actively operating. The NPA, which broke off peace talks with the Philippine government in 2004, is fighting the past four decades for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)

Photo: Our Heroes!

Philippine Air Force Tactical Operation Group (TOG 12) of the 3rd Air Division under Lt. Col. Dionisio Robles, (left), and Philippine Army’s 603rd Infantry Brigade commander Col. Rolito Abad, (2nd from left), and 6th Infantry Division spokesman Lt. Col. Julieto Ando, (right), during a “search and rescue” conference in Maguindanao province, ravaged by typhoon Fengshen. The Army and the Air Force led a massive operation to rescue trapped villagers in areas submerged by flood waters in central Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner Photo / Mark Navales)

Philippine Army Recalls Troops In Sulu

Policemen, armed with assault rifle, man the traffic at a busy road in the town of Jolo in the southern Philippine province of Sulu. Hundreds of soldiers have been recalled by the Army and will be redeployed in Mindanao Island as part of a new strategy to combat insurgency. Marines have taken over the role of the Army in counter-insurgency in Sulu and also in the province of Tawi-Tawi and Basilan, all part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

SULU, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 15, 2008) – The Philippine Army recalled hundreds of soldiers from the southern province of Sulu as part of the military’s new deployment strategy, officials said Tuesday.

In January, thousands of army soldiers were also pulled out from Sulu and deployed to other provinces in Mindanao Island. The Philippine Marines will solely take over the security operation in Sulu, about 950 kilometers from Manila.

Officials said the latest pull out of soldiers, which began Sunday, will realign marine and army forces in the Sulu Archipelago and Mindanao. Marine soldiers are also in Tawi-Tawi and Basilan provinces.

The army troops would be deployed in central Mindanao, a stronghold of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the country’s largest Muslim separatist rebel group.

Ten of thousands of troops were sent to Sulu the past years to fight the Abu Sayyaf group tied to al-Qaeda of Usama bin Laden and the Indonesian militant Jemaah Islamiya.

But many of the Abu Sayyaf’s known leaders had either been killed or captured and the group has dwindled over the past decade from more than a thousand fighters to about 200. And the group is fragmented and without a leader after Army special forces killed Khadaffy Janjalani, its chieftain, in a firefight in September 2006.

Janjalani, a former government spy, took over from his elder brother, Abubakar Abdurajak Janjalani after the Libyan firebrand was killed in a gun battle with policemen in Basilan Island in December 1998.

Marine Brigadier General Juancho Sabban, Sulu military chief, said there is no need to maintain a huge number of soldiers in the province because the troops have already accomplished their earlier missions with the killings and capture of many Abu Sayyaf members.

“Sulu needs fewer troops since the threat problems have remarkably dropped and the threat level is now more manageable,” Sabban said.

He attributed the success of the military operations to effective intelligence and through various development and humanitarian projects in partnership with the Sulu provincial government.

Sulu Governor Sakur Tan is active in humanitarian mission and has lined up various development projects in mostly poor areas in the province’s 19 towns. Just last month, Tan funded the construction of at least 50 bamboo houses, worth over P26,500 each, for poor Badjao families in Tandu Bato in Luuk town.

The project called “Operation Kandili – Preserving a unique culture through providing homes for the Badjao,” is a partnership between the Philippine Marines and the Sulu provincial government, Tan said.

At least 50 more bamboo houses in Luuk town will be constructed soon. Tan also donated a basketball court in the village and pledged to release more funding for education and poverty alleviation programs.

”We have been funding and implementing a lot of projects in Sulu and all these are part of our peace and development programs. We want a culture of peace and this can be achieved through education and basic infrastructure projects and with the participation of course, of the people themselves,” he said

Sabban said the Abu Sayyaf is now on the run because of the sustained military campaign and the lack of support from Muslims in Sulu.

“Intelligence reports disclosed that the Abu Sayyaf group is experiencing leadership and funding problems which barred them from launching more major attacks. The ASG is losing its appeal and influence. Even within their ranks, followers are no longer convinced of the groups’ aspirations.” “Nevertheless, the remaining soldiers will continue to uphold the utmost level of vigilance and defense. They will stand tall and unfazed in confronting terrorism and defeat it,” Sabban said.

Last week, policemen and soldiers rescued a local trader, Rosalie Lao, kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf in Jolo town in January, after a brief running gun battle. Lao was the last Abu Sayyaf hostage in Sulu.

Six local traders selling gasoline were also kidnapped last week, but freed later after their families paid ransom. Police said the old debt triggered the kidnapping of the men.

