Tag: Philippine Army 303rd Infantry Brigade

25 ex-Red fighters surrender in NegOcc

BACOLOD CITY — A total of 25 former fighters of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Negros Occidental yielded to military and police authorities in northern Negros on Saturday.

The group, operating in the boundaries of Murcia and Don Salvador Benedicto towns and San Carlos City, surrendered after months of localized peace negotiations, in a ceremony held at the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (79IB) headquarters in Barangay Bato, Sagay City.

They turned over their firearms and took an oath of allegiance to the Philippine government before Col. Benedict Arevalo, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade; Police Col. Romeo Baleros, director of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office; and Ma. Fatima Daiz, cluster leader of Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Negros Occidental North.

Col. Benedict Arevalo, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, receives a surrendered firearm of a former rebel during the ceremony held at the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion headquarters in Barangay Bato, Sagay City on Saturday.
Photo courtesy of 79th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army

The firearms included three M16 rifles, four Garand rifles, one M14 rifle, four shotguns, one .22-caliber Magnum rifle, one .38-caliver revolver, 12 .45-caliber pistols, two 9-mm submachine guns, 14 assorted rifle and pistol magazines loaded with ammunition, and two shotgun bandoleers with ammunition.

In a statement on Sunday, Lt. Col. Emilito Thaddeus Logan, commanding officer of 79IB, said the series of surrenders of former NPA rebels and their supporters can be attributed to the combined efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, and concerned local government units.

These included the conduct of focused military operations, intelligence efforts, civil-military operations and reintegration efforts, and the implementation of peace and development programs, he added.

“The barangay officials also played an important role in urging the NPA rebels to give up violence. The Army recognizes their efforts and support to the localized peace talks initiated by the 303rd Infantry Brigade since November last year,” Logan said.

Arevalo said former rebels deserve another chance to lead normal lives after their surrender because they were only deceived by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front.

Police Lt. Col. Mario Baquiran Jr., commander of 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company, said it is high time the rebels realize that they are just being used and fooled.

“The communist organizers and recruiters agitate them on various issues not meant to be resolved,” he added.

Personnel of the 79IB and the DILG will facilitate enrolment of the former rebels into the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.

Through the program, a former rebel is entitled 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. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1063456

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 303rd 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

11 former rebels in NegOcc get P231-K reintegration aid

BACOLOD CITY – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has provided a total of PHP231,000 in reintegration assistance to 11 former rebels in Negros Occidental.

The checks were released by the DILG-Negros Occidental headed by provincial director Carmelo Orbista to the Philippine Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion and the 3rd Civil Military Operations (CMO) Battalion, the units assisting the former rebels, in a meeting held at the agency’s office here Monday afternoon.

Col. Benedict Arevalo, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade based in Murcia, Negros Occidental, said the amount will be utilized for the administrative expenses incurred by the Army units facilitating the enrollment of the former rebels to the government’s reintegration program.

DILG-Negros Occidental provincial director Carmelo Orbista (right) turns over to officials of the Philippine Army in Negros Occidental headed by Col. Benedict Arevalo (2nd from right) the checks totaling PHP231,000 as reintegration assistance for 11 former rebels under the custody of  two Army units in the province.
Photo courtesy of 303rd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army

The beneficiaries are all former Red fighters who surrendered last year, he noted.

Of the 11, seven are in the custody of the 62nd Battalion while four are with the 3rd CMO Battalion. A fund of PHP21,000 has been allocated for the expenses of each former rebel.

The reintegration assistance is support to help defray the board and lodging and other incidental expenses of former rebels in the custody of a receiving unit.

Arevalo said the Army is highlighting the provision of the reintegration assistance by the DILG to show the sincerity of the government in accepting former rebels who want to return to the fold of the law.

The DILG is the leading agency in the implementation of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), the National Reintegration Program for Former Rebels, which facilitates the mainstreaming of former New People’s Army rebels and Militia ng Bayan as productive citizens.

