NPA ATTACKS A BARANGAY MARKET IN MACO CVP

Maco, Compostela Valley Province- Peace and Development Team of 71st Infantry Battalion in Brgy Elizalde Maco Compostela Valley Province was fired upon by New People's Army 6:45 in the morning today, April 24, 2013.

Three unarmed members of Peace and Development while in the market place of the barangay was fired upon by undetermined number of NPAs.

The civilian populace hid the two unarmed soldiers when the NPA were about to approach them while the other one named Pfc Jesus Tomas (Inf) PA was instantly grabbed and mercilessly dragged away by New people's Army.

LIEUTENANT COLONEL JERRY T BORJA  INF (GSC) PA, 71IB Commander said, " This act of New People’s Army is clearly out of their frustration to stop the success of Maco in gaining Peace and Development. They attacked the unarmed government forces without considering the presence of civilians that may be caught in crossfire."

"We will not stop in pursuing our ultimate goal that is to give way to peace and development especially now that we are being supported by the populace", Borja added.

Army Troops on Security and Rehabilitation Operation Landmined by NPA; One killed, 10 others wounded

Mati City – Peace and Development Teams of 28IB onboard two military vehicles led by 2LT Paypa were hit by a landmine at Sitio Mainit, Brgy. Calapagan, Lupon, Davao Oriental at 12:20 midnight of January 22, 2013.

The said team was on convoy, drifting their way back to headquarters from security and rehabilitation operation of the typhoon Pablo as landmine exploded hitting the rear portion of the second vehicle. Six were wounded and immediately brought to the Provincial Hospital, as one soldier did not make it. Pfc Jhasam Diaz died while being treated in the hospital. Moreover the rest of the injured were being treated now at Tagum Regional Hospital and Davao Oriental Provincial Hospital, Mati City.

“The army troops were part of the security of troops rendering rehabilitations to typhoon Pablo affected areas. The NPAs again showed their barbarism and inhuman acts by disturbing our humanitarian assistance activities” LTC Lyndon Paniza, 10ID spokesman.

“This is a clear manifestation that the New People’s Army violate and does not respect the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and the International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL), landmine is strictly prohibited in this agreement. The NPAs are very desperate and ignored the provisions of CARHRIHL”. Paniza added.

Meanwhile two clashes happened between the army’s 60th Infantry Batalion and NPAs in Brgy. Mabuhay, Laak Compostela Valley at 2pm and 3:30pm yesterday. The army troops were on rescue operation on recent abduction by the NPAs of 1 soldier and policeman last January 17, 2013.

As investigation continues, the AFP persists to chase the bandits believed to be guilty on the incident.    

      

Off-Duty soldiers Massacred in Paquibato

MAWAB, Compostela Valley Province – Four members of 60^th Infantry Battalion’s Peace and Development Team were massacred by more or less ten members of New People’s Army in Sitio Cinco, Brgy. Mapula, Paquibato District, Davao City.

The four were said to be on board three motorcycles, on civilian attire and unarmed when attacked by NPA fighters 5:30 p.m. yesterday, 10^th Infantry Division Spokesperson Lt. Col. Lyndon Paniza said.

He identified the casualties as Pfc Ahian Vir Dolero , Pfc Marvin Lauronal, Pfc Noel  Sigan whose remains are now in Villa Funeral Homes, Panabo City while Private Marcelo Himaya, who is said to be missing earlier, was found dead in a nearby area and believed to be summarily executed.

“They were on their way back to their detachment after marketing when the incident happened”, Paniza said adding that troops are now on hot pursuit operations to apprehend the perpetrators.

Army officer and 12 others to face court martial over death of mother, sons in Kiblawan, Davao del Sur

MAWAB, Compostela Valley Province – An army officer and 12 others will face general court martial as probe revealed that there was indeed ‘tactical’ lapse into the killing of the wife and two sons of armed bandit leader Daguil Capeon in Kimlawis, Davao del Sur on October 18. 

 

In a six-page report of the Philippine Army’s Board of Inquiry, headed by its Division Inspector General Col. Fidel Francis Pumihic, 1Lt. Dante Jimenez admitted he failed to assess if it was the criminal group New People’s Army or the group of Capeon sheltering inside the house. 

