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

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

Police arrest rebel in landmine blast

POLICE filed charges before the City Prosecution Office on Wednesday against a New People's Army (NPA) member involved in a landmine explosion in Paquibato District in Davao City on August 5.

Lieutenant Colonel Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of the Army's 10th Infantry Division, identified the suspect as Mark Jhon Odorios, 19, a resident of Sitio Bajada, Paradise Embac, Paquibato District.

Paniza said the suspect is now facing criminal charges, after he was positively identified by one Melvin Lucanas, resident of the same area who saw Odorios plant the landmine.

Initial investigation of the Paquibato Police Station showed that Lucanas saw Odorios leaving the area after the landmine exploded. Lucanas recovered some debris and turned them over to a Peace and Development Team of the 10th Infantry Division for documentation.

Paniza said the suspect was arrested around 10 a.m. Monday through the help of residents and barangay officials of Sitio Bajada.

"This is an indication that the people in Paquibato and the local government units are now empowered and joining our campaign for peace and development in their area," Paniza said.

The suspect is now detained at the Paquibato police station. 

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

 Ivy C. Tejano | SunStar.Com.Ph | August 9, 2012 | Article Link

Alleged NPAs attack rescue team in Masbate

MANILA, Philippines - Alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) attacked soldiers in Masbate on Wednesday morning while on duty extending disaster and relief services.

One of the insurgents died, however, as the government soldiers retaliated, said Southern Luzon Command spokesperson Col. Generoso Bolina.

He said Disaster Rescue and Relief forces were sent to flood-prone areas in preparation for any disaster. At around 6 a.m. at Intusan in the town of Palawan, a firefight ensued.

Quoting 9th IB commander Lt. Col. Jun Pacatan, Bolina said: "I immediately sent a platoon to the area to assist the people but as my platoon was approaching the village, they were fired upon by the rebels."

The firefight lasted 18 minutes. Government soldiers recovered later the body of the insurgent, an M16 rifle, an M14 rifle, two landmines and other war materials.

Col. Felix Castro Jr., 903rd Brigade commander, has already directed the soldiers to stay in the area "for possible DRR operations amidst heavy rains."

"They did not wait (for the worse to come). There is already a weather alert so they went to the area, so that if something happens they can immediately render assistance,” Bolina said.

He asked the rebels to allow the soldiers to do their work in rendering assistance.

"They (rebels) should stop their attacks. We should join hands in rendering assistance to the people. Let us not fight each other at this time and help each other in assisting the people," he said.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ABS-CBNnews.com | August 8, 2012 | Article Link

Suspected rebels ambush 2 cops

Philippines – Two policemen were ambushed by suspected Communists rebels while on their way to secure confiscated logs in Butuan City Monday, according to the CARAGA regional police.

Police Officer 2 Adones Dumaboc died while PO2 Sergio Sergio Salagoste was injured.

Senior Superintendent Mario Soriano, acting CARAGA regional director, said the rebels also took the two M16 rifles of the victims.

Soriano said the two cops were supposed to augment a small group of policemen who confiscated illegally-cut logs at Esperanza Veneer Corporation when they were waylaid at around 10 a.m. in Barangay Bit-os in Butuan City.

“The attackers used landmines as revealed by the recovered explosive materials in the area,“ said Soriano. 

After the blast, the official said the rebels also fired at the policemen who were on board a motorcycle when the incident occurred.

“Our investigators recovered more or less 100 pieces of empty shells from the different caliber of firearms,“ he said.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) learlier intensified the antiillegal logging activities in CARAGA region following the onslaught of tropical storm “Ondoy“ last year that left more than 1,000 dead.

The regional director of CARAGA region was relieved last week for failure to stop illegal logging activities as well as eight police commanders in June this year.

Both the police and the military have accused local communist rebels of protecting illegal logging activities in CARAGA and nearby provinces.

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

Aaron Recuenco | Tempo.Com.Ph | August 8, 2012 | Article Link

Farmer stumbles across mass grave in Philippines

A Philippine farmer unearthed a mass grave with the skeletal remains of up to 30 people believed to be victims of an internal purge by communist rebels in the 1980s, the army said on Sunday.

Rommel Malinao was ploughing his field in a remote village in Quezon province, south of Manila, when he made the discovery on Saturday, army spokesman Major Harold Cabunoc said.

