NPA bombs recovered in Southern Philippines

Army officials said troops have recovered dozens of landmines and various materials used in the manufacture of improvised explosives in the southern Philippines.
Officials linked the explosives to the communist rebel group New People’s Army in Loreto town in Agusan del Sur province. The cache of landmines was discovered by civilians in the village of Mansanitas, according to Capt. Alberto Caber, a spokesman for the Eastern Mindanao Command.
Gen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, the Eastern Mindanao Command chief, praised the bravery of the civilians who informed the military about the explosives.
“We thank our people for their cooperation. Our soldiers are always ready to respond anywhere and whenever needed. If the NPA is sincere about peace, they must stop manufacturing landmines as these kill people and destroy properties,” Cruz said.
He said the discovery came a day after two NPA rebels - Robert Daging and Abet Guinson – surrendered to the 36th Infantry Battalion in Carmen town in the province of Surigao del Sur.
The duo also handed over two automatic rifles. The NPA has been fighting for decades for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country. 

Article Source: Mindanao Examiner

9 gov't troopers wounded in Agusan del Sur firefight

Nine government troopers were wounded during a clash with New People's Army (NPA) fighters in Barangay Balit, San Luis town, Agusan del Sur before dawn Thursday.

Capt. Christian Uy, Philippine Army's 4th Infantry Division spokesperson, said the incident took place at around 1:50 a.m.

He added that troopers from the 26th Infantry Battalion and the PNP's Agusan del Sur Public Safety Company were on their way home after serving an arrest warrant for Nelson Lugpatan Campos, a resident of Sitio Kipuyag, Barangay San Pedro, when they were fired upon by seven NPA fighters.
The exchange of gunfire lasted for 45 minutes and resulted in the wounding of seven soldiers, one PNP operative and a militiaman.

There were no immediate reports on rebel casualties as the NPAs quickly fled.


Pursuit operations are now ongoing. 

Article Source: PNA

3 NPA rebels surrender to military forces in Davao del Sur

Three New People’s Army fighters voluntarily surrendered to the 39th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army in Bansalan, Davao del Sur Friday.

Armed Forces of the Philippines public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said the rebels also surrendered three high-powered firearms consisting of one M-14 automatic rifle and two M-16 rifles.

The surrenderees are all active members of the NPA’s Front 51, SMRC operating in the areas of Davao del Sur and Makilala, North Cotabato.

Zagala said that the three are now undergoing custodial debriefing at the 39th Infantry Battalion headquarters in Barangay Tuban, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.

He added that the surrendered rebels requested that the AFP withhold their identities for fear of retaliation by their former comrades in the NPA.

On the other hand, the military sees the surrender as an act of progress, knowing that not all members of the NPAs believe in their leaders’ hard-line stance on armed violence as means to achieve their goals.


"Their reasons for joining the communist movement might have been legitimate ones but after almost two decades of armed struggle, they have not realized that joining a group which causes only violence against our people isn't the answer," Zagala stressed.

Article Source: PNA

Army condemns NPA’s continued ruthless killings and violation of CARHRIHL

Camp Peralta, Jamindan, Capiz – The Philippine Army here in Western Visayas condemned the continued ruthless killings of the New People’s Army (NPA) and its violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).

Last December 30, 2013, Demetrio Capilastique known as “Hugo” was shot to death in Brgy Linaywan, Badiangan, Iloilo by members of the SPARU unit of the NPA. Alias “Hugo” is a ranking leader of the NPA’s rival group Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB) here in Panay Island.

Brigadier General Arnold Quiapo, 301st Brigade Commander said “This is an inhumane act of the NPA, against the law hence, cannot be justified. Any issue against Capilastique should be brought to the proper court and let him answer to our proper judicial system. While the CNN took responsibility for the killing, they should bring those culprits from within their ranks to the courts of law.”

A day following the killing, the CPP-NPA-NDFP (CNN) in an issued statement, took responsibility for the assassination of alias “Hugo”. Hugo was charged by the CPP-NPA of several crimes against the movement and the so called ‘NPA’s court system’, one of which is the crime of mutiny against the CPP-NPA in the Southern Front of Panay in 1994.

