NPA murders former Barangay Chairman

Panacan, Davao City – Another civilian was inhumanely murdered by 10 NPA rebels under Guerilla Front 54 at crossing Lumundao, Barangay Marilog, Marilog District, Davao City early today at 9am.

The victim who sustained gunshot wounds was identified as Mr. Canoto Lumbayon, a former Barangay Chairman of Salaysay, Marilog District.

Lumbayon was on his way home from Calinan, on-board a motorcycle, together with Celso Agumay, a CAFGU Active Auxiliary (CAA) and Ernesto Sauyan, a member of the Civilian Volunteer Organization (CVO) of Salaysay when NPA rebels simultaneously fired towards them.

CAA Agumay who was unarmed also sustained fatal wounds that caused his instantaneous death. The latter was on his off-duty and on his way home to attend to the needs of his family. Sauyan, on the other hand, was wounded and presently undergoing treatment at Davao Medical Center.

Yesterday, July 22 at 10:30am, the NPA bandits also murdered Juan Bacharo, a Purok Leader of Barangay Banlag in Monkayo Compostella Valley and two unarmed soldiers who were facilitating the delivery of development projects in the said barangay.

At 1:30pm of same day, about seven NPA bandits, under Sentro de Grabidad (SDG), Guerilla Front 20 (GF), burned a 10-wheeler truck at Sitio Mahu, Barangay Aragon, Cateel, Davao Oriental. Said truck, owned by Maverick Construction, was flagged down while delivering supplies to development projects implemented in the area. The said company was reportedly receiving threats and extortion demands but refused to give in.

Major General Reynaldo B Mapagu, Commander of 10th Infantry Division, vehemently condemned the recent atrocities perpetrated by NPA, “It is clear enough that these criminals are anti-people and anti-development. Treacherous attacks are what they can easily do now because they cannot face the reality that they have already lost their mass base support.”

“Just like Evelyn Pitao, the sister of a well-known NPA leader in the region, they easily killed these innocent people who are public servants, law-abiding citizens and who desire to live a peaceful life in a more improved environment. These bandits are the ones who repeatedly abuse the basic rights of the people,” Mapagu added.

Army Chief dons rank of brave soldier

Panacan, Davao City – No less than the Commanding General of the Philippine Army, Lt General Delfin N Bangit, donned the rank of Corporal Lemuel D Laid to Sergeant in a simple ceremony yesterday, 2:00pm, at the headquarters of Tactical Operations Group 11 (TOG11), old Sasa Airport, Davao City.

Sergeant Laid was meritoriously promoted for bravery in combat effective July 16, 2009 under the Headquarters Philippine Army Special Orders Number 136.

As the Assistant Detachment Commander, of Eden Detachment based in Toril, Laid led the strike operation as the main effort together with six CAFGU Active Auxiliary (CAA) last July 13, 2009 at 11:00am in Sitio Lopoy, Barangay Tungkalan, Davao City.

The said operation resulted to a 20 minutes clash with the NPA rebels and the troops recovered the following: one M14 rifle, nine back packs with personal items, two claymore mines with detonating device, assorted magazines and ammunitions, flash light, batteries, transistor radio, assorted medicines, SIM cards and documents of high intelligence value.

One NPA rebel was killed during the said fire fight while no casualties were reported on the troops.

Meanwhile, earlier on the same day, the Commander of 10th Infantry Division, Major General Reynaldo B Mapagu awarded the Wounded Personnel Medal (WPM) to Private First Class Rolan S Salibio at the Digos Provincial Hospital.

Salibio was one of those who fought with the NPA rebels and overrun the encampment of the Guerilla Front 76, Far South Mindanao Region in Sitio Lahak, Barangay Sinapulan, Columbio, Sultan Kudarat last July 18, 2009 that resulted to the recovery of three high powered firearms, claymore mines, radio, 46 combat packs, medicines and documents.

Salibio also received cash assistance to support his needs while recuperating at the hospital.

Promotion to the next higher rank and giving of awards are part of the programs and thrusts of the Philippine Army to boost the morale of the troops. “This will encourage our soldiers to be more dedicated in whatever task given to them,” said Mapagu.


Released by:
Cpt Rosa Ma Cristina R Manuel
Public Affairs Officer
10th Infantry (AGILA) Division,Philippine Army
Contact Number: (082) 302-2061
E-mail Add: dpao10id@yahoo.com, Website: www.agila10id.com

Barangay Tanods of Montevista Comval unites for Peace and Order

The Local Government Unit of Montevista in cooperation with 3rd Special Forces (Arrowhead) Battalion and the Compostella Valley Provincial Police Office (CVPPO) assembled all the village security forces of Montevista and organize them into the “Montevista Municipal Security Force” last July 15, 2009 at the Municipal Gym of Montevista, CVP.

