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Army troops kill BIFF training officer in Maguindanao clash
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews / 25 March) – Philippine Army troops killed an alleged ranking member of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) during an encounter in Maguindanao del Sur last Friday. Brig. General Jose Vlademir Cagara, commander of the Army’s 1st Brigade Combat team, said troops killed Abu Halil, a training officer of the […].....»»
Davao City’s top shabu dealer slain in police operation
Policemen shot dead an uncooperative narcotics trafficker who is in the list of most wanted shabu and marijuana peddlers in Davao City in an entrapment operation that went awry on Saturday......»»
Businesswoman shot dead in Kidapawan City
Two men riding a motorcycle together shot dead a businesswoman along a busy street in Kidapawan City in Cotabato province on Saturday morning......»»
4 Army soldiers killed in Maguindanao ambush
4 Army soldiers killed in Maguindanao ambush.....»»
11 NPA rebels face raps over ambush of troops
The Department of Justice has recommended the filing of charges for violation of the Anti-Terrorism Act against 11 New People’s Army rebels in connection with the ambush of Army soldiers in Occidental Mindoro last year......»»
2 soldiers killed in Lanao Sur ambush
ILIGAN CITY (MindaNews / 4 January)—Two soldiers from the Army’s 51st Infantry Battalion were killed in an ambush in Lanao del Sur on Wednesday by suspected members of the Dawlah Islamiya-Maute Group, the military said. A press statement from the Deputy Public Affairs Office (DPAO) of the 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division said three enlisted personnel […].....»»
2 soldiers killed in ambush in southern Philippines
MANILA, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Suspected extremists have killed two soldiers in an ambush in Lanao del Norte province in the southern Philippines, a military general said on Thursday. Major General Gabriel Viray, the commander of an army infantry division, said at least six members of the Islamic militant group Dawlah Islamiya attacked a team of three soldiers aboard two motorcycles while heading back to a military.....»»
2 soldiers killed in ambush in southern Philippines
MANILA, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Suspected extremists have killed two soldiers in an ambush in Lanao del Norte province in the southern Philippines, a military general said on Thursday. Major General Gabriel Viray, the commander of an army infantry division, said at least six members of the Islamic militant group Dawlah Islamiya attacked a team of three soldiers aboard two motorcycles while heading back to a military.....»»
2 Army intel agents killed in Lanao Norte ambush
Two Army intelligence operatives were killed in an ambush in Munai, Lanao del Norte on Wednesday......»»
2 Army plainclothes agents killed in Lanao del Norte ambush
Gunmen killed two Army intelligence agents in an ambush on Wednesday afternoon in a secluded area in Barangay Lininding in Munai, Lanao del Norte......»»
New mission: BuCor reform
Following his tenure as chief of staff in the Armed Forces of the Philippines in 2015, retired four-star General Gregorio Pio Catapang chose to settle in Pampanga. Here, he embraced a simpler life as a farmer, relishing in the delights of native chicken, fresh produce, and the serene natural surroundings. “I am an environmentalist, so I decided to stay in Arayat, Pampanga, to be a farmer upon my retirement in October 2015, and I prayed, ‘Lord, it has been mission accomplished, so give me a new mission,’” Catapang narrated. The former military chief, the AFP’s 45th from July 2014 to 2015, is not a stranger to close encounters with mortality. Throughout his extensive service in the Philippine Army, from graduating from the Philippine Military Academy in 1981, he has endured several clashes with enemies, even more than one could count with the fingers. He held major positions in the AFP as commander of the 2nd Infantry Division — the Army’s largest unit, 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division, 703 Infantry Brigade, and 28th Infantry Brigade, among others. He also served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, J3, of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. His rise to prominence was not without hitches because he barely survived nine brushes with death. His strong faith in the Lord enabled him to be alive today. “The first incident that I encountered that almost ended my life was when I fell from the second floor of our house when I was just a kid; the second was when I was in the field where a provincial bus liner rammed the car I was in,” Catapang said. He was airlifted from Basa Airbase to V. Luna General Hospital and eventually transferred to Quezon City Medical City as he continued to bleed due to his severe injuries. “The doctor told me not to sleep because I might turn into a coma. So I fight on as the doctors continue to treat me,” he added. While still recovering, with his facial wounds still not yet fully healed, he was called by his commander to report back to work. “Nakangiwi pa ako dahil sa sugat (I was still grimacing in pain), but as a soldier, I followed the order, and that was then I realized that he was teaching me how to become chief of staff,” Catapang said, adding that as a good soldier, he had to endure the pain. He recalled that a chopper ride in the mountains of Cagayan also nearly took his life as it flew at 1,000 feet and traveled 18 knots. “The chopper is already old. I just have to make the sign of the cross as the chopper made a low-altitude flight due to poor visibility. We plunged downward, and I thought it was the end for me. But thankfully, the chopper normalized, and