Under the program, a former rebel gets an immediate assistance of PHP15,000 for mobilization expenses, livelihood assistance of PHP50,000, skills training, shelter and legal assistance, among others, as well as compensation and remuneration for all turned-in firearms. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1062230

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 15th Infantry Battalion after their encounter with communist rebels in Mabinay, Negros Oriental on Friday afternoon (Feb. 8, 2019).
Photo courtesy of 15th 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

220 soldiers boost anti-insurgency campaign in Negros Island

BACOLOD CITY — A total of 220 troopers of the Philippine Army have been deployed to Negros Island to strengthen internal security operations.

Col. Benedict Arevalo, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade based in Murcia, Negros Occidental, said on Wednesday he welcomes the arrival of the additional troops that will boost their campaign against the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).


New soldiers of the 62nd Infantry Battalion, prepare for deployment to their companies in Negros Island on Wednesday (Jan.30, 2019) to help strengthen internal security. 
Photo courtesy of 303rd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army

He said that with a stronger Army force in the island, the troops will run more aggressively after the communist terrorists and prevent them from conducting atrocities and extortion activities.

“Our number is enough to pursue the NPA. With the support of the communities, local government units, and government agencies, the number will continue to grow until these terrorists will have no more to run to,” Arevalo said.

On Wednesday, 120 soldiers of the 94th Infantry Battalion’s Bravo Company arrived in Negros Oriental, coming from their six-month deployment with the 301st Infantry Brigade in Panay Island.

A total of 100 new soldiers, who underwent training with the 3rd Infantry Division in Jamindan, Capiz, were also recently assigned to the different Army battalions in Negros Island.

According to the 303rd Brigade, the deployment of 220 more troops in Negros is based on Malacañang’s Memorandum Order No. 32 issued on November 22, 2018.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea released the directive amid “sporadic acts of violence allegedly committed by lawless groups particularly in the provinces of Samar, Negros Oriental and Occidental, and Bicol Region.” (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1060608

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

Comelec urges Bacolod bets to promote clean, peaceful polls

BACOLOD CITY — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) urged the local candidates here to promote clean and peaceful elections on May 13.

City Election Officer Mavil Majarucon-Sia made the call after the Comelec, together with the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) and the Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade, led a unity walk, prayer rally, and peace covenant signing at the Bacolod public plaza on Sunday, January 13.

“We just want to remind them, our mandate is to make sure that we have clean, honest and credible elections. They have to bear with us, if from time to time, we send them notices in relation to their violations of the campaign rules,” she said.


Some of the candidates in Bacolod City led by Rep. Greg Gasataya (2nd from left) and Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran (right) after the prayer rally and signing of the peace covenant at the Bacolod public plaza on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019.
Photo by Nanette L. Guadalquiver 

The candidates who attended the signing activity were mostly from the ruling Grupo Progreso led by reelectionists Rep. Greg Gasataya and Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, who both said their presence shows their support to the call of the poll body.

Part of the covenant read: “I sign this Integrity Pledge for free, orderly honest, peaceful and credible elections, and through my words and actions commit to abide by the tenets of our Constitution, election laws, rules and regulations, respecting the sanctity of our electoral exercise.”

Mayor Evelio Leonardia, who went to Kalibo, Aklan, to fulfill an annual religious vow, missed the peace covenant signing, but said in a statement that he is “very willing to sign (it) and would gladly do so anytime when he comes back.”

He added that his signatures in the peace covenant in all previous elections were as good for the coming elections.

Sia said the signing of the integrity pledge during the ceremony was merely symbolic since the candidates already signed a similar document when they filed their certificates of candidacy last October.

“We hope and pray that this will be a peaceful and credible elections for Bacolod City so we can maintain our record. In the May 2016 elections, Region 6 (Western Visayas) was awarded as the most peaceful region,” she added.

Chief Insp. Ariel Pico, public information officer of BCPO, said the activity in Bacolod has been successful as part of the simultaneous kickoff of the election period nationwide.

Only a few of the candidates were not able to attend, he added.

Col. Benedict Arevalo, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, who attended the separate unity walk and peace covenant signing for provincial candidates in Negros Occidental at the Capitol Lagoon and Park, said the Philippine Army supports the poll body in its aim for peaceful and orderly elections.

“Our mandate is to guarantee the safety and orderliness of the coming elections. To all the stakeholders, I said if we can walk together, we can work together,” he added. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1058776