The army deployed a team to cordon off the site and with the help of police forensics experts exhumed the skeletons.

"As of last count, there were about 30 human skeletons," Cabunoc told AFP.

"We believe these were victims of the New People's Army (NPA) 'kangaroo courts', which sentenced to death many members they had suspected as government intelligence agents."

The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, which has been waging a Maoist rebellion since 1969 -- one of the longest-running communist insurgencies in Asia.

At its peak in the 1980s, NPA numbers were believed to have reached 26,000, but that is now down to only 4,000 fighters due to losses on the battle field.

The government alleges that in the mid-1980s, the NPA set up so-called 'kangaroo courts', which condemned to death hundreds believed to have become agents for the state.

Their bodies were believed to have been dumped in secret mass graves.

Various mass graves have been unearthed by the military since 2009, but Saturday's find was believed to contain the biggest number of skeletons so far, Cabunoc said.

Cabunoc added that villagers interviewed by the army near the site said many of their relatives whom they had suspected of joining the NPA went missing in the 1980s and had not been heard of since.

Some of the skeletons showed the hallmarks of torture, although further verification was needed, he said.

President Benigno Aquino re-opened peace talks with the communists in February last year but the negotiations have been delayed by the rebels' demand to release detained comrades.

It was not immediately clear how the discovery of the latest mass grave could affect the talks.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agence France-Presse/Yahoo News Online  | July 23, 2012 | Article Link

Real warriors shed tears for fallen enemies

MULANAY, Quezon –In the bloody battles experienced by Army soldiers all over the archipelago, even warriors have wept a tear for their fallen enemies.

This is what Corporal Rishman Ballasta, 30, experienced after a fierce firefight with at least 15 rebels in Bgy. White Cliff, San Narciso, Quezon on June 30, 2012.

Ballasta was leading 10 other soldiers in a security patrol to locate the heavily-armed rebels who allegedly extorted money from the villagers.

It was around 11:00am when the soldiers spotted the armed men, resting in a hut.

They were approaching the hut when staccatos of gunfire broke the silence, sending them to drop for cover.

He commanded his soldiers to return fire at the communist rebels who came out one by one with their guns blazing, hitting one of his men.

He directed some of his men to secure the flanks and provide cover as the medics treated the wounded soldier.  

Seeing some of the rebels lay lifeless a few meters from his location, he directed his troops to cease firing.

"I asked the remaining rebels to lay down their weapons and raise their hands. They kept on firing at us, wounding another soldier," said Ballasta.

"Lumaban tayo mga kasama, kakaunti lang sila at mga bata pa ang mga iyan (Lets fight them comrades, these are young soldiers and there are only a few of them)," came the orders from the NPA commander.

More shots were fired at the soldiers, bullets plowing their positions , wounding one of them.

Left with no choice, Ballasta and his men returned fire as they gradually approached the enemy positions.

Sensing that the gun firing from the rebels faded away after almost an hour of intense exchange of gunfires, he commanded the team to clear the encounter site.

By that time, he realized that they killed 11 of the rebels, some of whom were obviously 'child warriors', one of whom was a female rebel.

Real warriors also cry

While gathering all the dead rebels, tears flowed in the eyes of his soldiers, seeing innocent-looking young boys among the bloody corpses lying on the ground, still carrying their bandoleers and rifles.

Among the dead were identified through their ID cards including a young female combatant, Maricel Benegas, 17, and Benjo Endonilla, 17.

“I thought of the families they have left behind. The parents and siblings of those poor souls who were duped by the communists came to  mind ,” Ballasta said, tears welling in his eyes.

 He said that he did not really want to wipe out the whole armed group.

"Amidst the hail of bullets, I negotiated for their surrender. I was frustrated that they responded with flying bullets," he said.

 Ballasta said that shedding tears for the rebels is not a sign of weakness.

"I  felt the pain suffered by the grieving relatives for the death of their loved ones as the news about the incident unfold. I also cried in anger because the communists deceived the young boys into believing that the problems in our society can be resolved by perpetrating atrocities against government forces," he explained.

He said that he is proud even if it would be known to the whole world that the soldiers' eyes have filled with tears while fighting fellow Filipinos.

