The year is almost half way over. What better time to list all the accomplishments against the insurgency in 2023 so far? Eastern Mindanao Command has released theirs.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) has scored significant gains against the communist rebels in the first five months of 2023.
Eastmincom commander Lt. Gen. Greg Almerol said the recent battlefield victories are a “testament to our continuous efforts to finish the dwindling communist terrorist group units in our joint operational area and to attain just and lasting peace in Eastern Mindanao.”
Eastmincom said that from January to mid-May, it has neutralized 155 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels and seized 172 firearms and 28 anti-personnel mines.
The most recent campaign led to the death of three ranking NPA guerrillas in Cantilan, Surigao del Sur last May 11.
Two of the said fatalities were identified as Alberto Castañeda alias Bern and JD, commanding officer of Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda 16C, Guerrilla Front 16, and Eric Mahinay Colon alias Neo, political guide of Squad 1 of the same front, all under the NPA’s North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee.
Almerol said Eastmincom has committed to eradicate NPA presence in eastern Mindanao this year “with the help of local government units and the support of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.”
While Eastmincom is "committed to eradicate NPA presence in eastern Mindanao this year" the AFP unveiled a marker in Isabela commemorating a victory against the NPA way back in 1972!
The military over the weekend revealed what it called an enduring symbol of their victory against communist terrorist groups in Palanan, Isabela.
A victory marker was formally unveiled by the Army 5th Infantry Division (ID) at Digoyo Point where, in July 1972, the MV Karagatan carrying a shipment of armaments intended for the insurgents was intercepted by the AFP.
The seizure of high-powered firearms resulted in the neutralization of a significant threat to national security and shook the foundations of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF), the military said.
The military added this incident marked a turning point in the battle against communist terrorism, crippling their resources and dealing a severe setback to their operations at that time.
In his message during the unveiling, Senior Undersecretary and Department of Defense officer-in-charge Carlito Galvez Jr. said that the victory marker is the manifestation of the valor and unwavering dedication of the Armed Forces in combating communist terrorist groups.
It also signifies the military’s unyielding commitment to safeguard the nation's security and pave the way for a better future for all Filipinos, he added.
Lt. Gen. Fernyl G. Buca, Northern Luzon Command chief, said that the marker is a vivid reminder that through unity and determination, even the most formidable challenges can be overcome, heralding a future free from the clutches of terrorism.
“Our continuous gains against the CTGs in our area of operations are proof of the nearing end of these few remaining communist terrorists,” added Buca.
The unveiling with the theme "Marking the Foremost Victory of the Armed Forces of the Philippines against Communist Terrorist Groups" celebrated the relentless determination and monumental gains achieved by the Armed Forces in its mission to eradicate communist terrorism in the country.
The victory marker was called a powerful testament to the unwavering bravery and selfless sacrifice of the government forces in safeguarding the nation against terrorists.
Why are they erecting a marker to an incident which happened 51 years ago? Whatever setback was made to the NPA's operations at the time were overcome as the insurgency is still on going even in Isabela. is so-called victory is empty and worthless.
Recruitment by the NPA is still a problem in Samar. That is why two new schools are being built.
The local government unit of Matuguinao, Samar is opening more primary schools in remote communities to help stop the recruitment activities of the New People's Army (NPA).
Elementary campuses will open in Bag-otan and Camonoan villages this year, said Mayor Aran Boller in a phone interview on Wednesday.
Currently, the 300 learners from these two villages have to walk for hours to attend classes in neighboring villages. Students in Camonoan attend classes in San Jose village in Gandara town while learners from Bag-otan are enrolled in schools at the town center.
“After decades of aspiration to have a school in their village, finally this will be realized this year. The evaluation conducted by the Department of Education (DepEd) regional office had a positive result. We expect that by August, these two villages will have classrooms,” he said.
The construction of classrooms will be funded by the DepEd while the lot is donated by the local government.
The Matuguinao local government also aims the establishment of a primary school in the farthest village of San Roque.
“When I went there, I learned that there were residents who were almost as old as me but had never been to school, not even in a daycare,” Boller added.
Going to San Roque takes a day-long hike. The easiest way of going to the village is to pass through Silvino Lobos town in Northern Samar.
The village was declared insurgency free in 2021, but there are still sightings of the communist armed group crossing the boundaries of Northern Samar to the other two Samar Island provinces.
The problem of illiteracy makes children vulnerable to recruitment by the New People's Army, the mayor said.
“As a leader, it’s depressing to know that this is happening to the youth. That is why it is not surprising that they are easily recruited by the communist group because they can’t even read or write. They can’t identify letters nor numbers. So, we really need to provide and give directions to the youth,” Boller said.
He added that after his visit, he immediately wrote a letter to the education department to build a school in San Roque village.