Authorities have blamed the MILF and the Abu Sayyaf in the twin bombings over the weekend in Zamboanga City. Although no one was killed or injured in the attacks, the military appealed to citizens to stay vigilant.

“We appeal to the public to remain calm and we assure the situation is under control and now back to normal. Police and military have intensified its efforts to keep the city and other places secure and safe from terrorist threats,” said Air Force Major Gamal Hayudini, commander of the military’ 4th Civil Relations Group. (Mindanao Examiner)

Militanteng Grupo, Progresibong Magsasaka Pinagbantaan Ng Army Sa Negros

DUMAGUETE CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 26, 2008) – Muling nagsiga-sigaan na naman ang Philippine Army sa Negros Oriental at tila martial law ang paningin nito sa estado ng lalawigan matapos nitong balaan ang mga militanteng grupo at progresibong organisasyon ng mga magsasaka na umano’y tutol sa kaunlaran.

Mismong si Col. John Bonafos, ang deputy commander ng kilabot na 302nd Infantry Brigade, ang nagsabi sa mga mamamahayag na dudurugin nito ang mga grupong tutol sa kaunlaran.

Naunang inireklamo ng mga militanteng grupo ang Philippine Army, partikular ang 61st Infantry Battalion, na siya umanong nasa likod ng panghaharas sa mga magsasaka na ayaw magtanim ng jathropa o “tuba-tuba”, isang halamang malaki umano ang potensyal sa langis na posibleng magamit bilang bio-fuel ng pamahalaan.

Katwiran ng mga magsasaka ay maraming mawawalan ng taniman at palayan kung itutuloy ng militar ang pamimilit sa pagtatanim ng jathropa sa libo-libong ektarya sa Negros na pakikinabangan lamang ng mga malalaking haciendero.

Binansagan pa umano ni Bonafos ang mga militanteng grupo tulad ng Anakpawis, Gabriela, Bayan, Anakbayan at ilang mga church-based charity at progresibiong grupo na umano’y front lamang ng Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). Itong mga grupo rin ang tinawag ni Bonafos na mga tutol sa kaunlaran.

Umani naman ng malaking batikos si Bonafos sa kanyang mga binitiwang pahayag sa media at nanawagan tuloy ang mga human rights advocates sa pamunuan ng militar at pamahalaang na tanggalin agad sa Negros si Bonafos at ipadala sa Sulu na kung saan ay naghahari-harian doon ang Abu Sayyaf at Jemaah Islmiaya.

Natatakot ang mga human rights grupo na mas tataas pa ang bilang ngh mga kaso ng human rights sa lalawigan sa pamamalagi ni Bonafos at ng mga iba pang unit ng Philippine Army tulad ng 61st Infantry Batallion. (Mindanao Examiner)

Photo: Philippine Army Headquarters

The Philippine Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio in Makati City. (Mindanao Examiner Photo Service)

NPA Rebels Deny Surrender Of 21 Fighters In South RP

DAVAO CITY, Philippine (Mindanao Examiner / 24 Aug) – The New People’s Army rebels on Friday strongly denied that 21 of its members had surrendered to the military in southern Philippines.

The Philippine Army under Brig. Gen. Carlos Holganza paraded the rebels in Davao City on Wednesday and told the mayor Rodrigo Duterte and journalists that the 21, all Manobo tribesmen, were NPA members.

Holganza said the rebels also surrendered their weapons.

Boyet Makatindog, of the NPA Front 34 in southern Mindanao, said the 21 were not NPA rebels, but members of the so-called Mindanao Manobo Defense Force, a notorious paramilitary group, blamed for banditry in the provinces of Davao and Agusan.

He said the group is headed by brothers William and Jimmy Man-anohog. He said William Man-anohog, who was wounded in a clash last month with a rival faction, earlier surrendered to the military.

Makatindog branded the surrender of the 21 tribesmen as a publicity stunt by Holganza. “The were weapons are theatrical props given by the Army to bolster the lie peddled during the so-called surrender ceremony which was timed to coincide with the anniversary celebration of the 1001st Infantry Brigade under Holganza,” he said.

He said the NPA has been running after the bandit group because it has been victimizing innocent villagers and farmers.

“They are engaged in banditry, extortion, harassment and other criminal activities. It is a well known fact in the provinces that William and his brother and their gang are criminals. They are behind the murder of four members of a Lumad family,” Makatindog said.

