Saturday, December 21, 2024

Tag: NPA

Php 1.76-M aid released to former rebels, CAFGU in Bukidnon

Posted on by cmn

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon (Jan. 17) – A total of Php1,760,000 has been released to former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) and CAFGU members on January 14 and 15, the military said.

The distribution of financial aid spearheaded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Office 10 was held at the Headquarters of the 88th Infantry “Maringal” Battalion at Purok 10, Brgy. South Poblacion, Maramag, Bukidnon.

Each of the 63 former rebels has received P10,000 while each of the 226 Civilian Active Auxiliaries were given P5,000.

All of them were also given Family Relief Food Packs from DSWD 10.

Mari-Flor A. Dollaga, regional director of DSWD 10, Brig. General Ferdinand T. Barandon, 403rd Infantry Brigade commander and Lt. Col. Christian James P. Vingno, commanding officer of 88IB graced the simple hand-over ceremony on January 14 held at 88IB Headquarters.

NPA top leader ‘Ka Oris’ slain in Impasug-ong

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MALAYBALAY CITY (31 October 2021) – ‘Ka Oris”, a top leader of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) who has PhP 7.8 million bounties was killed in a clash with Army troops in Sitio Gabunan, Brgy. Dumalaguing, Impasugong, Bukidnon on October 30. the military says.

Major General Romeo S. Brawner Jr, commander of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, confirmed the information to the media in a press conference held at the Function Hall inside Camp Osito D. Bahian in the city on October 31.

He said Jorge Madlos alias Ka Oris, was among two casualties in a 30-minute encounter between soldiers and the NPA guerrillas in an inhabited and mountainous area in Impasug-ong town.

Maj. Gen. Brawner identified the other casualty as Eighfel Dela Pena alias Pika/Maui, communications and medical staff of Ka Oris. He said both died due to gunshot wounds.

He said the 403rd Infantry Brigade of the 4ID launched combined combat operations at around 12:30 a.m. on October 30 in response to the information from the community about the presence of the armed group.

He said the joint army units were composed of the 8th Infantry Battalion, the 1st Special Forces Battalion, 88IB, a Scout Ranger company, and the Philippine Air force based in Cagayan de Oro City.

The 4ID commander described Ka Oris as a longtime spokesperson of the National Democratic Front (NDF) in Mindanao and commander and spokesperson of the National Operational Command of the NPA nationwide. He said Ka Oris was also a member of the communist Central Committee – EXECOM-Politburo and husband of Myrna Sularte alias Maria Malaya, the secretary of North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC).

Brig. Gen. Ferdinand T. Barandon, commander of 403rd IB said the position of Ka Oris was fortified with anti-personnel mines (APM).

He said they requested close air support and dropped six bombs in the positions of Ka Oris and his group.

Brig. Gen. Barandon said they recovered an M14 rifle, a KG9 rifle, and ammunition of different caliber, other material, and assorted personal belongings.

Brawner said Ka Oris is facing multiple criminal cases such as robbery with double homicide and damage to properties, multiple murder, double frustrated murder, arson, kidnapping, and others.

On October 31, the National Democratic Front’s (NDF-NEMR) confirmed Madlos was killed by the military but claimed he and his medic were ambushed while onboard a motorcycle Friday night while heading towards the national highway from the Poblacion of Impasug-ong. The statement was signed by Ka Maria Malaya, NDF-NEMR spokesperson and wife of Ka Oris.

In a Mindanews report, Brawner reacted to the NDF’s statement.

“It is not the AFP’s tactics to ambush unarmed combatants especially if they are onboard a motorcycle. Also, on the allegation that there was no actual encounter, the people in the communities around can attest that they heard the sound of gunfire and the sound of airplanes and helicopters on October 30, 2021,” Major Gen. Brawner said.

NPA IP family of 3 surrender to Army in Bukidnon

Posted on by cmn

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (06 Oct. 2021) – A family of three belonging to an indigenous peoples (IP) group who joined the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to the Army’s 88th Infantry Battalion (88IB) in Bukidnon on Oct. 4.

The report was released by the Army on Tuesday afternoon (October 5) identified the surrenderers as Man Oloron, 56, an NPA “political guide,” and his wife Nili Salobo, 55, together with their 11-year-old son.

The 88IB’s Alfa Company confiscated from them one carbine rifle, with one magazine, and nine live ammunition in Sitio Malantao, Barangay Halapitan, San Fernando, Bukidnon, during their surrender.