we safely landed,” he said. While in a restaurant in Angeles, Pampanga, Catapang said he was informed that NPA (New People’s Army) rebels would ambush him. “We ate at a chicken restaurant in Angeles and received information that I would be ambushed on returning to our camp. It was retaliation for the death of eight commanders of the NPA after movement patterns were detected based on information from barangay chairpersons,” he said. He cannot forget, too, that during the Pinatubo eruption in 1991, the roof of the building they were occupying collapsed due to the accumulated volcanic ash. Catapang, named after two generals — Gregorio del Pilar and Pio del Pilar — led his soldiers in helping the indigenous peoples in the area, giving them food, clothing, and other necessities. “The natives very loved us because of that,” he added. He said he is thankful to have emerged victorious and alive from the all-out war against Muslim secessionists in Mindanao. It almost ended his life, but he survived with solid faith in the Lord. Throughout his life, he consistently believed that prayers are always answered, particularly when reciting the rosary. Proof was when he fervently prayed to the Lord to allow him to marry his first girlfriend, and his request was granted. He married Maria Lourdes and has three children. Catapang’s early life lacked the excitement it later encompassed. He was a typical teenager. He attended high school at the Claret School of Quezon City. Shortly after graduating from PMA, he pursued graduate courses at the University of the Philippines. He is the second of four children of Gregorio Catapang Sr., a lawyer for the Securities and Exchange Commission, and Lourdes Punzalan, an accountant at the Department of Finance, from whom he learned the value of public service. As a military officer, Catapang rallied the troops to strictly adhere to the AFP’s slogan of “Kawal DISIPLINADO, bawal ABUSADO, dapat ASINTADO” — three key words that spell out the Do’s and DON’T’s to become proficient in fire and maneuver and avoid collateral damage; be respectful of human rights, adhere to international humanitarian law and the rule of law, and the rules of engagement. Catapang moved on with his career and retirement life, carrying an excellent performance standard, exemplary leadership and a keen vision. Answered post-retirement prayer After retiring from active military service spanning 34 years, he received a divine blessing through a new mission. Following seven years of working as a farmer, he experienced a life-altering moment on the evening of October 19, 2021. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla gave him an offer to lead the Bureau of Corrections. Unaware of the challenges that awaited him within the BuCor, especially at the New Bilibid Prison, he accepted the offer. It was only later that he discovered the appalling issues of corruption among the prison staff and the dire condition of the overcrowded facilities. Under the guidance of Secretary Remulla, Catapang’s mission to reform the BuCor is yielding positive results. They are actively organizing culminating activities to release eligible individuals who have been deprived of their liberty. To alleviate the overcrowding in the jail facilities, the BuCor is actively organizing and implementing various reforms. The main goal is to transfer all persons deprived of liberty from the maximum security compound of the NBP to new facilities outside of Metro Manila. Catapang is confident plans will come to fruition, as they have already presented their long-term reform plan to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for approval. “At present, the reformation of BuCor is in full swing. I am confident we will accomplish and make things happen,” he said. The NBP, he said, is undergoing a significant transformation. The plan is to shut down the NBP in Muntinlupa and repurpose the area into a new business district similar to Bonifacio Global City in the southern part of Metro Manila. Explaining the reason behind the decision, he said high-end residential communities surround the current location of the NBP in Muntinlupa. To align with the surrounding environment, the intention is to close down the NBP and relocate all inmates to regional jail facilities nationwide. Catapang shared plans to dedicate eight hectares of land within the NBP to improve the living conditions of the settlers and provide them with opportunities for reintegration into society. “We will build condominium units for the settlers at the NBP, complete with amenities like a swimming pool, multipurpose facilities, and the like. Repair of residential houses is no longer possible, including power lines, so we decided to allocate the lands for them,” he added. The government will optimally use the land area by developing it into a business and government center, aligning with the DoJ’s plan. To support the food security initiatives of the President, he said they have already started the cultivation of approximately 10 hectares of land at the Iwahig Penal Colony. The aim is to grow rice and high-yield crops, contributing to the government’s long-term food security plans. “Hopefully, this will be done also to other penal farms of BuCor because we have ample lands for cultivation,” Catapang said. For the BuCor Director General who refused to be defined by limitations and setbacks, the relentless spirit and passion for reforms radiate triumphs against the most formidable odds. The post New mission: BuCor reform appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Soldier dead, companion hurt in Maguindanao Norte ambush
Gunmen killed an Army sergeant and wounded another in an ambush in a busy stretch of the Cotabato-Davao Highway in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte at noontime Friday......»»
