The NPA's Front 4A, Cesar Cayon Command, was for the last couple of years on a steady downward trajectory. Sublimated to one of Mindanao's weakest Regional Committees, the NCMRC, or Northcentral Mindanao Regional Committee, that clear decline represented a solid military victory...at least that is what the Philippine Government would have people believe. With the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP in shorthand) handing over command and control of COIN (Counterinsurgency) Operations to Provincial Governments in two Region 10 provinces- Camiguin amd Misamis Oriental- smack dab in the middle of the NCMRC AOR (as in "Area of Responsibility"), the Government propaganda was almost believable.
Then, beginning in July of 2011, the AFP's 4ID (Infantry Division) began making precision slices on Front 4A as it began to actual dissect that vulnerable Front, limb by limb. On July 6th the 58IB (Infantry Battalion) began scouring the municipality of Buenavista's Barangay Sangay, sector by sector, as it was hard on the scent of a rumored complex that was then serving as Front 4A's main camp in Agusan del Norte. Upon reaching Sitio Lower Malanay the AGP hit th motherlode; Two inter-connected camps capable of comfortably housing 250 guerillas was discovered sitting well concealed in a stretch of malarial swampland. A short but uneventful firefight led to the capture of the complex. As is so often the case however, there wasnt a guerilla within kilometers of the umuch lauded "base camp."
Then came October 6th, and with it a spectacular NPA assault on yet another province that had been handed to a provincial government by a highly self-aggrandised 4ID. The province of Surigao del Norte's municipality of Claver, home to significant foreign mining interests. Anywhere one finds foreign owned business interests carting off Mindanao's hardscrabble patrimony, "Revolutionary Taxes" and the self-serving hypoctotical pansies in the NPA who collect them are never far behind. Companies are almost always given a six month window between the tendering of unsucessful demands and the implementation of a violent "example." In this case the victim of this corporate strong arming was a Japanese multinational mining outfit, the Sumitomo Corporation.
The Claver operation was monumental from both a publicity AND a financial point of view. Given the well over a Billion Peso price tag and the media's having seized upon the NPA having temporarily abducted a large group of prospective Japanese investors, it did not take any real skill to predict that the AFP would relentlessly pursue the NPA elements involved. Never mind that it was undertaken by three other NPA Fronts- 20, 21 and 30), but it was not even witht n the NCMRC. The attack was a product of the NEMRC, or Northeast Mindana Regional Committee). Yet it was Front 4A that bore the brunt of the withering assault by both the Philippine National Police, or PNP, and an extraordinarily massive air and land assault by the AFP slash PAF, the last acronym of course being the Philippine Air Force. Pushed out of the NCMRC's AOR, Front 4A, operating in true NPA textbook fashion, hugged provincial border nexuses, to allow great ease in moving to and from, and in between provincial border convergances. While the PNP does have enteties- such as its PROs, aka Police Regional Offices, and DIPOs- or Directorates of Integrated Police Operations, the AFP is hemmed in by gradations in AOR, at best it operates within a system of concentric circles that are all adversely effected by he man/macho man infighting and turf wars that effect most any male.dominated entity. The net result og course, since the PNP,merely operates at the pleasure of the AFP vis a vis avOIN Operations, is that the NPA exploites these territorial flaws on governance.
As the post-Claver sweeps and scourings continued,
Front 4A's Secretary, or leader, a veteran of the Mindanao bush wars, Ricardo Malanili, usually known by his nom de guerre "Ka Joker," pulled his force into the AOR of the much stronger NEMRC, the Regional Commitee that covers all of Caraga and a pinch of the Davao Region. NEMRC assisted the Front on re-positioning itself in the municipality pf Esperaunza, in Agusan del Sur Province
It was in Esperanza's Barangay Calabuan, an NPA baliwick in the hills above Agusan Marsh, that Ka Joker began to feel safe. Perhaps it was this false sense of security that allowed the AFP to come calling on October 6th, 2011 without much resostance. In just a few moments, Ka Joker and four of his guerillas were dead and the rest of Front 4A, hustling through rough hewn jungle trails to pre-arranged rendevoux points, and later still met up with Fronts operating in less volatile sectors. An easy way to conceptualise the NPA modus operandi is to envision both a tactical AND a tactical shell game im which the path of least resistance is always the right path.
Though the NPA tried engaging in a bit of amateurish PSYOPs (Psychological Propaganda Operations), denying that Ka Joker had in fact never been killed and that the AFP had merely.stumbled upon an old abandoned camp previously used by Ka Joker and his Front 4A, the truth was soon undeniable as the man's grieving family members rook tgeir pain to the media, acknowledging far and wide that at least on this one occaison, the AFP and the Government it serves were telling the truth, Ricardo "Ka Joker" Malanili was gone.
As for where that fact left Front 4A, dormant best describes it. That is, until Monday, April 23rd, 2012. At 845PM two passenger vans turned into Butuan City's Arjuville Subdivision in Barangay Libretad, near the border of Barangay Bancasi.Pulling into a small row of office suites eight men jumped out of each idling van and walked purposefully towards one of five adjoining doors that serves as the main entrance of Earth Savers Security Agency. Earth Savers, a liscenced security company actually serves as a paramilitary for hire, specialising in the "security" of mining outfits throught the Caraga Region (Region 13). Owned and operated by Nelson Ponsones Nario, a recently retired PNP (Philippine National Police) Chief Superintendent.
Chief Superindendent Nario parlezed a working relationahip with embattled former President Gloria M.Arroyo into a jump into the big leagues. From serving as the Director of the Isabela PPO, or Police Provincial Office, he won a promotion in 2009 to serve as the Chief Superintendent of PRO10 (Police Regional Office 10, Cagayan del Oro City), where he served as Director of Administration. In 2010 he was laterally transferred to PRO13 in Butuan City and it was there, at the mandatory age of retirement, he cashiered out and used his many contacts to arm and build his private paramilitary.
As the sixteen men from the vans approached the entrance to Earth Savers, four other men who had stayed behind with the vans discreetly implemented a security perimeter in the parkinglot. The idling vans the slowly moved forwatd towards that same main entrance as the sixteen men, toting assault rifles but dressed in street clothes entered the agency premises. Upon infiltrating the men found four employees on duty, doing little more than goofing off. Training rifles on the four agency employees one among the sixteen men announced that they were NBI, as in National Bureau of Investigation agents, intent upon serving a search warrant for illegal weapons trafficking. Within ten minutes, without a single shot being fired, the NBI imposters had carted off sixty-six weapons, a stunning haul by any measure.
