Untold Stories Of Forced Disappearance In Bicol

Major Harold M Cabunoc (Inf) PA　
　　　　
One pleasant afternoon on 26 January 2010, I was reviewing my routine paper works when our military phone line rang.

When I picked the phone, the soldier on the other line said, “Good afternoon sir! You have visitors from Albay. They are the relatives of a missing person.” This will be another special day for me, I said to myself. “Let them come to my office here in DPAO.” I told the caller.

Moments later, I heard some knocks in our main door. Raul, my office assistant greeted the visitors who showed up, guiding them directly towards our receiving area. I had for visitors; two of them are women.

As I approached them, I can see that they looked very tired. They must come from a long trip. As I approached them, I shook their hands one by one with my ready smile. “Welcome to the 9th Infantry Division, the home of your Philippine Army in Bicol Region”, I uttered my familiar phrases as I ushered them to our comfortable sofa.

“You must be the relative of that missing person. I heard about him from my superiors in Manila”, I said, as I signalled my soldier to prepare some refreshments for them.

“I am Major Harold, the Division Public Affairs Officer. I am ready to help you as long as I can.”, I told them with an assuring look. I was aware that they were frustrated, stressed and confused. “To ensure that I get all the details of this meeting, I am asking your permission to record all our discussions”, I explained. Everyone nodded in agreement.

“Please introduce yourself”, I asked them. As they mentioned their names, I recorded the conversation using my digital voice recorder. Bob, my cameraman, was taking pictures as we talked.

“We have a very big problem and we are asking for your help.”, said Faustino, a middle aged man who looks like the eldest of the four siblings. “Our brother, Ananias Cardiente Jr is missing.”, he added. Another victim of this insurgency problem, I assumed. “Please give me the background and relevant details about your problem”, I told them. “Let me be the one to narrate the story to you”, the woman who identified herself as Imelda said.

That was the start of our 2-hour long conversation which I patiently facilitated.

“My brother went missing on January 15, 2010 at around 11: 00am. It happened a day after one of your soldiers was killed in an ambush in our baranggay in Taplacon.”, said Imelda. Something reminds me when I heard about the baranggay that she mentioned. This is where the gravesites of the victims of extra-judicial killings of the CPP-NPA-NDF are discovered in August-September last year. The late Pfc Michael Sarza was also killed there when they were ambushed by NPA rebels on January 14, 2010.

“I am listening, please continue.”, I replied. She told me that his brother tends their small farm in Bgy Taplacon. The farm is planted with coconuts and fruit trees most of which are the labor of love of his late father.

“A part of this farm is originally owned by a certain Mr Samson from Manila.”, Faustino declared. I asked them if they are tenants of Mr Samson. Faustino nodded in confirmation. “Did you ever have problems with the landlord regarding the sharing of the products or income from this land?”, I asked. “Not really.”, Faustino sighed and added that “We noticed some problems in the past when some group of people sent a letter to Mr Samson regarding their demand for “tax” collection”. Deep inside me I knew he was referring to the extortion demand of the CPP-NPA-NDF to the poor farmers in the countryside.

“Do you mean the CPP-NPA-NDF demands an amount from your farm product earnings?”, I asked Faustino. I can see that he was very hesitant. He cannot look straight into my eyes. He seemed to be hiding something. When I repeated my question, he said that the rebels were asking for money from them as “revolutionary tax”. “How much? How is it computed?”, I pressed for detailed answers. He cannot mention the exact amount because “it was only his brother who knew the correct figures”. “I am aware that this is happening in the remote baranggays. I am not blaming you. You are victims of these extortionists who are too lazy to work in the farmlands.”, I replied.

In our further exchange of information, he also confirmed that his brother is always demanded an amount every time their copra products are sold in the town of Camalig.I am not really surprised by this revelation. I know the CPP-NPA-NDF in Bicol strongly denies the existence of extortion despite the rising number of people who complained about this selfishness. This is what they call their noble cause. “Pinagkakikitaan na nila ang kanilang sinasabing ipinaglalaban.”, I told Faustino as I sighed in frustration. I pity my visitors. They are helpless against these bandits.