About 192 members of Barangay Police Laban sa Krimen (BPLK) Tanods, from the 20 barangays of the said municipality, brought along 96 assorted firearms and attended the Recognition Program and Seminar aimed to equip the members with basic skills and knowledge needed to maintain and uphold peace and order in their areas as well as to strengthen links among the members.

The members of the “Montevista Municipal Security Force” were formally presented to the Mayor, Hon Teopista T Jauod, the PNP and Military authorities and they were recognized as the augmentation forces that can help in protecting the communities.

Mayor Jauod said, “This program was conceptualized purposely to prevent the recovery efforts of the NPA, to minimize the activities of lawless elements and to attract development in the area.”

“Likewise, this enables the local Police to account the existing members of Brgy Tanods that can protect the villages against lawless elements,” the Mayor added.

During the seminar, representatives from the PNP conducted series of lectures on Organizational Structure and the Role of Bantay Bayan..

PSI Julius A Borja, the Chief of Police of Montevista said, “This activity will show to the public and would be-investors that the threat of the NPA in the municipality of Montevista is already negligible. Likewise, only few lawless groups are left in the area and this can be easily countered by the area security system.”

Also present during the said activity were the Commanders of 3SFBn and 25IB, Lt Colonels Roylan Orquia and Gilbert Saret, respectively. They said that the initiative also shows that the people of Montevista wants peace and are united to defend their town.

“The military forces are still on standby to provide the necessary forces. We are optimistic that the recognition of the Bantay Bayan as the first line of defense will be of great help in the protection of the community against lawless elements,” said Orquia.

The LGU Officials and the locals were very thankful for the successful outcome of the activity. One of the Barangay Captains said, “We appreciate the efforts of the military who endeavors to actively pursue peace building initiatives together with the various stakeholders in the locality.”

NPA ambush security of govt projects, use civilians as shield

Panacan, Davao City – Operating troops of 21st Light Armor Company (LAC), 2nd Light Armor Brigade (LABde), under the operational control of the 28th Infantry Battalion (28IB), was ambushed by 30 NPA rebels under Pulang Bagani Command (PBC) 3 along Barangay Pintatagan, Banay-Banay, Davao Oriental at 4:00pm yesterday.


The said troops were supposed to replace the personnel tasked to secure the construction of government projects when a pressurized landmine hit their vehicle that resulted to the instantaneous killing of one soldier identified as Private First Class Glen Calba and wounding two others namely, Sergeant Ronald Banyaga and Corporal Roger Enad.


Lt Colonel Ferdinand Lazaro Budeng, Commander of 28IB, led the reinforcing troops and they encountered the blocking force for 20 minutes near the ambush site. He said, “Despite being outnumbered, personnel of 21LAC displayed heroism for their spirited counterattack thereby preventing the NPA from assaulting them.”


The reinforcing troops from 28IB were able to save civilians who were on the “killing zone”. However, the withdrawing NPAs flagged down passing vehicles and took undetermined number of civilians as hostages and made them as shields during their escape.


CAFGU in Maputi Patrol Base were able engage the withdrawing NPAs at Barangay Puntalinao but prevented them to further pursue the rebels due to the presence of civilians used as human shields.


Field report revealed that prior to the said attacks, NPA rebels destroyed three electric posts that caused power interruption and inconvenience to the people. “Banay-Banay Local Government Unit has been exerting efforts to uplift the lives of the people. This is simple economic sabotage,” said Budeng.


Colonel Romeo Calizo, Commander of 1001st Infantry Brigade, has ordered for a pursuit operation after the hostages were released. He said, “The rebels cannot face the soldiers squarely. They inhumanely used the civilians as shields for their escape and this is a gross disrespect to Human Rights and a violation of the International Humanitarian Law.”


“Likewise, the Philippines is a signatory to the Ottawa Convention banning the use of landmines and under the United Nations’ Law on Armed Conflict, the uses of landmines are banned under article 809,” Calizo added.


The killed soldier was brought to Davao Medical Center for the autopsy while the wounded are recuperating at the Panacan Station Hospital.



Released by:
Cpt Rosa Ma Cristina R Manuel
Public Affairs Officer
10th Infantry (AGILA) Division,Philippine Army
Contact Number: (082) 302-2061
E-mail Add: dpao10id@yahoo.com, Website: www.agila10id.com

Letter from COL. ARIEL O QUERUBIN

Dear Tito,


May the Peace of Christ be with you!