Upon getting a signal, one of the two vans carefully backed up to the door. Flinging open the vehicle's two rear doors, the guerillas cum agents began carting away all weapons found on the premises and loaded them into the van. The total take was: 46 AK47s, 10 semi-automatic shotguns, 3 308. SWSs (bolt action sniper rifles with day and night scopes)- I need to add that these three pieces were erroneously reported as M14 in sniper configuration. Ironically, yhe Pilippines is one of several nations where sniping, if one can even call it thus, takes place with semi-automatic assault rifles, in this case, M16s. To be specific, such rifles are more Designated Marksman, or at best, Squad Sniper configurations. The three pieces captured however were in fact 308. bolt action, actual sniper rifles.
Usually, AKs are less than desirable pieces for the NPA. Ironically the rifle figures prominently in NPA propaganda, even being pictured on its flag. However, the NPA gains virtually all its ammunition from war booty taken during attacks on the PNP, AFP, and allied forces. Since the Philippines is firmly in the pocket of the US, it only utilises American style weaponry, with the M16 being the central to PNP and AFP operations. The M16 is chambered in 5.56MM. The AK47 on the other hand, is in 7.65MM. It is difficult at best, to secure a steady source of AK ammunition. For the time being though, the NPA is sitting pretty. Among other things captured during that assault, the guerillas brought home 147 fully loaded AK magazines (clips). Also taken were 67 ammunition vests, for 7.65MM, shotgun shells, and other assorted ammunition. Cellphones, ICOM radios amd.cash totalling almost P15,000 ($310).
Loading the last of their take into the one van, four guerillas clambered into it as well, as the twelve others, and four on perimeter all climbed into the second van before both exited the parkinglot and casually drove away into Barangay Bonbon. It was there in Bonbon, at just after 10PM that evening, that responding PNP vehicles discovered both vans, abandoned and empty.
If Earth Savers Security Agency sounds familiar it is because I have discussed them before. On November 1st, 2011, the NPA's Front 20, the Conrado Heredia Command of the SMRC, or Southern Mindanao Regional Committee, launchrd one of its,periodic assaults against the Datu Bulawanon Mining Exploration Corporation in the municipality of Rosario, in Agusan del Sur Province. As the guerillas moved in on foot, crossing into Barangay Bayugan #3's Purok #2, they first neutralised an Earth Savers outpost a kilometer up the rode from the aforementioned mining operation. Three "guards" were critically wounded as they engaged the advancing guerillas.
Finally, when considering this latest Butuan City armed contact, remember that Barangay Bancasi housea both PRO13 AMD tge AFP's 4ID sattelite headquarters, Camp Rafael Rodriguez. The attack was anything if not audacious
Showing posts with label NCMRC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NCMRC. Show all posts
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Thursday, October 20, 2011
NPA Armed Engagements for the Fourth Quarter of 2011, Part V: Fallout From the 5 Billion Peso Attack on Claver
Of course the AFP, or Armed Forces of the Philippines, wasn't going to sit on its inept hands after the NPA had 300 guerillas waltz into the "Pacified" province of Surigao del Norte and blow up two ships, one hundred and fourty-odd dump trucks, a couple of dozen pieces of heavy equipment, assorted barges and tugboats, blow up a mining process facility under construction, hold dozens of potential Japanese investors at gunpoint, kill five security guards, take scores of employees hostage, ambush a police convoy...did I forget anything else? Conservatively estimated at P5 Billion worth of damage just in equipment and trucks, the attack was one giant slap in the face to the AFP and its puppet, President Aquino.
Of course heads rolled but amazingly not that many. For example, with the PNP, or Philippine National Police, PNP Head Honcho, Director General Nicanor "Nick" Bartoleme removed the MPO (Municipal Police Office) Director, Senior Inspector Diomedes Cuadra, the Commanding Officer of PRO-13's, or Police Regional Office for Region 13's Public Safety Battalion (RPSB, the new moniker given to the Regional Police Mobile Group), Superintendent Rudy Cuyop and the Commanding Officer of PPO, or Police Provincial Office of Surigao del Norte Province, Senior Superintendent Emmanuel "Manny" Talento. However did not remove anyone else such as PRO-13's Director, who commands not only Cuyop and Cuadra but Talento as well! Glad to see that cronyism is alive and well but don't worry, I won't tell anyone.
Even more interestingly, within the AFP they sacked the Brigade Commander, Colonel Rodrigo Diapana and his EXO (Executive Officer, Second in Command), Colonel Cresente Q. Maligmat who concurrently commanded Task Force Stinger. Yet, the Division Commander nor any Battalion Commanders felt the heat. More to the point, no intelligence officers had their posteriors handed to them, so typical, so sad. If you are going to exercise the perogative of Command Responsibility, the protocol in Military Law that holds a commander responsible for all problems under his or her command, you must exercise that perogative universally. If you don't you merely reveal yourself for the toady fraud you are. Moreover, what about ACTUAL negligence above and beyond the principle of Command Responsibility? Declares Surigao del Norte Province "Pacified" on April 18th, 2010, a move I pointed out was far too premature and predicted would come back to haunt the previous division commander in manifest ways, yet he stays in play while you hang line officers out to dry? You ruin two Colonels' careers over a theoretical principle while ignoring ACTUAL malfeasance and culpability? AFP Chief of Staff Eduardo Oban is a sick joke. How is this for irony? On April 18th, 2010 then-commander of the 4ID (Infantry Division), Major General Mario Chan made his "Pacification" declaration at the headquarters of the 30IB (Infantry Battalion). That headquarters is in the municipality of...CLAVER.
OK, with my daily tirade out of the way...
On October 6th, 2011, at 11AM the municipality of Esperanza's Barangay Calabuan, in Agusan del Sur Province the AFP's 5th Scout Ranger Company, operating with the 58IB on backup infiltrated a small NPA camp in Sitio Simontana as its guerillas were pre-occupied with lunch. The camp belonging to Front 8 of the NEMRC, or Northeast Mindanao Regional Committee within which Front 4A of the NCMRC, or Northcentral Mindanao Regional Committe was holed up during its retreat from Claver and that huge attack on October 3rd.
Five NPA guerillas were killed, including the Secretary (the leader) of Front 4A, Ricardo Manili who is much better known by his nom de guerre, Ka Joker. Manili is also the former Secretary of the NCMRC's Operational Command, meaning he was a former commander of all military operations within the NCMRC and therefore an extremely high value target. Had the AFP instead captured him he would have been an extremely valuable font of intelligence. Of course the AFP is a military that kills kidnap victims and claims it rescued them so what are we to expect? When kidnap victims fear discovery by the AFP more than they do remaining in captivity something is terribly wrong.
In addition to kiling 5 guerillas the AFP lost a soldier who was killed in action and also managed to capture 12 assault rifles, consisting of four rare AK47s, four M14s, three M16s, and one Ultimax machine gun, a huge haul in terms of the AFP versus NPA dynamic EXCEPT that the NPA captures more than a hundred in Claver. Hey! I DID forget something, see?
