One killed in military-NPA clash in Bukidnon

MANILA, Philippines — An Army private was killed in an encounter between military forces and New People’s Army rebels in Kibalabag village in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon Monday afternoon, the military said Tuesday.

Colonel Leopoldo Galon of the Eastern Mindanao Command said the troops under a certain First Lieutenant Galope encountered about 20 rebels at around 4:30 p.m.

An Army corporal was also injured in the 10-minute firefight.

Meanwhile, the slain soldier, whose name was withheld until his kin were notified, sustained fatal gunshot wounds on his right chest, Galon said.

Casualties on the enemy side were not yet determined, he added.

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Frances Mangosing | INQUIRER.net | April 3, 2012 | Article Link

Army says 6 top Red leaders in Luzon fall

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO— Government troops captured three suspected Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) leaders in Central Luzon and three New People’s Army (NPA) rebels after a clash in Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija, on Wednesday, the military reported on Thursday.

The gunfight in Barangay Sto. Niño in Sta. Rosa led to the arrest of Efren Delalamon, Carla Ramos Bautista and Andres Lapuz Ely, reported to be all CPP regional leaders, and John Michael Ilito, Felix Sarabia and Ambrosio Ilito, according to a report from the Army’s 7th Infantry Division based in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija.

The report did not state the positions held by Delalamon and Ely, who went by the aliases Baste and Marco, respectively. Delalamon was wounded in the arm during the clash.

Bautista, alias Joy, was identified as political instructor of the CPP’s Central Luzon regional committee while Ely was the party finance committee head.

“It’s too early to ascertain the impact of their arrest on the communist rebel movement,” said Lt. Gen. Anthony Alcantara, chief of the military’s Northern Luzon Command.

The six suspected rebels surrendered when soldiers and policemen cornered them after the clash, said Col. Hilario Vicente Lagnada, commander of the 56th Infantry Battalion.

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Tonette Orejas | Inquirer Central Luzon | April 2, 2012 | Article Link

Rebels attack convoy in Cotabato

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Xinhua) - Suspected leftist rebels detonated two improvised bombs along a road in a southern Philippine city early today, barely missing a passing convoy of military and civilian vehicles, a military official said.

No one was hurt following the 6:25 a.m. blasts at San Mateo village, Kidapawan city, in Mindanao's North Cotabato province, " but several civilian commuters have been traumatized," according to Colonel Leopoldo Galon, Eastern Mindanao Command spokesperson.

The loud explosions rocked the village as a military truck carrying soldiers of the army's 57th Infantry Battalion, a mini- jeepney and two motorcycles full of civilians were passing by, said Galon.

"Everyone escaped the blasts but the civilian commuters were terrified," the military official told Xinhua by text message, adding the incident happened near a populated area just several kilometers from the city proper.

Galon suspected New People's Army rebels could be behind the latest attack as it happened just days after a series of clashes between government troops and the leftist rebels in the province that left six people dead.

He said the provincial army commander Colonel Cesar Sedillo was readying the filing of criminal charges against the NPA for allegedly employing landmines, long banned by the Ottawa Treaty which both the Philippine government and the insurgents' political umbrella Communist Party of the Philippines were signatories.

The 4,000-strong NPA is fighting a leftist insurgency in 60 Philippine provinces since March 29, 1969.

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The Philippine Star | April 1, 2012 | Article Link

Rebels bare hardships in mountain

“WE THOUGHT joining the New People’s Army (NPA) will change our life. But nothing happened.”

These were the words of Gevion Balamban, a rebel returnee and a youth leader operating at Cabanglasan area in Bukidnon.

Balamban said they joined rebellion because their life in the mountains was hard even before the NPA came.

He said they trusted the NPA to change their life.

“Until we join, many lives of my relatives were wasted (killed),” he said.

Balamban was one of the 47 NPA rebels who surrendered to government authorities last week. They were presented to Bukidnon Governor Alex Calingasan on Thursday in Malaybalay City.

Balamban said they decided to surrender and return to the government after realizing that whatever they do, their lives would still be the same.

“We think that it is best to surrender because whatever we do, we are still the same and we are just treated as a ‘money-making’ tool by the rebels,” he said.

The 47 NPA rebels who surrendered are comprised of 12 regular members and 35 Militia ng Bayan. Of the number, 27 belong to the Umayamnon tribe operating under Nestor Manlahag in Cabanglasan, Bukidnon; while 17 operated under Rene Dal-anay in San Fernando, Bukidnon (Tigwahanon/Matigsalog Tribe).