"We are not happy shooting our misguided kababayans (countrymen) during clashes. We will always try our best to convince them to peacefully surrender and cooperate with the government in solving our problems," he concluded.

Deceitful means

While the soldiers arranged the funeral of the dead rebels at St. Peter Funeral Homes in San Narciso town, representatives of KARAPATAN-Quezon persuaded the families to let them bring the dead rebels to Manila "so they can be given decent burial and their death be honored".

The group explained that dead rebels were  'innocent civilians' killed by the soldiers and that the group will help so that justice must be served.

Lt Melchor Zarandona, the CMO officer of the 74th IB had the chance to talk with the grieving relatives.

"The family members of the dead child warriors declined the offer that the dead be honored in Manila. The relatives were frustated that their children were recruited as NPA rebels and not as ordinary workers according to their (children) claims ," said Zarandona.  

Maria Liza Guevarra, 45, the aunt of one of the slain rebel named Jerome Guevara, 24, could not hide her anger for the death of her nephew. 

“I despise the NPA rebels. Why do they have to involve innocent people in whatever 'cause' they are fighting for?”

Hero soldiers

To recognize the laudable accomplishments of the  74th IB led by Lt Col Dennis Perez, Army chief Lt Gen Emmanuel Bautista took time to visit the soldiers in their field headquarters  here on July 12, 2012.

He lauded the gallantry and compassion that the soldiers have shown during the encounter and conferred recognition medals to the brave soldiers.

He took notice of the fact that the 74IB troops also spared the lives of two child combatants who were captured in an encounter with a small band of rebels in March 2012.

“These men and all others like them are the pride and honor of our country. They shrug-off any danger just to protect the people and keep the peace in the land,” said Bautista.

Bautista has also called on the soldiers to convince the communist rebels to go back to the folds of the law.

“We must continuously encourage the remaining armed rebels  in Quezon to peacefully surrender and cooperate with the government. We can only move forward as a nation if we help each other solve our problems,” he said.

 

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

rangercabunzky | Faces, Places, & Voices | July 20, 2012 | Article Link

Top rebel freed on bail rejoins NPA in Negros

MANILA, Philippines - A top New People’s Army (NPA) commander freed on bail has rejoined his comrades in Negros Island, the military reported on Wednesday.

Maj. Enrico Gil Ileto, spokesperson of the Army's Capiz-based 3rd Infantry Division, said that Romeo Nanta, the NPA's regional operations commander in Negros Island, is now back in the hills after he was released on bail last Feb. 21, 2012.

Joint police and military elements arrested Nanta, who also goes by the names of Juanito Magbanua, Jack Nanta, Juaning, Islao and Kulas, on Nov. 7 2011, at Brgy. Zone 2, Cadiz City by virtue of arrest warrants for rebellion, robbery-in-band, attempted and frustrated murder issued by three different courts in Negros Occidental.

Nanta’s release was facilitated by Fred Caña of the human rights group Karapatan based in Negros Island.

“It may be legal for Fred Caña of Karapatan-Negros to support arrested New People’s Army members in their posting of bail but Caña should have thought of the repercussions of such actions,” Maj. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr.,commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, said.

Hernando Llorente (alias Adoy), the Commander of the NPA's Northern Negros Front and his wife Faith Roseen Basergo (alias Bea), an NPA political instructor, were also ordered released on bail last April 27.

“The Secretary General of Karapatan-Negros, Fred Caña, rendered the P80,000 bail bond for the temporary liberty of Adoy and Bea”, said Lieutenant Colonel Efren Morados, Commander of the 62nd Infantry Battalion, whose troops supported were responsible for the arrest of the two NPA rebels on April 20.

“Having jumped bail, we know that this will give them (Nanta, Adoy and Bea) the opportunity to rejoin their comrades. We hope that Caña, facilitating the bail, has considered this”, Mabanta said.

Based on military and police records, Nanta was responsible for the ambush of a government-owned vehicle in Barangay Salamanca in Toboso town, Negros Occidental last July 13, 2009.

Eryl Baynosa, 42, one of the survivor and son of Eriberto Baynosa, former barangay Chaiman of Salamanca in Toboso, Negros Occidental, pointed to Nanta as the leader of armed men who carried out the ambush.