Of course heads rolled but amazingly not that many. For example, with the PNP, or Philippine National Police, PNP Head Honcho, Director General Nicanor "Nick" Bartoleme removed the MPO (Municipal Police Office) Director, Senior Inspector Diomedes Cuadra, the Commanding Officer of PRO-13's, or Police Regional Office for Region 13's Public Safety Battalion (RPSB, the new moniker given to the Regional Police Mobile Group), Superintendent Rudy Cuyop and the Commanding Officer of PPO, or Police Provincial Office of Surigao del Norte Province, Senior Superintendent Emmanuel "Manny" Talento. However did not remove anyone else such as PRO-13's Director, who commands not only Cuyop and Cuadra but Talento as well! Glad to see that cronyism is alive and well but don't worry, I won't tell anyone.
Even more interestingly, within the AFP they sacked the Brigade Commander, Colonel Rodrigo Diapana and his EXO (Executive Officer, Second in Command), Colonel Cresente Q. Maligmat who concurrently commanded Task Force Stinger. Yet, the Division Commander nor any Battalion Commanders felt the heat. More to the point, no intelligence officers had their posteriors handed to them, so typical, so sad. If you are going to exercise the perogative of Command Responsibility, the protocol in Military Law that holds a commander responsible for all problems under his or her command, you must exercise that perogative universally. If you don't you merely reveal yourself for the toady fraud you are. Moreover, what about ACTUAL negligence above and beyond the principle of Command Responsibility? Declares Surigao del Norte Province "Pacified" on April 18th, 2010, a move I pointed out was far too premature and predicted would come back to haunt the previous division commander in manifest ways, yet he stays in play while you hang line officers out to dry? You ruin two Colonels' careers over a theoretical principle while ignoring ACTUAL malfeasance and culpability? AFP Chief of Staff Eduardo Oban is a sick joke. How is this for irony? On April 18th, 2010 then-commander of the 4ID (Infantry Division), Major General Mario Chan made his "Pacification" declaration at the headquarters of the 30IB (Infantry Battalion). That headquarters is in the municipality of...CLAVER.
OK, with my daily tirade out of the way...
On October 6th, 2011, at 11AM the municipality of Esperanza's Barangay Calabuan, in Agusan del Sur Province the AFP's 5th Scout Ranger Company, operating with the 58IB on backup infiltrated a small NPA camp in Sitio Simontana as its guerillas were pre-occupied with lunch. The camp belonging to Front 8 of the NEMRC, or Northeast Mindanao Regional Committee within which Front 4A of the NCMRC, or Northcentral Mindanao Regional Committe was holed up during its retreat from Claver and that huge attack on October 3rd.
Five NPA guerillas were killed, including the Secretary (the leader) of Front 4A, Ricardo Manili who is much better known by his nom de guerre, Ka Joker. Manili is also the former Secretary of the NCMRC's Operational Command, meaning he was a former commander of all military operations within the NCMRC and therefore an extremely high value target. Had the AFP instead captured him he would have been an extremely valuable font of intelligence. Of course the AFP is a military that kills kidnap victims and claims it rescued them so what are we to expect? When kidnap victims fear discovery by the AFP more than they do remaining in captivity something is terribly wrong.
In addition to kiling 5 guerillas the AFP lost a soldier who was killed in action and also managed to capture 12 assault rifles, consisting of four rare AK47s, four M14s, three M16s, and one Ultimax machine gun, a huge haul in terms of the AFP versus NPA dynamic EXCEPT that the NPA captures more than a hundred in Claver. Hey! I DID forget something, see?
Monday, October 10, 2011
NPA Armed Contacts for the Fourth Quarter of 2011, Part I: The Release of Four BJMP Personnel
In my entry, "NPA Armed Contacts for the Third Quarter of 2011, Part," I discussed the NPA's capturing of four BJMP, or Bureau of Jail Management and Prisons, employees during an operation to free high ranking NPA guerilla Dennis Rodinas in July of 2011. With the AFP, or Armed Forces of the Philippines' capture of a large NPA encampment in the municipality of Cateel, in Davao Oriental Province on May 29th, 2011, Front 20, the Conrado Heredia Command of the SMRC, or Southern Mindanao Regional Committee ceased functioning as the Custodial Command of Mindanao. Instead Front 53, the Herminio Alfonso Command of the SMRC assumed that duty. So it was that after initially being taken captive by Front 88 of the NCMRC, or Northcentral Mindanao Regional Committee the four men:
1) Inspector Murphy Bomoway Todyog, Warden of the Misamis Occidental Provincial Jail in Ozamiz City
2) Inspector Erico Dacillo Llamasares, Warden of the Cagayan del Oro City Jail who had been hitching a ride home in a round about fashion
3) Special Jail Officer 3 Rogelio Begontes
4) Jail Officer 1 Rolando Delta Bajoyo Jr.
were passed from NPA Front to Front until they reached the Custodial Command, Front 53, which is centered upon the border of Davao City and North Cotabato Province. The capture of BJMP personnel created quite a stir because heretofore such functionaries were considered verboten as they are technically non-combatants although a creative interpretation of IHL/LOAC, or International Humanitarian Law/Laws of Armed Conflict CAN render them otherwise. In any event it definitely marked a turning point in the NPA's 42 year old insurgency and sent a definite chill up the spine of many a civil servant. All the more so when, on August 10th, the NPA formally bestowed POW (Prisoner of War) Status upon the four men. Obstensibly a positive development in the immediate sense because it guaranteed civil treatment of the four men in accordance with the Geneva Convention since the NPA, via its above board representative the NDFP, or National Democratic Front of the Philippines, and the Government, had jointly inked the CARIHLHR, or Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights as the first of four projected Interim Agreements of the GPH-NDFP Peace Process is known.
However, the conferring of POW Status boded poory for the long term because it had shown that the NPA was willing to ratchet up the stakes and would now possibly be focusing on capturing more than AFP, PNP (Philippine National Police), and CAAs (Civilian Active Auxiliaries as the cornerstone of the AFP tactical facet of its COIN, aka Counterinsurgency Programme are collectively known). If the NPA was now willing to capture BJMP personnel who would be immune? Conceivably any state representative was now fair game.
The actual rationale behind this "widening" of the conflict was the impasse in the GHP-NDFP Peace Process. As I have discussed in depth in my "GPH-NDFP Peace Process" entries the Talks began wonderfully in Oslo, Norway in February of 2011 but with an undercurrent of tension related to the failure of the Government to uphold the bi-lateral Joint Agreement known as JASIG, or the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees that both sides had entered into way back in 1995. Since again, I have discussed JASIG in depth in my aforementioned "GPH-NDFP Peace Process" entries, I will not bore my readership with yet another recounting except to say, for brevity's sake, that it involved the protection of all CPP/NPA members directly involved in the Peace Process from arrest and subsequent detention. With well over a dozen (at one point nearly two dozen) figures in prison the Government's upholding of JASIG leaves a lot to be desired.
