Surrender of guerilla fighters in NegOcc ‘big blow’ to CPP-NPA

BACOLOD CITY — The surrender of 25 former guerilla fighters of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in Negros Occidental is a “big blow” to the rebel movement, a top official of the Philippine Army said.

Maj. Gen. Dinoh Dolina, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), said in a statement on Tuesday the mass abandonment strongly indicates the continued downfall of the CPP-NPA.

“The surrender of the 25 will surely weaken the strength and armed capability of the communist terrorists in Negros Island,” he added.

On March 2, the former NPA fighters yielded to military and police authorities in a ceremony held at the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (79IB) headquarters in Barangay Bato, Sagay City.

The 25 former fighters of the New People’s Army in Negros Occidental take an oath of allegiance to the Philippine government after they surrendered to officials of the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police in Sagay City last March 2.
*Photo courtesy of 79^th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army*

The 25 surrenderers, who were formerly operating in the boundaries of Murcia and Don Salvador Benedicto towns and San Carlos City, turned themselves in after months of localized peace negotiations.

Dolina said they expect more surrenderers as former rebels and supporters express their disappointment and realize that the NPA has become more of terrorist group than a people’s army that it claims to be.

“It will create drastic demoralization among the remaining members of the communist terrorist group that will certainly encourage them to surrender,” he added.

Dolina appealed anew to the remaining members of the CPP-NPA to abandon the armed struggle, return to the fold of the law, and avail of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

The program entitles a former rebel to receive immediate assistance of PHP15,000; livelihood assistance, PHP50,000; firearms remuneration, PHP12,000 to PHP500,000; half-way house assistance; PhilHealth enrolment and medical assistance; education assistance; housing assistance; legal assistance; and healing and reconciliation initiatives.

Last February 18, a total of 11 former rebels in Negros Occidental under the custody of the 62nd Infantry Battalion and the 3rd Civil-Military Operations Battalion received reintegration assistance worth PHP21,000 each from the Department of the Interior and Local Government before their enrolment to the E-CLIP. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1063670

114 former NPA supporters, militias pledge loyalty to gov’t

BACOLOD CITY — A group of 114 former supporters and militias of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental vowed loyalty to the government in a ceremony held at the Barangay 2 covered court on Monday.

Their oath of allegiance was facilitated by the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (IB), which covers the northern part of the province.

Lt. Col. Emelito Thaddeus Logan, commanding officer of the 79IB, said in a statement the participants’ renounciation of support to the CPP-NPA shows that Negrenses have awakened from the lies and deceptions of the terrorist rebels.

A total of 114 former supporters and militias of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental vowed loyalty to the government in a ceremony held at the Barangay 2 covered court on Monday (Feb.25, 2019).
*Photo courtesy of 79th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army*

“I encourage other Negrenses to end their support to the rebel groups to reach the desired lasting peace and sustain the development of Negros Occidental,” he added.

The 114 participants, including 98 former mass supporters and 16 unit militias, took a pledge of allegiance to the Philippine Constitution before Steven Dronco, local government operations officer of the Department of the Interior and Local Government in San Carlos City.

They are residents of Barangays Quezon, Guadalupe, Buluangan, Nataban and Cod-cod.

The ceremony was witnessed by Mayor Gerardo Valmayor Jr. and Supt. D’ Artagnan Katalbas Jr., city chief of police, and officials from various barangays.

For his part, Valmayor thanked the 79IB for initiating the Community Support Program that provides security and assistance in the delivery of the government programs to his constituents.

Earlier, the 79IB also facilitated the conduct of the oath of allegiance of two groups, which also renounced support to the CPP-NPA, in two cities in northern Negros.

Last February 22, 80 former members and mass supporters of the CPP-NPA pledged loyalty to the government in Victorias City.

The participants are from Barangays Estado and Gawahon in Victorias City; Caduhaan in Cadiz City; Canlusong in EB Magalona; and San Pablo in Manapla.

The following day, 35 persons from Escalante City also expressed their loyalty to the Philippine government.

