Tuesday, March 30, 2010

2 Soldiers shot dead by suspected NPA members in Quezon

Suspected New People’s Army communist members shot dead 2 soldiers while on their way to Burdeos, Quezon yesterday.

Ssg Isidro G Cruz and Pfc Romel B Gernale, members of area security team, 1st Infantry Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division were on board a motorcycle traveling to Burdeos town proper when ambushed by 7 suspected members of the NPA group in Brgy Amot, of the same town, around 2:30 p.m., yesterday.

Accordingly, the victims had just conducted further investigation on the information that an alleged collection of Permit to Campaign activities is being performed by members of the communists group in the area.

Part of the Armed Forces Philippines overall intent towards honest, orderly and peaceful election is the deployment of area security to ensure the security of the candidates while campaigning.

The Philippine Army leadership condemns the atrocities committed by the New People's Army terrorists in the strongest terms, and vows to run after those responsible for the deaths of many soldiers and civilians alike.

Although saddened that somebody’s life has once again been sacrificed, we continue to call on the candidates not to give in to the demands of the communist terrorists and to report any attempts of the NPA to collect Permit to Campaign schemes from them.

As of press time, additional troops were deployed to conduct pursuit operations and to augment area security teams in the outskirts of Burdeos, Quezon.

296 New Soldiers complete Basic Military Training

Camp Peralta, Jamindan, Capiz--- Two hundred and ninety-six (296) candidate soldiers were sworn in as Privates into the Armed Forces of the Philippines by Major General Vicente M Porto, Commander of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division during the joint graduation ceremony of Candidate Soldier (Magilas) Class 218-10 and 231-10 held in Camp Macario B Peralta Jr, Jamindan, Capiz this morning.

The class started with 300 able-bodied recruits who began their training last October 22 hailing from different parts of Panay, Guimaras, and Negros islands. Their training consisted of 3 months honing their basic military skills and another 2 months of application through the Jungle Warfare and Mountain Operations Course (JWMOC) held at the 33,100 hectare Military Reservation in Jamindan.

Special Awards were given to the following members of Class Magilas:

· Academic awards for the top three finishers of the class:

o CS Cyril Jun L Maglaqui

o CS Roel R Romay

o CS Glen A Tawagon

· Physical fitness and proficiency award: CS Jomar C Chavez

· Plaque of Recognition for Outstanding Leadership: CS Raymond C Chisno

· Combat awards:

o CS Rodolfo L Paigalan

o CS Breno Pagurayan

Maj Gen Porto, the Guest of Honor and Speaker of the ceremony, congratulated the graduates during his speech and urged them to be loyal and serve to protect and enhance the name of the Armed Forces of the Philippines particularly the Philippine Army. He also underscored the role of the new privates as catalysts for peace and development in our country. "As new soldiers, you must possess the qualities of SARS- a combination of Skills, Attitude, Responsibility and Spiritual Guidance," Porto added.

For 2009 alone, the 3ID has already graduated a total of 286 soldiers after being given a ceiling of 300 for recruitment. These soldiers will be distributed to our different subordinate units to replenish their ranks and to maintain our effective strength so that we may continue to perform our mission in Western Visayas. These are the first set of graduates that will be deployed by the 3ID for year 2010.

The Spearhead Division takes pride in producing professional and service-oriented soldiers and this is why so many of our fellow citizens are inspired to take up the profession of arms. This is shown by the increase in the turnout of applicants for last year’s recruitment. Your army is optimistic that in our future recruitment efforts we can hope to entice more applicants with professional skills as we continue to enhance our technology as well as our capabilities.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Army troops rescue hostage victims in Lanao

Five hostage victims were rescued by the combined elements of the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police with the support of the local officials of Lanao del Sur on March 14.

Reports reaching the Philippine Army headquarters from field units disclosed that combined elements of the 103rd Brigade headed by its commander Col Rey C Ardo with the 33rd Infantry Battalion, 15th Infantry Battalion, 65th Infantry Battalion, 12th Light Armor Company, and the 1501st Provincial Mobile Group successfully rescued five employees of VICMAR logging concession in Poblacion Kapay, Lanao del Sur about two days ago.

