Masbate Clashes Leave 2 rebels dead, 10 firearms confiscated

MASBATE CITY– Two NPA bandits lay dead in a series of clashes that erupted in different areas in here today, a military official said.

Lt Col Jun Pacatan, Commander of the 9thInfantry Battalion of the Philippine Army said that four separate clashes with NPA bandits happened in his area of responsibility starting at early morning today, March 19.

The first encounter between 15 NPA rebels and the platoon of soldiers led by 2Lt Jeffrey A Fajardo occurred at 5:45 a.m. in Dimasalang town. An M16 Armalite Rifle, 2 shotguns and 4 improvised bombs were confiscated in the said clash which lasted around 5 mins.

Receiving fresh information from the residents about the fleeing bandits, another platoon led by 2Lt Severato R Mazon encountered about six of the rebels and engaged them in a running gun battle in nearby village of Cabrera at 7:20a.m.

The soldiers confiscated an M653 rifle (baby Armalite) and a Cal .38 revolver during the 2nd clash which lasted about 10 minutes before the rebels fled with their casualties.

At around 9:00 a.m, another clash erupted at San Jose village, Uson town when the platoon led by 2Lt Brian Saura chanced upon another band of rebels. The bandits scampered to various directions after the 5-minute clash, leaving behind an M16 Rifle and personal belongings.

At around 10:20am, another platoon of soldiers led by 1Lt Richard F Caspillo clashed against the bandits in Cagara village, Baleno town. The rebels put up a fight which lasted 5 minutes, before they escaped to the mountains, leaving behind two dead comrades with their firearms including two M16 rifles, 1 US M1 Garand Rifle and 2 shotguns.

No one among the soldiers was hurt in the said clashes. The dead rebels were brought to the village officials for identification purposes.

Pacatan said that the soldiers are now receiving the full cooperation of the civilian residents in the area. “I am very thankful for the vital information provided to us by the villagers about the presence of armed bandits. The people are already fed up by the oppressive extortion activities which victimize all of them,” said Pacatan.

Meanwhile, the 903rd Brigade Commander, Col Felix Castro, said that he is still hopeful that the NPA rebels will consider laying down their arms and cooperate in the government’s peace and development efforts.

“I hope the rest of the bandits will consider abandoning their armed struggle and start working with us in our drive to end the communist insurgency. It is only by means of Bayanihan that we can achieve our goal of attaining economic prosperity for all,” said Castro.

Another NPA Murder Victim Grave Site Discovered

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur – “This is my son”, said Consuelo C Pongan, 60 years old, as tears rolled in her eyes upon seeing the set of skeletal remains that was presented to her and her family by Army soldiers of the 83^rd Infantry Battalion yesterday.

“It is still very vivid in my mind that this was exactly the t-shirt and the necklace he was wearing when he was forcibly dragged by NPA rebels at our house in 2007”, she added.

Yesterday (February 24) at around 0930 in the morning, a group of soldiers from the 83^rd Infantry Battalion exhumed the skeletal remains of a NPA murder victim later identified as Joel C Pongan in a shallow grave site at Sitio Ikanbayong, Brgy Maysuram of Caramoran town of the island province of Catanduanes.

Acting on a revelation of a former NPA rebel regarding NPA murder victim years back, Army Sergeant Romel Brillante and his squad proceeded to the gravesite to dig for the remains. “Naniniwala ako na may pamilya din ang biktima na nag aantay sa kanya para umuwi o makita man lamang ang kanyang katawan kung sya ay patay na”, said Sgt Brillante.”Kaya sinikap naming mahanap ito para mabigyan ng hustisya ang biktima”, he added.

According to the mother of the victim, Joel was last seen on June 25, 2007 when four armed (4) NPA rebels forcibly dragged his son at their residence at Brgy Maysuram of Caramoran while he was off from work. She said that her son was a former rebel who decided to leave the underground movement and go back to the stream of the society. When his surrender was recognized by the government, he joined the CAFGU.

“So many false hopes and promises, this was what my son was telling me why he left the rebel movement”, said the mother.

“We will assist the family in the filing of charges against the NPA rebels”, said Ltc Rod Batang, Commanding Officer of the 83^rd Infantry Battalion stationed in San Andres, Catanduanes. .

The skeletal remains was turned over to the Caramoran Municipal Police Station for documentation and for proper filing of charges.

On February 19, 2012, the body of Onesto Ojas Jr, A NPA murder victim, was exhumed in Brgy Calabasa, Labo in Camarines Norte after concerned residence revealed the information to the 49^th Infantry Battalion.

“The 9^th ID believes that there are more murder victims of the NPA not yet reported to the proper authorities here in Bicol. Joel Pongan and Onesto Ojas Jr are just a few of them”, said Major Angelo S Guzman, 9ID spokesperson.

Armed Clash Erupts in Cam Norte, 4 Dead

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur---- Four people lay dead in a clash between Army soldiers and a band of NPA rebels in a hinterland village of Camarines Norte early afternoon today, Feb 25.