Army exec survives ambush
An Army officer survived an ambush in Trece Martires City in Cavite on Tuesday night......»»
Red-tagged individuals have only themselves to blame
These human rights groups and activists have been haranguing the government for every perceived action that threatens their democratic space or their existence as an organization. They are always at the forefront, slamming the government and its officials who do not conform to their progressive and radical views. They rev up people into a frenzy and rally them against certain policies and programs that will neutralize the revolutionary activities of the armed left and its front organizations. They organize protest marches and rallies and call on the people to reject government initiatives to eradicate the more than 50-year-old communist urgency, like the establishment of the NTF-ELCAC, which has successfully stopped the resurrection of the communist rebels. The NTF-ELCAC is an ingenious program commenced in the previous Duterte administration, institutionalizing the government’s “whole of nation” approach in confronting the ongoing communist rebellion and against groups that are front organizations of the Communist Party of the Philippines or CPP. The socio-economic program of the NTF-ELCAC at the barangay level succeeded in dismantling the communist hold on the depressed and neglected barangays. It led to hundreds of NPAs surrendering and returning to the law’s fold. These left-leaning individuals and aggregations exhibit their nationalist pretensions by embroiling themselves with national issues related to the people’s needs and sufferings, picturing themselves as victims of human rights violations committed allegedly by the government against them. They use social media to whip up support for them and use compelling political propaganda subjects like alleged summary killings, unlawful arrests, tortures, and harassment of political activists and progressive groups. Their comrades in Congress who managed to be elected have become effective political mouthpieces against the government. They are good at using the mass media, which is just too happy to accommodate them to boost their sales. Some have infiltrated the government bureaucracy and used their positions and offices to advance their political ideologies in the guise of good government. They have been successful, too, in recruiting young students of impressionable minds to embrace their causes, who end up either young NPA rebels, leading student activists, or dead resulting from government clashes with government troops. These self-proclaimed nationalists have peppered the air with accusations of extrajudicial killings against the government and have defended suspected terrorists and subversives when arrested and prosecuted. They readily proclaim their innocence. They have taken the cudgels of citizens murdered by common criminals or political warlords — but they are deathly silent when the communist armed rebels waylay, ambush, and murderously assault military men and women as well as civilians engaged in humanitarian missions during the occurrence of natural disasters. Even when they are confronted with this telling inconsistency and dared to condemn these terrorist atrocities, these leftists remain tight-lipped. They have never condemned the New People’s Army for its terroristic and undemocratic activities. Given this implied but glaring support to the enemies of the state by their deafening silence, can we reasonably accuse the government officials of classifying or describing them as supporters of the NPA or closeted members of the armed rebellion? Certainly not. They have only themselves to blame for being tagged as red supporters. Why should they be afraid, ashamed, or embarrassed to be called communists or communist supporters? The Anti-Subversion Law, where being a member of the CPP is a crime, has long been repealed. So why the fear or shame of being called a communist advocate or supporter? These democratic pretenders must unclothe themselves of their camouflage and join the parliamentary struggle. They should publicly articulate the virtues of communism against democracy and seek elective posts based on their true ideological selves. They should not use the Bill of Rights to undermine the authority of the constituted authorities, remaining as secret enemies of democracy while masquerading as its champions. It is about time they unmask themselves and be proud of their ideological beliefs. They should put an end to their pretense. They should be principled enough to present themselves as ideologues of communism — own to their loyalty to such ideology — and profess it publicly. Let the people judge who — and what they are — and not what they pretend to be. The post Red-tagged individuals have only themselves to blame appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
5 Philippine militiamen dead, 3 wounded in ambush by rebels
MANILA, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Five Philippine government militiamen were killed and three others wounded in an ambush on Friday morning by suspected New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Quezon province, southeast of Manila, a military spokesperson said. Dennis Cana, spokesperson of the military's Southern Luzon Command said the attack occurred around 7:00 a.m. local time while the government forces were on patrol in.....»»