The rescued victims were identified as Rene Morteza, Felipe Lanuza, Vicky Lanuza, Jerald Cabanig, and Eudillo Padilla. The victims were abducted at Sitio Champion, Panoruganan, Kapai, Lanao del Sur and were brought to several places until their rescue last Sunday.

With the continued support of local government units and other government agencies, the Philippine Army shall remain responsive to the needs of the people. Exhausting all possible resources in order to serve the country and the people better, the Philippine Army remains undaunted in its commitment to provide peace and security particularly in Mindanao. #

NPA rebels extorting campaign fees arrested in Quezon

The intensified campaign of the Philippine Army against the continued collection of permit to campaign (PTC) fees by the New People’s Army rebels resulted to the capture of two of its members in Catanuan, Quezon yesterday.

Reports reaching the Philippine Army headquarters disclosed that combined elements of the 74th Infantry Battalion and the Catanuan Police arrested a certain Rhea Pareja @ Kear/Janwa, Deputy Secretary General of the local terrorist group operating in Catanuan, and Leonito Dichoso @ Ka Hector, a local terrorist group member. Pareja has a standing warrant of arrest for murder.

The information regarding the presence of the two NPA rebels was tipped off by the local residents. Recovered from the suspects were two Cal 45 pistols, two grenades, two improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and a P100, 000 cash. Initial investigation revealed that Pareja and Dichoso were collecting PTC fees when they were apprehended by the authorities.

The continued collection of PTC fees by the NPA poses a threat and hindrance to the conduct of honest, orderly, and peaceful election as it involves force, violence, and coercion. The Philippine Army condemns this outright attack to the right of the people to a free, honest, and orderly election as it vows to intensify its campaign and advocacy. #

Monday, March 15, 2010

82IB foils attempted NPA ambush. Landmines recovered

Camp Peralta, Jamindan, Capiz--- A day after an encounter between the Army troopers and the NPA’s Southern front in Brgy Igcabugao, Igbaras, Iloilo, a platoon of soldiers from 82nd Infantry Battalion’s Charlie Company led by 1LT Pete Malaluan, while conducting hot pursuit operations, recovered two Improvised Explosive Device – Anti-Personal Landmines laid along the probable line of attack by our soldiers in an attempted ambush. The IED was connected to a switchbox 10 meters from the hastily abandoned landmines. The landmines were intended to maim and kill the pursuing troops to cover the escape of the fleeing NPA who initiated the attack yesterday.


The recoveries of the two IED Landmines indicate that the enemy intended to ambush our soldiers. However, our troops’ vigilance, presence of mind, and tactical prowess are evident when they assaulted the NPA from a different direction, foiling their plans to do our soldiers harm.


Our intelligence reports reveal that the New People's Army will escalate their illegal and terrorist activities in areas where they are losing support and influence as the date of their founding anniversary nears. The NPA will be celebrating their 41st year of sowing terrorism and fear in the hearts of innocent, peace-loving civilians on March 29. Just a week ago, a similar encounter occurred in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental with the 62nd Infantry (Unifier) Battalion, who clashed with twenty Communist Terrorist leaving six dead NPAs and the recovery of three high powered firearms in their wake.


According to LTC George Joel Lalaquil of the 82IB, “Abandoned IEDs already laid down and were left behind also indicate the NPA’s desperation amidst the pressure of their leadership to elevate their Tactical Offensives to a higher level. They’re failure to execute their plan and the abandonment of their equipment indicates a disgruntled and disorganized enemy under a weak leadership.”


It was also found that the enemy occupied a civilian house while they fired upon our soldiers. “This only shows that they are continuing to put innocent civilians in harm’s way by using them as human shields. We congratulate our Army troopers for their professionalism by putting their own lives just to ensure the safety of the Igcabugaonons,” Lalaquil added.


Other items recovered from the ambush site were batteries, an abandoned Sim Card, scattered leftover “puso” rice, and empty shells of 5.56mm ACP 99 Ammunition that is conventionally purchased in commercial gun stores.


According to Major General Vicente M Porto of the 3ID, “The NPA's Southern Front in Panay Island is hopelessly clinging to Igbaras but the residents themselves are the ones saying that they are unwelcome. The NPA's recent actions in Western Visayas betray their desperation and incapability to conduct decisive operations against our soldiers.


The 3ID will continue to stay vigilant to prevent these terrorists from further disrupting our peaceful way of life.”