Military urged to stop military operations in Basilan

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

NPA seizes four firearms in Bit-os, Butuan

From the Website of PRWC - CPP/NPA/NDF
link:  http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/2012/08/npa-seizes-four-firearms-in-bit-os_9.html#more

NPA seizes four firearms in Bit-os, Butuan

Omar Ibarra
Cesar Cayon Command - NPA-Northcentral Mindanao
August 7, 2012

An oversized platoon of the Cesar Cayon Command of the New People's Army ambushed two policemen riding a motorcycle in Brgy. Bit-os, Butuan City around 9:00 in the morning of August 6. PO2 Adonis Dumaboc was killed in action while PO2 Sergio Saragospe was wounded. The Red fighters seized two M16 rifles, two 9 mm pistols, ammo vests and some ammunition.

Even before their turn to guard the supposedly impounded logs in Amparo, these policemen were already regularly plying the Bit-os—Amparo route to extort from passing log transports. Persistent complaints of people engaged in the wood-based trade, made these policemen legitimate target of the NPA. On August 5, the NPA fighters were already lying in ambush for them. Their patrol car, with six policemen and two CAFGUs onboard, passed by the ambush position at the same day but the NPA postponed the intended military action because among those onboard were three civilians. The ambush succeeded because of the overwhelming support of the people who have long called for the end of these policemen's blatant daylight robbery.

Manual and carabao-loggers as well as small businessmen have long complained of the brazen extortion activities of the said policemen who were assigned at the pumping station of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in Bit-os. Only by sheer luck can those who pass by the Agusan River and the road linking Butuan City, Tungao and Las Nieves avoid extortion while passing through their checkpoints. For a long time, these thriving members of the crocodile species in Agusan River and on dry land were left unchecked, and they seem to be more ravenous than the real crocodile Lolong in bleeding dry the poor owners of falcatta, bay-ang, gemelina, mahogany and other planted tree species, whether they travel by the river or by the road. They have been accustomed with hefty bribes fed by log smugglers to ensure that the latter can carry on with their unhampered illegal business. Now that lumber is becoming scarce due to the denudation of our forests, the tight monitoring of reactionary government agencies on smugglers, and on top of all that, Pnoy's farcical declaration of a log ban, the small, poor loggers wittingly became convenient punching bags. Even legal businessmen have only to endure the rottenness of this system which has existed here for decades.

"SOP," "good morning," and "pangkape," has been the tradition of at least 40 crocodile checkpoints along the banks of Agusan River from Sabang Gibong, in La Paz, Agusan del Sur downstream to Butuan. In the entire towing course, loggers cannot in any way get away with each of the checkpoints of Army-CAA, PNP, LGU, NCIP, NBI, GSAC, "Bantay Kalikasan," Anti-Smuggling Task Force, PNP Maritime and DENR without feeding first the wide-mouthed crocodile. It is unfortunate for those who pass by without ready stuffed envelopes. They will have to face up to  warning shots if not  directly strafed and forced to dive the depths of Agusan for safety,  to be discovered with flawed papers, to be slapped with fabricated irregulaties, to be delayed at the checkpoint, and even for their transactions to fail altogether.

But every anti-people deed will sooner or later come to its end. The cry for justice of their victims will eventually be fulfilled. May this serve as a warning to many other extortionists to end their corrupt practices of victimizing the people. On the other hand, the victims should also assert their rights and use all workable means to oppose the extortion activities of these uniformed and armed personnel who earn their salaries from the people's taxes. They should embark on unified actions in making petitions, airing their complaints, and even filing lawsuits to the reactionary court. If the people will not act, these robbers will have nothing to fear. As our revolutionary commitment, The New People's Army is ever ready to support the people's united action and to defend the oppressed and exploited at all times.

At this juncture, before Mayor Amante even starts to castigate us, he should check if the 4,000 cubic meters of confiscated logs that Noynoy showcased in his SONA is still complete. Is he completely sure the crocodiles have not devoured the income from a part of the three-kilometer line? 

