Insurgency: AFP Accountable for 2 Missing Activists

Sara Duterte thinks she is in the Cobra Kai dojo and wants to strike first, strike hard, and show no mercy to terrorists.

https://mb.com.ph/2022/09/05/vp-duterte-gathers-security-officials-seeks-hardline-stance-vs-criminals-terrorists/

The Marcos administration will show “no mercy” to criminals and terrorists who want to derail the country’s progress, Vice President Sara Duterte reiterated to the heads of major command services on Monday, Sept. 5.

Duterte, who is now government caretaker while President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is on his first state visit to Indonesia and Singapore this week, hosted a lunch meeting with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and its major services—the Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force (PAF), and the Philippine Navy—at the Department of Education (DepEd) central office in Pasig City.

She also met with the chiefs and official representatives of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), and officials from the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the DepEd.

“As the caretaker, may I reiterate the Marcos administration’s direction towards aggressively pursuing programs and projects that will address social inequities and further propel the country’s progress post-pandemic,” she said in her press message after the meeting.

“Our policy against criminals and terrorists and those that support and espouse their ideologies of violence should be hardline. We should show no mercy to criminals and terrorists,” she added.

Duterte lamented that the “realization of our national aspirations” could be “slowed down, held up, or hostaged” by forces that aim to derail the progress.

“The Philippines will only be able to truly recover and rebuild post-pandemic and meaningfully stand with honor and pride as a nation if we successfully address threats to our security,” the Vice President and concurrent Education chief said.

First of all, government caretaker? What is she, the Steward of Gondor? Second of all a hardline stance with no mercy? Is she unaware that the government has a massive bribery program whereby any terrorist who surrenders gets free money, housing, cash, education, and job training?

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1183000

Twenty-eight former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Davao Oriental province have received PHP644,000 worth of livelihood aid from the government.

In a statement Tuesday, the provincial government said each former rebel received PHP23,000 financial aid.

Of the amount, PHP20,000 came from the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Davao Region (DSWD-11) Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), while PHP3,000 was sourced from the fund of the government's whole-of-nation approach to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC).

Through the SLP, DSWD provided livelihood settlement grants to ex-NPA rebels, which the recipients should use as seed capital to fund  proposed livelihood projects.

Governor Corazon Malanyaon urged the surrenderers to use the funds properly by investing them to uplift their quality of life and succeed to entice more insurgents to surrender to the government.

“I encourage all of you to become responsible citizens by maximizing what is being provided to you and the government will acknowledge those efforts you put in and ensure to help you in growing further as your success will also benefit others in your community,” she said.

Aside from the cash assistance, the former rebels, who are graduates of the provincial government’s Happy Home and deradicalization program, also took part in interventions from government agencies that include technical training, education, practical skills, and other services.

"I will not let you go back to the old ways that led you in the wrong direction. The insurgent group only brings misery to your lives," Malanyaon assured.

There is nothing hardline or unmerciful in that. 

Why is she meeting with all these security people as soon as Marcos left the country? He's coming back and it's doubtful any major security threat will occur in that time. When her father left the country to visit Russia he snubbed VP Robredo and appointed DOJ Secretary Gueverra as the government caretaker. 

Both Marcos and the AFP have reassured the nation that the modernization program will continue. The say this will lead to a credible defense.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1182999

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro on Tuesday said the country would maintain its goal of having a credible defense posture despite an ongoing review of the military's modernization program.

"(Well as of now the study is still ongoing, I cannot state what will be prioritized and what will be removed, but one thing is definite, we are making sure that our defense posture will be credible, so that's what we are looking at right now)," he said on the sidelines of the christening rites for the Philippine Navy's first two fast-attack interdiction craft-missiles, (FAIC-Ms) BRP Nestor Acero (PG-901) and BRP Lolinato To-Ong (PG-802), at the Navy headquarters at Naval Station Jose Andrada, Manila.

These two ships are the first to arrive in the Philippines out of a batch of nine acquired from Israel Shipyards Limited for PHP10 billion. Bacarro said the AFP modernization program is now on Horizon 2 which is slated for 2018 to 2022.

The military's modernization program is divided into three tranches with Horizon 1 taking place from 2013 to 2018 and Horizon 3 from 2023 to 2028. The review was brought by budgetary constraints, he said.

"So (it is) very true there are some budgetary constraints so right now we are reviewing the modernization plan prioritizing it, actually dun sa number of projects na nakatalaga (of the planned projects), we would just like to identify which are the requirements of the AFP so that's what we are doing right now," Bacarro said.