Lt Col Epimaco Macalisang, the Commanding Officer of the 49th Infantry Battalion, said that he sent a platoon of his unit after receiving a 'hot information' regarding the extortion activity of the rebels in Malaya village, Labo town.

"Our informant told me that the rebels were asking for food and extortion money from them. I readily dispatched my soldiers to check the veracity of the report," said Macalisang.

The clash broke out when the rebels started firing as soldiers approached their location at around 1:00 PM. The soldiers traded fires with the rebels who were positioned in concealed places around the encounter site.

The rebels fled after about 10 minutes of exchange of fires, leaving behind two of their dead comrades. There were no casualties among the soldiers who pursued the remnants of the armed rebels.

The soldiers confiscated two highpowered rifles including a Cal 5.56mm M4 Commando and a US Cal 7.62mm M14 Rifle from the slain bandits.

Residents who rushed to the scene identified one of the dead as Rafael Llanto a.k.a. Gopi, the second highest leader of the communist rebels in the region. They said that Llanto is a familiar face in the village during their extortion activities.


Another dead rebel was identified as Benjamin Manzera, 54, a resident of the said village.

Crossfire victims

Moments later, the soldiers who scoured the area discovered another two lifeless bodies of young boys who were caught in the fighting.


Macalisang identified the two as Michael Manzera,10, and his brother Richard, 7.


Another sister, Leoneza, 14, sustained a gunshot wound in her wrist and was promptly treated by the Army's combat medics. She is now recuperating in a hospital in Daet town.


Initial report states that the victims are the children of the slain rebel.

"I am saddened by this incident. I blamed it to the rebels who fired automatic shots at my soldiers, sending countless bullets to various directions," said Macalisang.

Another group of soldiers have proceeded to the area with SOCO operatives to conduct thorough investigation.

Major General Josue Gaverza, the Commander of the 9th Infantry Division, has condoled with the grieving relatives of the crossfire victims.

"I have offered the Army's assistance to the bereaved family members of the slain civilians. I am equally saddened by this unfortunate incident wherein these innocent children are caught in the crossfire. I have requested the PNP authorities in Camarines Norte to conduct a thorough investigation regarding this encounter," said Gaverza.

Girl, 21, recants testimony against Army soldiers

FORT BONIFACIO, Taguig City – The woman who accused Army soldiers gang-raping her withdraws the charges that she filed before a Masbate court, a military official said.

Lieutenant Colonel Jun Pacatan, the Commanding Officer of the 9thInfantry Battalion, said that the rape case filed by a certain "Lanie" (name withheld) was withdrawn by the complainant in her Affidavit of Desistance that she signed on February 20 (Monday).

Pacatan said that Atty Richard Riveral, the Assistant Provincial Prosecutor of Masbate, was present during the signing.

“The affidavit states that that allegation that she was raped or sexually abused by the respondents on January 30 and February 2 inside the military camp located in Puro village, Milagros town is not true,” said Pacatan.

Pacatan disclosed that the alleged rape victim followed her conscience and voluntarily withdrew the charges against her friends who invited her inside camp.

"The woman said that her accusations were not true, and that in the interest of justice, she prayed for the dismissal of the complaint," added Pacatan.

It can be recalled that "Lanie" engaged in a drinking spree with the soldiers inside the camp late evening on January 30, 2012.

Her soldier-friends allowed her inside the camp premises of Bravo Company/9th IB in Puro village, without the knowledge of the officers and senior enlisted men who are responsible over them.

She returned in the same camp on February 2 where she was again welcomed by one of the soldiers. Together, they went strolling in the nearby village of Calachuche.

The investigation conducted by the 9th Infantry Battalion disclosed that, "there were no indications of commotion or noises" during the time that the woman was inside camp.

The investigating body was also wondering why Lanie returned to the camp on February 2 after she was allegedly 'raped' by the soldiers.

She never complained to the military authorities about the alleged rape.

Administrative sanctions

Despite the withdrawal of the case against them, the soldiers will face administrative cases filed against them.

Pacatan said that he will never condone the wrongdoing of his soldiers who violated Army regulations by secretly allowing a civilian inside camp for a drinking session.

"I have relieved all the accused soldiers from their posts, including their Company Commander and the First Sergeant who will face sanctions for command responsibility. The six soldiers are now facing charges (Articles of War) filed before the Army's Provost Marshall Office in 9ID headquarters," he said.

Meanwhile, Major Harold M Cabunoc, the Army Spokesperson, said that the Philippine Army will never tolerate any transgressions to their regulations.

"Our efforts to transform the Army is a continuous process and a daunting task that we must fulfill. We are a professional organization led by competent leaders who want to make the Army the source of national pride," said Cabunoc.