Omar Ibarra (sgd)
Spokesperson, CCC

PRWC Website

http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/



link: 

http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/2012/08/npa-seizes-four-firearms-in-bit-os_9.html#more

---

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------

From the Website of the OPPAP
links:  http://www.opapp.gov.ph/news/deles-named-ph-role-model-peace-intl-award-body

Deles named PH role model for peace by int'l award body

Manila, Aug. 2 – Secretary Teresita Quintos Deles was recently named as the Philippine’s “Role Model for Peace” by the Asia-based N-Peace Network, a multi-country network that supports the role of women in building and restoring peace.

From the four nominees in the country, Deles, who spearheads the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), obtained the highest online votes via the N-Peace Network’s website. Other nominees included former OPAPP head Anabelle Abaya, Mindanao Peoples’ Caucus Secretary General Mary Ann Arnado and Coalition of Mindanao Indigenous Peoples for Peace and Advocacy coordinator Beatriz Colmo.

Other women role models for peace were likewise named from Nepal, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, Indonesia and Afghanistan. Overall, 100 women in all six countries were nominated for the international award.

Now on its second year, the N-Peace Awards aim to “recognize the untiring efforts of women across its network countries, who have demonstrated capacity and experience in the field of conflict resolution and prevention and peace building.”

The online voting, which began in March and ended last July, served as a platform to identify and showcase the work of peace builders and women leaders in Asia. It also became a way to reach out and engage others in the peace campaign by way of sharing the stories of nominees through a social media platform.

A documentary on the awardees will be produced and shared online to highlight their work in preventing, resolving, and helping their country recover from the armed conflict.

Also receiving the award as role models for peace this year in their respective countries are Radha Paudel of Nepal; Rupika Damayanthi De Silva of Sri Lanka; Mana Lou of Timor-Leste; Suraiya Kamaruzzama of Indonesia; and a tie for Afghanistan that includes Farkhunda Zahra Naderi and Quhramaana Kakar.

Woman peace champion

Currently the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Deles was the first woman to be appointed to head the government agency which is mandated to oversee, coordinate, and integrate the implementation of the comprehensive peace process. It is a position she also held from 2003 to 2005 during the first term of the previous administration.

Under her leadership, the Philippines became the first country in Asia-Pacific to adopt a National Action Plan on United Nations Security Council resolution 1325 (Women, Peace and Security). Prior to being a peace adviser, she was actively involved in civil society and grassroots organizations that advance women’s rights, peace, and poverty alleviation.

Way back, she has been a student activist for human rights at the time of the First Quarter Storm.

Further, Deles made significant contributions in civil society and spearheaded non-government organizations. She is among the founders of PILIPINA, recognized as the first women’s organization in the country to espouse a “homegrown feminist” line.  She also helped form the Social Development Index, Coalition for Peace and Asian Women's Research and Action Network. Since the founding of the Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute in 1991 until 2001, she served as its executive director. Afterwards, she was appointed as the secretary of the National Anti-Poverty Commission. In 2006, after her first stint as peace adviser, Deles co-founded the International Center for Innovation, Transformation and Excellence in Governance (INCITEGov) where she served as managing trustee and focal trustee for peace and security sector governance issues.

Recognized for her accomplishments and contributions in various areas of leadership and governance, Deles was among the 1,000 women nominees for the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize; a recipient of the Aurora Aragon Quezon Peace Award for Peace Advocacy and Conflict Resolution; and The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service (TOWNS) award. In 2011, she received the Metrobank Professorial Chair for Public Service and Governance Award.

At present, she continues to be deeply involved in peace work as she leads OPAPP. Since the start of the year, Deles conveyed firmness to continue to toil in the search for peace. “The bottom line is that ending all internal armed conflicts in the country will not be easy, but it is something that we will not let go."