In every NPA capture of the last decade prisoners have been released at about the two week mark with a couple of exceptions lasting more or less four weeks. The four BJMP prisoners have spent nearly four months incognito. During these ften weeks major AFP tactical operations have taken place in what the AFP likes to optimistically label "Search and Rescue Missions" but what in reality actually amount to a "gross disregard for the lives of such prisoners." Indeed, the four men had been scheduled for release on October 5th after being offered in exchange for an AFP SOMO/SOMA (Stop of Military Operations/Stop of Military Action) on September 29th. When the desired SOMO/SOMA didn't materialise the NPA opted to still go forward with the planned releases setting the aforementioned date of October 5th. When, on October 4th the AFP began amping up the intensity in its tactical operations the NPA scuttled the planned release. Specifically cited was an operation by the 57IB (Infantry Battalion) within the municipality of Magpet in North Cotabato Province. Only after North Cotabato Governor Emmylou Talino Mendoza screamed bloody murder did the 57IB sheepishly cut the operation short and pull out of town. Having achieved this extremely minor concession atop the larger promise of the Government in Manila to work on the JASIG issue, the four men were released on Saturday, October 8th, in Magpet's Barangay Balite.
During the three hour propaganda fest the mayors of two Bukidnon Provincial towns, Kibawe and Kitaotao joined the Mayor of Makilala (North Cotabato Province) in sitting through that uber-boring snooze fest as Front 53's leader, Ka Jody, enjoyed his first hand over and put everybody to sleep with non-sensical claptrap about Mao and the Revolution. Also on hand were representatives of local multi-sectoral front groups as well as Governor Mendoza, Vice Governor Gregorio Ipong and Catholic clergyman of the Liberation Theological cesspool UCCP, and other assorted hanger ons desperate to share in an event the nation's media ignored.
The four released men were immediately driven to Kidapawan City, the provincial capital of North Cotabato where yet another propaganda fest- this time for the Government- took place at the Bishop's Official Residence. There Mr.Bajoyo, now in tears, mooned over the NPA, and I quote verbatim, "We are so grateful that the NPA treated us so well, they treated us like brothers." Stockholm Syndrome anyone? In more important news perhaps, the two senior men, Warden Inspectors Todyog and Llamasares are now under investigation for their roles, if any, in the NPA operation that sent them obstensibly into captivity. The van transporting several inmates including a very high value NPA prisoner, the object of the NPA operation that led to the four BJMP personnel being taken, was without a security escort and more importantly, had taken an unsual route. Seeing as how that route is never taken it stands to reason that the NPA had inside assistance since Front 88 was able to implement a checkpoint in advance of the van's arrival. Maybe a couple of men wish they hadn't been "released."
1) Inspector Murphy Bomoway Todyog, Warden of the Misamis Occidental Provincial Jail in Ozamiz City
2) Inspector Erico Dacillo Llamasares, Warden of the Cagayan del Oro City Jail who had been hitching a ride home in a round about fashion
3) Special Jail Officer 3 Rogelio Begontes
4) Jail Officer 1 Rolando Delta Bajoyo Jr.
were passed from NPA Front to Front until they reached the Custodial Command, Front 53, which is centered upon the border of Davao City and North Cotabato Province. The capture of BJMP personnel created quite a stir because heretofore such functionaries were considered verboten as they are technically non-combatants although a creative interpretation of IHL/LOAC, or International Humanitarian Law/Laws of Armed Conflict CAN render them otherwise. In any event it definitely marked a turning point in the NPA's 42 year old insurgency and sent a definite chill up the spine of many a civil servant. All the more so when, on August 10th, the NPA formally bestowed POW (Prisoner of War) Status upon the four men. Obstensibly a positive development in the immediate sense because it guaranteed civil treatment of the four men in accordance with the Geneva Convention since the NPA, via its above board representative the NDFP, or National Democratic Front of the Philippines, and the Government, had jointly inked the CARIHLHR, or Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights as the first of four projected Interim Agreements of the GPH-NDFP Peace Process is known.
However, the conferring of POW Status boded poory for the long term because it had shown that the NPA was willing to ratchet up the stakes and would now possibly be focusing on capturing more than AFP, PNP (Philippine National Police), and CAAs (Civilian Active Auxiliaries as the cornerstone of the AFP tactical facet of its COIN, aka Counterinsurgency Programme are collectively known). If the NPA was now willing to capture BJMP personnel who would be immune? Conceivably any state representative was now fair game.
The actual rationale behind this "widening" of the conflict was the impasse in the GHP-NDFP Peace Process. As I have discussed in depth in my "GPH-NDFP Peace Process" entries the Talks began wonderfully in Oslo, Norway in February of 2011 but with an undercurrent of tension related to the failure of the Government to uphold the bi-lateral Joint Agreement known as JASIG, or the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees that both sides had entered into way back in 1995. Since again, I have discussed JASIG in depth in my aforementioned "GPH-NDFP Peace Process" entries, I will not bore my readership with yet another recounting except to say, for brevity's sake, that it involved the protection of all CPP/NPA members directly involved in the Peace Process from arrest and subsequent detention. With well over a dozen (at one point nearly two dozen) figures in prison the Government's upholding of JASIG leaves a lot to be desired.
In every NPA capture of the last decade prisoners have been released at about the two week mark with a couple of exceptions lasting more or less four weeks. The four BJMP prisoners have spent nearly four months incognito. During these ften weeks major AFP tactical operations have taken place in what the AFP likes to optimistically label "Search and Rescue Missions" but what in reality actually amount to a "gross disregard for the lives of such prisoners." Indeed, the four men had been scheduled for release on October 5th after being offered in exchange for an AFP SOMO/SOMA (Stop of Military Operations/Stop of Military Action) on September 29th. When the desired SOMO/SOMA didn't materialise the NPA opted to still go forward with the planned releases setting the aforementioned date of October 5th. When, on October 4th the AFP began amping up the intensity in its tactical operations the NPA scuttled the planned release. Specifically cited was an operation by the 57IB (Infantry Battalion) within the municipality of Magpet in North Cotabato Province. Only after North Cotabato Governor Emmylou Talino Mendoza screamed bloody murder did the 57IB sheepishly cut the operation short and pull out of town. Having achieved this extremely minor concession atop the larger promise of the Government in Manila to work on the JASIG issue, the four men were released on Saturday, October 8th, in Magpet's Barangay Balite.
