Day: December 27, 2021

A group of Filipino-Americans in New York staged a lighting rally on Sunday evening to urge American authorities to investigate United States-based supporters of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the New People’s Army (NPA) for terrorist financing, recruitment, and other illegal activities.

Chanting anti-communist slogans and carrying Philippine flags and other banners, members of the Filipino-Americans Against Crime and Terrorism (FACT) marched along Roosevelt Avenue in Woodside, Queens, where they distributed leaflets denouncing the CPP-NPA and their supporters in the US on the occasion of the terrorist group’s 53rd founding anniversary.

“US authorities should investigate CPP-NPA leaders, members, and supporters in the US for terrorist financing, recruitment, and other illegal activities given the fact that the Department of State has designated it a terrorist organization as early as 2002,” FACT said in a statement.

“US authorities should impose additional sanctions on the CPP-NPA for crimes committed not just against Filipinos but also against Americans in the past 50 years. For those who are not aware, the CPP-NPA was responsible for the deaths of thousands, including a number of US citizens, among them Vietnam War hero Col. James Rowe and several other American service members on duty in the Philippines,” it added.

FACT is a newly formed Filipino-American grassroots organization based in New York that has been speaking out against the CPP-NPA and its front organizations in the US.

The group questioned the introduction of a bill in the US Congress entitled the Philippine Human Rights Act (PHRA), which seeks to suspend US military assistance to the Philippines because of alleged human rights violations.

The proposed legislation, according to the FACT, would benefit neither the Philippines nor the United States nor the Filipino and American peoples.

“It is unfortunate that supporters of the CPP-NPA here in the US were able to convince American legislators into supporting the PHRA by making them believe the Philippine government is on a rampage and is responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocent men, women, and children,” the group said.

“These groups conveniently failed to mention the horrendous atrocities committed by the CPP-NPA against the Filipino people—civilians accused of various crimes and who were later summarily executed in the name of “revolutionary justice,” it added.

The group called on the members of the Filipino community in the US to let their representatives in Congress know their opposition to the PHRA “because the bill will benefit only those who have vowed to subvert the interests of both the Philippines and the United States and the Filipino and American peoples.”

“Instead of punishing the Filipino people by depriving their government of the security assistance needed to protect them against CPP-NPA atrocities, US authorities should assist Philippine authorities in defeating the communist insurgency the same way they are assisting in the fight against the Abu Sayyaf and other Islamist terrorist groups,” it added.

Instead of suspending military assistance, FACT said the US authorities should provide technical and other assistance to help build the capacity of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police in protecting the Filipino people from drug syndicates and other criminal organizations while at the same time helping improve their human rights records.

FACT also urged the members of the Filipino community to be wary of CPP-NPA efforts to deceive them and their families, especially the youth, into supporting their self-serving goal of overthrowing the Philippine government and installing in its place a communist regime.

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.

Source: Philippines News Agency

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Dionardo Carlos, on Monday ordered an immediate probe into the police officer who was accused of raping a teenager in Laguna.

In a statement, Carlos said the suspect identified as Pat. John Mari Lontok is now under police custody after he surrendered to the arresting team at around 2 p.m. on Sunday at his residence in Sta. Maria, Laguna.

“This is a very unfortunate report. We will make sure that this will be a fair and speedy investigation,” Carlos said in a statement.

The 18-year-old victim and her family personally appeared at the Sta. Maria Municipal Police Station to report an alleged rape that transpired on Sunday morning.

Allegedly, the suspect arrived at the victim’s house and joined them in their drinking session.

However, the victim felt drowsy and decided to sleep. Upon waking up to her senses, she was shocked when she noticed that her pants and underwear were already removed and the suspect was already making physical advances.

The teenager tried to push him away and sought help but the suspect allegedly threatened to kill her.

Thereafter, the suspect immediately fled while his bag containing his issued firearm with magazines was left under the bed of the victim.

An investigation is underway to verify the records of the firearm recovered by investigators.

Carlos said the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) has also initiated its own investigation on the administrative aspect of the case.

“We are also asking the witnesses to cooperate in the investigation to shed light on the case,” Carlos said.

Source: Philippines News Agency

Some eight New People’s Army (NPA) rebels surrendered to authorities in central Negros on Sunday, coinciding with the 53rd anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

In a report on Monday, the Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade (303rd IBde) said insurgents based in the cities of Guihulngan and Canlaon in Negros Oriental were presented in rites held at the 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) headquarters in Barangay Libas, Isabela town.

Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of 303rd IBde based in Murcia, said it was a “big slap” on the faces of CPP leaders.

“It contradicts their claim that more are joining their group and indicates that the CPP-NPA has lost the support of the people in Negros Island. The return of the eight to the fold of the law marks the end of their bondage from the exploitation, lies, and deception of the NPA,” he added.

According to the 62IB, the NPA rebels did not have any firearms when they surrendered.

“They said they have been deceived into joining the NPA. The salary and ownership of land promised to them did not happen,” a statement read.

The 62IB said those who surrendered admitted the Covid-19 pandemic made it more difficult for them to collect funds and their situation was made worse by the recent devastation brought by Typhoon Odette.

Pasaporte said they expect more NPA rebels to leave the armed struggle soon.

During the rites, the surrenderers burned the CPP-NPA flag to formalize the withdrawal of their support and affiliation with the communist terrorist group.