The said incidents claimed the lives of Edmar Sultan, 14, a student of the Toboso National High School, Rodolfo Salipod, 56, driver of the barangay service vehicle, and Ena Pata, 50.

Earlier, families of the survivors claimed to be anxious about Nanta's release. They firmly believe then that Nanta will rejoin his group and get back at them.

Aside from the crimes Nanta was accused of, reports claimed that Nanta was allegedly responsible for the raid and disarming of the 1st Provincial Mobile Group detachment at Barangay Malasibog, Escalante on March 19, 2006; harassment of Villegas Detachment at Barangay Villegas, Guihulngan, Negros Oriental on April 2006; arson incident 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.

The list also includes the attack of La Libertad Police Station in Negros Oriental in 2008; raid of ECJ farm at Barangay Suay, Himamaylan on February 2009; raid of Polopangyan detachment located in Barangay Bug-ang, Toboso on 28 August 2010, for disarming and sabotage of VMC pump station in Barangay 20, Victorias City last October 2010 and the harassment of the Polopangyan detachment in Toboso on March 29, 2011, in an attempt to celebrate the NPA founding anniversary, which led to the death of an 11 year old girl named Arni 'baby' Amion.

Meanwhile, the military cited more cases where Caña intervened for the release of suspected NPA rebels.

One of them was Marilyn Badayos alyas Eunice/Jonna, top NPA commander operating in Southern Negros, who was arrested last June 18, 2011 in Bacolod City. She rejoined her group after her release last Nov. 9, 2011.

Sometime in 2005, Hermina Compoc alyas Pilay, an NPA member, was apprehended in Bohol. She is now operating with her group in Southern Negros.

On the other hand, Emma Calderon, another NPA member operating in Central Negros, was apprehended in Canlaon City sometime 2003 and later rejoined her group after being released. She eventually surrendered to the authorities last 2009.

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

Jaime Laude | The Philippine Star | July 4, 2012 | Article Link

13 Philippine communist rebels killed in clashes

Philippine soldiers killed 13 communist guerrilla rebels in two separate clashes on Saturday, in what military officials described as one of the biggest victories over the insurgents in years.

Eleven New People's Army (NPA) rebels were killed around noon in San Narciso town, south of Manila, while two rebels were killed in a pre-dawn gunbattle in Botolan town, northwest of the capital.

Military spokesman Colonel Arnulfo Burgos said both clashes were a result of tip-offs from civilians, which showed that the government's new counter-insurgency strategy was working.

"This is by far the largest number of NPA casualties in one single encounter in recent history," he said, describing the San Narciso clash.

Fifteen rebels were setting up an ambush for troops on a roadside when soldiers intercepted them, said local army commander Colonel Eduardo Ano.

Two soldiers were also wounded in the 30-minute gunfight, he said, adding that six guns and two grenade launchers were recovered.

"The (local population) gave us information. They must be getting tired of the NPA," Ano told AFP.

Just hours earlier, soldiers clashed with about a dozen NPA fighters in Botolan, killing two and capturing four, said local army commander, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Samson.

Five rifles and two grenades were recovered in the incident, he said in a statement.

The NPA is the armed unit of the Communist Party of the Philippines, which has been waging one of Asia's longest running insurgencies that began in 1969.

The government has said the NPA is largely deflated after years of losses in the battlefield with only about 4,000 fighters nationwide as of 2011 from a peak of 26,000 in the 1980s.

However the group remains active, attacking military and police outposts and looting and extorting money from rural businesses like mining companies and plantations.

In April, the guerrillas killed 11 soldiers and a civilian in a daring ambush of three army convoys.

President Benigno Aquino's government re-opened peace talks with the communists in February last year but the talks have been delayed by the rebels' demand to release detained comrades.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yahoo News Online | June 30, 2012 | Article Link

‘Morong 5’ to testify for military

Being comrades apparently has its limits.

Five members of the so-called “Morong 43” are willing to testify against their former comrades who have accused the military of torture when they were arrested as communist rebels two years ago in a private resort in Morong, Rizal.

Ellen Carandang said she and the four others who have swung over to the government side were willing to testify that they were not tortured in case of a Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation.