They included residents of Binaguiohan, Pinapugasan, Paitan, and Dian-ay, who took their oath of allegiance before Pastor Morito Panadero at the battalion’s headquarters in Barangay Bato, Sagay City.

The United States and the European Union have declared the CPP-NPA as a terrorist group. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1062936

35 ex-NPA backers take oath of allegiance to gov’t

BACOLOD CITY — Some 35 residents of Escalante City, Negros Occidental were the latest group of former mass base supporters of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) who expressed their loyalty to the Philippine government.

The participants, who come from the villages of Binaguiohan, Pinapugasan, Paitan, and Dian-ay, took their oath of allegiance before Pastor Morito Panadero at the headquarters of the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Bato, Sagay City on Saturday.

The 35 residents of Escalante City, Negros Occidental who took their oath of allegiance to the Philippine government at the headquarters of the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Bato, Sagay City on Feb. 23, 2019.
Photo courtesy of 79th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army

Lt. Col. Emelito Thaddeus Logan, commanding officer of the 79IB, in a statement on Sunday night, welcomed the decision of the Escalante City residents to renounce their support to the communist rebels.

Logan said he is thankful for the turnout of their campaign of encouraging the Negrenses to stop supporting the rebel groups to have lasting peace and progress in Negros Occidental.

Both the United States and the European Union have declared the CPP-NPA as a terrorist group.

The group of 35 is the second from northern Negros who took their oath of allegiance in a week after the 80 former members and mass supporters of the CPP-NPA who also pledged loyalty to the government in Victorias City on Friday, also through the 79IB.

Logan earlier said the groups denouncing support to the CPP-NPA came after a series of insurgency awareness sessions conducted by their community support program teams.

The 80 participants are from Barangays Estado and Gawahon in Victorias City; Caduhaan in Cadiz City; Canlusong in EB Magalona and San Pablo in Manapla. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1062884

NegOcc village to declare CPP-NPA ‘persona non grata’

BACOLOD CITY — Officials and residents of Barangay Carol-an in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental will declare the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) and its political wing, the National Democratic Front (NDF), as “persona non grata”.

It was agreed that a barangay resolution will be passed to formalize the declaration, during the town hall meeting held in the remote southern Negros village on Sunday, which was facilitated by the Philippine Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion.

Village head Jocerel Paculanang said the communist rebels are no longer welcome in Barangay Carol-an.

Residents of Barangay Carol-an in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental take an oath of allegiance to the Philippine Constitution before Lt. Col. Egberto Dacoscos, commanding officer of the 62nd Infantry Battalion, during the town hall meeting held in their village on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019.
*Photo courtesy of 62nd Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army*

“This is an ancestral domain and all of our residents want to live peacefully. We will never let the same fate happen again to anyone of us,” Paculanang said in the local dialect, during the gathering attended by about 600 village residents.

Last January 29, NPA rebels gunned down former village watchman Cornelio Morales in Sitio Camandag, in front of his daughter and their neighbors.

This prompted residents of the 27 sitios (sub-villages) in Barangay Carol-an to condemn the presence and the atrocities of the CPP-NPA in their community.

“Hand in hand, we will work together for peace. Do not enter again to our barangay”, Paculanang added.

During the activity, Army troopers gave lectures while former rebels gave testimonies.

Those who attended also took an oath of allegiance before Lt. Col. Egberto Dacoscos, commanding officer of the 62nd Infantry Battalion, manifesting their continuous loyalty to the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines and withdrawing support to the CPP-NPA-NDF.

The United States and European Union have declared the CPP-NPA as a terrorist group. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1062882

80 ex-NPA supporters in north Negros vow loyalty to gov’t

BACOLOD CITY — Some 80 former members and mass supporters of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in northern Negros pledged loyalty to the government in a ceremony held at the covered court of Barangay 5 in Victorias City on Friday.

They took their oath of allegiance during the event that was initiated by the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) based in Sagay City, Negros Occidental.

Some 80 former members and mass supporters of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army from five villages in northern Negros take their oath of allegiance to the government in a ceremony held at the covered court of Barangay 5 inVictorias City on Friday (Feb. 22, 2019).
*Photo courtesy of 79^th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army*

Lt. Col. Emelito Thaddeus Logan, commander of the 79th IB, said in a statement that this was the result of the series of insurgency awareness sessions conducted by their Community Support Program (CSP) teams.