In trying to dig up for more details, I asked him about their possible “enemies”. Imelda the younger sister of Faustino, quickly replied: “Yes, one of our maternal uncles, Mr Artemio Moradillo, had been trying hard to claim our land, especially the portion which has many fruit trees.” She also mentioned about the heated altercation between his father and his uncle a few years ago. “Some of our neighbours are witnesses to this event. My uncle is indeed very greedy.”, she added. Based from her revelations, I have realized that they also have a perceived threat from among their family members. I also considered this as a possible angle behind the disappearance of “Dayo” (nickname of Ananias Jr).

“Now, please tell me the events that transpired leading to the disappearance of your brother Dayo”, I asked them. I was expecting the start of the sad story. I can see the tears that welled on their eyes. I know it is very painful to lose one’s dear brother. I have heard a similar story like this from Mrs Musa whose husband’s remains were unearthed in this same baranggay sometime in September 2009. Francisco Musa was a victim of the extra-judicial killing by the CPP-NPA-NDF.

Getting back to the story, I requested Imelda to continue with her detailed account about the alleged abduction.

I listened carefully as she shared her story.

It was a calm sunny day on 15 January 2010 when Florentina Aquino, Imelda’s aunt, met some strangers while on her way back to home from the town of Camalig. She was with Melvin Magdasoc, a 13-year old boy, during that time.
“They were wearing basketball jerseys and they carried heavy calibre rifles with them.”, Imelda narrated the revelation of her aunt. The heavily-armed men who introduced themselves as NPA rebels, were asking if the cigarettes she was bringing was for the Army soldiers. When she told them that the cigarettes were for his husband, the armed men searched her belongings. Finding nothing except receipts of her copra products, they left and proceeded towards the houses of their relative, Wilfredo Nidea.

Nidea was in his house when the armed men approached him. “Where does this trail leading to?”, asked one of the armed men. Nidea told him that the next house was owned by Vicente Moradillo. Hearing that, the man cautioned him saying, “Don’t go with us anymore. Stay in this place.”. Nidea saw that the armed men went straight to the house of Moradillo.

Seeing that some armed men were approaching his house, Moradillo met them outside his house. “We come to find Dayo. Do you know where he is?”, asked the leader of the group. “I think he is in his house now. I will fetch him.”, said Moradillo.

Manay, the mother of Dayo was preparing lunch when Vicente arrived. “I’m here to take Dayo to my house. We have some visitors waiting there.”, said Vicente. The mother asked Vicente if he knows the visitors. Learning that Vicente knows no one among the armed men, Dayo’s mother refused to tell him the whereabouts of his son.

Insisting to find for Dayo, Vicente roamed around the farm. He headed towards the rice paddies where Dayo was. Though frustrated to see that Moradillo found his son Dayo, Manay just let them go. She knows that Moradillo is a good man. She hopes that her son will come back in time for lunch.

That was the last time she saw her son.

Dayo never came back. Vicente was also missing. Manay couldn’t contain her sorrows. Dayo is the only son which remains in their farm to keep their livestock and small farm. He has plans to marry soon. That fateful day was the last time she saw her beloved son. Since then, she had been shedding tears as she prayed for his safety. She weeps every moment she remembers her son. She couldn’t accept that this is happening to him. Another sad story, I murmured to myself. Everytime I met people (family of soldiers or NPA rebels) who are victims of this conflict, I can’t help but sympathize with them. I also have a brother and a son. Personally, I don’t believe that killing people will end the problem about communist-terrorists in our country.

“Sir, please help us find our brother.”, Faustino said in between sobs. “I am sorry to say that I also suspect the CAFGU (paramilitary personnel) because they were there during that same period.”, he explained. “Let us be open-minded about this. This could also be the handiwork of the NPA bandits. They can always make it appear that the military is engaged in abuses like this.”, I told him.