I have no doubt in my mind that the Lord has all the while been preparing me for public service. I was left for dead in 1989, and He allowed me to spring back to life. I have been imprisoned as a soldier, but I fully regained the honor and right to wear a soldier’s uniform after having been awarded the Medal of Valor in 2001. As my military career was very much back on track, I was again challenged to choose between right and wrong, between honor and injustice, between good and evil.

Even as we all work for a vibrant and prosperous Philippines, my dream is for every Filipino to enjoy the essence of freedom from poverty, fear, and injustice, to feel the tangible benefits of good governance, and to live comfortably in a society that fosters the unity of the family, protects human rights, and upholds the dignity of all.

I have not had an easy life. My life story has been replete with vivid encounters with injustice poverty, corruption, and war. These painful experiences have shaped this dream. I never succumbed to the lure of material wealth. The physical, mental, and emotional hardships have been painful, but I never sold my soul.

I am fully aware that some people would insist that men in uniform should stay away from politics; that we would serve best our nation if we were fighting wars in Mindanao; that we have no business in meddling with the affairs of the state as we have been formed and trained in the rudiments of war, and not in the civil service, much less in politics. I agree but that assumes that the people who have been entrusted with the public trust have been sincere, honest, and have been true to their pledges.

As a young soldier, armed with idealism and the fire of youth, I have offered my life to defend this country from ALL its enemies. I have suffered long and hard for the principles that I hold dearly. Many of my loved ones have suffered with me – maybe not physically, but certainly have shared in the misery and hardships that I have endured. The fire of idealism still burns in me, but I have been wiser not to engage fire with fire.

With a lot of circumspection, I have decided to run for the senate in 2010. I have no political pedigree. I have no political machinery. I have no financial resources. But I do have honor. I do have principles. I do have courage.

I believe I am ready to take on this new role, with your prayers and support this dream is not too far- fetched. It takes the collective effort of every member of this society to make things improve for a country in disarray... a country that has been plundered... a country whose hope is running dry...

All I can do, on my end, is to make the best effort possible to make society better, stand by my principles, and fight for what is right. There is hope for this country and our people, all we have to do is believe.


This I will do, if not for myself and our generation, then at least for our young children and their children. My warmest personal regards and God bless us all.


Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!


Sincerely yours,


ARIEL O QUERUBIN
querubinariel@yahoo.com
+639175414289

Kindly send this to all your relatives and friends if you believe in my cause. Thanks

Digos massacre should be an engine for peace, says Rep. Alcover

“We commemorate the infamous Digos Massacre not to push further the sorrow and hate among us, especially the family of the 40 victims, but to renew our commitment to achieve peace for all of us,” said ANAD Partylist Rep. Jun Alcover during the 20th commemoration of the infamous Digos massacre in Sitio Matti, Barangay Binaton, Digos City. Alcover, together with Bantay Partylist Representative Jovito Palparan Jr. led the commemoration activities there. Davao del Sur District 1 Representative Marc Cagas also graced the gathering participated by some 1,000 residents of both Sitio Rano and Matti, held at a roadside of Sitio Matti.

A commemorative marker of that gory incident, constructed through the efforts of Barangay Council of Binaton and ably supported by the officers and men of the Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion headed by Lt Col. Lyndon Paniza, was unveiled.
Last June 25, 1989, while inside a village chapel attending a Sunday service, about 40 men, women, and children were mercilessly murdered by some 120 armed Maoist communist terrorists New People’s Army (NPA) led by Amado Payot, aka Benzar. Using M-60 machineguns and armalite rifles. “Samtang nag porma sila ug letra C, ilang girapidohan mi ug gipamusil, dayon gipamutol ang ulo sa duha ka mga lalaki (While making a letter C formation, they opened fire on us then cut-off the head of two men),” said Adronico Edianon, the man, shown in many a picture of the Digos massacre, holding a head surrounded by dead children and women. Edianon is now a Barangay councilman of Binaton.

Alcover called on all Filipinos to intently reflect and learn about the real character and intentions of the Maoist communist NPA from the Digos massacre. “The Digos massacre should always remind us that indeed those who profess as protectors of human rights and justice are actually the real purveyors of death and destruction of our democratic ideals and freedoms,” he added.
Alcover and Palparan assured the residents of the area that next year’s commemoration activities shall be held right Sitio Rano, the site where it happened. “With the help of other government agencies, we will try our best to construct a road from the main highway to Sitio Rano, in time for next year’s celebration,” they assured the residents.