Meantime, it can be recalled that last January 25, 2013, a ranking leader of the RPA-ABB Joven Tababa was shot to death by the NPA in Tigbauan, Iloilo. The CNN also took responsibility and tried to justify the killing.

Tababa was with his 7-year old daughter when he was shot and succumbed to gunshots and eventually died on the spot; however his daughter managed to flee.

A day after the incident January 26, 2013 around 8 pm, a certain Gina Genilan Gestalao alias Neneng, 35 years old, wife of a former RPA-ABB member and a resident of Bulho, San Joaquin, Iloilo, was shot to death by the NPA hitting her right upper breast and left portion of her eye.

The NPA’s attack on non-combatants is clearly a violation of the CARHRIHL which the CPP/NPA/NDFP is a signatory.

UN questioned CPP/NPA/NDF’s “people’s courts”

In Page 14 of the Philip Alston report of the UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions from 2004-2010, it stated that “the CPP/NPA/NDF’s system of “people’s courts” is either deeply flawed or simply a sham. The question whether the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) can be interpreted to affirm the CPP/NPA/NDF’s contention that it has a right to constitute courts and conduct trials is a matter of controversy.”

While no judicial process is involved in the NPA’s way of imposing punishment for both ordinary and counter revolutionary crimes, Alston stated that “failure to respect due process norms constitutes a violation of IHL for the CPP/NPA/NDF and may constitute a war crime for participating cadres.”

Major General Aurelio Baladad, Commander of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division said “These unlawful killings and blatant violation of human rights and the International Humanitarian Law of the NPA must be stopped. The democratic government and the Filipino people want a justice system that is not served through killings.” 
To start the year right, Baladad called for peace towards the CNN and urged the NPA to instead lay down their arms, abandon the armed struggle and join the mainstream society in bringing peace and development especially in the countryside.

“Our Bayanihan efforts to bring peace and development in the countryside will continue as we start the year. We call on the public to be vigilant and let us work together in addressing the challenges of peace,” Baladad added.

Source Article

AFP expects more provinces with NPA to normalize

The military expects more areas grappling with communist insurgency to undergo 'normalization' this year and vowed to work closely with civilians to make it possible.

Armed Forces public affairs chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said once a province is declared normalized, the lead role of maintaining peace and security would be transferred from the military to local governments.

He said an area has undergone normalization if local governments and other civilian stakeholders are already active in addressing the causes of rebellion and if insurgency has weakened due to such efforts.

“The root causes of insurgency should be solved not by the military alone but by everyone,” he said.

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), however, refuted this outlook and even claimed that the military’s security plan Bayanihan has failed.

“As 2013 ends, we can conclusively declare the defeat of the Aquino regime’s Oplan Bayanihan which failed in its declared aim of reducing the armed strength of the New People’s Army (NPA) to inconsequentiality by the middle of this year,” CPP said in a statement.

The CPP said its fighters would continue to “undertake more frequent tactical offensives.”

“This year, every NPA command must gun for a record increase in the number of weapons seized from the reactionary military, paramilitary and police forces,” the group said.

Bayanihan, which took effect in 2011, seeks to end insurgency by curbing its roots like poverty and lack of access to basic services.

The first three years of the implementation of the security plan will focus on addressing internal armed threat groups.

The final three years of Bayanihan, which starts this year, will be devoted to handing over the lead role in ensuring internal peace and security to civilian government agencies. Such turnover will allow the military to focus on its transition towards territorial defense. 

Zagala believes the military would be able to accomplish the requirements in the security plan.

“We’re optimistic that we will be able to make it,” Zagala said. 

“They (rebels) are against our way of life, our democracy, our freedoms and institutions. We should cherish them by protecting them and we can do so by finding solutions in our own way,” he added.

He said 29 of 81 provinces have undergone normalization due to the military’s anti-insurgency campaigns.