I recounted how the CPP-NPA-NDF waged a murderous killing spree in CY 2009, victimizing not only AFP and PNP personnel, but also hapless civilians and even members of the communist organization themselves. Thirty-four of them were killed last year; and, the last one to be murdered was Private First Class Romeo Daza who was gunned down in the town of Pamplona, Camarines Sur. In many instances, Ka Greg Banares, the rebel group’s spokesman, boasted about their successful murders in the name of their “cause”.

To educate them about the deception techniques used by the CPP-NPA-NDF, I reminded them about an incident which transpired on 19 May 2009, when the Lubigan Junior CAFGU detachment was attacked by the NPA bandits. I presented them the facts which are verifiable by evidences. In that particular scenario, the bandits abducted five farmers along their route of withdrawal. They ordered the abductees to carry the wounded and the armaments which were taken away from the detachment which they overran. I told them that about 3-4 hours later, Karapatan Bicol, represented by Mr John Concepcion, accused the military of human rights violations by “abducting poor farmers in retaliation to the overrunning of the military detachment”. Then, by the stroke of luck, those fleeing bandits were encountered by government troops headed by 1LT Armando Bohol, resulting to the killing of some bandits and the recovery of high-powered firearms. The five abducted civilians were also able to escape when the rebels scampered in disarray.

Finding those civilians, the ABS-CBN Naga was able to interview them. “We were taken hostage by the CPP-NPA to carry their wounded comrades and their belongings.”, says one of the hostages. “This video footage taken by the media is my material evidence that the CPP-NPA-NDF is indeed very good at the art of deception.”, I clarified to Faustino and his siblings. “Please don’t come at a hasty conclusion that the military is behind this. Let us not be biased.”, I added.

Deep inside me, I am not convinced that the military is stupid enough to commit this atrocity. Gone are the days that the military is branded as “utak-pulbura”. We have more professional soldiers and leaders nowadays. I am very proud of this transformation in the military.
　
Analyzing the events that transpired that day, I couldn’t imagine that a soldier or CAFGU personnel is brave enough to show his face before committing a crime. I tend to believe that the uneducated bandit who is also deceived by their leaders, is probably behind this. I immediately rang the phone of LtCol Leo Cirunay, the Battalion Commander of the CAFGU. I told him the allegations against the CAFGU; I also narrated to him the background of the story and my analyses of the situation. “I will let them come to the CAFGU detachment in Camalig to show them our transparency. I will direct the Company Commander to gather all troops tomorrow at 9am.”, he confidently declared. Hearing that, I arranged a meeting with them in Camalig Municipal Police Station the very next day (January 28). I told them to accompany Mrs Florentina Aquino, the eyewitness who can pinpoint the perpetrators.

It was exactly 9:00am when I arrived in the police station to meet them. I brought with me one guy from the media to witness the event as well as three officers from the 22nd Infantry Battalion which is the supervisor of all CAFGU personnel in Bicol Region.

Thirty minutes later, we arrived Bgy Taladung after negotiating many potential ambush sites along the way. The Detachment Commander was well-prepared when we came. All CAFGU personnel were already present when we entered the camp. They were all unaware that I brought with me an eyewitness that could possibly pinpoint anyone who might have participated in the abduction of Cardiente. I directed the visitors to a small hut which serves as a receiving area. “Please play fair Aling Florentina”, I whispered to her ears. “Be sure about the identity of your suspect. I can compare this with the roster of troops which went out for patrol during that period.”, I reminded her.

Lt Ryan Braza introduced me to the CAFGU personnel. He told them that I was there to remind them about their election duties and how to avoid partisan politics. Delivering my “piece” was easy. Behind me, approximately ten meters, was Aling Florentina, analyzing the faces of each and every soldier and CAFGU personnel who were in formation in front of us. In fifteen minutes, my TIE (troop information and education) was finished. In one way or another, I also performed an important duty to our personnel. After all, their commanders are supposed to visit them regularly to disseminate some important directives from higher headquarters.