“It made them realize the lies and deceptions of the communist terrorists. They voluntarily reached out to the government troops, shared their experiences, and revealed that they were providing support to the CPP-NPA,” he added.

They are from barangays Estado and Gawahon in Victorias City; Caduhaan in Cadiz City; Canlusong in EB Magalona; and San Pablo in Manapla.

Logan said the participants admitted providing material, financial, and moral support to the CPP-NPA and some of them even became fighters.

Others who took the oath included former Militia ng Bayan members and a courier.

Logan said the participants appreciated the efforts of the CSP teams and the local governments in addressing their issues and concerns to achieve lasting peace and development.

He also thanked the group for their cooperation, and the city government of Victorias for its unconditional support and partnership.

The United States and European Union have declared the CPP-NPA as a terrorist group. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1062775

NegOcc execs supporting CPP-NPA anti-gov’t: guv

BACOLOD CITY — Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. said local government officials supporting the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) can be considered as anti-government.

The governor’s pronouncement came Tuesday after the Philippine Army revealed that more than 30 elected officials in the province are providing support to the communist rebels.

“There’s no need to call on them not to support the CPP-NPA. It is their duty not to do so. Those who support the CPP-NPA are also against the government,” Marañon said in an interview.

Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. (left) and Col. Benedict Arevalo, commander of the Philippine Army’s 303^rd Infantry Brigade, discuss security matters during the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council meeting at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City on Monday, Feb. 18, 2019.
*Photo courtesy of Negros Occidental Capitol PIO*

Col. Benedict Arevalo, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade based in Murcia, Negros Occidental, said Monday they have learned that these officials provide financial and logistical support to the communist rebels, who then act as armed group for them, especially during elections.

The CPP-NPA has been tagged as a terrorist group both by the United States and the European Union.

Last month, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued a warning to all governors, mayors, and all candidates about directly or indirectly giving financial, material, and political support to communist terrorist rebels, as well as other non-state actors.

DILG spokesperson, Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya, said Secretary Eduardo Año has issued Memorandum Circular 2018-211, reminding all local chief executives and local government officials that giving any form of support to communist rebels is a violation not only of Executive Order 773, but also of Republic Act 10168 or The Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012.

In the memorandum circular, Año directed all regional, provincial, city and municipal peace and order councils to apply moral suasion or to recommend sanctions against local chief executives who are known to have supported communist rebels.

Malaya said the DILG may also file other charges pursuant to the Revised Penal Code and other pertinent laws and seek the disqualification of all those candidates who shall be proved to have cooperated with said non-state actors in accordance with the provisions of the Omnibus Election Code.

“The same course of action shall be undertaken against those incumbent local government officials or employees who shall cooperate or give aid in any form or manner — material or otherwise, to non-state actors without prejudice to the administrative cases that shall be filed against them,” he added. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1062417

Don’t support CPP-NPA, Army tells NegOcc officials

BACOLOD CITY — The Philippine Army urged local government officials in Negros Occidental not to support the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), which has been tagged a terrorist group by the United States and the European Union.

Col. Benedict Arevalo, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade based in Murcia, Negros Occidental, made the call on Monday after he disclosed that more than 30 incumbent elected officials in the province have been providing support to the NPA.

He did not identify these officials, but Arevalo said they include mayors, vice mayors and councilors.

Col. Benedict Arevalo, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade based in Murcia, Negros Occidental.
PNA Bacolod file photo

The Army official said these officials provide financial and logistical support to the communist rebels, who then act as armed group for them, especially during elections.

“We remind them not to support the CPP-NPA,” Arevalo said.

Any individual or organization found to be providing any form of assistance to the CPP-NPA or their affiliated organizations could be sanctioned not only under Philippine laws, but also by countries that consider the communist guerillas as terrorists.