AFP, PNP nab top suspect in Gov. Adiong ambush
The joint operatives of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police on Thursday arrested the primary suspect in the ambush of Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr. that killed his driver and three police escorts on 17 February. The 42-year-old suspect, identified as Lomala Baratumo, alias “Commander Lomala”, was arrested at a checkpoint in Sitio Morales, Barangay Centrala, Surallah, South Cotabato on 25 May. Col. Andre Santos, 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade Commander, said the Joint Task Force Central of the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry “Kampilan” Division and the PNP have been working together since February to locate the suspect. According to the Kampilan Division, Baratumo has a standing warrant of arrest for murder and is tagged as the fifth most wanted person in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. He was also one of the most wanted persons in Lanao del Sur. The alleged mastermind of the ambush, identified as Oscar Tacmar Capal Gandawali, leader of the Gandawali private armed group, was killed in an encounter with police officers earlier this month. South Cotabato Provincial Police Office temporarily took custody of Baratumo pending his turnover to the Lanao del Sur Provincial Police Office. The post AFP, PNP nab top suspect in Gov. Adiong ambush appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
VP Sara: We defeated the ‘devil’
DAVAO CITY — Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday admitted that she avoided mentioning the New People’s Army which she regards as the “devil’s name”, but has only realized the need to speak about it to defeat them. “We needed to speak of the devil if only to defeat the devil. And we did,” she said in her speech during the Davao City’s first anniversary as an insurgency-free city. “But speak of the devil not with fear but with the resolve, the bravery, the tenacity of real patriots determined to defend our fellow Filipinos, particularly our children, and our homeland.” The Vice President clarified that she avoided mentioning the “devil’s name” in order not to dignify its presence or acknowledge the monstrosity of its terrorist acts over the past 53 years. “I thought that mentioning ‘New People’s Army’ added more air into their swollen state of madness and encouraged them to unleash more destruction and death and string another cycle of violence for the people to suffer from,” Duterte said. She recounted the terrorism perpetrated by the NPA which includes the death of a four-month-old girl in Talakag, Bukidnon, following an NPA ambush in November 2016 and the death of a vendor who died five days after falling into a coma after he was hit by a landmine that the NPA detonated in Mandug here in May 2017. “The threat of a terror group like the NPA to the lives of Filipinos, the future of our children, and our most cherished democratic ideals are real. Let us look back at Paquibato when it was still under the shadows of the NPA,” Duterte said. She added that during that time, most children were not getting enough nutrition and many were out of school — a vulnerability exploited by the NPA for recruitment. “There was a scarcity of government services and basic infrastructure because Paquibato was an NPA territory and this made the people more miserable,” Duterte said. The post VP Sara: We defeated the ‘devil’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Indonesia searches for missing soldiers
Indonesian forces on Tuesday were searching for four soldiers who went missing last week after a deadly rebel ambush in Papua, the country's military chief said. The missing troops were part of the search for Phillip Mark Mehrtens, a pilot with Indonesian airline Susi Air, who was taken in February by armed separatists at Nduga airport in Papua. They were on their way to the pilot's location in the hilly Nduga region on Saturday when rebels started shooting at them, Indonesian military chief Yudo Margono said. "We had received information on the whereabouts of the kidnapped pilot. We hoped that together with local people... we could establish communication and negotiate for the pilot's release," Margono told reporters in the Papuan city of Timika. "That's what we hoped (for), but rebels shot at us when we were trying to reach the location." One soldier was killed in the ambush, and the military was searching for the four troops still missing, he added. The military has not identified the rebel group responsible for the ambush, but the West Papua National Liberation Army — the militant wing of Papua's main separatist group — has claimed it. TPNPB said it had killed at least 13 Indonesian soldiers in the attack, but Margono dismissed that as a "hoax". AFP cannot independently verify claims from either side due to the remoteness of the location. The