Getting back to my main task, I approached Aling Florentina and asked her if she had identified someone as among those armed men whom he met. “No one among them sir.”, she said. “Okay, to be fair, you must also consider appealing to the CPP-NPA-NDF to release your nephew.”, I said. I can see that all of them were frustrated. “I will personally request from the unit commanders to help in the investigation.”, I said.

As I headed back to my camp, I can’t help but think about Dayo. He became another victim of this unsettled insurgency problem. I prayed that all responsible leaders will be awakened about their shortcomings. Definitely, soldiers alone, cannot solve this problem. Personally, I want to be part of the solution. I prayed that there will be no more unwilling victims of this conflict-----no more Dayo, an innocent farmer, no more Ka Eli, the NPA medic ng masa; and no more Pfc Sarza who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

I will just do what I think is part of the solution. I always hope for the best to come.

2 Government Troopers Survive NPA Ambush

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur – A soldier and a CAFGU companion survived the ambush staged by NPA rebels in Sitio Salvacion, Bgy Gurang-gurang, Donsol, Sorsogon on 29 January 2010 at around 3:30pm, a military officer said here today.

Major Harold Cabunoc, 9ID Spokesperson said that SSg Montano V Escano, commander of the CAFGU Detachment in Bgy Gurang-gurang, received a phone call from a Bgy Kagawad (village councilman) about the presence of NPA extortionists in his baranggay. Together with two CAFGUs, Sgt Escano, in civilian attire, proceeded to the said baranggay on board a motorcycle at around 2:30pm to check the reported extortion. He brought with him his issued Cal .45 pistol for self-defense.

Since the heavily-armed extortionists have left the said place, Sgt Escano and his buddies decided to go back to the detachment and await for the updates as promised by the village councilman. But on their way back, they were ambushed in Sitio Salvacion by more or less 10 heavily armed rebels who were occupying covered and concealed positions. All three of them were hit in the initial volley of fires. The driver, CAA Enrique Sicad, died instantly while Sgt Escano and CAA Noel Dela Cerna were wounded. But inspite of his wounds, Sgt Escano bravely fought it out with the enemy using only his Cal .45 pistol against the high-powered firearms of the attackers. Sgt Escano eventually killed one of the rebels and recovered one M16 rifle, a hand grenade and a rifle grenade.

Dazed and confused by the ferocity of the wounded soldiers, the NPA rebels scampered to different directions. One rebel however was caught by responding villagers and was later identified as Rolly Jorojoro y Diloso of Sitio Tinuldukan, Bgy San Roque, Jovellar, Sorsogon.

The wounded soldiers were immediately evacuated to the nearest hospital for treatment while the dead CAFGU was brought to a funeral parlor in Donsol, Sorsogon together with the dead NPA bandit.

At around 6:30am on 30 January 2010, troops of 49IB under LTC SANTIAGO ENGINCO, apprehended one of the ambushers in Sitio Makawayan, Gatbo, Bacon District, Sorsogon. The two NPA bandits were identified as Romeo Ditan and Jofer Escandor. A caliber .38 revolver and a cal .45 pistol with ammunitions and subversive documents were recovered from the two.
　
Local residents of Donsol have worked closely with the AFP to fight NPA rebels who have continuously attempted to destroy the flourishing tourism industry in said municipality. The populace fully realize that progress in their town will be elusive for as long as the NPA terrorists are in their midst. "We are tired of their (NPA rebels) extortion activities. We are not their slaves! Why don't they (NPA) work for themselves also?", said one resident.

2 Farmers Abducted By Heavily Armed Men

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur – Two farmers who are residents of Bgy Taplacon, Camalig, Albay were abducted by heavily armed men on 15 January 2010, a military officer said here today.