The “Morong 5” have confessed to being New People’s Army (NPA) members and chosen to stay in Camp Capinpin as rebel returnees. The camp is the headquarters of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division.

“I want to tell our former comrades that we are ready to testify against them, to tell the truth,” Carandang, speaking in Filipino, told reporters in Camp Capinpin on Saturday.

“You can say that some are legitimate (medical practitioners), but they help the NPA,” she added.

“Their claim that there was torture, that’s not true,” said Jenilyn Pizarro, who last year married a soldier she had met in the camp. She was then 19.

Carandang, Pizarro and Valentino Paulino faced reporters in the presence of Maj. Gen. Eduardo Del Rosario, the 2nd Infantry Division commander. Two other members of their group—Cherilyn Tawagon and John Mark Barrientos—did not show up.

No torture

Last week, a lawyer for eight other members of the “Morong 43” filed a case of torture at the DOJ against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, two former military chiefs and 16 other security personnel. The eight claimed they were tortured while detained at Camp Capinpin.

Del Rosario said that since Carandang and the four others were not tortured, it would follow that the others also were not tortured.

“The five told the truth,” Del Rosario said. “They are members of the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines). They were conducting a seminar on how to give first aid in case someone is wounded in an encounter.”

Carandang claimed one of the eight complainants, whom she said is a doctor, taught emergency surgery very well. She also said the owner of the resort where they held the seminar did not know about what the group was doing.

Military claim

Carandang, Pizarro and Paulino said they were all being treated well in the camp. “No good would have come out if we had continued to stay in the mountains. We would only have further neglected our families,” Carandang said.

Her husband has stayed behind with the NPA with one of their children. They have had no communication for a year, she said.

The Morong 43 were health workers arrested in the military raid on  Feb. 6, 2010. The military claimed they were NPA cadres training in making bombs.

President Benigno Aquino III has ordered the charges against them withdrawn. They were freed before Christmas that year. Six of them later sued Arroyo for damages.

On Thursday, eight members of the group also accused Arroyo and 18 others, including military and police officers, of torture.

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

Dona Z. Pazzibugan | Philippine Daily Inquirer | May 14, 2012 | Article Link

Slain rebel an ex-transport leader

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – One of the three communist rebels killed in an encounter with government troops on Tuesday morning was a former president of the militant transport group in Bicol, the New People’s Army (NPA) said yesterday.

In a letter sent to local media outlets, the NPA’s Celso Menguez Command identified their slain members as Joel Ascutia, former president of the Concerned Drivers and Operators for Reform-Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Condor-Piston) in Bicol from 2005 to 2009; Christian Llagas, 19; and Leopoldo Nebres, 43.

In 2009, Ascutia was shot and wounded in an indignation rally in Daraga, Albay. After the slay attempt, he became less active and then went missing.

The NPA command said Ascutia sought refuge in the NPA, and in early 2011, decided to finally join the NPA command in Bicol.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cet Dematera | The Philippine Star | May 10, 2012 | Article Link

AFP: ‘Morong 38’ not tortured

The military on Friday said it would fight the criminal charges brought against some of its officers by eight left-leaning health workers and prove the complainants wrong.

Speaking to reporters at Camp Aguinaldo, Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr., the military’s spokesperson, said the military had evidence to show that the so-called Morong 43 were not tortured while in detention.

The Morong 43 were health workers arrested in a military raid on a resort in Morong, Rizal province, on Feb. 6, 2010. The military said they were communist New People’s Army (NPA) cadres training in making bombs. President Aquino, who took over from Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in June 2010, ordered the charges against them withdrawn. They were freed before Christmas that year.

Six of the Morong 43 have sued Arroyo for damages.

On Thursday, eight more accused her and 18 others, including military and police officers, of torture in a complaint filed in the Department of Justice. It was the first human rights case involving criminal charges brought against a former Philippine president.

Burgos said the military officers involved in the arrest of the Morong 43 had received commendations and promotions.

He said President Aquino recently promoted Maj. Gen. Jorge Segovia, the commander of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division based in Tanay, Rizal province, at the time of the arrests, to commanding general of the military in Eastern Mindanao.

‘It’s Morong 38’

“We will do everything to come up with the best defense for our soldiers who were just performing their duties and responsibilities, and who have attested that there was no torture committed,” Burgos said.