“The daily toil and toll of keeping and making peace can challenge even the most persevering among us.  It’s not an easy job to keep the parties to a conflict to be consistently committed to dialogue, and to keep reminding them until you are red in the face that there are other ways of resolving issues than just by force of arms. It is not easy, but we persevere, because our people cannot afford to suffer again and anymore.” #

OPPAP Website

http://www.opapp.gov.ph/


links:

http://www.opapp.gov.ph/news/deles-named-ph-role-model-peace-intl-award-body

---

PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

---

-------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------
-----------------------

NPA punishes North Cotabato notorious paramilitary bandit leader

From the Website of PRWC CPP/NPA/NDF
links:  http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/2012/07/npa-punishes-north-cotabato-notorious.html

NPA punishes North Cotabato notorious paramilitary bandit leader

Isabel Santiago

Herminio Alfonso Command, Front 53, NPA-Southern Mindanao

29 July 2012

  

Operatives from the Herminio Alfonso Command-Guerilla Front 53 Operations Command of the New People’s Army punished the notorious paramilitary leader Abantas Ansabo alias Kumander Ibon, who was responsible for various grave crimes against  humanity and banditry, July 27 at 6AM in Sitio Kiapat, Barangay Ganatan, Arakan, North Cotabato.  The NPA arrested and later released six of his armed minions/Cafgus including his vice commanding officer, and confiscated a Garand rifle and two shotgun rifles.

The NPA implemented the standing order following a decision for capital punishment recommended by a People’s Court which heard 11 cases of murder filed by various complainants from families and relatives of victims, and presented with solid evidence by numerous witnesses in the communities of Arakan in North Cotabato.  The People’s Court constituted by the organs of the People’s Democratic Government convicted Kumander Ibon for masterminding, collaborating with the fascist AFP and implementing, using excessive force, in various cases of grave crimes against humanity, to wit, the killing of 19 peasants and lumads in 11 cases of murder including the massacre of seven family members and gruesome hacking of two children.

Kumander Ibon was also greatly feared by the masses of Arakan for being involved in other crimes which did not necessarily warrant a capital punishment, to wit, three cases of frustrated murder, three cases of damage to property and slaughter of animals, five cases of theft and extortion, one case of arson, two cases of grave threat and coercion, and forced Cafgu recruitment.  

While Kumander Ibon was a long time prized possession of the AFP, his death ironically called by the 57th IB as “brutal,” the peasant and lumad masses in North Cotabato rejoiced for Kumander Ibon’s expedient demise, a revolutionary justice well deserved for the families of his victims and the long suffering communities.

The NPA’s latest punitive action is directed versus the AFP’s rabid, psywar backbone of the US-Aquino’s Oplan Bayanihan, responsible for coddling criminals and running dogs like Kumander Ibon.

The AFP financed and directed Kumander Ibon and his gang of criminals for its counterrevolutionary campaign in North Cotabato.  The AFP-Kumander Ibon-goons clique prevailed in sheer reign of terror versus civilians, pitted lumads and settlers in a proxy war, instigated quick money-making schemes and anti-social activities like banditry and drug trade, and employed excessive use of force under the cloak of non-combat “peace and development” charade, in direct contravention to the IHL and rules of war.  Thus, it is the height of hypocrisy for the 57th IB-602nd Brigade-6th Infantry Division-Eastern Mindanao Command-AFP to invoke human rights in the NPA’s death sentence; if the AFP’s criminal record, notwithstanding the anguish of the masses, truly speaks for itself.

Among Kumander Ibon’s last projects with the AFP included the forced recruitment of 30 lumads in Sitio Kiapat and Sitio Uwayunan in Barangay Ganatan, Barangay Mahungkog and Sitio Lubas in Barangay Amabel.

Documented in the investigation, pre-trial and trial phase in the People’s Court were the following cases attributed to Kumander Ibon and his minions, Rex Ansabo, a fugitive and Jun Ansabo:

Murder:   

1. Thomas Ygot – August 13, 2008;

2. Sopronio Asenjo – October 29, 2003;

3. Umbaya Anum – October 2003;

4. Faustino Amasing – May 1, 2010;

5. Jimmy Quilario – August 20, 2010;

6. Massacre of seven members of Alcontin family, including one child in Sitio Kilukag, Barangay Amabel;

7. Siblings Camino in Barangay Ganatan;

8. Main in Barangay Ganatan;

9. Tumoy in Uwayanon, Sitio Kiapat; 
10.  Quering brothers in Sitio Kiapat; 
11.  Hacking of two children in Meocan, Arakan.