Major Harold Cabunoc, 9ID Spokesperson, said that on 27 January 2010, the family members of the missing persons asked the assistance of the Public Affairs Office on how to locate their missing relatives identified as Ananias Cardiente Jr and Vicente Moradillo. In a taped interview, Imelda and Faustino, siblings of Ananias, disclosed that their brother have been giving in to the extortion demand of the CPP/NPA/NDF for the past years. “We can do nothing against armed men who ask for this so-called revolutionary tax on poor farmers like us”, said Faustino. “We just followed the practice of Mr. Samson, our landlord, who used to give extortion money to the CPP/NPA/NDF”, he added.

Mrs Florentina Aquino, their aunt, also revealed that she is paying “terciong-baliktad” out of her farm products. “Out of the nine-hundred peso income, we have to pay six-hundred pesos (P600.00) to the CPP/NPA rebels”, she disclosed.

Cardiente and Moradillo were abducted by heavily armed men at around 11:00am on 15 January 2010. Aquino revealed that she herself met the ten armed men who were looking for Moradillo. “They were wearing basketball uniforms but they were carrying high-powered firearms. They introduced themselves as members of the CPP/NPA/NDF.”, Aquino said.

The police blotter in Camalig Municipal Police Station also reveals that Aquino was with a certain Melvin Magdasoc when they met the armed men who introduced themselves as NPA rebels.

On 28 January 2010, Major Harold Cabunoc, together with officers from the 22nd Infantry Battalion, accompanied Mrs Aquino and the Cardiente siblings to Bgy Taladung, Camalig, Albay to inspect all CAFGU personnel whom they suspected as behind the abduction. During the face-to-face meeting, Aquino did not find any of the 10 armed men who abducted his nephew.

“The CPP/NPA/NDF could be behind this latest abduction”, Cabunoc said. “This is a grand design to oppose the installation of CAFGU detachment in Bgy Taplacon which is a NPA influenced baranggay and a rich source of their extortion money. The communist terrorists are very good in the art of deception to influence the mind of the people”, he added.

According to Cabunoc, in 2009, thirty four (34) people were killed by the CPP/NPA/NDF’s SPARU murderers in Bicol Region. In one incident in Lubigan, Sipocot, Camarines Sur, the military was accused as behind the abduction of five (5) farmers after the NPA attack on a CAFGU detachment on 19 May 2009. It turned out later that the CPP-NPA-NDF was behind the abduction as revealed by the victims who were interviewed by ABS-CBN Naga.

Major Harold Cabunoc, spokesperson of 9ID, talks to all CAFGU personnel of Taladung Detachment in Camalig, Albay as eyewitness to the abduction looks on. Not anyone among the personnel were identified as among the armed men who abducted the two farmers.

Legaspenos Commerate Battle Of Legaspi

Students of Oro Site High School reenact the Battle of Legaspi

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur – The City of Legaspi commemorated the 110th Anniversary of the Battle of Legaspi yesterday, 23 January 2010, at 8:00 o’clock in the morning.

The local chief executive, Mayor Noel Rosal, led the commemoration rites attended by city officials, students, war veterans and personnel from the AFP and PNP. The Guest of Honor and Speaker was Major Geneneral Ruperto “Raffy” Pabustan, the Commander of the 9th Infantry Division, based in Pili, Camarines Sur.

Mayor Rosal and MGen Pabustan led the wreath-laying ceremony in the monument erected for the fallen heroes in the so-called Battle of Legaspi. Afterwards, students of the Oro Site High School reenacted the said battle, vividly showing the insurmountable odds faced by the Filipino fighters who were eventually overpowered by the advancing American forces. It also depicted the exemplary unity and acts of courage of the bolo-wielding Filipinos who met the hail of bullets as they rushed to confront the American forces.

In his speech, MGen Pabustan recounted the heroism of the Bicolanos led by General Antero Paua, whose 800-man strong Filipino resistance forces fought a technologically superior invasion force of American soldiers supported by naval vessels equipped with heavy cannons.