During the three hour propaganda fest the mayors of two Bukidnon Provincial towns, Kibawe and Kitaotao joined the Mayor of Makilala (North Cotabato Province) in sitting through that uber-boring snooze fest as Front 53's leader, Ka Jody, enjoyed his first hand over and put everybody to sleep with non-sensical claptrap about Mao and the Revolution. Also on hand were representatives of local multi-sectoral front groups as well as Governor Mendoza, Vice Governor Gregorio Ipong and Catholic clergyman of the Liberation Theological cesspool UCCP, and other assorted hanger ons desperate to share in an event the nation's media ignored.
The four released men were immediately driven to Kidapawan City, the provincial capital of North Cotabato where yet another propaganda fest- this time for the Government- took place at the Bishop's Official Residence. There Mr.Bajoyo, now in tears, mooned over the NPA, and I quote verbatim, "We are so grateful that the NPA treated us so well, they treated us like brothers." Stockholm Syndrome anyone? In more important news perhaps, the two senior men, Warden Inspectors Todyog and Llamasares are now under investigation for their roles, if any, in the NPA operation that sent them obstensibly into captivity. The van transporting several inmates including a very high value NPA prisoner, the object of the NPA operation that led to the four BJMP personnel being taken, was without a security escort and more importantly, had taken an unsual route. Seeing as how that route is never taken it stands to reason that the NPA had inside assistance since Front 88 was able to implement a checkpoint in advance of the van's arrival. Maybe a couple of men wish they hadn't been "released."
Monday, September 19, 2011
NPA Armed Contacts for the Third Quarter of 2011, Part VI: The NPA Mistakenly Kills Three Men and Terrorises Six Others
In my recent "NPA Armed Contacts for the Third Quarter of 2011" entry I chronicled the NPA's attack on Nano Trading and Mining Corporation in the municipality of Impasug-ong in Bukidnon Province. Nano, as I noted, is an Indian-based multi-national corporation that at this particular site, located in Barangay Kapitan Bayong's Purok #5, acts as the transport and loading agent for locally owned chromite mines. On August 6th, 2011 guerillas from Front 88 of the Northcentral Mindanao Regional Committee, or NCMRC, approached the mine compound and when a group of labourers were leaving after their shift and turned heel trying to warn others, they were fired upon by the NPA.
Eleven men were hit, with one, Jose Castro, dying immediately. The other ten were rushed to the nearest hospital but unfortunately, by the time they arrived two more of the victims:
1) Raymond Castro
2) Victor Aparilla
were dead as well. The other eight:
1) Rodelio Cabaring
2) Marvine Pinera
3) Alfie Sobison
4) Rey Soriano
5) Glenn Hernandez
6) Allan Barandanes
7) Brindo Buagan
8) Jermael Magno
were admitted and are recovering.
Of course Nano was targeted for its failure to pay "Revolutionary Taxes," a codeword for extortion. The NPA cited destruction of the environment, which given the NPA's lack of action against paying "customers" just makes the Communist guerillas look even sillier than they usually appear. They also cited the firms operation manger, Paul Magto, for his supposed failure to pay his labourers in a timely fashion.
On Monday, September 19th, 2011 however the NCMRC admitted that its guerillas had been operating on outdated intelligence that had the firm's basecamp housing an arsenal of automatic rifles and rifle grenades. During the attack the NPA captured a single 45 caliber pistol, an airsoft (fires plastic pellets) rifle and a chainsaw but was also accused of stealing a valuable watch and two cellphones as well. NCMRC says that it will be returning the phones and watch which it admits taking and also admits that there was P400 ($9) stuffed inside of a compartment of the airsoft piece. Why the confession? Because the NPA was forced to admit that its guerillas committed several grave errors in attacking unarmed labourers. It asked the families of the dead and wounded labourers to forgive its "errors" and to accrpt the NPA's "apologies."
Also worth noting, if just for the sheer stupidity it reflects, NCMRC claims that it was primarily targeting the company because Operations Supervisor Paul Magto, the man it initially accused of not paying his workers, would "indiscriminately" fire his pistol, "intimidating" local villagers. Right, because murdering three labourers with M16s makes villagers happy? The NPA hopes to right their stupendous wrong by offering the families of the dead and wounded labourers cash and medical assistance. Ironically, when the Government offers to do the same to rectify ITS mistakes the NPA spin meisters belittle the offer(s), saying that cash cannot make up for negligence and outright abuse. Ironic indeed.
On August 10th six young men from the municipality of Initao in Misamis Oriental Province travelled to the town of San Fernando in Bukidnon Province. As door to door salesmen of "banig," or sleeping mats, the men travelled quite a bit but when none had called home over the course of some days their families in Initao became increasingly worried, fearing that the men might have been abducted by one of the KFR, or Kidnap for Ransom organisations infesting Mindanao.
As the NCMRC was boohooing over that senseless carnage at Nano it also admitted that Front 88 had "arrested" the aforementioned missing men. The reason? According to NCMRC all six were "spies" for the AFP, or Armed Forces of the Philippines, or AFP. Although intelligence assets DO assume such covers they do as individuals or as teams of two men. Six men do not blend in easily and as such are never utilised. It seems that the NPA is beginning to grow paranoid once again. Several months ago the SMRC, or Southern Mindanao Regional Committee, abducted an ice cream vendor in Davao City's Paquibato District and likewise accused him of "spying." He was killed as is often the case with civilian assets. Ironically it was the forerunner of the NCMRC, the NMRC, or Nothern Mindanao Regional Committee that launched the first of the nationwide purges, the infamous Kampanyang Aho (Garlic Campaign) that ended up killing well over 1,000 innocent men, women, and even children who were deemed to be "spies." Sadly, most were NPA members who truly believed in their cause. Some things never change.
Eleven men were hit, with one, Jose Castro, dying immediately. The other ten were rushed to the nearest hospital but unfortunately, by the time they arrived two more of the victims:
1) Raymond Castro
2) Victor Aparilla
were dead as well. The other eight:
1) Rodelio Cabaring
2) Marvine Pinera
3) Alfie Sobison
4) Rey Soriano
5) Glenn Hernandez
6) Allan Barandanes
7) Brindo Buagan
8) Jermael Magno
were admitted and are recovering.
Of course Nano was targeted for its failure to pay "Revolutionary Taxes," a codeword for extortion. The NPA cited destruction of the environment, which given the NPA's lack of action against paying "customers" just makes the Communist guerillas look even sillier than they usually appear. They also cited the firms operation manger, Paul Magto, for his supposed failure to pay his labourers in a timely fashion.