“Misrepresenting civilians as NPAs is a worse and worn-out propaganda trick, but misrepresenting criminals and bandits as NPAs at the expense of the public, the media, and even Davao City Mayor Duterte, is the worst.” (Mindanao Examiner)

Veteran Infantry Commander, Now Chief Of Philippine Army

PAGADIAN CITY, Philippines (Al Jacinto / 17 Aug) – A veteran army commander who fought Abu Sayyaf militants and communist insurgents in the restive region of Mindanao is said to be the next chief of the Philippine Army.

Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano, chief of the Army’s Southern Luzon Command, has been named to replace Gen. Romeo Tolentino, who retires Friday, military sources said.

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief-of-Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon declined to confirm the report and said it will be announced Friday.

The 54-year old Yano, a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1976, was not immediately available to make a statement. His previous stints in Mindanao as commander resulted in the capture of many Abu Sayyaf terrorists and New People’s Army rebels.

He also served in the Army’s 2nd and 9th Infantry Divisions in Luzon and 6o1st Infantry Brigade in Mindanao. He became the chief of staff and chief of operations of the Philippine Army and chief of the AFP’s Civil Relations Service.

Yano was also head of an anti-terror task force in Zamboanga City and was instrumental in defeating a rebellion launched by Moro National Liberation Front and played a key role in the release of more than 100 people taken hostage by rebels.

He served as chairman of the government’s cease-fire committee with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and later became AFP spokesman. Yano is also president of a military court trying soldiers involved in a failed coup in 2003.

Yano, a native of Zamboanga del Norte province, has until June 2009 before he retires. (Mindanao Examiner)

Pregnant Woman Kills Self Inside Army Base In South RP

DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 08 Jun) – A pregnant woman killed herself after quarreling with her boyfriend inside a Philippine military base in Baganga town in Davao Oriental province, police said.

Police said the woman’s boyfriend is a member of the Army’s 57th Infantry Battalion and is being investigated over her death. The 27-year old woman allegedly hanged herself inside a thatched house on Thursday, police said.

Investigators said they have found a suicide letter apparently written by the woman before she killed herself.

The woman, police said, wrote in her letter that she will kill herself because she and her boyfriend were frequently quarrelling over a lot of reasons lately. (Romy Bwaga)

Special Seaborne Forces, Muling Binuhay Ng Philippine Army

MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / 1 June) – Muling binuhay ng Philippine Army ang Special Forces nito na may kakayahang pandagat at inihahanda na para sumabak sa giyera sa Mindanao laban sa mga teroristang Abu Sayyaf Group at Jemaah Islamiyah.

Napag-alaman kay Special Forces Commander Brigadier General Arturo Ortiz na muling kikilos ang 12th Special Forces Company (Riverrine) sa huling bahagi ng taon sa sandaling matapos na ang retraining ng mga ito.

Una na ring na-reactivate ang 8th at 11th companies ng nasabing elite force noong nakaraang taon.

Ang Philippine Army ang tatanggap ng 28 hi-speed airboats buhat sa Australia bilang bahagi ng defense cooperation agreement sa nasabing bansa.

Sinabi ni Army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Ernesto Torres Jr. na darating ang unang batch ng airboats bago matapos ang taon.

Sa inisyal na plano, ayon kay Torres, dalawang kumpanya ng water-borne troops o tinatayang 300 sundalo ang unang isasabak sa Mindanao.

Naniniwala pa ang opisyal sa pangangailangang magtalaga ng espesyal na yunit ng militar na tutugis sa mga kalaban sa karagatan.

Problema ng militar ang malawak at masukal na tubig sa Liguasan Marsh sa Central Mindanao na pinamumugaran ng mga terorista.

Ipinagdiwang rin kahapon ang ika-11 anibersaryo ng Special Operations Command (Socom), na binubuo ng elite Army units kabilang ang Special Forces, Frst Scout Ranger Regiment (FSRR) at ang sinanay ng Amerika na Light Reaction Battalion. (Juley Reyes)

6 Insurgents Yield In Southern Philippines

Col. Alexander Dicang, deputy commander of the Army’s 102nd Infantry Brigade, assisted by Lt. Col. Emmanuel Sison, commander of the Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion, receive assorted weapons from six New People’s Army rebels on Monday, 28 May 2007. (Photos by Allan June Molde)

PAGADIAN CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 30 May) – Six communist insurgents have surrendered to the Philippine military after a series of negotiations that took security officials three months to finish, the local Philippine Information Agency said on Wednesday.