“I have no match to the bravery shown by these heroes who offered the ultimate sacrifice for Legaspi and the whole country.”, Pabustan said. “Dying in defense of freedom and independence is the highest form of sacrifice and legacy that has been handed to us through generations. The protection of the freedom and integrity of our country is the utmost duty of all Filipino citizens.”, he added.

Masbate Village Leader Killed In An Election-Related Violence

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur – Unidentified armed men barged into the house of a village leader in Masbate and shot him dead, an Army official said here today.

Major Harold M Cabunoc, spokesperson of the 9th Infantry Division said that at around 8pm on 21 January 2010, five (5) unidentified armed men forcibly entered the house of Brgy Chairman Danny Amor of Brgy. Bartolabac, San Jacinto, Masbate and shot him dead while the latter was having dinner with his family.

According to eyewitnesses, the assailants shot the victim with a Caliber .45 pistol equipped with silencer. The suspects immediately fled the scene after shootting the victim in his back. The witnesses however failed to identify the suspects but it was believed that politics is the motive for the killing.

Lt Col Anthony Purugganan, commander of the 9th Infantry Battalion, immediately dispatched a team to secure the area and assist PNP personnel in the investigation. Amor is the second Masbate politician to be murdered after the killing of ABC President Ali Aransado of Esperanza municipality on 19 January 2010.

The new election-related violence incident (ERVI) transpired after Task Force Masbate was organized by Director General Jesus Versoza during his visit in the province yesterday, 21 January 2010.

PNP Personnel Ambushed By Heavily Armed Men In Masbate

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur – Unidentified armed men ambushed the investigating team sent by the PNP to Esperanza, Masbate, an Army official said here today.

Major Harold M Cabunoc, Spokesperson of the 9th Infantry Division, said that more or less five suspected communist terrorists blew up a landmine as the PNP patrol car was negotiating the rough road along Brgy Gaed, Dimasalang, Masbate at around 9pm on 20 January 2010. The explosion smashed the windshield of the car and busted its radiator but no one was hurt among the CIDG and 11th SAF personnel who were on board.

The investigating team of the PNP was working with the 9th Infantry Battalion to shed light on the circumstances of the killing of the Association of Baranggay Captains (ABC) President Ali Aransado who was ambushed on 19 January 2010 in Sitio Mesa, Bgy Masbaranon, Esperanza, Masbate.

PNP Chief Director General Jesus Versoza, together with MGen Ruperto Pabustan, the Commander of the 9th Infantry Division, is visiting the island province today to assess the security situation and conduct a joint conference with the LGU officials, police and military commanders in the area.

The Philippine Army remains focused on its ISO mission but it is also actively supporting the PNP in implementing the COMELEC’s nationwide firearms ban. The AFP and PNP is also tasked to establish a Joint Dedicated Task Group to dismantle partisan armed groups (PAGs) in the area.

398 Candidate Soldiers Hurdled Basic Military Training

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur – Three hundred ninety eight candidate soldiers successfully finished the Basic Military Training (BMT) conducted by the 9th Division Training Unit (9DTU) based here. The training culminated in a simple graduation ceremony held at 9:00am today, 20 January 2010.

Lieutenant Colonel Claudio Yucot, 9DTU Commander, said that not one among the candidate soldiers who joined the rigorous training failed to finish the 3-month course. “The professionalism and competence of my training instructors paid off.”, he said. As part of the BMT, candidate soldiers were made to undergo basic soldiery skills such as rifle marksmanship, map reading and land navigation, fieldcraft and survival techniques. They were also trained in International Humanitarian Law, environmental protection and disaster response operations.

Masbate Politician Killed In Ambush

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur – Unidentified armed men ambushed and killed the Association of Baranggay Captains (ABC) President Ali Aransado at 3pm today, 19 January 2010, in Sitio Mesa, Brgy Masbaranon, Esperanza, Masbate.