NPA Rebels Torch Down Passenger Bus in Albay

FORT BONIFACIO, Taguig City – A Silver Star bus which originated from Bulan town Sorsogon and heading towards Manila was torched down by suspected NPA rebels In Barangay Cagbacong, Legaspi City last night (January 26) at around 07:30 pm.

Eyewitnesses claimed that the suspects posing as passengers, boarded the bus at a stopover terminal in Sorsogon City.

Upon reaching the area between Cumadcad and Sogoy villages in Castilla town, the armed men drew their pistols and introduced themselves as NPA rebels.

At the junction in Barangay Sogoy, Castilla town they commandeered the bus towards Barangay Cagbacong, an interior barangay of Legaspi City where three more rebels with long firearms were waiting.

The passengers were forcibly herded out of the bus before pouring gasoline and razing it to the ground.

The passengers fled the scene and made it back to the national hi-way where they reported the incident to the police in Barangay Cumadcad.

“Extortion is the primary motive in this burning incident. The people have denounced this atrocity wherein the NPA rebels have terrorized not just the business owners but also the innocent passengers,” said Col Felix Castro Jr., 903^rd Brigade Commander based in Sorsogon.

He added that coordination has been made with the PNP to track the rebels.

Masbate Rebels Suffer Double Whammy in Sorsogon Encounter

FORT BONIFACIO, Taguig City – Rebels who fled the relentless pursuit operations of the Army in the province of Masbate suffered another humiliating defeat in the hands of government forces in Sorsogon, a military official said.

Lt. Col Teody Toribio, Commanding Officer of the 31st IB stationed in Juban town in Sorsogon said that his unit dealt a decisive blow against the Masbate-based rebels during an encounter at about 2:00pm yesterday, Nov 29. The said encounter resulted to the recovery of 8 high-powered rifles.

He said that he sent a nine-man squad of soldiers together with some PNP officers to check on a report that an abandoned white maritime vessel ran aground the coastal waters of Brgy Poblacion Norte in Barcelona, Sorsogon early in the morning yesterday.

“A tipster saw armed men disembark the vessel early in the morning of Nov 29. This information was also validated by another villager who claimed to have seen the rebels boarding a motorcycle towards Juban town,” said Toribio.

Two of the rifles, a 12-gauge shotgun and an M1 Carbine rifle were discovered inside the abandoned fishing vessel which ran aground in the sandbar.

The group of soldiers who scoured the vicinity, were fired upon by the rebels who were hiding behind the thick mangrove trees. A 15-minute firefight ensued after which the rebels escaped with their casualties.

“They mingled with the civilian fishermen who happened to be in the area prompting my soldiers to hold their fire to prevent collateral damage,” added Toribio.

The soldiers confiscated 6 more high-powered firearms including five (5) m16 rifles and one (1) cal.30 M1 Garand rifle which were left behind by the fleeing rebels.The soldiers also recovered various types of ammunition, subversive documents and personal belongings.

Army Corporal Jeffrey N Balajadia, the squad leader, said that during the inspection, they found the markings 'MAS 15.0002BA' indicating that the vessel was registered in Masbate.

Col Felix Castro, 903rd Brigade Commander, who has operational jurisdiction in the provinces of Sorsogon and Masbate, directed 31st IB to launch pursuit operations against the NPA rebels.

He also confirmed that the armed men belong to a group of communist rebels operating in Masbate.

“The recovered subversive documents indicated that the rebels who figured in this firefight came all the way from Masbate province. They suffered heavily in the recent clashes with the 9^th Infantry Battalion in that area, forcing them to flee towards mainland Bicol which is accessible by boat,” said Castro.

Castro also emphasized that the encounter is a perfect example of Oplan Bayanihan at work. He lauded the PNP and the civilians who provided the timely information regarding the rebels’ presence.

“Our healthy relationships with the various stakeholders in the province combined with our “Bayanihan” efforts in Sorsogon paid off leading to this accomplishment.” concluded Castro.

Army Clash with Communist Rebels in Masbate

A firefight erupted between Army soldiers and a band of communist rebels in Masbate province in the morning of November 25, 2011.

The team of soldiers belonging to the 9th Infantry Battalion led by 1st Lieutenant Ronnie Garchitorena was conducting security operations in the village of Manlot-od, Placer town when they chanced upon at least 10 rebels.

A 15-minute gunbattle ensued after which the rebels fled with their casualties.

The soldiers confiscated an M653 Rifle (Baby Armalite), an MK2 fragmentation grenade and a Cal 38 pistol from the rebels.

No one was hurt among the soldiers. They conducted pursuit operations together with elements from the local police.

Army Soldiers Deliver a Knock-out Punch Against NPA Rebels in Masbate

Despite the much hyped Pacman boxing fight, Army soldiers clashed with communist rebels and delivered a knock-out punch against their nemesis in a hinterland village of Masbate early morning today (November 13, Sunday).

Lt.Col Julian 'Jun' Pacatan, Commanding Officer of 9th Infantry Battalion, said that the encounter happened in Matagbac village, Milagros town at around 6am.