These are Cavite, Marinduque, Romblon, Guimaras, Cebu, Siquijor, Biliran, Bohol, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Aklan, Antique, Eastern Samar, Apayao, La Union, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Kalinga, Nueva Viscaya, Quirino, Nueva Ecija, Aurora, Benguet, Batanes, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, South Cotabato, Saranggani and Davao Oriental.

The CPP, however, claimed that the mass struggle against the government would intensify this year due to supposed worsening economic conditions and corruption.

Source Article

Rebels attack military detachments in Sorsogon

Members of the New People's Army attacked two military detachments in Sorsogon on Saturday, hours after the Yuletide ceasefire with the rebels took effect.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Maj. Gen. Domingo Tutaan said the rebel attacks in Casiguran and Gubat towns occurred Saturday dawn, shortly after government forces began observing the 26-day Suspension of Offensive Military Operations (SOMO).

“They opened fire on our detachments, knowing that we are not on offensive operations. We returned fire and they withdrew,” Tutaan said.

There were no reported injuries or deaths from the government side during the encounter. Tutaan added that government troops were not able to determine if there were casualties inflicted on the rebels who withdrew.

The government truce was announced by Malacanang officials last Friday, shortly after the military commemorated its 78th foundation anniversary. The government truce is shorter compared to last year’s SOMO which lasted from December 16 to January 15.

The NPA will be observing their holiday truce on December 24, 25, 26, 31, January 1 and 2.

Tutaan believes that the rebels are taunting the soldiers to launch offensive military operations so that they can be charged of violating the SOMO.

He added that the military is bent on implementing the truce despite the rebel attacks.

Tutaan chastised the rebels for not including the civilians in their upcoming ceasefire. He noted that the rebel truce is limited only to government troops, which means that they can still attack civilian targets.

“Look at what they declared, it's only against the military and the police but they are not saying they are not going to harass civilian (targets). It's because this is where they earn money,” the official said.

The NPA is known to harass companies and other civilians if they fail to pay revolutionary "tax."

Tutaan assured that government troops will exert efforts to ensure the safety of the civilians during the ceasefire.

Meanwhile, the Communist Party of the Philippines criticized AFP chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista for ridiculing the six-day rebel truce.

Bautista said Thursday that the rebel truce was too short as he proposed that the NPA should implement a ceasefire that last "forever" to stop the suffering of the people affected by the insurgency.

“To declare a ceasefire ‘to last forever’ will only bring forth an eternal hell of military abuses, land-grabbing and environmental destruction,” the CPP said in a statement.

“General Bautista’s proposals are moronic, to say the least. Such thoughtless remarks reflect the AFP’s inability to understand the deep-seated reasons behind the Filipino people’s armed resistance and view the civil war only from the myopic perspective of a one track-minded fascist,” the CPP added.

The CPP also said the peasants, the fisherfolk and the minority indigenous people will be affected once they agree to a long-lasting ceasefire.

“To muzzle the guns of the NPA is to surrender the schools, the clinics, the farms and the peace which the peasant masses have established through their new democratic government that has been built on the people’s collective strength,” it said.

“Where the Aquino regime and the reactionary state and its armed forces are weak and practically non-existent, organs of the people’s democratic government are being established to serve the interests of the poor peasants, indigenous peoples and fisherfolk,” the CPP added.

Source

Army Scores In Northern Samar

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan City – The Philippine Army (PA)’s 34th Infantry Battalion and 81st Reconnaissance Company overran a temporary rebel camp set up by leftist group, New People’s Army (NPA) after an encounter against some 215 NPA members which lasted half an hour in Palapag Complex, Northern Samar earlier this week.

The government troops seized the rebel camp which was comprised of a nipa hut and 10 makeshift bunkers made of laminated sacks and recovered, as well, two M-16 rifles, two landmines, one rifle grenade, magazines/ammunitions for M-16 rifles and several subversive documents.

“The encounter was a result of a successful “Bayanihan” (united community) effort undertaken by local officials and the populace in Palapag town,” said Lt. Col. Rodrigo M. Illustrisimo, Commanding Officer of the 34th Infantry Battalion, 8ID.

He added that the abandonment of the rebel camps means that the people in the area is against the existence of NPA rebels which, he said, “have been known to regularly conduct extortion activities in barangays here.”