Quoting a report from LTC Anthony Purugganan, commander of the 9th Infantry Battalion based in Milagros town, Major Harold M Cabunoc, Chief Public Information Officer of 9ID, said that ABC President Ali Aransado, 35yrs old, was an incumbent ABC President in Esperanza. He was on his way home to Brgy Guadalupe when the ambush-slaying happened. Mr. Aransado bore multiple gunshot wounds all over his body resulting to his instantaneous death. His cadaver was still in the ambush area as of 4pm when Army and PNP personnel arrived to secure the area and conduct thorough investigation about the incident. Likewise, LTC Purugganan has dispatched his troops to pursue the ambushers.

Partisan Armed Group Ransacked Politician's House

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur – More or less thirty (30) unidentified members of partisan armed group (PAG) ransacked the house of a certain Monching Radan, a vice mayoralty candidate and an incumbent municipal councilor of Claveria, Masbate, at around 6:00 am yesterday, January 17, 2010, in Brgy Taguilid of the said municipality. The said armed group carted away one (1) Cal 5.56 Bushmaster M4 rifle and one (1) Cal 5.56mm M653 Rifle (baby armalite). No one was reported injured during the incident.

According to narrative accounts by Radan’s neighbors, the armed men were wearing Army camouflaged uniform without name patches. They also disclosed that they were able to identify some of the perpetrators as members of the so-called “private army” of a certain politician in the area.

Upon learning of the incident, LTC Anthony Purugganan, commander of 9th Infantry Battalion based in Milagros, Masbate, immediately sent out a platoon of soldiers led by Lt Anuddin to conduct pursuit operation in Brgy San Ramon of same municipality where the PAG is believed to have proceeded.

Likewise, MGen Ruperto R Pabustan, stressed his previous directive to all units to be vigilant on the presence of private armed groups which may ignite election-related violence. "No slacks will be given to these PAGs.", he said.

9ID Troops Celebrated Christmas With Displaced Residents In Albay

Troops of the 9th Infantry Division cancelled their yearly Christmas party but instead pooled their resources and shared it with the affected residents of the latest Mayon Volcano eruption in Albay province. The soldiers were able to provide "Libreng Tawag" (Free Calls), distributed relief goods, gave psychological counselling to kids, and other fun activities to at least alleviate the condition of the evacuees. "We don't mind forgoing with our traditional family get-together to help our kababayans. They need whatever help they can get. They need it more than us. I'm happy that we made them smile even for a while amidst the tragedy they are facing. This is a meaningful and fulfilling Christmas celebration for us.", said one soldier.

NPA Rebels Ambush Unarmed Soldiers

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur – Heavily armed NPA rebels ambushed a motorcycle driven by two unarmed Army soldiers at around 4:30pm, a military officer said here today.

Major Harold Cabunoc, the 9ID Spokesman, said that Pfc Michael Sarza and Pfc Rey Malagday, in civilian attire without firearms, were ambushed by more or less 8 heavily-armed rebels in an uninhabited area in Bgy Maninila, Camalig, Albay while on its way back to Task Force Mayon headquarters. Pfc Sarza died instantaneously due to multiple gunshots all over his body while Pfc Malagday escaped unhurt and immediately reported the incident to his superior.

The two were earlier directed by TF Mayon Commander, Colonel Marlou Salazar, to coordinate with local officials in Bgy Taplacon of the same municipality, regarding the upcoming Disaster Response Operations training for selected residents and local leaders in the province. The two (2) soldiers were not able to defend themselves since they were not allowed to carry firearms in respect to the COMELEC gun ban which took effect last January 10, 2010.

Major General Ruperto R Pabustan, the Commander of the 9th Infantry Division has directed his line unit commanders to strictly enforce the implementation of the gun ban provisions. At least one soldier identified as a certain Pfc Leyva was apprehended by PNP personnel for carrying his issued firearm while travelling to his mother unit in Sorsogon province yesterday. “We will set the good example in complying to the established directives by the COMELEC”, Gen Pabustan said.

NPA Rebels Ambush PNP Personnel

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur – Heavily armed NPA rebels ambushed a PNP mobile patrol car carrying ten (10) policemen on 11 January 2010 at around 2:30pm, a military officer said here today.