Three of them were previously operating under Johnny Boy Masandong Andin-o also in San Fernando, Bukidnon.

The rebels surrendered at least 43 various firearms and explosives that include a Grand Rifle caliber 30, carbine, caliber 45 pistol, caliber 38 revolver, caliber 22 revolver, rifle 7.62 M14 improvise, rifle springfield, rifle caliber 22, homemade shotgun, hand grenade and improvised explosive device.

Calingasan said at least 276 rebels have already surrendered in Bukidnon, while the Provincial Government has released financial assistance amounting to P3.4 million.

He said the rebel-returnees will be given financial assistance, despite the effects of low internal revenue allotment (IRA) of the Provincial Government.

“We want them (rebel returnees) to see that the local and National Government expressed sincerity to help their situation and that we want to help them alleviate their lives especially those who are living in the mountains,” Calingasan said.

Lieutenant General Arthur Tabaquero of the Eastern Mindanao Command said he hoped that other local governments will follow what Calingasan has done in obtaining peace.

“We hope that our occasion today will facilitate the further strengthening of community and convergence in the aspect of helping out our constituents and attain a meaningful life, a society that provides them an opportunity to succeed in their chosen endeavor. I hope it will not just end on helping our brother returnees who return to the government,” Tabaquero said during Thursday’s presentation of the NPA rebels.

“After this ceremony, the most important thing is to look after how they are properly integrated back to their community so that they can immediately start building their lives and will no longer become susceptible to manipulation and exploitation of the communist terrorist,” Tabaquero added.

Earlier, Colonel Romeo R. Gapuz, commander of the 403rd Infantry Brigade, said the large number of surrenderees will surely have a negative impact on the NPA’s morale.

“While the NPAs are celebrating their anniversary and flaunting their ‘empty’ successes against the Filipino people, their comrades here in Bukidnon are surrendering and denouncing this rebel group who duped them. Because of this, we believe there will be more NPA rebels who will go down the mountains as they all realize that their government is truly working for the Filipino people,” he said.

Meanwhile, at least 79 rebel returnees under Benjamin “Ka Nonong” Salusad who surrendered last November were also recognized during the activity after they have finished a training on March 8.

The former rebels are now members of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit guarding their areas in San Fernando, Bukidnon.

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Michael Andrew W. Yu | SunStar.Com.Ph | March 30, 2012 | Article Link

NPA rebels torch road building equipment in Davao Sur

BANSALAN, Davao del Sur—A group of armed men claiming to be members of the New People’s Army set on fire heavy equipment owned by a Chinese road construction company here on Friday, the police said Saturday.

Senior Inspector Milgrace Driz, Bansalan police chief, said the armed men arrived in Barangay Dolo around 2 p.m. Friday and declared they were NPA guerrillas.  They then doused a backhoe owned by CNQC-Quingjian Group of Companies, which is rehabilitating the Bansalan-Kidapawan national highway, with gasoline and set it on fire.

It was the second attack on the Chinese construction company.

In November, NPA rebels also burned road-building equipment owned by the company.

Driz said the attacks on CNQC-Quingjiang might have been due to the rebels’ failure to extort money from the company.

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Orlando B. Dinoy | Inquirer Mindanao | March 31, 2012 | Article Link

45 rebels yield on eve of NPA anniversary

MANILA, Philippines - Forty-five members of the New People's Army have surrendered to the military in Bukidnon days ahead of the 43rd anniversary of the NPA, an Army official said.

Col. Romeo Gapuz, brigade commander of the 403rd Infantry Brigade, said the 45 rebels were led by Rene Dal-anay, 27, also known as Ka Taruc. They will be formally turned over on March 29, on the actual anniversary of the NPA.

Gapuz said the surrenderees are remmants of the Guerilla Front 6, who also turned over assorted firearms that they used while operating in San Fernando town.

"We would like to show to the communist armed group that there is an existing road to peace and prosperity that is built through bayanihan. The soldiers are always willing to support the local government of Bukidnon attain lasting peace by convincing the rest of the NPA rebels to follow the examples of their enlightened comrades," Gapuz said.