The six men – all Subanen tribesmen – also surrendered their weapons to the Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion in the village of Diplo in Zamboanga del Sur’s Kumalarang town early this week.

“After one year and eight months in the underground movement, the six Subanen folks who joined the CCP-NPA finally decided to return to the mainstream of society and start a new life with their families,” said Army Lt. Col. Emmanuel Sison.

Sison presented the insurgents, members of the New People’s Army, to Col. Alexander Dicang, deputy commander of the Army’s 102nd Infantry Brigade, based in Ipil town in Zamboanga Sibugay province.

The surrender of the six coincided with the Army’s medical mission in Diplo and was witnessed by hundreds of villagers led by the town’s Mayor Allan Damas.

Those who surrendered were identified as Salibutan Balibes Jr, Julindo Hapitan Gias, Lumambo Lagungan Damo, Junjie Gon Supring, Jen Ligisan Giginan and Arnel Papahan.

The six claimed to have operated under the Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda (SYP) Front Committee Kara under Commander Palis in Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur.

One of the rebels, who acted as leader of the group, said he was a former gold miner in Bayog town in Zamboanga del Sur and was recruited by the NPA in exchange for a monthly pay of five thousand pesos. He was then earning only three thousand pesos, not enough to sustain his family.

“But like the rest, I was deceived and did not receive any money from the NPA and I made a mistake and wanted to correct it and so we all decided to return to the folds of the law. There are still more who wanted to yield, but are afraid that the rebels will kill them or harm their families. We need to help them,” he said.

He said his group wanted to defect from the underground long before but it was not easy to escape from the organization.

“As we became enemy of the government, we have to be in a constant move to evade getting caught, but we also can no longer withstand living a life with a bleak future in the mountains – away from their loved ones,” he said. (With a report from Allan June Molde)

8 Wounded In NPA Ambush!

QUEZON CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 29 May) – Communist insurgents ambushed a military patrol and wounding at least eight soldiers in Aurora province, north of the Philippines, officials said.

Officials said the attack occurred late Monday and sparked a gun-battle that lasted more than 30 minutes.

The army soldiers repulsed the New People’s Army gunmen and officials said a still undetermined number of ambushers were believed killed and wounded also.

But the military report about the enemy casualties was difficult confirm and troops failed to recover any corpses from the area.

The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, which has been fighting to topple the democratic government and install a Maoist state in the mainly Catholic country.

Peace talks between Manila and rebels collapsed in 2004 after the CPP and NPA and the National Democratic Front, its political arm, were included by Washington on its list of foreign terrorist organizations on the government’s prodding.

President Gloria Arroyo has declared an all-put war on the NPA, numbering about 8,000 scatter across the country.

CPP leader, Jose Maria Sison, and other senior communist leaders are in exile in The Netherlands. (Mindanao Examiner)

Search For Missing Activist Continues, Supports Mounting!

Photo by Bulatlat.

The Free Jonas Burgos Movement (FJBM) calls on all our colleagues in the artists' and writers' circle to manifest their support in our call to the AFP, PNP and the GMA government to double their effort in locating Jonas Joseph Burgos, son of late press freedom icon Jose "Joe" Burgos, who was abducted on April 28, 2007 at the Ever Gotesco Mall in Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.

We are humbly soliciting your signatures in support of our call to surface Jonas and all "desaparecidos" and demand justice for all the victims of human rights violations of the current regime and previous governments in our country.

We are hopeful that we would be united in this call. Every name counts. You count.To sign, please send your name at freejonasburgosmovement@yahoo.com.

For more information call 063 4546468. Please pass to all fellow artists and writers. Free Jonas Burgos. Free all Desaparecidos.

Jonas Burgos, the son of the late press freedom fighter Joe Burgos, has kept himself in low profile for all his years spent teaching farmers about natural and self-sustaining farming techniques. But now even his captors may have been caught by surprise at the national and international furor his abduction generated.

His abduction immediately made the headlines. And that may be due to his surname. Jonas Burgos, the son of the late press freedom fighter Joe Burgos, has kept himself in low profile for all his years spent teaching farmers about natural and self-sustaining farming techniques. But now even his captors may have been caught by surprise at the national and international furor his abduction generated.

The closest Jonas would get to follow the footsteps of his journalist father was to delve into photojournalism, Jonas’ younger brother, JL, told Bulatlat in an interview during an indignation rally held May 4 at the People Power Monument along the Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA).

More than a hundred friends and supporters marched at least two kilometers along EDSA to demand the safe and immediate release of Jonas who was abducted April 28 in broad daylight, 12 noon, inside the Ever Gotesco Mall along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.