For his part, 8ID commander, Maj. Gen. Gerardo T. Layug said,“The support and assistance given by the local leaders and the populace to government troops is a clear manifestation that the Bayanihan spirit is alive in the local communities here.”

Layug added, “We will continue securing the communities against rebel influence and other armed threats, and we will be in close coordination with local leaders and other stakeholders in ensuring peace in every community in the region,.”

Meanwhile, PA troops here are conducting pursuit operations against the NPA rebels in the area.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Phoebe Jen Indino | Manila Bulletin | March 7, 2013 | Article Link

NPA executes kidnapped soldier

MANILA, Philippines - An Army soldier who was reported missing and believed captured by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels last month has been executed by his captors, the military said yesterday.

Soldiers recovered the body of S/Sgt. Matronillo Macion, commander of a Citizens Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) team in Sitio Vedupe, Barangay San Juan in  Panaon town at the boundary of Jimenez and Aloran towns in Misamis Occidental.

The troops also recovered an improvised explosive device and a grenade.

At least 25 NPA rebels attacked the CAFGU outpost under Macion.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jaime Laude | The Philippine Star  | March 5, 2013 | Article Link

Villager takes NPA’s AK-47

A villager from Surigao del Sur already fed up with the abuses of the New People's Army (NPA) took away an AK-47 rifle from the insurgent group and turned over the firearm to the military.

1Lt. Joe Patrick Martinez, commanding officer of the 42nd CMO Company, 4th Infantry Division (4ID), said the villager carted one AK-47 (Norinco brand with defaced serial number), two magazines, and 80 rounds 7.62 mm ammunitions from the members Platoon 2 of Guerilla Front 16 of North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee who were then conducting extortion activities at a community in Barangay Aurora, Tagana-an, Surigao del Norte last February 20.

Martinez said the villager told them that while the NPAs were having a short rest after their extortion activities, he saw one of the insurgents put down his weapon, an AK-47 rifle.

When the insurgents took a nap, he then grabbed the opportunity to sneak and take away the firearm.

The villager then went straight to the 30th Infantry Battalion of the 4ID  based in Barangay Placer, Surigao del Norte, and informed the military about the presence of the insurgents in their community, at the same time, surrender the rifle.

Martinez said the villager claimed that the abuses committed by the NPAs prompted him to steal the rifle from them.

“The money and food that they demand from us is just enough for our family,” lamented the villager.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Elena L. Aben | Manila Bulletin | February 27, 2013 | Article Link

2 NPAs killed in Cagayan clash

MANILA, Philippines - Two suspected communist rebels were killed during an encounter with government troops in Cagayan, police said on Wednesday.

Police Inspector Ceasar Orlanes, information officer of the Cagayan Provincial Police Office, said the firefight between soldiers and members of the New People's Army took place on Tuesday at around 1:30 p.m. in Barangay Lakambini, Tuao.

Ornales said authorities have yet to identify the casualties.

He said policemen were dispatched to the village after they received information on the presence of at least eight heavily-armed men in the area.

The firefight lasted for almost an hour after which the rebels retreated from the area.

Authorities recovered from the site an M-14 carbine rifle, an M-16 assault rifle and a caliber 45 pistol.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dennis Carcamo | The Philippine Star | February 27, 2013 | Article Link

Communist Rebel tagged in Bukidnon attack falls

A SUSPECTED member of the New People’s Army (NPA) who was reportedly among those who attacked two pineapple plantations in Bukidnon last week was arrested on Tuesday.

Police Regional Office (PRO)-Northern Mindanao spokesman Police Superintendent Ronnie Francis M. Cariaga identified the alleged NPA member as Valeriano Anonsaon Jr., alias “Junior.”

Cariaga said Anonsaon, who was nabbed in Barangay Sil-ipon in Libona town, Bukidnon, has a pending arrest warrant for attempted homicide issued by Judge Lourdes Eltanal-Ignacio of the 1st Municipal Trial Court of Bukidnon.