Aside from primary school, Boller has bared the DepEd's plan to establish two new secondary schools, which will cater to high school students living in far-flung villages of the town.
At present the town has only one secondary school, the Matuguinao National High School situated in the town proper.
This article is remarkable for two reasons. First of all the fact that these villages have been neglected by the DepEd belies any notion that the government gives two flips about making sure everyone in the nation receives a proper education. Roads, schools, running water, and electricity are all basic needs in our day and age. It is simply unbelievable that these villages have never had a school until now.
Secondly is that these schools are being built to counter NPA recruitment yet no evidence of actual recruitment is given by Mayor Aran Boller. How exactly does illiteracy leave children vulnerable to NPA recruitment? He also notes that the village was declared insurgency free back in 2021. So what is the problem then? Passing NPA fighters are recruiting children? Where is his proof?
The NTF-ELCAC says developing remote communities like these villages is their new agenda.
The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) said it would focus on developing communities formerly controlled by communist insurgents to prevent them from staging a comeback in these localities.
In a statement late Monday, NTF-ELCAC executive director Undersecretary Ernesto C. Torres Jr. said this would be their roadmap in "peace-bringing" efforts.
Torres also emphasized the importance of the Barangay Development Program (BDP) and the Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) as drivers of peace and development in areas formerly affected by the New People's Army (NPA).
"Undersecretary Torres also assured an intensified participation from national government agencies in contributing to the BDP and RCSP," NTF-ELCAC Secretariat Director for Strategic Communications Gerardo Zamudio said.
These efforts are part of the NTF-ELCAC's campaign that will seek the promotion of unity, lasting peace, and sustainable development in the country, he said adding that this "shift from war to peace" is emphasized as the task force is nearing the attainment of its objective of ending the armed conflict.
Translation: they will be building more roads and schools. Newly appointed co-Vice Chair Sara Duterte will be leading the way.
Zamudio also noted that the appointment of Vice President Sara Duterte as NTF-ELCAC co-vice chair would bring momentum to the body's mission.
"Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya, NTF-ELCAC StratCom Cluster head, and Undersecretary Torres explained the game-changing role of the Vice President, especially during the NTF-ELCAC’s transition to peace-bringing efforts. The Vice President is expected to provide guidance to the operation of the whole NTF-ELCAC, utilizing her experience as the former Mayor of Davao City," he said.
Torres said Duterte was instrumental in the defeat of the NPA in her city as she witnessed and dealt with their atrocities and the aftermath suffered by her constituents.
“She (Vice President) sees this as a commitment to bring about peace in our country,” he added.
Torres also elaborated on how the Vice President would strengthen the efforts to protect students from terrorist recruitment through proper education.
“We really have to protect our youth from getting recruited from the deception of the CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA-National Democratic Front), and that is where the role of our VP as the Secretary of DepEd (Department of Education) would come into play,” he said.
“We, at the Headquarters of NTF-ELCAC are preparing ourselves to perform our mandate with renewed vigor to harmonize and synthesize the efforts of departments, agencies, and partner stakeholders in bringing the much-needed services to far-flung areas, particularly the conflict-affected and vulnerable areas for CTG (communist terrorist group) exploitation in order to attain genuine peace and sustainable development."
He said this would be done via the whole-of-government approach, whole-of-nation participation, and founded on good governance and unity.
"As the NTF-ELCAC achieves its goals in addressing the root causes of the communist armed conflict, its commitment to ensure the security of the Filipino people will not falter. NTF-ELCAC’s dedication to harmonizing the efforts of government agencies toward the attainment of its objectives will not wane despite the weakening of the CTG. Until the CTG’s threat has been completely eradicated, NTF-ELCAC will serve as the Filipino people’s guardian against their deceptions, crimes, and atrocities," Torres said.
Now that Sara has been appointed co-Vice Chair of the NTF-ELCAC says they are "preparing ourselves to perform our mandate with renewed vigor." What were they doing before? The sad fact is that development should be ongoing in the Philippines without the need for the NTF-ELCAC. Roads, schools, electricity, and running water should not be denied even the most far flung communities. The root issue of the insurgency is not the lack of those amenities per se but the corrupt government itself. But government reform is never on the agenda.
The NTF-ELCAC was appointed to end the insurgency through a whole-of-nation approach designed to address a myriad number of issues. But what are they doing commenting on the Maharlika Investment Fund?
The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) lauded the Supreme Court's move to dismiss the petition filed by progressive lawmakers seeking to declare the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) bill unconstitutional.
"The dismissal of the petition is a clear blow against the 'Makabayan' bloc's penchant for abusing legal processes by precipitately filing petitions that do not even satisfy the conditions sine qua non of judicial review," the task force's Legal Cooperation Cluster (LCC) said in a statement over the weekend.