Is he insinuating that the Philippines defense posture is not currently credible? Since this was said during christening rites for the nation's first two fast-attack interdiction craft-missiles this might be about defense against China rather than internal threats like the NPA.

The AFP continues the fight against the NPA. Recently they unearthed one of the largest arms caches in Caraga.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1182456

Government troops unearthed the largest arms cache of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in the hinterlands of the Caraga Region, the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) said Tuesday.

In a statement, the Eastmincom said former members of Guerilla Front 16 under the NPA's North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee led government troops to 31 high-powered firearms and other war matériel in different areas of the region.

Lt. Gen. Greg Almerol, Eastmincom commander, said they uncovered the arms caches following the mass surrender of the NPA members earlier this month.

The high-powered firearms consisted of M4 rifles with nine units, M16 rifles (8), AK-47 rifles (6), M79 grenade launchers (3), M14 rifle (1), Galil rifle (1), Carbine rifle (1), R4 rifle (1), Pistol Grand Master (1), an improvised explosive device, several assorted magazines, 2,010 rounds of various ammunition, four bandoliers, and other war matériel.

Of the 31 firearms, 16 were divulged by nine members of the Sentro Degrabidad (SDG) and Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda 16B (SYP16B) in Barangay Mahanub, Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte, on August 12.

The other 15 firearms were revealed by four other comrades from the same unit on August 22 and 25.

Almerol lauded the troops for their "relentless efforts that further weakened the capability of the NPA in Eastern Mindanao."

He is also optimistic that with the series of surrenders, Caraga will be declared "Insurgency-free" before the end of the year.

"With our intensified military operations and aid from former rebels, it is only a matter of time before we declare them dismantled and the rest of Caraga Region free from insurgency this year," Almerol said.

Another prediction that a region will be insurgency free is both a good sign that operations are going well and a bad sign that someone is counting their chickens before they have been hatched. Whether it happens or not remains to be seen.

The AFP has reduced their presence in Sulu because of the improved security status.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1657869/afp-reduces-troop-presence-in-sulu-improved-security-status-cited

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has reduced its troop presence in Sulu after threats from extremist groups like the Islamic State-linked Abu Sayyaf has gone down.

Given the relative peace in Sulu, Maj. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio, commander of the Army’s Joint Task Force Sulu, said they are reducing their strength from four to only three brigades.

A brigade consists of three battalions that, in turn, has 300 to 500 soldiers each.  

“The threat level in Sulu has gone down radically. We are sustaining this momentum through focused operations and so far, the communities continue to experience a better security climate,” Patrimonio said.

He cited the continued stream of Abu Sayyaf members who have surrendered to the military to avail of various government assistance packages and return to mainstream society.

A total of 983 bandits have surrendered from 2017 to August this year, military records showed.

Patrimonio, however, stressed that the military is not taking chances because two top bandit leaders, Mundi Sawadjaan and Radullan Sahiron, are still at large although they have been suffering from lack of community support hand are unable to launch attacks.

“We see that there is already relative peace in these areas, especially Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and Zamboanga Peninsula,” Faustino said.

Another factor for the troop cutback is the number of Tausug soldiers in the Army’s ranks.

Patrimonio said there are almost 2,000 young Tausug soldiers who were recruited into the regular force, equivalent to a brigade.

“This is a major development. They know the people, they know the terrain and culture. This really helps in sustaining peace on this island,” Patrimonio explained.

That is a major development but at the same time the AFP says they aren't taking chances becasue two top ASG leaders are still at large. So, why reduce the troops? Why say out of one side their mouth there is peace while out the other side they say we aren't taking chances? It's better they keep the fight up rather than rest on their laurels. 

A major ASG terrorist has been apprehended. 

https://mb.com.ph/2022/09/08/abu-sayyaf-sub-leader-caught-in-sulu/

Police arrested a sub-leader of the Abu Sayyaf Group during a law enforcement operation in Barangay San Raymundo, Jolo, Sulu on Wednesday, Sept. 7.

Col. John Francis Encinareal, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-9 chief, identified the suspect as Abubakar Abdulkadil, alias “Basaron Arok,” 35, of Patikul, Sulu.

The CIDG, Special Action Force, and Jolo police arrested Abdulkadil after serving warrants of arrest for multiple murder, frustrated murder, and kidnapping with ransom.

Encinareal identified the suspect as an Abu Sayyaf sub-leader under the group of Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan in Patikul.

He was also identified as a member of the Daulah Islamiya involved in a series of kidnapping and bombing incidents with multiple arrest warrants.

Abdulkadil was linked as a suspect in the bombing of the Jolo Cathedral in Jolo in 2019 and twin explosions also in Jolo the following year.