 

In his statement, Jimenez said he, along with Cpl. Godio, Cpl. Namla, and Pfc. Gamayot, were 200 meters away from the house. He dispatched Sgt. Murillo, along with Pfc. Lopez, Cpl. Majid, Cpl. Sahali, Cpl. Jadjuli and Cpl. Said, to close in but was fired upon by shooters from the direction of the house prompting them to also return fire. While Sgt. Ballenas, Pfc. Tayamora and Pfc. Julian claimed that they did not fire. Accordingly, there were 43 bullet entry holes on the hut alone but, based on the spot report, only 19 bullets were expended by the troops. However, the result of the investigation did not determine as to whose bullets killed the victims. 

 

After the incident, one Rifle Grenade, two combat packs with personal belongings, 5.56mm empty shells and two m16 rifle magazines long with 20 rounds of 5.56mm live ammo were recovered in the area believed to be belonging to the group of Capeon. 

 

“There was a lapse of judgment on the company commander for he failed to direct his men in accordance to the Rules of engagement”, 10^th Infantry Division Spokesperson Lt. Col. Lyndon Paniza said affirming the violation committed. However, he robs off massacre allegations and claimed that it was a legitimate encounter. 

 

In part six, the report stated that it was a legitimate encounter contrary to claims of groups that there was none. To recall, in his previous interviews, bandit leader Capeon said he was alone several meters away from the house and has denied having fired at pursuing troops which was supported by Marisa Capeon Piang during interviews. However, it was not clarified how and when the latter saw the bandit leader in the area.          

          

According to Paniza, based on the recommendation of the BOI, Jimenez and 12 others will face a general court martial to be convened by Philippine Army to hear and decide cases for violations of the Article of War 76 (Misbehaviour before the Enemy) of the ROE – particularly rules 4 and 5; the Article of War 96 (Conduct Unbecoming an Officer and Gentleman) and the Article of War 97 (Conduct Prejudicial to Good Order and Military Discipline).

 

 “Since the operation was quad-size and was initiated within the company commander’s level, it was the responsibility of 1Lt. Jimenez to assess the situation and properly brief his troops about the confronted circumstances”, Paniza said. He also added that the other 12 enlisted personnel are also facing raps in violating the 76th Article of War and the 97th Article of War.

 

“Though we have yet to wait for the result of the ballistics’ test to know from whose shot really killed Jovy, and the two children, still, we have to promulgate necessary measures to our men who made violations (to ROE)”, Paniza said. 

 

He also added that an order has been issued for the full internalization of every member of the Armed Forces of the rules of engagement, especially to battalions and units under 10^th ID, through series of simulated activities in every trainings to avoid the same incident.

Soldiers repel NPA attack; two rebels killed, high powered firearms recovered

Mawab, Compostela Valley Province – Two members of New People’s Army were killed while two high-powered firearms were recovered 11:45 a.m. Sunday following an encounter with government troops in Brgy. Calabcab, Maco, Compostela Valley Province.

 

Commander of 71^st Infantry Battalion, Lt. Col. Jerry Borja, disclosed that said attack was a deliberate offensive operation of notorious group to harass the residents who have been in support to the Army’s Peace and Development Outreach Program (PDOP). “Our Peace and Development Team were having a community consultation in barangay hall when NPAs, despite the presence of civilians, attacked and peppered the area with bullets”, he said adding that the attack was another act of idiocy and desperation of the NPAs in response to the rejection of the community.    

  

“Our troops refrained from firing to secure first the civilians. This resulted to seven soldiers wounded in action (WIAs)”, Borja said. He identified the WIAs as Sgt. Marlon Parong, Cpl. Romualdo Tangonan, Pfc. Erwin Manabat, Pfc. Rocky Molina, Pfc. Jaypee Sionillo, Pfc. Carmelo Cachuela, and Pfc. Ludivico Elegio Jr. who are now recuperating in Camp Panacan Station Hospital, Panacan, this city.

 

 “Troops returned fire right after they have secured the residents in the area”, he added saying two of the criminal group NPA were killed in said clash which lasted for about three hours. He identified the two as certain Manny and Max. Also recovered in the area were one M16 rifle and one M14 rifle and five improvised landmines. “Amidst being outnumbered, our troops were still able to drive away more or less 60 members of the NPA”, he said.