They also lit a candle, said a prayer for peace, and released white balloons which they said symbolize hope and unity among Negrenses.

Afterwards, they received Christmas gift bags and food items from the 303rd IBde and the Joint Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict of Central Negros.

Pasaporte witnessed the event together with Maj. Alenel Valles, officer-in-charge executive officer of 62IB; Lt. Col. Roland Lavisto, chief of the Guihulngan City police; Lt. Col. Miguel Andeza, acting police chief of Canlaon City; and other members of the Local Peace Engagement Cluster.

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

The Anti-Terrorism Council also formally designated the National Democratic Front as a terrorist organization on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and separate part” of the CPP-NPA that was created in April 1973.

Source: Philippines News Agency

Lopez Jaena town Mayor Michael P. Gutierrez who was initially hurt in a “sniper” attack during a Christmas party in this city last week has died, his daughter, Lopez Jaena Councilor Andrea “Pinky” Gutierrez, said on Facebook on Monday.

“A life so beautifully lived deserves to be beautifully remembered. He was a light in this world, and now we need to continue shining his light by carrying it within us in our own lives,” she said on behalf of her family, as the province mourned the local chief executive’s death.

Based on an initial report by the Tangub City Police Station, Gutierrez was hit on the nape with slug and glass debris as a result of the sniper bullet supposedly to target Misamis Occidental 2nd District Rep. Henry Oaminal around 8:45 p.m. on December 22.

Gutierrez was supposed to run for vice governor in tandem with Oaminal who will run for governor in the 2022 elections.

Andrea earlier documented how her father had been initially declared safe from harm a day after the incident but was closely being monitored at a hospital in Ozamiz City.

However, she later posted on her Facebook that her father had to be transferred to the Intensive Care Unit on December 25.

In a Facebook post, Rep. Oaminal dangled a PHP5-million bounty for anyone who could provide information that would lead to the arrest and imprisonment of the assailants.

“This brazen and senseless act of violence has no place in a democratic society, especially when it threatens our fundamental right to vote. We cannot let fear and injustice prevail over us,” he said.

Ozamiz City Mayor Sancho Oaminal, party-mate of Gutierrez, said the latter’s death was a tragic and heartbreaking development, “most especially during this season of love and peace.”

“The desperate, cowardly and violent act which led to Mayor Michael’s death should be condemned, and justice should be sought. Yes, it was a desperate act — anybody who commits murder for whatever reason must be in great distress and recklessly desperate,” he said in a Facebook post.

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra in a Philippine News Agency report on December 23 said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in the region will be on standby, as the Philippine National Police makes their initial investigation.

In a statement Thursday last week, December 23, Brig. Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., Police Regional Office – Northern Mindanao (PRO-10) director, said a special investigation task group (SITG) will look into identifying the perpetrators behind the attempt on Oaminal, Gutierrez, and former Oroquieta City mayor Jason Almonte, who also plans to run for 1st District Representative of the province.

Another bounty

In a press conference Monday, Misamis Occidental 1st Dist. Rep. Diego Ty also offered a PHP1-million bounty on the head of the perpetrators behind the death of Gutierrez.

“This money comes from my wife. She told me this is to show our respect and friendship to the mayor (Gutierrez),” he said.

Despite coming from different political parties for the 2022 elections, Ty considered Gutierrez as his “brother.”

Ty also denied the accusations of his alleged involvement in the attack.

Provincial Gov. Philip Tan also extended condolences to the Gutierrez family. Tan, who also spoke on behalf of his local party, said they do not resort to violence in dealing with other opposing local parties.

“We categorically deny the insinuation and allegation that the shooting was politically motivated,” he said.

He also said that the provincial government welcomes the investigation of the SITG and even the NBI.

Source: Philippines News Agency

An increase in cases and positivity rate in the past week were observed in the National Capital Region (NCR), the Department of Health (DOH) said on Monday.

In an online media forum, Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire noted that the NCR showed positive growth in cases in the recent week at 49 percent.

“In the NCR, the daily cases in the recent week showed an increase of 38 cases or 49 percent from the previous week now averaging 115 cases per day,” Vergeire said.

For the period of December 13 to 19, the average daily reported cases in the NCR was at 77.

The latest DOH data showed that majority of the areas in the region indicate positive one-week growth rates (OWGR) while five areas show positive OWGRs and two-week growth rate.

Image from DOH

The cities of San Juan, Las Piñas, Manila, and Makati are under moderate risk classification for Covid-19 with a moving average daily attack rate ranging from 1.01 to 2.86 for the period of December 13 to 26.

Meantime, all areas in the region have both their Covid-19 beds and intensive care unit (ICU) beds utilization at low risk.

“An increase in the recent week was observed in the NCR compared to the week prior. The NCR now has a rate of 1.5 percent versus .70 percent in the previous weeks,” Vergeire said.

The total Covid-19 bed utilization in the NCR has been decreasing since mid-September with a slight uptick in the recent week.

As of December 26, the total beds increased by 99 or one percent while the occupied beds are lower by 1,707 or 51 percent compared to the statistics at the start of July.

Moreover, the ICU beds increased by 117 or 10 percent while their occupancy is lower by 192 or 43 percent compared to the statistics at the start of July.

Source: Philippines News Agency