He said that he sent a team of soldiers led by 2LT Francis Alfie Tuazon to arrest the rebels who were extorting the residents in the area.

The heavy exchange of gunfire ensued when the soldiers were fired upon by more or less 10 rebels. The rebels fled with their casualties prompting a running gunbattle which lasted 15mins.
No one was injured among the government troops. The soldiers confiscated one M16 armalite rifle, one M653 baby armalite, 2 handguns and 25 improvised bombs.

“The villagers are fed up by this NPA extortion. While the soldiers are providing medical missions and feeding programs, the communist rebels continue to ask money from them,” said Pacatan.

“We will miss Pacman’s fight today because of our relentless pursuit operations. Like Pacman, we want to win this fight against extortionists,” he added.

Major General Josue Gaverza, commander of the 9th Infantry Division has directed 903rd Commander Colonel Felix Castro Jr to conduct agressive security patrols against NPA extortionists who are despised by the people.

Two Communist Rebels Die in Albay Encounter

Two New People’s Army (NPA) extortionist was killed in an encounter with government troops in Albay early morning today, a military official said.

Lt Col Audrey Pasia, Commanding Officer of the 2nd Infantry Battalion, said that two communist bandit members died in a clash with his troops at about 5 a.m., Friday.

Pasia said that he sent a nine-man squad of his unit led by 1Lt Rolito Basibas after receiving a tip-off from a concerned resident about the presence of communist rebels who demanded money from them in Maog-og Village, Jovellar town.

“The rebels fired the first shots when they were approaching the 10-man bandit group led by Armando Arellano (aka Rudy) of Kilusang Larangang Gerilya 77, triggering a five-minute fire fight. The bandit group fled with their casualties leaving behind two dead comrades with one M16 rifle, one M653 Rifle (Baby Armalite) and M203 grenade launcher,” said Pasia.

My troops did not incur any casualties and they are still conducting pursuit operations to hunt down the remnants of the bandit groups,” Pasia added.

Maj. Gen Jose Gaverza Jr., 9th Infantry Division Commander, directed Lt Col Pasia to try to locate and coordinate with the relatives of the slain bandits as well as with the police authorities to give the unidentified fallen rebels a decent burial.

Kasong Murder Isinampa Laban sa mga Bandidong NPA

‘Bicol Veteran’ Is the New Army Commander of Bicol Region

Major General Josue Gaverza AFP, the new Commander of the 9th Infantry (Spear) Division

PILI, Camarines Sur – A veteran in Bicol’s counterinsurgency campaign will take the reins as the Commander of the Army forces in the region, a military official said.

Major Harold Cabunoc, the Spokesperson of the 9th Infantry Division said that Major General Josue Gaverza, 54, will assume command of the 5,000 strong Army Forces in the whole Bicolandia effective tomorrow, March 26.

“General Gaverza is a well-rounded officer who had served as the Battalion Commander of the 31st Infantry Battalion based in Sipocot town in CY 2000. Through his excellent combat leadership, the 31st IB scored heavily against the NPA bandits when the main rebel camp of the Bicol Regional Party Committee was seized by the soldiers of his battalion,” said Cabunoc.

A father figure to his subordinates, soldiers of the 31st Infantry Battalion fondly remember him as a very caring officer.

Captain Marcial Lumanga, 35, who once served in the same battalion said that General Gaverza was still the talk among the soldiers as one of the ‘best commanders’ that they ever had.

“He is best remembered as an intelligent tactician and for his excellent managerial acumen. My soldiers can attest to the fact that he made sure that every foot soldier was provided all necessary support as they carried out their delicate missions in the field,” said Lumanga.

“Up to now, soldiers and their families still recall about Gaverza’s exceptional kindness to the soldiers. He demands strict military discipline but he ‘touches’ the hearts of the soldiers and their dependents. The unit won a Commander 2ID Streamer Award for being the Best Battalion in 2001 and it was attributed to the fact that the soldiers’ morale and welfare were properly taken cared of,” added Lumanga.

In his own revelation, Cabunoc cites his personal experiences while working with General Gaverza who once served as the Contingent Commander of the Philippine Army Shooting Team which was sent to Malaysia in 1997.

“He was a very approachable officer who inspires his subordinates. He was one of the officers who strongly supported the Army Shooting Team by providing us with brand new M16A2 Rifles and relevant shooting accessories. He was among those senior officers who really listened to our recommendations,” said Cabunoc, a former Team Leader of the Army’s elite marksmen fielded for international shooting competitions.

A native of Zarraga town in Iloilo, Gaverza was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant upon his graduation from the Philippine Military Academy in 1978.

He had served in the three largest islands of the Philippine Archipelago starting as a Platoon Leader of the 4th Infantry Division in Mindanao. He had also commanded the 303rd Infantry Brigade in the Visayas in 2008.