Last February 19, NPA rebels simultaneously attacked the plantations and offices of Del Monte Philippines in Camp Phillips and Dole in Impasug-ong.

A few hours after the attack, at least two suspected NPA rebels were arrested in a manhunt operation in Barangay Kihare, Manolo Fortich, Cariaga added.

“Local police of Libona received information from a confidential informant that Valeriano was last spotted in Barangay Sil-ipon where he stayed with his wife’s uncle and was recuperating from the injuries he suffered in an encounter with Army personnel last February 23,” Cariaga said in an emailed statement.

During investigation, Anonsaon told authorities that three more rebels were injured and three others were killed during the encounter.

Cariaga said the management of Del Monte is now coordinating with the local police in the filing of arson cases against the suspected rebels.

“PRO-10 assures the public that it will continue to pursue its mandate of going after these rebels who were responsible in the series of atrocities in Bukidnon. Police personnel have now identified other suspects based on cartographic sketches,” he said.

One security guard was killed while two other guards and one civilian were injured in the February 19 attack in Del Monte.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sun Star Cagayan de Oro | February 28, 2013 | Article Link

Rebels raid village, seize arms cache

KIDAPAWAN CITY - Some 60-armed members of the New Peoples’ Army (NPA) raided a Moro community in a town in Makilala, North Cotabato, and carted away 16 firearms, at 3:15 p.m. last Saturday, an Army official said.

Lt. Manuel Gatus, commander of the Charlie Company of the 57th Infantry Battalion, said the rebels arrived on foot at Sitio Lacobe in Barangay Malabuan in Makilala town and pretended they were soldiers from the 38th Infantry Battalion allegedly tasked to get the villagers' firearms for inspection.

"The villagers, mostly members of a Maguindanaon tribe, were told to gather at the village center for a meeting and while this was on going, some of the rebels forcibly entered the houses and confiscated whatever firearms they could recover from the place," Gatus said.

Gatus said the rebels confiscated eight home-made Uzi pistols, five home-made Ingram pistols, two 38 caliber revolvers, and an M-79 grenade launcher.

The guns, said Gatus, are owned by the Baclid family and their relatives, many of whom are elements of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu).

The raid, the military official stressed, happened two weeks after the decades-old land conflict between the Baclid family and the Ilonggo settlers in the village was finally resolved through years of negotiations and interventions from the government, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), in particular.

The rebels are reportedly against the conflict resolution saying it was “unfair” and “unjust” on the part of the settlers.

Records from DAR showed a wide area of the land in conflict was given to the Baclid family.

The Baclids have long claimed sitio Lacobe as part of their ancestral land.

"In the 70s, during the wars in Mindanao, the Baclids were driven away from their lands. But in the 90s, when everything has returned to normalcy, they returned to their homes. They were surprised, however, to see Ilonggos tilling their lands," said Gatus, citing as basis the account of the Baclids.

The Ilonggos, however, claimed they bought the lands from landowners and other residents of the place. They showed as proof their land titles.

Gatus said that as soon as they confirmed reports the rebels raided the place and carted the villagers’ firearms they immediately sent teams to run after the NPAs whom they believed have set up bases along the boundary of Makilala and Tulunan towns in North Cotabato and in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Malu Cadeliña Manar | Sun Star Davao | February 27, 2013 | Article Link

Rebel leader behind Army camp attack nabbed

THE leader of the New People's Army (NPA) group, which attacked an Army detachment in northern Negros more than two years ago, was arrested in Calatrava town last Saturday.

Arrested by elements of the 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) and the Philippine National Police (PNP)-Special Action Force was a certain Joel Danioso alias Ewen, commanding officer of the Yunit Milista (YM) of Barangay Malatas, Calatrava town.

Danioso was arrested in Sitio Minatipik, Barangay Winaswasan, Calatrava by virtue of a warrant of arrest for the crime of robbery with homicide and physical injuries issued by presiding judge Katherine Go of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 59 in San Carlos City.

Danioso, a resident of Sitio Minatipik, Barangay Winaswasan, Calatrava, Negros Occidental, 34, led the raid of Polopangyan detachment in Barangay Bug-ang, Toboso Negros Occidental on August 28, 2010.