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Abigail Kwok | InterAksyon.com | March 28, 2012 | Article Link

CPP-NPA Decades Old Murders, Arsons, Terrorism & HR Violations

CAMP AGUINALDO – The Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army continues to sow terror, violence, and bloodshed as they have demonstrated in recent spate of atrocities, landmine incidents, and summary executions conducted all over the nation.

Last February 27, 2012, members of the Army’s 25th Infantry Batallion were conducting a security patrol in San Vicente Village, Montevista, Compostela Valley when a landmine was detonated by members of the CPP-NPA where 2 soldiers died and 6 others were wounded. Last Sunday night, February 26, 2012, suspected NPA members torched 5 heavy equipments to be used for the TPLEX project of the government in Tarlac City; while 2 hauling trucks have also been burned by suspected members of the NPA in Purok 3, Brgy. Katipunan, Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur. On March 1, 2012 NPA members torched millions worth of equipment including a generator set, dumptruck, 3 forklifts, and a 6x6 truck in a sawmill in Brgy. Usol, Jones, Isabela.

Brigadier General Rolando B Tenefrancia AFP, Commander, Civil Relations Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (CRSAFP) expressed his disdain with the incessant activities conducted by members of the CPP-NPA, saying that “these acts demonstrate that the NPAs have gone above and beyond the law, and that they have placed the law in their hands through the imposition of summary executions and conducting arson which is disregarding a person his duly constituted right to life, property, and due process.”

In Masbate, Agustin Cabiles, a resident of Brgy Magkaipit, San Fernando was abducted by NPAs last February 4, 2012 and forcibly brought him to the barangay plaza where he was shot several times in plain view of the populace that resulted in his death. Ramon Tosero, a resident of Sitio Danao, Brgy. Taguilid, Claveria of the same province was also shot several times which resulted in his death, and afterwards his lifeless body was paraded on the streets by the NPAs on February 1, 2012. Both were suspected to be military/police informants.

The CRS Commander said that “the NPAs motive in killing suspected military/police informants while being paraded on the street and executed at the barangay plaza shows a great disregard for life which is aimed at instilling fear, sowing terror and dissent among the masses.”

Moreover, BGen Tenefrancia called on human rights groups to condemn the spate of killings and atrocities of members of the CPP-NPA saying “we call on KARAPATAN and other Human Rights groups to condemn these dreadful incidents as these are clear violations of the human rights of these individuals.” 

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Civil Relations Service - Armed Forces of the Philippines | Zambo Times | March 14,2012 | Article Link

Armed men burn heavy equipment at crushing site in Surigao City

SURIGAO CITY —  Around 150 fully armed men believed to be members of the New Peoples Army raided City Homes Basic Crushing Plant last week in Sitio Aton, Barangay Ipil, in this city and partially burned five heavy equipment owned by the Chua Family, a belated police report said.

Surigao City Police chief Supt. Jonathan Trojello said the incident took place at about 5:30 a.m. last Thursday. 
He said that suspects entered the plant's premises and forcibly took the issued firearm (shotgun with 4 live ammunition) of the security guard on duty identified as Arnulfo Katamura, adding that  some of the attackers went into the quarter of another guard on duty identified as Noel Anduyan, whose firearm was also seized.

“We are looking into three possible angles to the crime: terrorism, extortion by other armed groups pretending to be NPA, and business rivalry,” Trojello said.

Witness guard said that while the suspects were burning the heavy equipment, some of them uttered words in local dialect: “Gahi ug ulo imong amo! Cge mi og tawag dili makig istorya, ug gagmay sweldo inyo mga tauhan diri, busa mag sample me og sunog...."

(Your bosses are stubborn... our calls to them were left unanswered... workers here have low salaries that is why we are going to burn their equipment).

Some suspects also fired their arms in the air while others positioned themselves as perimeter guards.

The suspects fled to mountainous areas after the attack, Trojello quoted the witness as saying.

Also according to Trojello, the attack has the imprints of members of the NPA.

Damaged equipment were: 3 pay-loaders (TCM 850, TCM75B Michigan, 753A Michigan) and one Dumptruck (GEL 445). Damage estimate could reach P7.5 million, a PNP report said.

The Phiilippine Army also condemned the "terrorist" act by the attackers.

Major Eugenio Julio Osias, spokesman for the 4th Infantry Division, in a telephone interview with GMA News Onlie, said they will also conduct a separate investigation on the incident, in close coordination with Surigao City police.