On Monday, September 19th, 2011 however the NCMRC admitted that its guerillas had been operating on outdated intelligence that had the firm's basecamp housing an arsenal of automatic rifles and rifle grenades. During the attack the NPA captured a single 45 caliber pistol, an airsoft (fires plastic pellets) rifle and a chainsaw but was also accused of stealing a valuable watch and two cellphones as well. NCMRC says that it will be returning the phones and watch which it admits taking and also admits that there was P400 ($9) stuffed inside of a compartment of the airsoft piece. Why the confession? Because the NPA was forced to admit that its guerillas committed several grave errors in attacking unarmed labourers. It asked the families of the dead and wounded labourers to forgive its "errors" and to accrpt the NPA's "apologies."
Also worth noting, if just for the sheer stupidity it reflects, NCMRC claims that it was primarily targeting the company because Operations Supervisor Paul Magto, the man it initially accused of not paying his workers, would "indiscriminately" fire his pistol, "intimidating" local villagers. Right, because murdering three labourers with M16s makes villagers happy? The NPA hopes to right their stupendous wrong by offering the families of the dead and wounded labourers cash and medical assistance. Ironically, when the Government offers to do the same to rectify ITS mistakes the NPA spin meisters belittle the offer(s), saying that cash cannot make up for negligence and outright abuse. Ironic indeed.
On August 10th six young men from the municipality of Initao in Misamis Oriental Province travelled to the town of San Fernando in Bukidnon Province. As door to door salesmen of "banig," or sleeping mats, the men travelled quite a bit but when none had called home over the course of some days their families in Initao became increasingly worried, fearing that the men might have been abducted by one of the KFR, or Kidnap for Ransom organisations infesting Mindanao.
As the NCMRC was boohooing over that senseless carnage at Nano it also admitted that Front 88 had "arrested" the aforementioned missing men. The reason? According to NCMRC all six were "spies" for the AFP, or Armed Forces of the Philippines, or AFP. Although intelligence assets DO assume such covers they do as individuals or as teams of two men. Six men do not blend in easily and as such are never utilised. It seems that the NPA is beginning to grow paranoid once again. Several months ago the SMRC, or Southern Mindanao Regional Committee, abducted an ice cream vendor in Davao City's Paquibato District and likewise accused him of "spying." He was killed as is often the case with civilian assets. Ironically it was the forerunner of the NCMRC, the NMRC, or Nothern Mindanao Regional Committee that launched the first of the nationwide purges, the infamous Kampanyang Aho (Garlic Campaign) that ended up killing well over 1,000 innocent men, women, and even children who were deemed to be "spies." Sadly, most were NPA members who truly believed in their cause. Some things never change.
Friday, May 6, 2011
NPA Armed Contacts,Second Quarter of 2011,Part I:2 PNP Stations Attacked,1 Captured
As I have noted time and again, the NPA on Mindanao is very well known for wearing PNP (Philippine National Police) or AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) uniforms to infiltrate official security installations. Municipal PNP stations are a favourite target for this type of subterfuge. After that Panabo City attack in Davao del Norte Province on March 19th this year in which 1 PNP officer and 1 Police Auxiliary were killed by NPA guerillas in military uniforms, PNP Director General Raul Bacalzo issued a stern and very explicit memorandum to all PNP installations warning all personnel to be absolutely alert and maintain a defencive stance at all times. Some of the nation's PNP officers have comprehended the message, others obviously have not.
On Thursday, April 28, 2011 in Lianga, Surigao del Sur Province most of the staion's personnel were fast asleep but 1 man was busy with his daily routine. 25 year old Rodel Aquilam is the station mascot. Though he doesn't get paid the young man cleans, cooks and runs errands for the officers in the station. In return Rodel is allowed to live there but more than that, his "job" has given him a sense of purpose and has made his life seem more meaningful. Often, after serving meals he cleans and washes dishes all by himself. If dinner is served late Rodel will often leave the dishes until the early morning hours when he awakens to prepare breakfast.
So it was that on that day, at 430AM Rodel was at the sink in the rear of the police station, tired but watching out the window when something caught his eye. At first he wasn't sure that he had really seen something but even as these thoughts were forming the shapes came closer and Rodel couldn't help but recognise the rifles. Immediately dropping to his knees Rodel crawled to the station's sleeping quarters and very quietly woke the duty officer. The officer in turn woke the others and just as the first officers were grabbing their M16s guerillas from the NPA's Front 19-A burst through the station entrance and announced their presence.
In what is now a routine the guerilla in charge announced that nobody would be hurt as long as all present complied. All they wanted the man said, were the station's weapons. Before the guerilla could finish his sentence a PNP officer fired his M16 hitting the wall near the lead guerilla. Quickly the NPA left the station foyer and took positions throughout the City Government compound. The 15 PNP, and 2 AFP soldiers, from 29IB (Infantry Battalion) augmenting the station not only held their own, they managed to effectively pin the guerillas down outside in the large compound. Twice guerillas tried infiltrating the Municipal Hall located in that same compound but were repelled under the heavy fire emanating from the PNP station.
Meanwhile, having been notified of the attack the 29IB deployed and implemented 2 Blocking Force positions along the only two avenues of escape, allowing the PNP's 13th Regional Public Safety Management Battalion (aka "RPSM" which recently replaced the PNP's "PMG," or "Police Mobile Group" structure) to reinforce the outmanned station personnel. Hearing of the deployments on a captured ICOM the NPA knew that its own Blocking Force would only add, at most, 15 minutes to their Safe Exit Time. Radioing to that Blocking Force the lead guerilla confirmed that they had set capable barricades along National Hiway, consisting of huge bonfires constructed out of tyres doused in kerosene. While that stopped any AFP from making it into the town proper, the PNP's 13th PSMG Battalion was rapidly approaching from the opposite direction and so it was time to withdraw. At 645AM, leaving the compound the guerillas rushed to their escape vehicles. As the assailants were scrambling NPA guerilla Eunilio "Ka Dindo" Pison took a shot to the back of the head. The resident of Barangay Pong-on in the municipality of San Agustin in Agusan del Sur Province was critically injured and was left where he fell along with a second guerilla who had been killed. Their loyal comrades drove off at a rapid pace, tyres screeching.
It needs to be mentioned that Pison was being billed by the Government, AFP and PNP as the "Vice Commander" of Front 19-A. In reality the man is an Assistant Team Leader. Within the NPA "Teams" are equivalent to conventional "squads." In other words, he helped command a group of 7 to 10 guerillas. As usual AFP propaganda falls way short of the watermark.
As the NPA's Tactical Element was driving away from the compound their Blocking Force on National Hiway, in the town's Barangay Ganayon got spooked and took a shot at a passing Hyundai Starex van. Unfortunately its driver, 35 year old Herminia Lozada was a civilian and what is even more unfortunate is that one of the bullets fired at her van ended up wounding her in the left foot. As unfortunate as that really is, her three young children who were also in that van are all unscathed, at least physically.