Witnesses testified that the younger Burgos was accosted by two unidentified men and was “held by the hands and feet” and taken to a waiting van outside the mall.

The Burgos family has been searching for him since but his whereabouts remains undetermined.

Human rights groups and old friends of the family since Martial Law accused state security agents of being behind Jonas’ enforced disappearance. The military top brass had denied the accusation while police authorities have vowed to locate the missing Jonas.

Farmer-activist

Jonas, the third of five children, took up political science at the San Beda College. “Pero hindi nya tinapos,” JL said, “kasi ang hilig nya talaga ay ang pagsasaka.” (But he did not complete his course because he was really interested in agriculture.)

He may have taken the passion for farming from their parents, JL said. Their parents plant organic palay (unhusked rice grain), corn, vegetables and fruit bearing trees in their 12-hectare agricultural lot in Barangay Tartaro, San Miguel town in the province of Bulacan.

The 36-year-old Jonas finished BS Agriculture at the Benguet State University. After which, he helped manage their farm especially when his father got ill. The older Burgos died of stroke in November 2003 and left the farm to his wife, Edith, and their five children.

By then, Jonas had been sharing his knowledge to his barrio mates and introduced organic farming to peasants in their town and other surrounding areas. He had since been a member of the Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Bulacan (AMB or Alliance of Concerned Peasants in Bulacan), the local chapter of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP or Peasant Movement of the Philippines) in the province.

“Nung bata pa kami, nagpakita na si utol ng pagmamalasakit sa kapwa,” (Even when we were still children, my brother had already shown his concern for others.) JL said as he remembers his brother taking the slippers of their father and giving it to an elderly woman knocking at their door for alms.

During their younger years, JL said, they also helped in their family’s rice advocacy campaign for high school students who went to their farm for summer exposure.

The difference

Two weeks before Jonas was abducted, JL said, he and Jonas talked about the intensifying political situation that has led to unabated killings, disappearances and harassment of political activists.

“Alam namin delikado lahat ng aktibista pero hindi namin inisip na may mangyayari sa kanya,” (We knew that it is dangerous for activists but we did not think that something would happen to him.) JL said shaking his head. He said his family did not notice any obvious threat against Jonas until he went missing.

“Lumaki kami na hinaharas ang tatay namin at ang buong pamilya,” (We grew up in a situation where our father and the whole family was being harassed.) JL said. Their parents were then publishers of one of the first anti-dictatorship newspaper during Martial Law, the We Forum.

The older Burgos, however, was not able to evade Martial Law authorities for long. Their press office was raided by the Metropolitan Command (Metrocom) on December 7, 1982 and Joe Burgos, together with the editors and staff of We Forum, was arrested and stayed in prison for almost a year.

“Pero nung martial law, may warrant of arrest nung kinuha nila ang tatay ko. Ngayong sinasabi na nagbalik na ang demokrasya, ngayon lang may nawala sa pamilya namin at hindi ito panahon ng martial law,” (During Martial Law they had a warrant when they arrested my father. It is ironic that it is now when democracy was supposedly restored that one of our family members was forcibly disappeared. And it is not even Martial Law.) JL said.

Missing in Bulacan

The province of Bulacan counts for the most number ofmissing individuals since President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo held power in 2001. Jonas is the 26th victim of enforced disappearance in the province.

Victims of forced disappearances in Bulacan included Bernie Santos, a farmer from the town of San Miguel who was abducted April 24, 2005 allegedly by soldiers of the First Scout Ranger Regiment (FSRR) based in Camp Tecson; farmer Manuel Merino and University of the Philippines students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Emepeño who were roused from sleep and were dragged to a jeepney-type vehicle before dawn of June 26, 2006.

Ricardo Valmocina Jr. and Robin Solano who were abducted inside the CV Tamayo Farms in Barangay Pinaod, San Ildefonso town; and jeepney driver and Anakpawis provincial coordinator Emerito Lipio who was abducted July 3, 2006.

Oscar Leuterio, a security guard of the Metal Ore Company in the town of Doña Remedios Trinidad was also abducted April 17, 2006 and was held incommunicado for five months inside a safehouse in Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, the headquarters of the 7th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army (ID PA).

He was released on September of the same year when he agreed to work for the military.

Leuterio, however, sought the assistance of human rights groups and instead testified in court that he saw several victims of abductions inside the same safehouse. He now serves as witness to the abduction of the two UP students who, Leuterio said, were also seen inside the Fort Magsaysay headquarters.