“We are closely coordinating with the PNP on what we can do to resolved this matter as soon as possible”, Osias said.
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Natz C. Corbeta /LBG | GMA News Online | March 14,2012 | Article Link

Rebel attack wounds man

A MAN was wounded during a New People's Army (NPA) attack at the boundary of Davao del Sur and Sarangani Province on Sunday night.

Colonel Adolfo Espelas, chief of the Army's 73rd Infantry Battalion, identified the wounded victim as Allan Moda, who was hit in his upper torso.

It was learned that more than 20 NPA men started firing their weapons in sitio Makalong and sitio Danao, Barangay Lutay, Malungon, at the boundary of sitio Danwata, Malita, Davao del Sur, around 7 p.m.

Espuelas believes the attack is to mark the 40th day after one of its commander died in an encounter with the 73rd IB last January 30.

The attack was reportedly led by Kumander Lucas of Platoon Lawin, Guerilla Front 71 of the NPA.

The victim, who was brought to Malungon District Hospital, is now declared out of danger.

Espuelas has deployed more troops in the area to provide security to residents.

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Edgardo Fuerzas | SunStar.Com.Ph | March 12,2012 | Article Link

3 NPA rebels yield in Sarangani province

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao, March 11 (PNA) - After a month-long negotiation, three communist guerrillas decided to abandon armed struggle and return to the fold of the law in Sarangani province, the military said on Sunday.


Citing report from Lt. Col. Adolfo Espuelas, chief of the Army's 73rd Infantry Battalion, Col. Leopoldo Galon, Eastern Mindanao Command spokesperson, identified those who surrendered as Sulyary Tayal Yangon, Christopher Tayal Yangon, and Polceno Pablo Tanap, all residents of Barangay Bukay, Glan, Sarangani.


Galon said the New People's Army (NPA) guerrillas belonged to Unit Militia Platoon Mazda Guerrilla Front 71 of the National Democratic Front.


Since February to date, the number of NPA rebels who returned to the fold of the law reached 30, Espuelas said in his report to EastMinCom.


He said the rebels had grown tired of hiding in the mountains and depriving themselves of the freedom to move freely and live in the mainstream society.


Galon said with the intensified campaign of the government for enemies of the state to embrace the mainstream society, more NPA rebels are expected to come out soon. 


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scs/NYP/EOF | Philippine News Agency | March 11,2012 | Article Link

2 Abu Sayyaf bandits fall

ISABELA CITY, Basilan - Government forces have arrested two Abu Sayyaf bandits on separate occasions in this city, a top police official announced Wednesday.

Basilan Police Director Alex Linesis identified the arrested bandits as Serhab Akalon and Anni Idris, who were arrested on the strength of warrant of arrests.

Akalon was arrested around 5:30 a.m. Wednesday in Sitio Mompol, Benembengan village, Sumisip town, while Idris was arrested around 11:25 a.m. Tuesday in the village of Binuangan in this city.

Akalon was arrested by the troops from the Army's 4th Scout Ranger Battalion, who were on security operation to protect the construction of the Benembengan section of the Basilan circumferential road project.

Linesis said the troops have confiscated from Akalon's possession an M-16 Armalite rifle with three magazines of ammunition and a hand grenade.

He disclosed that Akalon was among the 31 inmates who escaped from the provincial jail in this city when alleged Abu Sayyaf bandits and rebels attacked the detention facility on December 13, 2009.

Akalon has a standing warrant of arrest for kidnapping and serious illegal detention and frustrated murder, he said.

Idris was arrested by combined police and military operatives along the Binuangan section of the Isabela City-Lamitan City highway, Linesis said.

Idris, who has standing warrant of arrest for kidnapping and serious illegal detention, was involved in the kidnapping of six workers of the Golden Harvest Plantation in the village of Tairan, Lantawan town in 2001, Linesis said.

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Bong Garcia | SunStar.Com.Ph | Wednesday, March 7, 2012 | Article Link

7 killed in Zambo Sur attack

MANILA, Philippines – At least 7 people were killed, most of them reportedly were children, after heavily-armed men attacked a coastal community in Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur on Wednesday, February 23.

Speaking to Rappler by phone from the site of the attack, Zamboanga del Sur police director Sr Supt Jose Bayani Gucela described the incident as “an act of retaliation.”