His sterling performance is capped by his numerous awards and citations. He is a recipient of the Gold Cross Award, the third highest combat award, for his gallantry in action under enemy fire.

He was also awarded the Distinguished Service Star for his exceptional performance in the sensitive positions that he had held in the Philippine Army.

A widower, Gaverza lost his wife in a freak accident more than a decade ago. They are blessed with three sons Joshua Alexei, 24; Jean Karl, 20, and Justine Stefan, 17.

Major General Ruperto “Raffy” Pabustan, the outgoing Division Commander, has welcomed Gaverza as his replacement.

“I am confident that he can sustain the efforts that I have started here in the region. I am thankful that the Spear Warriors (9th ID soldiers) are in good hands,” said Pabustan in a statement.

The formal change of command ceremony will be held in Camp Elias Angeles at 10:00am tomorrow, March 26 (Saturday).

Lieutenant General Arturo Ortiz, the Commanding General of the Philippine Army will preside the turn-over ceremony.

CHR-Bicol Downplays "Torture Video" Against 9ID

It’s a Thing of the Past: Army Official on the “ 9ID Torture Video”

PILI, Camarines Sur - A military official has admitted the occurrence of the alleged ‘torture’ of candidate soldiers as a ‘thing of the past’.

Major Harold Cabunoc, Spokesperson of the 9th Infantry Division said that the video was taken during the Escape and Evasion (locally known as “Echo-echo”) practical exercises of the Candidate Soldier Course Class 185-2008 about three years ago.

“The Escape and Evasion exercise used to be part of the military training wherein the ‘captive soldiers’ are subjected to simulated physical pains endured during their captivity. As loyal soldiers, they are not supposed to divulge sensitive information to the enemy except their serial numbers,” said Cabunoc.

Asked about the ‘beating’ underwent by the ‘captives’, Cabunoc said that the trainers who act as the ‘opposing force’ (OPFOR), are allowed only to ‘threaten’ the others by the ‘grimacing pain’ endured by the soldiers who were ‘tortured’ by the ‘enemy’.

“In my personal experience as a Scout Ranger trainee, our trainers put a squad of soldiers inside a dark room where they are being ‘tortured’ while the others were waiting outside hearing the loud screams. Actually, our Instructors directed us to scream as loud as we can as if we were being strangled and mauled so that the others will be scared to death. This technique works to some of our classmates who were shivering in fear when they were summoned for their turn,” explained Cabunoc.

“In the so-called “9ID Torture Video” posted in the internet, some trainers were seen beating the ‘captives’ with ropes and small sticks. This is unacceptable because undue harm is already inflicted upon the soldier. This is not the correct way to mold a warrior-leader. Actually, this incident led to the sacking and meting of administrative sanctions on the involved personnel from the Division Training Unit.”

Responding to this incident a letter directive was handed down from Headquarters Philippine Army in 2009, scrapping the Escape and Evasion subject from the program of instruction (POI) of the basic military training.

“Due to some abuses committed by a few trainers, the ‘Echo-Echo’ became counterproductive. The SOP Nr 9 HPA directive requires all training managers to abolish any form of maltreatment. Today, every soldier who finishes the basic training starting in 4Qtr 2009 can attest to the fact that a scientific approach to training is already enforced. As a result, trainees are required to sleep at 10:00pm, eat their rightful meals on time and jog using rubber shoes instead of the combat boots.”

Cabunoc revealed that the influx of thousands of applicants for the Candidate Soldier Course in the Bicol Region is the testament that military service is appealing to them. He said that at least 5,000 youngsters tried to join the latest batch of the Candidate Soldier Course which was opened here about a week ago.

Cabunoc lamented that the CPP-NPA-NDF (CNN) is trying to portray the soldiers as devilish individuals who don’t respect human rights.

“This is a grand scheme to discredit the positive accomplishments of the 9th ID in terms of human rights protection and countryside development. The CNN’s influence in this region has significantly dwindled due to their own misdemeanors. The NPA bandits have continued their policy of liquidating unarmed soldiers and militia forces, the latest of which was the killing of militiaman Gino Olugar in Camarines Sur on March 17, 2011.”

Records in the 9th Infantry Division show that 52 people were murdered by the NPA rebels in 2009 and 45 people in 2010.

In 2011, nine people have also perished in their murderous campaigns.

In February, 6 members of Pedrito Bico's family were massacred by NPA bandits in Libmanan town in Camarines Sur after refusing to pay the demanded 'revolutionary tax'.

On February 28, the communist rebels shot and killed two high school students Jason Nierbesa and Sandy Lozano in Camalig town in Albay after accusing them as robbers.

On March 17, the rebels have also owned up the murder of militiaman Gino Olugar, a rebel returnee who joined the fight against his former comrades for the past 4 years.

In their press statement (NDF Bicol website), the communist rebels bragged about the killings as part of their campaign to punish some individuals for 'offenses' against the masses.