Earlier, Armed Forces of the Philippines public affairs office chief, Col. Noel Detoyato, said that once the Department of Justice officially declares the CPP-NPA as a terrorist organization, the military can go after the rebel group’s supporters and financiers.

“It will come as a huge aid to us, we can have the support of the international community in cutting off any forms of help that the terror group receives,” Detoyato said. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1062309

Troops seize NPA weapons in central Negros clash site

BACOLOD CITY — Troopers of the Philippine Army’s 15th Infantry Battalion (IB) recovered weapons left behind by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels after an encounter in Mabinay, Negros Oriental on Friday afternoon.

Items found included an M16 rifle, 11 firearm magazines, some ammunition, a rifle grenade, an anti-personnel mine, a hand-held radio, subversive documents, food items, and personal belongings, such as clothes, several pairs of boots and slippers.

Lt. Col. Patricio Tomales, commanding officer of 15th IB headquartered in Cauayan, Negros Occidental, said in a statement on Friday night their troops responded to reports from residents of Sitio Baliw in Barangay Bagtic that the rebels were extorting rice and money from them.

The firearms, ammunition and other weapons as well as personal items recovered by troopers of the Philippine Army’s 15^th Infantry Battalion after their encounter with communist rebels in Mabinay, Negros Oriental on Friday afternoon (Feb. 8, 2019).
*Photo courtesy of 15^th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army*

At 1:30 p.m., soldiers of the Alpha Company engaged in a 30-minute firefight with the rebels, who fled after the encounter.

These troopers were among those who fought during the five-month Marawi siege before their deployment to Negros Island, Tomales said.

Mabinay town, situated at the boundary of Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental, is included in the coverage area of the southern Negros based 15th IB.

Tomales thanked the residents for providing their troops timely information on the presence of the rebels in their community.

“This proves the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army terrorist is losing hold of their masses and the people are already fed up with their lies and terror,” he added.

Tomales said information on the sightings or extortion activities of the NPA rebels can be reported to the 15th IB’s hotline number (0945) 5045757.

Capt. Eduardo Precioso, spokesperson of the 3rd Infantry Division, on Saturday echoed Tomales’ statement that the communist rebels have lost mass base support.

Precioso lauded the residents for their continued support to the anti-insurgency operations of government troops.

“Your bravery to stand with the government in implementing peace and order is of great help,” he added.

Both the United States and the European Union have declared the CPP-NPA as a terrorist group. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1061450

Army condemns NPA murder of village watchman in southern Negros

BACOLOD CITY — The Philippine Army has condemned the killing of a village watchman by the New People’s Army (NPA) in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental on Tuesday afternoon.

The 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) identified the victim as Cornilio Morales, a resident of Sitio Camandag, Barangay Carol-an, who was gunned down in front of his daughter and their neighbors.

Lt. Egberto Dacoscos, commanding officer of 62IB, in a statement on Wednesday assailed the rebel group’s criminal and barbaric act against an unarmed civilian.

“This is a clear violation of Article 4.4 Part IV of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL),” he said.

Article 4.4 states that “civilians together with their property shall be distinguished from combatants and, together with their property shall not be the object of attack”.

Maj. Gen. Dinoh Dolina, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, on Thursday also condemned the CPP-NPA terrorists’ “inhumane act” in killing Morales.

“Once again, they proved that they are the true human rights violators in Negros. Killing the innocent and defenseless civilian in front of his child is a heartless act that only terrorists do,” he added.

Dolina assured the Negrenses they will not allow such terroristic act to happen again.

“We will not stop going against these communist terrorists until justice is served to the families of the victims,” he added.

According to the military report, six communist rebels seized Morales around 5 p.m. while he was in a waiting shed with his daughter and other residents. The rest were told to lie on the bellies.

One of the rebels, who looked like a minor, shouted, “Pasensya na, napag-utusan lang” (Sorry, just following orders), then shot Morales, the report added, citing accounts of civilian witnesses.

Dacoscos urged Negrenses to help stop the NPA atrocities and human rights violation by reporting information on their activities and whereabouts through hotline numbers (0975)133-6243 and (0977)601-5416.

Both the United States and the European Union declared the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army as a terrorist group. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1060586