 

Borja disclosed that two civilians were also wounded identified as Grace Buayaban Malisa, 22 years old, who was hit in her right tricep and Adela Tomas Madanlo, 46 years old, who was wounded in her right stomach and both her feet and legs due to shrapnel. He also revealed that one of the victims was shot by the NPAs based on initial interview. “She said that when one of the NPAs pointed her the gun, she raised her hand saying she was a civilian pleading to spare her, but the rebel still shot her”, he said but failed to name the victim.

 

“This act is clearly out of their frustration to stop the success of Maco in gaining peace and development. They attacked government forces without considering the presence of civilians that may be caught in between crossfire”, Borja said.

Bandits Attacks in Sarangani, 127 individuals evacuated

Maitum, Sarangani Province –  The attack of bandits in Maitum, Sarangani Province over the weekend has caused the evacuation of 127 individuals.

According to Maitum Mayor Elsie Perrett, the attack of the bandits was led by Salindatu Binago alias Datu Ingig last October 6 at 6 in the morning. It  resulted to the wounding of one person and the evacuation of 40 families with 127 individuals from Sitio Nalipay, Brgy Ticulab. “The local government is providing the basic needs of the affected families, who are at the evacuation center in Sitio Bem of said barangay”, she said.

"The local government has to respond to the attack, which is already second in the series of attack by the said group that started last August 16 wherein Kagawad Freddie Macatin, his wife and brother-in-law was killed. We called on the military and the police to act upon and resolve the conflict. With that, the local government is extending its full support to the clearing operations being jointly conducted by the military and the PNP", Perrett added.

“The attack of the bandits is entirely law enforcement and security concern, thus, the military and police was called upon by the LGU to restore stability in the area. Through the Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Committee (JPSCC) of the military and the PNP, troops were deployed to ensure that the barangay will be free from the clutches of the heavily armed bandits. And as the military conducts all its operations, the primacy of human rights is always at the forefront", said Col. Glorioso Miranda, 1002nd Infantry Brigade Commander.

Meanwhile, the local MILF, Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) and the Coordinating Committe on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) invoked that the bandits are not associated with the MILF, thus, the joint operation will not hamper the on-going peace talks.

While clearing operations is being jointly conducted by the military and police, the local government is attending to the concerns of the evacuees. This is a clear manifestation of the IPSP "Bayanihan" in effect wherein the military, police and local government work hand-in-hand for the preservation of peace and security in the area, Col Miranda added.

Injured in Grenade Throwing reached to 47 civilians, 13 minors

Camp Panacan, Davao City - The 10^th Infantry Division vehemently condemns the act of the Organized Crime Group – New People’s Army in involving civilians during the incident by means of sowing fear among the populace who are now leaving normal lives and enjoying the celebration of their upcoming Barangay fiesta thus, endanger the lives of individuals. Again, they have shown their true nature as cold-blooded criminals who care less even if they endanger civilian populace. 

Three days after the incident, civilians injured reportedly reached its toll to 47 where the youngest victim is two years old. “Someone should be held responsible and should be penalized on these continuous wanton violations committed by the criminal group (NPA)”, 10^th Infantry Division Spokesperson Lt. Col. Lyndon Paniza said.

He cited Part 4, Article 4, Paragraph 4 of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) which clearly mandates that “civilian population shall be treated as such and shall be distinguished from combatants and, together with their property, shall not be the object of attack”.

He further added that there were 13 minors who were also wounded in said incident who were only enjoying the festivity but ended up in the hospital due to different injuries suffered from the grenade blast. “This also violates the rights of children as stipulated in Republic Act 7610”, he said.

Under R.A. 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, Article 10, Section 2 mandates that “children shall not be the object of attack and shall be entitled to special respect….they shall be protected from any form of threat, assault, torture or other cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment..”.

“Human rights watchdogs seems to have been passive whenever these atrocities happen perpetrated by the criminal group New People’s Army”, Paniza said.

PEACETALK: TSOKOLATENG LIPOS NG KAMANDAG

Usapang pangkapayaan. Peace talk. Mga katagang parang musika pangkaunlaran sa pandinig. Ngunit may pag-asa ba na makamtan ang tunay na kapayapaan tungo sa pagbangon nitong nabulid na sa kahirapan nating bansa sa pag-uusap ng Pamahalaan at CPP-NPA-NDF?