Later in the afternoon, some 3,000 people from Barangay Binaton and other neighboring barangays of Digos City, and some municipalities of Davao del Sur gathered at the city’s public market to protest and condemn the continued inhuman atrocities against the Filipino people.
Alcover called on the protesters to be firm and steadfast in their commitment to oppose and peaceably confront the unabated murders perpetrated by the Maoist communist NPA. “We do not believe that the problem could best be solved by bullets and guns alone. But a strong and sustained education and counter-organizing campaign of all freedom loving Filipinos is, by any measure, the best way to put a stop to their barbarism,” Alcover explained.

ORDER OF BATTLE ISSUE

Satur Ocampo did it again!

Just as the campaign against the insurgent rebels by the military is gaining headway, its legal fronts and known personalities with clear links to the left are maligning the Armed Forces in order to ease the pressure of government troops against their guerilla fronts which are waging the armed struggle in the suburbs. The order of battle as they claim to have purportedly include list of men targeted allegedly by the military is just but a doctored document tailor-fitted to their own advantage and maliciously done to discredit the reputation of the troops who are gradually gaining the trust and confidence of the people of Davao region particularly Compostela Valley province.

The International Solidarity Mission’s (ISM) supposed tour of Compostela province is not aimed on knowing the truth about the plight of the masses nor uncovering what murderous organizations or groups are killing our own people. Fact of the matter is, the ISM is doing international solidarity works in favor of the rebels as it is their sworn commitment to help communist insurgents and rebels around the world.

We are not an ignorant nation. In this age of information technology, one needs only to browse on the web to clearly know the doctrine of communism and the inner workings of communist strategy in subverting nations with existing democratic society and turning it into a socialist one through a bloody revolution in preparation to the final leap to communism. Their doctrine clearly states that in order to win the revolution, an active insurgent organization must use legal fronts to mask their identities and provide shield to their armed component that is waging war against the duly constituted government.

It is also the works of these legal fronts to expose, bloat and capitalize on purported violations of the armed forces of any nation they are trying to subvert. This, in the eyes of the common people is a necessary instrument so that the rights of both insurgents and government troops will be protected. But looking deeper into their mandate, nowhere can you find any provision that states what actions they will do in case a violation was committed not by the military but by the insurgents whom they have sworn to protect.

The people must realize that these front organizations which in this case is the ISM, is not mandated to look after supposed violations of human rights and protect the innocent. Looking at the past and present actions they have taken, we can surmise that their true function is to single out the armed forces of the host country in any case of violation of the rules of war and sensationalize it so that the active insurgents can use such issue against the existing legitimate government.

As if we have not heard enough, but these legal fronts do not only sensationalize and tailor-fit issues against the existing government in favor of the insurgents. The worse is their orchestrated move to hide any violation of human rights and rules of war by the active insurgents. They not only turn a blind eye in such cases but provide active legal shield to communist rebels who have severely violated every law of the land including human rights and the generally accepted principles of humanitarian law. Their true mandate is to condition the minds of the people that the government is evil and its instrument of aggression is the military which it uses to oppress the masses. In this light, these front organizations thus curve the perception of the people in hating the government, the military and all duly constituted authorities.

Satur Ocampo and the others did it again!

Nowhere can you find that ISM or any legal front organizations ever condemned the CPP/NPA/NDF in any summary killings they have committed even if the NPAs publicly admitted to such offenses. The NPAs are doing the killings with such impunity and with total disregard to the rights of the people they have summarily executed (some in front of their loved ones or even some killed by their loved ones, take the case of Father Balweg who was killed by his own brother). Such is the sad state of our nation that these killers roam around our barangays in the far flung areas and lording over the common people who cannot do otherwise but to succumb to their oppressive power. A coercive power that is left unchecked by those wolves masquerading as human rights advocates.

We do not condemn the true and legitimate human rights advocates either individually or as an organization. We hail and praise them to the highest degree and pray that they may stumble into the mine of truth for the sake of justice for all those innocent men, women and children whom the CPP/NPA/NDF have violated, tortured and killed without the benefit of a true and fair trial.

In Davao region alone, there is a record of 364 cases of summary executions done by the CPP/NPA/NDF whom they admitted to have carried out in service to the people?! We might be a forgiving nation but our memory is sharp and we cannot forget the barbaric massacre the NPAs have committed in Digos, Davao Del Sur exactly twenty years ago where they killed (some beheaded) a total of 39 innocent men, women including children and old folks in Sitio Rano, Brgy Binaton in June of 1989.


Now lets come back to the order of battle. Who now has a real order of battle which include killing of innocent people in all walks of life?
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CONTRIBUTED BY A FELLOW PRO-DEMOCRACY ADVOCATE