That Saturday, April 30th, DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government, the entity which oversees the PNP) Secretary Jesse Robredo joined PNP National Director Raul Bacalzo in a personal visit to the station. There the 15 PNP who defended the station were each given the "Medalya ng Katapangan" (Medal for Bravery), cash awards and on the spot promotions to the next incremental rank. The 15 awardees:
1) Deputy Chief, SPO3 Dante Basada Obenza
2) PO3 Armand Baniagaso Juarbal
3) PO3 Antonieto Pesical Sarsale
4) PO2 Simporiano Camino Quevedo
5) PO2 Ronald Jarina de Castro
6) PO2 Roy Cano Sabellano
7) PO2 Ariel Osorio Aribal
8) PO1 Vergil Gomez Curada
9) PO1 Susano Egypto Vitanzos
10) SPO1 Ruben Pedrozo Gomez
11) SPO1 Cerelino Alicante Pedrozo
12) SPO1 Virgilio Jusayan Orbeta
13) SPO2 Florencio Pineda Hernandez
14) SPO3 Moreto Edera Gemao
15) (No Rank Available) Rogelio Tejero Balason
In a very nice touch, Rodel Aquilam, the station mascot was also given a medal and cash award. Secretary Robredo is recommending that the AFP consider rewarding the two soldiers from the 29IB:
1) Corporal Alnasur A.Samsuri
2) PFC. Melfer B.Yabo
The Government was especially pleased because this was the second NPA attack thwarted in that municipality within the last 6 months. In fact it was that same NPA element, Front 19-A that was repelled in that other attack as well. On October 2,2010 in Purok #5, Barangay San Isidro, that barangay's CAFGU (Civilian Auxiliary Geographical Force Unit, a Force Multiplication element manned by residents of a given barangay and its operations relegated to that same barangay, commanded by an AFP Non Comissioned Officer from a cadre battalion) post fended off a large NPA assault. Under the direction of its cadre, Cpl.Singson of 23IB's D Company, the CAFGU soldiers caused the guerillas to withdraw at the 15 minute mark.
The happiness Secretary Robredo and Director General Bacalzo felt surely dissipated on Tuesday, May 3rd. At 430PM that day a man in an AFP uniform entered the Municipal PNP Station in the town of Malitbog, in Bukidnon Province and said he wanted to file a criminal complaint. The station, in Purok #2, Barangay Poblacion was manned by 6 officers. The desk officer went to get the complaint form and as he did so 19 NPA guerillas rushed into the station, weapons drawn. At this point the AFP "soldier" revealed that he too was an NPA guerilla and ordered the desk officer to handcuff 3 of the 5 other police officers.
The guerillas, from Front 4-B, warned the officers to comply, they only wanted the weapons. All 6 surrendered. The NPA then removed their side arms as well as the station's complement of weaponry. Capturing eight M16s, three 9MM pistols, one 45 caliber pistol, one 38 caliber revolver and one 22 caliber pistol along with the station's ICOM (2 way radio with military and PNP frequencies), walkie-talkies, two computer towers, one computer monitor and spare uniforms before departing with the three handcuffed police officers as prisoners the NPA was in and out in less than 10 minutes without a single shot having been fired. Led by Lino "Ka Dahon" Namatidong the withdrawing force jogged 200 meters to a waiting Toyota Lite Ace and an orange panel truck that they had left idling in adjacent Barangay Kalingking's Sitio Manga, they uncuffed and released the prisoners before speeding off towards Barangay Mindagat. Passing from Barangay Mindagat to Barangay Kiabo and then crossing the provincial border into the municipality of Claveria in Misamis Oriental Province the guerillas were able to make a clean get away.
Ironically, back in October of 2010 I had posted in my entry entitled, "NPA Armed Engagements, Last Quarter of 2010: NPA Merry Go Round" that a Brigade Commander in 4ID (Infantry Division), Colonel Romeo Gapuz had bragged about eliminating Front 4-B. He said the Front was dead and buried. I noted then that these were "famous last words." In Col.Gapuz's defence he had barely had 60 days in the 4ID and just come out of a desk job though the attitude he expressed is all to often par for the course throughout the Philippine Military. He had made that ignorant comment at a Turn Over Ceremony at the Misamis Oriental Provincial Capitol, where 4ID turned over Local Security oversight to the provincial government. This takes place whenever a province is declared "pacified." On Mindanao only 4 provinces are pacified, well 3 depending upon the day you examine the situation since the Dinagat Islands keep flip-flopping their status thanks to a fickle Supreme Court (yet another subject I plan to post about).
The 3 other Pacified Provinces on Mindanao:
1) Surigao del Norte (Dinagat was cleaved off of this province and may belong to it again if current Supreme Court petitions are considered kindly)
2) Misamis Oriental (as I mentioned)
3) Camiguin (another Island Province, this one cleaved off of Misamis Oriental Province)
When a province has been declared "pacified" it doesn't mean that the insurgency is extinct there, only that the local government unit is able to deal with it on its own.
On Thursday, April 28, 2011 in Lianga, Surigao del Sur Province most of the staion's personnel were fast asleep but 1 man was busy with his daily routine. 25 year old Rodel Aquilam is the station mascot. Though he doesn't get paid the young man cleans, cooks and runs errands for the officers in the station. In return Rodel is allowed to live there but more than that, his "job" has given him a sense of purpose and has made his life seem more meaningful. Often, after serving meals he cleans and washes dishes all by himself. If dinner is served late Rodel will often leave the dishes until the early morning hours when he awakens to prepare breakfast.
So it was that on that day, at 430AM Rodel was at the sink in the rear of the police station, tired but watching out the window when something caught his eye. At first he wasn't sure that he had really seen something but even as these thoughts were forming the shapes came closer and Rodel couldn't help but recognise the rifles. Immediately dropping to his knees Rodel crawled to the station's sleeping quarters and very quietly woke the duty officer. The officer in turn woke the others and just as the first officers were grabbing their M16s guerillas from the NPA's Front 19-A burst through the station entrance and announced their presence.
In what is now a routine the guerilla in charge announced that nobody would be hurt as long as all present complied. All they wanted the man said, were the station's weapons. Before the guerilla could finish his sentence a PNP officer fired his M16 hitting the wall near the lead guerilla. Quickly the NPA left the station foyer and took positions throughout the City Government compound. The 15 PNP, and 2 AFP soldiers, from 29IB (Infantry Battalion) augmenting the station not only held their own, they managed to effectively pin the guerillas down outside in the large compound. Twice guerillas tried infiltrating the Municipal Hall located in that same compound but were repelled under the heavy fire emanating from the PNP station.