Major Harold Cabunoc, the 9ID Spokesman, said that the policemen from Casiguran Municipal Police Station led by SPO1 Cicero Vargas were fired upon by more or less 3-5 rebels while they were travelling along Maharlika Highway in Brgy Punong, Casiguran, Sorsogon.

The patrol car was hit by small arms fire but no one was hurt among the PNP personnel who were able to succesfully repulse the rebels. The PNP personnel have just attended a coordination meeting with local leaders in the said baranggay when the incident happened.

At around 3:00 pm, Colonel Joselito Bernardo, commander of 903rd Infantry Brigade, immediately dispatched troops of the 49th Infantry Battalion under 1LT Dela Cruz in tandem with the PNP personnel led by PCI Rogelio Beraquil to pursue the fleeing communist terrorists.

Earlier in the day, at around 530am, another encounter occurred in Bgy Ginangra, Magallanes, Sorsogon which yielded five (5) M16 Rifles, one (1) Ultimax Light Machinegun, and one (1) M2 Carbine Rifle. Subversive documents recovered from the scene of the firefight also showed the names of local politicians who are suspected to have provided support to the communist rebels.

Deadly Clash In Sorsogon

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur – An armed encounter transpired in Sorsogon between elements of the Philippine Army and the CPP-NPA-NDF today, 11 January 2010, at around 5:30am.

Reacting to a hot information provided by a concerned resident about heavily armed men extorting money from local politicians in Brgy Ginara, Magallanes, Sorsogon, the 903rd Brigade Commander, Colonel Joselito Bernardo, quickly sent a 14-man team from the 49th Infantry Battalion led by 2LT MADRID to confirm the said report.

At around 530am, the soldiers spotted the rebels in their encampment at an isolated area 300m from the said barangay. A firefight which ensued, lasted for 30 minutes after which the enemies scampered towards various directions leaving behind two rebels dead and 2 soldiers (Pfc Formanes and Pvt Madara) wounded. Five Cal 5.56mm M16 Rifles, one Cal .30 M2 Carbine Rifle, one Cal. 5.56mm Ultimax Light Machinegun and 5 improvised landmines were likewise recovered.

The wounded soldiers were brought to Bulan District Hospital while the two dead communist terrorists were brought to the local government of Magallanes for proper identification.

MGen Ruperto R Pabustan, commander of 9ID, has directed all unit commanders in Bicol Region to intensify its campaign against the communist terrorists and to support the Philippine National Police in the election duties.

Seasoned Army Soldiers Deployed To Masbate Province

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur – The 9th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army sent a well-trained Company-size soldiers to Masbate Island yesterday, 09 January 2010.

The 85-man Infantry Company led by 1LT Julius M Feria, will assist the PNP in its drive to dismantle political armed groups (PAGs), pre-empt election-related violence and intensify the campaign against communist terrorists.

This new batch of soldiers will complement the 9th Infantry Battalion which has jurisdiction over Masbate Province. It will also assist in implementing various Kalayaan sa Baranggay Program (KPB) projects which are initiated by the Philippine Army in Bicol Region.

Major Harold Cabunoc, the Chief of the 9ID Public Affairs Office, disclosed that on 09 January 2010, a joint coordinating conference was conducted by the COMELEC Region 5 Office, PRO 5, PNP and the 9th Infantry Division in Camp Ola, Legaspi City to synergize the efforts on ISO and the multifarious tasks in support to the COMELEC.

The COMELEC deputizes the AFP-PNP for the upcoming elections. During the meeting, the joint operational guidelines related to the upcoming local and national elections were discussed extensively.

“We will carry out our various mandates in Bicol Region based on the directives from higher headquarters. The Commander of the 9th Infantry Division, Major General Ruperto R Pabustan, directed all unit commanders to enforce the law in coordination with the police as they perform election duties starting on 10 January 2010”, Major Cabunoc said.