Just imagine if this man had surrendered. He would have been given cash, housing, and job training. What a joke. Thankfully he did not surrender and was instead captured.

The fight against the insurgency continues as ever. 113 CPP-NPA members in Mimaropa have surrendered since January. Weapons continue be recovered as the AFP clashes with the NPA. But let's end with two stories that are a bit more offbeat those still related to the fight against the insurgency. Remember the fight is against communism and the AFP goes around talking about the evils of communist. So, why was a communist nominated for the annual Ramon Magsaysay award? 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1661899/indian-politician-declines-ramon-magsaysay-award-2

A Marxist politician from India declined her nomination for the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award after her party reportedly dissuaded her from accepting it.

In its September 4 report, The Statesman, an English-Indian broadsheet quoted a report saying that K. K. Shailaja, declined to accept the 64th Ramon Magsaysay Award after her party, the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), did not permit her to receive it.

The report said Shailaja declined the award because her party believed that she was only doing her job as the former health minister of the Indian state of Kerala, for which she was being nominated. Shailaja was nominated for her contributions to the management of the COVID-19 and Nipah virus outbreaks in Kerala.

“When examined, it has been found that such awards were never received by politicians,” Shailaja was quoted by The Statesman as saying.

“The award was declined after discussing with the CPI-M Central Committee,” she added.

Established in 1957, the Ramon Magsaysay Award is an annual award established to perpetuate the example of integrity in governance, courageous public service, and idealism of former Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay. The award is considered as Asia’s version of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Why was a known communist nominated for this prize? Did the nominating committee know she was a Marxist? It is a bid odd.  The next story is not odd but is in fact a low mark for the AFP.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/10/22/afp-security-agencies-found-accountable-for-2-missing-activists

The Court of Appeals has found the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and other security agencies “accountable” for the disappearance of 2 labor activists.

This, as heads of different government bodies insist they have no knowledge of the whereabouts of the two.

The CA Fifth Division on Friday issued a privilege of the writ of amparo in favor of activists Elizabeth "Loi" Magbanua and Alipio "Ador" Juat, members of Kilusang Mayo Uno who went missing shortly after attending a meeting in Valenzuela on May 3.

It also issued a permanent protective order in favor of the 2 and their families, which would prevent security and intelligence forces from conducting surveillance or going near them.

“Without any specific pronouncement on exact authorship and responsibility, declaring the respondents accountable for the enforced disappearance and continued disappearance of Elizabeth ‘Loi’ Magbanua and Alipio ‘Ador’ Juat,” the appellate court said in a 40-page ruling.

It also ordered them to hold “a comprehensive and exhaustive investigation” on the disappearance of the activists and to use “all technical and modern technological resources at its disposal to assist in locating their whereabouts and once and for all determine the truth behind their continued disappearance,” it added.

Family members of Loi and Ador sought the help of the high court in August to compel respondents -- the heads of the AFP, the Department of National Defense, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, and the Philippine Army, as well as the heads of the intelligence and civil-military operations units of the AFP — to surface the two.

They claimed that Ador was able to tell his daughters that he is being detained at Camp Aguinaldo while there was no information as to the where Loi was taken.

All the respondents denied having personal knowledge as to the abduction. Some claimed they were holding different positions at the time of the disappearance and that they inquired with their respective agencies about the case but received negative responses.

But for the CA, the respondents’ “sweeping denials” failed to show who and when the searches were made and how comprehensive and thorough these were to satisfy their obligation under the Rule on the Writ of Amparo.

Under the rule, state agents are required to exercise “extraordinary diligence” in the performance of their duties and cannot hide in the presumption of regularity in the performance of their functions.

“[R]espondents are public officials tasked with the specific duty to provide protection for all citizens. Hence, extraordinary diligence is required in the performance of their duties, and are forbidden from seeking refuge in the presumption of regularity in the performance of their official duties,” the CA said.

“Evidently, respondents failed to show the concrete steps they ostensibly took to locate Loi and Ador if only to refute respondent’s probable culpability which inaction borders on a dereliction of positive duty. Respondents likewise failed to dutifully ascertain who are responsible for the disappearance of Loi and Ador if only to free themselves from the frightening inference that State Forces have played a hand in their continued disappearance,” it added.

The CA has ruled that the heads of the AFP, DND, Philippine Army, and NICA are all responsible for the disappearance of two people. They deny all knowledge and responsibility but the CA is not buying it and neither are the families of the two people who have disappeared. One of them was able to relay to his family that he is being held at Camp Aguinaldo. If he is still there then he should be easy to find.