Meanwhile, having been notified of the attack the 29IB deployed and implemented 2 Blocking Force positions along the only two avenues of escape, allowing the PNP's 13th Regional Public Safety Management Battalion (aka "RPSM" which recently replaced the PNP's "PMG," or "Police Mobile Group" structure) to reinforce the outmanned station personnel. Hearing of the deployments on a captured ICOM the NPA knew that its own Blocking Force would only add, at most, 15 minutes to their Safe Exit Time. Radioing to that Blocking Force the lead guerilla confirmed that they had set capable barricades along National Hiway, consisting of huge bonfires constructed out of tyres doused in kerosene. While that stopped any AFP from making it into the town proper, the PNP's 13th PSMG Battalion was rapidly approaching from the opposite direction and so it was time to withdraw. At 645AM, leaving the compound the guerillas rushed to their escape vehicles. As the assailants were scrambling NPA guerilla Eunilio "Ka Dindo" Pison took a shot to the back of the head. The resident of Barangay Pong-on in the municipality of San Agustin in Agusan del Sur Province was critically injured and was left where he fell along with a second guerilla who had been killed. Their loyal comrades drove off at a rapid pace, tyres screeching.
It needs to be mentioned that Pison was being billed by the Government, AFP and PNP as the "Vice Commander" of Front 19-A. In reality the man is an Assistant Team Leader. Within the NPA "Teams" are equivalent to conventional "squads." In other words, he helped command a group of 7 to 10 guerillas. As usual AFP propaganda falls way short of the watermark.
As the NPA's Tactical Element was driving away from the compound their Blocking Force on National Hiway, in the town's Barangay Ganayon got spooked and took a shot at a passing Hyundai Starex van. Unfortunately its driver, 35 year old Herminia Lozada was a civilian and what is even more unfortunate is that one of the bullets fired at her van ended up wounding her in the left foot. As unfortunate as that really is, her three young children who were also in that van are all unscathed, at least physically.
That Saturday, April 30th, DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government, the entity which oversees the PNP) Secretary Jesse Robredo joined PNP National Director Raul Bacalzo in a personal visit to the station. There the 15 PNP who defended the station were each given the "Medalya ng Katapangan" (Medal for Bravery), cash awards and on the spot promotions to the next incremental rank. The 15 awardees:
1) Deputy Chief, SPO3 Dante Basada Obenza
2) PO3 Armand Baniagaso Juarbal
3) PO3 Antonieto Pesical Sarsale
4) PO2 Simporiano Camino Quevedo
5) PO2 Ronald Jarina de Castro
6) PO2 Roy Cano Sabellano
7) PO2 Ariel Osorio Aribal
8) PO1 Vergil Gomez Curada
9) PO1 Susano Egypto Vitanzos
10) SPO1 Ruben Pedrozo Gomez
11) SPO1 Cerelino Alicante Pedrozo
12) SPO1 Virgilio Jusayan Orbeta
13) SPO2 Florencio Pineda Hernandez
14) SPO3 Moreto Edera Gemao
15) (No Rank Available) Rogelio Tejero Balason
In a very nice touch, Rodel Aquilam, the station mascot was also given a medal and cash award. Secretary Robredo is recommending that the AFP consider rewarding the two soldiers from the 29IB:
1) Corporal Alnasur A.Samsuri
2) PFC. Melfer B.Yabo
The Government was especially pleased because this was the second NPA attack thwarted in that municipality within the last 6 months. In fact it was that same NPA element, Front 19-A that was repelled in that other attack as well. On October 2,2010 in Purok #5, Barangay San Isidro, that barangay's CAFGU (Civilian Auxiliary Geographical Force Unit, a Force Multiplication element manned by residents of a given barangay and its operations relegated to that same barangay, commanded by an AFP Non Comissioned Officer from a cadre battalion) post fended off a large NPA assault. Under the direction of its cadre, Cpl.Singson of 23IB's D Company, the CAFGU soldiers caused the guerillas to withdraw at the 15 minute mark.
The happiness Secretary Robredo and Director General Bacalzo felt surely dissipated on Tuesday, May 3rd. At 430PM that day a man in an AFP uniform entered the Municipal PNP Station in the town of Malitbog, in Bukidnon Province and said he wanted to file a criminal complaint. The station, in Purok #2, Barangay Poblacion was manned by 6 officers. The desk officer went to get the complaint form and as he did so 19 NPA guerillas rushed into the station, weapons drawn. At this point the AFP "soldier" revealed that he too was an NPA guerilla and ordered the desk officer to handcuff 3 of the 5 other police officers.
The guerillas, from Front 4-B, warned the officers to comply, they only wanted the weapons. All 6 surrendered. The NPA then removed their side arms as well as the station's complement of weaponry. Capturing eight M16s, three 9MM pistols, one 45 caliber pistol, one 38 caliber revolver and one 22 caliber pistol along with the station's ICOM (2 way radio with military and PNP frequencies), walkie-talkies, two computer towers, one computer monitor and spare uniforms before departing with the three handcuffed police officers as prisoners the NPA was in and out in less than 10 minutes without a single shot having been fired. Led by Lino "Ka Dahon" Namatidong the withdrawing force jogged 200 meters to a waiting Toyota Lite Ace and an orange panel truck that they had left idling in adjacent Barangay Kalingking's Sitio Manga, they uncuffed and released the prisoners before speeding off towards Barangay Mindagat. Passing from Barangay Mindagat to Barangay Kiabo and then crossing the provincial border into the municipality of Claveria in Misamis Oriental Province the guerillas were able to make a clean get away.
Ironically, back in October of 2010 I had posted in my entry entitled, "NPA Armed Engagements, Last Quarter of 2010: NPA Merry Go Round" that a Brigade Commander in 4ID (Infantry Division), Colonel Romeo Gapuz had bragged about eliminating Front 4-B. He said the Front was dead and buried. I noted then that these were "famous last words." In Col.Gapuz's defence he had barely had 60 days in the 4ID and just come out of a desk job though the attitude he expressed is all to often par for the course throughout the Philippine Military. He had made that ignorant comment at a Turn Over Ceremony at the Misamis Oriental Provincial Capitol, where 4ID turned over Local Security oversight to the provincial government. This takes place whenever a province is declared "pacified." On Mindanao only 4 provinces are pacified, well 3 depending upon the day you examine the situation since the Dinagat Islands keep flip-flopping their status thanks to a fickle Supreme Court (yet another subject I plan to post about).
The 3 other Pacified Provinces on Mindanao:
1) Surigao del Norte (Dinagat was cleaved off of this province and may belong to it again if current Supreme Court petitions are considered kindly)
2) Misamis Oriental (as I mentioned)
3) Camiguin (another Island Province, this one cleaved off of Misamis Oriental Province)
When a province has been declared "pacified" it doesn't mean that the insurgency is extinct there, only that the local government unit is able to deal with it on its own.
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