According to police reports, more or less 10 unidentified men carrying firearms that included “RPGs (Rocket Propeller Grenade) and M16 rifles” opened fire at residents of Sitio Bahing, Barangay Tininghalang around 4pm on Wednesday.

The attack killed 7 people and hurt 3 others. A military report indicated that most of the fatalities “were probably children”.

Based on initial police investigation, the attack in the Subanen-dominated community was led by a certain Amie Andi, brother of a suspected lawless group leader who was recently arrested by local authorities. 

“Apparently, the gunmen suspected that the residents of this community were the ones who helped in the neutralization of Samang Andi,” Gucela said. “They retaliated by shooting indiscriminately at the victims.” Andi was killed in an encounter with government authorities last February 11.

Gucela said Andi, a notorious lawless group leader operating in the towns of Lapuyan and Margosatubig, has been a subject of police operation for his involvement in a string of criminal cases that included “extortion, piracy, kidnapping and murder.”

A joint police and military manhunt operation has been launched to pursue the attackers, who fled the area on board their pump boats towards an unknown direction.

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David Y. Santos

Posted on 02/23/2012 8:55 PM  | Updated 02/23/2012 9:05 PM

 Rappler.com

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Nanta release minor setback

The release of alleged New People’s Army regional commander Romeo Nanta may be a little setback, but, the military leadership in Negros Occidental is looking into its positive side.

Col. Oscar Lactao, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, yesterday said the almost four months of incarceration of Nanta has probably provided time for him to reflect on the futility of the armed struggle, and of rejoining his family, instead of returning to the mountains.

Nanta, alias Ka Juaning, was freed from jail Tuesday after posting bail of P100,000 for robbery-in-band, and P14,800 for an arson case.

Lactao said Nanta availed of the services of government institutions that they have been hitting and trying to destroy.

“It may also serve as an awakening for him that they could work for our current institutions and process”, he added, referring to the detention of the alleged rebel leader.

With this development, Lactao said, Nanta may have a change of mind.

Survivors and families of victims of ambushes in Brgy. Salamanca, Toboso, allegedly perpetrated by the NPA, have expressed concern over the release of Nanta, after filing charges against him for multiple murder and frustrated murder.

AMBUSHES

The ambush of civilians on board a government vehicle in July 13, 2009, claimed the lives of Edmar Sultan, 14, a student of the Toboso National High School, Rodolfo Salipod, 56, driver, and Ena Pata, 50, police records show.

Eryl Baynosa, 42, one of the survivors and son of Eriberto Baynosa, former barangay captain of Salamanca in Toboso, who was reportedly marked for liquidation by the NPA, pointed to Nanta as the leader of the armed men who led an ambush.

Lactao, who admitted that Nanta’s release was a small setback in their legal offensive campaign against NPA personalities in Negros Occidental, stressed that the Armed Forces of the Philippines and National Police have done their job in arresting him. Nanta was described as a notorious criminal in the province, with numerous cases lodged against him.

“The court has granted his motion for bail, so we have to respect and follow the court order,” he said.

BACK TO THE MOUNTAINS

Several top NPA leaders arrested in Negros Occidental, in previous years, including Marilyn Badayos, secretary of the Komiteng Rehiyonal Sentral Bisayas; Mary Grace Delicano, secretary of the South West Front Committee; Rogelio Danoso, secretary of the Northern Negros Front Committee; Nilda Natan Bertulano, secretary of the Central Negros Front Committee, rejoined their comrades in the mountains, after their release from jail, military records show.

Lactao underscored the need create a special law, to be applied to arrested members of the organized crime groups, including the CPP-NPA.

He noted that the laws applied to organized crime groups are for common criminals. “Maybe it is time our legislators look into our legal tools,” Lactao said.

VARIOUS CRIMES

Nanta was intercepted and apprehended in November 7 last year in Cadiz City, on arrest warrants for crimes of rebellion, robbery-in-band, and attempted and frustrated murder.

He was also linked to the raid and disarming of the 1st Provincial Mobile Group detachment at Barangay Malasibog, Escalante on March 19, 2006; harassment of the Villegas Detachment at Barangay Villegas, Guihulngan, Negros Oriental on April 2006; arson at the Victorias Milling Company and Central Lopez transloading station at Barangay San Jose, Toboso on March 2008; and the burning of the Globe Telecom cell site in Purok Mabuhay, Barangay Poblacion, Toboso, Negros Occidental.