rebels have previously demanded that Indonesia recognize Papuan independence in exchange for the pilot. TPNPB has called on New Zealand and the United Nations to stop Indonesian military operations in the area. Indonesia maintains a heavy military presence in resource-rich but underdeveloped Papua to quell a long-running separatist insurgency. A former Dutch colony, Papua declared independence in 1961, but neighboring Indonesia took control two years later, promising an independence referendum. The subsequent vote in favor of remaining a part of Indonesia was widely considered a sham. The post Indonesia searches for missing soldiers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Solons seek contingency plan for Taiwan OFWs
Senators on Monday urged the government to provide a contingency plan for overseas Filipino workers in Taiwan as a precautionary measure in case the geopolitical tension between Beijing and Taipei further worsens. Senator Francis Tolentino suggested that a simulation of the evacuation of more than 150,000 OFWs in Taiwan should be part of the country’s Balikatan Exercises. “I advise the head of the Balikatan Gaming Exercise — Philippine side — to include in their practice next year how we evacuate [OFWs] using ships from Taiwan to Cagayan or Batanes in case —for contingency,” Tolentino said in an ambush interview. He pointed out that sea evacuation is the most feasible type of evacuation plan to quickly repatriate OFWs working in Taiwan following a report from The Washington Post that the self-ruled island is “highly vulnerable” to air attack from China’s People’s Liberation Army-Air Force and “is unlikely to thwart Chinese military air superiority in a cross-strait conflict.” The vice-chairperson of the Senate Committee on National Defense also said that the participation of commercial vessels in the evacuation simulation should be also considered to hasten the repatriation of affected OFWs in case a full-scale conflict between Beijing and Taipei escalates along the Taiwan Strait. Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero echoed the same sentiments, adding that the government should have contingency plans for every country that hosts Filipinos. “That should be given for every country where we have OFWs. Being prepared for any contingency is part of the readiness that our embassies and consulates should always be ready to do,” Escudero said in a statement. ‘Proactive’ Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva underscored that the national government’s policies must remain proactive, particularly when dealing with OFWs’ safety and security. “We expect the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to act now and come up with a contingency or a safety and security plan which include repatriation, relocation and reintegration to prepare our OFWs in case of any eventuality, natural or otherwise,” Villanueva said. “We have included repatriation and reintegration programs in the DMW act, which we principally authored and sponsored, to ensure readiness and quick response to such contingencies,” he added. He also said the safety of OFWs should be the country’s top priority not only in Taiwan but to every Filipino abroad. “The government needs to assure that all concerned agencies are doing everything they can to ensure that the rights of all OFWs, not only those in Taiwan but all our kababayans abroad, are well protected and their welfare is on their top priority,” he said. Senator Jinggoy Estrada also said at the government must exhaust all means to ensure the safety of OFWs in Taiwan. “It would be prudent on the part of the government to always have contingency plans for Filipinos living and working not only in Taiwan but anywhere in the world if evacuation is needed,” Estrada said in a statement. “I do not see anything wrong if we will prepare for unwanted scenarios while we are hoping that diplomacy and dialogue between Taiwan and China will prevail,” he added. China considers Taiwan, an ally of the United States, as part of its territory, to be retaken one day -- by force, if necessary. Last week, Beijing conducted a three-day live-fire drills near Taiwan, in response to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen’s recent trip to the United States. Earlier this day, Manila Economic and Cultural Office Chair Silvestre Bello III said the 158,410 Filipinos in Taiwan are “well protected” on the island nation. The post Solons seek contingency plan for Taiwan OFWs appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Army condemns NPA attack that killed 2 soldiers in Albay
LEGAZPI CITY - Two soldiers of the Philippine Army's 31st Infantry Battalion died in an ambush perpetrated by suspected communist-terrorist group (CTG) members while buying supplies for a search and rescue mission in Albay province on Monday.In a report on Tuesday, Capt. Frank Roldan, 9th In.....»»