Their surrender was the result of the unit’s continued campaign against communist armed groups in the mountainous areas of Pantaron Mountain Ranges, covering Malaybalay City, San Fernando, and Cabanglasan towns in Bukidnon.

Oloron said they joined the NPA after the communist group promised them a better life.
The couple’s son was turned over to the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office of San Fernando, Bukidnon to undergo an interview and stress debriefing.

Lt. Col. Christian James P. Vingno, 88IB’s commander, said the continuous recruitment of children-soldiers and exploitation of IP communities is a clear violation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

“The comprehensive conduct of Community Support Program (CSP) and the focused military operation of government troops have been instrumental in the rapid disintegration of the NPA formation. This is a clear indicator that we are near to ending this 52-year of local communist armed conflict,” he said.

The 88IB has already coordinated with the police as it plans to file an IHL violation case against the NPA for recruiting minors.

“I am also calling the attention of all the parents, let us monitor our children from being recruited by the NPAs,” Vingno said.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

3 female NPA regulars surrender in Maramag

Posted on by cmn

MALAYBALAY CITY (April 5) – Three female minors of Manobo Tribe who were recruited and became regular members of the New People’s Army (NPA) voluntarily surrendered to the army’s 88th Infantry “Maringal” Battalion at Purok10, Brgy. South Poblacion, Maramag, Bukidnon on April 1, the military said.

The 88IB in its Facebook post said the minors were identified as Alias Anika, 16, Alias Jasmin, 17, and Alias Saylyn, 16.

They were all members of Platoon 3 of Coy Malayag led by Alias Migs/Ho/Kim Banawan of Sub-Regional Command 2 (SRC2), North Central Mindanao Regional Command (NCMRC).

Alias Anika and Alias Jasmin are residents of Sitio Kasilaan, Brgy. Nala, while Alias Saylyn is from Sitio Alimpulos, Brgy. Cawayan – all from San Fernando, Bukidnon.

Alias Saylyn in vernacular said she was recruited when she was still 15 years old because of his father, who was also a fulltime NPA member. She said she experienced hardships and hunger with them (NPA).

“I thought my life would be better off joining the group, but my life was getting worse. We keep on walking in the mountains even without food just to keep away from the soldiers,” Alias Saylyn said.

LT. Col. Franklin F. Fabic, commanding officer of 88IB, welcomed the surrenderees who turned their backs from the CPP-NPA.

“To all the parents, please take good care and monitor the activities of your children. To all the youth, don’t be a victim of these wrong communist ideology; it will waste your life. We will help these minors to file a case against the perpetrators in court specifically on the recruitment of children under the age of 18 years old into an armed force or group other than the national armed forces under Sec 4c (24ii) of RA 9851 (Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law (IHL), Genocide and other Crimes Against Humanity) and other violation of laws.” LTC. Fabic said.

AFP, PNP urge Bukidnon bizmen to report NPA extortion activities

Posted on by cmn

IMPASUG-ONG, Bukidnon (Jan. 28/PIA) — Military and police authorities have urged businesses in Bukidnon province to report immediately any extortion schemes set up by the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

In a meeting in Malaybalay City on Jan. 21 with business owners under the Bukidnon Lateral Organized for Development (BukLOD), the Army’s 8th Infantry Battalion (8IB) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) jointly presented a diagram on what to do if they receive a threat or demand for “revolutionary tax” from the NPA.

The diagram serves as a guide on preventing extortion and the best ways to respond to it. It illustrates the process of reporting and all other approaches in dealing with the extortionists.

The NPAs demand money from businesses through force or threat to finance their terroristic activities. They (NPA) called this “Revolutionary Tax.”

Lt. Col. Ronald Illana, 8IB commanding officer, said the NPA’s extortion activities have been the main problem of the government contractors as it delayed the completion of infrastructure projects in the province.

“We are urging everybody to help us stop the finance of the NPA by reporting and preserving all calls, text messages, and CCTV’s images because we need them to identify the suspects, report it to the nearest Army and PNP offices,” Illana said.
BukLOD president Doy Lopez, likewise, has called on the 21 members of his business group requesting them to display a tarpaulin on their establishments showing the “extortion guide,” including the police and military hotlines to stir awareness among its employees and the public.

BukLOD is a group of business companies organized since 2015 to help the province in realizing its vision for a stable and comfortable life.

“Being the president of this organization, I am encouraging everybody to help our Army and PNP. Do not be afraid to report and cooperate with them. It’s not only the NPAs who are doing extortion but there are other criminal groups and individuals also,” Lopez said. (8IB, PA/PIA)