In a six-page resolution, the SC ruled that “there is no actual case or controversy here, nor is the dispute ripe for adjudication. Colmenares et al.’s mere allegation of the unconstitutionality of the President’s certification of HB (House of Representatives Bill) 6608 and the House's passage of the bill is insufficient to warrant review by the Court.”
As pointed out by the SC, “To date, no law has been passed and HB 6608 remains pending with the House for further revisions, eliminating petitioner legislators’ concerns regarding the expedited passage of HB 6608 in the House.”
It also added that it had no reason to give due course to the petition filed by the bloc led by Bayan Muna chair Neri Colmenares, former Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate, ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro, Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, and Kabataan party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel as the same is not ripe for adjudication.
"The (NTF-ELCAC) LCC lauds the SC for being a bastion of justice and champion of the rule of law," it added.
The Supreme Court dismissed the petition by the Makabayan Bloc only because the law has yet to be passed. Undoubtedly they and perhaps others will file a protest if the bill is signed into law. The NTF-ELCAC is not gloating about the "rule of law" but using their voice to smear the Makabayan Bloc as a CPP-NPA front and as enemies of the people. In essence they are red-tagging the group. There time would be better spent in "developing remote communities."
Red-tagging remains a problem according to the CHR.
The "carte blanche (unconditional or blanket authority) act of red-tagging" of students, educators, and members of civil organizations in the country must stop, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) declared on Monday, May 15.
Red-tagging is the practice of law enforcement and national security agencies to publicly brand individuals, groups or institutions as allegedly affiliated with Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs).
In a statement, the CHR said it “cannot stand idly by while these violations of human rights take place.”
"We have stressed, time and again, that red-tagging is a serious violation of human rights, and can lead to worse forms of violence such as enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings," it said.
"The Commission also underscores that we cannot further polarize sectors within our society by mere reason of dissent or varying opinion," it also said.
It said the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) reported to the commission that the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) conducted an orientation last May 2 for students of the Carlos L. Albert High School on the alleged recruitment of students by the New People’s Army (NPA).
"CHR, in particular, takes cognizance of the presence of armed police personnel within the school premises which is a violation of Department of Education (DepEd) Order no. 32, series of 2019 or the National Policy Framework on Learners and School as 'Zones of Peace,'" the CHR said.
Thus, it said, the CHR’s National Capital Region office has started its own probe on the report and the reported incidents of red-tagging against ACT members in Region V and Region VII.
It reminded the government that red-tagging only undermines the credibility and professionalism of teachers and educators
"By labeling teachers and educators as communists or terrorists, their opinions and insights are at the risk of being dismissed without any consideration of their merit," the CHR said.
"This has a detrimental effect on the quality of the education system, as they are discouraged from expressing their views and providing critical analysis of government policies,” it also said.
Earlier, the CHR had urged government agencies to emulate DepEd in upholding human rights in its draft curriculum for Araling Panlipunan that cited “red-tagging, trolling and extrajudicial killings (EJKs) as human rights violations.”
“CHR hopes that this commitment from the DepEd is replicated by other stakeholders and government agencies to protect and promote human rights in all aspects of Philippine society,” it had stressed in a statement issued last May 3.
The NTF-ELCAC says there is no red-tagging but only truth telling.
Contrary to how critics have been describing her, an official of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) said Vice President Sara Duterte is not a red-tagger but someone who tells the truth.
In an interview with “The Chiefs” on One News on Tuesday night, NTF-ELCAC legal cooperation cluster chair Angie Miranda said it is erroneous for Duterte’s critics to say she has a penchant for linking groups to communists.
“She is just telling the truth. She is a truth tagger,” Miranda said.
Meanwhile, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) and other cause-oriented groups have expressed concern over Duterte’s designation as co-vice chair of the government’s anti-communist task force, accusing her of being a red-tagger.
In the same television interview, former Bayan Muna party-list representative Teodoro Casiño said Duterte has linked the ACT with communist rebels.
Casiño found it ironic that Duterte is the current secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) despite her attacks on the ACT.
“This is the officially recognized union of our teachers and she called them communist terrorists,” he said.
With Duterte at the NTF-ELCAC, Casiño is worried Duterte will continue to red tag teachers whom she believes are affiliated with communist groups.
He called for her removal from DepEd: “Our students and teachers deserve better.”
Miranda disputed Casiño’s statement, as she noted that the late Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison was the one who identified the groups that are affiliated with the CPP.
“You know who started this all? It’s Joma, the president of the CPP,” she said.
Miranda was referring to a video clip of a younger Sison enumerating organizations such as Gabriela and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, which are affiliated with the CPP.
She stressed that being members of a left-leaning group does not automatically put their lives in danger.
“There is no red tagging as a criminal offense or an offense,” she said.
Red-tagging may not be a criminal offense but neither is belonging to the CPP.