He was brought to Calatrava PNP after the arrest and further brought to Toboso PNP for detention.

"We will continue to help the PNP in implementing arrest warrants issued by courts. We are serious in enforcing our laws. Let the rule of law apply to these people who are menace to the society," said 62IB commander Efren Morados.

3rd Infantry Division Commander MGen Jose Mabanta Jr said, "This is a continuous law enforcement operation as part of your Army's commitment in protecting the communities, government and private establishments so that the people will live in a more secure and peaceful environment."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Teresa Ellera | Sun Star Bacolod | February 26, 2013 | Article Link

Troops exhume NPA mass purge victim

GOVERNMENT forces exhumed the skeletal remains of a New People’s Army (NPA) rebel believed to be a victim of a mass purge implemented by the Communist Party of the Philippines within the rebels’ rank several years back.

Major Angelo Guzman, Ninth Infantry Division spokesman, on Thursday, said that combined elements of the 49th Infantry Battalion and the local police recovered the remains of Juanito Hirang in Sitio Santol, Barangay Old Camp in Capalonga, Camarines Norte.

Lt. Col. Micheael Buhat, Ninth Infantry Battalion commander, said that the information was tipped off to them by the victim’s former comrade, who was then with the underground movement when Hirang was executed on July 9, 2004.

“It has been bothering his conscience for years that is why he reported it to the Army in order for the victim to have a decent burial,” Buhat said.

Hirang’s skeletal remains was turned over to his family in the municipality of Jose Panganiban.

Last year, some 30 skeletal remains of people also believed to be victims of the communist’s mass purging were also unearthed from a common grave in Bondoc Peninsula of Quezon province.

In 2006, dozens of bodies, also believed to be that of the Maoist rebels, were also exhumed in Inopacan, Leyte province.

The purging operations was reportedly implemented by the communist party starting in the mid 1980s through the so-called Plan Missing Link, which was meant to cleanse the underground movement of alleged military spies, or deep penetration agents.

In Mindanao, the rebels called the purging as operation zombie. A rebel caught spying, or suspected as an undercover agent is considered a zombie, or a walking dead.

Reports said that before a zombie was executed, he or she underwent first a mock trial. If the evidence was weak, he or she was detained and tortured to squeeze out information that would later be used as basis for his or her execution.

The purging took the lives of hundreds of suspected spies, which later caused a schism in the movement that also led to the murder of some communist leaders.

------------------------------------------------------------------

William B. Depasupil | The Manila Times | February 21, 2013 | Article Link

5 soldiers hurt in clash with NPA rebels

COTABATO CITY, Philippines  – Five soldiers were wounded in two days of hostilities which started Monday between government forces and communist rebels in North Cotabato’s restive Makilala town.

The latest encounter between New People’s Army guerrillas and soldiers, which erupted early Tuesday in Barangay New Israel, Makilala left two soldiers, initially identified only as Cpls. Pantasan and Soria, badly wounded.

The wounded soldiers, who both belong to the 6th ID’s elite 62nd Division Reconnaissance Company, and several companions were on their way to a hinterland area in Barangay New Israel on board an Army truck when NPAs, positioned at one side of the road, shot them with assault rifles.

The companions of Pantasan and Soria managed to jump out of their vehicle and engage their attackers, preventing the rebels from closing in on the soldiers. 
   
The attackers scampered away after sensing that responding soldiers from a nearby Army base, backed by militiamen, have started arriving at the scene.

Inspector Rizal Alolod, the acting Makilala municipal police chief, said the soldiers the NPAs ambushed were on their way to check on complaints of farmers on the extortion by rebels of “revolutionary tax” in Barangay New Israel.

NPA rebels have been frequenting the secluded barangay, where they force farmers to give them money and food at gunpoint.

The latest NPA attack in Barangay New Israel came less than 24 hours after rebels opened fire on another group of soldiers searching for landmines and roadside bombs in an open field in another area not far from the scene of the ambush.

They wounded soldiers, Cpls. Antonio Grafil Jr., Allan Lauria, and Jonathan Santos, who are now undergoing medication at the Makilala Medical Specialist Center at the town proper of Makilala.