Frustrated murder:

1. Shooting of Felix Gonzales on February 28, 2009 in Sitio Libungan, Barangay Mahongkog;

2. Strafing of the house of Gerardo Delgado and Reco Dumali on August 7, 2010 at 10 PM in Tagaytay and Purok 8;

3. Strafing of barangay police and Barangay Captain Acupan on August 10, 2010 in Sitio Tulay Mahongkog.

Damage to Property/Slaughter of Animals:

1. Slashing of water hose on May 8, 2011 in Malibatuan and Little Baguio;

2. Amputating and butchering of horse owned by Mario Elmo Canete on May 14, 2010 in Crossing Sled, Mahongkog;

3. Hacking of three pigs, a dog and destruction of properties owned by Jaime Elogsong on April 15, 2011.

Theft/Extortion:

1. Stealing of a horse owned by Ronilo Ansabo on June 22, 2010 in Tagaytay;

2. Stealing of chickens owned by Prado family in Purok 8, Tagaytay;

3. Stealing of two pigs and ducks owned by Amites Delgado on May 8, 2011;

4. Stealing of a horse owned by Vergie Cadungon on May 25, 2011; later it was paid for by the owner for a fee of P50,000.

Arson:

1. Burning of a house owned by Amites Delgado on May 8, 2011.  

 

(Sgd) Isabel Santiago

Spokesperson

Herminio Alfonso Command

Guerilla Front 53 Operations Command

New People’s Army-Southern Mindanao

PRWC Website

http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/



links: 

http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/2012/07/npa-punishes-north-cotabato-notorious.html

---

PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

---

----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------
-------------

From the Website of MILF
links:  http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2760:army-operation-in-basilan-uncoordinated-milf-says&catid=31:general&Itemid=41

Army operation in Basilan uncoordinated, MILF says

August 3, 2012 News – The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) categorically denied any coordination made by the government authorities on the operation against alleged members of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) last July 26, 2012.

A leader of MILF based in Basilan made the clarification in reaction to claim of Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin that Commander Dan Asnawi was “informed” of the operation against alleged ASG members.

“Brother Hadji Dan has been a target of government operations in Basilan despite the effective ceasefire between the government and MILF, and it is totally unbelievable that he will be informed by government authorities of operations against ASG,” he said.

“There is no direct communication line to Hadji Dan by any military officer. The military had been running after Brother Dan and definitely he will not be informed of military operation,” he added.

Sec Gazmin had pinned down MILF’s commander involvement during the clash between the Philippine Army troops and ASG members at Upper Cabengbeng in Sumisip, Basilan last July 26, 2012.

According to reports, 10 government soldiers died during that encounter and eight fatalities on the side of ASG.

“We have filed a protest [before the ceasefire panels]. We have sent a letter of protest because of the involvement of one MILF commander,” Gazmin said in a press briefing.

Sought for comment, the MILF Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) said the government operations against ASG should be coordinated through the GPH and MILF Adhoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) and subsequently the AHJAG will coordinate with MILF.

“That operation was not coordinated with MILF CCCH,” Said Shiek, MILF CCCH Chairman, said.

“We could have properly informed Brother Dan and not the government if our counterpart with the government had coordinated the operation,” he said.

“The government did not observe the established coordination protocol in this case constituting blatant disregard and infraction of the ceasefire accord,” Shiek said.

“If the government really wanted to coordinate then coordination should have been undertaken through the CCCH so we can be true to upholding the primacy of the peace process and the ceasefire,” he said.

The problem there is rido which the government military should not have been involved.

Accordingly, the operation was conducted by security group of a rubber plantation based in Sumisip against individuals who are in conflict with them over land conflict situated within the rubber plantation.

The military troops backed up instead of stopping the security troops from conducting operations individuals they are in conflict of.

“Why reinforced the individuals identified with the security group of a plantation engaged in feud. The government soldiers should not take side in either party to a feud,” he said.

Initiatives to resolved the land conflict should have been undertaken and supported instead of the military taking side.

The MILF leader in Basilan asked Sec Voltaire to not point any blame against MILF or it commander on what happened in Simisip.

“There was no coordination, so do not put the blame to MILF and Brother Dan,” he said.

MILF Website

http://www.luwaran.com/home/



links: 

http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2760:army-operation-in-basilan-uncoordinated-milf-says&catid=31:general&Itemid=41

---

PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

---

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------
---------------------------
-------------