“It is never a policy of the [Armed Forces of the Philippines] to commit human rights violations, more so torture. We have long condemned this practice in our ranks,” he added.

Burgos said it was wrong to continue to refer to the group as Morong 43 because five of them have admitted to being NPA rebels.

The five remain in military custody. They are treated as rebel returnees.

“It’s not Morong 43, but Morong 38. The other five have a big role in supporting the claims of our soldiers and in refuting the charges against them,” Burgos said.

Thirty-five of the health workers were released in December 2010 on orders from President Aquino following a finding by the Department of Justice that the warrant for their arrest was defective.

Three remain in detention, as they are facing other criminal charges in court.

The eight health workers who sued Arroyo claimed they were tortured and made to suffer other abuses in the Army’s Camp Capinpin in Tanay.

Sued with Arroyo were two former military chiefs, Generals Victor Ibrado and Delfin Bangit; Segovia; Brig. Gen. Aurelio Baladad; Army Colonels Joey Reyes and Cristobal Zaragosa; Police Superintendents Marion Balonglong and Allan Nobleza; Maj. Manuel Tabon; Lt. Jovilee Cabading; a certain Vicente Lopez; female jail guards identified only as Calaoagan, Cea and Idloy; a certain Bulaklak; a John Doe, a Jane Doe and a Mickey Doe.

Executing arrest warrant

Burgos said the military personnel involved were adamant that the health workers were never tortured.

He said the military was obliged to provide legal assistance to its accused personnel.

“It was a legitimate operation. Together with the Philippine National Police, they were only executing an arrest warrant issued by a civilian court,” Burgos said.

But Ibrado and Bangit have to get their own lawyers, as they are already retired.

Ibrado and Bangit were sued for command responsibility, Burgos said.

There was no further word Friday from the Arroyo camp about the suit. On Thursday, Arroyo’s spokesperson, Elena Bautista-Horn, said the former President would answer the charges against her at the proper time.

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

Dona Z. Pazzibugan | Philippine Daily Inquirer | May 5, 2012 | Article Link

Two rebels, soldier killed in Philippine clashes

Two communist rebels and a soldier have been killed in separate clashes as insurgents stepped up their attacks in the Philippines, military officials said Sunday.

New People's Army (NPA) rebels ambushed a group of soldiers in a remote village in Compostela Valley province in the southern island of Mindanao late Saturday, local infantry battalion chief Lieutenant Colonel Jerry Borja said.

One soldier was blown apart while seven of his colleagues were wounded in a landmine placed by the rebels in the ambush area, he said.

"The use of landmine by the NPA is another violation on the provisions of the international human rights law," Borja said.

Meanwhile, NPA rebels also attacked a column of soldiers on routine patrol in Quezon province just south of the capital Manila early Sunday, triggering a gun battle, army spokesman Major Harold Cabunoc said.

Two guerrillas were killed in the "running gun battle that ensued," he said.

In both cases, officials said the soldiers were responding to complaints by civilians of rebel harassments, including extortion activities.

The NPA is the armed unit of the Communist Party of the Philippines, which has been waging one of Asia's longest running insurgencies that began in 1969.

Last week, the guerrillas killed 11 soldiers and a civilian in a daring ambush of three army convoys led by a senior military official.

One of those killed in what was described as the NPA's most audacious attack in recent years was an army captain, but the apparent target -- a battalion commander -- survived the ambush.

The government last year boasted it had decimated the NPA ranks in many remote areas, putting its strength to about 4,000 fighters nationwide as of 2011 from a peak of 26,000 in the 1980s.

Peace talks between the government and the rebels were suspended in November, when Manila rejected demands to free 18 guerrillas the NPA said were consultants to its negotiators.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFP News/Yahoo News Online | April 29, 2012 |  Article Link

Govt defends arrest of NDFP 'peace consultant'

Government peace officials on Monday night defended the arrest of a supposed peace consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines last April 3.

 

In a statement posted on its website, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process said Reynante Gamara was arrested by virtue of a warrant for kidnapping with murder.

 

"Mr. Gamara’s arrest on 3 April 2012 was a police action based on an outstanding warrant for kidnapping with murder (Criminal Cases No. 11-3248 and 11-3249) issued on 23 March 2012 by Judge Rodolfo D. Obnamia, Jr. of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 64 in Mauban, Quezon," it said.