Another Militiaman Murdered by CPP/NPA Bandits

Camp Elias Angeles, San Jose, Pili, Camrines Sur – A militiaman serving in the Army’s 9th Infantry Division was shot and killed by New People’s Army (NPA) bandits in Camsur at 12:00nn last Thursday (March 17).

Militiaman Gino Olugar was spending his vacation at his home in Pamukid Village, San Fernando town when three armed men shot him at point blank range with a Cal .45 pistol in the presence of his wife and children. He succumbed to his sustained multiple gunshot wounds including a headshot.

A former NPA rebel himself, Olugar chose to surrender to the government forces and joined the fight against the NPA’s banditry. General Ruperto “Raffy” Pabustan, Commander of the 9th Infantry Division deplored the latest case of human rights violation of the communist rebels. In 2010, 8 CAFGU and 6 soldiers were among the 45 people who were executed by the NPA bandits. In February, the bandits massacred 6 members of Pedrito Bico’s family after the latter refused to pay the extortion money demanded by Ka Mike of the NPA’s Front Committee 75.

Army Soldiers Cited for Masbate’s Peace and Development

Pili, CamSur - Masbate Governor Rizalina "Dayan" Lanete delivering her inspiring speech at the opening ceremony for the new batch of Army recruits in Camp Elias Angeles.

PILI, Camarines Sur – The Philippine Army in the Bicol Region earned praises from a local chief executive during a military ceremony held here today.

Masbate Governor Rizalina “Dayan” Lanete, who graced the opening ceremony for the new batch of Army recruits, said that the presence of the Philippine Army has drastically improved the peace and order situation in her province.

“The soldiers are doing so much in the peace and order situation especially in far-flung areas where ordinary men dare not go,” she said in a statement.

Lanete came here to witness the Oath Taking ceremony of the 125 new Army recruits who compose the Candidate Soldier Course Class 255-11.

In her speech, she urged the soldiers to support her administration in delivering various public services to her constituents.

“If we work hard enough together as a community, not even the most arid deserts can stop this grace from blooming. We hold in our hands the keys to making our dreams come true,” said Lanete who spoke fluently both in English and Visayan.

The Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police in Masbate have earned accolades during the conduct of national and local elections last year.

For the first time, the 2010 elections posted the lowest number of election-related violent incidents in its many decades of polls which are usually marred by political violence.

Masbate Clash Wounds an Innocent Child

MASBATE CITY – An innocent child who was used as human shield was slightly wounded in a clash between the communist rebels and Army soldiers early morning here today (March 10).

LtCol Jun Pacatan, Commanding Officer of the 9th Infantry Battalion said that the clash occurred at around 7:40am in Sitio Balinsasayaw (sub-village), Bugtong village in Mandaon town.

He said that the a squad of his soldiers led by Staff Sergeant Joel Pavon was on security operations when they spotted some unidentified armed men in a house beside a creek.

Sensing the presence of hapless civilians, Pavon directed his men to hold their fire and surround the rebels to arrest them.

“We were approaching the house, when the first volley of fire rained on us prompting all of my soldiers to seek cover. Some of the rebels were hiding behind the dumbfounded children and we fired selectively, trying to avoid hitting the human shields,” said Pavon.

Outnumbered by the soldiers, the rebels retreated in disarray after about three minutes of firefight. Soldiers found traces of blood along their withdrawal direction.

The soldiers discovered a Cal .45 pistol, a Cal .38 revolver and an improvised bomb left behind by the rebels. Three combat packs containing subversive documents were confiscated by the soldiers.

Domingo Amaro, the owner of the house, informed the soldiers that his 1-year old daughter, Christine, sustained a shrapnel wound in her left underarm. The soldiers promptly applied first-aid to the wounded child and carried her to the nearby hospital in Mandaon town for further treatment.

Dr Estipona of Mandaon Community Care Hospital said that the child is in stable condition. She said that the child got a “very slight wound”.

Accompanied by the soldiers, Amaro filed a complaint before Mandaon PNP for the ‘abuses by the NPA rebels of the Kilusang Sangay sa Platun-North led by a certain Ka Jaypee.

“I have allowed them to take some of our coffee but I am disgruntled by their act of using my three young children, including me and my wife, as human shields during the clash. The rebels should be blamed because they fired the first shot,” said Amaro in a recorded statement.

It can be recalled that a ranking NPA rebel leader named Vangie Herrero a.k.a. Ka Vivian, was collared by the soldiers of 9th Infantry Battalion here two weeks ago.

Major General Ruperto “Raffy” Pabustan, has directed LtColonel Jun Pacatan of the 9th Infantry Battalion to pursue the rebels who are blamed for the massive extortion activities in the province of Masbate.

Victims of NPA's Extra-Judicial Killing Cry Justice

LEGASPI CITY – Victims of the extra-judicial killings in Bicol have surfaced to air their complaints against the human rights abuses committed by the communist rebels, a military official said here yesterday, March 4, 2011.