Police Supt. David Cachumbo, who represented Senior Supt. Allan Guisihan, provincial police director, in a press briefing at Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr. in Bacolod City, said the bail of Nanta may be revoked and an arrest warrant issued against him, if he ignores the subpoena to be sent to him, and fails to attend his court hearing.

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BY GILBERT BAYORAN

The Visayan Daily Star

Thursday, February 23, 2012

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Suspected NPA rebel killed in Masbate attack

NAGA CITY, Philippines—A member of the paramilitary Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit  survived an attack by two suspected New People’s Army rebels, killing one of the rebels while the other rebel fled Tuesday afternoon in Basud town in Masbate.

Major Angelo Guzman, spokesperson of the 9th Infantry Division, said in a telephone interview Wednesday that militiaman Romy B. Ariola was off duty with his family in their house in Barangay Ilaya when the  rebels attacked at around 4:45 p.m. but Ariola was able to fire back with his improvised shotgun.

“I have to protect my family from harm; it’s good no one in the family was hurt or hit by enemy fire,” Guzman quoted militiaman Ariola as saying.

Guzman identified the slain rebel as Noel Sioco and said the latter’s .38-caliber pistol was recovered. The other rebel, known as Manuel Ariola, was armed with an M16 rifle and managed to flee.

Sioco and Ariola, who is not related to the militiaman, were said to be under the NPA’s Front Committee 83 operating in Masbate.

Guzman said said Sioco was the suspect in the killing of Romy Ariola’s brother in 2010.

Lieutenant Colonel Julian Pacatan, commanding officer of the 9th Infantry Battalion based in Milagros, Masbate, directed soldiers to provide security to the family of Ariola immediately after the attack.

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 With a report from Jonas Cabiles Soltes, 

By Juan Escandor Jr.
Inquirer Southern Luzon

3:48 pm | Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012

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Communist rebels kill another civilian

SUSPECTED members of the New Peoples’ Army (NPA) allegedly shot to death another civilian in Moises Padilla town.

Lieutenant Colonel Ramil M. Bitong, 11th Infantry Battalion commander, identified the victim as Benjamin Sibonet of Barangay Sandayao, Guihulngan, Negros Oriental, who was killed around 2 p.m. last Friday.

Bitong said this, once again, is another human rights violation against unarmed civilian by the NPAs.

He said four alleged NPA members were responsible for the killing of the victim whom they had mistaken as a military informant.

The victim was shot with a caliber .45 pistol several times on the head, resulting to his instantaneous death. The rebels then fled towards Sitio Bungao, Barangay Trinidad.

“This murderous rampage of NPA is a desperate move to remain relevant and impress influence,” Bitong said.

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Published in the Sun.Star Bacolod newspaper on January 17, 2012.

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MNLF presents photo proof Umbra Kato still alive

A ranking official of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) presented to news media on Saturday a photograph showing a frail-looking but alive Ameril Umbra Kato, the leader of the breakaway Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

“Contrary to claims made by several groups, Kato is recuperating from stroke,” Mercado Salangani, secretary-general of the tri-media of the MNLF, said Saturday in Cotabato City.

Salangani said the photograph of him and Kato was taken on Dec 8 inside the rebel’s house where he said Kato is staying while recuperating from a stroke.

Salangani refused to reveal Kato’s location.

Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Vice Chairman for Political Affairs Ghadzali Jaafar, who earlier reported that Kato had suffered a stroke, said last November 27 that Kato is still alive.

"Confirmed na-stroke siya (Kato), na serious siya. At a time na-comatose siya pero hindi siya makapagsalita. Ganyan, na-paralyze 'yung kalahati sa katawan kaya hindi siya makakain, hindi makapagsalita,” Jaafar said.

A former commander of the MILF's 105th Base Command, Kato had questioned the MILF's capability to face the government in peace negotiations. He claimed the MILF does not represent the real sentiment of the Bangsamoro people.

Kato was expelled from the MILF and has standing arrest warrants for murder and arson, among others, in connection with the 2008 attacks he led against military and civilian targets in Central Mindanao.

"(Kato), his companions and followers are 'BUGHAAT.' (His) companions and followers are no longer members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front unless they cease and desist without delay their anti-MILF campaigns and other related activities that are intended to discredit and destruct the entire legitimate leadership of the MILF and henceforth return at once to the fold of the MILF," the MILF said last August. — ELR, GMA News

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December 10, 2011 8:29pm

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