 

Earlier reports said NDFP chief negotiator Luis Jalandoni had accused the government of violating a peace immunity agreement with the arrest of Gamara.

 

Gamara, who was reportedly arrested in Rizal province, is supposedly a campaigner of party-list Bayan Muna.

 

Jalandoni was quoted as saying that Gamara was a consultant of the NDFP with an assumed name of Siling Perez, and his arrest violated the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG).

 

But the OPAPP reiterated its position that the JASIG is effectively "inoperative," as a "logical consequence" of the NDFP’s failure to comply with the terms of the verification mechanism.

 

"As such, there is currently no basis to verify if the alleged consultant Reynante Gamara who used the pseudonym 'Siling Perez' is supposed to be covered by an immunity guarantee," it said.

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

RSJ | GMA News Online | April 17, 2012 | Article Link

Army to block rebels’ plan to retake insurgent-free provinces

LIMASAWA, Southern Leyte - A military official vowed to block rebels’ effort to retake insurgent-free provinces in the Visayas even as they shift their thrust from combat operation to implementation of development projects.

Colonel John Bonafos, commander of 802nd brigade of the Philippine Army based in Camp Downes, Ormoc City, said they are stepping up their coordination with local government units and other government agencies to ensure that rebels will not regain their strength.

The brigade covers the insurgent-free provinces of Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, Southern Leyte, and Biliran. It is the only Philippine Army headquarters in the entire country with all covered areas officially declared as rebel-cleared.

“We will continue our support operations particularly in the development aspects needed by people. After we have attained peace, we will move to development phase like construction of classrooms, road repair, and road widening,” Bonafos said in the sidelines of the First Mass anniversary here.

Among the five provinces, Biliran was the first to gain the insurgent-free status with the joint declaration of the Army and local government unit in December 2008. 

Cebu and Bohol were cleared from rebel activities in March 2010. 

Insurgent-free classification of Southern Leyte and Leyte was pronounced in September and December 2011, respectively.

“The situation of these Visayas provinces exemplifies that we can attain the insurgent-free status through multi-stakeholders participation,” he said.

For insurgent-free areas, the military turned over the lead role in maintaining the internal security to its local executives and police. The military has set a six-month parameter as basis in declaring whether the area can be confirmed free of rebel’s threat. 

A province is categorized as insurgency-free when the threat posed by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) is successfully downgraded into a mere law and order problem.

He said they will not allow the CPP-NPA to retake these provinces amid reports of new recruitment activities particularly in Cebu.

“The Army is counting on the support of local chief executives. If governors and mayors will participate, half of the problem is already solved,” Bonafos said.

The official also sought the help from the private sector since peace and order will not only affect government activities but business operations as well.

The crossfire incident in Kananga, Leyte that killed botanist Leonardo Co last November 2010 was the last encounter between government troops and insurgents recorded by the Philippine Army’s 802nd brigade under its command of responsibility.

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

Leyte-Samar Daily Express | SunStar.Com.Ph | April 11, 2012 | Article Link

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.

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

Frances Mangosing | INQUIRER.net | April 3, 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.

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

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

Suspected NPA hit man nabbed in Laguna

CAMP PACIANO RIZAL, Laguna, Philippines —A suspected member of the New People’s Army (NPA), who was tagged in the ambush of a police official in Bicol nearly three years ago, was arrested in San Pedro, Laguna Thursday noon.

Allan Serrano, alias “Ka Bunso” 31, was arrested by joint members of the San Pedro and Albay police in Barangay San Antonio at around 1 p.m., according to Senior Superintendent Gilbert Cruz, Laguna police director, in a text message.

Superintendent Kirby Kraft, San Pedro police chief, said they received reports that Serrano had been working as a tricycle driver in San Pedro.

The police said Serrano, an alleged member of the provincial committee of the communist NPA in Albay, was tagged in the murder of Superintendent Gregorio Guarin.

Guarin was acting administrative chief of the regional police in the Bicol region when he was gunned down in Barangay Tula-tula in Legazpi, Albay on May 2, 2009.

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

Maricar Cinco | Inquirer Southern Luzon | March 22, 2012 | Article Link