LtCol John Oberio, Commander of the 2nd Infantry Battalion, said that more and more family members have surfaced to ask the military’s assistance during the filing of criminal cases against the perpetrators.

“Though threatened with death by the NPA rebels, some of the relatives have contacted me about their intention to file criminal complaints against the rebels. This is a positive step because most of the victims prefer to shut up for fear of the NPA's reprisals,” said Oberio.

Leonora Nerveza, 44, came to file a criminal complaint against the communist rebels belonging to the Santos Binamira Command based in Albay. Her son, Jeffrey, 20, was shot and killed by the communist rebels along with Sandy Lozano, at around 7:00pm on February 28, 2011.

She lamented the public pronouncements aired by the communist rebels over the radio that her son was meted with death for being a ‘robber’ and a ‘rapist’.

“It is disheartening that the communist rebels are accusing my young son as a criminal. I am sending him to school out of my meager income as a handicraft maker in our village,” said Nerveza, a separated woman who raises her 4 young children alone.

She also said that she last saw her son in the night on February 23 when he bade goodbye to attend the JS (Junior-Senior) prom organized by his school. I was told the next day that he was abducted by heavily armed men while on the way to the party.

“I was crying for many days as I was trying my best to locate my son. On March 1, residents of Cotmon village, Camalig town discovered the bullet-riddled body of my son at around 6:00am.”

At around 3:00pm yesterday (March 4), she headed to regional office of the Commission of Human Rights in this city to seek justice for the death of his son.

Atty Anel Almoguera of CHR Region 5 facilitated the filing of a criminal case against the culprits. She was told that she could receive a financial assistance of P10,000.00 if she can complete all the required documents.

A CHR team would be sent to conduct a thorough investigation about the circumstances leading to the killing of his son.

Lozano’s family declined to accompany Nerveza in her quest for justice. In a text message sent to Oberio, they claimed that the rebels threatened to ‘wipe out their whole family’ if they file a complaint against them (NPA rebels).

Survivor's story

Chris Canieso, 21, a former rebel himself, has survived the attempt to kill him in December 2009 in his home in San Francisco village, Bula town, Camarines Sur.

He used to be a ‘student’ of Elmer Estrellado, a demolition and explosive instructor whom he knew as Ka Poldo.

He sustained multiple gunshot wounds including a bullet that barely missed his heart by an inch. He said that his former comrades wanted him killed because of his cooperation to the military authorities.

While recuperating from his wounds, he was caught by police authorities in a hospital in Iriga City.

He was incarcerated because of a case filed against him for the killing of a certain Sgt Valencia, an Army soldier who was killed in an attack that he participated as an NPA rebel in 2007.

While in jail, his former comrades accused him of cooperating with the government and the military authorities.

“My two brothers, Benjamin and Jaime were killed by my former friends in the CPP-NPA in 2010 as a ‘punishment’ for my alleged cooperation with the military,” said Canieso who belongs to a large family of 12 children.

“Due to the killing of my brothers, we decided to flee and seek refuge among our relatives in far away places,” added Canieso, who is now starting a new life as a father of two young children aged 3 and 1.

Canieso said that he wants his friends in the rebel movement to go home and start a new life. He said that young people like him were merely used by their leaders to advance their selfish purposes.

“Our leaders have forced us to become hardened criminals while they enjoy the loot that we collected from businessmen, poor farmers and corrupt politicians. As their pawns, they ordered us to kill people, and, I went on ‘AWOL’ (Absent Without Official Leave) because I can’t stomach the killings anymore,” explained Canieso who left the rebel movement in January 2009 after more than 5 years as a communist guerilla.

Military authorities here have pledged to help secure the victims of the NPA’s summary executions which had claimed the lives of 52 people in Calendar Year 2009 and 45 people in Calendar Year 2010.

CamSur Firefight Wounds an NPA ‘Amazon’

TAMED AMAZON. Darlene Palomas who is also known as "Ka Brenda" among her comrades, answers questions fielded by the local media after her treatment in a government hospital in Naga City. Palomas was wounded in a firefight with government troops in a hinterland village in Lagonoy town at 2:30am yesterday (Feb 22). (Photo by PFC Marlon San Esteban/ 9th Division Public Affairs Office)

PILI, CamSur – A young NPA ‘amazon’ was captured by military authorities after a brief firefight in Lagonoy town of this province at 2:30pm yesterday (Feb 22), a military report said.

Lieutenant Colonel Ernesto Cruz, Commanding Officer of the 42nd Infantry Battalion, said that he received a text message about the extortion activity of armed communist rebels in Dahat village at around 2:00pm.

“I sent two of my soldiers to verify the said report which was sent through text message. Upon reaching the village, they immediately spotted the two suspected rebels who were riding in tandem on board a Rusi motorcycle,” said Cruz.