Local officials said the NPAs in North Cotabato’s adjoining Magpet, Makilala, Arakan and Antipas towns have been counter-attacking combatants of the 6th ID and its component-unit, the 602nd Brigade, for having liberated more than 20 guerilla enclaves in the four towns the past five months.

Col. Ademar Tomaro, commander of the 602nd Brigade, said NPAs in North Cotabato have also been trying to return to their former camps, which they intend to use as “springboards” for their extortion activities that would target politicians that would campaign  in far-flung areas. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John Unson | The Philippine Star | February 12, 2013 | Article Link 

Army capture NPA camp in Camarines Norte

MANILA, Philippines - Two soldiers were hurt in a clash in Labo, Camarines Norte last Sunday that led to the capture of a New People’s Army (NPA) camp.

Lt. Col. Michael Buhat, commander of the Philippine Army's 49th battalion, said his troops were conducting security patrol at about 3:15 p.m. when they discovered a structure that turned out to be a rebel camp.

A firefight ensued, resulting in the wounding of two soldiers identified as Privates First Class Dexter Debil and Donhel Catangay.

The NPA members then retreated, enabling the soldiers to seize the camp. Buhat described the camp as “fortified with bunkers” and “equipped with huts and bleachers.”
“Bloodstains are all over the camp,” he added.

Col. Richard Lagrana, chief of the Army’s 902nd brigade, said the camp could have been a good staging point to attack soldiers in the area. He said he has directed the conduct of pursuit operations against the rebels.

Meanwhile, security forces have discovered an NPA logistics cache in Remedios T. Romualdez, Agusan del Norte last Sunday.

First Lieutenant Joe Martinez, chief of the 42nd civil-military operations company, said the cache was found by elite forces in Sitio Bato-Batohan in Barangay San Antonio.

Recovered from the area were three anti-personnel and anti-tank landmines,  a container with 20 Liters of gasoline, two rolls of detonating cord and subversive documents.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alexis Romero | The Philippine Star | February 11, 2013 | Article Link

NPA bandits kill a militiaman, injure 4 including a non-combatant in Northern Samar

Another innocent civilian was shot and wounded by NPA bandits who attacked a gathering of people attended by members of the 8th Infantry Division's Peace and Development Team (PDT) in Northern Samar at 12:00nn on Tuesday, Feb 12.

 

The attack occured while the soldiers were conducting 'pulong-pulong' (dialogue) with local residents of Guindaluan village, Rosario town. 

 

Three people were wounded including a local resident named Raul Estellero, of Brgy 3 of the said town.

A militiaman was also killed while three other military personnel were  hurt during the brief firefight which ensued. 

 

Lt Col. Noel Vestuir, the Commanding Officer of the 20th Infantry Battalion identified the wounded soldiers as  Ssg Dionald Opilanda and Sgt Arnold Miranda,  and militiaman Jonar Estellero.

The name of the dead militiaman was not released pending notification of his nearest kin.

 

The NPA bandits have recorded a growing number of human rights violations such as attacking non-combatants and abducting innocent civilians.

 

In January 2013, eight civilians were massacred by NPA bandits in La Castellana town in Negros Occidental.

 

The NPA bandits have also masterminded extrajudicial killings all over the archipelago, victimizing state forces and civilians who were accused of supporting the military.

 

As the communist armed group insist to use armed violence, more innocent people will fall victims to their atrocities. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

February 13, 2012 | Article Link

Reds killed 1 civilian a week in 2012 - AFP

The recent NPA ambush in Negros Occidental claimed nine lives, mostly civilians. Last year, the AFP claimed communist rebels killed an average of one civilian a week.

MANILA, Philippines -- Communist rebels killed an average of one civilian a week last year, the Armed Forces of the Philippines claimed Wednesday.

AFP spokesman Colonel Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said the military recorded 53 civilian deaths in 374 violent incidents in 2012. NPA attacks or clashes also killed 81 soldiers, eight policemen and 22 militiamen.