Noong inumpisahan ni Pangulong Cory Aquino ang pakipagdayalogo sa mga komunista bilang bahagi ng kanyang government of peace and reconciliation, tahasang ideneklara ni Luis Jalandoni (Chief Negotiator ng NDF) na ang “…peacetalk is another form of legal struggle that must be utilized to advance the national democratic revolution….”

Nagpalit ang ilang mga Administrasyon hanggang muling naluklok ang isang Aquino muli sa Malakanyang, ganun pa rin ang linyang sinusulong ng CPP-NPA-NDF. At mas kumplikado sapagkat “pumayag” ang mga negosyador ng gobyerno na makipag-usap sa mga komunistang rebelde kahit walang DDR!

Ayon sa United Nations (UN) batay sa karanasan ng mga bansang kasapi nito, ang D-D-R ay disarmament, demobilization at reintegration. Maging matagumpay lamang ang peace talks kung ang mga rebelde ay handang magbaba ng armas upang obhetibo na mapag-usapan ang mga rekisitos tungo sa kapayapaan. Kaagapay dito ang pagtigil ng mga pangangatake at sa tamang proseso at koordinasyon sa gobyerno ang paglatag ng tamang infrastructures upang responsableng makabalik sa mainstream ng lipunan ang mga insurektos.

Subalit, balintuna sa inaasahan - ang Government of the Philippines (GPH) panel sa pamumuno ni Atty. Alex Padilla ay pumayag na manatiling armado ang NPA habang nakikipag-usap! At para malusaw ang mga pambabatikos dahil merong patakaran na “no negotiations with the terrorists” nagawan nang paraan na opisyal nang matanggal ang katawagang terorista sa CPP-NPA-NDF.

Kahit pa man sa mga development na ito, wala pa ring humpay ang armadong pananalakay ng NPA: pag-ambush sa mga sundalo at pulis; pamamaslang sa mga CAFGU at sibilyan; pang-kidnap; pangongolekta ng revolutionary taxations at panununog ng mga taxi, truck at construction equipments sa mga hindi tumalima sa ekstorsyon ng mga rebelde.

Patuloy din ang pagsampa ng CPP-NPA-NDF sa Gobyerno ng mga demands na “palayain” ang mga kasamahan nilang “political prisoners” kahit ang mga ito ay may criminal na mga kaso sa korte. Ayon sa mga komunista, marami sa mga nakukulong na ito ang bahagi ng kanilang negotiating panel bilang consultants at nakalista di-umano sa listahang nakatago sa Netherlands.

Pero noong binuksan ang pinagmamalaking “listahan saved on a diskette” ang lumabas ay machine language and jargons na kahit sino man sa panel ng CPP-NPA-NDF ay walang makaunawa!

Mabilis namang nagpalusot ang mga komunista na “nagkalabu-labo” lang daw ang files kaya bigyan pa sila ng sapat na panahon upang ma-decipher ang laman ng diskette.

Nitong huli, mukhang nagulantang (kuno) mula sa panaginip-habang-gising ang GPH panel na niluluko lamang sila ng CPP-NPA-NDF. Maari daw maantala ang peacetalks dahil sa impossible demands ng mga komunista habang walang humpay sa paglunsad ng mga teroristang gawain.

HABANG inaantabayanan ang open pronouncements hinggil sa developments na ito, sumisingaw naman ang sinyales na may under the table na mga aregluhang nagaganap.

TOTOO BA NA NAKAHANDA NA ANG MGA ISKEMA SA PAGLATAG NG COALITION GOVERNMENT WITH THE CPP-NPA-NDF? Ayon sa mga “usok” may ilang mga elemento mula sa rightist organizations na kasabwat sa balaking ito. The most “un-holy alliance” ba? Gaano ka-totoo na labas-masok sa Palasyo ng Malakanyang ang dalawang kilalang ‘legal personalities’ ng mga komunistang-terorista?

Itong mga paghahabol sa mga korap na kumakulapol sa lahat na media outlets (kasama na dyan ang mga haw shao) ay decoy lang ba sa mas malagim na pakipag-kwalisyon sa mga komunista?

Ano man ang posibleng senaryong magaganap, dapat ang mamamayang nagmamahal para sa progresibo, responsible at organisadong demokrasya ay maging mapagmatyag upang hindi nila maisalaksak sa lalamunan ng republikang ito ang tsokolateng lipos ng kamandag!