“While trying to stop the motorcycle, the rebel who was the driver suddenly screeched to a sudden halt and fired his weapon at the soldiers. The soldiers traded gunfire with the rebels for about 5 minutes, hitting the woman who was left behind by her male comrade,” added Cruz in a statement.

After giving the wounded rebel first-aid treatment, Cruz immediately directed his soldiers to evacuate the NPA ‘amazon’ who identified herself as Ka Brenda.

She was treated by military doctors in the infirmary of Camp Elias Angeles upon her arrival at around 4:00pm. She was transferred to a larger hospital in Naga City for further medical examinations thirty minutes later.

Looking strong despite her leg wound, Ka Brenda readily agreed to be interviewed by the local media who were accompanied by some military officials.

She identified herself as Darlene Palomas, 22, a single mother from Pasay City.

“I joined the communist rebel movement because of my financial difficulties. I don’t have a way to support my three year old son,” said Palomas in an interview.

“I received ‘donations’ among our supporters in Goa and Lagonoy town where I work as a ‘community organizer’. I sent some of my money to my mother who is taking care of my son,” she said.

She expressed her gratefulness for the kindness of her captors.

“I am thankful that they respected my basic rights and for bringing me to the hospital,” she said.

“I want to return back to the folds of the law. I call on the soldiers to give me fair treatment”.

Seeing that her X-ray result revealed that no bones were fractured, she gamely requested for her favorite fried chicken from one of the military officer.

Her wish was immediately granted and she grinned upon seeing her favorite food delivered to her bedside a few minutes later.

Major General Ruperto Pabustan, the Commander of the 9th Infantry Division, has directed Colonel Teodoro Cirilo Torralba of the 902nd Brigade to look into the possibility of including Palomas in the list of beneficiaries of the free housing facilities provided by the local government of Camarines Sur and Gawad Kalinga Foundation.

CamSur Massacre Leaves 6 Dead and 1 Wounded

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, CamSur – Six people fell dead in a shooting rampage in CamSur at 8:30pm last night (Feb 04), a military report said.

Colonel Teodoro Cirilo Torralba, Commander of the 902nd Brigade which has jurisdiction over Camarines Sur, said that the shooting attack happened in an isolated village of Villadema in Libmanan town.

“I received an information from a concerned neighbor of the victims that at least five heavily armed men attacked the home of a certain Frederico Vico,55, a copra trader last night. Four people were initially reported dead and one critically wounded,” said Torralba.

Torralba also said that there were reports that there were ‘more casualties’ in the area but he could not readily give the details. He said that he immediately dispatched a platoon of soldiers led by 1st Lieutenant Alden Brinas at around 5:00am to check the incident together with some police investigators.

“There are no accessible roads to this place. My soldiers went there on foot with the police to assess the situation and pursue the assailants,” he added.

At around 10:00am, sources from Mother Seton Hospital in Naga city disclosed that five of the victims were brought to the hospital early in the morning today, February 5.

Four of the victims were pronounced dead on arrival in a hospital in Naga City while one is still in critical condition.

The fatalities were identified as Pedrito Vico,55, his son named Christian, 28, family driver Crispin Gamer,36, and a househelp named Armando Queto, 25. A certain Ronilo De Castro is still fighting for his life as of this time.

Soldiers who scoured the escape route of the attackers found the cadaver of two more victims at around 11:00am.

Grieving relatives claimed that the assailants used the two victims as ‘guide’ during their hasty retreat to the wooded area and they were executed along the way.

Teolo Corral’s cadaver was found at Sitio Sta Cruz, Zone 7 of Villadema village while the body of Fernando Lopez was abandoned in Sitio Magsaysay, Cagawan village.

A relative of Vico who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that Pedrito, the owner of the flourishing copra business in the village, had been receiving extortion demands from the CPP-NPA-NDF starting last year.

“The first demand was P30,000.00, then it was lowered to P20,000.00. Instead of giving in to the demands of the communist rebels, Pedrito armed himself and recruited some guards,” he said.

He also added that the rebels held Christian at gunpoint when they barged in last night (Friday). Pedrito fought off the attackers using his personal firearm, hitting some of them, forcing the attackers to retreat with their casualties.

Military authorities are in the hot trail for a band of communist rebels who are currently engaged in criminal activities.

“The involvement of some NPA rebels in various crimes is not new to us. Last year, a band of communist rebels shot dead an operator of Sunwest corporation in a robbery-hold-up incident in Guinobatan town in Albay. Due to the lack of popular support, the communist rebels are now heavily engaged in banditry,” said Major Harold M Cabunoc, Spokesperson of the 9th Infantry Division.

Major General Ruperto Pabustan, the Commander of the 9th Infantry Division, has condemned the gruesome massacre of innocent civilians by suspected communist rebels. He has directed the 902nd Brigade to assist the PNP in its investigation to identify the perpetrators and file criminal cases against them.

Major Harold M. Cabunoc (INF) PA, 9th Infantry (Spear) Division's spokesman, speaking on the Libmanan Massacre.