"Such atrocities are a clear manifestation of the NPAs resorting to force and intimidation to coerce civilians including private firms and individuals, even poor folks in far flung villages of the country to give in to their demands since the NPA has lost its mass base support already," Burgos said in a statement.

The AFP, meanwhile, said 555 communist rebels were arrested, killed or surrendered to the government.

January deadliest month for civilians

The beginning of last year proved to be the deadliest for civilians, the AFP said, with 10 killed and nine wounded in 10 alleged NPA attacks.

"These NPA-initiated violent incidents also resulted to three fatalities from the AFP, PNP, and CAA (CAFGU active auxiliary) while 27 were wounded. This clearly shows that the rebel group continues to pursue armed violence despite ongoing peace efforts by the government," Burgos said.

Last month, the NPA also admitted responsibility for the death of nine people, mostly civilians, in La Castellana, Negros Occidental but claimed that they were fired upon first.

The AFP claimed the NPA has been reduced to attacking "soft targets" and continue to use improvised explosive devices, ambushes and extorting from civilians.

Ceasefire violations

During the December 16 to January 15 ceasefire, the longest ever between the government and communist rebels, the AFP said it had recorded at least five incidents of harassment by the NPA, in Agusan del Norte, Malaybalay City, North Cotabato, Tanay, Rizal, South Cotabato and Camarines Sur.

A soldier and a militiaman were killed and two others were wounded.

The NPA also abducted a policeman and a soldier, Burgos said.

Despite these incidents, the AFP said it would continue to support peace efforts by the government but "will continue to intensify our focused security operations against armed rebels who continue to wage armed violence causing loss of innocent lives, destruction of properties, and damage to vital economic facilities and infrastructures,” AFP chief of staff General Emmanuel Bautista said.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Abigail Kwok | InterAksyon.com | February 6, 2013 | Article Link

Philippine Army kills 2 NPA fighters in Albay clash

Two New People’s Army rebels were killed in a firefight with government troops in Albay Saturday, reported Army 9th Infantry Division spokesman Maj. Angelo Guzman Sunday. 

 

He related that soldiers from the 2nd Infantry Division were deployed at the outskirts of Camalig town after receiving information from a resident about the rebels’ presence.

 

“(The soldiers) responded to an information from a local folk about the presence of 10 NPAs in their village doing some recruitment efforts, disinformation drives and extortion,” said Guzman.

 

At around 5:30 a.m. Saturday, Guzman said that an army squad (about nine soldiers) caught up with the rebels.

 

Citing a report from the 2nd IB commander Lt. Col. Audrey Pasia, Guzman said, “Though outnumbered, they were able to outmaneuver the rebels and gave them a big blow.”

 

Guzman named the slain rebels as Arboy Moina and Fernando Mostoles Jr. Their remains were turned over to the police.

 

Guzman added that government soldiers, backed by K9 tracking dogs, have been deployed to conduct pursuit operations against the fleeing rebels.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GMA News Online | August 20, 2012 | Article Link

Army cautions village officials involved with rebel movement

COLONEL Oscar Lactao, commander of the Philippine Army's 303rd Brigade in Bacolod, cautioned village officials who get involved in the rebel movement.

This came after a rebel who was slain in a recent encounter with the Army turned out to be a president of a sitio in a city in northern Negros.

Lactao said he was surprised to know that the slain rebel identified as Edgar Saguirre Lopez was a purok president in Barangay Jonob Jonob, Escalante City.

He said Lopez was hit by gunfire from government troopers in the encounter that took place in the area recently.

He added that according to Army informants, three other rebels were wounded in that encounter. 

Government troops also recovered after the clash a communist flag, subversive documents and combat packs containing personal belongings and empty shells of assorted high-powered firearms.

Lactao then reminded government officials that they have sworn allegiance to the Philippine flag, thus they are expected to uphold the law of the country.

He urged the officials to end their involvement with the rebel movement, saying that in a firefight, bullets from guns of government forces do not recognize whether one is a barangay official or not.

He said the barangay officials should be the first to uphold the law.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SunStar.Com.Ph | August 10, 2012 | Article Link