There are 199 victims of enforced disappearance from Jan. 2001 to May 2007, records from the human rights group Karapatan (Alliance for the Advancement of Peoples’ Rights) show. (With reports from Dabet Castaneda of Bulatlat)

Army Handang Makipagtulungan Sa Jonas Burgos Abduction

MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / 24 May) – Walang balak ang liderato ng Philippine Army na itago ang mga tauhan nitong nais gisahin ng Philippine National Police (PNP) sa pag-uungkat na may kaugnayan sa pagkawala ng anak ng dating Malaya publisher at aktibistang si Jonas Burgos.

Binigyang-diin ni Army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Ernesto Torres, Jr. na pahaharapin nito ang isang opisyal at dalawang enlisted personnel ng Bulakan upang maliwanagan ang pulisya sa pagkawala ng plaka ng isang trak na naka-impound sa kampo ng militar at nagamit umano sa sasakyang ipinantangay sa batang Burgos.

Handa rin aniya ang Army na makipagtulungan sa anumang imbestigasyon sa mga miyembro nitong nadadawit sa kaso.

Gayunman, mahigpit ang paninindigan ni Torres na walang itinatago ang militar at hindi nito trabaho ang magsagawa ng sinasabing pagdukot at extrajudicial killings.

Binigyan ng ultimatum ng PNP sina Lieutenant Colonel Melquiades Feliciano, battalion commander ng 56th Infantry Battalion sa Norzagaray, Bulacan, Corporal Castro Bugalon at Private 1st Class Jose Villena hanggang Mayo 31 upang humarap sa Kampo Krame.

Una na aniyang tinaningan ng Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) ang tatlo noong Mayo 10 upang humarap sa mga imbestigador subalit hindi sumipot.

Ngunit ayon kay AFP Public Information Office Chief Lieutenant Colonel Bartolome Bacarro, kahapon lamang din nagpakita ang mga nabanggit na sundalo sa CIDG.

Partikular na hinihingi ng pulisya ang paliwanag ng tatlong militar sa pagkawala ng plakang TAB 194 na nakarehistro sa pangalang Mauro Mudlong ng Norzagaray, isang bayan sa Bulacan.

"We are giving them until May 31, 2007 to appear before the CIDG to give their side, otherwise they will be cited for contempt. The CIDG has the authority to issue summons and cite for contempt anybody who will ignore these summons," paliwanag ni Chief Superintendent Geary Barias.

Militar ang pangunahing pinagbibintangan ng pamilya ni Burgos sa pagkawala nito. (Juley Reyes)

Students Demand Release Of Colleagues From Military Custody

Release Jihan Manampad and Rina Togonon! Stop pursuing legitimate students in the course of their academic work!

Joint Statement on the arrest of two innocent Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) Sociology students by the Military in Caluag town in Quezon province.

The PUP students who were captured by the troops of the Army's 4th Infantry Battalion on the allegation that they are NPA recruits are legitimately enrolled in our university.

They are in fact doing their summer course in community organizing, a course requirement for their curriculum in Bachelor of Science in Sociology, traditionally being done every summer between April and May of each school year.

There is no way they could be there in Quezon province to participate in rebellious or subversive activities as alleged by their captors.

The undersigned groups in PUP strongly condemn such arbitrary arrests of civilians, most particularly our students. We are also urging the concerned authorities to immediately release Jihan Manampad and Rina Togonon and stop pursuing their eight other classmates who are also doing community organizing work in the same area.

Any actions from the military that violate the human rights of such students under their custody will be legally pursued by the academic community and organizations in PUP.

We are also seeking the support of the PUP administration, the faculty, employees and students for the two students now being falsely charged of rebellion by the military.

Currently, the teacher of the students, Prof. Justine Nicolas, is negotiating for the release of his students and is himself in the same risk of possible arrest.

The PUP administration should act decisively on this matter as it involves not only the basic rights of students and teachers but also and more importantly the core principles of academic freedom, which every university must uphold.

Release our BSS 3-1 students, Jihan Manampad and Rina Togonon! Stop pursuing legitimate students in the course of fieldwork for their academic work!

Congress of Teachers and Educators for Nationalism and Democracy–PUP (CONTEND-PUP)

Faculty Circle—PUPUnyon ng mga Kawani—PUP (UNAKA)Unyon ng mga Guro sa PUP (UGPUP)University Center for Human Rights Research and Education (UCHURRE)